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This dog was there when Manchester needed her, now she needs you

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Manchester Evening News

A much-loved dog who became a Greater Manchester lockdown hero has prompted a huge fundraising effort after she began losing her sight. Hattie, a 12-year-old cocker spaniel, won the Manchester Evening News Lockdown Dog Hero competition in 2020 after readers voted for her from a shortlist of 20 dogs.

She had accompanied her owner Andrew Bacon, now 62, to work every day during lockdown, where she helped put smiles on the faces of staff at the Lancastrian Office Centre at Old Trafford cricket ground.

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Six years on, Hattie has continued to bring joy to people through her Facebook page – Hattie ‘The Cocker Spaniel’ – where Andrew, from Stretford, shares her adventures with her thousands of followers.

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Now, those followers are rallying around Hattie after she developed cataracts as a result of diabetes and began to lose her sight.

A fundraiser has been launched by family friend Lisa Davis to help pay for vet treatment that could improve her vision. Hattie has already been prescribed eye drops four times a day, and could face an operation costing £5,100 for one eye or £6,100 for both, according to the fundraising page.

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The fundraiser has so far raised £3,670 of its £4,000 target – and owner Andrew says he has found the response “humbling”.

Andrew says people have been telling him they want to help Hattie because of the comfort she has brought them over the years.

“It’s really humbling,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “She has a huge following all over the world, not just here.

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“People keep saying, ‘We’re going to help you, Hattie, because you helped us through lockdown.’ It’s so lovely. People have rallied round. It’s amazing, really. I just can’t believe it.”

During lockdown, Hattie became a familiar face to staff at Andrew’s workplace, helping deliver post around the building and even getting behind the wheel of the car park sweeper in her hi-vis jacket.

Andrew also created a Facebook page documenting her adventures, which has continued to grow since then. He has held Christmas evenings with Hattie online, which he says have become something people look forward to, particularly those who may otherwise feel lonely during the festive period.

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“Even people who have lost their own dogs and haven’t been able to have another one because of the heartbreak have taken to Hattie,” Andrew said. “People who have their own dogs have kind of adopted Hattie as well.

“She brings such joy into people’s lives and I get so much pleasure from that. You can’t put it into words.”

Now, members of that online community are trying to give something back to this much-loved pup. Hattie was diagnosed with diabetes around 18 months ago after Andrew noticed she was drinking significantly more water and having accidents in the house.

Andrew said: “I came home from work and her water bowl was bone dry. I filled it up and she drank it again while I was there.

“She also started having a wee in the kitchen while I was out. She’d never done that before in her life.

“I took her to the vets and told them what was happening. They did blood tests and checks, and the results came back that she had diabetes.

“It was a bit of a shock. It has to be controlled with insulin, and there’s quite a long, time-consuming process to get the right dose, the right kind of insulin and the number of times each day that you have to administer it.

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“I had to learn to give her the injections as well, which was a bit tricky, but I managed to get it under control.”

Andrew said Hattie’s diabetes has since settled down, but one of its effects has been the development of cataracts, meaning she’s now dealing with sight loss.

Andrew added: “She’s coping really well, but unfortunately the cataracts are causing quite a nasty condition in her eyes.

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“We’ve been referred to an eye specialist…We’ve now got a routine with about four different types of drops.

“When we go back in two weeks, we’ll go through the possibilities of surgery to remove the cataracts.

Hattie is now on special food and needs regular insulin, with her ongoing care costing around £100 to £120 a month. Andrew says he was prepared to sell his motorbike to help cover the “very expensive” cost of the eye treatment, but says the funds raised will help significantly.

Andrew is also keen to raise awareness of diabetes in dogs, after learning how quickly the condition can develop.

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He said: “Maybe a lot of people don’t realise their pets are diabetic and think they’re drinking water because they’re thirsty, or weeing in the kitchen for another reason.

“If people can be aware of that, it may save people’s pets’ lives. They don’t pass away early or be put to sleep because of organ failure.”

You can visit Hattie’s fundraiser via the link HERE.

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Best anti-dandruff shampoos 2026, according to scalp experts

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Best anti-dandruff shampoos 2026, according to scalp experts

All of us are likely to encounter or deal with dandruff during our lives. While you might feel slightly embarrassed by visible flakes on your scalp or clothes, “it’s very common and around half of all adults will experience it at some point,” says Dr. Amy Vowler, NHS GP and Hair Restoration Doctor at Hair GP.

