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Racist stalked woman home then raped her because he ‘thought she was Muslim’

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John Ashby, 32, has been jailed for life for the religiously aggravated rape and abuse of a Sikh woman

Moment John Ashby stalks Sikh woman before raping her

An “Islamophobe” who poses an “extreme danger to women” has been jailed for life for the religiously aggravated rape and abuse of a Sikh woman.

John Ashby, 32, followed the victim off a bus and forced his way into her home with a stick in Walsall, the West Midlands, in October. He subjected the woman to a stream of Islamophobic abuse during the “deeply disturbing attack”, wrongly believing she was Muslim, the court heard.

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Sentencing him at Birmingham Crown Court to a minimum term of 14 years in prison on Friday, Mr Justice Pepperall described Ashby as a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe”. “You post an extreme danger to women and no reliable way to say how long you remain a danger,” the judge said.

Ashby pleaded guilty to the attack on the second day of his trial at the same court on Tuesday. Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told jurors: “Despite her screams, he told her to take her clothes off, he struck her with the stick, and he put his hands around her neck to strangle her and demanded that she climb into the bathtub. Throughout the attack he racially and religiously abused her.”

Body-worn police footage showing the victim after the attack was played to jurors during the trial. The woman was comforted by a female officer as she described how her attacker had called her a “bloody Muslim b****” and had raped her inside a bathroom, armed with a piece of wood. Witnesses described the woman as screaming in distress following the attack.

In a video interview played to the court, the woman told police: “He had a stick in his hand. I said ‘who are you’ and I started screaming. He switched off the light. He said ‘I just want fun with you’. He said ‘you are a f****** Muslim bitch, I said I am not a Muslim, I am a Sikh.”

The prosecution said the attack only came to an end because Ashby was “evidently spooked by a noise outside” and ran away, taking the victim’s jewellery and a mobile phone.

Victims says she struggles to recognise herself after attack

In a victim impact statement read to court, the woman said she “felt violated” within her own home and that experienced panic attacks following the attack, having to take antidepressants and sleeping medication “to cope with everyday life”.

She said: “Before life was great, I was happy and doing well in my job. I was enjoying life. I had plans for the future.” She added that she and her partner were due to marry in January.

“My life has drastically changed. I feel lost, I struggle to recognise myself. I’m still hyper-aware of every noise I’m hearing… everything makes me jump, I’m constantly on edge,” the statement said, with the victim appearing visibly upset as it was read.

The court heard a victim impact statement from the woman’s partner, which told how he has also suffered from anxiety attacks as a result of the attack. “Seeing her struggle to cope has been unbearable at times,” he said.

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Man got up and swore at Ashby as distressing video interview was played to court

As the video interview in which the woman described the attack to police was played to jurors on Tuesday, a man left the public gallery and approached the glass-fronted dock and swore at Ashby, telling him: “You need to sort your s**t out.” Ashby responded by telling the man to “get the f*** out of my face” and also shouted at another member of the public who remained seated in the public gallery.

Rav Dhillon, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said on Tuesday that it was a “deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred” and carried out “against an innocent woman in her own home, where she would expect to feel safest”.

“The CPS worked closely together with West Midlands Police to build a robust case which included CCTV footage, DNA evidence and witness testimony, and the strength of that evidence left the defendant no choice but to plead guilty.”

Ashby has 10 previous convictions, including two for violence, one for possession of an offensive weapon and seven for property offences.

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Amazon ditches its original Kindles, so we found the best replacements

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Anyone with an original Kindle during or before 2012 will stop getting updates from next month

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Amazon recently caused a lot of discourse when it was announced that older Kindle models would no longer be supported by Amazon. This means that Kindle devices from 2012 and before will not be able to purchase, borrow or download new books.

While the devices are still functioning and there’s the option to download a significant portion of books to the device before May 20, when Amazon support stops, leaving a huge number of Kindle users unable to access new books, only those downloaded before the date.

