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Thursday, January 29, 2026
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England vs Australia: Fifth ODI decided by DLS as visitors win series 3-2 after rain

Australia hit 165 from the first 20.4 overs of their innings to win by 49 runs through DLS in the fifth ODI at Bristol on Sunday.

Rain stopped play with Australia two wickets down and chasing 310 after England collapsed from 202-2.

The hosts lost their next seven wickets for 74 runs, with Adil Rashid’s 36 offering a much-needed measure of relief.

England vs Australia score

England’s promising situation earlier in the day had been helped by a century off 86 balls for Ben Duckett, who was caught for 107.

Harry Brook hit 72 off 52 deliveries and Phil Salt registered 45 off 27 but Travis Head’s four wickets for 28 off 6.2 overs did much of the damage.

Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie and Adam Zampa took two wickets each before Matt Short hit 58 off 30 balls for Australia, including seven fours and four sixes, and Head was caught by Salt for 31.

Steve Smith was on 36 not out and Josh Inglis on 28 when the covers went on, with further rain appearing to scupper any hopes of resuming.

Ben Duckett ‘looks right’

“It is a slightly disappointing end, given that they were 205-2 at the halfway mark,” former England captain Michael Atherton told Sky Sports.

“They have done well to come back from 2-0 down [in the series], given the side they are playing against, who are almost at full strength.

“Ben Duckett looks just about right at the top of the order and it will be very interesting to see who opens with him.”

England injuries

Brook was made England captain for the series in the absence of Jos Buttler because of a calf problem and towering seamer Josh Hull withdrew with a quad injury.

Joe Root is being rested and Ben Stokes tore a hamstring while playing in The Hundred in August.

Man jailed for stashing firearms at Crumpsall home

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A man has been sent to jail for six years after police found firearms at his home.

Victor Sibthorpe (25) of Chudleigh Road, Crumpsall, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today.

The court heard how Greater Manchester Police executed a misuse of drugs act warrant on April 17. Sibthorpe was not at the address, but a search unveiled class A and B drugs.

Further examination of the garden at Sibthorpe’s address, led to the discovery of four firearms wrapped in black bin bags. Two viable self-loading pistols, a revolver, a shotgun and ammunition were recovered.

The offender was subsequently charged with possession of firearms and remanded into custody, and later pleaded guilty to the charges.

Detective constable Michael Jacobs said: “We have made a commitment to taking firearms off our streets, for each gun that we recover, that’s a potential life saved, or firearms incident prevented.

“We are determined to hold those involved in the use, supply, and conversion of firearms in Greater Manchester to account.

“Sibthorpe demonstrated a complete and utter lack of accountability for his actions throughout, choosing not to comment during all of his police interviews.

“This sentence sees another criminal behind bars and even more illegal weapons seized as a result of proactive police work.”

I’m a car expert…This practical joke could land you in hot water

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A new study reveals a third of UK drivers wrongly believe there is no penalty for deliberately splashing a pedestrian whilst driving.

Following an amber alert from the Met Office and heavy rain overnight, new research from private number plate supplier Regtransfers has revealed that the majority of UK drivers aren’t aware of the potential fine they could receive for deliberately splashing pedestrians whilst driving.

It might seem like a harmless prank or practical joke, but if it’s believed that you have deliberately driven into a puddle to splash a pedestrian walking on the pavement, you could receive a maximum fine of up to £5,000 and a potential three points on your license.

The study showed that a third of the UK’s drivers believe there is no fine for the act of splashing someone on purpose, while half of the respondents believed the maximum fine to be just £1,000.

Under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, splashing someone on purpose is considered an offense, as it is seen as driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons”.

In most cases, drivers will receive a fixed penalty notice of £100, but if this isn’t paid the fine could increase to the £5,000 maximum if the case is taken to court and the driver is seen as acting with “incompetence, selfishness, impatience, and aggressiveness”.

“Driving through deep puddles is sometimes unavoidable, but it’s important to take care when doing so”, said Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee.

“We’d like to think nobody would intentionally splash a pedestrian, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when driving in wet weather. Always check your surroundings and drive at an appropriate speed so as not to splash anyone.

“Aside from the inconvenience you may cause to those on the side of the road, driving at speed in wet weather increases the risk of hydroplaning, which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle and, potentially, a nasty accident.”

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Officer convicted for assault after grabbing teenager by throat

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An officer who grabbed an innocent teenager by the throat has been convicted of assault following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s dedicated unit for professional standards.

PC Benjamin Heppenstall (33), who is based in Wigan district, was today convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm of a 16-year-old boy while on duty in January 2021.

Over the five-day hearing, the jury at Bolton Crown Court was played video footage taken from PC Heppenstall’s body-worn camera which showed the entirety of the assault.

He had responded to an incident at a care home for young people in Wigan where threats had been allegedly made to two women who worked there.

