The EU plans to take fingerprints and facial biometrics from British travellers to Europe are supposed to be complete – but there are many teething problems. The long-awaited “entry-exit system” (EES) was due to be rolled out over the course of 180 days from 12 October 2025 to 9 April 2026. It applies to all “third-country non-visa nationals” including UK passport holders.

The aims of the EES are:

The entry-exit system was initially developed while the UK was a member of the EU. After Brexit, Boris Johnson’s government negotiated for British travellers to become “third-country nationals”, and therefore subject to the EES.

The entry-exit system applies to the Schengen Area, comprising all EU nations except Ireland plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

British travellers, like other third-country nationals who enter without a visa, are restricted to 90 days’ stay in any 180 days within the Schengen area. But enforcement previously depended on checking passport stamps and is applied haphazardly.

The entry-exit system is supposed to connect every frontier in the Schengen area with a central database.

Any UK citizen with the good fortune to have an Irish (or other EU) passport can use that document: skip the queues, swerve the fingerprinting.

The procedure for Irish citizens has not changed. When entering or leaving the Schengen Area, they will simply be matched with their passport or passport card – no fingerprinting or facial biometric, and fast-track processing.

What is the “entry-exit system”?

“The most modern digital border management system in the world,” according to the European Commission. “An automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals who are travelling to the EU for a short stay.”

The system aims to capture data from all “third-country nationals” when they either enter or leave at an external Schengen border – such as flying from the UK to Spain or crossing by road from Greece to Turkey. It is not used at internal frontiers within the Schengen Area.

EES registers the date and place of entry or exit. The first time a traveller encounters the entry-exit system, they are supposed to provide fingerprints and a facial biometric. But as The Independent revealed, demands for biometrics at every frontier have been quietly dropped by Brussels.

This procedure, says the European Union, replaces “the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers”.

How do the border checks work?

Inbound and outbound passengers go through the formalities at airports, land borders and ports in the Schengen area on arrival and departure.

Three locations in the UK have “juxtaposed” border controls, with French frontier police conducting checks on British soil: at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal and the Eurostar hub at London St Pancras.

There is a supposed to be a difference between the first time you cross a Schengen area frontier where entry-exit system is in operation and subsequent entries and exits.

But many British travellers report being asked for both face and fingerprints on multiple occasions.

How long does registration last?

Each new visit triggers another three years of validity of the initial registration. In other words, if you don’t cross a Schengen area frontier for three years, you will need to register again. It has been suggested that registration runs out when your passport does, but my reading of the legislation indicates that is not correct.

Unlike many border arrangements, the entry-exit system is concerned with the person, not the passport. The EES database has a record of Simon Peter Ritchie Calder, born in Crawley on Christmas Day 1955, with fingerprints and facial biometric ascribed to that person. The biographical information is extracted from whichever passport I happen to provide at the moment of registration.

On subsequent visits, the EES is agnostic about the passport I provide with name plus place and date of birth, so long as the biometric (overwhelmingly likely to be face rather than fingerprints) matches the record of that person.

This makes sense as it should end an illicit practice. At present people with two passports (whether both UK, or one British and one Australian, Canadian, etc) can stay more or less permanently – making judicious side-trips out of the Schengen area on one passport and back again on the other. Truck drivers in the Balkans have reportedly been caught using such techniques.

There are also reports of multiple registration being required in locations including Spain, Greece. Belgium and Switzerland.

Do I need to pay anything to use EES?

No, payment starts, in theory, later in 2026 with the Etias permit (see more below). Etias is dependent on the entry-exit system running smoothly.

When I get a new passport, must I register again?

Not according to the official Procedures for entering data in the EES. It says that if “the third-country national presents a valid travel document which differs from the one that was previously recorded” (ie a new passport), the individual’s online file will be updated with the fresh details.

I am only changing planes at an EU airport. Must I go through the entry-exit system?

It depends on your routing and final destination, and also on the way you have booked the travel.

You will not need to go through the entry-exit system if the answers to the following are both affirmative:

But you will need to go through EES if any of the following applies:

I am on a cruise from a British port. When do I register?

If you are returning on the vessel to the UK, probably never. The Home Office says: “Sailings that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) will generally be exempt from EES checks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary.”

If you leave the ship in a Schengen area port, you will need to go through the entry-exit system at that location.

Is it all going according to plan?

No. The Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar have invested heavily and now believe they can handle outbound passengers without undue delay. Eurotunnel expects the procedure to add two minutes per traveller using LeShuttle between Folkestone and Calais, and that it can process 700 cars per hour. But motorists and passengers at these departure points are being processed manually, rather than using the kiosks.

