This change would come into effect this year

A primary school in Cambridge could change the age range of its pupils. Orchard Park Community Primary School could change the age range from three to 11 years to ages four to 11.

Cambridgeshire County Council intends to make the change to the school with effect from September 2026.

The primary school currently provides education for children aged three to 11 years, with a maintained nursery class. The school would like to provide childcare for children aged three to four using Section 27 of the Education Act (2002).

To formally make this change, Cambridgeshire County Council said it is necessary to change the age range of the school. A spokesperson for the council confirmed that this is an administrative change that has been requested by the school.

The spokesperson added: “Provisions for children will remain the same and the parents and carers of pupils should not notice any change.”

The Early Years provision would remain under the control of the school governing body, and there is no change planned to the number of early years places that the proposed new arrangement will provide.

This change aims to ensure financial sustainability for the school and create a more efficient model of early years education at the school. The consultation period will run from March 2 to March 30 2026.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, who has floated running for president in 2028, has shut down talk of a potential bid for the Democratic nomination — and it’s all about money.

Smith hosts First Take on ESPN, as well as a sports talk show called The Stephen A. Smith Show and a politics and culture show called Straight Shooters with Stephen A. on SiriusXM.

The commentator has toyed with the idea of running for office in recent months, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper last May, “Do I believe I could win? You’re damn right.” Smith identifies as a centrist and a moderate, but told CBS News’ Sunday Morning in February that if he did run for office, he’d run as a Democrat.

But any talk from Smith about a career in Washington was just that — talk. When Fox News’ Sean Hannity asked the ESPN host about a potential 2028 presidential run on his new podcast, Hang Out with Sean Hannity, Smith gave an honest answer as to why he wouldn’t throw his hat in the ring.

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Hannity said to Smith in a teaser clip posted to X on Monday, “I think it’s all bulls***. I don’t think you’re running. Am I right?”

“I don’t think I’m running either ‘cause I gotta give up my money. I ain’t giving up my money.”

Last September, The Athletic reported that Smith makes nearly $40 million a year. His salary includes $100 million over five years from ESPN and $36 million over three years for his SiriusXM gig, sources briefed on his contracts told the publication.

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Smith did make clear to CBS News’s Sunday Morning in February that he has “no desire to be a politician, zero.” But he said he was “not ruling it out, because I’d love to be on the debate stages against some of these individuals that think they’re better suited to run the country.”

“Because I think that the American people deserve to listen to and hear from somebody who genuinely cares about making life better for them instead of yourself,” the EPSN host added.

Smith said he’s fiscally conservative, noting that he “can’t stand high taxes,” and socially liberal as he pays “attention to the desolate and disenfranchised.” He also has mixed views about immigration and border security.

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“Yes, I like strong borders, that’s absolutely true. We never needed open borders, but we don’t need it to be completely closed, either. We are a gorgeous mosaic,” he told CBS News.

Among Smith’s fans who may be sad to hear he won’t launch a 2028 bid is President Donald Trump. Speaking at a NewsNation town hall last April, Trump called Smith a “good” and “smart” guy.

“I love watching him. He’s got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him,” the president said. “I’ve been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you, I’d love to see him run.”

Zoomies is promising a safe and controlled space for dogs to play at the Dabble Duck Industrial Estate, having been announced earlier this year.

Owner Ashley Bennett described it as a long held dream, and a major career change from hairdressing to working with dogs.

A new dog soft play experience is set to be opening in Dabble Duck Industrial Estate in Shildon offering a safe space where dogs can play (Image: GOOGLE)

The play area will operate through 50-minute bookings, giving dog owners exclusive use of the space.

Two separate play areas will also be available, with staggered sessions designed to reduce the chances of dogs seeing one another.

Ashley has now shared an update explaining that the final stages of the process are still being worked through.

She said: “I’m at the stage where I’ve completed everything I possibly can from my side. Unfortunately, every time it feels like we’re getting close to an end date, another question or query seems to come through from higher up, which slows things down a little.

“Please bear with me while this final part gets sorted. I honestly can’t wait to get Zoomies up and running and share it with you all. Thanks so much for your patience and support!”

Ashley previously explained the personal meaning behind the business, saying: “Although I’ve been hairdressing forever, working with dogs has always been in my heart.

“This has been a dream quietly growing behind the scenes, built with so much love, care, and passion for our four-legged friends.”

The update was met with messages of encouragement from people keen to visit once the play area opens.

