Schools are embracing educational tech before anyone knows the damage it could do to children, experts have warned ministers.

A major new review – exclusively seen by Metro – has concluded that too little is known about whether digital learning tools harm children’s wellbeing, development and rights.

Researchers at the LSE-backed Digital Futures for Children Centre (DFC) found that more than 2,100 studies on educational tech (EdTech) did not examine real-world classrooms and overlooked questions on safety.

Teachers and campaigners have warned the new Education Secretary Lucy Powell not to ‘gamble with young people’s wellbeing’ and called on her to get a grip on the new technology.

Colette Collins-Walsh from the 5Rights Foundation, which backed the report, said: ‘School canteens can’t serve food unless it is proven to be safe and beneficial to children’s healthy development, yet we’ve been introducing digital products into classrooms without holding them to the same standard.

‘Children deserve better. It’s time tech had its Turkey Twizzler moment.

‘Government now has the chance to build a stronger evidence base, give teachers clearer guidance and use its enormous buying power to reward products that are safe, effective and designed with children’s rights in mind.’

Millions of kids in the UK use EdTech every day and includes tools such as artificial intelligence, chatbots, apps, virtual reality and digital software.

Previous governments have encouraged schools to embrace EdTech and have invested millions on new digital innovations.

In response to this, the DFC – a collaboration between the London School of Economics and 5Rights Foundation – reviewed 56 bodies of research covering more than 2,100 studies into the impacts of EdTech.

The experts were shocked to discover how little research there had been into anything other than test outcomes.

They found that EdTech was shown to improve results in the short term, there is little evidence on whether it damages children’s confidence, motivation, or enjoyment of learning.

Much of the research was also not gathered from real-world schools and only 1% of the studies considered how EdTech was used in the UK.

Researchers also warned that there are gaping holes in the evidence on how digital learning tools can affect groups such as children with special educational needs.

Professor Sonia Livingstone of LSE, one of the world’s leading experts on children’s rights in the digital age, said: ‘Much of the evidence on educational technology has focused on whether it improves academic attainment. 

‘That’s an important question, but it isn’t the only one… We still know far too little about its wider impact on children’s wellbeing, development and rights.’

‘The government must step in’

Campaigners want ministers to tackle concerns around EdTech just as the government addressed fears about children’s social media use.

One of Keir Starmer’s last acts as Prime Minister was to announce a ban on social media for under-16s.

The National Education Union told Metro the government needed to apply the same ‘safety-first’ approach ‘to untested and potentially harmful AI edtech products’.

Their General Secretary Daniel Kebede: ‘Gambling with young people’s education and wellbeing is not acceptable.’

He continued: ‘The findings of this report make it clear that the benefits of edtech, including AI-based tools, are not automatic and come with serious risks.

‘The government must step in to regulate these tools to ensure a safety-first approach, rather than rushing ahead with projects like the DfE’s AI tutoring programme before impacts are properly understood.’

The Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Laura Trott, told Metro: ‘Labour had its head in the sand over social media and phones in schools.

‘Let’s not repeat the same mistakes. When it comes to children we should follow the evidence.’

The Conservative MP said it was worrying the government ‘seems determined to double down on EdTech in schools’ despite little evidence of whether it improves educational outcomes.

In a letter seen by Metro, the DFC and 5Rights Foundation, tell Lucy Powell to have the ‘same ambition’ for addressing online harms stemming from ‘the technology children use every day in school’.

Professor Livingstone and Ms Collins-Walsh urged the new Education Secretary, who is a close ally of Andy Burnham: ‘As digital products
become as commonplace in classrooms as textbooks, parents, teachers and schools will increasingly expect them to meet equally high standards of evidence, safety and quality.’

The letters also says that schools need more support in choosing EdTech that is safe and effective.

It explained: ‘[Schools] are being asked to make complex procurement
decisions without clear, mandatory standards for efficacy, safety and children’s rights.’

Concerns have already been raised around EdTech and the potential danger it could bring to children.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it had found significant data privacy and security breaches in 28 EdTech products used in the UK.

School heads have also raised the alarm bell over the rollout of EdTech in classrooms.

Responding to the new report, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) told Metro: ‘It is important that products are safe to use, that children’s privacy is protected, and that there is a clear understanding of any impact on their development and wellbeing.’

The union’s head of policy, Sarah Hannafin, added: ‘We have raised concerns that at times there appears to be inconsistency in the government’s approach, including between expectations at home and school.

‘For example, recent screentime guidance for parents of under 5s recommended a very limited amount of daily screen time. But pupils also have to complete assessments within their first six weeks in reception, which require them to use a touchscreen.’

‘More consistent messaging would be welcome, as well as more comprehensive research – including among different groups of children – which helps government and schools strike the balance that is needed between safety, meeting children’s needs and digital literacy.’

The Education Committee in the House of Commons is also conducting their own inquiry on the use of Artificial Intelligence and EdTech in Education.

The panel’s chair, Helen Hayes MP, told Metro the technology ‘brings risks as well as opportunities’.

