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Graeme Dott tells historic sex crime trial ‘absolutely no way I abused children’

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Daily Record

Graeme Dott is accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards two primary school age children.

Former snooker world champion Graeme Dott has told a court there is “absolutely no way” he sexually abused two children.

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The 49-year-old is accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards two primary school age children. The allegations span between 1993 and 1996 involving a girl, and 2006 to 2010 involving a boy, both in the Glasgow region.

Dott has denied the two charges against him. Giving evidence to his trial at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, Dott denied carrying out any of the alleged abuse.

Asked about his first alleged victim by his lawyer Euan Dow, Dott said there was “absolutely no way” he had touched her inappropriately.

“On any occasion?” Mr Dow asked him. “On any occasion,” Dott confirmed.

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He was asked about skin cream he used for eczema, which the woman, who is now in her 40s, had told the court on Monday she could smell when he allegedly kissed her.

Dott denied the cream he used had a smell, saying he always used E45 and the “whole point of it” is that it is odourless. He also said “No” when asked if he had ever kissed her. Dott was also asked if he had ever been alone with the boy he is alleged to have abused on a number of occasions. “Never in my entire life,” Dott insisted.

The 49-year-old told the court he became a professional snooker player in 1993, and from then on he was often away competing in tournaments. He said his career had “stopped when the latest allegations came out in 2024 or 2025”.

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He said the first time he became aware of any alleged wrongdoing was when police contacted him in 2001 as part of an investigation they had launched.

Earlier on Thursday, the court heard evidence from Dott’s second alleged victim, who said the first instance of alleged abuse happened when Dott was world snooker champion.

Under questioning from advocate depute Lindsey Dalziel, the witness said a lot of the abuse took place while he was in a shower, when Dott would come in either partly or completely undressed.

“He would… come into the shower and put soap on my body and wash me in the shower,” the man, who is now in his late 20s, told the court. “While he was washing me he would touch me in inappropriate places.”

He said looking back at it now, Dott was “clearly getting sexual gratification from it”, and he was “pleasuring himself” while this was taking place. The man said that because of his age at the time, he “did not know what was going on”, and it was only later he realised the interaction “wasn’t right”.

The witness also described abuse which took place in a car, where he said Dott would kiss him on the face, head and lips, and “push himself up against me”. He told the court he remembers the smell of the soap Dott used, and that he now gets “PTSD flashbacks” from the same smell today.

The witness said that during the abuse, Dott expected “nothing less than compliance” from him, and the defendant became “quite aggressive” if his alleged victim did not do what he wanted.

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“(Dott) was quite forthcoming, his voice was aggressive,” the witness said. “Looking back on it I would say he knew what he wanted me to do.”

He said Dott would give him gifts following episodes of abuse.

“I think he used money, sweets and chocolates as a reward strategy,” the man said. “So that would have been in his eyes a reward for me doing what he wanted.”

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Mr Dow also put it to the man: “Can I make clear to you that Mr Dott doesn’t accept any of the instances of alleged abuse that you described in your evidence.”

Mr Dow said the court had heard evidence that Dott had allegedly abused the victim up to seven times.

In response, Dott said: “It did not happen.”

Under cross-examination by Ms Dalziel, Dott denied being attracted to the girl when she was young, calling the idea “disgusting”.

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When Ms Dalziel put it to Dott that he touched the first victim and told her what to do, he denied the allegation and called it “lies”.

Speaking about the second victim, Dott said he was “never in my company” and denied all allegations of abuse.

The trial, before judge Lord Harrower, continues.

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Gallery North East students celebrate GCSE results 2026

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Gallery North East students celebrate GCSE results 2026

From Darlington and County Durham to Teesside and North Yorkshire, pupils opened their envelopes with friends, families and teachers by their side to celebrate the grades they had worked hard for.

For many, the day marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as students prepare for sixth form, college, apprenticeships and start thinking about future careers.

School halls and classrooms were filled with hugs, cheers and celebrations as students opened their envelopes, with many exceeding their own expectations.

While some walked in feeling nervous about their results, many left feeling excited about their future and proud to see that their dedication had paid off.