Our team bookworm, who has read 41 books so far this year, has rounded up the best alternatives for those who will be looking to update their original Kindle model. Including devices from rival Kobo or Kindle’s newest Kindle Scribe Coloursoft and Paperwhite models.

READ MORE:

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Kobo Clara Colour

This is one of the most obvious Kindle alternatives and a personal favourite of mine as it’s compatible with Libby. This means that it’s possible to borrow books from the local library using Libby or Overdrive. I’ve personally read 50 books over the years using Libby, which has allowed me to read them all for free.

For avid readers who don’t mind the limits of using a library, it would be a very cost-effective way of reading, as they don’t have to pay to read ebooks at all. The colour feature means that there are four different highlighter colours available, which can make it easier to highlight different themes. It also allows the user to see the book covers in a full colour option, although this is less bright than it would be on an iPad or phone. It is waterproof too, which is ideal for reading in the bath or poolside.

The screen has a paperlike texture, but at 6 inches, it is on the smaller side. This is my preferred way of reading an ebook, and since getting my Clara Colour, I stopped buying ebooks on Amazon, instead opting to rent books from my library or buy books through the Kobo store. There is a subscription available with Kobo that allows readers to loan books from the Kobo library for £8.99 a month.

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I will say it has a slightly shorter battery life than my Kindle, but I don’t have to charge it on a daily basis. This is the device I most often suggest to people if they don’t already have a large Kindle library. This is because Amazon hasn’t allowed Kindle ebooks to be transferred to other devices. Kobo does have a lot of 99p book offers, and always price matches Amazon, so I’ve found it easy to build up a new library.

The Kobo Clara Colour is £149.99 and can be picked up at Argos, Amazon and Curry’s.

Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the more popular Kindle models amongst readers, and I do actually have this alongside my Kobo. The screen takes up more space, which gives a 7″ reading area; this is more than the Kobo Clara or the standard Kindle. It’s still quite lightweight and small enough to fit into pockets and bags – I’ve tucked mine into my Telfar bag before, and while it did poke out the top, I didn’t mind this.

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It’s got a very good battery life, I can read several books without needing to recharge it, and since it’s waterproof, it’s a great holiday companion. It is an Amazon Kindle device, which means that any pre-existing Kindle libraries can be downloaded directly onto it. It offers adjustable warmth, which sets it aside from the most basic Kindle model, as readers can make the screen warmer or cooler based on the time of day. Typically, I would increase the warmth level at night to be easier on the eyes.

For those looking to invest in another Kindle model, this is the option I would go for, although at £159.99 it is on the pricier side, and there is always the chance that down the line Amazon will choose to remove the support functionality as it has with other Kindle models.

Kindle

The most basic Kindle model is the cheapest one on the market, but at £94.99 it isn’t exactly cheap. It’s slightly smaller than the Kindle Paperwhite with a 6-inch screen that isn’t flush to the device. It comes in matcha green or black, and it is not waterproof. It also doesn’t offer adaptable warmth, but with 300ppi, it mostly gets the job done.

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I’ve personally not used this device, but Phoebe Barton on our team has and loved it. She said: “Arguably the biggest advantage of a Kindle is the fact that you can carry hundreds of books with you wherever you go. Having so many different worlds in your back pocket (or handbag, rucksack, carry-on) is incredibly thrilling. It takes the pressure off deciding how many books you need to pack when you go on holiday or trips away, plus the battery life is brilliant, lasting weeks if not months.

“It’s safe to say that the Amazon Kindle has converted me – I am no longer solely a paperback reader, I’m an e-book lover, too. It has made me a much more relaxed, patient and content reader.”

Her in-depth review can be found here.

