decades

Stuart Miles is barely-recognisable as the fresh-faced Blue Peter icon of the 90s, when he starred alongside names including Tim Vincent and Konnie Huq – and now has a new career

Stuart Miles famously quit Blue Peter after slamming the TV series for being “out of touch” with its young BBC viewers. It had been just three months since his friend and co-star Richard Bacon had been sacked for taking cocaine, and Stuart was arguing that children were no longer interested in sticky back plastic and pets.

“With the year 2000 nearly here we’ve got to make Blue Peter more relevant to modern-thinking children,” he said. “Less twee, more hard-hitting. I know it’s like a comfort blanket for a lot of people, a programme that will never shock or offend you, but we err on the side of caution.”

READ MORE: Forgotten Blue Peter and kids’ TV star Katy Hill looks unrecognisable after unusual career move

Then 27 years old, Stuart was, at the time, Blue Peter’s longest-serving presenter, with his exit coming as a huge blow to the corporation, who had been wrestling with the drug-taking expose of Richard Bacon and his replacement on the show.

But, 26 years later, what has become of Stuart?

He went on to guest-present shows including This Morning and Holiday and also became a regular on Sky Vegas, an interactive TV gambling channel. He went on to present a breakfast show for Heart FM alongside his former co-star, Katy Hill.

And in 2008, he launched a drag show at Edinburgh Fringe, The Adventures of Pink Peter, dressing up as Vera Singleton who was portrayed as sister of Valerie Singleton, one of the show’s early presenters.

A decade later, Stuart spoke about his regret over not coming out as gay during his time on Blue Peter. Speaking to Metro, he said: “I only have one regret and that is I spent a lot of my time on the show feeling conflicted about my sexuality. I was frightened of the reaction I may get both in the press and from the parents of children who watched the show if I came out as a gay man.

This may seem daft to someone growing up gay in 2018 but it’s easy to forget how, as little as 20 years ago, we were in a very different place.”

In fact, Blue Peter had sacked one of its presenters in 1985, Michael Sundin, with many claiming it was because of his sexuality. This was refuted by the show’s then-Editor, Biddy Baxter, who said it was simply that Michael was unpopular with viewers. He sadly died of an Aids-related illness in 1989.

Now aged 56, Stuart is barely recognisable from his Blue Peter days and also has a new career, as a professional speaker for Great British Speakers.

Just months ago, 66 year old Blue Peter itself received a huge shake-up, as its legendary live broadcasts were axed to make way for pre-recorded shows. Last year, former presenters Anthea Turner and Janet Ellis launched a bid to save the show when it was put out to tender.

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A stunning island that could easily compete with the likes of the Maldives has been left to rot for more than 70 years, after all of its residents abandoned their homes

With sugar-like sands, cobalt waters, and lush greenery, this tiny island feels like paradise – but one thing is missing.

From the outside, the island of Faray might look like something straight out of a postcard, but look closer and you’ll realise it’s been left to rot for more than 70 years. Situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland, in the Orkney archipelago, this tiny isle once had a flourishing community – boasting a population of 83 people back in 1871.

A metalled road ran the entire length of the island, meaning travelling across the land and visiting your neighbour was a breeze. Locals opted for this piece of infrastructure over building a jetty for receiving or sending goods – which meant if you arrived by boat you’d have to do a pretty big leap to reach the sand.

READ MORE: Abandoned UK island with only one road running through it loved by the Beckhams

Faray, pronounced Fair-ee, even had its own school – providing free education for children and teens. However, in 1946, the school closed – which ultimately led to its demise.

“[The school’s closure] made the island untenable for young families, particularly as no mention is made in any source of there being a regular visit from a doctor or midwife,” explains the Institute for Northern Studies. “Many inhabitants settled in Eday or Westray, and between 1972-2009 the island was rented by first one family from Westray, and then another from Eday in order to raise sheep.”

It is believed Faray attempted to advertise its empty properties to those living nearby, but the campaign flopped and no interest was shown. In 1947, the last family residing on the island left, citing ‘the lack of regular boat service enabling them to maintain regular contact with the outside world’. Ruins of dwelling houses and the former school still remain on the island – acting as an omen of what once was.

