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Former snooker champion Graeme Dott jailed for abusing two children
Graeme Dott, the former world snooker champion, has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of sexually abusing two children over separate periods spanning from 1993 to 2010. The 49-year-old was convicted of two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour and has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. The sentencing…
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Documentary on Carlo Acutis draws 4.3 million Italian viewers
A documentary about Carlo Acutis, the teenager known as “God’s Influencer”, drew nearly 4.3 million viewers on Italian television, capturing almost 30 per cent of the audience. It tells the story of Acutis, who died of leukaemia aged 15 in 2006 and was canonised by Pope Leo in September 2025. Born in London and raised…
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On the rocks? Scotch distilleries pause production as unsold ‘whisky loch’ grows
Scotland’s Scotch whisky industry is experiencing a severe downturn after a 15-year boom, with distilleries pausing production to manage an oversupply crisis known as a “whisky loch”. The slump is triggering significant job cuts, business closures and strike action, including the recent appointment of administrators at GlenWyvis Distillery and strike action at Diageo’s Cameronbridge plant…
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Prince’s 1987 double album distilled his restless musical experimentation
Prince’s 1987 double album *Sign o’ the Times* is presented as a defining record from the height of his creativity, bringing together his restless experimentation and wide musical range. A new book by John McKie examines how Prince channelled a period of personal and professional change into music, and why the album remains a landmark…
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Apps can support analogue hobbies and help people cut screen time
The article explores how technology and apps can paradoxically support a more analogue lifestyle and reduce screen time, rather than solely contributing to digital dependency. With growing concern about AI and screen reliance, the author demonstrates that thoughtfully chosen digital tools can enhance physical and mental wellbeing whilst enabling more present, engaged living. The author…
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Wales without seven players for World Cup play-off
Wales will face a significant challenge in their Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Albania next month after losing seven key players to injury. The absence is particularly damaging as it includes Ceri Holland, Liverpool’s player of the season for 2025-26 and arguably Wales’ most influential player since the retirement of Jess Fishlock. Head coach…
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Seventeen arrested in coordinated raids on suspected crime group
The Metropolitan Police conducted a major operation deploying over 800 officers across London and four counties, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals suspected of being part of an organised crime group. The operation involved coordinated dawn raids targeting suspected criminal activities. – 65-year-old man: organised crime, conspiracy to commit GBH, money laundering, tax evasion…
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Miliband hints Government could reconsider Palestine Action ban after protests
Ed Miliband suggested the Government may revisit the ban on Palestine Action, while stressing that a Supreme Court case should run its course. His remarks followed arrests at a protest outside Labour’s conference and a confrontation with activists while he was having dinner; he said the Government had not intended to criminalise elderly protesters and…
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Three Egyptian officials jailed in absentia over Giulio Regeni’s abduction
Three Egyptian security officials were convicted in Rome over the abduction of Cambridge University student Giulio Regeni, whose tortured body was found in Cairo in 2016. The verdict matters as a rare legal finding of responsibility in a case that has strained relations between Italy and Egypt, though the officials were tried in absentia and…
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Evicted Madrid pensioner, 87, expected home under new rental deal
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner, is expected to return to her Madrid flat after reaching a new rental agreement with its owners. She was forcibly evicted on 23 September after a proposed rent rise sparked protests across Spain and renewed calls for stronger tenant protections amid high rents and a housing shortage. Abascal had lived…