It’s been known by a few names, but has hosted plenty of big names in the past

One of Manchester’s original 1960s skyscrapers is set to undergo a ‘statement of intent’ makeover with a four-storey ‘extension’.

The 21-storey Manchester One block on Portland Street towered over Manchester when it opened as St Andrew’s House in 1962, the same year the CIS Tower emerged on the other side of town as Britain’s tallest building, 118m (387 feet) high. The 77m (252 ft) tall skyscraper is now home to Gaydio radio station and the Polish consulate, among others.

But despite still being home to dozens of firms, owners Bruntwood SciTech plan to redevelop it with a £17m ‘statement of intent’ revamp.

“Manchester One has been an enduring fixture of the city for decades and is synonymous with Manchester’s skyline,” said Matthew Morten, director at Bruntwood SciTech.

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“These proposals represent our commitment to ensuring it remains both sustainable and inspiring, and the £17 million investment is a clear statement of intent about the building’s importance to both our portfolio and to Manchester.

“We’re reimagining this building with our customers at the heart of every decision. This transformation is about creating a best-in-class environment that helps businesses attract and retain the talent they need, supports work-life balance through dedicated wellness facilities and flexible workspace, and ultimately enhances productivity. It’s a place that continues to support not just work, but wellbeing, collaboration, sustainability and community.

“Manchester remains integral to our vision, and sustained investment here and across our cities is central to our growth strategy and our determination to provide the infrastructure that enables businesses and cities to thrive.”

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Most notably, the plans include a four-storey ‘extension’ to the building at street level, with the green-clad addition serving as the building’s main reception with a double-height ceiling providing space for a cafe open to the public.

The original tower’s facades will undergo a full makeover to ‘refresh’ its appearance. Floorplans will also be changed, resulting in an extra 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sqm) over both buildings.

Developers submitted a planning application for the revamp on Wednesday (February 4), and are hopeful to begin building work this summer before opening the space in early 2028, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

More than 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory diseases

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More than 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory diseases, according to the British Heart Foundation. It’s also estimated that one in 12 people is affected by the disease globally.

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is often caused by fatty deposits in the arteries, and this can cause a higher risk of blood clots.

It can also cause damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes. Some blood tests are able to measure different types of fats within the body.

With February marking National Heart Month, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor surveyed 500 UK respondents to find out how much they know about the symptoms of heart disease. Lloyds’ Dr Bhavini Shah explains these symptoms in detail and shares practical steps on how to reduce your risk.

Symptoms of heart disease

Chest pain is a common symptom of heart disease. Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness could be a symptom of a heart attack, and it’s essential to dial 999, reports the Mirror. Of those who were surveyed, 80% identified chest pain as a symptom, making it the most recognised overall.

Alongside this, 77% correctly identified shortness of breath as a symptom. Dr Shah explains that if the heart isn’t pumping enough blood throughout the body, fluid may build up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and leading to shortness of breath.

Irregular heart rhythms can also indicate heart disease, something 70% of people recognised. Whilst this might not be directly linked to a serious condition, it’s important to get this checked to understand any underlying issues.

A total of 66% of surveyed respondents acknowledged that extreme fatigue can also be a symptom, making day-to-day activities or mild exercise exhausting.

Dr Shah also says that leg swelling, medically known as oedema, is a less well-known symptom of heart disease and occurs when fluid builds up in the tissue. This can worsen throughout the day. Less than half (46%) were aware of this.

If you have any of these symptoms and are concerned you may be at risk of a heart attack, it’s essential to dial 999. Additionally, seek medical attention from a GP.

How to reduce your risk of heart disease

Eat healthily

Cutting down on fat intake is an effective way to not only lower your risk of coronary heart disease but also help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. According to the NHS, a high-fibre, low-fat diet is recommended and should include at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains (oats, rye and brown rice).

The NHS also advises limiting salt intake to no more than 6g per day and avoiding saturated fats, as they can increase cholesterol levels. Get active Dr Shah recommends maintaining an active lifestyle to ward off heart disease. The British Heart Foundation states that regular physical activity can cut your heart disease risk by as much as 35%.

Remaining physically active also assists in controlling blood pressure and reducing cholesterol levels. Health experts suggest participating in a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise weekly. Whether it involves brisk walking, cycling, swimming or joining fitness sessions, discovering an enjoyable activity could support consistency and help maintain healthy habits.

Stop smoking

The charity Action on Smoking and Health explains that cigarette smoking harms arterial walls, particularly the coronary arteries. A substance known as acrolein disrupts the body’s cholesterol processing capabilities, resulting in elevated bloodstream levels.

