The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the nightclub birthplace of the Beatles, promotes itself as “the place where it all began”. On May 11, Apple, the Beatles’ management company, announced its re-acquisition of 3 Savile Row, London, the building they might usefully conceive of as “the place where it all ended”.

In the Beatleverse, 3 Savile Row is perhaps most associated with the Beatles’ iconic yet bittersweet rooftop performance. Iconic because this improvised concert was first captured for posterity in their 1970 film (and album) Let It Be. It was then digitally zhuzhed up for Peter Jackson’s epic retelling, Get Back, in 2021. Bittersweet because that performance on a chilly January day in 1969 was the last time the world ever saw the magic of John, Paul, George and Ringo gigging together. Or in the words of the promotional trailer for Let It Be: “rehearsing, recording, rapping, relaxing, philosophising … creating.”

The Savile Row building was the Beatles’ third London office. They moved there after outgrowing 94 Baker Street, which had previously housed the Apple Boutique in 1967, and following a short-lived stay at 95 Wigmore Street in early 1968.

Purchased for a snip at £500,000 in June of that year, 3 Savile Row became general HQ for all things Beatles. It had a recording studio in the basement, offices for each of the Fab Four and, of course, an impromptu gig space on the roof. Beatles fans, immortalised in George Harrison’s song Apple Scruffs (1970), would gather round the front entrance, hoping for a glimpse, a quick chat or a hug from their favourite Beatle. Yet few would ever have the opportunity to cross that elusive threshold. Until now.

Apple’s new venture heralds seven floors of unseen material from Apple Corps extensive archives, rotating exhibitions, a fan store and the recreation of the original studio where Let it Be was recorded.

It will also give fans the opportunity to tread in the band’s footsteps as they relive the iconic rooftop concert on exactly the spot where it happened. In other words, it promises the rarest of Beatles finds: a genuinely new experience.

The Fab Four in the flesh

As we are so accustomed to seeing in Liverpool, Beatles fans the world over demonstrate a ceaseless fascination with the band’s origin story. In part, this is because no book, film or theatrical production can so tangibly communicate the extraordinary ordinariness of the Beatles’ lives as being there can do: seeing for yourself the sheer magnitude of the improbability of four young Liverpudlians’ journey from two up-two down terraced houses in south Liverpool to the 20th century’s most successful pop group.

In the same way as standing in the front room of the McCartney family home in Forthlin Road, at the gates of Strawberry Field or in the middle of the roundabout in Penny Lane, there is little doubt that clambering onto the roof of 3 Savile Row, gazing across the London skyline and standing in the very steps of John, Paul, George and Ringo will foster in Beatles people a kind of indescribable wonder: making the imagined real and the real imagined.

With the re-acquisition of 3 Savile Road back into the Beatles’ property portfolio, Apple has made a genius move. The museum will connect the flesh and blood, bricks and mortar world of the 1960s Beatles to the social media and big screen worlds of the post-60s Beatles. And theirs is undeniably a big story to tell. It took Peter Jackson nearly eight hours of documentary time. Sam Mendes requires four feature-length films. And coming soon to a rooftop near you: the chance to experience all the Beatle magic for yourself.

Kilsyth Academy was visited by HM Inspectors of Education in February and the organisation has now written to the families of pupils with their findings.

Kilsyth Academy has received a positive report from education inspectors.

The North Lanarkshire secondary school was visited by HM Inspectors of Education in February and the organisation has now written to the families of pupils with their findings.

With the school rated as “good” in both categories of assessment, the inspectors highlighted the “warm and collaborative culture” across the school, including the creation of the Learning and Teaching Charter which led to more consistent learning for young people.

The young people were also commended for their pride in the school, working well with staff to establish a calm and inclusive learning environment.

It was also noted that the pupils were making good progress in literacy and numeracy, helped by regular progress checks from their teachers, who used the information gained from these to provide effective support.

Improvements the inspectors want to see were further development of high quality learning and assessment, with teachers continuing to collaborate on improvements in learning and teaching, while senior staff should continue their focus on the use of tracking to support improvements and raise levels of attainment in national qualifications.