Kobo Libra

Narin Flanders, on our team, bought a Kindle Scribe and found herself disappointed by it. which led her to buy Kobo’s equivalent with the Kobo Libra Colour. She’s said it was ‘transformative’ for her reading and shared her thoughts:

I got my Kobo Libra Colour last Black Friday season, and it has transformed my reading. I’ve had several entry-level Kindles over the years, and they’re great for tucking into a bag to read on the go, but while I’d been tempted by both a colour screen of a Kindle Colorsoft and the note-taking capabilities of the Kindle Scribe, I just couldn’t justify the outlay of either. When I realised Kobo did both in one device – and at a reasonable price (£209.99) compared to the Kindles – I braved moving over, and it has been a game-changer.

While initially I thought a colour screen was merely ‘nice to have,’ over the months, it’s meant I’ve branched out more in the kind of books and graphic novels I can read because they display so nicely on the device. Meanwhile, I love being able to highlight sections and make notes with the stylus, as well as making notes on PDFs, which I can add to my device easily via Google Drive.

The screen isn’t as bright as a tablet or even my old Kindle, but I find the muted colours easier on the eyes while reading at night, and brightness can always be cranked up if needed while outside.

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My main concern about moving over was losing my existing library, but actually I found the transition ok – I downloaded the Kindle app for my phone and tablet, so I could finish up my virtual TBR pile there and revisit any favourites. Meanwhile, Kobo does 99p deals on plenty of titles for me to pack the Libra with things to read, no matter my mood.

I am a real convert to the Kobo now and can’t wait to take it with me on holiday – it has been tested to be waterproof for up to an hour, meaning I can even read by the pool without worrying about any accidents.

Kindle Scribe

For those who like to scribble their thoughts down as they read, there is the Kindle Scribe, which is the largest Kindle model and allows shoppers to write with a pen. This makes the device more than just an ereader, as there is a notebook option, but it is quite expensive at £379.99.

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Harriet Morphy-Morris on our team has tried it and said: “It’s the largest model in the Kindle family, and as an upgrade from the 2022 Scribe model, it has a larger 10.2-inch screen that’s anti-glare, so while I’m yet to take it on holiday and read in the sun, this will help reduce eye-strain.

“The third selling point of the 2024 Kindle Scribe, and one which pushes it in a grade above other Kindles, is the ability to import Word docs, PDFs (and more) through the web browser. The docs can simply be sent to your device through the ‘Send to Kindle’ option when exporting a file.” To see her entire review, it can be found here.

At the time of review, the newest Kindle Scribe Coloursoft wasn’t yet released, but this is now a great addition to the line-up. With all the textile features of the Scribe, but with the additional boost of colour notes.

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Richard Keys claims Match of the Day will be next as BBC axe Football Focus

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The BBC announced on Thursday that Football Focus won’t return next season after 52 years on the air, with fears that Match of the Day could be next to receive the axe

Richard Keys has claimed that the BBC will soon axe Match of the Day after cancelling Football Focus – and defended Alex Scott. The corporation announced on Thursday that Football Focus, which was first broadcast in 1974, will end next month following the conclusion of the current Premier League season.

Scott has hosted the show since 2021 following the departure of long-time host Dan Walker. But Keys doesn’t believe that her presence is why the show has been axed.

The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN Sports in Qatar, argues that ‘viewing habits have changed’ – and that’s why Match of the Day ‘will be next’. “It’s not Alex Scott’s fault Football Focus has folded – it’s a sign of the times,” Keys posted on X.

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“MOTD will be next. Viewing habits have changed. That’s why Grandstand & World of Sport ended. And Sportsnight. Pre-show & post-show wrapped around live games will go soon as well.”

WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today

READ MORE: BBC announces changes to two other programmes as major show suddenly axedREAD MORE: BBC announce ‘very exciting’ plan for Alex Scott as Football Focus cancelled

Match of the Day was given a new look this season, with three news hosts sharing the presenting duties which were left vacant by Gary Lineker. Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are now the co-hosts for the BBC’s flagship football programme.