She added: ‘Its deployment should be supported by a clear, values-driven framework for decision making…We expect our inquiry to result in a report with recommendations which may well include the need for further regulation and guidance.’

While Keir Starmer was in charge, the government expanded a National EdTech Testbed programme to build more evidence on the technology.

The programme will evaluate the impact of EdTech and AI in schools and colleges, and find out how it can be used effectively to support teachers, improve inclusion and strengthen educational outcomes.

Damian Hinds, who launched the Conservative Government’s EdTech strategy in 2019, warned: ‘There are worries about the sheer amount of time spent on screen-based activities, which is connected to parents’ wider screen time concerns, and the role of ‘gamification’. 

He acknowledged there are proven programmes which help pupils, but added: ‘Great education is all about great teachers. 

‘Technology can and does play a role but it should always be a supporting role.  Balance is needed.’

Metro has contacted the Department for Education for comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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With more than half of England officially in a drought following 35C temperatures, green-fingered Britons may be fearing for the future of their beloved garden.

Some parts of the country have not seen rain for 43 days, with Amber heat-health alerts issued for certain regions as the mercury rises once again this summer.

Hit particularly hard by the unprecedented heat are hydrangeas – a British garden staple which bloom into either pink, purple or blue, depending on the soil type. 

While the beautiful shrubs have typically thrived within the UK’s rather wet and mild climate, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have warned that they have become the most frequently reported plant for hot weather problems.

Meanwhile, the combination of soaring temperatures and hosepipe bans have left many gardeners in fear of disaster for their beloved plants, flowers and lawns.

So, how can you ensure your garden continues to thrive as Britain boils in its fourth heatwave of the year?

According to Jo McGarry, a leading expert in luxury garden design from Caragh Nurseries, the key is to prioritise plant health, conserve moisture and put every drop of water to good use.

She told the Daily Mail: ‘Hydrangeas can wilt quickly in hot weather because their large leaves and blooms lose moisture fast, particularly when they are growing in pots, exposed positions or soil that dries out quickly.’

Clair Albone, Senior Category Manager for Gardens at Wickes, said: ‘With the UK summers continuing to reach record breaking temperatures, it’s becoming more important for homeowners to be prepared for increased dry and hot spells.’

However, she noted that ‘a summer heatwave doesn’t mean sacrificing a lush, green garden’ if the following steps are taken to help protect it.

Use water carefully  

While several parts of Britain are facing a hosepipe ban, you can still usually water your garden with a watering can, although it’s worth checking your local water supplier’s rules first.

Jo advised gardeners to ‘prioritise’ their hydrangeas when it comes to watering.

She added that one should water deeply at the base of plants early in the morning rather than giving them frequent light sprays. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, where moisture is retained for longer.

‘Prioritise anything planted this year, along with shallow-rooted and moisture-loving plants such as hydrangeas and ferns. Already established shrubs and trees will usually cope better with short dry periods,’ she said.

Only water at certain times of day 

While several parts of Briton are facing a hosepipe ban, you can still usually water your garden with a watering can.  Leading expert Jo McGarry advised gardeners to ‘prioritise’ their hydrangeas when it comes to watering

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Michael Griffiths, author of The Easy Garden advised that timing is everything when it comes to watering. 

Michael explained that watering early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and less moisture is lost through evaporation, is best. 

Giving plants a deep soak rather than frequent light watering also encourages stronger root growth, helping them become more resilient during dry spells. 

Jo added: ‘Water garden hydrangeas deeply at the base in the early morning or evening, rather than giving them small amounts throughout the day.’

Provide adequate sun protection  

Hydrangeas struggle to tolerate prolonged exposure to intense sun, and may benefit from temporary shade during the hottest parts of the day.

To protect your beloved hydrangeas from the basking heat, Jo suggests moving pots and hanging baskets into a shadier part of the garden during the hottest part of the day.

Shade netting can also be used to protect vegetable beds and more delicate plants from intense afternoon sun.

Using garden fleece, shade cloth, umbrellas or strategically placed containers can help reduce heat stress while allowing plants to continue growing.

Clair added: ‘Easy shade solutions, like a DIY shade canopy, is an easy and effective way to shield plants from the scorching sun and it offers instant protection.’

Mulch to lock in moisture 

Applying a layer of mulch around your hydrangeas and other plants is one of the easiest ways to retain soil moisture during hot weather, according to Michael.

Organic materials such as bark, compost, or well-rotted manure, as well as gravel, helps reduce evaporation, keep weeds at bay and balance the temperature of soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.

Jo added: ‘Adding a layer of mulch around the plant can also help the soil hold moisture for longer and moving potted hydrangeas into shade can reduce stress during the hottest part of the day.’

Focus on deadheading and flower maintenance 

Jimmy Englezo, DIY expert at wood stain and paint manufacturer Ronseal, said: ‘Whilst your gardening gloves are on, deadheading spent flowers encourages new blooms and keeps your plants looking neat and healthy’ (stock image)

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Jimmy Englezo, DIY expert at wood stain and paint manufacturer Ronseal, said: ‘Whilst your gardening gloves are on, deadheading spent flowers encourages new blooms and keeps your plants looking neat and healthy.

