GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Yuji, a 6-week-old patas monkey in Mexico, wakes up every day clinging to a stuffed dog. More than a toy, this plush companion acts as a surrogate mom after the tiny primate was rejected by his own mother, Kamaria, a first-time parent unable to form a maternal bond.

Weighing a mere 673 grams (1.4 pounds), Yuji represents the most recent case of assisted rearing at the Guadalajara Zoo in western Mexico.

The story of Yuji has captured the attention of the Mexican public, drawing parallels to Punch, the Japanese macaque that went viral on social media after growing up clinging to a stuffed orangutan following his mother’s rejection.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

The DWP is also offering grants up to £3,000

Universal Credit claimants may be entitled to some extra support and payments. The DWP has released an update regarding a grants scheme designed to assist claimants, as part of a wider package of reforms.

The Government issued the update in response to a written question from an MP. Liberal Democrat representative Dr Al Pinkerton asked ministers what assistance is available to help young people into employment.

DWP minister Andrew Western provided the Government’s response. He set out what support is on the way to help young people into work. The minister said: “Building on the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement at Budget, the Government committed a further £1billion for young people on 16th March 2026, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5billion over the next three years.

“This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.” He shared some details of a grant scheme designed to assist employers in taking on and upskilling younger workers.

New grants available

The minister said: “The Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18 to 24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16 to 24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.”

A previous Government report indicated these grants could benefit around 60,000 young people over a three-year period. The DWP has also announced that from autumn 2026, the Jobs Guarantee will be extended to all eligible 18 to 24-year-olds who are claiming Universal Credit and have been seeking employment for 18 months.

Government guidance states: “They will benefit from 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work. Young people on the scheme will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.”

The minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 currently stands at £10.85 per hour, or £12.71 for anyone aged 21 and above. At these rates, an 18 to 20 year old working 25 hours a week would take home £271.25 weekly, or £7,052.50 across six months. Someone aged 21 or over would earn £317.75 a week, or £8,261.50 over the same period.

Expanded support

Mr Western spoke about what other support is being brought in as part of the same package of reforms. He said: “The Government is delivering 8 Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introducing a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres.

“The Gateway will provide 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.” Further plans are also in place to bolster support in schools.

This includes widening access to work experience opportunities, as well as plans to work with local authorities to automatically enrol students into further education.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot finds himself facing a crunch Premier League trip to Everton after the Reds’ elimination from the Champions League

After seeing their Champions League dreams ended by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Liverpool are braced for a huge Merseyside derby over the weekend. Defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium could increase the pressure on manager Arne Slot, who has found things tough during the Reds’ title defence.

Slot’s team go into this weekend’s fixtures in fifth place in the Premier League table, with Chelsea four points behind them and Brentford and Everton one further back. Five English teams will qualify for next season’s Champions League through their league position but there is little margin for error.

Just 24 hours after Liverpool dropped out of Europe, their former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold followed suit. Alexander-Arnold and his Real Madrid team-mates gave themselves a fighting chance of overturning a first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich but were ultimately undone by two late goals.

We’ve got a pointed reaction from the right-back’s brother as well as a fresh verdict on Slot’s future. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around Anfield.

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READ MORE: Liverpool confirm extent of Hugo Ekitike injury as devastating statement issuedREAD MORE: Ousmane Dembele makes Liverpool thoughts clear after decisive PSG victory

Alexander-Arnold’s brother speaks out

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brother Marcel snapped back at Liverpool fans while on a stream during Real Madrid’s European exit. The comment which appeared to prompt the response involved a Reds supporter asking “weren’t you a Liverpool fan yesterday?” and this prompted him to bring up the Reds’ home defeat.

“I am a Liverpool fan but the hate that comes in here comes purely from Liverpool fans. So I will stand on business,” Marcel replied. “Listen, I am a Real Madrid fan but when Liverpool win, I’m happy to see them win. But I care more about my brother than I care about Liverpool. Simple as that.

