There are plans make areas around 100 Greater Manchester schools vehicle free at peak times by 2030
Vehicles are to be barred from roads close to a primary school during busy periods. Wigan borough’s tenth school street will launch at Westleigh St Paul’s primary this Friday (February 27).
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The council said they would be restricting access to motorised vehicles at drop-off and pick-up times.
Appropriately enough, the ‘school street’ resrictions will apply to the junction of School Street and Liza Street with Westleigh Lane.
Wigan council said the launch moves closer to hitting a target of creating 100 ‘school streets’ across Greater Manchester in the next four years.
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The authority said the initiative intends to ‘improve road safety and make schools much safer to walk, wheel, or scoot to’.
The scheme will mean the closure of School Street and Liza Street in the morning and afternoon between the hours of 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm.
A Wigan council spokesperson said: “With the ambition of reaching 100 School Streets across Greater Manchester by 2030, the scheme will require the road closures.
“Staff will on hand to monitor to project and prevent vehicle access. “Residents and businesses can apply for a school street exemption if their vehicle is registered to an address within the area covered by the restrictions.”
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The Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website lists nine other such schemes in Wigan borough.
They are close to Leigh Central Primary, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Leigh, Leigh St Peters C of E Primary School, Lamberhead Green Community Primary School, Orrell, Ince CofE Primary School, Ince, St Williams Catholic Primary School, Ince, St Thomas C of E Junior and Infants School, Golborne, St John’s C of E Primary School, Abram and St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield.
TfGM said there are currently 37 school streets in Greater Manchester and ‘we’re on track to reach 60 in the next year’.
‘School streets’ are created by introducing a traffic regulation order and related signs to make the roads outside the school a pedestrian and cyclist zone.
It’s been hailed as America’s ‘most viral’ drink (Picture: Poppi)
Have you heard of Poppi?
It’s a viral soda brand from the US that’s garnered a cult following online, as well as a few famous fans.
Charli XCX starred in a recent Super Bowl advert for the fizzy drinks, and everyone from Paris Hilton to Post Malone has been spotted with one of the colourful cans in their hand.
But what’s so special about it? According to the brand, it’s going to ‘shake up the soft drinks aisle’ in UK supermarkets, as it’s low in sugar and low in calories but with ‘full flavour fizz’.
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The viral drink was first launched in America in 2016, founded by husband and wife duo Allison and Stephen Ellsworth from Texas. Allison was keen to ditch fizzy drinks, but didn’t want to lose the taste, so she started experimenting, mixing fruit juice, apple cider vinegar and sparkling water in her kitchen at home.
And the rest, as they say, is history…
Where will you be able to buy Poppi in the UK?
Poppi is being brought to the UK by PepsiCo, whose portfolio features several other iconic brands, including Pepsi, Walkers, Doritos, SodaStream, Quaker Oats, Tropicana, and 7UP.
Five different Poppi flavours are launching in the UK: Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime, Wild Berry, and Orange.
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Those keen to give them a try will find them in Tesco supermarkets as well as Pret a Manger locations nationwide, from March 5.
A wider rollout is planned for the brand later in the year.
There are five flavours coming to the UK (Picture: Poppi)
Is Poppi actually good for you?
Poppi is often described as a prebiotic soda that’s high in fibre, with no more than 5g of sugar per can.
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As such, many people believe it’s a ‘healthy’ alternative to traditional sodas, and the brand even previously marketed the drink as a way to be ‘gut healthy’. But is this really the case?
Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian and media nutrition liaison for the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition, previously told Time Magazine that Poppi drinks are ‘better than traditional sodas’, but she warned that they still ‘should be consumed in moderation’.
Her comments came after Poppi was sued by a former customer in 2024 over allegations that its claims of improving ‘gut health’ were misleading.
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The brand previously used the phrase ‘be gut happy’ on cans and in marketing, due to the inclusion of prebiotic ingredients in its drinks. However, the lawsuit alleged that there was not enough prebiotic fibre in a single can ‘to produce meaningful gut health benefits’, as the drinks only contain 2g of prebiotic fibre.
According to the official website, Poppi contains cassava root fibre, which is a prebiotic obtained from the root of the cassava plant, and agave inulin, a prebiotic extracted from the agave tequilana plant.
Prebiotics are plant fibres that the body doesn’t digest, but may trigger the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut. Experts agree that the science around this area is currently limited, and more research is needed to prove the link between prebiotics and positive changes in the gut microbiome.
