When Durde returned from further internships in 2015 and 2016 – with Dallas and the Atlanta Falcons – he continued to work for the NFL in London, sharing an office with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora.
The pair came up with the idea of a programme to help international athletes transition to the NFL, effectively an American football crash-course which became known as the International Player Pathway.
Durde later ran the programme, which helped Obada get signed by the Carolina Panthers in 2017. Later that year Durde was the first American football coach to work-out ex-rugby league player Jordan Mailata.
As with Obada, Durde soon saw his potential and the Australian came through the programme before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. He is now one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles and won last year’s Super Bowl.
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“Jordan went from not knowing any of the position names to being drafted in four months,” said Henry Hodgson, general manager of NFL UK & Ireland, who used to write a players’ diary for Durde on the NFL Europe website.
“For Aden to have uploaded enough of his knowledge for someone to be drafted and go on to where he is now, that tells you what a great teacher he is.”
It was then that Durde realised he could become an NFL coach.
“To do that from the UK is unprecedented because there isn’t an obvious pathway,” Hodgson added.
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“The fact that Aden not only has done it, but has got to the level he’s at now speaks to someone who is single minded, will figure stuff out for themselves and has the wherewithal to make something work if it’s their passion or their dream.”
Allen always felt that Durde, who had two head-coach interviews last month, had “the juice” to become an NFL coach.
“He has the authenticity and the communication skills, and when you have that, you can conjure belief in people,” he said.
“He’s a very honest person and I think a lot of people buy into that, pretty much instantly.”
It comes as part of its new Fans Reunited campaign, which is being fronted by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson
Greene King is giving away free pints of Guinness this weekend as the Six Nations rugby kicks off.
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To claim your free pint, you need to book a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 via the Greene King website. You will have to show confirmation of booking at the bar.
The deal is available at all Greene King sports pubs including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse and Belhaven. It comes as part of its new Fans Reunited campaign, which is being fronted by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, said: “Fans Reunited celebrates the unique role that sport, and the pub atmosphere, plays in bringing people together.
“By launching alongside the Guinness Six Nations and offering reunited fans a free pint on us, we want to spark those moments where old friends reconnect over a pint.
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“Just like the rugby legends joining us, we hope this encourages people to reach out to someone from their past, whether it’s an old coach, teammate, or school friend – and share the joy of the game together.”
Martin Johnson said: “Rugby has a unique way of bringing people together. Friendships formed through sport are unbreakable, and the ones that endure last a lifetime – exactly what Greene King’s Fans Reunited campaign celebrates.
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“Combined with the atmosphere of the pub, it takes the experience to the next level. It’s not just about the game; it’s about creating moments that reconnect old friends and strengthen the sense of community that makes rugby, and Fans Reunited, so special.”
It comes after the Treasury announced pubs and music venues will get 15% off their business rates bills from April as part of a major support package.
The Government hadbeen under pressure to act after changes made in the budget in November, alongside the end of support from the pandemic.
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the help support will be worth £1,650 for the average pub next year. Other hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cafes will not receive the same additional support.
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Mr Tomlinson said: “This decision will mean that the amount of business rates paid by the pub sector as a whole will be lower in 2028/29. It will also apply to music venues too. Many are valued as pubs and it would not be right to draw the line.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “We are pleased the Government has listened to our concerns, and those of publicans, consumers and MPs who rallied to defend our locals.
“This pub-specific package will stave off the immediate financial threat posed by accelerating business costs and will help keep the doors open for many.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at a family-run west London jewellers.
Two balaclava-wearing burglars took a sledgehammer to the front window of Gregory & Co in Richmond at around 10.30am on Saturday.
The pair bundled as much jewellery as they could from the front window into a bag before making off on foot.
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A vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery has been recovered and is being examined as part of the investigation.
The suspects, however, are still at large.
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Superintendent Craig Knight, who leads the Met’s neighbourhood policing in Richmond, said: “Officers are working at pace to identify and locate the men who carried out this robbery.
“We realise incidents of this nature can have a real impact on the local community, especially businesses and those who live in the area.
“Please be reassured that we will be relentless in bringing these people to justice and are pursuing several lines of inquiry.”
UK broadband company VISPA has informed customers that it has ceased trading.
The long-running provider shared plans to “commence liquidation proceedings” in an email to subscribers.
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UK internet service provider VISPA informed customers it has ‘ceased trading and decided to commence liquidation proceedings’ (stock image)Credit: Alamy
First launched in 1999, VISPA informed its customerbase that they will need to “immediately” find an alternative broadband provider.