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Teachers and staff were on hand throughout the morning to congratulate students and share in the celebrations, posing for photographs and wishing them every success as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

Teachers spoke, praising students for their determination, resilience and commitment throughout their studies and final exams.



Across the North East, schools reported strong performances, as well as exceptional individual achievements alongside wider success and improvements on results last year.

Many students secured top grades across multiple subjects, overcame personal challenges to achieve their goals, and earned the results they needed to head off to college or onto an apprenticeship.

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Darlington MP Lola McEvoy stopped by several schools across the town to congratulate both students and teachers for their hard work, and thank them for doing Darlington proud.

GCSE results day remains one of the most significant days for students in Britain, recognising the hard work of future generations and shining a spotlight on local and individual success.


Take a look through our gallery of some of the best moments as students across the North East celebrated GCSE results day 2026.

Staindrop Academy GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Andy Drozdziak)

Staindrop Academy GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026 (Image: Andy Drozdziak)

GCSE results Whitworth Park AcademyGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Chris Lines)

StudentsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

GCSE results Longfield AcademyGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Paul Fraser)

StudentsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

StudentsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

St Aidan's GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Andy Drozdziak)

Carmel College GCSEsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

Carmel College GCSEsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

GCSE results Longfield AcademyGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Paul Fraser)

St Aidan's GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Aja Dodd)

Students celebrate GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: NYC)

Portrait of studentGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Phoebe Addison from BoroughbridgeGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Provided)

Carmel College GCSEsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

Students celebrate GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: NYC)

Carmel College GCSEsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

Students at Wyvern Academy, GCSE results day 2026.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

St Aidan's GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Aja Dodd)

GCSE Results Day 2026 Polam Hall SchoolGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Chris Barron)

L-R: Alwin, Saskia, Olivia, Phoebe and Jasmine from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Carmel College GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

St Aidan's GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Aja Dodd)

Ms McEvoy celebrating GCSE success with Wyvern students.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Students at Wyvern Academy, GCSE results day 2026.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Students at Wyvern Academy, GCSE results day 2026.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Ms McEvoy celebrating GCSE success with Wyvern students.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Lola McEvoy with Olivia Bedford, who was on the Darlington MP's online safety forum last year.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Jasmine Horner, 16, from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Phoebe Taylor, 15, from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Celebrating GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Olivia Bedford, 16, from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Alwin Binu, 16, from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Celebrating GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Students celebrate GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: NYC)

Students at Wyvern Academy, GCSE results day 2026.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Students celebrate GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: NYC)

Celebrating GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Celebrating GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy with students at Wyvern Academy celebrating GCSE success.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Saskia Yates, 16, from Wyvern Academy.GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Celebrating GCSE resultsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Carmel College GCSEsGCSE results day 2026. (Image: Peter Barron)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Whitworth Park)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Aidan’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Aidan’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Longfield)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: UTC)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Longfield)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Carmel College)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Carmel College)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Ripon Grammar School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Aidan’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Whitworth Park)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Yarm School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Longfield)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Aidan’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Polam Hall School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Polam Hall School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Outwood Academy Redcar)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Polam Hall School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Longfield)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Yarm School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: RGS)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Polam Hall School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Wensleydale School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Bedale School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Yarm School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Lift Unity City)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Queen Mary’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Peter’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Yarm School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Peter’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: EMS)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Lift Unity City)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Peter’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: RGS)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Stokesley School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Richmond School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Richmond School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Richmond School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: St Peter’s)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Richmond School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Bydales)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Richmond School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Newcastle High School)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Consett Academy)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Cundall Manor)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Kings Academy)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Consett Academy)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Bydales)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Bydales)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Bydales)

GCSE Results Day 2026.GCSE Results Day 2026. (Image: Polam Hall School)

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19 images as Gateshead skyline changes amid A167 flyover demolition

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19 images as Gateshead skyline changes amid A167 flyover demolition

The A167 flyover, closed since December 2024 due to safety issues, is being dismantled, with work still expected to finish in October.

The section of the road over the Park Lane roundabout, once a critical route into Gateshead and Newcastle, is now almost entirely gone, leaving only rubble in its place.