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Scott also revealed on Thursday that she intended to leave Football Focus in May – and had already informed the BBC. “I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too,” she wrote on Instagram. “My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.

“When this show began all those years ago, social media wasn’t a driving force, podcasts didn’t exist, and there was no instant access to information in the way there is today. Now by the time we go on air the reality is you’ve already seen it, debated it and lived it across so many platforms. That shift has changed the whole industry.

Should the BBC cancel Match of the Day? Have your say in the comments section.

“TV audiences have been declining for years, while digital and on-demand viewing continues to grow. To have been part of it has been incredibly special, and I’m so grateful and proud of the eight years I’ve been involved , including the five years I’ve had the honour of presenting it.

“It has been such an important part of my life, working with some of the very best people in the business, both on screen and behind the scenes. I’ve loved so much of it, the conversations, the laughter, and sharing so many big moments with you, the audience. Thank you for being part of it.”

The final Football Focus is due to air over the weekend of Saturday, May 23 to preview the final round of this season’s Premier League fixtures.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us – and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

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West Bromwich Albion: Championship club docked two points for breaking EFL finance rules

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General shot of The Hawthorns home of West Bromwich Albion

Championship club West Bromwich Albion have been docked two points by the English Football League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.

The deduction means Albion are now not safe from relegation, having previously thought the midweek win over Watford had secured their second-tier status.

The Baggies had been charged for exceeding the £39m loss limit for the three seasons to 2024-25, allegations which the club denied.

But during a two-day hearing, an independent club financial review panel (CFRP) found Albion’s losses “did exceed the upper loss threshold” and recommended a two-point penalty.

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That leaves Albion in 20th place in the table, six points above the relegation zone with two games to play, needing one more point to seal survival.

They host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday before visiting already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.

West Brom have two weeks to appeal against the deduction and should they do so, a decision on said appeal will then not be made for up to 28 days.

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Assisted dying Bill runs out of time but supporters vow fight is not over

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Assisted dying Bill runs out of time but supporters vow fight is not over

Lord Falconer described the process of the Bill as “horrible”, saying it had not failed to finish its journey through the Lords due to a lack of time, but rather “because a small minority were not willing to co-operate, as we normally do, to ensure that there can be proportionate debate”.

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Ed Miliband emerging as top contender to replace Starmer

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Ed Miliband emerging as top contender to replace Starmer

Ed Miliband is trying to “position himself for a coronation” to replace Sir Keir Starmer after the local elections in May, Labour sources have told The Independent.

After another dreadful week for the prime minister, who has seen his integrity come under further scrutiny over the Peter Mandelson scandal, many MPs believe the end of his leadership is in sight and the energy secretary has emerged as a new contender to take his place.

Mr Miliband has repeatedly denied any leadership ambitions, but has become increasingly outspoken over the Mandelson vetting crisis and speculation is rife that he is preparing to throw his hat into the ring, with next month’s local elections expected to be “apocalyptic” for Labour and to put further pressure on Sir Keir to step down.

A supporter of Mr Miliband told The Independent: “He has the energy and enthusiasm. He is loved by younger members of the party. He is a new man from when he was last leader.”

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Crucially, Mr Miliband does not face the same barriers that could prevent some rival leadership candidates – including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting – from launching successful bids to succeed Sir Keir.

Supporters of Mr Burnham want to hold off on a leadership contest until he can become an MP and run, while Ms Rayner is still waiting for the outcome of the HMRC investigation into her failure to pay stamp duty on a flat in Brighton.

Miliband triggered speculation by saying he warned No 10 about the Mandelson appointment
Miliband triggered speculation by saying he warned No 10 about the Mandelson appointment (PA)

Meanwhile, Mr Streeting – who was seen holding court with supporters in parliament on Tuesday after sacked Foreign Office mandarin Sir Olly Robbins’ bombshell evidence had further damaged the prime minister – is not thought to have enough backing in the party to land the job.