One commenter wrote: “Oh my goodness it will so be worth the wait. We’re so looking forward to coming.”

Another said: “My babies can’t wait to come along and play.”

And another added: “You will get there, we can’t wait and are really looking forward to getting booked in for some fun time with the doggos (sic)”.

Ashley said more details will be shared as the launch approaches.

Paul Scholes has insisted he did not mean to offend his former team-mate Michael Carrick after a social media barb aimed at the Manchester United head coach on Wednesday night.

Scholes posted that “Michael has definitely got something special about him, (because) United have been c*** last four games,” shortly after United lost 2-1 at Newcastle.

Despite the loss, the first since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim, United sit third in the Premier League and are challenging for Champions League qualification.

And responding to criticism of his comment, Scholes, speaking on the GoodBadFootball podcast, said: ‘Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football – he’d be the last person I would want to offend.

‘I messaged Michael anyway. I went straight to Michael and said, ‘Look, I never intended to upset you.’ And I don’t think I needed to say that anyway, and he told me himself he wasn’t upset by it.

‘I think people have just took it differently from what was meant. The only thing I was saying was that I don’t think they played that well the last four games, and he’s still managing to get results.’

Scholes’ comments were criticised by another former United player, Patrice Evra, who also took aim at perceived negativity from fellow pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville.

‘It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV.’ said Evra. ‘You can’t be positive, you have to be negative.’

Another United stalwart, who played alongside Carrick and Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, confirmed he had been in touch with the 51-year-old and clarified there was no animosity between the pair.

‘Everyone was saying is Scholesy drunk has he had a few too many to drink, Ferdinand said when referring to the incident on his Rio Presents YouTube channel.

‘I actually texted him and said ‘what’s going on?’ But Scholesy is Scholesy. He said ‘listen I said he’s special but we have been rubbish the last four games’.

‘And he isn’t wrong. We have been rubbish the last four games in terms of performance. It hasn’t been top, I wouldn’t say rubbish. It hasn’t been oh my god I’m going to pay to watch that against next week, it’s been flat.

‘People are going ‘I thought he was his teammate, I thought he’d support him a bit more. Did he need to say that?’ Those are obviously the questions people are asking if there a bit of beef between them?

‘Listen, there’s not beef between them two. They’re two really placid, calm guys. Carra has the upmost respect for Scholesy and Scholesy the same.

‘It was just interpreted differently to the way Scholesy meant it to come across.

‘He’s just being honest and brutal. One thing I’d say abouut him, he didn’t say much in the changing room but when he did it was normally a cutting comment so I’m not surprised he is how he is as a pundit right now.’

MORE: Rio Ferdinand reveals the truth over Paul Scholes ‘beef’ with Michael Carrick

MORE: Alan Shearer disagrees with Liam Rosenior’s comments about ‘world-class’ Chelsea star

MORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed over January transfer decision

Strikes Garden Centre, based at The Roundabout, Meadowfields, Stokesley, currently holds a four-star rating from more than 1,900 reviews on Tripadvisor, with many customers describing it as one of the best in the region.

Plant quality appears to be a major reason for its strong reputation.

The front of Strikes in Stokesley (Image: STRIKES)

One customer described it as the “best garden centre I’ve ever been to,” praising the care given to plants before sale and saying they are happy to pay slightly more for quality that “thrives because of the care they get in the early days.”

Others highlighted the layout and investment in the site following refurbishment works in recent years, with one reviewer noting that “a lot of thought” had gone into everything from parking to the overall shopping experience.

The centre is also known for its large Christmas displays, with several customers calling it their “go-to for the festive season” thanks to its “great variety of Xmas decor.”

Alongside gardening supplies and homeware, Strikes’ large on-site restaurant is proving just as popular.

Breakfast, lunch and cakes regularly feature in positive feedback.

One visitor said a Bacon, Brie and Cranberry baguette was “cooked perfectly” and “very generous on the brie,” while another praised the breakfast menu, singling out the hash browns as “the best we’ve ever tasted.”

Inside Strikes in Stokesley (Image: STRIKES)

A separate review described staff as “very attentive,” adding that sandwiches and homemade soup were “very tasty.”

While one customer said the café was slightly expensive, they added it was “worth the treat,” with many commenting on the wide choice of meals and cakes available.

Beyond plants and dining, Strikes offers homeware, gifts, aquatics and seasonal items, with shoppers mentioning purchases ranging from garden lights and bench cushions to fish supplies.

