John Terry has compared Max Dowman to Lionel Messi after Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side endured a nervy game at the Emirates Stadium but the introduction of Dowman with 16 minutes to go gave the Gunners a boost as his cross sparked Viktor Gyokeres’ goal in the 89th minute.

Dowman then became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer with a brilliant solo effort to secure the win for Arsenal in injury time.

The 16-year-old countered from Everton’s corner as he nodded the ball past Vitalii Mykolenko before leaving Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the ground with a brilliant change of direction.

In a video on TikTok shortly after the full-time whistle, Terry said he was blown away by Dowman’s ability having already watched the Arsenal midfielder in action against Chelsea’s academy side last year.

‘Max Dowman, what a player by the way, 16 years of age, absolutely incredible,’ Terry said.

‘I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago and I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than Messi.

‘That’s a big, big comparison but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future and also England as well.

‘Super, super talent. Big, big win for them [Arsenal] today.’

Speaking about Dowman’s excellent display after Arsenal’s win, Arteta said: ‘Yesterday he was training and in the last few days and I had a gut feeling that it was a moment for him. Probably because he doesn’t seem to be fazed by the occasion or the moment or the context or the opponent. He just plays so naturally. He makes decisions to make things happen and what he delivered was incredible.

‘I think his character, his personality and the fact that he doesn’t seem to be fazed by the pressure or his teammates or the opponent.

‘I’ve seen a lot of players with talent but at 16, very few that can cope with that level of demand.’

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In 2023 following a break up, he began to research looksmaxxing on his socials and developed a routine. In addition to going to the gym five times a week, he also has regular ice-cold face baths to “reduce puffiness”, tries to sleep on his back, and, while he says masturbation is OK, he’s cut out all pornography.

Speaking at the SNP conference in Edinburgh today, the First Minister said a newly-independent Scotland would enshrine in its constitution a ban on foreign militaries involved in illegal conflicts abroad.

An independent Scotland would ban the militaries of countries involved in “illegal conflicts” from the country, John Swinney has said.

In a swipe at the US and Israeli governments over their attacks on Iran, the First Minister said a newly-independent Scotland would enshrine in its constitution a ban on foreign militaries involved in illegal conflicts abroad.

The US military regularly uses Prestwick Airport – which is owned by the Scottish Government and operated by an arms-length company – which has drawn criticism for Mr Swinney and his ministers.

Speaking at his party’s conference in Edinburgh on Saturday, the First Minister said: “We will always speak up for the protection of innocent civilians and international law.

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“But as an independent country we could do more. We will demonstrate not just with words but with actions how Scotland can be a voice for peace.

“We will use the powers of independence to enshrine into our constitution a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons on our soil and in our seas. And we will go further – with independence, we will ban any foreign military power engaged in illegal conflicts from our shores.

“Two statements will be written directly into the very foundational document of our new nation – not in our name, not in our country.”

The First Minister told delegates the action in Iran has “no basis in international law”, saying: “Right now, once again, the world is watching as war rages in the Middle East.

“We all know the Iranian regime is brutal and illegitimate. It has brought untold suffering on its own citizens, and on people across the region.

“But that does not justify what we are seeing on our television screens every night. Tehran in flames, whole streets on fire, schools bombed, thousands killed.

“The Iranian regime have terrorised their own population. Now, those self-same civilians are dying at the hands of American and Israeli bombs.

“So let me be clear – the unjustifiable actions of the United States and Israel have no basis under international law.

“They must stop. For the sake of the innocent children of Iran, for the sake of peace, our call is for diplomacy, for de-escalation, and an end to this war.”

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The application deadline is March 25, and interviews will be held in April

Four farms in Cambridgeshire are offering 10-year leases for developing rural businesses. Cambridgeshire County Council’s Farms Estate, one of the largest publicly owned estates in England and Wales, is offering the leases starting from October 2026.

The four farms offering leases this year are Roswells Farm in Warboys, Flegcroft Farm in Whittlesey, Red House Farm near March, and Whitehall Farm in Littleport. Each of the farms also comes with a house and various outbuildings. The properties are being offered on a 10-year farm business tenancy.

Roswells Farm is the largest of the available farms with just under 345 acres of land along with a four-bedroom detached house, and five general-purpose storage buildings.

Flegcroft Farm is set in over 300 acres of land including a reservoir of approximately 12,000m3. The tenancy includes a four-bedroom bungalow with solar panels along with additional buildings, such as an office and meeting room.

Red House Farm is also available with just under 170-acres of land. The farm comes with a three-bedroom detached bungalow and a general-purpose building.

Continually, Whitehall Farm in Littleport is just under 50-acres and has been run as a market garden for many years, growing a wide range of vegetables for sale at Cambridgeshire markets. The farm comes with a three-bedroom detached bungalow and a general-purpose building.

The application deadline is March 25, and interviews will be held in April.

Chair of the Assets and Procurement Committee, Cllr Karen Young, said: “We’re very lucky in Cambridgeshire to have access to vast amounts of rural land. With this, comes opportunity and we’re pleased to be able to offer some of this land to those with ambitions to start, or develop a business.”

