Diego Simeone hailed Arsenal as the ‘best team’ Atletico Madrid have faced this season after his side’s deflating Champions League semi-final defeat.

Simeone took his Atletico side to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night hoping to reach the club’s first Champions League final since 2016.

The first leg ended 1-1 and another cagey game in north London was settled by Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal.

Arsenal have not only booked their place in a first Champions League final in 20 years but are closing in on the Premier League title, boasting a five-point lead over Manchester City.

Simeone said Arsenal were worthy winners of the first semi-final tie and described Mikel Arteta’s team as the best he has faced this season despite meeting La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid on multiple occasions.

Asked whether Atletico were unlucky not to reach the final, which will be held on May 30 in Budapest, Simeone said: ‘Well if we got knocked out it’s because our opponents deserved to get through.

‘They took their big chance in the first-half and they deserved to get through. I feel calm, I feel peaceful.

‘We weren’t clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved in the second-half. There were things that could’ve gone our way but they didn’t.

‘We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we are in. Thanks to our supporters and players I feel proud to be where we are right now.

‘I said we wanted to compete and we have done that. Unfortunately we haven’t won anything but we have got to places that are hard to get to.

‘Arsenal were the better team over these two legs, they are the best team we have faced this season. They play with a rhythm and a conviction that is very difficult to contain.’

Discussing Gunners boss Arteta in his post-match press conference, Simeone added: ‘I think Mikel has done an incredible job at Arsenal.

‘He’s been trying to get to this point for a long time, to reach the Champions League and to win the league.

‘They have incredible financial power, and that’s linked to what they’re doing, I’m really pleased for them. They deserve it. They’ve been working very hard for many years.’

Simeone also hailed Arsenal as the best team Atletico Madrid have come up against after losing to the Gunners in the group stages of the Champions League.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, meanwhile, also admitted that Arsenal ‘deserved’ to advance to the Champions League final, where they will face Bayern Munich or holders PSG.

‘Whoever wins is always the best team,’ he said. ‘They won it and congratulations to them. Of course, we are sad and angry but that’s football.

‘The second half was good. Maybe we showed them a little bit too much respect in the first and were afraid to play. It was good after that but not enough to progress to the final.

‘It’s unlucky for us and we’re upset but it’s life. Arsenal were better and they’re in the final.’

PSG have a narrow one-goal advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of their semi-final second leg after sealing a thrilling 5-4 win in Paris last week.

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William told people gathered to meet him on Tuesday (May 5) that “there’s nothing a Yorkshire community can’t get over, that’s what I’ve been told a lot”.

During the royal visit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Prince toured the River Bain Hydro, seeing it in action, meeting the community members who own and maintain the site, as well as learning about its eco credentials and how it could be replicated in other locations across the UK.

The River Bain Hydro plant, which sits at the heart of Bainbridge, is a community-owned hydroelectric power station which powers about 38 homes, or half of the village, and is expected to save more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its 40-year life.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the River Bain Hydro plant, a community-owned hydroelectric power station, in the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire, to highlight rural communities and sustainability. The plant powers around 30 homes locally (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The site began generating environmentally sustainable electrical energy in 2011 and generates an average of 224 kWh per day over the course of a year, with excess electricity being sold off to the National Grid.

Part-funded with a start-up grant from the National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, the plant provides benefits to local roads and bridges because of the lower numbers of oil tankers delivering supplies in the area.

The site is next to the River Bain, which is the shortest river in England at only two miles long.

During the visit, William met with director of the Hydro project, Tom Fairey, David Hill, deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Deborah Millwood, who is involved in the Hydro project, and Gary Smith, CEO of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

After the visit, Mr Fairey and Mrs Millwood said that it was a “huge honour” to have a royal visit to the Hydro site, while also recognising the achievements of the project since its launch in 2011.

Following his tour around the Hydro site, he called into Hammonds Butchers in Bainbridge to chat to the staff in there, and then met with members of the community on the village green.

The Prince of Wales speaks to butchers during a visit to the the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire, to view the River Bain Hydro plant, a community-owned hydroelectric power station, to highlight rural communities and sustainability. The plant (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

It was here where the prince paid tribute to North Yorkshire and its communities, calling the landscapes “a beautiful part of the world” during a discussion with villagers, while also admitting that he had seen “great community spirit up here” during his visit.

He then told the group gathered that “there’s nothing a Yorkshire community can’t get over, that’s what I’ve been told a lot”.