After arresting two suspects, and with the two workers physically unharmed and present in the room, PC Heppenstall told a 16-year-old boy, who was sitting near the suspects on a sofa, to get out of the room and “go to bed.”

The boy refused, and PC Heppenstall proceeded to initially try and pull the boy up from the sofa by his arm, before then putting his hand forcefully around the boy’s neck and being verbally abusive.

Such was PC Heppenstall’s grip on the victim, he tore the boy’s t-shirt and pulled it off him before then forcefully grabbing his neck a second time, which resulted in the boy being injured and one of the workers, who was one of the initial victims, trying to intervene and pull PC Heppenstall away.

The Professional Standards Directorate received a formal complaint about the incident and investigators worked to secure evidence, including PC Heppenstall’s body-worn footage and witness statements, to build a case for assault.

PC Heppenstall’s duties were suspended in January 2021. Following today’s verdict, he faces being suspended from the force, which is now preparing misconduct proceedings. He will be sentenced on November 27.

Detective chief inspector Iqbal Ahmed said: “This was a shocking use of unnecessary and excessive force by Benjamin Heppenstall on a defenceless teenage boy who absolutely should not have been treated this way.

“Our officers have a really challenging role and are faced with instances that the general public will never experience. However, officers are trained to act professionally and proportionately, and it is clear here that PC Heppenstall acted beyond what was necessary when faced with a verbal refusal by the boy to do what he had told him to do.

“A significant part of this case was the body-worn footage captured on PC Heppenstall’s camera, which goes to show that this important equipment – which every frontline officer has – is not just for their protection, but also for the public’s protection too.

“The public need to have trust and confidence in our officers – thousands of whom are professional and compassionate people who serve the people of Greater Manchester each and every day. However, Heppenstall’s actions do not represent this, and it is thanks to the dedication of the Professional Standards Directorate at GMP that we have done our job in ensuring he his brought to justice for this actions.”

Team Leadership: Jack Mason’s Strategies for High-Performing Team Success

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Jack Mason’s approach to team leadership offers a powerful blueprint for building high-performing teams. As the Group CEO and Co-Founder of Inc & Co, Mason combines emotional intelligence with strategic leadership, ensuring that each member feels valued and motivated. His focus on team effectiveness is not just a matter of bringing skilled individuals together, but about nurturing collaboration and trust within the team.

Incorporating emotional intelligence into his leadership style, Mason creates an environment where open communication thrives. This fosters a culture of mutual support and shared purpose, which is essential for team effectiveness. By setting a clear vision and direction, he ensures every member understands how their work contributes to the team’s success.

Jack Mason’s emphasis on collaboration and emotional intelligence builds teams that are not only high-performing but also highly cohesive. His insights reveal that effective leadership is as much about connecting with people as it is about making strategic decisions. Readers seeking to enhance their own leadership strategies can find valuable lessons in how Mason transforms groups into cohesive, successful teams.

Cultivating Effective Communication and Teamwork

Jack Mason emphasises the importance of establishing open communication and fostering teamwork within high-performing teams. By focusing on strategic leadership, teams can enhance their ability to adapt and grow in evolving environments. Attention to communication, training, and team composition is crucial.

Establishing Open Communication Channels

Creating strong communication channels is a priority for Jack Mason. Effective communication ensures that team members are well-informed and can collaborate seamlessly. Regular meetings, whether in-person or virtual, provide opportunities for updates and discussions. Teams should use digital tools like instant messaging apps and project management software to keep communication flowing.

Encouraging feedback is vital. Team members should feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This openness fosters innovation and helps address challenges promptly. Leaders like Mason promote transparency by making information accessible to everyone, enhancing trust and accountability within the team.

Fostering Collaborative Team Environments

Fostering a culture of collaboration is a key strategy for Mason. He believes that teamwork thrives in environments that encourage cooperation and mutual support. Cross-functional projects benefit from diverse perspectives, helping teams build resilience and adaptability to the external environment and its demands.

Team-building activities can strengthen bonds and improve interpersonal relationships among team members. Such activities, whether formal workshops or informal social gatherings, enhance coordination and camaraderie. Leaders should ensure their teams have clear roles and responsibilities, reducing conflicts and promoting a shared sense of purpose.

Enhancing Team Composition and Dynamics

Jack Mason underscores the importance of strategic team composition. Having the right mix of skills and personalities is essential. Teams benefit from diverse skill sets, enabling them to address various challenges and seize new opportunities. This diversity supports problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring team dynamics is necessary. Leaders should be aware of potential conflicts and be prepared to address them through mediation. Training sessions focused on teamwork and communication can enhance understanding among team members. Continuous assessment and adjustments of team roles can lead to improved performance and growth, aligning with the overall goals of the organisation.