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“So if someone is hating on my brother, I will roast whatever team you support. If it’s Liverpool, then so be it. Your team got cooked yesterday. Relax.”

Slot sack verdict

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Liverpool can’t sack Arne Slot so soon after the Dutch coach delivered a league title. Speaking on Stick to Football, Keane backed the Merseyside club to still end the season in the Champions League places.

“Yeah, you can’t be sacking the manager a year after winning the league,” the Irishman said. “They’re [the fans] restless. Of course, but aren’t most fans?

“It’s about how they finish the season. They’ve got United in a couple of weeks. So, they’re big games emotionally for the fans, aren’t they? But I’ll think they’ll be fine for top five.”

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Rivas Hernandez – who lived about 75 miles (120km) away from where her body was discovered – had last been reported missing by her family in April 2024, but it was not the first time she had run away from their Lake Elsinore home. A first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from El Salvador, neighbours recognised her as a girl who would visit the corner store almost daily to buy candy and soda, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This week’s Q&A takes a look at how defensive plans are shaping up for next season as well as potential arrivals over the summer.

Manchester City have given themselves a chance of doing something very special. Their win over Chelsea on Sunday followed Arsenal’s shock home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth to spice up the title race and set up a titanic clash between the top two this Sunday.

Having already claimed the Carabao Cup and with Southampton standing in their way of a fourth straight FA Cup final, City are starting to dream of the Premier League again. With so much going on at the club, we’ll be hosting weekly Q&A sessions with our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski.

The day of the week it comes out on may change depending on what City’s schedule looks like, but essentially this is your chance to get an answer on anything you want – simply pop your question here at any time of the week and Simon will pick them all up and wrap everything up in one place.

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This week we are looking at some of the potential incomings this season and how the defence could shape up next season with another batch of young players pushing to be part of City’s plans. Elliot Anderson remains City’s top target for the summer window but there are set to be other moves in both directions.

I’m curious about the extent of our contact with Anderson, including whether an official bid has been made and what the expected transfer fee might be. There has been talk about viewing him as a number 8, so I’m wondering if he is considered purely as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, and if a midfielder like Kovacic were to leave, whether we would sign another midfielder. Lastly, I’d appreciate any updates on our progress in bringing in a new right-back. ddide

What’s the update on Elliot Anderson to City? MCFC1894

The update on Elliot Anderson is that there isn’t much to update on Elliot Anderson. My colleague Jeremy Cross, the chief sports writer for Reach’s national titles, reported last week that City believe they have won the race to sign him and that Anderson wants a move. It feels like the Morgan Gibbs-White deal last season that City lined up, where it isn’t to say that it will definitely happen but things are in place before the end of the season. Before then, though, City are trying to win two trophies, and Anderson is trying to keep Forest in the Premier League while also upsetting the odds and attempting to win the Europa League. It is a busy time for both that doesn’t need to be interrupted with anything transfer-related.

It is definitely a possibility that City sign two midfielders this summer and there are players that they like; Sandro Tonali is one name that has cropped up who could well be available given Newcastle’s position. But it depends on whether City feel like they need another player in that position and what kind of price point they are looking at. Nico Gonzalez will expect to take a heavy chunk of Bernardo Silva’s minutes, providing he stays, while Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden will also be looking for more.

Add in Rico Lewis if he stays and Nico O’Reilly who can move into midfield and there are lots of options for City. Signing one midfielder is a necessity that is basically set in stone for the window but any more remain up in the air.

How can we improve our defence? I feel like that has been our major concern all season. We’ve lost or tied games we should’ve won but the defence didn’t show up. Thank you, from Chicago! Andrew Gomez

Thanks for the question, Andrew. I must admit it’s not the question I expected after three clean sheets in a row against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, but equally all of those games contained top saves from either James Trafford or Gianluigi Donnarumma. City have been pretty fortunate to have not conceded any goals in the last three games and they will have to be switched on if they are to keep Arsenal out on Sunday.