At London St Pancras International, three locations have been set up with EES kiosks for registration of passengers’ documents. But none of these facilities is currently being used.

Across the Schengen area, biometric checks can be suspended if queues build up. Greece has gone one better (or, from Brussels’ point of view, worse) by declaring British passport holders are now exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.

Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, says this unilateral move, “is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports”.

Must I provide proof of travel insurance?

The standard Schengen area requirements are unaffected by the introduction of the entry-exit system. A third-country national must:

Each member state can set its own criteria for the amount of funds the traveller must have available. France has chosen to resurrect a “dormant demand” for travellers to possess medical insurance. It is the only Schengen area country that requires insurance.

What is ‘Etias’ and when does it start?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is the next step in tightening frontier controls. It is an online permit, price €20 (£17), for third-country nationals who do not require visas. It is similar to the US Esta scheme, but valid for longer: three years. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, it will be free.

In order to work, Etias requires EES to be fully operational. Once the entry-exit system is completed and is running smoothly, Etias is set to follow six months later.

But initially a six-month grace period will be granted – so it will not be mandatory for prospective UK visitors to apply online for permission to enter the Schengen Area for at least a year after the complete introduction of EES, which may be some time in 2027.

Is Etias a visa?

Officially, no. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system”. It is a similar concept to the US Esta, the Canadian eTA and the British ETA, which are not technically visas. They are issued to international travellers who do not require a full visa.

But as Etias requires visitors to apply in advance, provide lots of personal information, pay money and be issued with a permit to cross a border, it is not surprising that it is commonly termed a “euro-visa”.

How will I apply?

When finally the EU is ready, at the heart of the system is an Etias app and website.

You must provide all the usual personal details: name, date and place of birth, gender, home and email addresses, phone number(s), passport number and expiry date.

In addition you must give:

(On the last point, the European Union helpfully points out that you are not bound to stick to that nominated location: “Once you have your travel authorisation in hand, you can change your plans.”)

You are required to reveal:

I have a criminal conviction from long ago. Will I face problems?

Nothing will change with the entry-exit system. The EES is nothing more than the long-overdue digitisation of frontiers of the Schengen area, and personal background is not relevant. But in October 2026, if all goes according to plan, one’s history becomes of interest with the introduction of Etias.

It will be incumbent on the prospective visitor to answer truthfully on “details about any past criminal convictions”. But every indication is that only serious crimes (which I infer as those with a substantial prison sentence attached) and terrorist offences could result in an application for Etias being rejected. This is in marked contrast with the US Esta, for which convicted criminals cannot register.

What happens to the information I provide?

Every Etias application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

Is Etias going to be the next online scam?

Yes, As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed – but according to Frontex, the EU organisation implementing Etias, there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20.

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted.

One “imposter” site, based in California, claims “Etias will be operational from 2025”.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

Frontex, the EU border control agency, also warns about the risk of identity theft if you provide personal information to an imposter site.

How far in advance must I apply?

The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”

The aim is for an Etias to be granted within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the applicant may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.

Assuming yours is granted, there is no certificate issued, and nothing needs to be printed. The frontier guard will get the information he or she needs from the passport you used to apply.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU. As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason.

There is likely to be a mechanism in place for an Etias to be rescinded.

Do I need to apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport runs out, whichever is the earlier.

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. The Common Travel Area incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands transcends European Union rules, and in any event, Ireland is not in the Schengen area.

If I have a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

No.

How are people without internet access supposed to apply?

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind me about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: were you to spend the first three months of 2026 in the Schengen area, you would have to leave on 31 March and could not return until 90 days later, ie 30 June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border began a decade ago. British officials participated in initial planning for the entry-exit system and online registration for third-country nationals.

The UK asked to be subject to all the extra red tape that everyone already knew was on the horizon. The EU agreed. So Brussels is delivering exactly what the British asked for.

Had we remained in the EU but outside Schengen, would we still be subject to all the new red tape?

No. Were the UK still in the EU, neither EES nor Etias would affect British passport holders.

Citizens of Ireland, which is in the EU but outside Schengen, need not go through the entry-exit rigmarole nor get an Etias. They simply have their passport/ID checked on arrival and departure, usually via a fast-track line.

That’s what the UK chose to give up.

What’s the back story behind the delays?

Originally the entry-exit system was due to start in 2021. But the body responsible for implementation – the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (EU-Lisa) – has repeatedly pushed back the date because the database was far from ready.

