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Antoine Griezmann’s significance at Atletico Madrid goes far beyond his numbers. He is regarded as their greatest player, not just a goalscorer, but more importantly as the most complete expression of what the club stands for.

Simeone spoke about him with genuine emotion, even saying he loves him. Thierry Henry thanked him publicly a couple of weeks ago for everything he has given to football. He is not just a likable character with a very positive leadership style, but someone that makes everyone around them better.

For a whole generation of fans, Griezmann is Atletico. Apart from his two-year spell at Barcelona, he has been the constant reference point, the face of the team. His return, after a difficult and unpopular departure, could have been complicated, but the way he came back, apologised, and reconnected with the fans only strengthened that bond.

Griezmann embodies the perfect Simeone player – total commitment, relentless work-rate, and the willingness to put his talent at the service of the team. He sacrifices, he leads by example, as well as fully embracing the manager’s authority – you don’t always see that from a World Cup-winner in a team that rarely secures the biggest trophies.

Interestingly, his time hasn’t been defined by a long list of silverware – he has won the Spanish Super Cup, the Europa League and the Uefa Super Cup with Atletico.

Instead, his legacy is built on something else that will remain for a long time. He represents the ideal Atletico footballer, someone who combines quality with effort.

But also someone who could have gone to other pastures as well as Barcelona, alhough when he did, he felt he had left home.

The Grand Wedding Fayre, organised by Diamond Events, will be held at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday, May 10, from 1pm to 4pm and promises some of the region’s finest wedding suppliers.

Bernie Sowa from Diamond Events said: “We have been hosting wedding fayres at Middlesbrough Town Hall since 2010 and it is one of our favourite venues as it is easily accessible for everyone.

Previous fayre held at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Image: Diamond Events)

“The event has a real buzz and this year we have added a sale zone in the venue’s Fire Station where bridal, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses can be purchased on the day from as little as £10 so it’s a must for couples on a tight budget.”

The Grade II-listed Town Hall, which is 136 years old, serves as a popular wedding venue and is home to the Middlesbrough Register Office, hosting hundreds of ceremonies each year.

Couples attending the event will be able to browse a wide range of wedding essentials, including dresses and suits, venue dressing, flowers, photography, and transport options.

Previous fayre held at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Image: Diamond Events)

There will also be live music, welcome drinks, entertainment, and prize giveaways throughout the afternoon.

Rachel May, principal business support and development officer for the Register Office at Middlesbrough Council, said: “The fayre is the perfect opportunity for couples to come and see what Middlesbrough Register Office has to offer.

“Couples will be able to take in the grand setting of the Town Hall and view the building’s stunning interior in addition to the beautiful ceremony rooms.

“Our professional team will also be on hand to answer any questions.”

Previous fayre held at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Image: Diamond Events)

A special “sale zone” will offer attendees the chance to purchase dresses and outfits at discounted prices, with some items available for as little as £10.

Entry to the event is free, and Brides who pre-register will receive a VIP Goody Bag.

Brides can pre-register by visiting the Eventbrite website.

Suppliers interested in exhibiting can get in touch via the Diamond Events UK website.

Nathan Sno has made a name for himself in restaurants across London, Australia and the US but he is coming home to Belfast to make his dreams of opening his own business a reality.

The Northern Irish chef is preparing to open a new food concept on Belfast’s busy Lisburn Road, which he hopes will “disrupt the industry” and bring a fresh new feel to healthy fast food in the city.

VINE, opening on May 8, was born from Nathan’s own relationship with food and learning its value in his life. The restaurant’s aim is to become a new standard for everyday eating – rooted in health, flavour and culture.

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Speaking to Belfast Live, Nathan shared the realities of preparing to open a hospitality business in the city, how his passion for food shaped his life and his excitement to share his VINE concept with the people of Northern Ireland.

“VINE is built around solving a problem where most people want to eat well and feel great, but the current options force you to compromise between health, taste, and convenience,” he explained.

“Fast food became convenient but low quality. Healthy food became niche and inconvenient. VINE sits in the middle to redefine how it’s served and how it tastes.

“It was really born from my own experience. I used to have a very bad relationship with food, Most of my life I was overweight and never felt good about my body.”

Nathan explained that despite training and working hard on himself, his lack of understanding about the diet aspect of his life kept him back from his goals without even realising.