(Image: Joe Sheridan)

These latest images reveal the empty expanse around the Park Lane roundabout.

(Image: Joe Sheridan)

The demolition project, which began in April, now carries an estimated cost of £31 million, an increase from the original £18 million estimate.

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The government has been repeatedly urged to fund both the demolition and regeneration of the area, but has not yet made a decision.

The Park Lane roundabout remains closed to allow the work to continue.

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The Common Pasta Cooking Mistake Italians Would Never Make

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The Common Pasta Cooking Mistake Italians Would Never Make

The UK loves Italian food ― in fact the cuisine landed the top spot in the world’s flavour scoreboard in 2019.

But whether it’s while making the sauce, adding your pasta water, or even knocking up your own pesto, it seems a lot of us are missing out on some traditional steps.

The country’s national dishes often involve processes we’re not familiar with, but so long as you accept that it’s probably not quite the same as what you’d chow down on in Bologna, your homemade pasta recipe is none of my business.

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One thing I do think we can all stand to learn from the masters themselves, though, is which pasta goes best with which sauces ― after all, l if you’ve spent hours sweating over a ragu, you’ll want to pair it with a shape that’ll make it sing most.

How can I work out which pasta shape goes with which pasta sauces?

There are over 350 different types of pasta in Italy. So how are you meant to go through each one?

It turns out that that vast array of carbs can be organised into five general categories per Italian food site Eataly:

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  • Tubolare, or tubed shapes like rigatoni or penne, is great with hefty, meaty sauces like a ragu, cheese, or chunky veg.
  • Attorcigliaita, or twisty pasta shapes like fusilli, are great for capturing small specks of more finely chopped ingredients, like tiny sausage specks in a tomato sauce or pesto.
  • Lunga, or long pasta like spaghetti, tagliatelle, and linguini depends on its thickness. Thin angel hair pasta might do better with seafood or creamy sauces, while thicker tagliatelle can stand up to thicker veg.
  • Ripiena, or stuffed pasta like tortellini and ravioli, are likely already so flavourful and thick that they don’t need much more than a butter sauce or even a broth.
  • Pastine, or teeny-tiny pasta like orzo and stelline, fare best in soups where they can thicken up the broth and get slurped from a spoon.

Of course, some pasta (like spirali) are both tubed and twisty; others, like shell pasta or gnocchi, evade these categories.

But in general, the thickness of your sauce should correspond to the capacity of your pasta to retain its ingredients; more delicate, thin pasta should be paired with lighter fare, while thicker, more robust shapes can be better paired with meat, mushrooms, heavy cream sauces, cheeses, and other things you want to taste in every bite.

Anything else?

Pasta site Pasta Evangelista shared a helpful grid suggesting which sauces go with which shapes.

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The Office vet Jenna Fischer reveals why she was put off by acting on TV after starring on show: ‘Really hard’

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The Office alum Jenna Fischer has revealed the 'intense' truth of starring on a TV series

Life as a TV star isn’t always so glamorous. 

Jenna Fischer catapulted to fame as ‘Pam Beesly’ on the beloved series The Office before landing a starring role on the sitcom Splitting Up Together. 

But the busy mother of two struggled to enjoy quality family time as a result of her leading role.

Now Fischer is revealing why the cancellation of the show turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  

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‘It was during Splitting Up Together, which I really loved that cast so much, but the hours were so intense,’ she recalled during an appearance on the podcast, Dinner’s On Me With Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

‘It was like 65, 70 hours a week,’ she said. ‘It was really, really hard, and my kids were very small.

The Office alum Jenna Fischer has revealed the ‘intense’ truth of starring on a TV series

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Fischer said she worked 70 hour weeks on the series Splitting Up Together

Fischer said she worked 70 hour weeks on the series Splitting Up Together

‘I just decided after that that being the lead of a television show or even a regular on a television show was not gonna be a fit for me anymore.’

Splitting Up Together ended up getting cancelled, allowing her to pursue a job that provided her with both a steady income and a flexible schedule. 