Mr Miliband, who served as Labour leader from 2010 to 2015, is among a handful of cabinet ministers believed to have performed well in their current roles, and briefings in favour of him taking over have soared after he became the first senior minister to break ranks and collective responsibility on the issue of Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

He publicly disowned the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US and suggested both he and deputy prime minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary at the time of the appointment, had raised concerns.

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Mr Miliband told Sky News: “You’re saying [Mandelson] should never have been appointed, and I agree with you. I steered well clear of Peter Mandelson when I became Labour leader in 2010.”

Asked what he had thought about Lord Mandelson’s initial appointment, he said: “That it could blow up, that it could go wrong. I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it. I think he was worried about it, too.”

One Labour MP said: “It looks like there is some sort of deal between Miliband and Lammy.”

With suspicions that Mr Miliband may be positioning himself for a leadership run, one minister noted: “He threw his arms around me yesterday to ask how I was. He’s always been friendly, but never that much.”

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Another MP added: “I think he is hoping for a coronation because the others are just not in a position to make a challenge.”

A spokesperson for Mr Miliband denied this and said “I refer you to his previous comments.”

He has previously said: “I’ve had the, if you like, the inoculation technique against wanting to be leader of the Labour Party because I was the leader of the Labour Party, and that was a very successful inoculation.”

But any hopes that he may be appointed leader unopposed appear unlikely, with Labour MPs deeply divided over who should take over.

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Keir Starmer has insisted he did not mislead MPs over the vetting scandal
Keir Starmer has insisted he did not mislead MPs over the vetting scandal (AFP/Getty)

One senior Labour MP said: “I think the reality is there is currently no viable alternative to Starmer at all. Wes is Mandelson’s protege and Angela brings too many controversies of her own.

“We get one shot at changing leader. It has to be someone who offers a genuine break from both the scandals and the disastrous policy decisions that have defined this government.”

Others are less convinced about Mr Miliband’s prospects, partly because of his previous spell as leader, which led to a humiliating election defeat to David Cameron in 2015.

One MP said: “I’m in the ‘Please God, not Ed’ camp.”

Others, particularly among the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing MPs, want to hold out for Mr Burnham.

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Meanwhile, support is growing for defence minister and former Royal Marines commander Al Carns as “a clean break” surprise candidate for the top job.

With support rising for Mr Carns, who had backing to run in the recent deputy leadership election before being told by the leadership that he should not run, MPs are looking at possible candidates among the 2024 intake.

Support for Al Carns is growing among Labour MPs
Support for Al Carns is growing among Labour MPs (Reuters)

One Labour MP said: “Frankly, I’m up for skipping the current lot and going for Al Carns.

“Frankly, he’s the only person who might be able to bring people together and lead them. Also, if the public wants a non-politician then he’s the only option we have. I think he’d be great.”

Reform UK sources have admitted that Mr Carns is the most problematic candidate for them, while they would “relish” taking on Mr Miliband especially over net zero.

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Sir Keir is set to hold an emergency summit at Chequers this weekend with his remaining loyalist ministers.

But Labour MPs agree that with parliament set to be prorogued on Tuesday there is “no chance” of a coup before the local elections on 7 May.

Parliament does not reconvene until 13 May for the King’s speech, which would be the earliest opportunity for them to move against him.

One minister said: “I expect him to limp on until after May. I don’t know after that.”

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More than 40 vehicles stopped on King Street, Farnworth

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More than 40 vehicles stopped on King Street, Farnworth

The operation was carried out on King Street in Farnworth on the morning of Friday April 24, with officers on the scene checking passing vehicles.

They say that over the course of the operation they stopped a total of 42 vehicles, issued 12 traffic offence reports, and seized one vehicle.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The Farnworth South Neighbourhood Team have been conducting a traffic operation this morning on King Street.

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“We are dedicated to making our roads safer and have conducted this operation in response to concerns raised by the local community.”