The company sold a variety of Openreach based broadband packages and recently delved into full fibre (FTTP) broadband networks, as well as running its own Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network.
However, ISPreview previously reported a variety of issues facing the company, including overdue accounts, issues with the company’s legal address, and negative reviews on Trustpilot.
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Now, the outlet has reported that several VISPA customers have received an email from the company’s boss, informing them “that Vispa Limited has ceased trading and decided to commence liquidation proceedings”.
A women’s ice hockey match between Finland and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics has been postponed after a norovirus outbreak.
The preliminary match was due to get under way on Thursday until medics identified cases among the Team Finland camp.
A statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said: “The decision was taken following consultations with medical professionals after cases of norovirus were identified within Team Finland.
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“It was made collectively and in accordance with established health and safety principles, with the health and wellbeing of players, team staff, officials and all tournament participants as the highest priority.”
The IOC added that the move was “responsible and necessary” and reflected the “integrity” of the competition.
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The rearranged match will be played in the Rho Arena – a purpose-built temporary arena made exclusively for ice hockey – on 12 February.
The postponed match is among the most anticipated matches this year, with both sides among the favourites to claim gold.
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions after beating Team USA in the 2022 final in Beijing
Finland, who were beaten 11-1 by Canada that year, still went on to claim bronze.
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It is not the first time the Winter Games have been struck with a norovirus outbreak.
Fire service board members will now make decisions on their service review after the Scottish Parliament election
15:50, 05 Feb 2026Updated 15:50, 05 Feb 2026
A decision in the national fire service review which could impact crew hours and appliance locations across Lanarkshire has been delayed until after May’s Scottish Parliament election.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) officials say that they will be unable to complete the work of reviewing 3700 public consultation responses and making final board-level recommendations on the raft of proposals before a mandatory pre-election period in which public bodies are prevented from making significant announcements and policy decisions.
It means an outcome in the review – which could make permanent the withdrawal of the second fire engine from Hamilton, which was temporarily removed in 2023, and Lanarkshire shift changes including the introduction of on-call crewing – is now expected by late June, six months later than originally planned.
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SFRS last year ran a three-month public consultation on 30 change proposals affecting stations and crews across Scotland, with two options put forward for Lanarkshire; one of which would permanently withdraw Hamilton’s second appliance and switch another at Cumbernauld to staffing by wholetime firefighters from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and using on-call personnel outside those times while also carrying out necessary building repairs.
The other would reintroduce the second fire engine at Hamilton and add another at Bellshill, both crewed on a dayshift-only basis, with the second appliance at Cumbernauld having daytime cover from wholetime firefighters and then on-call crews outside those hours; along with introducing a nucleus crew of dayshift firefighters at Lesmahagow, to be “tactically deployed across the area when on-call availability is most challenging”.
Public events took place in Hillhouse and Lesmahagow during the consultation; while respondents included South Lanarkshire Council, who made an alternative proposal suggesting that second 24/7 fire engine be restored to Hamilton, citing the Bothwell Road’s more central location and motorway links compared to Cumbernauld.
SFRS chief officer Stuart Stevens told members of the Scottish Parliament’s criminal justice committee that the review process and recommendations will not now be completed before the crucial start date of the statutory pre-election period in March.
With independent researchers working to analyse both the thousands of public and staff responses plus “the operational evidence that informed the proposals”, he announced: “Regrettably, it is not feasible to complete the remaining work and internal governance processes before the pre-election period begins.
“Therefore, I can confirm that recommendations on the service delivery options will be made to the SFRS board following this period and final decisions will be made by the end of June.”
“We recognise the uncertainty this delay may create for staff, stakeholders and communities where changes are proposed; however, this is a complex process, and it is essential that we take a robust and considered approach.”
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He also told MSPs at the committee meeting that balancing the budget for 2026-27 remains “challenging” for the fire service, saying: “The draft budget for next year, along with the Scottish spending review, potentially creates a significant resource funding gap for the service.
“Discussions are ongoing as to how we can achieve a balanced budget this year and where additional savings can be made. Whilst the financial situation is challenging, we will do everything we can to protect our frontline services and prioritise the safety of our staff and the communities we serve.”
The public consultation included 18 public meetings and seven drop-in sessions attended by more than 800 people, plus 52 staff engagement events and nine online sessions.
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South Lanarkshire’s response supported the option reinstating a second fire engine to the Hamilton station, noting that they had “raised concerns” regarding its withdrawal in 2023. SFRS has always emphasised that Bothwell Road remains staffed at all times and say: “There is no option to change Hamilton’s appliance from 24/7 cover.”