And dandruff doesn’t just appear on its own as flakes or scales; you may also experience everything from an itchy or irritated scalp to tightness and redness. At the same time, “it’s not a hygiene problem; it’s your scalp overreacting to the yeast that lives on all of us.”

So, while it’s not necessarily anything to worry about in the long term, many of us will want to clear it up as quickly and effectively as we can, which is where the best anti-dandruff shampoo comes into play.

After testing out over 12 options over the past few months and selecting my top picks, I’ve also consulted with experts for tips on how to tackle the common scalp condition.

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Best anti-dandruff shampoos at a glance



Best overall – Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Treatment Shampoo: £6.67, Amazon.co.uk

Best budget buy – E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo; £7.45, Amazon.co.uk

Best for sensitive scalps – VICHY Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: £12, Boots.com

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Best for itchy scalps – Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: £32, Philipkingsley.com

Best for everyday use – Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Dandruff Control Shampoo: £8, Boots.com

best shampoo for dandruff

Ellis Cochrane/The Standard

When testing each anti-dandruff shampoo, I noted how the formulation dealt with visible flakes, itching, irritation and any redness. I also made a point not to use any other in-shower hair products for the duration of around 14 days, to give each shampoo a fair test.

I also considered their value for money and how hydrating or drying they were, both on my scalp and my hair more generally. As with any anti-dandruff shampoo, you will need to get into the habit of leaving it on your scalp for around five minutes to allow it to get to work; otherwise, it won’t be as effective.

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“In simple terms, dandruff presents as loose flakes of skin that shed from the scalp onto your shoulders,” says Eva Proudman, Leading Consultant Trichologist FIT IATF. “It can be caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast that is naturally present on the scalp and can be exacerbated by using leave-in products that sit on the scalp, trapping oil and sweat on the scalp. It isn’t infectious and can be cleared with daily washing and a shampoo with active ingredients that effectively clean the scalp.”

Which ingredients should I be looking out for when shopping for an anti-dandruff shampoo?

“Ketoconazole 2 per cent is a great one (often seen as Nizoral) and is the antifungal with the best evidence,” Dr. Vowler admits. “However, you need to leave it on your wet scalp for 3 minutes before washing it off (most people wash it straight off and this will not work). It can also dry out the scalp, so you shouldn’t use it too often. Piroctone Olamine is a modern anti-yeast ingredient that you’ll see in most UK supermarket anti-dandruff shampoos. Another good anti-fungal option is Selenium Sulphide and Salicylic Acid, which lifts and loosens the visible scale (I often use this alongside an antifungal rather than instead of).”

How long can it take for an anti-dandruff shampoo to improve dandruff and show results?

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“You should see results in 2-4 weeks of regular use,” Dr Vowler explains. So, don’t necessarily expect to see an immediate or overnight improvement. It’s also worth noting that “dandruff can only be controlled, not cured, so once it’s settled, it’s worth integrating it into a regular maintenance regime (using the special shampoos less often), or it tends to return. If there is no meaningful improvement after 4-6 weeks, then it’s time to seek specialist advice.”

What are the best anti-dandruff shampoos?

Choosing the best anti-dandruff shampoo for you and your scalp will likely depend on your scalp type – from oily or sensitive to dry – as well as whether you have any ongoing scalp conditions.

Taking all of this into consideration, the Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Treatment Shampoo was my top overall pick. Its medicated formulation resulted in the best – and quickest – results out of all of the options that I put to the test.

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Why trust me?

With over six years of experience putting all manner of products to the test, from the best mascaras and perfumes to scalp scrubs and chemical peels, I test hundreds of skincare, haircare, makeup and fragrance products each year. You might also have seen my beauty reviews for titles such as IndyBest, Expert Reviews, Prima, Tyla and more.

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Dakota Johnson flashes her underwear in a sheer lace dress as she joins co-star Josh Hartnett at the Verity premiere – while her heavily pregnant co-star Anne Hathaway is absent

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Dakota Johnson flashed her underwear in a sheer lace dress at the Verity premiere in London on Thursday night - while her heavily pregnant co-star Anne Hathaway was absent

Her heavily pregnant co-star Anne Hathaway may have been absent for the star-studded Verity premiere in London on Thursday night.

But Dakota Johnson still managed to make it a red carpet to remember as she turned heads in a sheer white lace dress that revealed her Fleur du Mal underwear.

The actress, 36, left little to the imagination in the racy number as she posed at the Curzon Mayfair in central London with her co-star Josh Hartnett.