Police often carry out traffic operations like these across Bolton and elsewhere in Greater Manchester to help try and keep the roads safe.

Images from King Street published by the police show that a commercial van appears to have been seized as part of the traffic operation.

Anyone with any information or concerns can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency as soon as it is safe to do so.

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Alternatively, members of the public can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Tube strike explained: Everything you need to know about the RMT walkouts

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Tube strike explained: Everything you need to know about the RMT walkouts

Londoners faced travel chaos this week amid major disruption caused by Tube strikes which finally ended at midday on Friday.

A 24-hour strike from 12pm on Tuesday was followed by another at the same time on Thursday, with severe delays and suspensions hitting all tube lines.

Here is everything you need to know about the strikes.

Paddington station on Tuesday

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Location, Location, Location seeks Manchester house hunters

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Location, Location, Location seeks Manchester house hunters

The long-running programme, hosted by property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer, is currently casting for its next series and is looking for buyers.

Individuals, couples and families in the region ready to purchase a property in May are encouraged to apply for the chance to appear on the show and receive guidance from the team.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain-free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year.

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“Applications are now open and we’re looking to spread the word to the community to encourage house hunters to apply and get the help they need.

“We are looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home.

“Whether applicants are first-time buyers, looking for their next dream home, downsizing or relocating – whatever the reason they’re moving, we love to hear from them.”

Anyone interested in taking part can apply via the Channel 4 website.

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The programme has been a staple of Channel 4’s primetime lineup for more than 20 years, following the presenters as they help buyers across the UK find their ideal property.

The show is especially interested in applicants who are chain-free or have a property sold subject to contract, as filming is scheduled for May.

A spokesperson added: “As part of Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to achieving greater inclusivity on screen, we strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.”

Anyone interested can apply via the Channel 4 website and the following link: https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/location.

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This surprisingly affordable Sri Lanka wellness retreat helped me completely de-stress

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This surprisingly affordable Sri Lanka wellness retreat helped me completely de-stress

It was one of those moments that definitely wasn’t Instagram-friendly. Wearing nothing but a pair of paper pants, I hoisted myself into a heated wooden casket where I steamed away for 20 minutes, like a dumpling in a bamboo basket.

The casket is a traditional Sri Lankan vashpa swede, or sweat box, and is lined with adhatoda leaves, which release their natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties while you drip like a tap.

The following day, my ritual humiliation, which by now I was getting used to, involved being scrubbed down with dark brown welmadata paste then placed into a bath of boiled herbs.

Both treatments, which also involved long, languid oil massages that made me drift in and out of sleep, are part of the wellness programme run by the small but cultishly popular Ayurvie Sigiriya retreat, set deep in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle.

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Part of the appeal of the retreat is its simplicity – it is designed to look like a traditional Sri Lankan village
Part of the appeal of the retreat is its simplicity – it is designed to look like a traditional Sri Lankan village (Ayurvie Sigiriya)

While the teardrop-shaped island off the southeastern tip of India is rapidly becoming popular for its beach culture (or Bali 2.0 as it’s been called), it’s also gaining ground as a unique wellness destination.

If, like me, you thought you had experienced ayurvedic treatments before, then you probably haven’t. Ayurvie Sigiriya is not a western-style spa with a couple of aromatherapy oil massages thrown in to spice up the spa menu. It’s the real deal.

Writer Fiona McIntosh visits Sigiriya fortress in Sri Lanka
Writer Fiona McIntosh visits Sigiriya fortress in Sri Lanka (Fiona McIntosh)

It’s so off the beaten track that on our three-and-a-half-hour journey from Colombo, we passed a couple of wild elephants wandering by the side of the road, and even our local taxi driver struggled to find the right dirt access track. Hidden among rice paddies, the retreat has just 10 rooms and is designed to look like a traditional Sri Lankan village, with thatched-roof cottages and Buddhist deities greeting you at your door. But inside, the beds are plush, the water runs hot, the bath products are lush, and the wifi works.