In their letter the inspectors stated they were satisfied the school would continue to improve without the need for further visits in relation to this inspection.

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READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Council asked to approve conversion of gym in Newmains

Jerome Christian Clough, 30, of Prince of Wales Terrace in Scarborough, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court yesterday (May 11) after an attack which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 weeks in jail for affray, with a further eight weeks for possessing a bladed article.

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Clough was seen on CCTV during a heated conversation, before taking a pair of scissors from his pocket and lunging at another man on Saturday, May 9.

Although the victim did not make a formal complaint, North Yorkshire Police were made aware of the incident by CCTV operators by 6.38am and arrested Clough two minutes later.  He was then charged based on the CCTV evidence.

Detective Constable Alfie Thomlinson, the investigating officer, said: “Clough was seen in broad daylight – as the town was waking up and busy with workers, residents and visitors – clearly lunging at a man with a pair of scissors.

“The swift action of the CCTV operators followed by the immediate response of officers on the ground meant he was detained within two minutes of the report coming in to us.

“By the following morning, he was charged and remanded by detectives working with the Crown Prosecution Service and by Monday morning he was sent to jail by Magistrates.”

In his police interview, Clough claimed the scissors were for art and craft purposes and that he was demonstrating a stabbing technique he had seen in a video.

DC Thomlinson said: “Hopefully he can now take time to reflect on his behaviour and understand how serious this violent act could have been if contact was made with the man.

“Violent behaviour involving blades will simply not be tolerated on the streets of North Yorkshire.”

The military parade through Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, “Victory Day”, is the pinnacle of Russia’s annual celebrations marking the end of the second world war. Televised live and watched by millions, including invited foreign dignitaries, the Victory Day parade is all about showcasing Russia’s status and pride.

The first Victory Day parade was held in 1945 amid the triumph and relief at the defeat of Nazi Germany. A second was held in 1965 – but only two more were staged by the Soviet Union, in 1985 and 1990.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, however, the parade has become a huge demonstration of Russia’s military prowess and might. And, since the start of Russia’s mass invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the parade has also provided a snapshot of the progress of the conflict, including the country’s wartime mood and the extent of its international support.

But this year’s Victory Day parade showed the world a Russia that is fearful, diminished and isolated. There were no military vehicles or equipment on display. Instead, the products of Russia’s military industry were only visible to the crowds in video images displayed on big screens. Concerned that Ukraine might attack Moscow during the parade, Russian officials made the decision to protect valuable weapons needed for the war by withdrawing them from the event entirely.

The Russians had good reasons for their anxieties. Ukraine has developed the capability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Just a few days before the parade, two of Moscow’s airports were temporarily closed in response to hundreds of drones reportedly attacking in multiple regions of Russia, including near the capital.

This is not the first time that Russian officials have scaled down a Victory Day parade out of concern about Ukrainian attacks. In 2023 the situation was similar, with drone strikes in Russia leading up to the holiday amid widespread expectation of an imminent major Ukrainian counteroffensive. But even then, the number of military vehicles in Red Square not eliminated entirely. And the following year the parade featured launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles to emphasise that Russia was willing and able to use any means necessary – including nuclear weapons – to impose its will on Ukraine. In 2025 the parade featured nearly 200 military vehicles.

Now, in the fifth year of the war, the Russian leadership is clearly concerned about their ability to protect their capital city from the Ukrainians, despite surrounding Moscow with elaborate air defences – including some equipment hastily relocated from combat zones.

It was not only the absence of military equipment that made this Victory Day parade underwhelming. One of the features of the event that helps to elevate it beyond a national holiday is the presence of international distinguished guests in the audience. This year, only a handful of national leaders were in attendance, three of whom represent former Soviet states and close allies of Russia: Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The contrast with last year’s parade was stark. In 2025 – to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war – Putin hosted leaders from nearly 30 countries, most notably China’s president Xi Jinping, who was given the place of honour next to Putin. Chinese soldiers marched in the parade, providing a further symbol of the cooperation between the two countries and the support that Moscow could rely on from Beijing.