Faray, along with other uninhabited islands including Holm and Red Holm, are now Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation due to their important breeding sites for grey seals. This is what has made Faray a popular destination for divers and tourists alike – who may also spot otters seabirds if they’re lucky.

The island was bought by Orkney Islands Council back in 2019 for its ‘strategic development potential’. Proposals to build a huge wind farm consisting of six wind turbines were later approved by the Scottish Government in December 2022, despite concerns from environmentalists. It wipes out the chance for Faray to reestablish itself as a desirable community, but prevents the island from becoming completely forgotten.

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Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian lived in the United States for 47 years, married a U.S. citizen and raised their daughter. She was gardening in the yard of her New Orleans home when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers handcuffed and took her away, her family said.

Kashanian arrived in 1978 on a student visa and applied for asylum, fearing retaliation for her father’s support of the U.S.-backed shah. She lost her bid, but she was allowed to remain with her husband and child if she checked in regularly with immigration officials, her husband and daughter said. She complied, once checking in from South Carolina during Hurricane Katrina. She is now being held at an immigration detention center in Basile, La., while her family tries to get information.

Other Iranians are also getting arrested by immigration authorities after decades in the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security won’t say how many people they’ve arrested, but U.S. military strikes on Iran have fueled fears that there is more to come.

“Some level of vigilance, of course, makes sense, but what it seems like ICE has done is basically give out an order to round up as many Iranians as you can, whether or not they’re linked to any threat and then arrest them and deport them, which is very concerning,” said Ryan Costello, policy director of the National Iranian American Council, an advocacy group.

Homeland Security did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment on Kashanian’s case but have been touting arrests of Iranians. The department announced the arrests of at least 11 Iranians on immigration violations a week ago, during the weekend of the U.S. missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, without elaborating, that it arrested seven Iranians at a Los Angeles-area address that “has been repeatedly used to harbor illegal entrants linked to terrorism.”

The department “has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,” spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said of the 11 arrests. She didn’t offer any evidence of terrorist or extremist ties. Her comment on parole programs referred to former President Biden’s expanded legal pathways to entry, which President Trump shut down.

Russell Milne, Kashanian’s husband, said his wife is not a threat. Her appeal for asylum was complicated because of “events in her early life,” he explained. A court found an earlier marriage of hers to be fraudulent.

But over four decades, Kashanian, 64, built a life in Louisiana. The couple met when she was bartending as a student in the late 1980s. They married and had a daughter. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, filmed Persian cooking tutorials on YouTube and was a grandmother figure to the children next door.

The fear of deportation always hung over the family, Milne said, but he said his wife did everything that was being asked of her.

“She’s meeting her obligations,” Milne said. “She’s retirement age. She’s not a threat. Who picks up a grandmother?”

While Iranians have been crossing the border illegally for years, especially since 2021, they have faced little risk of being deported to their home countries due to severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. That seems to no longer be the case.

The Trump administration has deported hundreds of people, including Iranians, to countries other than their own in an attempt to circumvent diplomatic hurdles with governments that won’t take their people back. During Trump’s second term, countries including El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama have taken back noncitizens from the U.S.

The administration has asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for several deportations to South Sudan, a war-ravaged country with which it has no ties, after the justices allowed deportations to countries other than those that noncitizens came from.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Iranians 1,700 times at the Mexican border from October 2021 through November 2024, according to the most recent public data available. The Homeland Security Department reported that about 600 Iranians overstayed visas as business or exchange visitors, tourists and students in the 12-month period through September 2023, the most recent report shows.

Iran was one of 12 countries subject to a U.S. travel ban imposed by Trump that took effect this month. Some fear ICE’s growing deportation arrests will be another blow.

In Oregon, an Iranian man was detained by immigration agents this past week while driving to the gym. He was picked up roughly two weeks before he was scheduled for a check-in at ICE offices in Portland, according to court documents filed by his attorney, Michael Purcell.

The man, identified in court filings as S.F., has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, and his wife and two children are U.S. citizens.

S.F. applied for asylum in the U.S. in the early 2000s, but his application was denied in 2002. His appeal failed, but the government did not deport him and he continued to live in the country for decades, according to court documents.