In August 2024, the EU’s Home Affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, said: “I have decided that the entry/exit system will enter into operations on 10 November. That will be a great day – entry-exit system day.” But a month before the big day, ministers decided to postpone the introduction.

Many airports, ports and railway stations have already installed expensive equipment, which has been lying unused. Officials in Brussels then kicked the can down the road to October 2025 – with a full roll out due to be completed by April 2026. But this latest deadliine has also been missed, with 7 September 2026 the new latest date for 100 per cent EES compatibility.

This piece was first published in August 2025 and is kept updated with the latest information

Additional research by Dr Nick Brown

The H100 trial in Fife is using new hydrogen gas pipes to trial the technology but any national roll-out would rely on the existing gas grid.

More than 600 leaks have been reported in the immediate area surrounding the world’s first hydrogen heating project, official documents reveal.

Almost 300 homes are to be connected via new hydrogen gas pipes in the first-of-its-kind H100 Fife project, run by SGN.

But evidence obtained by freedom of information shows 627 leaks have been reported in the existing gas network in the KY8 postcode, covering both Buckhaven and Denbeath.

Experts say the number of leaks shows it would be “inherently risky” to pump hydrogen through the grid due to its explosive properties.

David Cebon, professor of mechanical engineering at Cambridge University, said: “The key question is whether hydrogen can be delivered safely through the existing gas network.

“Hydrogen leaks far faster than methane, ignites more easily, is more explosive and can weaken metal pipework over time – meaning defects tolerable for natural gas can become serious fire and explosion hazards.

“In the Fife trial, this safety question is not even being tested because hydrogen will be supplied through new hydrogen-resistant pipes rather than the ageing net­­work that would be used in any national rollout.

“Given the many methane leaks already recorded loc­ally, it is difficult to see how a system and network operator that struggles to contain methane could safely contain hydrogen.”

The UK and Scottish governments have spent £25million of taxpayers’ cash on the scheme.

John Swinney has hailed it as a “shining example” of net zero policy. But last month Whitehall officials admitted they no longer favour hydrogen-powered homes.

Critics say backing for these schemes from the public purse has followed intense lobbying from fossil fuel interests. Two similar hydrogen homes trials in England were discontinued after local protests.

The H100 Fife area is classed as one of the ten most deprived areas in Scotland, with SGN offering £1000 to householders who agree to install hydrogen boilers in their homes.

There were 5,889 gas leaks across all Fife postcodes over a between November 2023 and October 2025 – with the second highest number in the trial region.

Of the 1202 repairs on pipes carried out in Fife during the period, 40 per cent were steel pipes. Experts warn steel pipes are susceptible to becoming brittle and cracking when exposed to hydrogen.

Around a fifth of repairs were on iron pipes, which are a legacy of coal gas and typically much older and vulnerable to failure and leakage.

SGN said the 627 figure is misleading as it refers to reports of leaks. It said 179 leaks needed repairs.

The firm added: “Over the past three decades, we have consistently invested in maintaining and upgrading the gas net­work, including replacing ageing iron pipes which has reduced gas leakage by around a third since 2013.

“Over 400 households in Buckhaven and Denbeath have registered an interest in joining our pioneering trial at H100 Fife, which will go live later this year.

“H100 Fife will use a purpose-built modern plastic network to distribute green hydrogen for safe use in homes. It will provide key insights and data on the customer transition to low-carbon energy sources.”

Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said in October that H100 Fife “will inform UK Government decisions on the role of hydrogen in decarbonising heat using the gas network”.

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The Sunday Mail is today revealing communications appearing to show senior party operatives conspiring against ex-leader.

Bombshell text messages showing high ranking SNP figures conspiring against former leader Alex Salmond are today revealed by the Sunday Mail.

The tranche of communications – which were previously before a court but not aired publicly – appear to show senior party operatives involved in a campaign to see the former First Minister jailed for sex offences.

The messages cover a four month period between September 2018 and January 2019 during which an “unlawful” and “biased” Scottish Government misconduct probe against Salmond collapsed, and police began a criminal investigation.

The late SNP leader was ultimately cleared of 13 charges at Edinburgh High Court in March 2020 leading to claims of a plot to destroy him.

In a pre-trial court hearing Salmond’s defence lawyer Gordon Jackson KC, told Lady Dorrian there were text messages between complainants, Scottish government officials and SNP officials that raised questions about an orchestration of some of the allegations.