The local authority advocated for two engines to be based at Hamilton following the service review to meet current and evolving demand, adding: “The area is highly populated [and] currently subject to long-term regeneration to reduce retail floorspace, including new-build development of approximately 450 homes, provision of student or hotel accommodation etc. Various aspects of the regeneration plan are significant developments.”
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The works are not expected to impact the local area
Extension work at a Cardiff high school has been given the go-ahead. Cardiff Council has approved plans to build a two-storey toilet block extension and an additional single-storey toilet extension at Corpus Christi High School in Lisvane. In addition internal works will be carried out to provide two further accessible toilets within the wider building. The application, lodged by the high school, says there is currently insufficient toilet capacity for the number of existing students.
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It continues: “The site is located within Corpus Christi Catholic High School main campus and will be tucked away out of view from public walkways/streets.”
The council planning officer’s report reads: “[The works] are located within the central area of the site and will not have any impact on neighbouring occupiers.”
It continues: “The works relate to the provision of accessible and additional toilets and associated facilities and do not facilitate any increase in pupil numbers.
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“The addition of these improved facilities is welcomed and is consistent with relevant policy requirements and legislative standards.”
It also outlines that the extensions are “considered acceptable and compatible with the character of the wider site”.
The extensions will be no more than 18m tall and will use “Equitone fibre cement cladding” to provide a lightweight cladding solution for “speed/ease of construction”.
The officer’s report called this acceptable as it is “consistent with more recent additions to the site”.
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The existing “material palette” at the school includes yellow bricks with circular white framed windows.
An existing extension on the site uses “dark grey fibre cement cladding”.
Mechanical ventilation for the extensions is “only for the purposes of extracting moist air from the interior” and would “pose no impact” on the nearby public.
A number of school pupils were turned away from the school on Wednesday (February 4).
13:54, 05 Feb 2026Updated 13:55, 05 Feb 2026
A teenager has been arrested after a Cambridgeshire school received a hoax bomb threat. Cambridgeshire Police were called to Ernulf Academy in Eynesbury, near St Neots, just before 9am on Wednesday (February 4).
The school put emergency procedures in place as a caution after receiving a bomb threat. Officer arrested a 15-year-old boy from Cambridgeshire on suspicion of suspicion of malicious communications.
He has since been bailed until May 3 with conditions not to enter or go within the school location. The school reopened as usual on Thursday (February 5).
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Sergeant Rob Streater, from the St Neots Neighbourhood Team, said: “Neighbourhood officers will be out on foot patrol today and Friday, and available to speak to anyone who may have concerns.
“On behalf of the school and local police, we would like to thank parents and members of the community for their support.”
ONE in five Brits admit Valentine’s Day is always an anti-climax, according to research.
A survey of 2,000 adults found while 21 per cent believe Valentine’s Day should be the most pleasurable day of the year, 42 per cent expect to miss out entirely.
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Over 40 per cent expect Valentine’s Day to be an anti-climaxCredit: Oliver DixonMark Wright partners with Gü Desserts to launch Saucy Stories, a multi-sensory audio seriesCredit: Oliver Dixon
Nearly a third (64 per cent) reckon Valentine’s Day celebrations fail to deliver because they feel forced.
As a result, 24 per cent plan to dial up indulgence more than ever this Valentine’s Day by treating themselves.
And this trend is being driven by the younger generations, with 43 per cent of Gen Z and 40 per cent of Millennials planning to do so.
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The research, commissioned by Gü Desserts, went on to reveal that outside of Valentine’s Day many Brits also aren’t prioritising pleasure in everyday life.
Nearly half say they are stuck in the same routine and cycle (48 per cent), 43 per cent aren’t making enough time for themselves and 39 per cent blame fast-paced, busy lifestyles.
However, many are most commonly getting these small uplifting moments from enjoying delicious food (46 per cent), and sitting on the sofa at the end of the day (33 per cent) and even sex and intimacy (30 per cent).
The UK is also increasingly turning to sound to regulate their moods and escape the mundane.
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More than one in seven (16 per cent) are turning to auditory escapism to intensify their daily lives, including Romantasy (42 per cent) and audio erotica (32 per cent).
The findings mark the launch of Gü’s ‘Saucy Stories’ campaign with Mark Wright and food psychologist Professor Charles Spence.
The immersive audio recordings are designed to create a sensory experience using deep, husky tones can intensify flavour and richness.