Poppi has since agreed to a $8.9million class-action settlement and ditched the gut health messaging.
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In the UK, several other brands of prebiotic soda are already available, including XOXO and Hip Pop.
However, many Brits will likely be jumping for joy over the news of the upcoming Poppi launch, as people have spent months begging the brand to head over the pond.
On TikTok, @lissa_abarg confessed she was ‘dying to try them’, as @ricki.k_ said she would ‘cry’ if the drinks were brought to the UK.
Similarly, @cleochloee posted: ‘I really want to try it’, and @michelleskaa added: ‘omg been dying to try one.’
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@sadtubes_1 admitted they would be ‘running to buy these’, while others said they were ‘a need’.
A few social media users have previously claimed to have found cans of Poppi on sale in Co-op stores, but Poppi tells Metro this launch is their first official foray into the UK drinks market.
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Speaking about going on sale in the UK, co-founder Allison Ellsworth said it is ‘incredibly meaningful’.
‘When we started Poppi, the goal was simple: create a soda people could feel good about drinking. Seeing Poppi find a new home in the U.K. is a proud moment for our entire team.
‘We’re excited about this next chapter and can’t wait to be a part of a new community.’
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Natalia Fillipociants, general manager Europe International Beverages at PepsiCo added: ‘We’re proud to bring Poppi’s vibrant, feel-good approach to the UK.
‘British consumers are increasingly looking for drinks that are balanced, modern and genuinely enjoyable every day. With bold fruity flavours, eye-catching design, Poppi delivers full-flavour fizz made with ingredients that the consumer will absolutely love!’
The change came into effect today (February 25) and the airline is warning all customers to make sure they have the correct travel documents for their flights.
Aer Lingus told Newsquest: “All customers (including Irish or British nationals) travelling on Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional services between the Republic of Ireland and the UK will now require a valid passport or Irish passport card.”
What’s more, the other forms of photo ID, including a driver’s licence, “will no longer be valid for travel”, the airline explains.
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Aer Lingus warns passengers of new passport change from today
Aer Lingus added: “Passengers travelling on domestic services with Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Emerald Airlines, are exempt from this updated travel policy.
“Domestic services include Belfast-UK and Dublin-Donegal routes.
“This aligns with the travel document requirements across the rest of our network and will ensure consistency and further improve our operational performance for our customers.”
Aer Lingus extends 10kg carry-on bag policy for flights
The news comes after the airline announced it would be extending its 10kg carry-on baggage policy across all its Aer Lingus Regional flights, operated by Emerald Airlines.
What’s the best seat to book on a plane?
Aer Lingus said the change would come into effect from Tuesday, March 3.
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It said customers can now make savings as every fare type includes a 10kg bag as standard, which can be checked in free of charge or carried on board if customers choose to pay for it.
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The bag policy is in place on domestic flights within Ireland and the UK, flights between Ireland and the UK, and European flights.
Aer Lingus said it has made the change in response to feedback from its customers.
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Where will you be flying this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Epstein suggested the role loss was ‘Charles’ doing’ (Picture: Getty)
Emails have revealed that Jeffrey Epstein appeared to blame Charles when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his job as the UK’s trade envoy.
The day it was announced that Andrew would no longer be the trade envoy in 2011, Epstein replied to an email from an associate that said there was ‘lots of TV coverage on PA’ – believed to represent ‘Prince Andrew’.
The paedophile replied: ‘I assume he [Andrew] knows that this is Charles’ doing.’
In a later message, he added: ‘I’m sure this is good for him [Andrew], he will now be free.’
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Andrew lost his position just months after photos of him walking with Epstein in a New York park went viral.
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The former prince has continued to deny any wrongdoing in relation to his role as trade envoy and his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew (pictured in 2011 before leaving his position of envoy) has been in the spotlight this week (Picture: Getty)
Downing Street declined to comment on allegations Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor charged the taxpayer for massages and excessive travel costs while he was a trade envoy.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘As with every kind of specific allegation in this matter, that is something for the police to look at, not for me to comment on or give a running commentary on a live police investigation.
‘But on the general point of whether the Government stands ready to assist the police in their inquiries, the answer is – and has consistently been – yes.’
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Emails from the Epstein files appear to show the ex-prince shared confidential details of investment opportunities and reports of trade visits.