She now co-hosts the rewatch podcast Office Ladies with her former co-star Angela Kinsey.

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‘So when that show was cancelled, that’s when I pivoted into podcasting with Angela. 

‘And that afforded me a lifestyle with both a steady income and also I was now at every school drop-off, every school pickup, every teacher conference, every concert,’ she said.  ‘I didn’t have to beg someone to go to the Halloween parade.

‘I was the agent of my own time, the architect of my own time, so to speak. And that was great.’

Funny enough, the star, who is synonymous with her role on The Office, became known as a ‘podcaster’ to her children.  

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‘As a result, my kids – because they were so little when that change happened – they thought of me as a podcaster. Like if anybody asks them, “What does your mom do?” “Oh she’s a podcaster! She has a podcast.”

She played Pam Beesly opposite John Krasinski in the hit series

She played Pam Beesly opposite John Krasinski in the hit series  

The cancellation of Splitting Up Together ended up being a blessing in disguise for Fischer

The cancellation of Splitting Up Together ended up being a blessing in disguise for Fischer

‘They didn’t even understand what my podcast was about. “It’s called Office Ladies. It’s with her best friend, Angela.”‘ 

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The Office aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013 on NBC.

The American version of The Office was based on the classic UK series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

Steve Carell starred as the manager of a paper company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, while Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Mindy Kaling, Jenna, Angela and Ellie Kemper were among the branch’s employees.

When the wildly popular series ended, the former cast continued to find success on television and the big screen.

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The mom of two is now able to spend quality time with her children in a way starring on TV didn't allow; pictured July 2026

The mom of two is now able to spend quality time with her children in a way starring on TV didn’t allow; pictured July 2026

Fischer starred opposite Oliver Hudson in Splitting Up Together, a show that ran for two seasons before its cancellation in 2019.

Later that same year, Fischer launched Office Ladies with her best friend and former co-star, Kinsey.  

In 2024, she announced she was ‘cancer free’ after she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in 2023.

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Fischer revealed her cancer diagnosis in October 2024, explaining that the cancer had been ‘aggressive but treatable.’

‘I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are,’ she posted to Instagram. ‘Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free.’ 

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Horses removed from beauty spot as owners claim they were under ‘constant pressure’

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Wales Online

Farmers Rob Morgan and Nicky Beynon claimed the decision to move the horses has come after months of pressure and stress

Horses that have grazed Rhossili Common for generations have been removed from the land following a dispute over grazing rights.

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The removal comes after months of disagreement between local farmers and the National Trust.

However while farmers say they have faced increasing “pressure” from the organisation the National Trust says it never asked for the horses to be removed and was instead “reviewing” the number of animals grazing the land.

Local farmer Rob Morgan, who runs Rhossili Sunflowers and Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, shared the news on social media in a video showing the horses being herded away.

Speaking to the camera Mr Morgan said: “Busy day today… we have moved the horses this morning. Just constant pressure.”

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The video then pans to farmer Nicky Beynon who thanked everyone who had helped look after the horses and supported him, Mr Morgan. and the wider farming community in Rhossili.

Mr Beynon has followed in the footsteps of his 94-year-old father Ernie who had looked after the horses throughout his life.

He said: “National Trust, they haven’t given us any support at all. In fact they have made our lives hell the last 18 months. Both me and Rob have had to prove our rights when our family have owned land here in this village for hundreds of years.”

Mr Morgan added: “But as you can see it’s farming – I do the sunflowers, Nicky does the horses. It is an income for all of us but it is a passion.”

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He said the while th farmers loved meeting visitors and talking about the horses, including what they do and the work carried out by previous generations of their families, the situation has led to much stress.

“It has been very hard,” he said of their decision to move the horses. “It seems empty already, those cliffs there, but hope you understand our feelings but it does cause stress.”

It is understood that while the National Trust owns the common land at Rhossili the management and care of livestock, including the horses, is the responsibility of commoners. Commoners each have rights to graze a certain number of animals on the land.

Last year there were fears the horses could be removed after the National Trust reported receiving complaints about a stallion that was part of the herd. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here.