Hathaway, 43, will imminently be welcoming her third child with her husband Adam Shulman and was seen out in New York on Monday where she displayed her bump.

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She stars as the bestselling author Verity Crawford in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, while Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh – a struggling writer hired to complete the remaining books in Verity’s successful series after a mysterious accident leaves her debilitated.

By Johnson’s side on the red carpet Hartnett – who plays Verity’s devoted husband Jeremy Crawford – looked dapper in a black suit. 

Dakota Johnson flashed her underwear in a sheer lace dress at the Verity premiere in London on Thursday night – while her heavily pregnant co-star Anne Hathaway was absent

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The actress, 36, left little to the imagination in the revealing cream lace number as she posed on the red carpet at the Curzon Mayfair in central London with her co-star Josh Hartnett

The actress, 36, left little to the imagination in the revealing cream lace number as she posed on the red carpet at the Curzon Mayfair in central London with her co-star Josh Hartnett

Hathaway looked ready to pop on a rare public outing with her entire family on Monday.

The A-lister, who announced she was expecting back in June, showcased her growing baby bump on a leisurely stroll in NYC. 

She was joined by 45-year-old actor husband Adam and their two sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, six.

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Hathaway and Shulman, who tied the knot in 2012, looked every bit the attentive parents as they each held hands with one of their kids and each other.

Verity was adapted for the screen by Nick Antosca and directed by Michael Showalter. 

It follows Ashleigh, a down-on-her-luck writer who gets an unexpected lifeline with a dream offer.

Crawford (Hathaway) is a successful thriller writer, but after a mysterious accident leaves her debilitated, her husband Jeremy (Hartnett) enlists Lowen to ghostwrite her final books. 

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Once Lowen begins work at the couple’s opulent estate, she discovers an unfinished manuscript that threatens to reveal dark secrets about Verity and her husband’s pasts. 

Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh in the film – a struggling writer hired to complete the remaining books in Verity's successful series

Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh in the film – a struggling writer hired to complete the remaining books in Verity’s successful series

She left little to the imagination in the revealing dress

She left little to the imagination in the revealing dress

Johnson looked stunning in the cream lace number which revealed her black underwear

Johnson looked stunning in the cream lace number which revealed her black underwear 

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Verity was adapted for the screen by Nick Antosca and directed by Michael Showalter

Verity was adapted for the screen by Nick Antosca and directed by Michael Showalter

By Johnson's side on the red carpet Hartnett - who plays Verity's devoted husband Jeremy Crawford - looked dapper in a black suit

By Johnson’s side on the red carpet Hartnett – who plays Verity’s devoted husband Jeremy Crawford – looked dapper in a black suit

Verity will be released in cinemas on October 2

Verity will be released in cinemas on October 2

Johnson was commanding attention on the red carpet for the Verity premiere

Johnson was commanding attention on the red carpet for the Verity premiere 

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Hathaway stars as the bestselling author Verity Crawford in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, while Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh

Hathaway stars as the bestselling author Verity Crawford in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, while Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh

The young writer is forced to continue her work for Jeremy while trying to determine if the writings are merely fiction, or a disturbing warning from a dangerous woman. 

Verity will be released in cinemas on October 2.

Hathaway’s fans recently dubbed her the ‘enemy of unemployment’, after announcing another movie role after already starring in five films this year. 

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She revealed earlier this month that she will appear alongside Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder 2, due in theaters summer 2028. 

This year, Hathaway has had multiple blockbuster performances, starring in Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey and The End of Oak Street as well as Verity.

She was amid the press tour for The Devil Wears Prada 2 in June when she confirmed her surprise third pregnancy. 

Hathaway shared her happy news by giving fans a glimpse at her growing belly in an Instagram reel and attaching the Barbara Lewis song Baby, I’m Yours. 

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Remarking on becoming pregnant in her 40s, she told Access Hollywood: ‘There’s always hope until there’s not, but when you get to a certain age, that hope looks like one percent to two percent.

‘So we just decided to see where life took us, with a very, very healthy, realistic expectation, which was very low. 

Hathaway shared: ‘We’re overjoyed because we just know from personal experience that not everybody gets this, and certainly not when you want it – sometimes not ever.’