Reduce alcohol consumption

A further method to lower heart disease risk involves drinking alcohol moderately. NHS guidance states that both men and women should consume no more than 14 units of alcohol weekly, with these units distributed across a minimum of three days rather than consumed in one session.

Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to elevated blood pressure. Consistently exceeding the recommended 14 weekly units over a decade can heighten your chances of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke.

Get enough sleep

It’s crucial to ensure adequate rest each night. Insufficient sleep may heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A healthy adult requires between seven and nine hours nightly. Teenagers, children and infants will need more, anywhere from eight to 16 hours.

Making modest yet achievable adjustments to your daily habits can have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health.

Imagine diagnosing one of the most challenging neurological diseases with just a quick finger-prick, a few drops of blood and a test sent in the post. This may sound like science fiction, but we are hoping our research could soon help it become a reality.

Our team at the UK Dementia Research Institute’s Biomarker Factory at UCL are part of the global effort working to develop and validate a test for Alzheimer’s disease. We’re currently working to overcome the various technical challenges facing these tests so that this test can one day soon be available to the broader public.

What do finger-prick tests look for?

At their core, these finger-prick tests are designed to detect specific biomarkers.
Biomarkers are biological molecules found in the blood which indicate signs of disease. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, the brain gradually accumulates abnormal proteins. These proteins form structures such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles which damage the brain’s neural networks. They’re also involved in brain inflammation.

These abnormal proteins can be detected in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and, importantly, the blood years before symptoms arise.

Recently, research has also shown these biomarkers can be measured in dried blood samples from a simple finger-prick. A study focusing on 337 people showed that these dried blood samples can reliably detect Alzheimer’s-related changes in biomarkers with a diagnostic accuracy of around 86% compared to conventional methods.

Once refined and validated, these tests could aid with early detection, screening at-risk people, tracking disease progression or even evaluating the effectiveness of emerging treatments.

What are the shortcomings of current diagnostic tools?

In addition to cognitive tests (which check for cognitive decline and memory problems), there are currently two robust approaches for diagnosing signs of Alzheimer’s in the brain.

The first is PET imaging. These scans detect disease characteristics using radioactive tracers which light up areas of the brain where tangles and plaques may be present. However, PET scans are expensive, use radioactivity and require specialist facilities.

The second method uses a spinal tap to extract cerebrospinal fluid (the clear, colourless liquid that protects the brain and extracts waste). This looks for the same biomarkers as finger-prick tests. However, this method is invasive and can be painful and stressful to patients. Some people also may not be eligible to have it done.

Cognitive tests also have shortcomings. As a result, people whose first language isn’t the one in which the test is being administered, or those who have other health conditions that also cause cognitive problems, may be misdiagnosed.

And, while cognitive testing can give an idea about a potential issue, these tests alone can’t tell us what specific condition is causing symptoms. This can also lead to misdiagnosis.

Even traditional blood tests done in a clinic have limitations. These tests require immediate processing (or refrigeration) and careful handling to avoid influencing biomarker levels. This makes traditional blood tests impractical for large-scale, population-level screening – particularly in underserved or rural regions.

By contrast, the finger-prick test we’re developing can be done at home and posted to a lab without refrigeration.

What are we working on in the lab?

Our lab is currently working to improve the sensitivity, reliability and real-world usability of these finger-prick tests.

We’re currently experimenting with different, sensitive biomarker detection methods – using just tiny volumes of blood collected from either the finger or the vein and seeing how these compare.

Alongside tau and amyloid, we’re also testing other proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and various neurodegenerative disorders – such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

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Our hope with these tests is not only to identify Alzheimer’s disease, but to catch it before irreversible brain damage occurs. This would open a window for early intervention.

With novel therapies emerging that may slow the disease, early identification is critical.

What challenges have we encountered?

Designing these tests hasn’t been straightforward. We’ve encountered a few major hurdles along the way.

The first hurdle we encountered had to do with the biomarkers themselves.

Alzheimer’s biomarker levels are often much lower in the blood than they are in cerebrospinal fluid. So the technological methods needed to measure them accurately had to be very sensitive.

Another obstacle we encountered related to sample quality. Without refrigeration, the proteins can degrade – giving inaccurate readings and potentially misdiagnoses. So we’re currently working to develop collection and mailing methods that ensure these dried blood proteins are stable and don’t degrade before testing.

Data interpretation has also been a challenge. Although these tests are accurate for the majority of cases, we still need to figure out how to interpret outliers – such as participants who have high biomarker levels without other signs of the disease, and those who have low biomarker levels with significant signs of the disease. So even when we detect elevated biomarkers, interpreting what that means for a person’s Alzheimer’s risk is complex.

Alzheimer’s biomarkers are also not exclusive to the disease. Similar biomarkers can occur in other neurological conditions such as vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, and even in otherwise asymptomatic people or even healthy newborns.

