Officers want to speak to 25-year-old Sam Watson, who has recent links to Gilesgate, Belmont, and Sherburn Hill.

A spokesman for Durham City Police said: “If you have any information regarding Sam’s whereabouts, please don’t comment below, call us on 101 quoting incident 62 of May 5, alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Jamie Muir, 33, from Dunfermline, attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his deplorable actions.

A creep who sexually assaulted two women on a crowded train to Edinburgh has been jailed.

Jamie Muir, 33, was caged for nine months at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 29. He was sentenced after he previously admitted the deplorable crimes, which took place in November last year.

The court heard how Muir, from Dunfermline in Fife, boarded a train from Inverkeithing to the capital, which was extremely busy due to a rugby match between Scotland and Argentina later in the day at Murrayfield. Muir stood behind two women, and only minutes after the train left Inverkeithing, he began to sexually assault both victims.

Perverted Muir then attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his actions. When one of the women turned to Muir to confront him, he went on to apologise and claim he didn’t know where he was.

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Other passengers on the train intervened and told Muir to get off at the next stop. He then alighted at North Queensferry.

Once the service arrived at Edinburgh Waverley, the two women reported the incident to officers at the station and an urgent investigation was launched. Images of Muir were shared by the British Transport Police (BTP) with other police forces in a drive to identify him, and he was subsequently found and arrested.

Upon being arrested, Muir attempted to excuse his actions by saying he had felt unwell. As well as being jailed for nine months, he was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Speaking after sentencing, BTP’s Detective Constable Crawford Gillies said: “Muir’s actions were opportunistic and sickening, so I’m very pleased with the sentence handed down to him that should provide him ample time to consider his actions. There is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour anywhere on the railway network, and we take every report of this kind of behaviour seriously.

“If you ever need us while you’re travelling on the railway, you can discreetly text us on 61016. Our officers can meet the train at the next station, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders to justice.”

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If you’re in need of a gaming headset upgrade, now is a good time to act

Shoppers looking for stylish, high-quality headphones can enjoy some great savings in JBL’s spring sale. For a limited time, the brand is offering 10% off all headphones (excluding refurbished models) with a special discount code.

To claim the offer, simply enter the code REACH10 at checkout. JBL’s range includes comfortable over-ear and on-ear headphones that are perfect for everything from gym workouts to relaxing at home with your favourite music, reports the Liverpool Echo.

There are also plenty of immersive noise-cancelling options designed to cut out background noise while delivering crisp, clear sound. Many models come packed with features such as spatial audio and 360-degree head tracking. Gamers are catered for too, with JBL offering several gaming headsets, including one that comes with a free Xbox Game Pass.

Below, we’ve compiled a range of our top headphone picks currently featured in the JBL sale:

JBL Tour One M3 – £224.99 (was £249.99)

JBL’s best-selling headphones are the Tour One M3, which combine lossless superior sound quality with eight-microphone adaptive noise cancellation. These high-end headphones can be operated both with cables and wirelessly, reproducing music closer to its original studio sound with approximately three times more information than conventional Bluetooth audio, reports the Express. They also feature 360-degree head tracking and exceptional call quality, thanks to four adaptive beamforming microphones enhanced by AI that remove echoes and background noise. On top of that, they deliver an outstanding battery life of up to 70 hours.

Save 10% on JBL Tour One M3

£249.99

£224.99

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JBL is knocking 10% off all headphones excluding refurbished in its spring sale, including the JBL Tour One M3.

JBL customers have awarded the Tour One M3 a remarkable 4.6-star rating, with numerous buyers highlighting their ‘unbeatable’ sound quality and ‘incredible’ noise cancellation. While purchasers describe them as ‘very comfy’ to wear, some mention they are somewhat ‘on the heavy side’.

Amongst the rival premium options is the Sony WH1000XM6 Over-Ear Wireless Headphones (£329.99), which the manufacturer claims provide the ‘best noise cancelling’ due to its new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 precision microphones.