This year Russia’s president was surrounded not by powerful world leaders but by elderly war veterans placed around him in the viewing stand. In this company, Putin looked like just another old man, dreaming of glory days long behind him.

The sharp reduction in the number – and status – of foreign leaders that the Russians were able to attract to Moscow this year reflects changes in the international political climate that are not in Russia’s favour. In 2025, the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, attended the parade – an indication of rifts within the European Union over the war and support for Ukraine.

In 2026 Fico was again in Moscow – but didn’t attend the parade. Last year Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro sat in the viewing stands – this year he sits in a US jail having been removed from power in an American raid.

War-weariness in Russia

Putin’s Victory Day speech this year was another indication of a change in Russia’s fortunes, striking a far less confident tone than in previous years. In 2023, the Russian president compensated for that year’s scaled-back parade with defiant rhetoric, claiming Russia was under threat of attack from the west and styling the conflict as “the people’s war”. In 2024, Putin responded to a suggestion from French president, Emmanuel Macron, that western troops might be deployed to Ukraine with thinly veiled threats that Russia might use nuclear weapons to reassert its dominance.

This year Putin was far more subdued. Although he denounced the west and claimed that victory would belong to Russia, these statements had a tired, ritualistic feel. His emphasis on Russia’s ability to endure anything and respond to any challenge hinted at the current state of the war.

Russia is losing territory on the battlefield to the Ukrainian forces for the first time since 2024 and is reported to be losing troops faster than it can replace them. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones regularly attack Russian oil refineries, threatening Moscow’s ability to sell its most profitable export.

But this war is far from over. Russia still has a large military, a well-resourced defence industry and is increasingly drawing in foreign soldiers to fight on its side – North Koreans marched alongside Russian troops in the parade.

But while Russia may not be on the verge of defeat, the way that it celebrated its most important holiday of the year suggests a new war-weariness. It’s a big contrast with the confidence exuded by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. His tongue-in-cheek decree giving Putin permission to hold the parade suggests a turning point in the two countries’ morale – at the very least.

At last year’s Labour Party conference, the Mayor of Greater Manchester called for a “debate on our direction” and in November he refused to rule out a challenge, telling BBC Breakfast: “I don’t know what the future will hold.”

As a mayor who does not currently have a seat in Parliament, the route to the top could be strewn with hurdles for the man who was Leigh MP in the North West from 2001 to 2017.

It could also be expensive for the taxpayer. The 2024 mayoral election cost Greater Manchester Combined Authority more than £4.7 million.

Let’s take a look at what steps he would have to take before becoming the UK’s next prime minister.

– Vacant seat

Firstly, a vacant parliamentary seat would need to be available and finding one may not be an easy task.

In November last year, Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, indicated he would step down for Mr Burnham.

He told BBC’s Politics Live at the time: “If I’m going to sit here and say country before party, party before personal ambition, then yes, I have to say yes, don’t I?”

However, Mr Lewis told the Press Association he will not be standing down for him, because Mr Burnham does not want a Norfolk seat.

One of Mr Burnham’s top backers, Paula Barker, Labour MP for Liverpool, told BBC Breakfast “no” on Monday after she was asked if she would stand down to make way for him.

Marie Rimmer, Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said suggestions she had spoken to Mr Burnham about giving up her seat were “absolute nonsense”.

In a post on X, she said: “I have a great deal of respect for Andy, he has done some incredible work in Manchester, but I am not planning to stand down for him or for anybody else.”

Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman, who was recently appointed an adviser by Sir Keir, suggested Mr Burnham should be part of the Cabinet.

“If we’re looking at having a team of all the talents when the country’s facing terrible odds and the Labour Party has got a cloud hanging over it, clearly Andy is part of the solution to that,” she told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast.

There are two by-elections coming up in Scotland, after both SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) and SNP MP Stephen Gethins (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) were elected to Holyrood.