Its absolute star turn is the treatments. In the open-air spa pavilion sit glass medicine cabinets filled with tinctures, oils and powders extracted from indigenous Sri Lankan herbs and plants. Although similar to Indian Ayurvedic medicine, the Sri Lankan system is a more gentle, herbal-based practice (designed to balance mind, body and soul with therapies and diet).

On arrival at the retreat, each new guest has a consultation with the ayurvedic physician Dr Hansika. “We believe our bodies are based on three pillars of wellness – food, sleep and activity,” she explains. “If these pillars are well-balanced, the house is well-balanced.”

Guests are then given a questionnaire about health and lifestyle to determine their dosha type, and Dr Hansika then creates a personalised “rebalancing” treatment programme.

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It turns out I am a fiery pitha/vatha type (no surprises there), and my rebalancing programme was designed to calm my inner furnace with therapies involving water and a long list of recommended foods (chilli is out; sesame oil, barley and fish are in).

Read more: How I learned to tackle burnout like an ancient Greek

The open-sided yoga studio at Ayurvie Sigiriya in Sri Lanka overlooks the rice paddies
The open-sided yoga studio at Ayurvie Sigiriya in Sri Lanka overlooks the rice paddies (Ayurvie Sigiriya)

While my partner and I were there for a short, gentle four-day wellness break, many guests sign up for the full 14- to 21-day detox programme, which pretty much cleanses them until they squeak. Morning and evening yoga on a breezy platform in the trees is included for all guests, as are daily bespoke treatments and three meals a day. No caffeine or alcohol is on offer, but you won’t go hungry.

As lifelong carnivores who are, admittedly, trying to cut down on meat, we found the food surprisingly delicious. Unctuous coconut-based curries, crispy dosas and rich onion chutneys are all cooked in a traditional Sri Lankan kitchen where meals are taken communally. Even the earthenware bowls, plates and cups in the kitchen are made at the on-site pottery studio (you can also have a pottery lesson).

After our long, daily treatment sessions, we managed to squeeze in a guided bike ride to a nearby temple and a pre-dawn hike up to the top of the extraordinary Sigiriya rock fortress, where we watched the sun rise from the ruins of an ancient palace.

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Healthy, vegetarian food is a big part of the offering at Ayurvie Sigiriya wellness retreat in Sri Lanka
Healthy, vegetarian food is a big part of the offering at Ayurvie Sigiriya wellness retreat in Sri Lanka (Ayurvie Sigiriya)

Read more: I tried to transform my gut health at a five-day wellness retreat

You are also never far from wildlife. On the grounds of the retreat, peacocks strutted, monitor lizards lumbered across the paths, mongooses played in the paddies, and geckos ran up the walls.

Although only there for four days, rarely in my life have I wound down so completely. My daze may have had something to do with caffeine withdrawal, but it probably had more to do with the daily massage and treatments delivered with such care by the team of ayurvedic therapists. At night, we both crashed early and slept solidly until our dawn yoga alarm woke us.

After all of that rest and detoxing, we decided it was time for a gentle retox. Instead of heading to the crowded beach towns on the south coast of Sri Lanka, we headed to the Maldives. Malé is just a 70-minute flight from Colombo, which makes it surprisingly simple to combine the two Indian Ocean destinations on a single break.

The beautiful setting of Ayurvie Sigiriya, in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle
The beautiful setting of Ayurvie Sigiriya, in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle (Ayurvie Sigiriya)

At Ifuru Island Maldives in the Raa Atoll, we continued our healthy eating, daily yoga and exercise, but instead of the calm drizzle of central Sri Lanka, it was in the sunshine glamour of the Indian Ocean. Our wellness halo didn’t slip – there was a time when you’d fly to the Maldives and play the: How Much All-Inclusive Food and Drink Can I Guzzle Down in a Day, game? But now it’s more about how much all-inclusive health and fitness can you squeeze in.