Due to “changed conditions” in Iran, S.F. would face “a vastly increased danger of persecution” if he were to be deported, Purcell wrote in his petition. “These circumstances relate to the recent bombing by the United States of Iranian nuclear facilities, thus creating a de facto state of war between the United States and Iran.”

S.F.’s long residency in the U.S., his conversion to Christianity and the fact that his wife and children are U.S. citizens “sharply increase the possibility of his imprisonment in Iran, or torture or execution,” he said.

Similarly, Kashanian’s daughter said she is worried what will happen to her mother.

“She tried to do everything right,” Kaitlynn Milne said.

Chandler, Rush and Spagat write for the Associated Press.

Home and Away actor Tristan Bancks is best known for his role as Tug O’Neale on the popular Australian soap and, since leaving the show, has landed a string of impressive roles

From its debut in 1989, Home and Away became a must-watch for soap fans With its gripping plotlines and the beautiful backdrop of Summer Bay, it’s no wonder audiences continue to enjoy the Aussie soap after more than three decades. Over its impressive 36-year run, Home and Away has seen a host of stars grace its screens, including Tristan Bancks, who played the character Tug O’Neale. From 1992 to 1994, Tristan was a regular fixture on the soap, having been chosen from among 200 hopefuls for the role.

As Tug, Tristan found himself at the heart of numerous high-profile storylines, tackling issues such as mental health and bullying. However, after two years, he decided to step away from the show to explore new opportunities. After leaving Home and Away, Tristan, now 50, relocated to London for a short time where he secured several presenting roles, including hosting the game show Don’t Try This At Home.

READ MORE: EastEnders legend ‘died virtually penniless’ after blowing £1m fortune

Upon his return to Australia, Tristan resumed his acting career, with roles in the short film Dust and the 2002 feature Beneath Clouds. He has also ventured into directing, with his short comedy Soar being showcased at both the London Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival, reports OK!.

Tristan seemingly remains ever-youthful, and has carved out a successful career as an award-winning author, penning popular children’s and young adult books such as Two Wolves, The Fall, and Detention. His latest work, Scar Town, hit the shelves recently, with Tristan attending a flurry of book launch events.

With over 5,000 followers on Instagram, the ex-soap star frequently offers glimpses into his life as a writer, sharing moments from writing retreats, literary talks, and book festivals.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tristan enjoys a private life with his partner, editorial and wedding photographer Amber Melody. The couple are proud parents to two sons and although he keeps much of his personal life under wraps, Tristan occasionally shares heartfelt posts about his family on Instagram.

He posed with one of his sons for a picture on Instagram in September last year, saying: “First Father’s Day with my eldest son living away in Melbourne. Missed him a lot but he’s doing great things. And I did get to have lunch with my youngest son and his girlfriend and my mum and her husband. And my beautiful wife who I’ve been lucky enough to bring up our two fine boys with. Also, Lego!”

And one Valentine’s Day, he shared an affectionate post for Amber, referring to her as the “love of my life”.

His Instagram caption read: “Happy V Day to the love of my life, Amber Melody. [man and woman in love emoji] Great start to the day with brownie pain au chocolate and croissant French toast (breakfast of champions) at @bambam_bakehouse. :).”

In another heartwarming post, Tristan uploaded a photo with his sons during a magical trip to Disneyland Paris, expressing that travelling with his family is his “favourite thing to do.”

His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, and the YABBA children’s choice book awards. Scar Town was named the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

But his talents don’t stop there, as Tristan’s website reports that “he is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the stage and screen.”

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In the 1990s, the stars of Renault Clio’s TV adverts were more famous than the Prime Minister, and their names might not mean much, but their catchphrase definitely will

Back in the day, they were household names. It seems unbelievable now, but the stars of the 1990s Renault Clio adverts were once more familiar to Brits than then-Prime Minister John Major and the legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Evans. And even if the actors Estelle Skornik and Max Douchin aren’t instantly recognisable by name, their iconic catchphrase certainly is.

Their on-screen father-daughter relationship struck a chord across the nation. “Nicole?” the debonair Frenchman would enquire, full of anticipation. “Papa!” she’d respond, with a simplicity that captured hearts.