‘Use a clean pair of secateurs or garden scissors to snip just above a new bud or leaf. It’s a small job that can be done in the cooler parts of the day and makes a noticeable impact, especially during prolonged dry spells when plants are under more stress.’

Future proof your garden for the next warm spell

Clair explained that ‘getting ahead’ and futureproofing your garden for the next bout of warm weather is key, as temperatures continue to soar. 

She added: ‘Improving soil health is another key tactic. By ensuring grass and lawns retain moisture, gardens stand a better chance of surviving during heatwaves.’

Likewise, Jo advised installing a water butt to allow you to collect and store rainwater for use during dry spells.

‘Collecting rainwater gives gardeners an extra supply to use on lawns, flower beds and plants when the weather turns dry,’ she said.

‘Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil can also help it hold water for longer, meaning less moisture is lost between watering.’

Consider trimming as a last resort

While it may seem nerve-wracking to prune or trim your hydrangea in the summer months, Jo advises that it can be a rather sensible way of helping it ‘revive’. 

‘Cut hydrangeas can sometimes be revived by trimming around an inch from the stems and fully submerging the blooms in cool water for one to two hours,’ she explained. 

‘Weigh them down gently with a light plate if needed, so the flowers stay underwater.’

Likewise, Michael suggested placing pots in a body of water, such as a bucket or paddling pool, for around an hour before leaving them in the shade.

Sharing a video on Instagram of the savvy tip, he added: ‘Watch the bubbles – when they stop, the compost is fully saturated. Lift it out, let [the water] drain, and it’s properly rehydrated – not just wet on top.’

Weed little and often – while avoiding mowing the lawn

‘Weeds compete with plants for limited moisture, so removing them while they are still small can reduce pressure on flower beds and vegetable plots,’ Jo explained.

She recommends avoiding deep digging in hot, dry soil, as this can increase water loss and disturb plant roots.

Instead, hand-pull young weeds or cut them off at the surface.

Avoid heavy pruning, planting, replanting and feeding until temperatures drop, as these tasks encourage plants to use more water and energy.

Jo said: ‘Plants use a great deal of water and energy to produce new growth, so heavy feeding during a heatwave can put them under even more pressure.’

There’s also no need to worry if your lawn starts to lose its colour.

‘Brown or yellow grass during a heatwave is often dormant rather than dead and will usually recover when cooler, wetter weather returns,’ Jo added.

‘Avoid mowing when the lawn is dry and brittle. If cutting is unavoidable, raise the mower blades and cut off no more than a third of the grass so the longer blades can shade the soil and protect the roots.’

Jo also advises waiting until temperatures have fallen or rain has returned before applying fertiliser, and always watering the soil before feeding.

The flowers that need the most protection

According to Jo, ‘Hydrangeas, acers, roses, ferns and fuchsias need more care during hot weather, especially if in pots or exposed positions.’

She added: ‘Move containers into shade where possible, water deeply at the base and use temporary shade to protect delicate foliage and roots.’

To help ensure these flowers are adequately protected, Jo said that it is wise to ‘avoid pruning plants that have lost leaves during hot, dry weather, as many may recover when temperatures fall and rain returns’.

‘Deep watering is generally better than frequent light watering, while compost and collected rainwater can help soil retain moisture,’ she added.

According to gardening expert Ted Bromley-Hall, there are still ‘plenty of flowers and shrubs that tolerate heat, even in direct sunlight’. One of these is lavender (pictured, stock image)

The flowers that can still thrive during the hot weather

According to gardening expert Ted Bromley-Hall, there are still ‘plenty of flowers and shrubs that tolerate heat, even in direct sunlight’.

He added: ‘Planted directly into the ground, drought-tolerant plants such as palms (Trachycarpus Fortunei and Cordyline Australis for example), lavender, rosemary and veronica provide excellent structure which can be complemented with colourful displays from plants such as Baptisia, Heuchera and Osteospermum.

‘Other brightly coloured favourites that enjoy these conditions include Dahlia, Canna Tropicanna, Hibiscus and Passiflora.’

Jo noted that ‘Agapanthus, yarrow, lavender, hollyhocks and crocosmia are generally well suited to hot and dry conditions’.

However, she warned that ‘newly planted flowers’ are still in need of ‘regular watering while their roots develop’. 

The controversial ban under terrorism legislation of the protest group Palestine Action will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

In a major blow to the Home Office, the court confirmed on Thursday that it had given the group’s co-founder permission to appeal the ban which came into effect in July 2025.

While the full details of the reasons for the appeal are yet to be published, the BBC understands they relate to Huda Ammori’s argument that the ban breaches human rights.

Officials at the court say the appeal will be expedited – which means it will be heard after the summer break. The eventual outcome of the case could have major implications for terrorism legislation in the UK.

The decision comes weeks after the end of the first major trial of members of the group which had caused more than £1m of damage to a defence firm near Bristol with an Israeli parent company. Four members of that break-in team were jailed, with one also sentenced for causing grievous bodily harm on a police officer who was hit with a sledgehammer.