The story follows Ashleigh (Johnson), a down-on-her-luck writer who gets an unexpected lifeline with a dream offer

The story follows Ashleigh (Johnson), a down-on-her-luck writer who gets an unexpected lifeline with a dream offer

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The young writer is forced to continue her work for Jeremy while trying to determine if the writings are merely fiction, or a disturbing warning from a dangerous woman

The young writer is forced to continue her work for Jeremy while trying to determine if the writings are merely fiction, or a disturbing warning from a dangerous woman

The actresses shared an intense kiss in a trailer for the upcoming psychosexual thriller, released by Amazon MGM Studios in April

The actresses shared an intense kiss in a trailer for the upcoming psychosexual thriller, released by Amazon MGM Studios in April

The pair posed up a storm on the red carpet

The pair posed up a storm on the red carpet 

It was still a night to remember despite Hathaway being absent

It was still a night to remember despite Hathaway being absent 

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Hoover's book cover is pictured

Hoover’s book cover is pictured

Lottie Moss wore a sheer black dress

Lottie Moss wore a sheer black dress 

Ashley James flashed her legs in a strapless black number

Ashley James flashed her legs in a strapless black number 

Montana Brown was also in attendance

Montana Brown was also in attendance

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Kimberley Garner wore a very revealing black dress

Kimberley Garner wore a very revealing black dress

She ditched her underwear to slip into the racy black number

She ditched her underwear to slip into the racy black number

‘I know that not everybody who wants to be a parent gets to be. I’m just blown away by how fortunate I am,’ the actress told People in April as she was named Most Beautiful Woman.

‘It went really well for me twice, and that’s really lucky,’ she acknowledged about her prior pregnancies.

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Last month, Hathaway was subject to nasty online rumors that she was faking the pregnancy, after critics claimed the star’s baby bump looked artificial during the LA premiere of The End of Oak Street. 

The brunette beauty clapped back on Instagram, writing: ‘Fake hair, real bump. Enjoy The End Of Oak Street Block Party chaos with me as my outfit literally melts in the heat!!’ 

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Heywood crash LIVE as air ambulance lands after young boy hit by car and man arrested – latest updates

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Manchester Evening News

Greater Manchester Police have issued a statement on this incident in Heywood.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At 3:10pm this afternoon (Thursday 24 November), Officers were called to reports of a collision between and car and a child on King Street in Heywood.

“A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing class a drugs.

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“The child was taken to hospital with a broken leg.

“The driver remains in custody.”

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G20 needs a new approach to tackle the changing world order

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G20 needs a new approach to tackle the changing world order

In December, the UK will take over the G20 presidency from the United States. The world is a remarkably different place since the UK last hosted the G20 in 2009. Back then, it led a collective response to the 2008 financial crash, mobilising more than US$1 trillion (£740 billion) to rebuild economies across the world.

In 2027, it will arguably face an even stiffer challenge – leading cooperation when the major powers in the world no longer see eye-to-eye on the nature of problems, let alone the pathway to solutions.

The world is experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946. Strategic rivalry now runs deeper through trade, technology, energy and finance. Yet these are precisely the areas where no country can secure prosperity by acting alone. The old order is fractured, but our interdependence is stronger than ever.

At Davos in January 2026, the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, rightly called on the world’s middle powers to band together in the face of attempts by great powers such as the US and China to turn economic integration, tariffs, financial infrastructure and supply chains into instruments of coercion. The same applies across the other converging pressures of today, from debt and financial resilience to climate, emerging technologies and food security.

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Since then, the European Union has opened the door to Canada becoming its first associate member, proposing deeper collaboration on technology, critical minerals, energy and defence. These are examples of countries building flexible partnerships around shared risks and shared capabilities, rather than waiting for universal agreement. This is the logic the G20 now needs.




À lire aussi :
Mark Carney: a master of statecraft in an era short of great orators


The US presidency of G20 this year has been characterised by a lack of action and strained relationships between countries. So Andy Burnham’s government has a rare opportunity to set a new direction on global cooperation.

The UK has the chance to pioneer a new approach to international leadership suited to the world as it is now. In this era of fragmentation, G20 leadership will be judged not by declarations alone. It needs to demonstrate an ability to realign governance with the realities of shared risk, and to demonstrate that collective action remains possible in a divided world.

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New approach

I believe the UK should adopt a new, three-tier approach – pushing for consensus where sufficiently ambitious action can command universal support, and broad agreement where an overwhelming majority is ready to proceed. Most importantly, under UK leadership, the G20 needs to strive to build open, problem-specific coalitions where neither of those routes can produce meaningful action.

The idea starts from a simple but important reversal: begin with the problem, and ask what outcome is needed. Then consider which countries, institutions, businesses and communities have the capabilities to deliver that desired outcome, and which policies are able to work together, rather than against one another.