Cllr Young added: “We’re open to all sorts of suggestions that help to support our vison of creating a healthy, fair and sustainable Cambridgeshire, so if you have a business idea, we’d encourage you to enquire before the deadline.”

Further details about the farms and the application process can be found here.

The former star had been jailed for sexually abusing two underage girls.

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Convicted paedophile and former Grange Hill actor John Alford has been found dead in prison, only weeks after being jailed for sexually abusing two underage girls.

The 54‑year‑old was discovered unresponsive in his cell at HMP Bure, a Category C prison in Norfolk, when staff carried out morning checks on Friday (March 13). His death came shortly after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old and a 15‑year‑old during a sleepover at a friend’s home over the Easter holidays.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court found Alford, who appeared in court under his real name, John Shannon, guilty on all counts following a week‑long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberation, reports the Daily Star.

As the verdicts were delivered, the disgraced actor, who also appeared in London’s Burning, placed his head in his hands and shouted from the dock: “Wrong, I didn’t do this.” He found fame portraying Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning throughout most of the 1990s.

Speaking to the Sun, a source elaborated on the unresponsive state Alford was found in, saying: “He didn’t wake up in the morning. He was in his bed and they thought he was just asleep.

“But when they tried to wake him there was no response and they realised he was dead.” Alford landed the role of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill when he was 13 years old.

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John Alford, known for his roles in London’s Burning and Grange Hill, has died in prison weeks after being convicted of sexually assaulting two underage girls

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The former London’s Burning actor and convicted sex offender John Alford has been discovered dead in prison just weeks after being given his sentence for abusing two underage girls.

Alford, who was born in Glasgow, was discovered lifeless in his bed on Friday (March 13) when prison officers unlocked his cell at Category C HMP Bure in Norfolk. Before his passing, the 54 year old had been convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl at a sleepover in a friend’s residence over the Easter break, reports the Daily Star.

Following a week-long trial and more than 13 hours of jury deliberations at St Albans Crown Court, Alford was found guilty on all counts. The actor, charged under his birth name John Shannon, buried his face in his hands and cried out “wrong, I didn’t do this” from the dock as the guilty verdicts were delivered.

Alford, recognised for his role in the BBC school drama Grange Hill during the 1980s, would later achieve prominence portraying Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning throughout the 1990s.

A source speaking to the Sun said: “He didn’t wake up in the morning. He was in his bed and they thought he was just asleep.

“But when they tried to wake him there was no response and they realised he was dead.”

Alford secured the part of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill aged just 13. During his stint on the 80s BBC programme, Alford was part of the cast that participated in its anti-drugs campaign.

However, towards the end of his time on Grange Hill, Alford confessed to consuming up to 18 bottles of beer and nine shots of spirits each night.

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The RAF base is also where Glenn Miller flew from before he went missing over the English Channel

Cambridgeshire is home to a wide range of historic RAF bases including Duxford, which was transformed into an Imperial War Museum, and RAF Alconbury that has now made way for new homes to be built. However, there are also a range of RAF bases found just outside of the county that also played an important role in the First and Second World Wars.

RAF Twinwood Farm can be found close to the Cambridgeshire border, just north of Bedford. It first opened in mid-1941 when the RAF began using the grassed field and was home to RAF night fighters.

By April 1942, the RAF base had three concrete runways and additional temporary buildings. Throughout the war, the base was used by a range of different units including the Bristol Blenheims, the Douglas Bostons, and Bristol Beauforts.

In 1944, the airfield was transferred to the US Eighth Air Force and was operated alongside the nearby RAF Thurleigh. During the US Army’s time at the base and around Bedford, Glenn Miller, a famous composer and big-band conductor, was deployed to Europe and stationed in the county, at the request of General Eisenhower, for radio broadcasting and personal appearances.

In December 1944, Glenn Miller’s unit was being moved to France but his scheduled flights from Bovingdon were cancelled due to bad weather. Miller decided to fly with Lt. Col. Norman Baessell on his UC-64 piloted by Flight Officer Stuart Morgan.

Miller didn’t tell anyone he was flying with them and boarded the plane with Baessell and Miller before it took off at 1.55pm on December 15. The plane and its occupants were never seen again.

An inquiry into the disappearance determined the aeroplane went down over the English Channel due to a range of factors including human error, mechanical failure, and weather. No remains of the UC-64 were ever found and Glenn Miller is still Missing In Action to this day.

Nowadays, RAF Twinwood Farm is home to the Twinwood Arena, which is a large natural amphitheatre that hosts various music events. Every year, the arena is used for a the Twinwood Festival which showcases vintage music and dance.

A collection of the buildings around the base also house a range of historical displays to create the Twinwood Airfield Museum. The restored control tower, now called the Glenn Miller Museum, features displays about Glenn Miller, the base’s history, and the Second World War.

Some of the other buildings including a recreation of a German bunker, rooms of a 1940s family home, and displays of military vehicles. The group of museums are open seasonally for visitors.