READ MORE: Benidorm heartthrob Jake Canuso looks unrecognisable after ‘miserable’ divorce

In the debut advert, Nicole would slip away while her father seemed to nap in the garden of their chateau, dashing off to secretly meet with her dashing beau in her trusty Clio. But, unbeknown to Nicole, her dad was also on a clandestine mission, whizzing off in his car to surprise a mysterious lady with flowers.

Upon Nicole’s return, she’d discover her father seemingly-still snoozing in the garden, culminating in their trademark two-word dialogue.

The charming ads aired for seven years starting in 1991, playing a part in the whopping sales of 300,000 Renault Clios. But what became of the duo?

Estelle, who brought Nicole to life, has since graced other TV projects, including From Hell, The Days That Made History and Les Lyonnais.

Now 53, she starred opposite Ioan Gruffudd, portraying a romantic interest for his character Horatio Hornblower in the epic naval drama set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.

But Estelle has reportedly taken a step back from the limelight, favouring family life over fame. Tying the knot with Laurent Bismuth in 1996, the couple have since had three children. Her final acting gig on record was back in 2011.

Reflecting on her character in a 1998 interview with the Independent, she reminisced: “Nicole is very spontanee and I’m very spontanee. She’s open to life, she’s French. Nicole is part of me.”

Max Douchin, fondly remembered as ‘Papa’ and now aged 87, found his acting niche later in life. He featured in an episode of the French-Italian TV show Les Héritiers De Patmos in 2017 and graced the Paris premiere.

Currently enjoying retirement in Burgundy, France, surrounded by his partner and family, he hasn’t given up performing entirely – he participates in a local choir. Chatting with Mail Online, he recalled the iconic Clio adverts with a sense of nostalgia.

“When I meet English people, who happen to be in Burgundy, and I speak with them, every English person I meet remembers Papa,” he shared.

“I have a lot of good souvenirs from that programme for the Renault Clios.”

READ MORE: World-renowned dentists give teeth whitener ‘5-star seal of approval’ in tests

X Factor icon Rowetta looks unrecognisable 19 years on as she stuns in a tartan miniskirt and thigh-high boots, proving her bold style is still going strong at 57

X Factor fans might do a double-take after seeing one of the show’s original stars looking completely different nearly two decades after finding fame.

Rowetta Satchell, or simply Rowetta, as she was known to millions, was one of the standout acts on the very first series of The X Factor back in 2004. The powerhouse soul singer wowed judges with her unforgettable take on Lady Marmalade, and her bold vocals and big personality quickly made her a fan favourite.

Already known from her days with legendary band Happy Mondays, Rowetta made it all the way to the quarter-finals of the ITV talent show, finishing fourth overall and becoming the last woman left standing, without ever facing the dreaded sing-off.

READ MORE: Happy Mondays icon Rowetta abruptly quits band after over three decades

Fast-forward 19 years, and the 57-year-old is still commanding attention. Rowetta recently turned heads as she posed in a tartan miniskirt and leopard-print thigh-high boots on her way to an Indie Reunion event. She paired the look with a statement tee reading, “The ravers united will never be defeated.” She told fans she was “on my way.”

Simon Cowell once famously described her as “amazing but barking bloody mad”, and it’s fair to say her bold style and fearless energy haven’t faded one bit.

In an interview with Metro.co.uk, the singer opened up about her journey on the ITV competition, her music career, and why she never returned to reality TV despite being flooded with offers.

According to Rowetta, after The X Factor propelled her to TV fame in 2004, she turned down shows like Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity, only making exceptions for Children in Need and BBC Music Day.

Rowetta’s journey began in Leeds when Kate Thornton introduced her to the judges before live auditions were part of the show’s format. Her renditions of Lady Marmalade and Circle of Life wowed Simon and Sharon from the get-go.

She said she was grateful not to win because she and Simon Cowell had a difference of opinion on the final single.

Adding: “I think it would have been a disaster to win it, and then have to bring out songs like that. I love funky stuff. I don’t want to be doing Somewhere Over The Rainbow for the rest of my life.”

Rowetta said her reason for doing the show was her grandma, who encouraged her to be on TV like the singers she watched. Her career since has included collaborations with the likes of Solardo, Todd Terry, Oliver Heldens and Shed Seven.

A proud Mancunian, Rowetta loves being a role model on her local music scene, often performing at Manchester Pride. She said that when she was growing up, “there was no one to look up to from Manchester that was Black and female.”