Consensus remains valuable, but it stops being a precondition for progress. Instead, what’s needed is a way of turning partial agreement into practical cooperation.

An example of how this can work is in tackling sovereign debt – a country’s borrowing from domestic or foreign creditors to fund public spending and investments. Here, progress doesn’t depend on involving every G20 member. It requires the debtor country, its bilateral and private creditors, multilateral lenders and the relevant financial institutions to act together.

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Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is keen for his country to join the EU as an associate member.
EPA/Ronald Wittek

The necessary coalition will, of course, be different depending on the issue involved, such as food security, artificial intelligence, critical minerals or resilient supply chains. This proposal would enable the G20 to match nations with key issues, rather than trying to create a fixed club of middle powers or an alternative geopolitical bloc.

Adopting this framework will also enable the countries of the global south, who led the last four G20 presidencies, to ensure their voices are heard on the most pressing issues directly affecting their countries.

New Alignment

To achieve this, UCL’s Institute for Global Prosperity has developed a new framework for global cooperation called The New Alignment. I co-lead our new global convening platform, the New Alignment Hub, with economist Dennis Snower.

We aim to build the necessary infrastructure to make this level of deep, cross-border collaboration possible – bringing together universities, thinktanks, research institutes, civil society, business and practitioner networks across many different regions.

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Its working groups can develop and test proposals to shape policy. It can provide the collaborative engine for the UK’s G20 presidency, and help make the Think20 process (the G20’s official engagement group for thinktanks and research institutes) into a route from ideas to implementation.

With that infrastructure in place, the UK’s opportunity is larger than choosing the right list of G20 themes and priorities, because it extends to changing how the institution works. Success should be measured by coalitions formed, resources mobilised and policies implemented at local, national and international levels.

Britain showed in 2009 that it could convene the institutions required to meet a global emergency. In 2027, it can demonstrate something just as important: that a divided world is not condemned to inaction.

This new approach offers a route away from consensus-seeking towards deep, meaningful collaboration between key players on the most pressing issues of our time. And the UK has the opportunity to lead the way in achieving it.

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Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal FC get Alvarez green light; Chelsea have Scott plan; Man Utd, Liverpool latest

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Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal FC get Alvarez green light; Chelsea have Scott plan; Man Utd, Liverpool latest

The summer window is shut but January and planning is firmly underway at Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham. The Gunners missed out on Vinicius Jr, but it has now emerged that his Real Madrid team-mates expected him to leave. That ship may now have sailed, with Eli Junior Kroupi, who is currently sidelined with an injury, the new key target, but as Barcelona end their interest in Julian Alvarez, the Gunners could get a free run at the summer target.

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Father-of-two, 42, becomes first protester to be jailed over Portsmouth anti-migrant demo after he threw plastic bottle and swore at police

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Thug Del Somerville, 42, of Portsmouth, threw a bottle at an officer and was seen shouting aggressively at police during the protest on September 6

A thug who threw a plastic bottle at police during violent anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth has been jailed for two years.

Del Somerville, 42, lobbed the projectile at officers and swore angrily at them during a protest on September 6. 

The father-of-two was the first to be arrested and sentenced following the violence which erupted after the arrival into the city of a small boat carrying 114 migrants.

Somerville, of the Paulsgrove area of the city, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.

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The court was told the protest had left locals fearing for their safety and he was captured on camera shouting verbal abuse at officers and telling them to ‘f***’ off.

Somerville appeared in a grey top and black coat and stuck his tongue out at the gallery as he entered the court room. 

Judge Daniel Sawyer told him that his sentence would act as a deterrent to others following subsequent protests in the area.

He still awaits trial regarding an additional charge of assaulting a police officer relating to his arrest on September 11, which he entered a not guilty plea on Thursday for. 

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Hundreds of people, including right-wing activist Daniel Thomas, gathered at Eastney Marina on the night of September 6 and into the early hours of the next day after the boat docked in the city.

But the protest turned violent for some as those gathered attempted to stop several coaches carrying migrants who had disembarked from leaving the harbour.

Seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene, while Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said. 

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Thug Del Somerville, 42, of Portsmouth, threw a bottle at an officer and was seen shouting aggressively at police during the protest on September 6

Hundreds of protestors clashed with police near Eastney beach in Portsmouth after a dinghy carrying 114 asylum seekers was escorted to the shore

Hundreds of protestors clashed with police near Eastney beach in Portsmouth after a dinghy carrying 114 asylum seekers was escorted to the shore

Seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene, while Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said

Seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene, while Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said 

Sentencing Somerville, Judge Sawyer described as a ‘thug’ and said: ‘Police officers dedicate their lives to the protection of the public regardless of their own views, the very least they can expect is that those who engage in protests treat them with respect and the courts punish those who assault them.’