Strangely, I’d say they’ve been okay from set-pieces but it has been more in open play that they have been caught out with O’Reilly or Nunes targeted. I’d say City’s fortunes now will be more about their attack though. They were sticky in March and Erling Haaland had been struggling but now they’ve shown they can dominate teams and score multiple goals when they are on top. If the attack is clicking, the defence should take care of itself.

What have you heard about Vitor Reis’s future at City? Will he be part of the club’s defensive lineup next season? Vladimir

With Guehi and Khusanov being incredible, Gvardiol back soon and Reis doing amazing, why would City not cash out on Dias this summer? Seb

Vitor Reis is a player who impressed enough for City to sign him in January 2025 and his reputation has gone up since then. He has looked really good in a Girona team that has got better and better this season, and he has eyes on returning to Manchester next term and being part of Guardiola’s plans. When you consider the players already there though, it isn’t a given. Which one of Gvardiol, Dias, Guehi and Khusanov would Reis be starting ahead of at the beginning of the next campaign?

It would be controversial if it were any of them, in which case Reis could decide to be part of the group anyway and force his way into Guardiola’s thinking, but equally, having played for a year in Spain’s top division, the best option may be to build his reputation that way. William Saliba joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old and spent the first three years of his deal on loan before coming in as a ready-made option at the Emirates, and at 20 Reis has time on his side.

City have plenty of other contenders to fill that fifth spot if it isn’t deemed right for Reis. Max Alleyne and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey have both been out on loan this season and would be a greener option for that place in the squad. City had five central defenders this term and still ended up needing to bring back Alleyne from his loan and then sign Marc Guehi in January to be able to survive the season, so quite why they’d want to sell one of their senior defenders and probable captains in Dias is beyond me.

I recently read reports mentioning that Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza is a transfer target for City. I’m curious to know if he is actually on our shortlist and whether there is a possibility of signing him this summer. Yjj

Hi, you read correctly! Although it may depend on what you view as a target. He is definitely a player that City have watched and like, but the list that that places him on is not short. City have obviously had plenty of success recruiting from the Bundesliga and Maza is an interesting prospect, it is just that City have other priorities for the window so will concentrate on that business and then see what they need and want. Hugo Viana has already shown that he is willing to strike if he feels an opportunity is there so Maza is one to keep an eye on, even if there are many more like him.

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When do you expect City to be going on tour and why no announcement yet? Hugo

Hi Simon, I was wondering if you have any insight into this summer’s pre-season tour plans. With many senior players likely to be unavailable due to the World Cup, is the club considering an overseas tour—perhaps to places like Korea or Japan—with a squad made up largely of younger players? Or is it more likely that you’ll opt for a smaller, warm-weather training camp in somewhere like the UAE instead? I’m sure overseas fans like myself are very curious about where the team will be heading for pre-season this summer. TJ Lee

Fans will soon find out about the tour, although it’s worth pointing out there is a lot of uncertainty owing to the war in Iran. A warm-weather training camp in the UAE does not sound as appealing as it did before all the bombs started flying around that area of the world. It is likely that nearly everyone in the City squad barring a handful (if that) of senior players will be at the World Cup but I am not expecting a watered-down tour even if City have to push the schedule a bit later and have more from the squad join up for later parts of it. The other big question for the tour is will Guardiola still be in charge to oversee it? You would expect an answer on that in the coming weeks as well.

Aldi made the donations over the Easter period as part of its wider food redistribution efforts across the UK, supporting families facing extra expenses during the school holidays.

Aldi has helped provide more than 1,600 meals to people in need across County Durham during Easter as part of its UK-wide food redistribution efforts. (Image: Daniel Graves Photography)

Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “We know the school holidays can put real pressure on families who may already be struggling – especially when it comes to putting food on the table.

“By working with Neighbourly, we can ensure good food reaches families who need it, rather than going to waste.