JBL Quantum 650 – £102.59 (was £113.99)

The highest-rated headphones presently on offer in the sale are the JBL Quantum 650, a wireless gaming headset that works with PlayStation, Xbox and PC. This model holds a perfect five-star rating and is discounted from £113.99 to £102.59 with the promotional code.

The Quantum 650 incorporates 50mm dynamic drivers with distinctive carbon damping material, which are claimed to provide powerful output and minimal distortion for a more engrossing and authentic gaming experience. They also deliver spatial audio to establish a more lifelike setting, enabling gamers to identify precisely which direction an adversary is coming from.

Xbox gamers might find the JBL Quantum 910X Wireless for Xbox particularly attractive, as it includes a complimentary one-month Xbox Game Pass subscription. Down from £209.99 to £188.99, the 910X features hi-res certified 50mm neodymium drivers that produce an immersive sound profile and generate a hyper-realistic audio environment.

On the subject of the JBL Quantum 650, one glowing review reads: “The sound and feeling how it sits on the head are amazing. In games like Battlefield 6 and Warzone, the footsteps and directional audio are very accurate. Listening to music was also amazing.”

However, some customers note that, as over-ear headphones, they can ‘get warm’ when worn for prolonged periods.

JBL Tune 730BT – £35.99 (was £39.99)

A more economical yet still highly regarded option is the JBL Tune 730BT, reduced from £39.99 to £35.99 in the sale. These sleek over-ear headphones utilise JBL’s Pure Bass Sound to deliver ‘powerful’ audio that can be customised through EQ presets using the JBL app.

Equipped with dual microphones for clear and accurate calls, the Bluetooth headphones provide up to 76 hours of battery life, while a quick five-minute charge offers up to five hours of playback time. Buyers describe the Tune 730BT as ‘amazing for the price’, awarding them a 4.7-star rating.

“These are amazing for the price,” one customer remarked. “Sound quality is good as well as noise cancelling. Battery life is the best, last for ages.” Other users find them ‘so comfortable’ though suggest it would be ‘a bonus’ if a wired connection was available. Within a similar price range is the AKG K72 (£39.99), a pair of budget-friendly yet professional studio over-ear headphones, described as ‘pro-quality meets style’.

JBL Tune 780NC – £107.99 (was £119.99)

Also among JBL’s best-selling products are the Tune 780NC, boasting JBL’s hi-res Pure Bass Sound and spatial audio that gives the impression of sound emanating from all directions. They also feature adaptive noise cancelling to block out external noise and distractions, plus two microphones for crystal-clear calls and audio at both ends.

Similar to the Tune 730BT, these also provide a 76-hour battery life and a five-minute quick charge. The Tune 780NC have been crafted with a sleek over-ear design featuring subtle metal accents and a range of colours including black, blue and white.

Achieving a 4.5-star rating, one buyer said: “With a powerful bass that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs, the sound quality is clean and well-balanced. For daily use, active noise cancellation is effective, particularly in crowded settings like public transportation.”

One 780NC owner pointed out a potential disadvantage, saying: “What might be an issue for some is the fact that you cannot replace pads.”

JBL Junior 470NC – £62.99 (was £69.99)

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As the name suggests, the JBL Junior 470NC are ideally suited to younger users, featuring a range of parental controls, including an automatic 85dB maximum volume limit that can be lowered even further. Parents can monitor their children’s listening habits through JBL’s Headphones app for real-time updates and set up a PIN code to protect the settings.

These child-friendly headphones have earned an impressive 4.9-star rating, with one reviewer noting: “I bought these for my five-year-old daughter to enjoy her films during long car journeys, and they have been a godsend. She’s happy, the sound quality is incredible – worth every penny.”

Some customers found that the Junior 470NC failed to create a proper seal around their children’s ears, which they claimed ‘reduced the efficacy’ of the noise cancellation. Meanwhile, proving popular on Amazon at present is the iClever Kids Wireless Headphones (£14.99), which, in addition to safe volume limits, feature bright LED lights and a range of child-friendly designs.