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Edward Warren, prosecuting, said: ‘This case arises out of the violence that occurred on the night of 6th September following the arrival into the country of 114 illegal migrants who had crossed the Channel from France and were diverted to Eastney marina escorted by the Coastguard and the RNLI.’

Mr Warren continued: ‘Following an initial peaceful and lawful gathering from local residents, a large number of people gathered on Ferry Road near the marina.

‘That protest apparently initially appeared spontaneous before it seemed organised elements with online encouragement from public figures having shared information on social media and elsewhere led to a much wider group and a large number of people attending.

‘Public awareness spread online and a larger number of people began to congregate in Eastney.

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‘Protests began popping up in other parts of the area, including Hayling Island and ferry terminals.

‘Hampshire Constabulary declared a major incident during the evening and a significant police presence was deployed, and significant resources were required to maintain public order and to ensure those who had arrived in the country were moved to a secure location.

‘During the evening there were seven recorded assaults on police officers and damaged caused to police vehicles.

‘Other forces were deployed from outside Hampshire to assist and approximately 50 officers from Hampshire and a further 100 supporting officers to assist.’

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The court heard local residents had given statements reporting feeling afraid in their own homes while protesters were seen to urinate in their gardens and thousands of pounds of damage was caused to property in the area.

Mr Warren said bricks, stones and bottles were thrown at police and community wardens had been trapped in their cars for five hours during the disturbance.

The prosecutor said at about 11.20pm, Somerville, wearing a khaki hoodie with the hood up, initially motioned to another protester to ‘back off’ from the police line.

He said the defendant then ‘turned to face the police and was seen to throw a small bottle and he has shouted at officers to ‘f*** off’.

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‘He remains at the front of the group talking to protesters a short distance from the police line.’

He added that at 1am, Somerville was seen on body-worn video footage ‘aggressively pushing’ through the police line and ‘shouting verbal abuse at police officers’ as well ‘pointing aggressively’ at them.

Mr Warren said Somerville, who lives in a boat at the marina, was tracked to his van by officers on September 11 and is alleged to have assaulted a constable as they attempted to arrest him.

Somerville entered a not guilty plea to this offence and that charge has been referred back to be tried at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.

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Mr Warren said when interviewed, Somerville ‘said the police were the ones responsible for the violence and he suggests he was struck by a baton multiple times and sprayed with CS gas’.

However, Mr Warren added Somerville ‘accepted throwing the bottle’, and nearly ‘tripped over it and picked it up and threw it’.

He added: ‘He was going to throw it into a bush but was angry and threw it into the air. He said it got out of hand.’

Helen Easterbrook, defending, said Somerville had been on his boat at the marina on the evening of the incident and had gone out to find out what was happening.

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She said: ‘Unlike so many of those involved in disorders where people are transporting themselves across the country, he was caught up in it.

‘He was one of the people affected by this, his original involvement was when he came out of the marina to see what was going on. This does not excuse the behaviour he began to undertake.’

She added: ‘He asked police to go back to his place of safety on his boat but he was refused.

Ms Easterbook said Somerville initially attempted to calm the situation down but had thrown a ‘light plastic bottle’ which was not intended to hurt anyone.

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She added: ‘He has suffered a number of mental health issues, rebuilding his life multiple times.’ 

Judge Daniel Sawyer told Somerville: ‘You didn’t simply find yourself caught up in this disorder, this maybe how it started but you made a decision to engage in this behaviour.

‘This was persistent and sustained violent activity. There was widespread violence.

‘This caused distress, disruption, a detrimental impact to the community, cost to the public purse and attacks on public servants.’ 

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He added it is ‘important to distinguish the rights to peaceful protests and offence when people cease to protest peacefully’.

‘Many of those were wearing face coverings adding to the air of intimidation,’ he said. 

‘The right to a peaceful protest is an important part of life. Whether a person wishes to protest against immigration, globalisation or climate change, all have the same right to a peaceful protest.

‘Police officers dedicate their lives to protect the public. The very least that they can expect is that those who engage in protests treat them with respect. 

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‘The community impact of that night’s violence has been profound.’

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.