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The National Trust said it had written to the commoner who owned the horse requesting it be moved elsewhere because of public safety concerns.

However the National Trust further said it would be reviewing the number of horses grazing on the common, which it said had exceeded the agreed limit.

Speaking previously to WalesOnline Mr Morgan said the horses had been grazing at Rhossili for hundreds of years through generations of local families, describing them as well kept and looked after throughout the year.

He also pointed out the horses played an important role in grazing the vegetation, helping to keep paths open and creating diversity for flora, fauna, and wildlife.

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He said: “I am sure everyone loves the sight of these horses.

“Sadly, through the eyes of National Trust and the minority who wish to shape Gower, this is not the case.”

A National Trust spokesman said: “We know how much the horses mean to people who visit Rhossili.

They belong to a local farmer who we understand holds traditional grazing rights and is responsible for their care and management. At no stage has the National Trust asked for the horses to be removed from Rhossili.

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“We had been reviewing the number of horses on the common as they appeared to exceed the agreed limit we believe to be set out in those rights. Our priority remains visitor safety, animal welfare, and the ecological health of Rhossili.

“We were awaiting confirmation of the grazing rights before determining, subject to that information, how many horses could remain.

“However if the owner has now chosen to remove all the horses that decision is entirely his.”

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Does timing matter when you take supplements? Here’s what the evidence says

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Does timing matter when you take supplements? Here’s what the evidence says

Supplement shelves can give the impression that almost everyone needs something. Yet for generally healthy adults, a review of 84 studies found that routine vitamin and mineral supplements offered little or no protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer or early death.

Taking a supplement without a clear reason may also cause harm. High doses of some water-soluble vitamins can cause harm, and too much vitamin B6, for example, has been linked to nerve damage. Some fat-soluble vitamins, particularly vitamin A, can accumulate and cause toxicity when taken in excess.

A diagnosed deficiency is one reason to take a supplement. Other evidence-based reasons include folic acid before and during early pregnancy, vitamin B12 for people who cannot obtain enough from food and the ten micrograms of vitamin D that UK guidance recommends people consider during autumn and winter.

Once there is a sound reason to take a supplement, timing can sometimes affect absorption. Usually, “timing” concerns meals, drinks and other medicines rather than a perfect hour on the clock.

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Iron: the fussiest supplement

Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency anaemia. Because iron deficiency can be caused by blood loss and poor absorption, including conditions affecting the gut, it should be confirmed and its cause considered rather than self-treated on the basis of tiredness alone.

Coffee can substantially reduce iron absorption. In a small study of 34 iron-depleted women, coffee taken with a 100mg iron supplement reduced absorption by 54% compared with water. Taking the supplement with breakfast reduced absorption by 66%, even though the meal included orange juice.

The same study found that 80mg of vitamin C increased iron absorption by 30%, while 500mg offered no further improvement. It also suggested that absorption was 37% lower in the afternoon than in the morning. The result fell just outside the usual threshold for statistical significance, so it cannot support a firm rule about taking iron in the morning.

Improved absorption does not always produce better clinical results. In a randomised trial involving 440 adults with iron deficiency anaemia, iron alone was as effective as iron combined with vitamin C at improving haemoglobin and iron stores.

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Calcium can reduce iron absorption over a single meal or dose, particularly in large amounts. However, the same systematic review of human studies found that its effect on long-term iron status was small. If you have been advised to take both calcium and iron, ask a pharmacist whether to separate them.

Iron is generally absorbed better on an empty stomach but can cause nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or stomach pain. Taking it with food may make treatment easier to tolerate. NHS advice is to take ferrous sulfate 30 minutes before eating or two hours afterwards where possible, but with or after food if it upsets your stomach. Following the instructions for your preparation is more useful than pursuing perfect absorption and repeatedly missing doses.

Vitamin D: take it with a meal

Vitamin D is fat-soluble. A randomised study found that vitamin D3 was absorbed better with a meal containing fat than with a fat-free meal. This supports taking tablets or capsules with a main meal. The study compared the fat content of meals, so it cannot tell us whether breakfast is better than dinner.