Shop the JBL Spring Sale here.

Scientific discoveries rarely happen alone. Modern research often involves teams spanning institutions and even countries. Yet when research is published in academic journals, credit is reduced to a list of names – a list that can shape careers.

Authorship is a key signal of expertise. It influences hiring, promotion, and funding decisions. Despite this importance, the process for determining authorship is often far from transparent.

In principle, authorship should reflect intellectual contributions. In practice, decisions about who becomes an author and whose name appears in the most prized position – often first or last – are negotiated within research teams. My research with colleagues has found that women report more negative experiences around authorship decisions.

Norms vary widely across disciplines, and unclear standards combined with power dynamics can create problems, especially for women researchers.

One of these is ghost authorship: when researchers who meaningfully contribute do not receive authorship. Another is gift authorship: when individuals who do not meaningfully contribute are included as authors.

Deciding who gets credit for a research project is complicated, even when everyone has positive intentions. These collaborations can span years, and individual roles often shift over time. Students graduate, researchers move institutions and projects evolve. As a result, authorship decisions are often shaped not just by contributions, but by a set of informal or “hidden” rules that are rarely made explicit.

These hidden rules can include power dynamics between senior and junior researchers. Junior researchers, such as PhD students and postdocs, often depend on supervisors for funding and future opportunities. This can make it difficult to raise concerns about authorship.

The standards for determining contributions may be ambiguous. While there’s recently been more discussion about the different ways someone can contribute to a project, authors may disagree about which contributions matter most. For example, how should writing the paper be weighed against collecting or analysing the data?

Fear of reputational harm could also discourage open discussion about credit. Because researchers are concerned about being labelled “difficult to work with” they may avoid raising concerns about authorship, even when the stakes are high.

Gifts and ghosts

To see how these decisions play out in practice, my collaborators and I surveyed more than 3,500 researchers across 12 countries – one of the largest studies of its kind. We asked researchers about their experiences with disagreement about authorship, comfort discussing authorship in their teams and experiences with problematic authorship practices.

We found that questionable authorship practices are remarkably common. In our study, 68% of researchers observed gift authorship, and 55% of researchers observed ghost authorship.

While experiences of authorship were similar across researchers in the natural sciences and social sciences, another pattern emerged. Women researchers reported experiencing more problematic authorship practices in collaborations. They encountered more disagreements over authorship decisions and felt less comfortable raising authorship concerns.

This is especially concerning given what researchers call the “leaky pipeline” in academia – where women are more likely to leave the field or are less likely to progress to senior positions over time. These patterns suggest that the hidden rules of authorship affect women and men differently.

Why it matters

These numbers aren’t just statistics. They represent missed opportunities, strained collaborations and careers quietly knocked off course. Authorship plays a central role in research careers, and even small differences in recognition can accumulate over time. When credit is uneven, opportunities become uneven. This shapes who stays in academia and whose ideas define a field. Over time, this may also push talented researchers away from academic careers or worsen existing inequalities like the leaky pipeline.

Universities rely on collaborative environments that are not only productive, but also fair. Addressing issues with authorship and its hidden rules is essential to continue moving toward better science.

In a separate study of US PhD-granting universities, my colleagues and I found that fewer than 25% had publicly available authorship policies. Even when policies did exist, they rarely offered guidance on how to handle concerns or resolve conflicts. Clearer institutional guidance and accessible dispute resolution procedures would provide researchers with a framework to more effectively navigate authorship.

In addition, authorship training can encourage earlier and more open conversations about authorship within research teams, particularly for junior researchers who may feel less comfortable raising these issues. Promoting more transparent documentation of individual contributions can help ensure that authorship reflects the work that was actually done, even as roles evolve over the course of a project. Training would clearly benefit early-career scholars, but would also be important for more senior academics who supervise doctoral students and help shape research norms.