Andrew’s position put him in contact w ith high-profile politicians, like Rudy Giuliani, seen with him in 2001 (Picture: AFP)
Earlier this week, MPs held one of the first-ever debates in Parliament focused on a member of the Royal Family.
It is typically forbidden to explicitly criticise the royals in the House of Commons, but Speaker Lindsay Hoyle permitted the debate since Andrew has been stripped of his titles and positions.
During the debate, Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant told the Commons: ‘Colleagues and many civil servants have told me their own stories of their interactions with Mr Mountbatten Windsor, and they all portray the same pattern.
‘A man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle. A rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.’
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Andrew was appointed as a special trade envoy for the British government by Tony Blair in 2001 before stepping down in 2011 amid criticism over his friendship with Epstein.
The specific role of the UK special representative for trade and investment was created for him.
The popular UK pizza chain said it aims to help push its growth ambitions.
PizzaExpress’ boss said it will continue to “focus” on its core pizza brand but has recognised a “huge appetite” for chicken from customers.
As a result, it will roll out its new Mac & Wings delivery brand to more than 300 sites across the UK from Tuesday, March 3.
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PizzaExpress to launch new chicken offering after customer demand
The launch comes on the back of significant growth in chicken across the restaurant and fast-food sectors.
Rivals such as Dominos have launched their own chicken concepts in recent months, while a raft of US-founded chicken brands, such as Wingstop, Popeyes and Raising Cane’s have opened sites across the UK.
PizzaExpress said its chicken wing products will be baked, rather than fried, and it believes there is still enough room in the UK market for strong growth.
Paula MacKenzie, PizzaExpress chief executive, told the Press Association that the business has been “working on the concept for a number of months” after recognising customer demand.
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She said: “There is a competitive context but we are launching the concept because we believe we can do something exciting and different.
“It is something we are able to do alongside pizzas in our kitchens, but it is important that the brand does feel like it has its own identity.”
Mac & Wings to be sold as its own brand across the UK
The Mac & Wings products will be sold across the UK as its own brand through Deliveroo, but they will be made by PizzaExpress chefs within the restaurant chain’s kitchens.
Its menu will include a selection of baked wings, in flavours such as hot honey, and buttermilk chicken tenders, served with a choice of dips including spicy tomato & chilli, garlic butter and “pizzanaise”.
Ms Mackenzie said the business will initially be only available for delivery on the back of strong demand for takeaway chicken on delivery platforms such as Deliveroo.
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However, she said the group will “keep an open mind” to potentially expanding the brand into bricks-and-mortar restaurants.
PizzaExpress expands restaurant and pod offering
Last year, PizzaExpress launched a new concept where it opened some PizzaExpress pods, allowing customers to enjoy pizza on-the-go as they were located at supermarkets, including Tesco and other spots.
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In April, it opened a pod at Swansea Marina and later, in September, the company opened a pod at Tesco Extra in Cheshunt.
This was after the concept saw success in Southampton in late 2024.
In 2025, PizzaExpress opened new restaurants in the likes of Cambridge, Redhill and Kingston.
What’s your favourite menu item at PizzaExpress? Let us know in the comments below.
Eight prisoners armed themselves with broken furniture and seized part of a high-security jail for 10 hours before officers stormed in to end the violent mutiny
Eight convicted killers seized control of part of a high-security prison wing during a 10-hour mutiny.
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The group, all serving life sentences at HMP Whitemoor near March, Cambridgeshire, refused to return to their cells at lunchtime on 7 October 2022, sparking a major security incident. Furniture was dragged across the spur area of the wing to form barricades, while oil, shower gel and shampoo were poured across the floor to make it too slippery for officers to enter safely.
Prison staff initially attempted to calm the situation and continued locking other inmates in their cells, but were forced to withdraw after being threatened. As the standoff escalated, the prisoners armed themselves with broken table legs and kettles fashioned into weapons. They also created improvised head protection to shield themselves from PAVA spray and pyrotechnic devices.
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A national prison response team and specialist negotiators were deployed, but attempts to resolve the situation peacefully were unsuccessful. At around 8pm, officers attempted to enter, only to find the group had further secured their position.
The eight men later retreated into the cell of Korie Hassan, where they constructed another barricade.
By approximately 10pm, the national response team had regained control of the wing and restrained the prisoners. Only four of the men agreed to be interviewed and made no comment.
Dior Diego Jackson, 27, was the final member of the group to be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (20 February) after admitting violent disorder. He received an additional one year and nine months on top of his existing sentence.