Jackson sought to get some of that material – which is contained within the documents – admitted into evidence.

He told Dorrian the defence believed “there was a concerted effort made by people in the government to influence the process, to get it as best they could in terms of criminal prosecution”.

He alleged those efforts were motivated by revenge because Salmond had won his judicial review in January 2019, after the Scottish government admitted it had botched an internal inquiry into two sexual harassment complaints against him.

Dorrian refused to allow much of that material to be used in court but allowed other messages to be admitted as evidence.

The messages reveal:

• Senior figures privately doubted their experiences amounted to criminal offences.

• One woman furious her name had been given to detectives without her consent.

• SNP management discussing attempts to round up potential complainers.

Former SNP Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has called for a police investigation.

He said: “I’ve always believed individuals at the heart of the SNP and Scottish Government conspired to bring Alex down because they were worried he was going to make a return to Holyrood and they didn’t want that to happen. These messages confirm my suspicions.

“There should be a police inquiry and public inquiry into this entire affair, it strikes at the heart of our democracy.”

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In the text exchanges believed to have been sent on WhatsApp one senior figure – who was named on charges against Salmond – is asked whether she has “An Alex story”.

She responds: “If I do I don’t remember – wandering hands, some shouting, but not really…I think I wasn’t his type…”

Another woman – also named on charges – states: “How have they got my name? Must be ****. I’ll kill her.”

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After news breaks that Salmond has been charged in January 2019, one woman complained: “Police say mine not on list as. It enough evidence(sic). Yet. Felt like asking what they need and I’ll get it for them!”

Another woman who appeared to have spoken to police states: “I speak for myself here – I don’t think what happened to me would constitute an offence.”

In another message she added: “Tbh, what happened to me didn’t particularly bother me at the time but I felt it was important to back up the other women.”

In response another senior SNP figure said: “Yeah I’m in the same boat in terms of backing others.”

On the same day Salmond was charged one of his accusers writes: “He is going to jail. And I’m ******* glad…was considering briefing media…good move by police to do this now then we are all protected by contempt of court.”

Another text reads: “Jeez. Think **** is in trouble… Salmond isn’t going to stop until he gets her and he’s bringing down Nicola on the way.”

Some of the messages which can now be revealed were previously alluded to in 2021 by Tory MP and Salmond ally David Davis in a Commons speech in which he alleged a plot to take down the former FM.

In one exchange the week after police announce an investigation into Salmond Compliance Officer McCann and Chief Operating Officer Sue Ruddick discuss an attempt to find potential victims.

They appear disappointed that someone who said they could deliver “5 folk by the end of that week” had “overreached” and come up short.

In relation to one woman McCann states: “I think one other said to her that she would. But then didn’t…Or at least, not yet.”

When a senior SNP staffer suggests women involved in Salmond’s criminal case meet up, one woman said: “I’d only be interested if **** wasn’t there. To be honest I’m beginning to feel a bit pressured by the whole thing rather than supported”.

In January 2019 Ruddick told McCann she hoped one of the complainers would be “sickened enough get back in the game” after Salmond won his court challenge against the Scottish Government probe.

In one message a senior SNP figure is referred to as convening a “council of war”.

In another Sue Ruddick writes to Peter Murrell: “**** seems up for the fight. Keen to see him go to jail.”

In a text exchange Peter Murrell appears disappointed with McCann after he was dispatched to talk to a complainer. He said: “Ian has just returned from his chat with ****. forgot to ask if she knew any of the charges involved her or indeed whether ok for us to pass her complaint to us over to police. All in all he’s pissed me off with his attitude again.”

Referring to Salmond he also said: “TBH the more fronts he’s having to firefight on the better for all complainers.”

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A jury of eight women and five men at the high court in Edinburgh cleared Salmond of 13 charges of attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent assault after six hours of deliberations.

It prompted immediate recriminations and demands for resignations within the SNP.

The nine women involved in the charges were all current or former Scottish government officials, or SNP politicians.

The criminal case came after Nicola Sturgeon’s government lost a judicial review into its handling of an internal review of two misconduct complaints against him in 2018.

It has previously been reported a message sent by Leslie Evans, at the time the Scottish government’s top civil servant, read: “We may have lost the battle, but we will win the war.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “These issues, including the question of WhatsApps between women, have been examined repeatedly over the last seven years. The SNP’s focus is on continuing to deliver for the people of Scotland.”