Some medicines can affect how the body absorbs or processes vitamin D. These include orlistat, a medicine used to treat obesity by reducing fat absorption, and corticosteroids such as prednisolone, which are used to reduce inflammation. Moving the supplement to another hour may not solve the problem. Keep taking prescribed medicine and ask a healthcare professional whether your vitamin D intake or levels need reviewing.

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Vitamin B12: the cause is more important than the clock

Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell production and the nervous system and is obtained from animal-derived or fortified foods. A systematic review and meta-analysis, which brought together relevant studies and combined their results, found that vegans who did not supplement had poorer B12 status than people who ate animal products. Supplements improved their blood markers of B12 status.

For most B12 products, the underlying reason for taking them matters more than the time of day. Metformin and acid-suppressing medicines such as omeprazole can reduce B12 absorption or levels over time. Simply separating the doses may not prevent this effect. For prescribed cyanocobalamin tablets, a manufactured form of vitamin B12, the NHS advises taking them on an empty stomach. Follow the packet instructions for products bought over the counter.

Where deficiency is caused by poor absorption, treatment may involve high-dose tablets or injections. A review of the available clinical trials found low-quality evidence that high-dose oral B12 and injections produced similar short-term changes in B12 levels, so treatment should be chosen according to the cause, symptoms and clinical advice.

Before adding a supplement

Ask whether you have an evidence-based reason to take it and whether the dose is appropriate. Check for the same ingredient in other products, as multivitamins, energy drinks and “wellness” powders can overlap. If you use prescribed medicines, ask a pharmacist about interactions and spacing. Then follow the label or prescription.

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For some supplements, the surrounding meal or drink can make a measurable difference. Where no timing effect has been shown, follow the recommended dose and instructions at a time you can remember.

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Two Afghan migrants ‘raped and assaulted a 14-year-old girl on a train from Kent to London’

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Baryalai Rahimi, 25, and Mirebadurahman Sadat, 29, appeared today at Inner London Crown Court

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Two Afghan migrants raped and assaulted a 14-year-old girl on a London-bound train, a court heard.

Baryalai Rahimi, 25, and Mirebadurahman Sadat, 29, allegedly attacked the teenager on a service from Sturry to London Bridge on February 5. 

Rahimi, of Southall in west London, and Sadat, of Cricklewood in north-west London, denied all ten charges against them at an earlier hearing. 

They appeared at Inner London Crown Court today – Rahimi in a green shirt and Sadat in a grey jumper. 

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The pair were aided by Dari and Farsi interpreters and spoke only to confirm their names.

Baryalai Rahimi, 25, and Mirebadurahman Sadat, 29, appeared today at Inner London Crown Court 

After a brief hearing discussing procedural matters, Judge Michael Evans KC remanded Rahimi and Sadat in custody until November 4.   

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‘There are a number of issues that have arisen, and that may cause adjustments to the timetable,’ he said. 

The defendants will next appear on August 27 for further case management.

Rahimi denied three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

Sadat denied two counts of assault by penetration and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

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from wearable cameras to exoskeletons, here are the technologies the film predicted

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from wearable cameras to exoskeletons, here are the technologies the film predicted

Director James Cameron’s acclaimed sci-fi movie Aliens turns 40 in August. It’s a sequel to Ridley Scott’s claustrophobic breakout hit Alien, made in 1979. Where the original featured one terrifying creature, Cameron’s movie features hundreds – and pits them against a squad of space marines.

A host of intriguing technologies make an appearance, including interstellar travel, hypersleep (where humans are preserved in stasis for long space journeys) and terraforming (making other worlds liveable for humans).

Some of the technologies in the film have already come to pass – or look likely to soon. But others were missed and some remain firmly in the realms of science fiction.

In Aliens, the marines travel to a distant moon to investigate the disappearance of over 100 human settlers. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the main protagonist of the first film, goes along to advise.

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On arrival, they run into a six-year-old girl, called Newt, who managed to escape the grisly fate of the other colonists. When the marines encounter the alien hive, chaos and carnage ensue.

The technology featured in Aliens appears to be there to support the wonderful storytelling, rather than predict the path of innovation, as a futurologist might.