He continued: “Around 2019, I realised if I don’t feel good, I can’t do good. So I started taking both my physical and mental health seriously and when I did, my life changed drastically in every area and a lot of that came down to what I was putting in my body and my environment.

“Not in any sort of extreme or restrictive way, but with understanding and intention.

“Beyond the food, I started to realise how much your environment shapes you. The people you’re around, the spaces you spend time in, it all impacts how you think, how you feel, how you live.

“So while VINE is rooted in food it’s equally about creating an environment where the right people end up in the same room. People who care about how they live, how they feel, and how they show up.”

Before there was VINE or a chef working in Michelin Star establishments, there was a little boy who fell in love with food while watching his mum in the kitchen.

“Food was always a big part of our house. I lived with my mum she worked a lot but she cooked properly every day, no matter what,” Nathan added.

“In my family, food wasn’t just something we ate, it was also how we showed care and spent time together.

“I started working in a kitchen when I was 11 – I just wanted to work and make my own way do something for myself so after pleading for a long time, my mum gave in and got me a job as a dishwasher and I worked my way up from there.

“Since that I was hooked. I was never academic, a little rebellious and rough around the edges, but food was one thing I could do that made people happy.”

His passion for food took him around the globe and to some of the “most exciting” kitchens in the world, becoming a head chef at a restaurant in Australia when he was only 20 years old, before stepping back to enter the world of Michelin Star dining.

Nathan continued: “I reached sous chef at 1 Michelin star in Mayfair and over about 3 years, I completed stages across more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, including The French Laundry, Eleven Madison Park, Frantzén and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.

“Those environments taught me standards at a level I never knew existed, it was invigorating – I learnt discipline under immense pressure but more importantly, I learnt about respect for ingredients, process and the craft of cooking.

“What I took from it wasn’t just how to cook at a high level it was a way of working and thinking and a level of care and detail that most don’t consider, and that is exciting when you get to share it with others.”

Six years ago, he stepped away from the kitchens to found Food Story Media, a global creative business built around the idea that food is more than a product. His company has worked internationally across hospitality and global brands, shaping how food is experienced and understood beyond the plate.

But it was while he was working in the high-end restaurants that got the wheels turning in his head into what would eventually become the concept behind VINE – “why does the highest standard exist at the top end, but disappear in what people eat every day?”

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VINE’s menu is built around bowls where customers can choose from signature bowls or build your own – choosing high-quality proteins, sides and sauces.

Nathan explained that it is “wholesome and flavour-driven food that makes you feel good” and will go beyond the idea of a typical salad bar.

“It’s simple on the surface but everything is made from scratch,” he added. “We don’t buy anything in and take no shortcuts. Every ingredient is there for a reason.

“The goal is that you can eat this food every day and feel good doing it.

“There’s a strong food scene here, but when it comes to premium, health-focused food, there’s still a gap. We’re here to raise that standard.”

With just over two weeks until VINE opens on the Lisburn Road, Nathan has been documenting the reality of starting a restaurant online with his followers.

“It’s been tough. It’s two steps forward, one step back most days.

“There’s a lot that people don’t see – long days, constant problem solving, things going wrong and having to fix them quickly.

“People see the end result, but not what it takes to get there. It’s not glamorous, it’s relentless. But that’s what it takes to build something that actually matters,” he explained.

“I feel more focused than I ever have. There’s pressure, but it’s the kind of pressure that comes from caring deeply and stepping into something that I’ve trained for my whole life.

“We open on the 8th of May, and it feels very real now. My mum actually messaged me the other day and reminded me that I’d been talking about opening a restaurant since I was 10 years old.

“After all the adventure and travels around the world, it feels like I’ve come back to what I was always meant to do.”

Looking ahead to opening, he said that he thinks customers will get what VINE is about from the minute they walk through the door – food, energy, people and culture.

He concluded: “VINE is for people who live with intent and care about how they show up in their life. It won’t be for everyone but for the people it is for, it will make complete sense.

“Our mission is to make living well the standard, not the exception. So this is just the beginning.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

Plug-in solar panels are expected to officially go on sale in the UK in the next few months for around £500. But there are quite a few obstacles for the government and householders to overcome before this becomes the easy-to-use option that is popular in other European countries.

Plug-in solar typically consists of one or more panels, which can be mounted on the sides of a balcony (or in the garden), and then connects to the house via an inverter. The inverter converts the type of electricity that the panels generate to the voltage and frequency used by the grid.