‘The Fire Station Summer Parties’ is set to return to Sunderland for 2026, promising a season of outdoor live music, entertainment, and community celebration.

Now in its fourth edition, the series has been described as the biggest yet, with a vibrant mix of indie icons, alternative favourites, and feel-good party nights lined up for The Fire Station’s outdoor stage.

Summer Parties in 2025. (Image: The Fire Station)

Tamsin Austin, venue director at The Fire Station, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome back our Summer Parties for 2026.

“The season goes from strength to strength every year, and this line-up is one of our most exciting yet.

“Whether you’re visiting The Fire Station for the first time or you’re a regular, this is your invitation to come down, grab a drink, and enjoy live music outdoors with us this summer – there really is something for everyone.”

The first six shows have been announced, with more artists and dates expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The series opens on Friday, July 31, with a Silent Disco for Grown Ups – tickets are priced at £23.

For the night, the Parade Ground will be transformed into a full outdoor dance floor, complete with light-up wireless headphones and multiple music channels.

On Sunday, August 2, psychedelic Britpop favourites Kula Shaker take to the stage for what will be their only major outdoor headline show of the summer – tickets are available for £37.

A special performance on Sunday, August 9, will see John Grant and Richard Hawley join forces to celebrate the music of the late Patsy Cline – tickets for this event are priced at £35.

Lottery Winners. (Image: The Fire Station)

Saturday, August 22, sees The Lottery Winners bring their infectious indie anthems to Sunderland.

Following two number one albums and recent high-profile support slots with Robbie Williams and Nickelback, the band is set to deliver one of the season’s most anticipated performances – tickets are £35.

On Friday, August 28, North East favourites Maxïmo Park return to The Fire Station for a high-energy outdoor show.

Fronted by Paul Smith, the band previously performed at the venue in 2024 as part of the Summer Parties – tickets are £35.

Maxïmo Park at Summer Parties 2024. (Image: The Fire Station)

Closing the 2026 season on Sunday, August 30, is Ibiza in Symphony.

A live band and orchestra will reimagine classic Ibiza anthems in what has become a sell-out tradition for the past two years – tickets for the finale are priced at £29.

Each show will take place on The Fire Station’s Parade Ground.

With additional acts yet to be announced, anticipation is building for a summer of standout live music under the city’s open skies.

General sale for the first six Summer Parties shows opens at 10am on Friday, March 13,
via thefirestation.org.uk.

Manchester City weren’t good enough in attack or defence for the second time in a week as they drew with West Ham in the Premier League

However close it is to his final curtain, Pep Guardiola continues to do things his way. After spending a good chunk of two press conferences this week defending his selection decisions in the 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid, the Blues boss went without wingers at West Ham yet still looked like the Manchester City side of the last 10 years.

As teams have started to launch the ball high from kick-off, City kept it and barely gave it back to West Ham in the opening 15 minutes as they racked up a century of passes before West Ham made it into double figures. This is another Guardiola team that have played their way into a title race with a strong identity, but will it be enough to best Arsenal this year?

Not if Mikel Arteta’s side have anything to do with it, and two late goals for the Gunners at home to Everton as City were going through their final preparations for the game will have felt like another punch to the gut for the title challenge. Having fallen down when they needed to stand up at the Bernabeu, this game at the London Stadium required a win whatever the final possession count.

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Bernardo Silva led by example to open the scoring after half an hour with a delicious chip that he almost certainly didn’t mean, and all was well. Then some sloppy play brought a West Ham corner three minutes later, Gianluigi Donnarumma inexplicably misjudged it and Konstantinos Mavropanos headed away City’s advantage just like that.

Poor defending cost Guardiola’s side against Forest last week, it has probably knocked them out of the Champions League, and it is not going away. It doesn’t matter what shape you line up with if you defend – and attack – as poorly as City have in a damaging fortnight for their hopes in multiple competitions.

Having done so well for so long to keep themselves in the hunt for an unlikely Quadruple as late as March, City’s recent stumble has been puzzling and has come right from the top. For the second league game in a row, substitutions were readied and then delayed with Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden this time told to go and warm up again on the hour mark.

By then, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki had already come on in City’s search for a way back in front. There was plenty of possession and pressure, just not enough testing of Mads Hermansen in the West Ham goal as Nuno – a familiar foe for Guardiola – looked on contentedly with the City manager in the stands as he sat out the first of his two-game suspension.

When Reijnders did come off the bench, he forced Hermansen to tip his free-kick onto the bar and away, and City’s best chance fell to the very man they wanted it to. Haaland had just thrown his arms up in frustration as a cross evaded him into the box when Doku zipped it back in along the floor ready for the No.9 to swing his left boot at it.

So he did, but it was rushed, he didn’t catch it properly, and it fluffed harmlessly wide. At a critical time in the season, Haaland and City have fallen short of where they wanted to be.

Guardiola will continue to do things his way, and it may yet bring trophies this season. The Premier League and Champions League no longer look possible though.