Separately, more than 2,000 people are facing potential trial for protesting against the ban by declaring their support for a proscribed terrorism group in mass demonstrations.

The battle over the banning of Palestine Action has now gone on for more than year.

Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper banned the group on advice from the police and security officials after an escalating spate of break-ins targeting Elbit, an Israeli-owned defence firm.

The High Court initially ruled that the ban was unlawful – but five judges on the Court of Appeal then overruled it, unanimously deciding the home secretary had acted lawfully and within her powers to proscribe Palestine Action.

That decision by the Court of Appeal will now be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

During Thursday, some 117 protesters were arrested outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with Metropolitan Police saying the majority of arrests were for expressing support for the group.

Scores of protesters had turned up there because they had expected to appear in court accused of allegedly showing support for the group at earlier public events. However, those cases had been listed in error. Many of the defendants said that they felt they had no choice but to turn up, despite the court and Metropolitan Police telling them not to do so.

Palestine Action co-founder Ammori welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to hear her appeal – and said that the latest arrests were part of a wider crackdown on Palestinian solidarity.

“We will continue to fight this proscription all the way to the Supreme Court and, if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn what has become one of the most extreme attacks on free speech and the right to protest in modern British history.”

If you don’t vote you can’t whinge PLUS Tributes to ‘El Tel’ AND A maze of entrepreneurs

Hello,

“You’re joking. Not another one?,” I hear you cry as voters go to the polls for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election. I’m afraid it’s true.

After fiery, whole-hearted and at times angry campaigns in Gorton and Denton, Makerfield and of course for our local councils, we’re on our fourth election of the year here in GM – and it’s only July.

But I would argue that voting today is well worth your time. Casting your ballot for a new mayor means you are ushering in the person you think if best placed to handle a multi-billion pound budget, take over the Bee Network, policing oversight, housing and regeneration, adult skills and aspects of health policy across our city region.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

They will also become the public face of England’s largest city region outside London. And let’s be honest, our last mayor did pretty well out of that position.

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We’ve interviewed candidates including Reform UK’s Sian Astley, Green Geraldine Coggins, Labour’s Bev Craig, Conservative Phil Eckersley, Lib Dem Richard Kilpatrick, and Restore Britain’s Marlon West. And while Independent candidate Marcus Farmer very politely declined an interview, his final statement is here to view along with the other six candidates’. We also held a hustings with all of them which you can watch in full here.

Turnout has struggled ever since the mayoralty was created. It was 29 per cent in 2017. This year’s mayoral election has been overshadowed by Mr Burnham heading to Westminster and Nigel Farage fighting a bin in Clacton-on-Sea.

This means that turnout could be even lower. We understand that people are fed up with politics and politicians, but that’s why your vote matters.

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Democracy works best when people take part, not when they leave it to everyone else. If you decide not to vote at all, don’t be surprised if other people end up making the big decisions for you. And you might not like them.

But more importantly than anything, if you don’t vote you can’t moan – or at least not with authority. As a perpetual complainer, that’s swung it for me.

After today elections in Greater Manchester will be over for at least 18 months. Famous last words?

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We’ll bring you all the latest as the polls close and the results start coming in via our live blog here.

Remembering El Tel

Much has been made of Andy Burnham’s penchant for colloquialsims and addressing people as ‘lad’. But he isn’t the first affable politician to use this kind of language.

Terry Lewis, who has died aged 90, was Labour MP for Worsley from 1983 to 2005 and called everyone ‘kid’ – even our chief reporter Neal Keeling.

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And as Neal writes in this lovely tribute, ‘El Tel’ knew everybody and everything. “He was fearless and could be both eloquent and direct when triggered,” he writes.

“The late MP was authentic – the personification of a great constituency representative. In the House of Commons he once confronted then Prime Minister, John Major, and asked him “Why don’t you resign you plonker”?”

The maverick and staunch socialist ironically represented a Tory enclave in Salford. You can read Neal’s full tribute to Terry Lewis here.

A maze of entrepreneurs

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A short walk from Holt Town tram stop, you find yourself surrounded by signs of Manchester’s rich industrial heritage. Former cotton mills still stand between the trendy New Islington neighbourhood to the west and Etihad to the east.

Some historic mills here have been beautifully restored into hubs for theatre, community and music. Others have been converted into modern residential apartments.

Lying in their shadow is a maze of shipping containers. Though rather than simply lying dormant on derelict land, they boast a forward-thinking remit and a clear nod to the city’s industrious and entrepreneurial past.

As What’s On editor Jenna Campbell writes, Pollard Yard is a hub for the region’s most creative and promising start-ups. And owners Meanwhile Creative are now expanding further.

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Jenna has the details here.

Hardly any crimes?

According to Greater Manchester Police neighbourhood data, just four crimes were committed in Piccadilly Gardens in the last 12 months.

Data journalist Richard Ault and chief reporter Neal Keeling have crunching the numbers and looking at why it appears hardly any crimes were committed there for this fascinating piece.