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‘It has broken us as a family,’ mother of poison seller victim tells hearing

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Danielle is shown smiling and wearing a beanie hat in a crowd. Her hair is ginger coloured and she is looking at the camera with her brown eyes.

The court also heard a statement from Faith George, the mother of Faith Ike-Elechi, who referred to her daughter by the nickname Chimma.

She found her daughter helpless on the floor after she had taken the poison, and said her last works “echo in my mind every day”.

She said if she were able to speak to her daughter again she would tell her she had never stopped being proud of her.

Maurice Dunham, father of British victim Michael Dunham, said the last time he saw his son alive was on a family holiday to Croatia that Michael had left early to return home.

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“The last conversation I had with him was an argument,” he said in a written statement.

Maurice returned home days later and discovered Michael was dead.

“The feeling I had was like an electric shock going through me,” he wrote. “I blamed myself for not stopping Michael from leaving the hotel room.

“I planned to take my own life. I didn’t care if I lived or died.”

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Later, the court heard the words of the mother of Yeanu Mistry, who said hearing he had died was “the news every parent fears”.

And Maureen Cooper, the mother of poison victim Gary Cooper, called the pain of losing her son “unbearable”.

“A death such as this is the thing of nightmares,” her written statement said.

On Wednesday, the court heard from a British survivor who was given an antidote that saved her after taking poison from Law.

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Elisabeth Belien told the court: “I feel guilty for surviving. Although I survived, it has also impacted my loved ones. I feel like my vulnerability was exploited. I still feel a lot of shame about what happened.”

The hearing continues.

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Three Welsh councils refuse to bring in tourism tax

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The highest rate is £1.30 a night

Three Welsh councils have said they will not yet introduce a tourism tax.

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Conwy, Anglesey, and Gwynedd councils had held consultations with local residents over the summer.

Conwy has voted to defer its introduction pending further evidence, with 29 councillors voting for a deferral and only nine opposing.

Anglesey decided not to proceed with the levy at this time and Gwynedd has said it needs more time to properly assess the significant response to its consultation.

The Welsh Government passed laws to allow councils to introduce a levy but only if they consulted residents and local businesses. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

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The rate was to be at 75p for hostels, bunkhouses, bothies or dormitories, and pitches for tents. The higher rate is £1.30.

Under-18s do not have to pay.

In Cardiff, from September 28, overnight accommodation including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering lets, hostels, caravan, camping and glamping sites must start accounting for a visitor levy on new bookings for stays from April 2027 and extra nights or guests added to existing bookings.

In Gwynedd the council received 6,856 consultation responses. Initial analysis found 79.5% of responding businesses opposed the levy alongside 79.9% of responding visitors. Across all respondents 68.5% were opposed.

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Conwy received 1,210 consultation responses. Among those who gave an answer to whether the council should introduce a visitor levy 62.1% opposed or tended to oppose it, 33.8% supported or tended to support it, and 4.1% were undecided or expressed no clear preference. Councillors subsequently voted 29 to nine in favour of deferral.

In Anglesey 70.8% of respondents opposed or tended to oppose the levy compared with 25.1% who supported or tended to support it and 4.1% who were neutral or unsure. Opposition was particularly strong among businesses (83.1%) and visitors (84.2%) while 57.8% of residents were also opposed.

The news has been welcomed by a tourism body. PASC UK Cymru, the Professional Association of Self-Caterers, say tourism operators are facing a number of pressures at the same time.

Representative Nicky Williamson said: “This is a welcome victory for common sense and for listening to the evidence. Tourism businesses across Wales have been clear about the pressures they are already facing and the response to these consultations shows the strength of concern about adding another cost to Welsh holidays.

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“This is simply the wrong time to introduce another cost for either businesses or visitors. We welcome councils listening to the evidence and urge others to do the same before taking decisions that could have long-term consequences for Wales’ visitor economy.”

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Bill Nighy, 76, reveals secret marriage amid Anna Wintour romance rumours after spending years claiming he’s never tied the knot

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Bill Nighy with actress Diana Quick in 2005, with whom he had a 27-year relationship

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Bill Nighy has revealed he secretly married after spending years insisting he had never tied the knot.

The Love Actually star, 76, who has been romantically linked to Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour since 2015, had long maintained that he had never married – including during his 27-year relationship with actress Diana Quick.

But Bill has now given a new account of his romantic life, recalling a time ‘when I was married’ and revealing that he wore a wedding ring which he later lost in the sea.

The actor did not reveal the identity of his wife, when the marriage took place or how long it lasted.