When authorship is transparent and openly discussed, it can empower stronger research teams, more equitable career progression and greater trust in the scientific process. Science is a team effort, and our systems for giving credit should reflect that reality.

As temperatures rise, many people will be using their BBQ or fire pit this summer – but there are important rules to know first

With the weather brightening up and summer fast approaching, plenty of people across the UK will be eager to make the most of the warmer conditions by throwing barbecue parties and garden gatherings. While these occasions can be great fun, there are still numerous rules and regulations people must be mindful of to minimise the risk of neighbourly disputes and potentially facing trouble with the local council.

In the UK, there are no national laws preventing you from having fire pits or BBQs in your own garden. However, you must still adhere to the ‘statutory nuisance’ rules and smoke control regulations. You’re entitled to enjoy your garden, but you also need to respect your neighbours’ right to enjoy their space without excessive smoke, noise, or fumes.

Under the statutory nuisance rules set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if your BBQ or fire pit generates smoke, fumes, or ash that persistently disrupts a neighbour’s well-being or comfort, your local council can issue an abatement notice. Failing to comply with an abatement notice can lead to a fine of up to £5,000.

If you’re located in a Smoke Control Area (SCA), you cannot allow smoke to escape from chimneys, including indoor stoves. And regarding outdoor fire pits, you must ensure you’re not causing a nuisance. SCAs are widespread throughout the UK, particularly in larger towns and cities.

In these areas, you cannot allow smoke to emerge from a chimney or burn any unauthorised fuel unless you’re using an “exempt” appliance (such as a stove approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). Breaching these rules could land you with a fine ranging from £175 to £300, or even up to £1,000 for purchasing unauthorised fuel.

Burning dangerous materials such as treated wood, plastic, and rubber is prohibited due to the toxic fumes they release. The Highways Act 1986 also prohibits lighting a fire that allows smoke to drift across a road, posing a risk to passing traffic, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Only use ‘ready to burn’ certified low-moisture wood (less than 20%) or smokeless fuel, especially if you’re situated within a Special Conservation Area (SCA). Ensure fire pits are positioned at least three meters from buildings, fences, and any overhanging branches to minimise fire hazards.

While no specific legislation governs timing, it’s advisable to avoid lighting fires late at night, particularly after 11pm, to steer clear of noise complaints. Loud conversations around a fire pit can be deemed a nuisance.

Under the Noise Act 1996, night-time hours run from 11pm to 7am, during which councils hold the power to issue warnings for excessive noise. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if smoke, fumes, or ash considerably interferes with a neighbour’s ability to enjoy their home, it could be deemed a legal nuisance.

When complaints are raised, Environmental Health Officers are empowered to step in. Failing to adhere to an abatement notice could land you with fines of up to £5,000. If you’re a tenant, check your tenancy agreement, as landlords can enforce stricter restrictions or ban them outright.

Installing a large, permanent brick fire pit typically doesn’t require planning permission, though safety regulations must still be observed. Gas fire pits, such as propane models, are broadly exempt from solid-fuel smoke regulations, making them a more suitable option for areas where smoke is a concern.

It’s considered good practice to give your neighbours advance notice before lighting a large fire pit or hosting a sizeable BBQ. Should a neighbour’s fire pit become a recurring problem, keep a record of the dates, times, and impact before contacting your local council’s environmental health department.

Occasional BBQs or fires — for instance, once or twice a month — are unlikely to be deemed a ‘statutory nuisance’ by a council. Rules can differ depending on your local authority, so always check with them directly if you’re in any doubt.

Thor’s application to get planning permission for its Parliament Street pitch for another five years has been approved by City of York Council.

Fabler, the company behind the venue, said they hoped the family-friendly venue would continue to help increase footfall in the city centre and give the space a sense of purpose.

Two public comments lodged about the plans claimed it would be visually intrusive and would affect street performers and nearby church services on Sundays.