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Weather etc

Friday: Sunny intervals, 19C.

Roads: A671 Rochdale Road, Royton, northbound closed for roadworks from Middleton Road to Market Square until January 29.

A58 Gerard Street Westbound, Ashton-in-Makerfield closed due to roadworks from A5062 Wigan Road to A58 / A49 (Kings Arms traffic lights) until November 22.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Isabelle Welsh was just two years old when she was murdered by her own mother Alexandra Walker and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson

Footage has been released showing the mother of murdered tot Isabelle Welsh smoking while the toddler’s life ebbed away.

The two year old suffered appalling physical and sexual abuse leading up to her death. Medical staff discovered she had sustained 21 broken bones and a devastating head injury before collapsing at her Thornaby home.

Her despicable killers – her own mother Alexandra Walker and Walker’s paedophile partner Harrison Simpson – were both convicted of murder this week after a trial at Teesside Crown Court. They have now been handed life sentences.

The jury heard distressing testimony detailing how little Isabelle became “floppy and unresponsive” on September 13 last year while in her mother’s care at the Thornaby residence. Simpson had been minding Isabelle that morning before departing that afternoon.

In unsettling video footage released by Cleveland Police, Walker can be seen reflected in her kitchen window smoking a cigarette as her toddler lay dying. Rather than contacting emergency services, Walker had searched online for “why would my toddler be bleeding”, reports Teesside Live.

She only dialled 999 after being instructed to do so by her stepdad, whom she’d summoned to her Hartington Close address. Despite efforts, Isabelle could not be saved and the youngster tragically passed away hours later.

While conversing with a nurse, during her police questioning and throughout the court proceedings, Walker attributed all the child’s injuries to her new partner. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Ms Justice Norton described the murder as the culmination of a series of assaults that the pair attempted to conceal.

Addressing Walker’s delay in phoning 999, she stated: “I have no doubt whatsoever that your lack of urgency or concern for your child was because you wrongly believed that Isabelle was already dead, and you were working out what to do to save your own skin.”

On Tuesday, a jury convicted Walker, 26, and Harrison, 22, of murder and child cruelty. Simpson, from Greenham Close in Thorntree, was additionally found guilty of sexually assaulting the toddler.

The judge noted that the girl was sexually assaulted approximately when the fatal injury was delivered. The defendants caused the injuries and subsequently neglected to seek medical attention for Isabelle, she stated, “even though it was obvious that she needed it”.

No witnesses observed the abuse and CCTV cameras installed in the property failed to record it, with the judge noting a “wall of silence” surrounding the events. Simpson refused to answer police enquiries or testify during the trial, while Walker “lied from start to finish”, the judge remarked.

She noted that Walker had falsely claimed higher educational qualifications, pretended to have breast cancer, and told others she abstained from drugs while actually dealing them. The mother maintained she rarely drank, yet on the evening Isabelle was killed she consumed 10 cans of Stella Artois.

The judge branded her not merely a liar but “a fantasist and an attention-seeker” who inflicted wounds upon herself before alleging assault. She declared: “Right to the very end, your interest was not in Isabelle, but in yourself.”

The judge revealed she had weighed up imposing a whole life tariff on Simpson but couldn’t establish with certainty that the killing was sexually driven, despite it occurring around the moment of the fatal strike. This uncertainty arose because while the jury acquitted Walker of sexual assault, they found her guilty of murder.

The judge described the injuries sustained by the two year old as “sadistic”, noting she was “obviously in pain and distressed, and in the final week of her life, gravely ill”.

Simpson received a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years behind bars. Walker, of Hartington Close, was similarly handed a life sentence, serving at least 22 years.

In additional footage issued today by police, Isabelle appears cheerful while playing on a sofa. The court heard that Isabelle had been a contented, thriving child until her mother began a relationship with Simpson last summer.

The footage was captured before the killers connected through Facebook Dating. Isabelle’s relatives said in a statement the youngster was “so loved”.

They stated: “Isabelle should have had her whole life ahead of her, but she was taken from us in the most heartbreaking way. She was so loved and our lives will never be the same without her.

“Whilst today’s result cannot undo the pain caused or bring Isabelle back, it does mean justice has been served. We will remember Isabelle forever and ask for privacy as we continue to grieve as a family.”

Outside the court following sentencing, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton remarked: “This investigation exposed the heartbreaking and sustained abuse of a vulnerable little girl who should have been protected, loved and cared for.

“Instead, Isabelle suffered repeated and serious injuries over a prolonged period before ultimately losing her life as a result of a devastating attack. Our thoughts remain first and foremost with Isabelle.

“She was a defenceless child whose life was cruelly taken from her, and the circumstances of her death have deeply affected everyone involved in this investigation. Today, we remember Isabelle.

“She deserved a future filled with love, happiness and safety. She was denied that opportunity, and she must never be forgotten.”

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The FTSE 100 posted a new record high on Thursday, but ended lower as investors weighed a barrage of earnings and interest rate holds on either side of the Atlantic.