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‘I can’t wear rings because I’ve got funny hands,’ Bill said on his Ill-Advised podcast on Thursday. ‘I was called Nux Nighy at school because I had knobbly knuckles.’

He added: ‘When I was married, I had a wedding ring, and I went into the sea and it came off. I had to wear such a big ring to get it over my knuckle that it came off in the sea. I lost the ring.

‘It was the only time I’d ever had a ring, but it was so big, as I say, in order to accommodate the deformity of my knuckles, that it didn’t last long.’

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Bill Nighy with actress Diana Quick in 2005, with whom he had a 27-year relationship 

In a 2015 interview, Bill said ‘I’ve never been married’ and explained that marriage had not appealed to him when he was younger.

‘There was nowhere for me to go,’ he said at the time. ‘Marriage is sort of back in now, isn’t it? There wasn’t a lot of it about back then.

‘Where are you going to go? I have no God. A register office didn’t sound like much. I don’t think the tax situation was very beneficial. I don’t think anybody would have married me anyway. But it just wasn’t a thing you did.’

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Bill’s longest relationship was with actress Diana Quick, 79. The pair met while appearing in David Hare’s A Map of the World at the National Theatre in 1982 and welcomed their daughter, actress and film-maker Mary Nighy, 42, two years later.

They remained together until separating in 2008 but were never publicly known to have married.

In a 2006 interview, Bill joked: ‘If she isn’t my wife, she has been following me around for a hell of a long time.’

But he made their legal status clear on that occasion, adding: ‘We’re not legally sanctioned. We live in what my grandmother would call sin, but I don’t care, and neither does she.’

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He and Diana have remained on good terms since their split and continued to spend time together as a family.

The Love Actually star, 76, who has been romantically linked to Anna Wintour since 2015, has now given a new account of his romantic life, recalling a time 'when I was married'

The Love Actually star, 76, who has been romantically linked to Anna Wintour since 2015, has now given a new account of his romantic life, recalling a time ‘when I was married’ 

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What do you make of Bill Nighy’s surprise marriage revelation after years of saying he’d never wed?

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Before Diana, Bill was in a relationship with Welsh actress Beth Morris, who later appeared in I, Claudius and The District Nurse.

Bill has more recently faced speculation over his relationship with Dame Anna, 76, with the pair romantically linked since at least 2015.

The rumours gathered pace after they were repeatedly seen together, before making a high-profile appearance arm-in-arm at the Met Gala in New York in 2023.

Bill’s representative denied they were romantically involved, saying at the time: ‘Bill and Anna have simply been great friends for two decades. They are not in a relationship.’

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CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2027 – Four Bolton pubs feature

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CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2027 - Four Bolton pubs feature

They have been featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2027, described as the definitive guide to good pubs that serve real ale all over the country.

Featuring in the Good Beer Guide 2027 are the Bank Top Brewery Tap on Belmont Road in Astley Bridge and the Bolton Ukrainian Social Club on Castle Street, The Haulgh.

Also featured are the King’s Head on Junction Road in Deane and Northern Monkey on Nelson Square just off Bradshawgate in the town centre.

Bank Top Brewery Tap in Astley Bridge also features on CAMRA’s list (Image: Ben Sweeney)

All four featured in last year’s Good Beer Guide as well and have proven to be just as highly recommended this year.

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This comes not long after the Campaign for Real Ale welcomed the government’s announcement that the Pubs Code for England and Wales will stay in place.

CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “We’re glad that the Pubs Code will be kept in place, as it’s needed more than ever.

“Ordinary drinkers are being denied choice and value by the global brewers that dominate the UK beer market, including how beer is sold to pubs.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the details of how more tied pub tenants might be able to challenge the beer tie.

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“However, we still have a supply-led beer market that is dominated by global brewers, which means that licensees, independent brewers, and ordinary drinkers lose out.

“We need to see bolder reforms like guest beer rights for tied tenants, and the Department for Business must stop dragging their feet and publish the outcome of the review of access to the beer market for independent brewers.”

This year’s Good Beer Guide, the 54th edition, features more than 4,500 pubs with a breweries list featuring 1,700 breweries and 5,000 beers with information about brewery taprooms.

A description said: “The Good Beer Guide is completely independent, with listings based entirely on evaluation by CAMRA members.

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“This year’s foreword is written by Sir Ian Rankin.

“He, and his fictional detective Rebus, both frequent The Oxford Bar, in Edinburgh which features on the cover of this year’s guide.”

Anyone interested in the full guide can go to: https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2027/.

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