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The other prisoners sentenced were:
Rick-Champion Champion Musaba, 30, sentenced to four years on top of his existing sentence after being found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny.
Nicholas Bridge, 26, sentenced to three years and six months on top of time already served after being found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny.
Bradley Blundell, 26, sentenced to one year and six months on top of his existing sentence after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Irwin Constable, 25, sentenced to three years and six months on top of time served after being found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny.
Korie Hassan, 33, sentenced to three years and four months on top of his existing time behind bars after admitting violent disorder.
Jahliel Rose, 29, sentenced to one year and four months on top of his time served after admitting violent disorder.
Troy Muschett-Thomas, 25, handed one year and six months on top of his existing sentence after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Detective Constable Emma Purser, who investigated, said: “The eight prisoners involved in this case offered extreme violence towards staff and took control of the prison’s spur area for about ten hours.
“When sentencing, the judge noted that it was only because of the professionalism of the officers who went on to the wing and faced the violence that no-one was seriously hurt.
“All of the prisoners involved are already serving life sentences for murder or conspiracy to murder, but have now received prison terms of at least 16 months on top of the time they are already serving.
“The highest consecutive sentence handed down by the judge was another four years behind bars and overall when added together, the extra time totals 20 years.
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“This investigation was a lot of work over the past three years, with hours of CCTV footage to search through and interviews to carry out all over the country.”
Earlier this month, the head of the Northern Ireland Childminders Association, Patricia Lewsley Mooney, told Belfast Live that more than 2,000 families could be impacted by a reduction in the availability of childminders as a result of the changes
An MP has said it is “deeply concerning to see proposals that may inadvertently weaken” childcare provision as she calls for a meeting over childminder tax concerns.
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DUP MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Chancellor to request a meeting to discuss the impact of the removal of the ‘wear and tear’ tax-free allowance for childminders who move onto HMRC’s Making Tax Digital system.
Under the current system, childminders can claim a 10 per cent discount on their tax bill to account for ‘wear and tear’ on their homes caused by operating their businesses.
HMRC have said that those using the new MTD system will be able to see an in-year estimate of how much tax they owe, understand their cash flow better, make more informed financial decisions for their business and reduce the risk of under or overpaying tax and that claiming actual costs may be more beneficial than the flat-rate deduction, ensuring that expenses accurately reflect the valuable work childminders do.
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Childminders with a qualifying income of over £50,000 are required to use MTD from April 2026. These childminders, HMRC have said that, like any other business, they can continue to get full tax relief on the business proportion of their expenses when they join MTD, meaning their actual expenses will need to be recorded and deducted.
HMRC said that childminders do not currently get a separate allowance from HMRC, and that administrative changes for childminders were announced at the Budget to record keeping and the way some expenses are calculated for childminders in MTD.
They also said that they are aware that childminders are uncertain about how these changes may affect them and may have seen misleading information online. They confirmed that they are supporting customers with a suite of guidance products, direct communications, webinars, live events and social media activity to help them to prepare. and are using targeted paid-for advertising and making direct contact with MTD customers by writing to them to explain the changes and how to prepare.
Speaking on the issue, Carla Lockhart MP said: “I have written to the Chancellor to seek an urgent meeting with the Treasury following HMRC’s proposal to remove the long-established 10% wear and tear allowance for childminders who are required to move onto Making Tax Digital.
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“For almost four decades, this allowance has recognised the unique nature of home-based childcare. Childminders operate from their own homes, using their living rooms, kitchens, gardens, equipment and family spaces to provide professional care. The 10 per cent allowance was designed to reflect the inevitable wear and tear that comes with that responsibility, while also providing a simple and proportionate system for small providers.
“Under these proposals, childminders who fall within the Making Tax Digital threshold would lose access to this straightforward allowance and instead be required to itemise individual expenses. That represents a significant increase in administrative burden for small, often single-person businesses, and creates the risk of reduced financial viability at a time when the sector is already under immense pressure.”
Carla Lockhart said that she is working closely with NICMA, the Childminding Association, and engaging directly with local childminders to ensure that the concerns within the sector are clearly understood by the Government.
“There has been no meaningful consultation in Northern Ireland, despite the fact that our childminding model remains home-based and distinct in important respects,” she said.
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“The childminding workforce in Northern Ireland has declined sharply in recent years, with a significant reduction in registered providers and available childcare places. Families are already struggling to access affordable and flexible childcare. Any further policy change that increases costs or bureaucracy risks accelerating that decline and reducing capacity even further.