“That’s food on people’s plates that might otherwise have been missed.”

The supermarket chain works in partnership with Neighbourly, a community engagement platform, to donate surplus fresh and chilled food to charities and community groups.

The scheme aims to ensure families can enjoy festive occasions, regardless of their financial situation.

Aldi’s nationwide food donation programme connects each of its UK stores with a local charity or community organisation to make use of surplus food throughout the year.

More than 710,000 meals were donated across the UK during the recent school holidays, with more than 14 organisations in County Durham alone benefiting from the scheme.

The donations contribute to Aldi’s ongoing partnership with Neighbourly, which has seen the delivery of the equivalent of more than 50 million meals since the collaboration began in 2019.

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: “Aldi’s commitment means local charities and community groups can rely on regular food donations to support people in their communities.

“For many of these organisations, that consistent support is vital – helping them provide food day in, day out.”

Beyond the Neighbourly partnership, Aldi works with other organisations to redistribute surplus goods.

This includes Company Shop Group, which distributes excess food and household products from Aldi’s Regional Distribution Centres to households across the UK.

The supermarket has also expanded its work with The Bread and Butter Thing, enabling suppliers across the UK to donate products that cannot be sold in stores—such as items with packaging damage or labelling errors—but are still perfectly good to eat.

He said: “And for those who are able to, picking up an extra item to donate in store can make a real difference to local communities.”

Residents in Toronto, Canada have been left shaken after a blast sent shockwaves through the city.

Video footage circulating online captures the scene following the incident, which appears to have occurred close to Downsview Airport, a decommissioned military airfield.

Posting another image online, one user wrote: “Barely caught this explosion in Toronto, made a whole Twitter account to ask what’s going on.”

A second commented: “Explosion aftermath in Toronto around downsview airport.”

An election gimmick calling for price controls is asking for trouble, says Record View.

Basket case plan doesn’t check out

High school pupils currently ­studying for their Nat 5 exam in economics could have warned John Swinney of the perils of the state dictating price controls. The First Minister is right to want to do more to ease the cost-of-living crisis which continues to hammer household budgets.

But state intervention on how much shops can charge for everyday items like bread or milk is asking for trouble. As a student of political history, the SNP leader should be aware of the mess Ted Heath’s Tory government found itself in during the early 70s when it introduced price controls across the UK in a desperate bid to reduce inflation.

The sums didn’t add up then and they don’t look any better in 2026. The independent Institute of Fiscal Studies yesterday warned that price controls could have the unintended consequence of creating shortages on supermarket shelves.

If prices for basic items such as bread are set above the market average, the policy is toothless. But if prices are set below, the sober-minded IFS warns this “radical and risky” position could cause havoc.

Given the polling lead commanded by the SNP with three weeks until the ­Holyrood election, it’s incredible that senior party figures agreed on such a bonkers policy. They might have no intention of seeing it through, and instead view it as a pleasing distraction from their ­decidedly patchy domestic record in office since 2007.

But it’s now caused many Scots to question whether the party can be trusted to run the economy.

READ MORE: John Swinney warned price cap plan for food will ‘line the pockets of lawyers’ instead of ordinary Scots

OPINION

Paul Hutcheon

No friend of ours

In his latest foray to Scotland, Nigel Farage has chosen to treat us to his views on independence. The Reform UK leader said IndyRef2 would be “quite reasonable” if the issue becomes “relevant” in future.

He said he remains opposed to ­independence but said he cannot predict how people will feel about the issue in 20 years’ time. The reality is Farage cares not a jot about Scotland and his views about independence are irrelevant.

He is no fan of the Scottish Parliament and would scrap the Barnett Formula, which provides Holyrood with a funding boost, in a heartbeat. Independence is a live issue north of the border but it is the people of Scotland whose views count.

Farage is nothing more than an occasional day tripper whose bar room outbursts should be ignored. He is a menace and voters across the UK should give him the cold shoulder.

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