But let’s take a look at it. The film is set in 2179, 153 years into our future. Journeying 153 years into the past would land us in 1893, when common technologies were horse drawn and steam streetcars and gas lighting. Typewriters with Qwerty keyboards went on sale the following year.

Industrial aesthetic

We’ve moved on considerably, but the future world of Aliens feels less distant in many respects. Company executives use clunky business cards to trigger low-resolution video calls and wave computer printouts during meeting room showdowns.

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For modern audiences, however, the lack of personal electronic devices may be jarring. One can only assume that they must have fallen out of favour by 2179.

Trailer for Aliens (20th Century Studios)

The gritty, industrial visual style established in the first film was taken further here. Aliens introduces a variety of military vehicles that contain futuristic elements while drawing on real hardware used in the Vietnam war. The movie’s look influenced later films, but it has also been described as “everyday” and “ugly”.

An exception is the tracking technology: the motion detectors, wearable cameras and biosensors embedded into wristbands. These feel broadly “current”. But if we extrapolate from the present day, one might expect engineers in 2179 to make greater use of surveillance cameras and computer vision (a sub-field of AI where machines are trained to “understand” images and video).

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A network of “smart cameras” throughout the moon colony could have tracked both the aliens and humans. Similar networks today monitor crowds and individuals – and watch for suspicious behaviour – on city streets and public transport.

Sentry guns and exoskeletons

The robots of Aliens are striking. Some are not so far removed from hardware used today, but with notable differences. In two separate scenes, Ripley straps into a massive mechanical suit known as a “loader”.

They are mainly used to move cargo, but, conveniently, can be appropriated for fighting xenomorphs. The loaders are a type of exoskeleton, real life wearable tech that may enhance human strength or movement.

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The robotic loaders in Aliens are handy for moving cargo and fighting xenomorphs (20th Century Studios).

Exoskeletons aren’t generally used for this kind of task yet. Large autonomous or teleoperated factory robots are the go-to technology for lifting heavy hardware. This is safer than having humans operate in such hazardous environments.

Current exoskeletons are smaller in scale than the loaders. They are helping people walk again after traumatic injury and commercial versions are available to support those with mobility issues to hill walk.

The war in Ukraine, meanwhile, has familiarised us with autonomous combat robots. One or two share a striking resemblance to the film’s automated sentry guns, which guard an entrance passage in the colony. But drone aircraft, in heavy use today, are notable by their absence.

However, one robot in Aliens operates at a level far beyond the rest: the android Bishop, played by Lance Henriksen. Bishop looks like a human on the outside and is referred to in the film as a “synthetic”.

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By 2179, synthetics appear to be approaching human levels of cognitive function – something known as artificial general intelligence (AGI). They even seem to observe the laws of robotics devised by scientist and author Isaac Asimov. In one scene, Bishop tells crew members that he cannot harm a human or allow one to be harmed – Asimov’s first law.

A stair-climbing exoskeleton enables a paralysed man to walk again (Engadget – 2016)

Synthetics occupy capable and realistic bodies which seem to incorporate soft robotics. In this real research area, scientists create robots with flexible materials instead of hard ones, such as metal. Fluids or pressurised air generate movement rather than conventional electric actuators.

The synthetics probably have soft robotic systems overlaid on a rigid framework, similar to flesh on bone. They are therefore likely to be a mixture of soft and conventional robotics.

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Tech conundrum

Some of the tech in Aliens remains well out of reach. We don’t have propulsion systems capable of sending crews to other stars and back within a lifetime. As regards hypersleep, in rare cases, humans have survived extreme hypothermia for over an hour, but this is not recommended. Terraforming, meanwhile, remains resolutely theoretical. But what of the synthetics?

Rightly or wrongly, many researchers and companies aspire to create humanoid robots and achieve AGI. We are bombarded with visions of their latest efforts on social media. But some proportion of those working on such ventures are looking to raise money. Many experts would argue that synthetic humans like those in the Alien movies are still far beyond today’s capabilities.

This leads us to a striking conundrum at the heart of Aliens. Why aren’t there more synthetics? Why not send a population of them to terraform worlds or fight aggressive ETs?