Council planning officers stated it would not have any unacceptable effect on the surrounding area and listed buildings, with the space already used for a number of events.

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It comes ahead of Thor’s opening for this summer on Saturday, May 22.

Plans for the venue this year includes a Nordic-style tipi along with a bar, street food truck and a new family pop-up park provided by York’s Business Improvement District (BID).

It is also set to feature fire pits and a performance space for live music and other acts.

Thor’s is set to run in Parliament Street until Sunday, September 6.

It is set to open from 11am to 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday, until 9.30pm from Thursday to Saturday and until 8pm on Sundays.

Fabler, which also runs Dusk and House of Trembling Madness, is run by York-based couple Amanda and Richard Monaghan.

The firm’s plans stated they applied for permission for the pitch for 16 weeks between May and September until 2030 to save time and money by not lodging multiple applications.

An impression showing how Thor’s in Parliament Street, York, could look in 2026 (Image: Fabler)

Concerns raised in public comments on the plans include claims it would stop others from using the space for a significant portion of the year.

They also claimed an increase in footfall in an already busy pedestrian area could cause safety issues.

Thor’s plans stated their welcoming, fully-accessible venue aimed to draw in locals, visitors and families.

They added noise was not expected to affect any neighbouring homes or businesses, with its small speakers positioned to face away from them.

Plans stated: “Thor’s is more than just a bar, we’re community creators.

“The tipi has been developed in order to create a welcoming space.

“It will be a welcome break for families and shoppers- a green space for everyone to enjoy.”

Thor’s venues have been in York since 2015 when it first appeared as a pop-up bar during York Christmas Market.

Its Parliament Street venue first opened in 2021 and has become a yearly fixture since.

It is one of three in York along with Thor’s tipis in the grounds of The Milner hotel and a winter venue in Museum Gardens.

“There may well be gossip, there may well be rumours”

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has insisted he is focused on getting reselected to run as a candidate for his party in the next election amidst claims he could be ‘deselected’.

The ex Army captain has held an Assembly seat for the UUP in the Upper Bann constituency since 2016 but reports claim that Mr Beattie could be replaced as a party candidate.

There has been speculation that some within the UUP want to see another candidate run in Upper Bann at the next election in 2027. Councillor Kyle Savage’s name has been mooted by some as a potential candidate.

Mr Beattie said he would not comment on the UUP selection process as it is an “internal party process”, adding “it wouldn’t be right or proper for me to comment on that, so I won’t be commenting on that”.

READ MORE: ‘I never heard misogynistic language in PSNI’, says UUP leader Jon BurrowsREAD MORE: UUP leader ‘disgusted’ after character references provided for convicted paedo teacher

However, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show, Mr Beattie confirmed his name has gone forward as a potential UUP candidate to stand in the next Assembly election.

“It’s been in for quite some time, and I will go forward for selection and I will be selected or not selected,” he said.

“I’m now in the process and I can’t talk about that.”

Asked whether current UUP leader Jon Burrows supports his bid, Mr Beattie said: “Jon hasn’t stopped anyone from applying for an Assembly election, so Jon would support me putting my name forward in the same way he would support anyone else who is allowed to put their name forward.”

Mr Beattie added: “There may well be gossip, there may well be rumours, I’m focused on what I want, and what I want to do is represent the people of Upper Bann, and I will continue to do that, hopefully for the remainder of this mandate and will be selected to run for that next mandate. That’s what I’m focused on and that’s all I’m going to be focused on.

“If I am not selected, then I must decide where I go because there is a human element to all of this, and I’m human like everybody else, so I have to decide where I go if I am not selected.

“This is my job, this is what my family rely on, members of my staff, I’ve got staff members, and I’m worried about them as well, but that happens every single election. Every single election time is like the most visible job interview you’re ever likely to get.”

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LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told members of his Cabinet on Tuesday that he has no intention of resigning as calls within his Labour Party for him to step down grew louder.