The FTSE 100 Index closed down 11.14 points, 0.1%, at 10,897.27.

The blue-chip index had earlier hit a new intra-day high of 10,979.60.

The FTSE 250 ended up 82.33 points, 0.3%, at 24,079.14, while the AIM All-Share closed up 3.05 points, 0.4%, at 764.90.

Investor focus in London was on a slew of earnings, while central bank meetings in the UK and US provided further food for thought.

In London, the Bank of England (BoE) left interest rates unchanged in a split vote as it weighs the impact on inflation from the Middle East crisis.

The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 6-3 to leave bank rate at 3.75%.

The central bank has maintained rates in each of its five meetings this year, with the last change a quarter point in December.

BoE chief economist Huw Pill and Megan Greene continued to argue for a quarter point rate increase as they did at the June meeting.

In July, they were joined by Catherine Mann.

Despite the vote turning more hawkish, BoE governor Andrew Bailey played down the idea that the central bank is setting up a hike.

“Please do not leave this room thinking that the Bank of England is edging towards a hike,” he told reporters at a press conference.

“We took a decision today to leave bank rate unchanged, and that is the relevant conclusion.”

The reaction in the bond market supported Mr Bailey’s view.

The yield on 10-year gilts softened to 4.99% on Thursday from 5.04% on Wednesday.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said while the vote split surprised in a hawkish direction, the meeting minutes read relatively dovish in their discussion of the disinflationary process that was in place prior to the outbreak of the Iran conflict.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted that although there was an increase in the number of members voting for a rate hike this month, financial markets are trimming expectations for a rate hike in September.

There is now a 40% chance of a hike at the BoE’s next meeting, this is down from more than 50% ahead of this meeting.

“Overall, we think that this meeting has solidified the BoE’s ‘active hold’ stance. The Bank has stated that it remains ready to act, if necessary, but we would need to see a sharp deterioration in the inflation outlook for this to happen,” Ms Brooks added.

On currency markets, the pound soared against the dollar but was steady against the euro.

The pound traded at 1.3439 dollars on Thursday afternoon, against 1.3284 dollars at the equities close on Wednesday.

Against the euro, sterling was slightly lower at 1.1671 euros from 1.1673 euros.

In European equities on Thursday, the CAC 40 in Paris closed up 0.9%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.6%, despite a 16% fall in sportswear firm Adidas.

Stocks in New York were higher, with mixed fortunes for Facebook owner Meta Platforms, down 8.9%, and software firm Microsoft, up 14%, after earnings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3%, the S&P 500 index was 0.8% higher, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.0%.

The gains came after Wednesday’s heavy falls, which followed a confused reaction to unchanged interest rates by the US Federal Reserve.

While Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh continued to state his intention to bring inflation down to target, analysts suggested his actions did not back his words.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley said financial markets went into the July FOMC meeting thinking the new Fed chairman might take decisive action on interest rates to establish inflation-fighting bona fides, regardless of favourable incoming data.

“They likely came out of the meeting more confused than they went in,” the broker added.

JPMorgan analyst Michael Feroli said once again Mr Warsh failed to specify how he intended to achieve his stridently asserted inflation resolve.

“He also cast doubt on whether PCE inflation will remain the Fed’s inflation target in the medium run. Both of these points raise questions about the new chair’s credibility in delivering lower inflation,” he said.

The euro stood higher at 1.1516 dollars from 1.1380 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was lower at 159.44 yen, compared with 163.85 yen.

The dollar was also impacted by data showing US economic growth slowed more than expected in the second quarter of 2026, although economists said the headline figure masked underlying resilience, as business investment, led by artificial intelligence spending, continued to underpin the world’s largest economy.

In addition, figures showed the personal consumption expenditures price index, a closely watched pricing gauge, fell 0.1% in June from May, matching FXStreet-cited market expectations.

Annual PCE inflation slowed to 3.7% from 4.1%.

Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, rose just 0.1% on the month, below market expectations for a 0.2% increase.

Annual core inflation eased to 3.3% from 3.4%.

The yield on the US 10-year Treasury stretched to 4.67% on Thursday from 4.64% on Wednesday.

The yield on the US 30-year Treasury widened to 5.21% from 5.12%.

Back in London, Rolls-Royce led the risers, up 6.0%, after the London-based aerospace and defence company raised guidance once more after a strong first half of 2026.

Rolls-Royce said operating profit increased 17% to £2.42 billion in the first half of 2026 from £2.07 billion the year prior.

Underlying operating profit grew 46% to £2.53 billion from £1.73 billion, which RBC Capital Markets said was 38% ahead of £1.84 billion consensus.

Revenue rose 21% to £11.45 billion from £9.49 billion, outstripping £10.17 billion consensus.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Mark Fielding called it “another very strong quarter with blow-out margins across the board”, while Chloe Lemarie at Jefferies was also effusive, calling it a “stellar performance”.

Lloyds Banking Group led a firmer banking sector higher, climbing 3.9%, as it set out financial targets to 2030 and reported better-than-expected results.