Perhaps humans are more expendable: maybe we will end up doing AI’s dirty work because we are the cheaper commodity. But there is a more optimistic answer. Maybe, despite all of our apparent failings and weaknesses, humans are the more capable being.

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After all, it is Ripley – not Bishop – who, wildly improvising with available technologies and driven by her unstoppable desire to protect Newt, defeats the alien queen. Perhaps there is hope yet for our species.

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All stores close as UK fashion retailer in administration

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All stores close as UK fashion retailer in administration

LK Bennett, the womenswear brand founded in London in 1990, entered administration on January 27, 2026, when joint administrators were appointed to oversee the business.

Immediately afterwards, the retailer’s brand and intellectual property were sold to a company affiliated with Gordon Brothers, but its stores and concessions were not included in the transaction.

At the time, the company continued trading through nine standalone stores and 13 concessions across the UK and Ireland while administrators wound down the retail operation.

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Those concessions included a department inside John Lewis at Westgate Oxford shopping centre.

Administrators initially expected the remaining stores and concessions to continue trading for up to three months before closing.

However, reports later suggested stock sold out faster than expected, leading to some LK Bennett stores closing ahead of schedule.

Some concession locations continued operating briefly while remaining stock was cleared.

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The retailer later confirmed that all stores had closed, with its website displaying a notice stating that its “website and stores are now closed”.

As of August 2026, no LK Bennett stock can be found inside the John Lewis store at Oxford Westgate, marking the end of the fashion chain’s physical presence in the city.

Before its closure, LK Bennett operated concessions within a number of department stores, including John Lewis branches in Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh, High Wycombe and London’s Oxford Street.

The retailer launched a series of clearance sales following the administration.

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In March, reports said products across the business were being sold at discounts of at least 60 per cent as administrators sought to clear remaining stock and prepare stores for closure.

The disappearance of LK Bennett from Britain’s high streets comes during a challenging period for the retail sector, with a number of well-known chains announcing store closures or restructuring plans in recent months.

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Urgent hunt launched for teen brother and sister who took off in their parents’ car three days ago and haven’t been seen since

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Mukarma is said to be 5ft 3inch, with a slim build and long, black, wavy hair which is often in braids. She may be wearing a Hijab and has a dimple on one side of her face

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Police have launched a search after ‘extremely vulnerable’ teenage siblings took their parents’ car and ran away. 

Mukarma, 16, and her 14-year-old brother, Muhammed, are believed to have taken a family member’s car – a white Toyota Prius – in the early hours of Monday.

The missing white vehicle with the registration KR10 NTF was seen travelling on the A40 Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross towards Beaconsfield.

Muhammed is described as being 5ft 9in, Asian with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair. He also often wears glasses.

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His sister is said to be 5ft 3in, with a slim build and long, black, wavy hair which is often in braids. She may be wearing a Hijab and has a dimple on one side of her face. 

There have been no further camera sightings of the car, and the family have not heard from either Mukarma or Muhammed.   

Mukarma is said to be 5ft 3inch, with a slim build and long, black, wavy hair which is often in braids. She may be wearing a Hijab and has a dimple on one side of her face

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Muhammed is described as being 5ft 9in, Asian with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair. He also often wears glasses

Muhammed is described as being 5ft 9in, Asian with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair. He also often wears glasses

The siblings are believed to have taken a family member's car - a white Toyota Prius (pictured) - in the early hours of Monday

The siblings are believed to have taken a family member’s car – a white Toyota Prius (pictured) – in the early hours of Monday

Detective Sergeant Gary Walker, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We are increasingly concerned for the welfare of Mukarma and Muhammed due to their ages, the length of time they have been missing and the belief that they may be driving a car without a licence.

‘It is now a critical time in our investigation. By now the children, who are extremely vulnerable, could be anywhere in the country, so we are appealing to the public to come forward with any information or sightings. 

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‘We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have offered them assistance or accommodation in recent days.

‘Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial to our investigation.’

Anyone who sees Mukarma or Muhammed is urged to call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 2117/17AUG.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

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