“Childminders are not simply small businesses; they are a vital pillar of our childcare infrastructure. They provide flexible, community-based care that enables parents to work, supports early years development and underpins our wider economy. At a time when we should be strengthening childcare provision, it is deeply concerning to see proposals that may inadvertently weaken it.
“I have therefore called on the Treasury to pause these changes, to properly assess their impact in Northern Ireland, and to engage directly with representatives of the sector. I will continue to press for a fair and proportionate approach that supports, rather than penalises, those who provide this essential service.”
Earlier this month, a HMRC spokesperson said: “All childminders will still be able to claim for the same categories of expenses as they currently do, including wear and tear. Those in MTD may also be able to claim more than they currently do.”.
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The six-acre site will eventually be transformed into 62,000 square feet of mixed-use space, suitable for business, industrial and storage use.
Work is starting on the first phase of development at Ravenscraig Enterprise Park to create new commercial premises which will support local jobs and economic growth.
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The six-acre site will eventually be transformed into 62,000 square feet of mixed-use space, suitable for business, industrial and storage use.
North Lanarkshire Council successfully bid for £4.447million for this first phase, comprising £3.05m from Glasgow City Region City Deal and £1.397m from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.
The investment, which aims to address a lack of available modern, high-quality commercial and industrial premises, will be delivered through Fusion Assets Ltd, the council’s property development and regeneration company.
Contractor Luddons will start construction this month on the first phase, with the work expected to be complete by November.
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An additional £8.2 million awarded by Glasgow City Region City Deal will be used to develop more commercial premises on a second phase at Ravenscraig and a 3.6-acre site at Westfield Point in Cumbernauld.
Councillor Alex McVey, the council’s Convener of Enterprise, said: “This funding is a major boost for North Lanarkshire and will help us unlock the potential of two key sites, creating high-quality space for businesses to grow and thrive.
“There is an urgent demand for modern, high-quality commercial and industrial spaces for existing and new businesses across the Glasgow City Region.
“These two sites in North Lanarkshire will help attract more companies to the area, bringing vacant and derelict sites back into use and creating jobs and supporting the local economy.”
Murray Collins, Managing Director of Fusion Assets, added: “We are grateful to North Lanarkshire Council for their continued support and look forward to delivering much needed modern energy efficient commercial facilities to the local area, bringing with it new jobs and investment.”
Ravenscraig is one of Europe’s largest brownfield regeneration and community creation initiatives, with a masterplan focused on sustainable and inclusive growth for a mixed-use site.
The vision for Ravenscraig is a self-sufficient community, with high quality housing, transport links, education and employment opportunities, all surrounded by beautiful green space and ancient woodland.
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It seems that adults have fewer close friends these days than they did 30 years ago – in the ’90s, a third of us said we had 10 close friends or more, but by the 2020s, that dropped to 13%.
But making friends as an adult can feel difficult. So, we thought we’d share some science-backed ways to boost your social life:
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1) Don’t rely on luck
For years, I waited for a friendship “meet-cute” – maybe I’d find someone with my exact same interests and a similar personality by some unlikely chance.
But science says I was barking up the wrong tree. One study found that those who thought friendship was a matter of luck were likelier to feel more lonely five years later.
Those who believed that making friends took conscious effort, meanwhile, fared far better socially.
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2) Embrace the “mere exposure” effect
A 2021 study found that people who sat next to each other in classrooms were more likely to become friends.
And the same seemed to be true for adults in college classrooms – another paper found that university students who came to class regularly, even when they didn’t talk to their classmates, were seen as more likeable than those who also didn’t interact and showed up less often.
Though you might not be in college or school anymore, the lesson likely holds true across volunteering groups and meet-ups like book and running clubs.
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3) Assume people will like you
Science suggests that believing people will like and accept you makes you easier to get along with. When researchers told participants of one study that they were going to be accepted into a group, they shared with their new acquaintances and were more positive and less disagreeable.
The inverse seems to be true, too. Another paper showed that when people expect rejection, they read socially ambiguous behaviours – like being quiet – more negatively, taking them as a sign that a person doesn’t like them. In response, they behave in a colder, more defensive manner.
4) Like others in return
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You might think that the most important factor when choosing friends is compatibility. But some research says that the number one trait people look for in a new friend is feeling liked and valued.
Further research, which followed new friend pairs for months, found that those who showed affection for one another were likeliest to stay together.