Mr Burnham is unlikely to stand in either of these Scottish seats.

– Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee

If a seat were to become vacant, Mr Burnham would need to win over the National Executive Committee (NEC), who is responsible for choosing Labour’s candidates.

In January this year the NEC blocked Mr Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton.

A 10-strong group, including the Prime Minister, voted to deny Mr Burnham permission to stand in the Greater Manchester by-election.

Sir Keir justified the move arguing “an election for the Mayor of Manchester when it’s not necessary would divert our resources away from the elections that we must have”.

The Prime Minister faced criticism over this decision, particularly after Green Party MP Hannah Spencer came out on top in the competition.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, the only member of the NEC to vote in favour of allowing Mr Burnham to stand, said he “probably would have” held the seat.

– Leadership ballot

If Mr Burnham were to be elected to Parliament, only then could he make a Labour leadership bid.

According to the Labour Party rule book, candidates seeking to enter the ballot must be an MP.

This is because the Labour leader is the Prime Minister, therefore they would need to be a Member of Parliament.

The current rules state a candidate must receive nominations from 20% of their Labour colleagues in Parliament to be in the running.

They must also receive nominations from 5% of constituency Labour Parties (CLPs), or at least three affiliates of the party, with at least two being trade unions.

– Summary of necessary steps

– Vacant seat

– NEC permission

– Win election, become an MP

– Meet nominations threshold

– Win leadership competition, become Labour leader and prime minister

Police were called to a disturbance on Newport Street this afternoon, with passers-by saying they say a man lying on the ground.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

The incident took place between around 1pm in the afternoon.

Emergency services attended the scene and took the injured man to hospital with serious injuries following what is believed to have been an assault.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 1pm today (12/05/2026) we were called to reports of a disturbance on Newport Street, Bolton.

“Emergency services attended and a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.”

The man was seen lying in the middle of Newport Street by shoppers before being attended by emergency services including police officers and North West Ambulance.

Witnesses said they believed the man to be young based on his clothing.

One said: “We were told he had been attacked, I hope he is okay, he was surrounded by people and was lay there. ”

Anyone with information can ring 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The rankings come from a new study by White Stores, which analysed public gardens listed by the Royal Horticultural Society using Google ratings, climate data, visitor facilities, and the range of attractions on offer.

Topping the list in the North East is Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, which earned a score of 76.23 out of 100 and was praised for its facilities, including a wildflower meadow and expansive parkland.

Rob Mead, buying director at White Stores, said: “Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden of their own to enjoy, but the UK is well known for its public gardens.

“There are hundreds dotted around the UK so anyone can enjoy a day out among the flowers.

“These gardens offer more than a great day out for a family of all ages, and they’re great inspiration for people looking to decorate their own outdoor spaces.”

The research highlighted County Durham’s strength in horticultural attractions, with the region securing all three of the top spots in the North East.

Raby Castle

In first place, Raby Castle, Park and Gardens received high marks for its welcoming facilities and natural beauty.

The site earned a Google rating of 4.6 from more than 3,700 reviews, reflecting public appreciation for its historical charm and serene setting.

See more about Raby Castle here: We take a look inside stunning new floral exhibition at County Durham castle

Raby Castle and The Rising development (Image: Contributor)

Durham University Botanic Garden

Taking second place with a score of 72.90, the Durham University Botanic Garden was recognised for its diversity, scoring 8.00 for variety.

The “underrated” 10-hectare Botanic Garden at Durham University is set amongst “beautiful” mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city and is open to the public.

It features a broad range of plant collections and educational exhibits and has 2,418 hours of annual sunlight.

Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall Gardens came third with a score of 65.12 and matched Raby Castle’s 4.6 Google rating.

Visitors praised its city-centre tranquillity and picturesque design, while its wildflower meadow contributed to a strong visitor review score of 8.54.

Crook Hall Gardens (Image: PA MEDIA)

Other North East highlights

Gateshead’s Birkheads Secret Gardens and Northumberland’s Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens completed the top five.