Starmer is trying to shore up support within his Cabinet following a febrile few days in the wake of hefty losses for the Labour Party in local elections last week, which if repeated in a national election would see it overwhelmingly ejected from power.

The meeting, which lasted about an hour, took place as around 80 Labour backbenchers, or nearly a fifth of the party’s representation in the House of Commons, said Starmer should stand down, or at least set out a timetable for his departure. Under Labour party rules, 81 lawmakers are needed to formally trigger a leadership contest.

However, no one has yet announced they will stand as a candidate for the leadership, directly challenging Starmer.

First resignation

On Tuesday, junior minister Miatta Fahnbulleh became the first member of his government to step down, urging Starmer “to do the right thing for the country” and set a timetable for his departure.

Fahnbulleh, who is considered to be on the left of the party, said she was proud of her service, but that the government hadn’t acted with the vision, pace and mandate for change it had been given by voters.

“Nor have we governed as a Labour Party clear about our values and strong in our convictions,” she said.

Despite winning a landslide election victory in July 2024, Labour’s popularity has sunk and Starmer is getting much of the blame.

The reasons are varied, including a series of policy missteps, a perceived lack of vision, a struggling British economy and questions over his judgment — especially over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to Washington despite the envoy’s ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer defiant

At the start of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer said he took responsibility for the losses in last week’s local elections across the U.K. but that he would fight on. Labour was squeezed from right and left, losing votes to both the anti-immigrant Reform UK and the “eco-populist” Green Party, as well as nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales. The result reflects the increasing fragmentation of U.K. politics, long dominated by Labour and the Conservatives.

Starmer said that there’s a process to oust a leader and that it hadn’t been triggered.

Under Labour’s rules, candidates must have the support of a fifth of the party’s House of Commons lawmakers — a number that currently stands at 81.

“The country expects us to get on with governing,” Starmer said. “The past 48 hours have been destabilizing for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families.”

That cost was evident in financial markets on Tuesday, with the interest rate charged on British government bonds up by more than those of comparable nations — that shows that investors are putting a higher price on taking on government debt.

Some voices of support

As Cabinet ministers left 10 Downing Street, some voiced their support for the embattled prime minister.

Works and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said nobody publicly challenged Starmer at the meeting, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the prime minister was showing “really steadfast leadership.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, long believed to be preparing for a leadership challenge against Starmer, did not comment as he left the meeting.

“Wes Streeting, do you want the job, or not?” one person yelled from across the street. “Are you measuring the curtains?”

He was among senior ministers who dodged a barrage of shouted questions from a gaggle of reporters outside.

Though no one in his Cabinet has challenged Starmer, he will be aware that someone else within the parliamentary party could trigger the leadership process.

The next U.K. national election doesn’t have to be held until 2029, but British politics allows parties to change leader midterm without the need for a general election.

Starmer had hoped to regain momentum with a speech on Monday intended to kickstart his fightback, and an ambitious set of legislative plans to be set out by King Charles III at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.

___

Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.

The deal cements the Harrogate-based brewery as the club’s post-match celebration and recovery partner.

Cold Bath Brewing Co. is a Harrogate-based independent brewery known for its quality core range and Cold Bath ISO, an alcohol-free isotonic lager built for modern drinking occasions.

The club says the partnership puts Cold Bath at the heart of the hospitality matchday experience at the LNER Community Stadium, with the brewery’s range, including Cold Bath ISO, its unique alcohol-free isotonic lager, and perfectly positioned around the club’s post-match philosophy: Refresh, Restore, Reward.

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Brews in brief: Cold Bath Brewing Co

Jim Mossman, Founder of Cold Bath Brewing Co, said: “Partnering with York RLFC puts Cold Bath right at the centre of the matchday experience. “These are athletes who give everything on the pitch – for both the Knights and the Valkyries – and we want to be the brand that’s there when the final whistle blows.