Cringe-inducing as it may feel at first, being open and clear about liking a person seems to go a long way to making – and keeping – new friendships.
Should Manchester United keep hold of Harry Maguire? (Picture: Getty Images)
Harry Maguire has been unfairly treated over his Manchester United career and deserves a new contract, believes an iconic former Red Devils centre-back.
Maguire’s current deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of this season, with a decision yet to be made on his future.
The 64-cap England international turns 33 next month, so is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but has been in good form in recent weeks.
Interim manager Michael Carrick has leant on Maguire’s experience since taking charge, with the former Leicester City man starting all six games under the current boss and performing impressively.
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With Lisandro Martinez struggling to stay fit and Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined with injury, Maguire has been a key figure in the Red Devils’ upturn in results under Carrick.
The BBC reported this week that there are ‘positive’ signs over a new deal being agreed for Maguire to stay at the club for at least one more season.
However, an agreement has not been reached and the possibility remains that Maguire could end his seven-year stay at Manchester United.
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Maguire has been in good form during Manchester United’s resurgence (Picture: Getty Images)
Red Devils hero Steve Bruce feels the defender has earned a new deal and has been unfairly criticised at times during his time at Old Trafford.
Maguire’s spell at the club, which began in 2019, has not been a classic period in Manchester United’s history, but Bruce feels the centre-back has been made a scapegoat for the team and club’s failings.
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‘I believe Harry has been made the whipping boy for too long,’ Bruce told the Daily Mail. ‘I don’t think he’s ever let Man United down. In that fact, he’s never let England down either.
Michael Carrick has hailed Harry Maguire’s leadership (Picture: Getty Images)
‘As I said, I think he became a whipping boy for what was going on around him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets offered a new deal. Why wouldn’t you? I think centre-halves get better with age.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to the World Cup either. He’s got good experience, he’s played at the highest level, he’s never let England down either. And he’s given a reminder of just what he’s about over the last five, six weeks in particular, if he ever needed to.’
The Red Devils are looking to trim the wage bill
Maguire’s future could ultimately come down to money, with Manchester United reportedly happy to offer him a new deal but on reduced terms.
The Sun report that he earns around £200,000-a-week, but this would have to be significantly cut for him to stay at Old Trafford.
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There could be the chance to earn more elsewhere, not necessarily in wages, but a signing-on fee would be available given he would be moving on a free transfer.
AC Milan and Napoli have been touted as possible destinations, as has Saudi side Al-Qadsiah, managed by his former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Red Devils are looking to significantly trim the wage bill this summer, with Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia leaving the club on free transfers, while Marcus Rashford is also expected to make his loan move to Barcelona permanent.
Tottenham will look to ease their relegation fears when they face London rivals Fulham this weekend.
That result has left Tottenham four points clear of the relegation zone, though the lead will be narrowed if West Ham avoid defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
While the pressure is on Spurs, Fulham still have plenty to play for this season. Into the fifth round of the FA Cup, a top seven finish is also within reach for Marco Silva’s side.
Last weekend’s 3-1 win over Sunderland ended a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League and the Cottagers are bidding to complete a double against Tottenham.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Fulham vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
The match will take place at Craven Cottage, in west London.
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Where to watch Fulham vs Tottenham
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 1pm GMT on Sky Sports Premier League.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
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Fulham vs Tottenham team news
Fulham could be handed a double fitness boost for the London derby as Samuel Chukwueze and Sasa Lukic may both be available for selection.
Chukwueze has not featured since the 3-0 loss to Man City because of a calf issue, while a thigh problem has sidelined Lukic since the 1-0 loss to Fulham in mid January.
Marco Silva is expected to provide an update on Kevin after the Brazilian sustained an injury against Sunderland.
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That said, the Croatian tactician still cannot call upon the likes of Destiny Udogie, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall because of injury. Cristian Romero serves the penultimate game of his four-match suspension.
Dominic Solanke, though, could return to the starting line-up after being a substitute against Arsenal, and Richarlison’s return to fitness allows for Tudor to freshen up the attack.
Fitness boost: Pedro Porro
AFP via Getty Images
Fulham vs Tottenham prediction
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Tottenham are without a Premier League win in 2026 and have now lost three matches in a row.
There is an argument that Fulham’s rather erratic form does give Spurs a glimmer of hope for getting a much needed result in the London derby.
However, we expect the hosts to take full advantage of their rivals’ current plight and secure all three points.