Its popularity means the café can be busy at peak times, particularly on weekends and during seasonal events.

With nearly 2,000 reviews and consistently strong feedback, Strikes Garden Centre appears to have cemented its place as one of North Yorkshire’s best-known garden retail destinations, attracting customers not only for plants, but for a full day-out experience.

This year’s Crufts Best in Show winner Lee Cox was convicted of animal cruelty over 20 years ago, with angry dog owners speaking out following his win

This year’s Crufts Best in Show winner Lee Cox was convicted of animal cruelty for keeping a cocker spaniel in terrible conditions. Lee triumphed at the annual event but it has now been revealed he was convicted over 20 years ago.

Back in 2001, Cox and Roger Stone were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a retired stud dog. They were given a three year discharge with conditions and also told to pay £5,000 costs towards the prosecution.

In court, it was heard how an inspector had arrived at Kaston Kennels at Mark, Somerset, where they said lots of dogs appeared to be bald and scabby and some dogs were filthy.

Cox told how he had not taken the spaniel to the vet and instead used medication prescribed for another animal to treat the dog’s ear problem. Stone said he had not seen the pet for five years because “his poor health had kept him indoors”.

After the case, Stone said: “We have nothing to say about the verdict, but we will continue keeping dogs.”

Inspector Jo Daniel, who visited the property, said: “To find a dog in Adam’s condition in a normal house would have been bad enough, but to find one in the care of two internationally renowned dog breeders was shocking. The RSPCA prosecutes without fear or favour. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, whoever commits it.”

Cox won Best In Show this year with his four year old Clumber spaniel called Bruin. Speaking about his win, he said: “I can’t believe it. It’s just wonderful for this breed. He’s the dog of a lifetime. He’s really, really special.”

A Royal Kennel Club spokesperson told The Sun they were aware of the convinction, and added it was an “isolated incident”. They added in a statement: “Mr Cox has had an unblemished record in the 25 years since this incident, making a significant positive contribution to the world of dogs. In this case an appropriate sanction was imposed by the disciplinary committee reflecting the court decision and did not warrant a disqualification.”

Angry fans of the dog show have fumed over his inclusion, with one writing: “Anyone convicted of cruelty to animals should be nowhere near animals again. Let alone given a prize for one.”

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Two drones heading towards Jordan and Bahrain have been shot down by RAF Typhoon jets during defensive air sorties in the Gulf, the defence secretary said.

John Healey has been updating MPs with new details on UK operations in the Middle East, including deployments to the region and evacuations of British nationals.

Iran war latest: Tehran mocks US over oil prices

He said on Monday: “The UK is now conducting defensive air sorties in support of the UAE. Typhoons successfully took out two drones, one over Jordan, the second heading to Bahrain.

“The third Wildcat [helicopter] has now arrived in Cyprus, and we’ve now deployed additional RAF operations experts in more than five countries in the region, helping coordinate regional military and civilian airspace.”

He added that the destroyer HMS Dragon would set sail for the eastern Mediterranean “in the next couple of days”, where it will join US air defence vessels.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has posted a short video on X showing a drone being blown up by RAF jets.

The defence secretary also confirmed that 37,000 British nationals have been evacuated since the start of the war in Iran and three chartered flights to the UK have now taken off from Oman’s capital, Muscat, “with more to come this week”.

Mr Healey said “fragments” of the Iranian drone that hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus last week “are being analysed for foreign military hardware by our experts at DSTL [Defence Science and Technology Laboratory]”.

The cabinet minister also said that after the UK gave the US permission to use British bases for defensive operations, the first US bomber aircraft landed at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, on Friday.

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Day 10 Iran war: Videos from on the ground

Earlier in the Commons, the chancellor admitted the conflict in the Middle East is likely to put “upward pressure on inflation“, although the UK is ready to support the release of oil reserves as supply issues continue.

Rachel Reeves said additional funding had been approved for the MoD to deploy “additional capabilities” in the region.

Read more from Sky News:
Watch: Day 10 – Iran war briefing
Iran football players ‘seek refuge in Australia’
Who is Iran’s new leader?

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Meanwhile, Downing Street has steered away from suggestions that the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is preparing to deploy to the Mediterranean.

No decision about deployments had been made, and the Prince of Wales has always been at a high level of readiness, Number 10 said today.