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Destinations loved by Brits are actually paying people to move there. If you fancy a life in the sun, you could make some extra cash while topping up your tan in Spain or Italy

Many people may dream of moving abroad, but you might not realise that some countries will actually pay you to do so. If you fancy living in the glorious sunshine, and making some money in the process, you could actually embark on the travel adventure of a lifetime by packing your bags for good.

Countries like Spain, Italy and Greece will actually pay Brits “thousands” to relocate and start a new life abroad. If you’re fed up of the weather, fancy starting a fresh chapter or simply want to move to somewhere totally different, it may be something worth considering to liven things up.

Schemes people can use were recently highlighted on TikTok by History On A Map to tell people what they need to know. It’s incredible to think you can be paid to relocate to these beautiful countries.

Italy

Italy is one country that pays people to relocate. If you fancy tucking into pasta, enjoying gorgeous wine and immersing yourself in history a little more, you can actually be paid to move here. It explained: “Regions like Calabria, Molise and Sardinia are suffering from massive depopulation.

“To revive these ghost towns, the local governments are offering between €10,000 (£8,705.50) to €30,000 (£26,116.50) to people under 40 who are willing to settle there.”

It turns out Italian regions such as Calabria, Molise and Sardinia offer financial incentives to boost declining populations in rural villages. There are reported to be schemes that offer up to €30,000 to people willing to move to towns with fewer than 2,000 to 3,000 residents.

Usually, to benefit from the scheme, applicants need to be under 40, start a business or renovate a home. There are some guidelines people need to follow to be able to benefit.

Spain

Again, towns in rural areas are looking for people to move there, such as Ponga in Asturias. The video detailed: “As part of the empty Spain initiative, the town of Ponga is offering €3,100 euros per person just to move there.”

According to reports, this figure is actually claimed to be between €2,971 and €3,000 per person (often reported as roughly £2,600) to new residents. However, there are additional incentives for couples and families to boost its dwindling population.

If you fancy taking the leap, the scheme requires a five-year commitment to live in the village. In other words, you need to be sure before you apply to move.

Greece

You can also move to the tiny island of Antikythera in Greece. It’s said people can be paid up to €500 per month for the first three years.

The relocation package aims to repopulate the area, providing new residents with a house, a plot of land and the monthly payments. The initiative primarily targets families and skilled professionals such as bakers, builders and farmers to support the local community.

Other options

The video also highlights that people can be paid to move to Japan. The amounts people can be paid differs, as every scheme has its own set of guidelines, and may not be as much as detailed in the video.

While people can’t be paid for simply moving to Ireland, grants are available for people who move to renovate properties on its remote offshore islands. There are all sorts of schemes people can benefit from, but it’s not as easy as packing your bags.

There are rules people need to follow to benefit, and they vary depending on where you want to apply to move. Do your research to find out more.

The event at The Milner Hotel aims to celebrate the best companies and individuals working to keep us all safe online.

Tickets for the awards and a daytime conference are now available and the awards have begun attracting entries.

The event is hosted by Leeds-based Consultants Like Us (CLU) who specialise in helping firms improve their data security.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Consultants Like Us to stage Real Cybersecurity Awards

The awards are free to enter and those shortlisted win two free tickets to the awards dinner.

CLU co-founder Gary Hibberd said: “Our desire was to create something that would be educational, inspiring and entertaining. The awards are affordable and accessible to everyone and doesn’t just recognise those who have the biggest marketing budgets.”

The event sponsor, Knowbe4, is a cybersecurity awareness training company that is keen to support firms in exceptional cybersecurity.

KnowBe4 marketing manager Rachel Parr said: “Knowbe4 offers a comprehensive AI-driven ‘best of suite’ platform for human risk management.

“This fits well with the event’s theme, which is ‘From Human Error to Human Advantage: Redefining Risk in a People-First Security World’.”

Lee Scorey and Gary Hibberd (Image: Pic supplied)

New for 2026, CLU are combining the awards event with a daytime conference, including an exciting conference stage and exhibition space. CLU co-founder Lee Scorey said: “Cybersecurity is such a fast-paced industry with change happening almost on an hourly basis, especially with the rise of AI.

“Staying ahead of threats and employing best practice relies on the sector being curious and asking the right questions. Our speakers and exhibitors will help push these conversations forward and inspire companies and individuals.”

Other main sponsors including local York IT company, Techscend, alongside other Yorkshire companies Prove Privacy, Vorago Security and Bristol based Tempo Audits, with judges drawn from experts across the cybersecurity industry. Categories range from celebrating great IT businesses to podcasts, blogs and books.