At Ifuru, we filled our days with sunrise yoga on a powdery beach, swimming around the house reef with shoals of darting fish, paddle-boarding, sauna and steaming in the spa, sound bath healing and eating grilled reef fish and salad.

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In a way, it was the ultimate island hop, switching the jungle and calm of central Sri Lanka with the beach glamour of the Maldives – an easy way to have two very different wellness breaks in one.

Fiona McIntosh travelled as a guest at Ayurvie Sigiriya and Ifuru Island Maldives.

How to do it

Ayurvie Sigiriya costs from £316 per night for two people, including all food, treatments, yoga, and activities.

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Ifuru Island Maldives costs from £447 for two people per night on an all-inclusive basis.

How to get there

Sri Lankan Airlines flies to Colombo Bandaranaike International airport from London Heathrow direct, with flight times of around 10 hours 45 minutes. Prices start at £822 return. Auyervie Sigiriya is a three-and-a-half hour drive from the airport.

Five other brilliant Sri Lankan ayurvedic retreats

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Siddhalepa

The 200-year-old Siddhalepa resort prides itself on being the only retreat affiliated with an ayurvedic hospital and its own pharmaceutical range. This is for a serious health break, with 40 ayurvedic practitioners on site, all set in beautiful grounds in Wadduwu on the West coast, an hour from Colombo. Three-night minimum stay from £924 for two people, all inclusive.

Ulpotha

Ulpotha is revered yoga retreat with authentic ayurvedic treatments that can be added to your stay. With a breathtaking jungle village setting on a natural lake in central Sri Lanka, this is a haute hippie heaven. Guests need to commit to one or two-week packages with guest yogis, starting from £1,303 per week all-inclusive; ayurvedic treatments are extra.

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Ayurvie Weligama

The sister retreat to Ayurvie Sigiriya, Ayurvie Weligama is a modern, beachside hotel on the south coast but offers the same programme of doctor-led treatments, food and therapies. Prices from £316 per night for two people, all inclusive.

Santani Wellness Kandy

Minimalist, luxury retreat Santani Wellness Kandy is set on a remote tea plantation with stunning mountain views, has all the bells and whistles of a five-star resort, including a cinema room, two swimming pools and a hydrotherapy spa. Bespoke programmes are offered, with western and ayurvedic treatments, as well as a variety of meal plans including vegetarian and raw food. Prices from £783 per room, all inclusive.

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Amuna Ayurveda and Wellness Retreat

Also close to Sigiriya in central Sri Lanka, Amuna offers a programme of doctor-led treatments and ayurvedic treatments in a calm, rural setting. Check the website for a menu of retreats, from a one-day wellness visit to a full 21-day deeper-healing programme for chronic conditions. Room prices start from £191 a night.

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Norse Airline boss issues new flight cancellation warning as Iran jet fuel crisis continues

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Short-haul flights are deemed more at risk of cancellations

An airline boss has warned that the industry may be facing further flight cancellations as the conflict in Iran continues to fuel a global energy crisis. Eivind Roald, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, revealed that fuel costs have surged by more than 100 per cent in just a few days, making certain routes unsustainable. The sharp increase has already led to the decision to axe some scheduled journeys as the sector reels from the sudden price spike.

The Norse Atlantic chief suggested that other airlines may be forced to follow suit as they navigate the volatile market. Roald described the situation as leading to “challenging internal discussions,” with difficult decisions being made to protect the future of the company. With energy supplies under pressure and jet fuel costs reaching record highs, experts warn that the disruption could spread across the aviation industry in the coming weeks, Express reports.

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Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he said: “From our side we will continue flying from London Gatwick and from Athens and Rome this summer, we don’t have any plans to cancel more flights. When it comes to our competitors, I can’t really say, I assume you will see more cancelations coming, we often see it coming in short haul flights in Europe. The long haul flights are still there.”

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