The shadow defence secretary responded to Mr Healey’s statement in the Commons by criticising the government for the delay in sending HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean.

James Cartlidge said it had “completely undermined Britain’s international standing” while Mr Healey defended the government’s response and called Mr Cartlidge an “armchair general”.

The Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC have confirmed new benefit payment rates from April 2026 including State Pension, PIP, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Attendance Allowance

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed proposed new payment rates from April for the State Pension and benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit, and Carer’s Allowance. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has also confirmed the annual uprating for Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance.

Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance payments will rise in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year to September 2025, which stands at 3.8 per cent. This means that, from April 2026, the Child Benefit rate for the eldest child will climb from £26.05 to £27.05 per week, while the rate for additional children will increase from £17.25 to £17.90 per week. Guardian’s Allowance will rise from £22.10 to £22.95 per week, reports the Mirror.

As the payments are typically paid every four weeks, this amounts to:

• Child Benefit, eldest child – £108.20
• Child Benefit, additional children – £71.60
• Guardian’s Allowance – £91.80

Tax-Free Childcare

Working families are also being urged to register for Tax-Free Childcare to assist with the approaching school holidays. Paying childcare bills through a Tax-Free Childcare account can save working families up to £2,000 annually for each child up to the age of 11, or £4,000 per year up to the age of 16 if the child has a disability.

Parents can use the scheme to help cover approved childcare expenses, whether that’s nursery fees for younger children, or for older ones – wraparound or after-school care clubs during term time, or holiday clubs for the lengthy summer break ahead.

In June, the UK Government paid out a total of £57.7 million in top-ups to Tax-Free Childcare accounts, meaning each family received, on average, more than £100 to put towards their childcare bills.

Tax-Free Childcare explained

For every £8 deposited into a Tax-Free Childcare account, the UK Government contributes £2, which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child has a disability) every three months to help with their childcare expenses.

Once families have established a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can pay in money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to access whenever needed. Any unused money in the account can be taken out at any time.

HMRC stated it takes just 20 minutes to apply online for a Tax-Free Childcare account. After an account is set up, parents can pay in money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to access whenever needed. Any unused money in the account can be taken out at any time.

Eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare Families could qualify for Tax-Free Childcare if they:

• Have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on September 1 after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they may get up to £4,000 a year until September 1 after their 16th birthday
• Earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
• Each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
• Do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers

A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.

Reviewed by Silvana Franco

This is the easiest way to make traditional cold brew coffee. Admittedly, it’s slow going, taking somewhere between eight and 24 hours to fully extract, but the result is a smooth brew with lower acidity that’s easy on your digestion and a great base for cocktails and mocktails.

While it’s a long process, it isn’t labour-intensive. All you need to do is fill the bottle with cold water and spoon some coffee grounds into a stainless steel filter basket, which lowers into the water and begins to infuse. It only took me a few minutes each morning and it became part of my summer routine.

Grind says you only need 50g of coffee grounds per litre of water, which could easily make you three or four cups of nice strong coffee. Between uses, you can throw the bottle in the dishwasher, but wash the integrated filter and silicone stopper by hand.

Key specifications

• Dimensions: H 34cm, W 19cm, D 25cm
• Weight: 1.7kg
• Capacity: 1,000ml
• Range of programmes: N/A
• Special features: Dishwasher-safe, silicone stopper, integrated filter
• Warranty: None

If you don’t want another appliance in your kitchen, you need one of the following coffee makers:

Cafetieres

If you’re keen to explore different ways of making coffee, and you don’t mind putting the work in, you could try a cafetiere, also known as a French press. You scoop ground coffee into a pod, add hot water and stir with a spoon. A few minutes later, you push the plunger down to the bottom of the pot to filter out the grounds and pour. You should be left with a cup of smooth, intense coffee, though it might take a few goes to work out the right ratio of coffee and water.

AeroPress

Or you might like the AeroPress coffee maker. Also incorporating a pot and a plunger, it’s a similar concept to a cafetiere, but it’s far lighter and more portable. Most suitable for single servings, it’s small enough to fit in a handbag or a suitcase so you could bring it to the office or on holiday. Our expert Sarah Finley can make a great espresso in her AeroPress, though her Americanos are still a little weak compared to a cafetiere version.