One of those who was lucky enough to meet the Prince of Wales was Yvonne Peacock, the councillor for the Upper Dales division at North Yorkshire Council.

After meeting the prince while accepting an MBE previously, this is the second occasion their paths have crossed.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire, to view the River Bain Hydro plant, a community-owned hydroelectric power station, to highlight rural communities and sustainability. The plant powers around 30 homes (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

“I never thought we’d ever see a royal family member in Bainbridge, but it’s a testament to the community around here for its work and resilience,” said Cllr Peacock, who was one of the founding directors of the Hydro project.

“There’s been ups and downs in the Hydro project, but I’m glad that it’s going from strength to strength now.

“It’s a beautiful village and wonderful place here in Bainbridge.”

The Prince of Wales meeting well wishers during a visit to the River Bain Hydro plant, a community-owned hydroelectric power station, in the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire, to highlight rural communities and sustainability. The plant powers (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The visit was used as a chance for the prince to spotlight rural communities and sustainability, meeting farmers and residents to understand the opportunities and challenges facing rural areas today, as well as hearing about the people who “preserve the character of some of the country’s most treasured landscapes for future generations”.

Earlier in the day, the Prince of Wales spent time with farmers from across Swaledale at a farm, learning about their experiences on multi-generational farms and exploring both the opportunities and challenges shaping modern farming.

The prince joined a conversation with a group of young farmers, exploring farm diversification as well as nature conservation and nature-friendly farming.

In response to the modern challenges facing the farming community, many farmers are increasingly seeking to diversify their income to build long‑term financial resilience.

Some of those that were in conversation with the royal have adopted a range of approaches, including converting traditional stone outbuildings into holiday accommodation, campsites, and participating in long-term agri‑environment schemes.

Parts of Swaledale and the surrounding uplands are designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, recognising their internationally important habitats and bird populations.

These protected landscapes, together with the area’s distinctive scenery, attract significant numbers of visitors, particularly during the summer months.

Before briefly touring some of the land in the Yorkshire Dales, the prince met the partners and children of the farmers, hearing first‑hand about their experiences of living and growing up within farming families, and how family life, work and the landscape are closely linked in rural communities.

The Ebor at 46 Main Street, Bishopthorpe, remained closed for several years after Gordon Watkins’ death until a new management team was found, but the pub closed again last year.

The pub’s owner’s Sam Smith’s Brewery of Tadcaster then carried out renovations to the premises, which date back to the mid-1700s, including removing white rendering to expose the original brick, giving it a whole new look.

Now, Sally Watkins, daughter of longstanding pub landlord of the Ebor, Gordon, has announced on social media she is to take on the Ebor as manager.

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Her father Gordon was one of the last tenants for Sam Smith’s Brewery, a role he carried out to much acclaim for almost 40 years until his sad death from Covid in February 2021, aged 71.

Sally said on social media late last month: “Not very long ago I was asked if I would like to be the manager of the Ebor Inn and of course I said YES!!!

“I can confirm that I am very, very excited to have picked the keys up today… and now the hard work shall commence!!!

Sally Watkins picks up her keys to the Ebor Inn (Image: Facebook)

“There will be lots of comings and going’s over the next couple of weeks whilst we get the pub ready to open its doors once again.

“And I anticipate that this will be in just a couple of short weeks !!!

“Can’t wait to see everyone in there again!!!”

In a further post Sally said she hopes to open in time for the racing at York, which is due to start next Wednesday.

Popular landlord Gordon Watkins who sadly died of Covid in 2021 (Image: pic supplied)

Villagers have welcomed the news posting more than 100 comments and over 500 reactions.

One comment said: “Congratulations Sally, I am so glad that the Watkins name will live on at the Ebor. I wish you every success in your new venture and I am sure Gordon will be looking down on you with pride. All the very best Sally, and give my best regards to your mum as well.”

Another added: “Brilliant news Sal – this is just brilliantly superb news indeed!

The new look of the 18th century pub (Image: Apple Photos Clean Up)

“It’s beyond wonderful to know that The Ebor is in excellently safe hands, it has a clear future once again, and you’re returning home.

“Good luck with all of your preparations. I can’t wait to finally walk back into that building; a place that holds so many memories and has such a rich history of friendship and community for so many of us…and order a pint of Taddy Lager.”

Major publishers are giving up support of the PlayStation 4, but what is it that made the console such a success and how much of it was due to luck rather than judgement.