Thomas Siron, founder of Techscend, said “This major event coming to York is an opportunity to raise awareness of cybersecurity but also another chance to put York on the map for the IT and business sector.”

The awards evening promises to be a glitzy, but fun, event that celebrates the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to prevent cybercrime.

The organisers hope this event will help increase York’s profile as a great destination for business events and that the event will grow into a multiple day event in the future.

Local organisations like Make it York, York St John’s University and York College are also involved as event sponsors, with a few sponsor packages still available.

To enter, buy tickets or sponsor, go to therealcyberawards.co.uk.

Manchester City will go head-to-head with Arsenal in the Premier League today in a game that will go a long way toward deciding who will be champions this season.

It’s a game that has long been billed as a title decider, and the winner will be favourites to lift the Premier League trophy next month. Manchester City host Arsenal today as they look to do what very few thought possible and reel in their title rivals.

City are six points behind the Gunners, but they have a game in hand. A victory today followed by a win over Burnley on Wednesday would see them overtake Mikel Arteta’s side and top the table.

It was revealed on Friday that Ruben Dias would not be back in time for the mammoth clash at the Etihad, but Arsenal have far more potential injury issues than Guardiola’s men. Talisman Bukayo Saka is definitely out, as confirmed by Arteta on Friday, as is Mikel Merino. Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all doubts, while Arteta hopes to have Noni Madueke available after he picked up a knock.

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David Raya will start in goal for the visitors, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of him. With Timber facing a late fitness check, Arteta might decide against throwing the Dutchman straight back in given the pace City possess on the wings. Piero Hincapie and Ben White can start in the full-back positions.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are nailed on to start in midfield, but Arteta has decisions to make in attack. Arsenal have scored just three goals in their last five appearances in all competitions, a run that includes their Carabao Cup final defeat to City last month.

Madueke has been a regular in the starting team since Saka picked up an injury, and he can start on the right provided he is fit. Arteta may look to make a change on the opposite flank after the stale display against Sporting Lisbon in midweek, though, with Gabriel Martinelli dropping out and Leandro Trossard coming in.

Viktor Gyokeres is Arteta’s go-to centre-forward and the Sweden international is expected to start at the Etihad today.

Even after today’s game there is still a long way to go in the title race, so it’s not quite a case of winner takes all. But make no mistake about it, today is a huge occasion and whoever wins will be strongly tipped to win the title.

Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.

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Terry Deary, whose books include Rotten Roman and Ruthless Romans will be at the event on Sunday, July 19, at Orchard Fields.

Terry has written over 351 books – fiction and non-fiction – selling over 38+ million copies in 45 languages.

His best-known children’s book titles are the “Horrible Histories” series, first published in 1993 and still popular thanks to a CBBC television series, theatre shows and a movie based on the books.

Terry will be giving a talk and will sign copies of his latest book ‘Revolting’ and any of his other books, which will be available to buy at the festival.

Another great addition this year will be acclaimed author Lindsay Davis. A prolific author of fiction set within the Ancient Roman period, Lindsay’s ‘Falco’ mysteries run to 20 books and she will be talking to visitors about her latest book in the Flavia Albia series, ‘Murder in Purple and Gold’. She will also sign any of her other novels purchased at the festival.

Fiction writer Clive Ashman will be there too, along with kids’ authors Robin Price and Kate Cunningham with ‘Vlad the Flea in Rome’. The illustrator of the ‘Vlad’ books, Sam Cunningham, will run cartoon drawing workshops for those aspiring artists.

Popular historian, Dr Simon Elliott, author of ‘The African Emperor: The Life of Septimius Severus’ will be in attendance once again, giving one of his very engaging talks.

Along the authors, there will be an re-enactment village and cavalry camp, historical, archaeological and other Roman themed activities for all the family.

The Festival runs from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are £10 per adult, with free entry for children under 14 years old. Discounted tickets are available via the Malton Museum website until July 1.

There is free parking at the event and there are other car parks close by within Malton.

For more information go to www.maltonmuseum.co.uk

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi compared the defeat of a women’s reservation-linked delimitation bill to “female foeticide”, launching a bitter attack on his political rivals a day after his ruling party suffered a rare setback in parliament.

The Modi government’s plan to redraw India’s parliamentary map was defeated in parliament on Friday after opposition parties blocked a constitutional amendment centred on delimitation, the process of reallocating seats, and redrawing constituencies by population.