In theory this power can be fed into a home via a standard plug. This has not been possible in the UK for safety and regulatory reasons, but these regulations are now being amended to allow this, provided the panels meet new safety standards.

In Germany, millions of panels like these were in use in 2025. The German-owned supermarket Lidl and British-owned Iceland are already working with the UK government to put them on sale in the UK. These panels could produce around 200–500kWh per year, about 10% of a typical household’s energy, depending on how the system was positioned.

What the government needs to do

The government’s plans will allow plug-in installations of up to 800W, subject to several guidelines. But it’s still not clear if there’s going to be any changes to planning laws which might be needed. Tenants would also need to check with their landlord in a shared development (as balcony solar could affect the building insurance, which is often shared across the block). There may also be restrictions under planning law for people living in a conservation area.

To get optimum power, you would want to tilt the solar panels. But this may also be contrary to existing planning rules. Without this angle, performance could be cut by 30-45%. Do planning rules need to change on this?

The government is promising new safety standards and “anti-islanding” measures for these kits. “Anti-islanding” refers to the danger that the plug prongs are live for a short time after being unplugged or if the grid was to go down and the panels continued to feed power into the house with no way to use the power. Some form of safety mechanism is needed to stop the flow of electricity in these cases.

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Plug-in solar panels are the latest green energy trend – here’s what you need to know

The professional body, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, and trade association the Electrical Contractors Association have already raised some concerns about use of this type of solar panels. It’s clear that some UK homes have older electrical systems that won’t cope with plug-in solar. Previous UK building standards haven’t factored in power being fed into houses via a plug in this way.

While some of these plug-in devices available online are good quality, others are cheaply made, which is another concern. There needs to be an industry standard and enforcement.

What householders need to think about

For most people living in houses (rather than flats) it’s going to be fairly straightforward, but some (including those in conservation areas) may need planning permission. Most people should also check with their insurers.

Balcony solar is not ideal for everyone. If your balcony is shaded part of the day or north facing you may gain little benefit. It’s worth checking this.

You will still have to notify your local district network operator, who maintain and fix your network. This is different from your energy company. You will also need to fill in a G98 notification. This online form tells your electricity supplier that you have a solar system that will be feeding power into the grid. These forms are usually filled out by electricians. It’s not clear yet if householders or tenants will be able to handle these applications themselves.

You’ll need a weatherised external plug for a unit on your balcony and to connect to your house. If you are calling out an electrician to install that, it might be safer to just have the system wired into the mains directly. But you can’t just run a cable in through an open window as that wouldn’t be safe. Also having an open window would let heat escape, and homes typically use more energy on heating than on electricity, potentially wiping out any benefits from the solar kit.

Another consideration is what to do with the power itself. The price paid by the grid for householders supplying excess energy is often a lot less than the price of buying electricity from the grid, so householders really want to use as much of that power themselves as possible. One solution to this is to buy a battery. While these can cost several hundred pounds, it means you can charge the battery during the day and then use the power at night. So, a battery improves flexibility, but it also increases costs and shortens the payback period.

The government hopes that plug-in solar could encourage more people to start using solar, which might then encourage investment in larger installations such as on rooftops, which can produce far more power. However, it’s worth remembering that in Germany it worked in reverse, first came rooftop solar (supported by government subsidies) and then balcony systems filled in the gaps.

By quickly addressing some of these practical issues, the government can encourage a wider shift to solar power.

Ryanair has confirmed some major rule changes of late

Those with Ryanair flights booked for 2026 may be unaware that the budget carrier has recently introduced several changes to its policies.

As with any trip abroad, familiarising yourself with all requirements before departure is essential. Not only does this increase the likelihood of a hassle-free journey, but it could also help you avoid unnecessary additional fees. Ryanair travellers are permitted a small personal bag that fits beneath the seat in front as standard, and the regulations surrounding this were updated last summer.

Following an EU law amendment, Ryanair was required to increase the dimensions of its personal bag allowance. Under the revised rule, passengers travelling with the budget airline are now entitled to carry hand luggage measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, representing a 20% increase from the previous 40 x 20 x 25cm size restrictions.

As well as this, Ryanair passengers are now required to check in online, saving their boarding pass to a smartphone or tablet. As of November 2025, Ryanair has moved to “100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs, improve service, streamline rebooking, and save 300 tonnes of paper annually”.