Birkheads was noted for its “coffee shop” charm and plant variety, though Raby Castle was still considered to offer the most extensive facilities for families and groups.

The study also highlighted the region’s focus on biodiversity, with four of the top five gardens in the North East featuring wildflower meadows.

Wider findings showed that the North East has five gardens listed in the study, compared to 37 in the South East and 36 in the South West.

John Siddell sexually abused three boys under the age of 14 between 2018 and 2021 while living in Leicestershire, but attempted to avoid justice by faking a severe disability – until CCTV footage caught him out

A paedophile pretended he couldn’t walk or talk by faking a disability in a bid to dodge prosecution for his vile crimes.

Leicester Crown Court heard John Siddell, 41, was spotted at Elvis Presley nights at a social club and was filmed walking without assistance, all while claiming to be seriously ill as police probed his sexual offences against three young boys.

His brother, James Siddell, 44, aided him in keeping up the deceit about his condition, even going so far as to tell psychiatrists he was unfit to stand trial.

John Siddell sexually abused the youngsters, all under 14, between 2018 and 2021 while living in Leicestershire. On Tuesday, he was caged for 15 years plus a two-year extended sentence, while his brother received two years and nine months behind bars.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Keith Raynor described the brothers’ conduct as “scheming and devious”. He said: “They misrepresented John Siddell’s mental and physical abilities, the behaviour of both of them entirely corrupting and undermining the course of justice.”, reports the Mirror.

Prosecutor Claudia James told the court the brothers led a “not-so-covert double life”. She said: “The brothers’ busy social lives in part unravelled their deception, as documented by social media, photos taken on their phones and their own home CCTV.” Ms James remarked that when John Siddell displayed physical debilitation, it “could not be more different” from footage showing him “walking, talking and engaging with others in his local social club”, including while watching a Newcastle United fixture.

She noted he took selfies where he managed to smile and pose with his head raised and eyes open, while in one photograph he was seen enjoying a pint of Guinness. Video evidence showed him walking without assistance and utilising his wheelchair as a “trolley” to transport household goods over a mile in June 2022.

A statement from someone who provided care for him in hospital during July 2024 described him as “the most verbal non-verbal person I have ever seen”, the court was told.

Judge Raynor stated Siddell remained hospitalised for a fortnight “at the taxpayers’ expense” while an “extremely pressed National Health Service should have been doing their job with other deserving patients”.

Siddell persuaded psychiatrists he was incapable of participating in a criminal trial during an assessment where his brother acted as his spokesperson. John Siddell “presented as wheelchair-bound, refused to open his eyes and was unable to hold his own head up”, Ms James stated.

During a fact-finding hearing, a jury established that he had abused the boys.

A different psychiatrist determined in May 2024 that there was “no reliable basis” that Siddell was unfit to stand trial. The court was told that the previous month, a police officer had observed him “sat upright in his wheelchair communicating with James” before “dramatically changing once arriving at the office for his assessment”.

Following charges of perverting the course of justice, neither defendant appeared at a plea hearing in July the previous year, with claims that John Siddell had suffered a seizure and been rushed to hospital.

In September, he pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Both brothers admitted perverting the course of justice between November 2021 and August 2025.

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A statement read to the court on behalf of the victims, who cannot be named, revealed they are “still dealing with the effects of the abuse”.

The brothers, of Bolam Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, failed to appear at their sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Speaking in defence of John Siddell, barrister Jamie Adams described his client as a “very vulnerable and disadvantaged human being” who has received diagnoses of epilepsy, autism and learning disabilities. Mr Adams further stated that Siddell’s family members have “exaggerated John’s ill-health throughout his life to get some financial benefit”.

Barrister Nicholas Peacock, representing James Siddell, informed the court his client came from a “generationally dysfunctional family who largely survived on the benefits system”.

Signing off her letter, Phillips added: “I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”

This week’s reception promises to be just as grand, including a stop inside Zhongnanhai, the rarefied compound where China’s top leadership lives and works. The agenda too will be just as thorny, with Iran being a new source of tension, alongside trade, technology and Taiwan.