We’ve since refined our tests so they’re more sensitive and have sourced and are currently comparing devices that make at-home sample collection easier. These solutions are steadily improving test reliability.

What could our work mean for Alzheimer’s diagnosis?

It’s important to emphasise that these tests are still at least a few years away from routine use. But, if validated, finger-prick tests could revolutionise Alzheimer’s diagnosis in several ways.

It would allow for earlier detection of the disease and broaden access for patients. It would also enable larger, more diverse population studies to be conducted – reducing historical gaps in Alzheimer’s research and improving our understanding of the disease globally.

The idea of diagnosing Alzheimer’s with a quick, finger-prick test marks a profound shift in how we could approach neurodegenerative diseases. Moving beyond invasive, costly procedures toward accessible, patient-friendly diagnostics carries enormous potential — for patients, their families and future research.

A MAN was reportedly sexually assaulted while walking on a street in an industrial town.

The victim was confronted and assaulted by the attacker at 3:30pm on 22 December 2025 on William Street, Sittingbourne.

Kent Police have released an e-fit image of the suspect and are calling for anyone who recognise him to contact them.

The suspect first approached the man and made sexual comments to him before touching him over his clothes.

He is described as 5 foot 5 inches tall, spoke broken English, and was wearing a black bomber jacket and jeans at the time of the incident.

Anyone who recognises the man can contact Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/218884/25. 

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The search for “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother still had no suspect or person of interest Wednesday, authorities said, four days after she disappeared with signs of forced entry at her home in southern Arizona.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will over the weekend and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said they don’t have credible information indicating Guthrie’s disappearance was targeted. Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. Nanos said she is of sound mind.

“Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement on social media Wednesday. “Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family.”

Multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes Tuesday that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it’s taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

The Pima County sheriff and the Tucson FBI chief urged the public to offer tips during a news conference Tuesday. Nanos has said Guthrie needs daily medication and could die without it. Asked whether officials were looking for her alive, he said, “We hope we are.”

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her home in the Tucson area, where she lived alone, and she was reported missing midday Sunday. Someone at her church called a family member to say she was not there, leading family to search her home and then call 911.

DNA samples have been gathered and submitted for analysis as part of the investigation. “We’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” Nanos said.

There were signs of forced entry at Guthrie’s home, evidence of a nighttime kidnapping, and several personal items were still there, including Guthrie’s cellphone, wallet and car, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of an anonymity. Investigators were reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and information from area license plate cameras and analyzing local cellphone towers data.

For a third day Wednesday, “Today” opened with Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. NBC Sports said Tuesday that Guthrie will not be covering the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”

The “Today” host grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA. Her parents settled in Tucson in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mom with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.

___

Billeaud reported from Phoenix and Balsamo from Washington.

COPS have arrested two more people after a baby boy was fatally mauled by an XL Bully.

Jonte William Bluck was just nine months old when the family pet attacked him, causing him to suffer serious head wounds.

He was being looked after by his 30-year-old construction worker father Jarrod Bluck when the dog went for him.

Jonte tragically died before reaching hospital in an ambulance that had collected him from Jarrold’s home in in Rogiet, South Wales.

The six-year-old black dog was later put down.

Now the force has confirmed they have made two more arrests in connection with Jonte’s death.

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TRAGIC END

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A man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s have been nicked on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The pair of Chepstow, have been bailed as the investigation continues.

Detectives previously arrested a man in his 30s and woman in her 20s on suspicion of being in charge of the “dangerously out of control” dog following Jonte’s death in November.

They remain on bail having also been arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said: “I understand that there is a lot of interest about this in our communities, but I’d like to remind people that this continues to be a live criminal investigation.

“We urge people not to speculate, and to think about how that speculation, particularly online commentary, can impact the investigation

“Once again, our condolences and thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic death, both within the community and further afield.”

An inquest heard Jonte was bitten by the family pet while staying at his father’s home in Rogiet, Gwent, on November 2.

Neighbours feared the six-year-old dog was spooked by fireworks going off outside in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Area coroner Rose Farmer said: “Jonte William Bluck sadly passed away on the 2nd of November 2025 at his home address.

“The brief circumstances are that on the 2nd of November he was staying at the home of his father when he was bitten by the family dog.

“He was conveyed to the Grange University Hospital but died prior to arrival.

“An inquest has been opened as there is reason to suspect that he died as a result of a dog bite.”

A provisional cause of death was given as a compressive head injury, consistent with a dog bite.

The inquest was adjourned until August 4, 2026.

Police said the dog involved in the incident was a six-year-old XL bully, which was registered with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and a certificate of exemption was issued in 2024.