The delimitation bill is linked to the implementation of a 2023 law mandating that 33 per cent of all seats in federal and state legislatures must be filled by women. Parliament had unanimously passed the Women’s Reservation Act in September 2023, but its provision for 33 per cent quotas in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was made contingent on the next census and a subsequent delimitation exercise.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure the two-thirds majority required for the constitutional change. The defeated package proposed increasing the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament, from 543 seats to 850, with similar expansion in state assemblies. It also sought to change the legal framework governing when delimitation takes place and which census data should be used.

A total of 298 MPs voted in favour and 230 against the bill.

Addressing the nation, the PM “sought forgiveness” from the women of the country after the bills failed to clear the floor test in the Lower House.

“Every citizen of India is watching how dreams of our women have been crushed,” the prime minister said during his address. “Fight for empowering India’s women has been stalled due to selfish politics of opposition parties,” he added.

Mr Modi compared the opposition’s move to “bhrun hatya” (female foeticide), saying the opposition political parties of Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress “killed” the idea of women’s reservation at its inception, according to reports. “A woman may forget many things, but she never forgets her insult,” he said.

Opposition parties said they supported women’s reservation, but objected to linking it to a nationwide boundary redraw based on older data while the 2026-27 census is underway. They also argued that using 2011 figures could reduce the relative representation of southern and north-eastern states, where population growth has slowed faster than in parts of northern India.

Critics also warned that one or two larger states could gain greater influence because they would send more MPs to the House.

Leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday targeted the prime minister, calling the proposed bills to amend the women’s reservation bill alongside the delimitation exercise a “panic reaction” to change the country’s electoral map, as he added that the “magician has been caught”.

Mr Gandhi said the bills had little to do with advancing women’s empowerment, as he accused the BJP of being “scared of erosion” of its electoral strength. The government is trying “rejig” country’s political map, he said.

“Some truths need to be told here. This is not a women’s bill; this has nothing to do with empowerment of women. This is an attempt to change the electoral map,” he said.

After the result, federal minister, Kiren Rijiju, withdrew two linked measures – the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

During the debate, home minister Amit Shah defended the overhaul, saying constituency sizes had become highly uneven. Stressing the need for the delimitation exercise, Mr Shah said that in the 543-member House, the number of voters is 4.9 million in some constituencies, while it is at 60,000 in others.

“And there are many seats that were frozen in the 1970s. Since then, they have grown so large that an MP cannot even show face to voters, because how can one handle such a huge population,” he said.

Mr Shah said the freeze dated back to decisions taken under Indira Gandhi’s government and accused Congress of opposing the resumption of delimitation.

In 1976, when India’s population stood at about 550 million, the number of Lok Sabha seats was frozen at 543. The move was meant to ensure that states which reduced birth rates were not punished with diminished representation as the size of constituencies was pegged to population. That freeze was due to end after the 2001 census, but was extended until at least 2026 by the previous BJP government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Slamming the attempts to block the passage of bill, Mr Shah said: “In 1976, during the Emergency, the process of delimitation was formally suspended through the 42nd Amendment, again under Indira Gandhi’s leadership. At that time, the Congress government enacted laws to halt delimitation. Today, even while in opposition, the Congress continues to oppose the resumption of delimitation. Thus, the Congress originally denied the people the benefits of delimitation, and it is the same party that continues to do so today.”

He also rejected what he called a divisive regional framing.

“Let me make this clear once again: the southern states have exactly the same rights in this House as the northern states. In fact, even a small Union Territory like Lakshadweep has the same rights as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar,” he said.

Mr Gandhi said: “The amendment bill has fallen. They ⁠used an unconstitutional trick in the name of women to break the Constitution.”

John Terry was undoubtedly a tough player, but maybe we didn’t realise how tough until he revealed how often he was injured during his Chelsea career and played anyway.

The 45-year-old had an epic career with the Blues, joining as a 14-year-old in 1995 and leaving for Aston Villa in 2017.

During that spell he made 717 appearances for the west London club and won a mammoth amount of silverware.

The former Chelsea captain won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, five FA Cups and three League Cups with the Blues.

Terry was rarely out of the Chelsea side for around 15 years, with injury keeping him out of the team occasionally, but more often than not he says he played through fitness issues.

A lot more often than not.

Terry has made the extraordinary claim that he only felt fully fit for five of the games he played in his Chelsea career, meaning he played with some form of illness or injury in 712 matches.

‘I was very old school. If I was feeling ill or sick I would just go out and get on with it, I don’t think people should miss matches due to illness – it doesn’t sit right with me,’ Terry said on the Double Tops podcast, sponsored by BetMGM.

‘Everyone says “oh you won’t be at your peak if you’re ill”, but you don’t know that until you get out there and give it a crack.