Strategic Approaches to Resource Management & Organisational Growth

Managing resources effectively is critical to organisational growth. This involves leveraging resources for optimal performance, understanding how external factors influence growth, and applying data-driven insights to make informed decisions.

Leveraging Resources for Maximum Performance

Leaders must maximise the value of available resources. This means utilising human, financial, and technological assets wisely. By aligning resources with organisational goals, teams can boost efficiency and effectiveness.

Human resources are pivotal. Training and development increase staff skills, while clear roles boost motivation. Financial resources should be allocated strategically to projects with the highest potential returns. Investing in innovation can provide competitive advantages.

Furthermore, leveraging technology improves processes and speeds up operations. Automation and data analytics are examples of how tech can be utilised efficiently.

Understanding the Impact of External Environments

External environments play a significant role in shaping organisational performance. Leaders need to be aware of changes in the economic, political, and social landscapes. These factors can impact resource allocation and strategic decisions.

Global economic conditions affect market demand and access to capital. Political changes may influence regulatory requirements and operational costs. Social trends such as sustainability are also important, as they could shape consumer behaviour and preferences.

Anticipating these changes enables organisations to adapt quickly and maintain growth.

Applying Empirical Research to Inform Leadership Decisions

Empirical research provides leaders with evidence-based strategies to enhance performance. It involves the collection and analysis of data to identify patterns and inform decision-making processes.

Studies in organisational behaviour, such as the upper echelons theory, suggest that leaders’ experiences and values can impact strategic choices. By applying these insights, leaders can better align their actions with organisational objectives.

Moreover, research can inform best practices in health care and other industries, ensuring that resources are used effectively to achieve desired outcomes. Utilising empirical data helps refine approaches and achieve sustained success.

BettingOnline.co.uk Launches to Revolutionise UK Betting Site Recommendations

New website provides expert, unbiased reviews and exclusive offers for UK bettors

Betting enthusiasts across the UK can now access a new, comprehensive platform designed to help them navigate the crowded online betting market. BettingOnline.co.uk, a brand-new website, has officially launched, offering expert recommendations, detailed reviews, and exclusive offers from the top betting sites in the UK.

BettingOnline.co.uk is set to become the go-to resource for both novice and experienced bettors looking to find the best betting platforms for their needs. The site provides in-depth analysis on a wide range of UK-regulated sportsbooks and casinos, ensuring users get accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date information. Whether bettors are looking for the best odds, welcome bonuses, or user-friendly apps, BettingOnline.co.uk covers all aspects of the online betting experience.

Key Features of BettingOnline.co.uk:

  • Comprehensive Reviews: Expert assessments of the most popular and trusted betting sites, evaluating factors such as security, customer service, ease of use, and payment options.
  • Exclusive Offers: Access to the latest promotions, welcome bonuses, and special deals from betting sites that users won’t find anywhere else.
  • Betting Guides: Detailed tutorials for newcomers on how to get started, along with advanced tips and strategies for experienced bettors looking to improve their game.
  • Live Betting Updates: Stay informed with live updates on major sporting events, odds fluctuations, and the latest trends in the betting world.
  • Transparency & Trust: The website ensures all recommended platforms are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, promoting responsible gambling practices.

“BettingOnline.co.uk is more than just a site for comparing bookmakers,” said Solomon Shehata, Sports Betting Writer at BettingOnline.co.uk. “We aim to empower UK bettors with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions, while also promoting safe and responsible betting.”

As the UK betting market continues to grow, BettingOnline.co.uk is poised to become a valuable resource for anyone looking to elevate their online betting experience. With a focus on transparency, security, and user satisfaction, the site is committed to delivering top-tier content that bettors can trust.

About BettingOnline.co.uk
BettingOnline.co.uk is the UK’s premier platform for discovering, comparing, and reviewing online betting sites. The website features impartial reviews, exclusive promotions, and expert advice to help users find the best betting experience tailored to their preferences. All bookmakers recommended by BettingOnline.co.uk are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring a safe and legal betting environment.

For more information, visit www.bettingonline.co.uk/betting-sites/.

What are the benefits of AP automation for businesses?

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Traditionally, accounts payable processes are highly manual and involved, requiring a significant investment of staff time to handle. Not only that, manual data entry also leaves them vulnerable to human errors that can prove costly in the long term.

Fortunately, the rise of digital solutions has given many businesses the tools to transform the way they deal with invoicing through AP automation. This shift offers numerous benefits for companies, ranging from improved accuracy to enhanced vendor relationships. Read on to explore the key benefits of accounts payable automation in greater detail.

Improved vendor relationships

Vendor relationships are critical when it comes to continued business success, which is why it is essential to focus on ways to improve the vendor experience. Timely, accurate payments play a fundamental part in strengthening long-term business relationships, helping to demonstrate a company’s professionalism.