They say every person dies two deaths, the first when they physically expire and the second the last time anyone says their name. Something very similar is true of video game consoles. The PlayStation 4 was discontinued in March 2024, but its second death will be when the last game is released for the system. Since that will inevitably be some unnoticed indie game or shovelware title, the more public end comes when triple-A publishers stop making games for it, and that time is upon us now.

This week saw Activision announce that Call Of Duty 2026 will not be released on PlayStation 4. If EA Sports FC 27 also skips the last gen format, then that’s where you can draw a line under Sony’s fourth home console.

In trying to talk about the PlayStation 4 legacy, the overwhelming urge is to discuss it in reference to the failings of the PlayStation 5. That’s flattery of a sort, because the implication is that the PlayStation 4 got everything right and Sony was wrong to deviate from its lessons. But it does tend to ignore what a state Sony got itself into with the PlayStation 3 and how afterwards they did the one thing almost no video game company ever does… it learnt from its mistakes.

Although the PlayStation 3 did outsell the Xbox 360 worldwide, it was only by a narrow margin, that wouldn’t have been afforded to it if Microsoft hadn’t fumbled the ball in the Xbox 360’s final years, obsessing over Kinect and mismanaging its first party studios. In all other respects the PlayStation 3 was an embarrassing failure, a clear result of Sony becoming overconfident following the unprecedented success of the PlayStation 1 and 2.

The PlayStation 3 was overdesigned, overpriced, and suffered from a dearth of desirable exclusives – and this was in an era when there was no question over the importance of killer apps and first party games. Of course, there were some good games, but the hardware was difficult to develop for, with most third party titles running poorly and the Xbox 360 having a considerably better online service.

But the PlayStation 4 fixed all that. It’s online services immediately brought it up to par with Xbox and Sony’s relationship with other publishers was successfully renewed, so that it immediately became the lead format for almost every last gen game. Microsoft gifted them the failure of the Xbox One reveal, but Sony took full advantage of their rival’s mistakes.

It’s easy to forget now, but Sony’s reputation for first party games was unexceptional prior to the PlayStation 4. Naughty Dog started to come into their own on the PlayStation 3, but the majority of Sony’s homemade exclusives were mediocre shooters like Killzone 2 and Resistance: Fall Of Man or similarly unremarkable, and quickly abandoned, franchises like InFamous and MotorStorm.

Few of the games were actively bad but the difference when compared to the PlayStation 4’s stable of exclusives is night and day. God Of War, The Last Of Us Part 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ghost Of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, and The Last Guardian are amongst the most critically acclaimed titles of the modern era, let alone just the last generation. Even the standard of paid-for exclusives, like Bloodborne, Nioh, and Death Stranding were better than anything before or since.

There will be people who both love and hate all these games, in various combinations, but there are two main reasons why the PlayStation 4 was such a success, one of which was due to Sony’s hard work and one of which was little more than happenstance.

Sony deserve full credit for carefully studying the failures of the PlayStation 3 and making sure none of them happened again. Especially as, given their general attitude at the time, you would’ve bet on them doubling down on everything and pretending there wasn’t a problem. But they didn’t.

The other factor working in the PlayStation 4’s favour is that it reached the perfect point of convergence between the power of a console and the economics of making games that take full advantage of it. Every generation, the number of people needed to make a triple-A game greatly increases and that clearly can’t go on forever. Likewise, games taking more than five years to make, or requiring a budget of over $300 million, is not sustainable – but that was not the norm in the PlayStation 4 era.

Sony didn’t do anything to create that balance but they were able to take advantage of that unique moment in time, when video games could be both cutting edge and creatively innovative, and all without the necessity of being a sequel or licensed product.

Unfortunately, like the PlayStation 4 itself, that time is over. Games are too expensive and time-consuming to make in the same way or at the same cadence. Sony is doing nothing to address the problem – their answer seems to be just to shrug their shoulders and release less games overall – and neither is anyone else, with even Nintendo struggling to keep up a steady release schedule.

Even if the PlayStation 6 is released next year it’s likely that cross-gen PlayStation 5 games will continue to be released for many years to come, with an even bigger overlap than the PlayStation 4. So there may be no way to compare it, or any other consoles, with previous generations.

Whatever happens in the future though it’s hard not to see the PlayStation 4 as the pinnacle of PlayStation gaming. A console that got everything right and did so at the perfect time to take advantage of conditions in the games industry that are now seemingly impossible to replicate.