Online check-in is available from 60 days before your scheduled departure if you have purchased a seat, or 24 hours in advance if you are happy to be allocated a complimentary seat. Regardless of seat preference, online check-in closes two hours before the scheduled take-off time.

Once you have completed online check-in, you will receive your boarding passes and will need to save a copy. Failing to check in online will result in an airport check-in fee of £55 or 55 euros. To avoid the charge, ensure you have a valid boarding pass before heading to the airport.

For passengers without a smartphone or tablet, Ryanair will print a boarding pass free of charge, providing you have already completed your online check-in before arriving at the airport. Ryanair confirmed it will send reminders to booked passengers to complete their online check-in ahead of their departure.

And in an announcement made last week, Ryanair revealed that its check-in and bag drop services will shut one hour before departure – twenty minutes earlier than the current closing time of 40 minutes before take-off. The new policy will take effect from Tuesday, November 10.

The carrier stated that this measure is intended to allow passengers greater time to navigate airport security and passport queues. Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, said: “From Tues 10 Nov next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes.

“This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on-time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer. We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before October.

“This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks, and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check-in a bag, while the 80% (who don’t check-in a bag) will be unaffected by this small 20 minute change, as they will continue to check-in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate.”

After the king spoke to Congress about the importance of the Nato alliance — a perpetual punching bag of President Donald Trump — the White House took to social media to post a photo of Charles and the president with the caption “TWO KINGS.”

The post seemed designed to polarise a nation that declared independence from England and the monarchy nearly 250 years ago.

In any case, the reaction was predictable, with Trump supporters loving their latest chance to own those danged liberals.

Meanwhile, Trump critics understood it was purposely designed to be a shitpost and mocked right back.

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has enjoyed his time at Barcelona and faces an important transfer decision this summer

Marcus Rashford’s future is set to be decided in the summer transfer window. The Manchester United star has thrived on loan at Barcelona this season.

The 28-year-old has spent time away from Old Trafford since falling out of favour under former United boss Ruben Amorim. A loan spell at Aston Villa in 2025 was followed by the England international joining Barcelona last summer.

The Catalan club have an option to make Rashford’s stay permanent for around £26million and he has stated his desire to stay at Barcelona beyond the current campaign. However, there have been conflicting reports regarding Barcelona’s transfer plans, with claims that the Spanish side will attempt to renegotiate the £26m fee or seek a second loan deal.

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Sky Germany has claimed that Barcelona want to keep Rashford but are pushing for a second loan deal. The Manchester Evening News understands that United will reject Barcelona’s attempts for another loan spell and are unwilling to lower the transfer fee, forcing Hansi Flick’s side to pay £26m or allow the forward to leave.

Meanwhile, United’s decision to part ways with Amorim earlier this term has possibly opened the door for Rashford to return to his boyhood club. Here’s a look at Rashford’s options ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Man United return

United boss Michael Carrick has previously insisted that a final decision is yet to be made on Rashford’s future. The pair are former team-mates and the 44-year-old also coached Rashford prior to becoming manager in January.

When asked about the Barcelona loanee earlier this month, Carrick said: “There’s decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation.

“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

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It remains to be seen whether Carrick will be named United manager on a permanent basis. However, Rashford could potentially choose to stay at the club if a permanent move to Barcelona fails to materialise.

Joins Barcelona permanently

Barcelona have the option to buy Rashford for £26m this summer. The fee would arguably represent a bargain, having enjoyed a productive spell in Spain.

The United star has registered 13 goals and assists apiece in 45 appearances for his new club. Barcelona president Joan Laporta previously praised his contributions and outlined the team’s summer plan.

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“Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals,” Laporta told RAC1. He added: “We will try, in Barca’s interest, to ensure that Marcus can continue.”

World Cup audition

The summer tournament could work in United’s favour if Rashford is given a chance to impress on the world stage. He has regularly been involved in England squads under Thomas Tuchel.

Should Barcelona fail to finalise a move for Rashford, the forward is likely to attract interest from elsewhere. The Manchester Evening News has previously reported that United would be confident of getting in the region of £50m for the academy graduate.

He already impressed during his short spell with Villa last season and has further rebuilt his reputation during his time at Barcelona. If Rashford is also a standout player at the World Cup, United could receive a sum far exceeding the aforementioned £26m.

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Goal has reported that Juventus could enter the frame for his signature, while the likes of Newcastle United, Bayern Munich and PSG have all been tentatively linked by some outlets in recent weeks as well.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.