The family dog was put down after it was seized – and later confirmed as a legally-owned black male XL Bully.

Harrison Ford has made a startling confession about his long, extraordinary career: He’d be fine with it ending now.

Speaking on Tuesday during Apple TV’s first-ever press day in Santa Monica, the Hollywood icon reflected on his future while discussing Shrinking, the acclaimed comedy-drama that has clearly become one of his most cherished projects.

The comedy-drama follows therapist Jimmy (Jason), whose life is turned upside down after the sudden death of his wife, Tia. Wracked by grief, he must navigate this unexpected era of his life with the help of friends, family and inner strength.

Infused with heartfelt humour that will have you laughing out loud and a stark reflection of the messiness of life (and what makes it worth living), the new season is all about moving forward.

The series has just begun rolling out its third season, with a fourth already ordered, so there’s no shortage of runway left.

Still, when asked to consider the deeper questions raised by joining such a thoughtful show, Ford didn’t shy away from the idea that this chapter might be enough.

He told the panel audience, including Metro: ‘If it was all over here that would be sufficient for me. This is very special for me and it really nurtures me and makes me feel like what we’re doing has value and importance. I look for that in my life, and I’m happy I’ve found it here.’

Moderator Ashley Nicole Black summed up the room’s emotional reaction well: ‘There’s never been a better place to end a panel.’

The warmth of Ford’s comments echoed the tone of the entire Shrinking conversation.

Castmates Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley spent much of the hour trading praise and jokes.

Co-star Jason Segal has previously addressed the complex emotions of working with the great Harrison Ford, telling Metro: ‘There’s something so meta about the dialogue that Paul delivers.

‘It was especially true in the finale of season two, when Paul is saying: “I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be doing this job, but it’s an honour to be doing it with you all”, and “you’re my family right now”.’

‘We’re sitting there weeping disproportionate to the scene because who knows if Harrison Ford does another TV show? You know what I mean? He’s talking to us [in real life] as well.’

During the panel, Ford also addressed one of the new season’s most meaningful additions: Michael J. Fox, who appears in three episodes. It’s a poignant casting choice, given that Fox has lived with Parkinson’s disease since 1991, while Ford’s character is navigating the condition on screen.

‘It was a bit daunting when I thought about it,’ Ford admitted. “’Because I am representing a character that has Parkinson’s, and Michael, of course, has the real thing. I have a real sense of responsibility for getting that part of my story right.’

He continued: ‘Michael is a really extraordinary fellow, it was an extraordinary presence to work with some of that I hope will help colour my portrayal of someone with Parkinson’s. He’s a remarkable example.’

Then, with a grin, he added: ‘That’s the serious part of it. But the fun part was there as well. He’s so funny.’

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Saif al Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya’s late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, has been shot dead by gunmen who broke into his home, officials have said.

The 53-year-old was killed during a “direct confrontation” with four armed men in the Libyan town of Zintan, south-west of the capital Tripoli, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.

His lawyer, Khaled al Zaidi, and separately his adviser Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, both confirmed his death on Facebook, without providing details.

Despite holding no official position, the second son of the longtime dictator, was once seen as the most powerful figure in the ⁠oil-rich North African country after his father, who ruled for more than four decades.

Saif al Islam Gaddafi shaped policy and was involved in high-profile diplomacy, including talks on weapons of mass destruction and compensation for the families of those killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988.

Educated at the London School of ​Economics and a fluent English speaker, he was once seen by many governments as the acceptable, Western-friendly face of Libya.

But when a rebellion broke out against his father’s regime in 2011, he became an architect of ‍a brutal crackdown on rebels.

After fighters took over the capital, he was captured attempting to flee to neighbouring Niger – about a month after his father was hunted down and shot dead by rebels.

In 2015, a Libyan court sentenced him to death for war crimes. He was also wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of crimes against humanity.

He spent six years detained in the town of Zintan. It was a far cry from the charmed life he had lived during his father’s rule when he had pet tigers and mingled with high society on trips abroad. He was released by the militia in 2017 under an amnesty.

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In 2021, he attempted to run for president, but was opposed by many who had suffered at the hands of his father’s rule. He was also disqualified from the election because of his 2015 conviction.

His candidacy became a point of contention and the election process stalled amid arguments between powerful armed groups.

In an interview with The New York Times Magazine in 2021, he discussed his political ​strategy.

“I’ve been away from the Libyan people for 10 years,” he said.

“You need to come back slowly, slowly. Like a striptease. You need to play with their minds a little.”

Libya remains deeply divided, with rival administrations in the east and west, after the nation descended into anarchy following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

The former dictator was killed by opposition fighters during the uprising, which turned into a civil war. Most of his eight children had significant roles in government.