“Whether it’s a cold one from our core range or Cold Bath ISO for the players in the locker room, we’re proud to be part of the journey from the last tackle to the first celebration.”

Karen Tyson, Chief Commercial Officer of York RLFC, said: “In the ever-evolving landscape of isotonic drinks, we are delighted to partner with Cold Bath – a brand with integrity and a vision that aligns perfectly with what York RLFC stands for.”

For the players, the partners say that means Cold Bath ISO – a carefully crafted alcohol-free isotonic lager designed to aid recovery, replenish what the game takes out, and taste like a reward rather than a compromise.

For supporters, it means raising a cold one in the stands or the bar knowing they’re drinking something made with the same care and commitment the team shows on the field.

The pair add Cold Bath’s Locker Room Partnership reflects a shared belief between brewery and club: that the moments after the final whistle – win or lose – matter just as much as the game itself.

Recovery is part of performance. Celebration is part of the culture. And the right drink makes both better.

The deal spans both the Knights and the Valkyries, making Cold Bath a partner across men’s and women’s rugby league in York, and marks another step in the brewery’s expansion across Yorkshire, they add.

Russia’s war in Ukraine is reaching a turning point as the initiative is likely shifting in Kyiv’s favour, experts monitoring the conflict say.

Moscow’s spring offensive failed to yield gains as its forces recorded a net territorial loss – of about 113 sq km – last month for the first time since August 2024, The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, claimed.

Battlefield losses are mounting as well, Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov claimed earlier this month, declaring a Russian casualty count of 35,000 per month, far more troops than Moscow would be able to recruit.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said Russia had no intention of ending the war, leaving Kyiv to brace for further attacks.

“Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we are, unfortunately, preparing for new attacks. ⁠But peace must come. That is exactly what we are working for,” he said.

Both sides reported fighting along the long frontline ​despite the ongoing ceasefire, and each accused the other of launching drone and artillery strikes.

Zelensky says Russia launched over 200 drones at Ukraine overnight

Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight at Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.

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“Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched against Ukraine. Aerial bombs were used again on the front – more than 80 of them, and over 30 air strikes were recorded. Attack drones were shot down in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, as well as in Kyiv and the region,” Zelensky said on X this morning, sharing photos of the areas hit in the overnight strikes.

He added that energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged in the attack.

“…there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway… People have been reported injured as a result of these strikes. And, unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he said.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 12:00

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Putin suggests war in Ukraine is ending

Vladimir Putin said after the Victory Day commemorations that he thought the war was coming to an end.

He said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, with Germany’s former chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, as his preferred partner.

But European foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on Monday, rejected Putin’s suggestion about Schroeder. They dismissed any role for Schroeder, who has worked for Russian state companies and cultivated a close relationship with Putin.

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Russian state news agencies reported yesterday that Russia’s defence ministry had said it had recorded 23,802 ceasefire violations by Ukraine since the start of the ceasefire.

Russian troops had responded ‌in kind to Ukrainian attacks, the ministry was quoted as saying.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 11:30

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The ex-German chancellor and Putin’s ‘buddy’ who Russia want to mediate Ukraine peace talks

Vladimir Putin hinted over the weekend that he foresaw the war in Ukraine coming to an end soon, while raising the prospect of talks with the EU to draw up new security arrangements for a post-war Europe.

The Russian president told reporters that he would be open to reopening lines of communication with Ukraine and Europe, ideally mediated by former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

“For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Schröder, is preferable,” Putin said, asked on Saturday if he was willing to engage with Europe.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 11:00

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UK sanctions dozens over ‘Russian campaign to deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children’

The UK has sanctioned dozens of people and entities allegedly involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children.

New measures target 29 people linked to a Russian campaign to forcibly deport and militarise children, and a further 56 linked to information warfare.

More than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and within the occupied territories of Ukraine.

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Among those forcibly deported, an estimated 6,000 children have reportedly been taken to re‑education camps and subjected to propaganda designed to erase Ukrainian identity.