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Charles Spence said: “Flavour is more than just a matter of what tickles our tastebuds; it is a multi-sensory symphony.
“The science of sound proves that certain audible frequencies can alter our perception of food.
Nearly a third reckon Valentine’s Day celebrations fail to deliver because they feel forcedCredit: Oliver DixonThe UK is increasingly turning to sound to escape the mundaneCredit: Oliver Dixon
“Deep, ‘husky’ tones, like the ones used in the Saucy Stories, have been shown to intensify the richness of chocolate and the creaminess of textures.
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“By matching the right sounds with the right flavours, we’re essentially ‘hacking’ the senses to make every bite feel more intense and every flavour deeper and more enjoyable.”
Almost half of Brits (49 per cent) found that multi-sensory satisfaction can enhance their pleasure, yet 27 per cent feel they are missing out on this satisfaction their lives crave.
What’s more, the nation is stuck in a cycle of distracted consumption as 67 per cent regularly eat in front of the TV, averaging five days a week.
While 34 per cent admitted to scrolling on social media while snacking.
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Mark Wright, who also appeared in a saucy video to promote the decadent desserts, said: “We’re all guilty of distracted eating, scrolling through our phones while we are meant to be enjoying a treat.
“This Valentine’s Day, I’m showing the nation the “Wright” way to indulge.
“Narrating the Saucy Stories was about setting the ultimate mood, an audio experience that matches the intensity of dessert, helping people shut out the world, prioritise pleasure and treat themselves this February.”
The number 10 bus from Whinfield will stop at Sadberge and surrounding villages from April to July as part of a loop route to the east of Darlington and west of Stockton.
The extension has been agreed with Arriva to serve the village, which would otherwise be left with no service after the Tees Flex on-demand bus service halts at the end of March.
Service 10 will operate once an hour via Great Burdon, Sadberge, Little Stainton, Bishopton, Redmarshall, Carlton, Thorpe Thewles, Stillington and Great Stainton in an anticlockwise loop, returning to Sadberge and rejoining the service at Whinfield.
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Darlington Borough Council Leader Steve Harker said: “For Sadberge, having a regular bus service is very important.
“This service means the village stays connected to Darlington town centre, Stockton and neighbouring communities, which will help residents get to work, education, healthcare and shops.”
Cllr Harker, who is also TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, added: “While we’re seeing some positive trends in service coverage across Tees Valley, what really matters is how people experience those services day-to-day.
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“We want to look at how we can strengthen and improve the network in the longer-term as part of a wider review with increased investment in our transport system.”
Meanwhile, two new Stagecoach routes will also begin in April and run until July.
Service X86 will connect Redmarshall to Stockton High Street via Whitton, Stillington and Bishopton, Roseworth and University Hospital of North Tees, while Service 51 will link Dalton Piercy and Elwick with Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Hartlepool Town Centre.
Local Conservative MP Matt Vickers said rural communities deserve proper access to public transport.
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Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “If we’re serious about creating good jobs and growing our economy, then local people must be able to access new opportunities right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
“We’re already seeing more stops getting more frequent services, which shows progress is being made, but we want to do more across road, rail and in the air.
“With increased funding coming into our region, and big transport projects nearing completion, we’re determined to go further and build a network that genuinely supports our people, backs our businesses and helps our growth as a region.”
An Australian man has been charged with child abuse-related offences after an investigation uncovered more than 23,000 videos and images linked to 459 victims, some as young as seven.
Queensland Police said a 27-year-old suspect, initially arrested in February 2025, has now been charged with 596 offences.
Detectives alleged he actively targeted children, most aged between seven and 15, on social media and gaming platforms in Australia and overseas between 2018 and 2025.
The investigation, known as Operation Xray Wick, has so far identified 259 children. In a statement, the force said it was working with international partners “to ensure every victim is identified and supported”.
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Police allege the man, who has not been named, created multiple online profiles, posing as male and female to groom victims and record thousands of images and videos.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group released body-worn camera footage of their operation in 2025, showing officers seizing electronic devices from the man’s home in Maryborough, about 140 miles (230km) north of Brisbane.
Image: Body-worn camera footage showing officers seizing evidence as part of their investigation. Pic: Queensland Police
Acting chief superintendent Denzil Clark, from Queensland Police, said: “Due to the volume of images and videos of children on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and commitment.
“This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending. We are seeing an increasing prevalence of children being groomed, coerced, or threatened into taking and sending sexual images of themselves, often through popular apps, games, and social media sites.
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“The trauma that this causes a child is significant.”
The man is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
He is charged with: 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service; 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age; and 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service.