Last year, in December 2024, it was announced that Rowetta would be leaving the band. The announcement came amidst speculation about past feuds with band member Shaun Ryder. In February this year, MailOnline reported Rowetta sharing that she has allegedly been physically abused by Shaun.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

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Israel’s war on Iran was one that many have expected, and yet with nuclear talks between the United States and Iran ongoing, few saw it coming. Propaganda from the Netanyahu government and credulous reporting in the Western media have played a major part in how we got here.

Contributors:
Narges Bajoghli – Author, Iran Reframed
Matt Duss – Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy
Assal Rad – Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC
Mohammad Ali Shabani – Editor, Amwaj Media

On our radar

As Israeli media cheerlead for the war on Iran, military censors are tightening their grip on local and foreign media outlets alike. Ryan Kohls reports.

The war on Iran feels eerily familiar – from justifications that hold no water to the uncritical reporting in the media. Chris Hedges joins us to unpack the unsettling parallels with the 2003 Iraq War.

Featuring:
Chris Hedges – Former Middle East Bureau Chief, The New York Times

A MAJOR car dealership has suddenly shut down after forty-five years of selling 10,000s of motors.

Customers in Lowestoft, East Suffolk, were shocked by the owner’s statement announcing their closure.

2

Stanley Street Motors, run by John Mitchell, has been serving a loyal client base since 1980.

But the boss revealed he will be powering down operations due to health reasons.

In a statement on Facebook, the firm said: “Stanley Street Motors has now ceased trading, due to ill-health and retirement.

“This facebook page is in the process of being closed down, and the automatic updates will shortly cease. Our website will have further details in due course.

“We at Stanley Street Motors want to thank you, our customers and friends, and all our suppliers, contractors and supporters, everyone who bought our cars, liked our posts and recommended us to others.

“For over 40 years we have bought and sold cars from Stanley Street. Over the years we have had tens of thousands of lovely customers, many of whom became, not just repeat customers, but friends.

“We will miss you all. Thank you and goodbye.”

The site will now be up for grabs at auction through Auction House East Anglia, as reported by the Eastern Daily Press.

Bidders will have the opportunity to bag the property on June 18.

A guide price has been listed for anywhere between £200,000 and £300,000.

A spokesperson from the auctioneers said: “Former car sales showroom and forecourt with development potential.

“This showroom with offices and workshop is to be sold vacant and ready for a new operator, or there is potential to change the current use subject to planning.

“The premises has been used successfully for used cars sales and repairs by the current owners for over 40 years but is now being sold due to retirement.

“The premises comprise of a generous showroom, workshop, two offices, presentation suite, kitchen and cloakroom.

“There is a large forecourt for upwards of 30 cars and the premises has three phase electricity and security alarm system.”

This comes as motor dealerships across the UK have been waving goodbye amid a string of devastating closures.

Last month a highly recommended company with excellent reviews shut down suddenly.

The Evans Halshaw location ceased trading quietly with no warning given.

Elsewhere, a pioneering car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles is currently on sale – putting over 100 jobs at risk.

The German online used car marketplace has made heavy losses since opening in the UK in 2019 when it looked to rival Auto Trader and Motors.

Heycar’s majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have pulled the plug leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France at risk of losing their jobs.

Meanwhile a fellow dealership pulled the shutters down as part of a “brand shift” with staff being moved over to another company.

The Sytner Group sold its former Manchester Carshop site to a used car company.

Shaun Lane, the CEO of Motor Range, announced the move on LinkedIn.

According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK.

The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships.

With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don’t even step foot into a dealership anymore.

Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared.

Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket.

Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors.

The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry.

A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars.

They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050.

The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals.

This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures.

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Its been over 20 years since the first Unity Cup and since then it has yet to return however this year that all changed – The friendly competition is back but this time starring more countries than before.

This week, four nations with deep roots in the UK brought community, culture and football to Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium for the long-awaited return of the Unity Cup.

From steel pans and DJs to flags waving proudly in every direction, this was more than a football cup, it was a full on cultural link up and one that had been missing from the scene for twenty one years.