V60

Another alternative is the V60 coffee maker, which is a variant on filter coffee making. According to Hario, the makers of the V60, you wet the inside of a filter paper with hot water and place it inside the V60 dripper. Then you pour your ground coffee onto the filter and gradually add boiling water. Try to pour in the middle and draw an outward spiral onto the paper to extract all the coffee. We haven’t tested this yet, but they are popular among coffee fanatics.

Moka pot

You might also like a moka pot. Traditionally, they sit on the stovetop, but these days you can get electric versions, which heat water to produce steam and brew coffee. The Bialetti Moka Express is the most iconic, made from aluminium, but you also see stainless steel ones.

The Winter Olympics just showcased alpine sport at its most spectacular and universal. But in the mountains themselves, access to winter sports is becoming increasingly unequal.

The cost of keeping slopes open in a warming climate is climbing – and so are prices for visitors. Investment will be concentrated in higher altitude resorts that are able to adapt, while smaller and lower areas fall behind. The key question for the future of skiing may not be whether it survives at all, but who it survives for.

Unlike the UK, where skiing is associated with expensive foreign holidays, in Alpine regions it has become a mainstream hobby without the same class connotations. Born as a means of transport, more affordable equipment made it increasingly accessible to people beyond the mountains. In Italy, for instance, it is not unusual for state schools to take their pupils into the mountains for a traditional “settimana bianca” – white week – skiing holiday.

Each winter, locals and tourists together support a sector that accounts for roughly €12 billion (about £10 billion) – that’s 0.5% of Italy’s national GDP, and a far higher percentage of the economy in mountain regions. Winter sports have become a major employer, as communities that once depended on seasonal farming and agriculture have progressively shifted to tourism.

Yet the climate conditions that made this possible are changing.

Peak prices

With snow falling less and melting faster, resorts invest heavily in artificial snowmaking to maintain reliable winter seasons. These investments have worked – most ski runs in the Alps are now lined by modern snowmaking machines – but they also reshape the economics of skiing.

That’s because the cost is being passed on to skiers themselves.

For instance in the Dolomiti Superski network, Italy’s largest, a high-season daily pass has surged from €67 (£59) in 2021 to around €86 (£75) this year, a rise of 28% in three years. The cost of skiing in Europe has risen by 34.8% above inflation since 2015, with Swiss, Austrian, and Italian resorts mostly responsible for the price increase.

In the US, prices are increasing even faster and American skiers are increasingly heading to relatively cheaper resorts in the Alps. Together with skiers from Russia and Eastern Europe who are wealthy enough to ignore the prices, they’ve helped keep Alpine tourism fully booked.

But skiing is less and less accessible for many less-affluent families, including many locals. Former Italian World Cup skier and TV commentator Paolo De Chiesa recently warned that skiing in Italy is becoming a sport for the elite.

As climate adaptation demands more and more investment, skiing will be increasingly concentrated in fewer higher altitude resorts. These resorts tend to be further into the mountains and already attract most of the wealthy tourists, which means they can also afford more snow-making.

Smaller and lower-altitude resorts with mostly local visitors are far more likely to struggle – many are already seeing their winter seasons shorten, and some have already closed entirely.

When adaptation reshapes communities

These changes are felt most strongly in mountain communities themselves. One of us (Paolo) grew up a short drive from where the recent Winter Olympics were held. During his childhood most of his friends knew how to ski, but today only a handful of them can afford to take their children.

This is one side of a growing divide within ski tourism between places that can afford to adapt and those that cannot. Artificial snowmaking increases dependence on capital investment, energy and water. This favours large resorts which, over time, pass costs on to deep-pocketed visitors and local communities.

Meanwhile, seasonal workers now often struggle to find accommodation as housing is prioritised for visitors. Narrow mountain roads are congested, parking is difficult, and public services are under pressure.

Beyond winter-only tourism

If climate change is concentrating skiing in fewer, higher-altitude resorts, the change needs to be gradual and managed rather than sudden and brutal. Much of the industry still profits from the status quo and won’t be keen to transition to other arrangements. That’s why policymakers have a responsibility to guide the transition, starting with lower-altitude resorts.

There, diversification into year-round tourism, gastronomy, wellness, or other nature experiences is one way to build a more resilient future. Protecting the local community and more fairly distributing the revenues of the tourism is becoming as important as maintaining visitor numbers.

Investment and opportunity – and even snow itself – is being further concentrated in fewer spots. Technology may save skiing, but the question is for whom. A global affluent elite may be able to handle the price rises, while local people are increasingly excluded from the system they helped to build.