As part of their response, the UK unveiled an additional £1.2m in funding to help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 10:35

Ukraine suggests ‘ceasefire’ for airports with Russia

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Europe can help the war-hit nation achieve a ceasefire with Russia – starting with each other’s airports first.

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“We probably need a new role of Europe in our peace efforts. Maybe we would try to resolve or to achieve a so-called airport ceasefire,” Sybiha told Politico yesterday in Brussels.

Sybiha, a close-aide of Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposal seeks a limited Moscow-Kyiv agreement not to strike airports which helps Putin as well.

The Russian leader, he said, may have an incentive to engage with such a deal which helps him protect major Russian hubs like Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport and St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport.

“Maybe our European allies, by establishing a platform, or maybe an ad hoc group, we could discuss [the airport ceasefire],” he said.

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Sybiha said Zelensky has already discussed the idea with some European leaders.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 10:15

Europe rejects Putin’s pick for peace mediator: ‘Not very wise’

The EU’s foreign policy chief on Monday rejected Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could represent Europe in future talks with Moscow on European security arrangements.

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Putin told reporters on Saturday that he believed the war was “coming to an end”, and said he would be open to negotiating new security terms with Europe, ideally via Schröder as a mediator.

But Kaja Kallas dismissed the offer this morning as she arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

“If we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, you know, that would not be very wise,” she said, adding that as Schroder had lobbied for Russian state companies, “he would be sitting on both sides of the table”.

After leaving office in 2005, Schroeder almost immediately took a job as chairman of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline consortium and has faced heavy criticism in Germany for his closeness to Putin.

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European Council President Antonio Costa said last week he believed there was “potential” for the EU to negotiate with Russia, and to discuss the future of the security architecture of Europe.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:55

Watch: Zelensky says Russia has ‘no intention’ of ending war

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:35

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Ukraine reports 180 battlefield clashes as fighting kills three

The General Staff of Ukraine’s military, in a Monday morning report, said 180 battlefield clashes had been recorded along the front line over the previous 24 hours.

The General Staff said on Monday ⁠afternoon that ​Russian troops had carried out 38 new assaults on Ukrainian positions, adding: “Artillery ​shelling of border areas continues.”

Regional governors in Ukraine reported on Monday that at least three people had been killed in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia and southern Kherson ​regions over the past 24 hours.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:15

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EU targets Russians with sanctions over alleged abduction of Ukrainian children

The European Union has imposed sanctions on 16 officials accused of helping Russia to abduct tens of thousands of children from Ukraine and force many to change their identities or be put up for adoption.

Sanctions were also slapped on seven centres suspected of indoctrinating the children or training them to serve in the armed forces, either for Russia or pro-Russian militias inside Ukraine.

Over 130 people and “entities” are now under EU travel bans and asset freezes over the abductions.

EU headquarters said the measures target “those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education, of Ukrainian minors, as well as their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories.”

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Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, about 20,500 children have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-held territories in eastern Ukraine.

EU officials say many of the children are stripped of their Ukrainian identity and culture, given Russian passports and put up for adoption. Some are forced into schools for indoctrination or into military camps.

“Russia is trying to erase their identity,” Latvian foreign minister Baiba Braže said yesterday at a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels, where the sanctions were endorsed.

“When you look at the Genocide Convention, it’s one of the features of the genocide crime. So, it’s very serious.”

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Arpan Rai12 May 2026 08:55

Zelensky says Russia launched over 200 drones at Ukraine overnight

Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight at Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.

“Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched against Ukraine. Aerial bombs were used again on the front – more than 80 of them, and over 30 air strikes were recorded. Attack drones were shot down in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, as well as in Kyiv and the region,” Zelensky said on X this morning, sharing photos of the areas hit in the overnight strikes.

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He added that energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged in the attack.

“…there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway… People have been reported injured as a result of these strikes. And, unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he said.

Arpan Rai12 May 2026 08:46