Peer NatWest gained 2.8% ahead of its own earnings on Friday.

But investors in Rentokil Initial had a day to forget as shares plummeted 21%.

The pest control specialist said it plans to invest more in its North American business, and as a result “retire” a margin target, as performance in the unit fell short of expectations.

Organic revenue growth in the North America Pest Control Services business slowed to 2.4% in the second quarter from 2.8% in the first three months of 2026, well below the 3.0% mid-point of the 2.6% to 3.4% guidance range.

Brent oil for September delivery traded lower at 89.84 dollars a barrel on Thursday afternoon, from 90.09 dollars late on Wednesday.

Gold was higher at 4,099.23 dollars an ounce on Thursday from 4,011.17 dollars on Wednesday.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Rolls-Royce, up 83p at 1,463p, Halma, up 164p at 3,574p, Antofagasta, up 155p at 3,704p, Lion Finance, up 450p at 11,590p, and Lloyds Banking Group, up 4.3p at 115.65p.

The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Rentokil Initial, down 91.3p at 352p, Relx, down 199p at 2,675p, London Stock Exchange Group, down 592p at 8,606p, Experian, down 179p at 2,898p and Sage Group, down 54.6p at 967.4p.

Friday’s economic calendar has an interest rate decision in Japan overnight, eurozone inflation data, the Chicago PMI and the Michigan consumer sentiment index.

Friday’s UK corporate calendar sees half-year results from British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines, bank NatWest and online property portal Rightmove.

Contributed by Alliance News

Kyle Campbell, from Westhoughton, had travelled to Thailand to marry his fiancée of two-and-a-half years when he was involved in a motorcycle accident in the country.

His family said Mr Campbell was taken to a local medical facility, where he was treated and then discharged.

Relatives say he was advised to return the following day so he could travel by boat to a hospital on the mainland for further treatment.

However, Kyle later died in his sleep with his family receiving the devastating call in the early hours of yesterday.

The family said they received a call at around 2.30am this morning (July 30) informing them that Kyle had died.

Kyle Campbell, passed away at age 32. (Image: Public)

The plumber, who worked in the borough and was the father of a 12-year-old son, had been in Thailand for only about a week when the tragedy occurred.

His cousin, Dianne Fisher, 39, said the family are now want to bring him home while still trying to come to terms with his death.

She told The Bolton News: “You just don’t factor this into your life. Nobody expects something like this to happen and you don’t just have savings sitting there to cover the costs.

“We don’t even know how much it’s going to cost yet. We just need to bring him home.

“At the moment we’re dealing with authorities, funeral directors and the British Embassy while trying to process what’s happened. It’s such a shock.

“He’s so far away and we’re all trying to deal with it.”

Ms Fisher said the family fear the cost of repatriating Kyle’s body to the UK and arranging his funeral could run into tens of thousands of pounds, although the full cost has yet to be confirmed.

The family are fundraising to allow them to bring him home and give him the send off he deserves (Image: Public)

She said: “Even £100 would be brilliant. Every little bit helps us start the process of getting him back home to his family.

“It’s one of the worst things a family can go through.

“It will help start the ball rolling with what is one of the worst times of a parents life.

“We just want to bring him home.”

Ms Fisher said Kyle had met his Thai partner around two-and-a-half years ago and the couple regularly travelled to see each other.

She said they were due to marry during his latest trip to Thailand.

Kyle leaves behind his son who relatives say he “loved to bits”, as well as a heartbroken family and friends.

The family said Kyle loved to go out his mountain bike with his friends, nice cars, and socialising and spending time with his son.

They added: “He loved days at the beach and little outings.

Kyle Campbell, passed away at age 32. (Image: Public)

“He loved his family, especially his mum. He loved everyone being together and being happy.

“He was a plumber who was devoted to his work, helping people in their hour of need.

“He worked hard to provide for his son and his long-term goal was to move to Thailand.”

A fundraising page launched by the family states: “What should have been a joyful occasion ended in unimaginable heartbreak.

“His death has devastated everyone who knew and loved him.”

Anyone wishing to support the family can do so through the fundraising page here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dianne-fisher

“We are waiting for the next phase to start, hopefully in the Autumn of this year”

Austins department store needs no introduction.

Those who lived in Derry have their own memories of shopping in the grand building in the heart of the city, and were saddened to see it close in 2016.

Austins has been part of the fabric of Derry for 120 years and now we can take a look inside the restoration works to ensure it remains this way for generations to come.

We spoke to Helen Quigley, Strategic Projects Advisor with the Inner City Trust and Karl Pedersen, partner of Mullarkey Pedersen Architects about the ongoing works.

Helen said: “First of all, we were delighted when the Minister said that he would be giving the money to acquire it and then from that we worked very quickly to make sure that we were going to be hitting the ground running.

“The journey has been exciting, the people of the city are excited about the building and what it is going to become.

“The building itself, as you can see you, we have got in and got the preliminary works done, all the prep work and we have reported back to our funders. We are waiting for the next phase to start, hopefully in the Autumn of this year.”