‘I can’t tell you the amount of injections that I had to get through the next game, but that’s because I wanted to play in every single one.

‘I played 717 games for Chelsea and I could say, genuinely, I was 100 per cent fit for five of them.

‘When I went into a game, I rarely didn’t have a rib, arm, leg, ankle or some sort of injury – something always hurt. That was just part of being a professional footballer and you can’t sit it out because you’re ill.

‘The games come so thick and fast and you can’t afford to miss one. The player who might come in to replace you might not be at your level and in order to win titles and constantly compete, you need to be there, no matter what.’

There was certainly evidence of Terry playing through immense pain and discomfort during his career, memorably declaring himself fit to play despite having two broken ribs in 2012.

‘I’m struggling a bit, to be honest,’ he said after fracturing ribs in a Champions League clash with Benfica. ‘I got an elbow in the ribs about 20 minutes into the away leg and the doctors feared I’d fractured two of them.

‘I thought it was OK but, later in the second half [in the second leg], it just seemed to be getting worse and I was struggling to breathe. It was difficult. I have never felt anything like that before.

‘I don’t think it will mean I’m out at all. It’s just a case of managing it, and things like that. I know there are ways around it. With the ribs you can’t really do anything: you can’t treat the injury or massage it to make it better. You just have to let it heal, but I can get through games, definitely. The guys have got a few ideas to get me through them.’

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Beyond Paradise has recently returned for its fourth series, with fans now being urged to watch another beloved drama

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An “addictive” murder mystery series comes highly recommended for Beyond Paradise fans.

Agatha Raisin is a British comedy-drama, adapted from M.C. Beaton’s book series of the same name, following a former PR agent turned amateur detective.

Much like the BBC’s Beyond Paradise, which has recently launched its fourth series, Agatha Raisin unfolds in an idyllic rural village setting. The show debuted as a pilot entitled Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death in 2014, before an eight-episode series premiered on Sky One in 2016. Acorn TV commissioned a second series in 2018, with two additional runs arriving in 2019 and 2021.

“No-nonsense PR whiz Agatha Raisin leaves the London rat race to live in the Cotswold village of Carsley. But all is not as it seems, some villagers are murderous, so she turns from PR to PI,” the official synopsis teases.

Shetland’s Ashley Jensen headlines the cast as Agatha Raisin, supported by Jamie Glover, Jason Merrells, Mathew Horne, Lucy Liemann, Jason Barnett, Matt McCooey, Katy Wix, and Jodie Tyack, reports the Express.

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Audiences have consistently championed this “hidden gem” series on digital platforms, with one IMDb reviewer declaring: “Highly addictive! In my opinion, once you get to know and love the characters, you can’t get enough of this wonderful whodunnit, with a humerous twist! It’s a breath of fresh air and is GREAT entertainment! DON’T MISS IT!”

Another added: “Quirky and funny. I really enjoyed this series. The village it is shot in is beautiful and the characters who live there in the show are a real hoot. It’s great that Acorn produces shows like this, no nudity, profanity, drugs or gun play, just snappy dialogue and funny situations.

“Each episode has much the same form but how the crime is solved is far from formulaic and no matter how desperate the situation, Agatha manages with the help of long suffering friends, to come out on top.”

A third remarked: “Agatha Raisin was a brilliantly British masterpiece!” while another similarly commented: “Gets better and better. A great show to binge.”

A fifth enthusiast echoed these feelings, stating: “This is absolutely my favourite show on TV, and much better than the books. Ashley Jensen is a national treasure,” with yet another contributing: “Looking for your next TV obsession? Look no further as Agatha Raisin will have you hooked in minutes.”

Meanwhile, the fourth series of Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise is presently broadcasting on BBC One and iPlayer, with audiences enthralled by the cases that DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) has been tackling alongside his police partner DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi).

Reports have since emerged that the broadcaster has greenlit the drama for a fifth series, prior to the series four finale broadcasting later this month. Production on season five is set to commence in Devon this July, with new episodes anticipated to air next year, according to TVZone.

The present series has followed Humphrey and his wife, Martha (Sally Bretton), as they adjust to married life, tackling cases such as the death of Humphrey’s favourite crime novelist and an unusual burglary where the crime scene is thoroughly cleaned following the offence.

Lead actor Kris has previously hinted that viewers can anticipate considerable “drama” surrounding his character in the forthcoming episodes.

Agatha Raisin can be viewed on Prime Video via Acorn TV, while Beyond Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer