Industry

Former nurse died of asbestos exposure at hospital

by Jose
written by Jose

A retired nurse died from lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the hospital where she worked, an inquest has concluded.

Jean Elizabeth McCluskey, 77, from Wrexham, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2020, and died five years later in February 2025.

The inquest in Ruthin was told mesothelioma is a type of cancer which develops in the lining of the lungs and chest and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

In a statement written before her death, Ms McCluskey described how asbestos dust would regularly be in the atmosphere at the former War Memorial Hospital in Wrexham, where she worked from 1963 until its closure in 1986.

Business

PC accused of groping woman would have been sacked

by Stella
written by Stella

A police officer accused of groping a colleague during a night out would have been sacked if he had not resigned, a disciplinary hearing has ruled.

The panel found that Joshua Barden's actions amounted to sexual misconduct

The officer, who served at Northamptonshire Police, resigned on 21 March and did not attend the hearing on 15 May.

His conduct would have had "a significant impact on public confidence in the profession", the panel ruled.

Barden asked a female officer where she was interested in a relationship with him during a night out in 2022, the panel was told.

She had declined and walked away, but the colleague said Barden came up to her while she was talking to someone else and groped her chest.

When Barden was interviewed, he said he had consumed alcohol that night and could not remember the incident happening.

The witness provided a written statement about the incident earlier this year, which Barden did not challenge.

The hearing found that the misconduct had been "confined to a single episode and had been brief in duration".

Assistant Chief Constable Adam Ward, who chaired the panel, said there was "only one appropriate and proportionate conclusion that it could reach in the circumstances, namely, to impose disciplinary action".

"In practical terms, this means that had the former officer still been a member of the Northamptonshire police force, the panel would have dismissed him."

Tech

Police appeal after man found with serious head injuries

by Oscar
written by Oscar

Police in Aberdeen are appealing for witnesses after a man was found with serious head injuries in the city's Mastrick area.

The 49-year-old was found badly injured on Strathmore Drive at about 03:40 on Friday morning.

He was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where medical staff describe his condition as critical.

The man had earlier been seen using an E-scooter which was missing when he was discovered.

Tech

'I'm gigging with my former job adviser'

by Camila
written by Camila

A singer will be performing at Latitude Festival with her former job centre adviser, seven years after he told her not to give up on her music.

Peonie Gage signed up for a meeting at Colchester Job Centre, aged 18, after she could not earn enough of a living through performing.

She met adviser Wallace Rice, who happened to be a part-time musician with his band Monster Florence, and he told her to keep at it.

Gage said: "[Other] people were trying to help me find corporate jobs and things in retail… who knows what path I would have gone down [if she had not met Rice]."

The pair will perform together at Latitude Festival in Suffolk this summer.

'No work'

Gage, who went to school in Ipswich, is no stranger to big crowds, and she previously sang both the UK and US national anthems in front of millions at the O2 Arena when Floyd Mayweather fought Geordie Shore's Aaron Chalmers.

Now 25 years old, she admitted her future might have looked different if she had been advised by somebody else.

"He ended up giving me so much advice about music, and what to do and where to turn to and how to keep going," she said.

Laura Palmer / LOFTUS
Wallace Rice is part of the six-member group based in Colchester

Normally used to seeing Rice's name on job centre appointment slips, Gage experienced deja vu when she saw that familiar name written on a different form.

Years later, they were put down to play at the same BBC Introducing stage at Henham Park, – a festival which usually draws a crowd of approximately 40,000.

"I was so excited," Gage said when she saw his name.

"Also, it's so nice that we're both from Colchester and that we're both trying to put Colchester on the map."

The pair will reunite and perform together at Latitude in July.

Business

Bernard Kerik, head of New York police during 9/11, dies at 69

by Christopher
written by Christopher

Bernard Kerik, New York City's former police commissioner during the 11 September 2001 attacks, has died aged 69.

His death was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said the former police officer died Thursday after a "private battle with illness."

Kerik oversaw the police response to the deadliest terrorist attack in US history, and was later appointed by former US President George Bush as head of a provisional police force in Iraq.

He pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud in 2009 and served three years in prison, though he was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020.

Those who paid tribute to Kerik include former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was in office when Kerik served as commissioner of the NYPD, and current mayor Eric Adams.

"We've been together since the beginning. He's like my brother," Giuiliani said Thursday on his show.

"I was a better man for having known Bernie," Giuiliani said. "I certainly was a braver and stronger man."

Adams, who had been friends with Kerik for nearly 30 years, said he had visited him in hospital before his death.

"He was with his loved ones who are in my prayers tonight," Adams said in a statement. "He was a great New Yorker and American."

Kerik, a former army veteran and a decorated law enforcement officer, rose up the ranks through his career, and was nearly tapped to run the Department of Homeland Security under Bush in 2004 before he abruptly withdrew his nomination.

In 2009, Kerik pleaded guilty to federal charges after he was accused of lying to investigators about interest-free loans he received from an Israeli billionaire and a New York real estate magnet while he was in public office.

He was granted a full pardon by Trump in 2020, and later joined Giuiliani's efforts to overturn Trump's election loss that same year.

Industry

Adams 'more motivated than ever' against addiction

by Sebastian
written by Sebastian

Former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams says he has more motivation than ever to support those experiencing drug and alcohol abuse.

Adams served four months in HMP Chelmsford in 1990 for drink-driving, but continued to drink for another six years.

Visiting Margate FC, Adams met members of The Forward Trust, an organisation that that helps people with drug and alcohol dependence, for whom he has recently been named the chair of trustees.

"There's a lot of people here who have used our services here in this area, which means a great deal," he said.

"It's a pleasure to be here in Margate. In East Kent we do a lot of great work.

"I'm an ex-offender. It's the holy trinity for me, getting people employed and in housing.

"I recovered from alcohol addiction 29 years ago now. It's the 12-step programme.

"I've got such a great life today – my head is calm, I've got energy and peace of mind that I don't want to give away and doing events like this, I can see people at the start of their journey and it reminds me of what it was like for me."

Former substance abuser Dave said he has looked up to Tony Adams all his life

Dave, who was a substance abuser and left prison a year ago, said: "I've looked up to Tony Adams all my life and for him to be part of something that's got me through into recovery is massive.

"I used to have shirts with [Tony's] name on the back, to be in the same room as Tony I never thought it was possible."

Adams won four league titles, three FA Cups and played 66 times for England.

His recovery has seen him support many organisations, with the Forward Trust now working with Reach Out And Recover (ROAR) Kent.

Charlie is being supported by Reach Out And Recover Kent

Charlie is an Arsenal fan who has being supported by ROAR.

"My first game at Highbury was in 1995, I've followed [Tony] ever since," said Charlie.

"I'm an alcoholic and an addict, when I got into a rut, I never thought I could be the person I am today."

Trudy is a recovering alcoholic and said: "It nearly killed me, but I've had the best life in the past three years, I wouldn't want it any other way.

"I'm chuffed to bits, I'm so grateful for [Tony] coming and that he's helping us."

Adams will be back in Margate to referee a charity football match on 28 June.

Tech

Men jailed for using fake bank notes in shops

by Andrew
written by Andrew

Two men who used fake Scottish bank notes to buy items in shops before returning the purchases for a cash refund have been jailed.

Patrick Ward, 22, of Coole Park, Galway, Ireland, and Jason Ward, 20, of Radharc Na Freine, Galway, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to have a counterfeit currency note, passing counterfeit currency and converting criminal property.

Patrick was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Jason was sentenced to 28 months in a young offender institution on 23 May at Leeds Crown Court.

A third man, William Browne, 19, of St Finbars Terrace, Galway, was also charged but failed to appear at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, West Yorkshire Police said.

Patrick and Jason were arrested in Wakefield on 21 January after officers found items in their car that had been bought from various stores in Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Officers said the pair had used counterfeit Clydesdale bank notes to buy the items and then refunded them for cash at other branches of the shop.

They said further offences linked to the group were found in the Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire police force areas.

West Yorkshire Police
Police advised retailers to be aware of the signs of counterfeit notes

Det Sgt Craig Twycross said: "This was a complex investigation which has prevented fake notes circulating around the country and leaving businesses with worthless cash."

He said the pair "came to the UK from Ireland with a view to using fake cash to fund their lifestyles, and it is right that they have been successfully prosecuted for their offending".

Neil Harris, head of the national counterfeit currency unit at the National Crime Agency said: "This investigation targeted a criminal enterprise where the suspects committed crimes across numerous police force areas.

"However, with the participation of police officers from all of the identified policing areas, the full scale of the offending could be placed before the courts by West Yorkshire Police."

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Market

No plans to fund library from education budget

by Jacob
written by Jacob

The education department has "no plans" to fund a community library that is facing closure due to future financial pressures.

The Isle of Man's Family Library said the facility was set close its doors on 31 July due to expected annual losses of £100,000 as a result of rising costs and declining incomes.

Some Tynwald members have called on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) to "take a lead role" in finding a solution.

But Decs member Paul Craine MLC said the department did not have the "capacity to provide financial support within the current budget constraints".

Since full funding was pulled by the then Department of Education in 2011, following a revision of the island VAT income, the services have been run as an independent charity.

It operates a mobile library in rural areas and a home service for those who are housebound, alongside running a library on Westmoreland Road in Douglas offering activities to young people, schools and adults.

The Family Library has been run as a charity since 2011

Following a Tynwald motion in 2017, £100,000 was provided to The Family Library with a further £138,500 provided by the government in 2019 and 2020 while a Council of Ministers working party reviewed library services on island.

In 2022, the government agreed to a five-year funding plan on a sliding scale beginning with £125,000 in August of that year, with the final sum of £65,000 due to be awarded in August 2026.

Speaking after the closure was announced, director Kurt Roosen confirmed it could not "guarantee" it would have the funds to operate for the next 12 months.

'Loss to communities'

After putting forward an urgent Tynwald question on the situation, Lawrie Hooper MHK said a number of people had highlighted the level of support they got from the library and "the loss to communities" around the island if the closure were to go ahead.

Meanwhile other MHKs praised its "value" and called on Desc to lead talks with the wider government to find a "sustainable solution".

Craine said the "extent of the department's involvement" was that it owned the building, which was leased to the library for "a peppercorn rent of £50 a year".

He confirmed talks had taken place between the parties but said the Desc did not have the "physical resources to oversee the management" of the facility or take discussions forward, or the financial resources to support it in future.

It was therefore "not a matter" for the department and there were "no plans" to fund the The Family Library in future, he added.

Economy

Loss of skating venue will have 'huge impact'

by Louis
written by Louis

The owner of a unique Nottingham entertainment venue says it is "incredibly sad" it is being forced to close due to planning regulations.

Skateland rollerskating arena, in Lenton, was set up nine years ago and has hosted parties, theme nights and skating lessons.

But there was an understanding that when nearby land was developed for housing, the venue would need to be soundproofed, something Joy Cotton says is unaffordable.

After confirming the closure on social media, Ms Cotton said the public reaction "really hit home how much of a huge impact this is going to have".

Joy Cotton said she set up the business because her son liked rollerskating

Ms Cotton said she set up Skateland after her then teenage son struggled to find anywhere convenient to practice his hobby.

It has since grown into a popular venue which is partly run by volunteers.

She when they looked into the cost of soundproofing the venue it came to "hundreds of thousands" of pounds.

The business has been given a deadline of 31 July to vacate the building but clearance work means they will close on 6 July.

"It is incredibly sad," said Ms Cotton.

"We only told staff and volunteers on Monday and then we shared it on our socials to let customers know.

"The amount of people who have reached out to us is amazing.

"It has really hit home how much of a huge impact this is going to have for some people.

"It's really going to affect their well being, because this is somewhere they come together with their friends and there is nowhere else they can come and do this."

Affordable fun

She confirmed the team would like to continue elsewhere but they need a suitable building at the right price.

"We'd love to move to another venue but that is easier said than done," she said.

"We need about 8,000 sq ft, parking and no houses nearby and those tend to get snapped up quickly.

"People have been saying 'Oh it was so cheap, you could have charged more'.

"But one of our key principles was to keep skating affordable for Nottingham.

"There are so many events or venues that people struggle to afford so we wanted to make sure this was for everybody."

Ms Cotton said the next few weeks were going to be busy with planning final events and putting items into storage.

"I'm not sure when it will hit home it's not there anymore," she said.

Economy

Workers optimistic but overwhelmed by AI – study

by Julia
written by Julia

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace is both game-changing and overwhelming for UK workers, a study has found.

More than 4,500 people from almost 30 different employment sectors were polled as part of the research, which was commissioned by Henley Business School.

It found that 56% of full-time professionals were optimistic about AI advancements, while 61% said they were overwhelmed by the speed at which the technology developed.

Prof Keiichi Nakata, from Henley Business School, said the study showed many workers "don't feel equipped" to use AI.

Prof Nakata is director of AI at The World of Work Institute at the school, which is part of the University of Reading, and helps organisations get to grips with the technology.

"This wide-scale study offers a valuable snapshot of how AI is being adopted across UK industries – and where support is still lacking," he said.

"Without in-house training, hands-on learning, and clear policies, we risk creating a workforce that's willing to use AI but is not sure where to start."

The study found that three in five people polled said they would be more likely to use AI at work if proper training were available.

But nearly a quarter of respondents said their employers currently were not providing enough support.

Prof Nakata said the technology "could be a transformative change in organisations across the UK".

He said AI could "simplify complex tasks, take away the boring jobs, and enable workers to have more time to focus on the things that really matter".

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg; it could prove to be a solution that not only helps businesses thrive but improves work satisfaction for employees," he added.