The Austins restoration project is not the first for the Inner City Trust, having restored the Bishop’s Gate building previously.

Helen highlighted the importance of bringing these legacy buildings back to life.

She said: “These old buildings, if they are properly looked after, can survive for a long time.

“Just like the Bishop’s Gate building that we repaired and opened in 2016, that will stand for the next 100 years without any major intervention and Austins will be the same.

“People have fabulous memories of being in Austins and what Austins means to them and Christmas shopping and we are really enthused by the public and the interest they have taken in it.

“We sincerely hope they will be pleased when the building is eventually finished and occupied.”

Karl Pedersen gave Belfast Live an insight into the work that has gone in to saving the Austins building.

He said: “It has been joyful, everything has been positive here; what we have uncovered in the building and things we have discovered going along.

“I am from Derry originally so I’ve been familiar with it all my life but I’ve also been able to discover things about the building that not even the previous owners knew, as we’ve started to open it up and investigate and see what it is made of and what was sitting behind the shop front fittings they had.

“It’s a great project to work on and one of the benefits too is that we’ve got a fantastic client, Inner City Trust, when you look around the town you’ll see everything they’ve done here and Austins can add to that legacy that we already have.

“We have the right ingredients, we have a fantastic building to work with, a fantastic client and hopefully come September we will have a fantastic budget to work with too.”

Karl also revealed surprising elements of the restoration work, including elements of the Austins building that had been hidden.

He said: “There were a few things that we discovered here that were a surprise, we discovered huge windows that had been covered up. It showed how ambitious and how cutting edge this building was when it was built 120 years ago.

“Generally, we were pleasantly surprised with the condition, which is testament to those who built it all those years ago.

“There are some areas which need our help but there is so much of the original fabric that we are able to maintain and that is what we want to do because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

For those taking on the project, it is essential that the original features of Austins remain within the building.

Karl said: “It is 100% essential that we retain as much of the original fabric as we possibly can.

“The staircase in this building, everyone talks about it and has a memory of the slight tilt which increases as you rise through the building. That needs some help but we’re able to reuse that existing staircase.”

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

This is the bizarre moment a tourist froze as a wild bear bit at his leg in the Romanian mountains. 

Footage filmed from a nearby car on the scenic Transfăgărășan Highway on Monday showed the tourist staying completely still as a bear ran out of the bushes and onto the road where the man was standing. 

The video shows how the bear starts sniffing and biting at his leg. 

The man manages to stay still until a car drives towards the animal in an attempt to scare it away. 

However, the animal, unfazed by the vehicle, suddenly lunges at the man standing on the road, sending him running for his life. 

The video has since gone viral online, with several social media users commenting on the man’s reaction to the bear. 

Several wondered whether the man, who appeared to be on his phone, was too distracted to notice the animal, with some joking that he had the ‘survival instinct of a potato.’

Others, however, praised him for staying still, saying that choosing not to move away avoided provoking an aggressive reaction from the bear. 

The bear approaches the man, who remains completely still

‘If he had moved, the bear would have run after him. He tried to stay completely still. If he had run, the bear would have chased him and might have attacked him. He acted smartly,’ one social media user commented. 

Meanwhile, others criticised the fact that the driver in the car from which the video was filmed did not do anything initially to alert the man or to scare the bear away. 

The incident comes a month after a tourist suffered serious injuries after he was violently mauled by a wild bear in Romania’s Carpathian mountains.

Georgi Bizhev, a Bulgarian holidaymaker, was driving along a mountain road near the Vidraru Dam in central Romania in June when he decided to stop after spotting a mother bear and her cub.

The 46-year-old tossed food scraps at the animals and began taking pictures and videos of them when the mother bear suddenly launched a ferocious attack on him.

Footage taken by an onlooker shows the adult bear lunging into Bizhev’s car window.

In a separate video taken by Bizhev, the mother bear is shown clawing at the tourist as he screams for help.

The animal smashed a window and tried to drag the tourist out of his vehicle, according to local reports.

Bizhev suffered serious bite wounds to his left arm. He said the bear clawed and bit him as he raised his arm to shield his face and neck.

He said a seatbelt helped save him from worse injury as other drivers honked and shouted to scare the aggressive animal away.

He later said: ‘I saw the bear’s ears prick up and it jumped at me.

‘It tried to grab me and pull me out of the car.’

An onlooker tried to scare the bear away by driving towards it 

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The bear suddenly lunges at the man, but he managed to run to safety unharmed

Romanian emergency services responded after Bizhev alerted guards at the dam.

Officials stressed that the mother bear was likely protecting her cub.

The stretch of road is a famous ‘bear pass’ where tourists frequently stop to observe and feed wildlife.

Bizhev, a sports official and former football club president, said such encounters are commonplace on the route, with food sold at stops, although he acknowledged feeding bears is inappropriate.

He admitted: ‘I entered its environment, it was a mistake for which I paid.’

He has since returned to Bulgaria for further treatment.

Romanian authorities have urged tourists not to approach or feed bears, which are protected but increasingly habituated to humans across the country.