On Tuesday 27th May, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz beat Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors in a fierce Caribbean clash. The following day, Nigeria’s Super Eagles edged past Ghana’s The Black Stars, securing their place in the final. With the third-place match and final showdown happening on Saturday , fans showed up not just to support their teams but to celebrate community, culture and shared roots.

What is the Unity Cup?

The Unity Cup is an international friendly football tournament originally launched in 2004, when teams from Nigeria, Jamaica and Ireland faced off at Charlton Athletic’s ground. Then it was a moment, now it’s a movement.

Two decades later, the tournament returned with clearer purpose: to celebrate the cultural impact of African and Caribbean communities in the UK, particularly in London. Where those communities have helped shape the city’s identity through food, music, language and history.

This year’s line-up features Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria and Ghana – four nations chosen for their heritage, their undeniable pride and their presence in the UK’s multicultural landscape.

From the food we eat, to the rhythms we dance to each of these cultures have left a mark in British identity in countless ways. The Unity Cup is a tribute to that legacy.

Why Brentford?

It’s no coincidence that the tournament was hosted by Brentford FC. West London is known for its multicultural spirit, and Brentford’s commitment to inclusion made it the perfect stage.

Just weeks ago, the club was awarded the Premier League’s Intermediate Level for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (PLEDIS), highlighting their work both on and off the pitch – the decision to bring the Unity Cup her shows this wasn’t just a football event – it was a celebration designed to reflect the city.

From start to finish, the vibes were immaculate. On one end, a steel pan band played sweet melodies throughout the match. On the other, artist performances and DJs kept the energy high, soundtracking the day with bashment, afrobeats, gospel and everything in between.

Crowds were filled out in jerseys and flags, the crowd came with whistles ready. It wasn’t just a game – it felt like a mini carnival, with football as the headliner.

But beyond the party, there was a powerful undercurrent of unity. Because although every player on that pitch shares a Black identity, the cultural nuances between African and Caribbean communities are deep but the Unity Cup created space for both and what came from that space was a beautiful sight.

Brentford FC and NHS Blood & Transplant also used the event to host a ‘Bee A Hero’ blood donor drive – encouraging attendees to get their blood type tested and sign up as donors. This wasn’t a side initiative. It was central part of what made the Unity Cup feel different and deeply necessary.

This is especially important for Black communities, where conditions like sickle cell disproportionately affect lives. It the fastest-growing genetic condition in the UK. It causes excruciating pain, organ damage, and in many cases, lifelong complications. Treatment often relies on blood transfusions – but only 2% of donors in the UK are Black, even though over 55% of Black Londoners have the rare Ro subtype, which is crucial for sickle cell patients.

The Unity Cup didn’t just bring people together. It reminded them how they can help keep each other alive.

Before the big final, the third-place playoff saw Ghana beat Trinidad & Tobago 4-0, securing the bronze position after dominating both halves. But what most people really came to see is the fight for the first place title – Jamaica vs Nigeria.

The first half saw both teams scoring once, but in the final half the pressure was evident, the tackles were fiercer, the chants were louder – both teams were battling for the crown. The friendly competition started to look not so friendly.

But when the final whistle came, both teams had scored twice. Which left no option, but a penalty shootout – all eyes were peeled. In a tense final few minutes, Nigeria came out on top, edging past Jamaica after the Reggae Boyz missed a crucial spot-kick.

Whether it was the Reggae Boyz or the Super Eagles lifting the trophy, or you call it plan-tain or plan-tin, the real win was seeing the stands full of colour, culture, and connection in Brentford FC.

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DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,

Move follows February call by jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan for group to lay down its arms.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has announced that it plans to disband and disarm in a move promising an end to decades of conflict with Turkiye.

The move was announced on Monday by the Firat News Agency, a media outlet close to the group. Part of a new peace initiative with Ankara designed to put an end to four decades of violence, the plan to disband comes days after the PKK convened a party congress in northern Iraq.

Following the congress on Friday, the group had said that it had reached “historic” decisions tthat would be shared with the public soon.

Firat reported that a statement by PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan outlining his “perspectives and proposals” were read during the congress.

In February, Ocalan – who has been in jail since 1999 – called on the group to lay down its arms and dissolve itself in a bid to end the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.

The outlawed PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and most Western states, announced a ceasefire days later but had set conditions to disband, including the establishment of a legal mechanism for peace talks.

More to come…