Maybe EA Sport FC 27 will still be released on PlayStation 4 – it is usually the last franchise to abandon an outgoing generation – but with Call Of Duty out of the picture the console’s story already seems complete and it’s hard to imagine Sony ever bettering it.

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Victoria House Care Home, in Stockton, received praise from the CQC for its commitment to delivering care that is safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

Amanda Gell, registered manager at Victoria House, said: “I am so very proud of the team.

Colleagues at Victoria House Care Home celebrating ‘Good’ CQC inspection report (Image: Supplied)

“Care is not an easy job, it is a vocation, and the staff at Victoria House truly exude care and compassion.”

The team at Victoria House would like to thank residents and their families for their continued support, which has been instrumental in achieving this positive outcome.

The care home said it remains focused on continuous improvement, and works closely with residents and relatives to ensure care remains at the highest possible standard.

Victoria House Care Home celebrating ‘Good’ CQC inspection report (Image: Supplied)

The CQC inspection assessed the home under its five key categories of assessment and found it to be ‘Good’ in every area.

A spokesperson for Victoria House Care Home said: “Victoria House extends a heartfelt thank you to all colleagues for their professionalism, kindness and dedication in achieving this important milestone.”

For more information on Victoria House Care Home, please visit its website.

Victoria House Care Home celebrating ‘Good’ CQC inspection report (Image: Supplied)

His appeal came as he stressed an overall majority for the SNP – which it has only ever achieved once before in four previous Holyrood victories – would help deliver action on the cost of living, with plans already announced for a cap on the cost of some essential foods, as well as an extended £2 cap on bus fares and more help with childcare.

The consultation will allow farmers, industry, and farming organisations to comment on the extensive scientific dossier submitted by the Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG), a coalition including Bayer, Syngenta, Nufarm and five other companies seeking renewal of the active ingredient.

Priced from around £48,000 in the UK, it is MG’s most expensive model to date, but it arrives with an extensive list of standard kit even in its entry level Long Range form, tested here.

Visually, the IM6 presents a clean, contemporary shape with smooth surfacing, a distinctive front end, an angular back end, and proportions that place it firmly in the mid‑size class.

Inside, the cabin is spacious, with generous room in the back and materials that feel significantly more upscale than those in MG’s previous models.

Passengers benefit from a very comfortable and quiet ride, with the IM6 being a refined and relaxing long‑distance cruiser.

The MG IM6 (Image: Newsquest)

It’s clear that comfort, space and refinement are among the car’s strongest qualities.

However, MG’s aggressively minimalist approach inside has led to one of the car’s most divisive features: its heavy reliance on touchscreen‑based controls. Everyday functions such as climate control, mirrors and even driving modes are buried within digital menus. The screen‑based controls can prove fiddly, initially demanding a lot of attention and making simple adjustments less intuitive than they should be.

While the clean, button‑free environment may appeal aesthetically, the usability compromises are clear.

Acceleration is an area where the IM6 makes a strong impression. The entry‑level Long Range version uses a single electric motor driving the rear wheels and produces 402bhp, giving it swift acceleration for a family SUV, with a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds. Its official range of 388 miles is equally noteworthy.

The MG IM6 (Image: Newsquest)

This combination of punchy performance and impressively long range makes the Long Range variant feel especially well‑balanced for real‑world buyers who want strong pace without compromising distance between charges.

For those seeking even more power, the twin‑motor Performance model dramatically raises the stakes, delivering an extraordinary 752hp and a supercar‑like 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds, although this comes with a reduced official range.

Both variants benefit from a 100kWh battery supported by an 800V electrical architecture, allowing ultra‑rapid DC charging at up to 396kW and enabling a 10-80 per cent top‑up in just 17 minutes.

This exceptional charging speed places the IM6 among the fastest‑charging EVs in its class, giving it a significant long‑distance advantage over many premium rivals.

On the road, the IM6 blends strong straight‑line performance with a comfort‑centric driving character. The ride is comfortable and well‑suited to motorway cruising, with the quiet cabin further reinforcing its relaxed nature.

However, the dynamic picture is less pleasing, with the IM6 not being as much fun to drive as a Tesla Model Y, which feels more agile in corners.

The IM6’s steering lacks the intuitive feedback needed to make it engaging on twistier roads. A firmer brake pedal would also be welcome, helping deliver more precision under harder braking.

The MG IM6 (Image: Newsquest)

These points don’t detract from the IM6’s focus on comfort, but they make clear that despite its power figures, it isn’t positioned as a purely driver‑focused SUV.

Practicality remains a strong point of the IM6, with up to 665 litres of rear boot space and an additional front compartment providing plenty of room for everyday tasks, family use or business travel. The rear seats offer ample legroom and excellent comfort, making the car well‑suited to long trips. Cabin storage could be more imaginative, and rear visibility is merely average, but overall the IM6 delivers a highly usable interior that competes well with more established premium models.

The Lowdown

MG IM6 100kWh Long Range

MOTOR LAYOUT: Single electric motor, rear‑wheel drive

POWER: 402bhp (300kW)

0–62MPH: 5.4 seconds

TOP SPEED: 148mph (shared across IM6 range)

BATTERY CAPACITY: 100kWh (NMC chemistry)

OFFICIAL RANGE: 388 miles (WLTP) Maximum DC fast‑charge speed: 396kW

We’ve still not cracked it.

A refuse collector has provided the definitive advice on which bin should be used for disposing of empty crisp packets and chocolate wrappers. The UK consumes more than eight billion packets of crisps annually, according to Statista, which also forecasts we’ll be eating more than 11 billion a year by 2030. That equates to more than 30 million packets daily.

The UK also ranks among the top five chocolate-consuming countries globally, meaning we’re also working through an enormous number of chocolate wrappers. However, while the recycling of food packaging in the UK has progressed considerably in recent years, there remains no simple method to recycle crisp and chocolate wrappers.

Modern crisp and chocolate packets and wrappers frequently contain multiple layers and are typically manufactured from polypropylene or polyethylene with an aluminium coating. You may hear this more commonly referred to as “soft plastics”. And the capacity to recycle this type of material on a large scale remains limited, despite most local councils now providing hard plastic collection for recycling. Environmental charity WRAP states: “There is still change that needs to take place for widespread roll-out of recycling collections at kerbside for plastic bags and wrappings.”

And Britain’s most famous refuse collector, who goes by The No1 Binman on TikTok where he shares guidance with more than 170,000 followers, has now clarified what to do with crisp and chocolate packets. “They do not go in any of your recycling bins,” says The No1 Binman, whose real name is Ashley. “A crisp packet, yes it can be recycled but you need to take it [to a supermarket]. Most supermarkets take them. And I know that means going to the supermarket with empty crisp packets to put them in their bins but if you’re asking the question of where they get recycled – that is where.

“Otherwise, you can put them in your general waste bin and they will get collected there. But if you’re looking to recycle crisp packets, then it goes in the bins in the supermarket. It’s the same for chocolate wrappers, because it’s such a thin plastic and made from different materials.”, reports the Mirror.

In 2023, the BBC highlighted how crisp packets originating from the 1960s were discovered washed ashore on a Norfolk beach, serving as a stark reminder of just how long plastics can endure. Among the finds were pre-decimalisation packets of Golden Wonder crisps, bearing a price of 5d, alongside 2d Spangles sweets.

Westhoughton High School host a Culture Day every year, to celebrate diversity and inclusion in a world which will soon by their oyster.

Outfits representing Pakistan, Nigeria, Poland and many more countries were worn on the special day.

Pupils gathered in a creative frame. (Image: Westhoughton High School)

Zulaika Yunus, from the student council, said: “It’s really important, because for a lot of minorities in different areas, they grow up and start thinking that they need to be better.

“They either need to be whiter; they need to be darker. It depends on each of them.

“Seeing that everything is represented for them, it makes everything diversity just a key part.”

At lunchtime, students visited a range of craft stalls, which included Great British tea‑making, Chinese lanterns, babushka dolls, and henna art.

There was also space for students to share and celebrate the languages they speak.

Lots of fun on the day. (Image: Westhoughton High School)

Lucas Archibald, from the student council, said: “If you’re not growing up in a place where your culture is like the main thing, you can sometimes forget about it.

“Talking about culture and including other people’s cultures in daily life, it’s really important to promote diversity and include everyone else.”

All activities had been chosen to reflect the largest cultural communities within the school.

The day encouraged pride, belonging, and unity, helping students feel confident to express who they are and where they come from, as one inclusive community.

Cultures from around the world. (Image: Westhoughton High School)

Sophie Uwadoka, also from the student council, said: “We’ve seen so many people that we didn’t even think they had a culture.

“We’ve got Scottish people, we’ve got people from Europe, we’ve got people from all over the world.

“So, I feel it’s important to get to know our student body and to know where they’re from, because then it makes us grow as a community and makes us feel closer.”