AP automation ensures that payments are processed accurately and on time. With faster invoice approvals and payment cycles, businesses can foster a greater sense of trust with their suppliers and strengthen long-term partnerships.

In addition, many AP automation systems provide self-service portals where vendors can track the status of their invoices and payments. This helps to further improve communication and transparency, as well as freeing up time that your team would otherwise have spent supplying that information.

Better data management and reporting

In a manual accounts payable environment, retrieving and analyzing financial data can be a tedious process that often requires sifting through paper documents or navigating disparate systems. As AP automation centralizes all invoice and payment information onto one digital platform this makes it a far easier matter to access, manage, and analyze data in real-time.

This real-time data can be used to generate detailed reports on spending patterns, payment history, and supplier performance, among others. The insights gained from this readily-accessible data allows companies to make more informed decisions, negotiate better terms with suppliers, and identify potential opportunities for cost savings.

The automated reporting capabilities of AP automation tools also enable finance teams to track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as invoice processing time and payment accuracy, helping to ensure an attitude of continuous improvement.

Scalability and growth support

As businesses grow, the volume of invoices and payments they need to manage naturally increases. This leads to manual AP processes becoming overwhelming and inefficient at scale, which in turn can lead to delayed payments and costly errors.

AP automation, on the other hand, is perfectly scalable and can handle large volumes of transactions with ease.

By implementing AP automation, businesses position themselves for growth without needing to worry about significantly expanding their accounting or finance teams. With the support of AP automation, companies can easily accommodate increasing transaction volumes, support multi-location operations, and integrate it with other business systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

Enhanced compliance and audit readiness

Maintaining compliance with regulations and preparing for audits are essential aspects of proper financial management. AP automation simplifies this by maintaining an organized and transparent record of all transactions, along with every step of the process, to create a clear audit trail.

Many AP automation platforms also include features that can help businesses ensure compliance with tax regulations across various jurisdictions, such as VAT or GST requirements, by validating tax data on invoices and payments. This reduces the need for excessive manual oversight, empowering companies to expand into additional markets without the worry of additional compliance workload.

In the event of an audit, businesses that utilize automated AP systems can quickly retrieve the necessary documents and records, making the process much smoother and less time-consuming.

There are plenty of additional benefits we did not have time to go into, including improved efficiency and accuracy within invoicing and financial data. Ultimately, the case for AP automation is clear when looking at everything it can do to boost modern businesses.

Greenley Family Leads Roadshow Promotions’ Multi-Sector Expansion

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The Greenley family of Blackpool is driving remarkable growth through their family business, Roadshow Promotions, and its rapidly expanding portfolio of services.

Led by Stuart and Natasha Greenley, the father-daughter team has overseen the evolution of the company from a single entity into a diverse business spanning several sectors.

Originally founded as Roadshow Promotions, the company has become known for operating the largest fleet of promotional buses in the UK. Their buses have been used by clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Edwards Lifesciences, and the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness on tours across the UK and Europe. This success has provided a solid base for the family’s future expansion efforts.

By reinvesting profits from these contracts, the Greenleys have pursued a methodical approach to growth, focusing on three areas: organic expansion, strategic acquisitions, and diversification into complementary industries.

To tap into the digital economy, they partnered with a local digital media company to create Roadshow Media and Roadshow Digital. These new divisions specialise in website development, SEO, and digital consultancy, allowing them to break into the digital marketing sector.

In the last two years, they further diversified by launching Roadshow Security, which provides security services to the leisure, hospitality, and retail sectors. Clients include Haven’s Cala Gran and Marton Mere holiday parks. They have also launched Roadshow Conversions, a company focused on converting vehicles and buses into static business assets, while also supplying portable washrooms for festivals and construction sites.

The Greenley family is committed to supporting the local economy and follows a “buy local” policy, partnering with local suppliers for services like marketing, bus branding, and accountancy, as well as sponsoring grassroots football. Their growing team includes joiners, electricians, drivers, security personnel, and digital marketing experts. Over the past year, their workforce has seen significant growth, with further recruitment planned.

With their sights set on exploring new sectors, the Greenley family’s strategic approach and local investment make Roadshow Promotions a business to watch.

CRB Cunninghams and Impact Food Group Unveil Grab-and-Go Recipe Guide for Schools

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CRB Cunninghams, a specialist in cashless catering solutions for UK schools, has teamed up with Impact Food Group (IFG) to launch a Grab-and-Go Recipe Guide. This resource aims to help school caterers meet the increasing demand for quick and convenient meal options, offering tried-and-tested recipes from IFG’s extensive collection.

The rise of grab-and-go meal options has become a key part of secondary school lunch services, with students facing shorter lunch breaks and shifting eating preferences. UCL data shows that most secondary schools now offer lunch breaks of under 55 minutes, with a quarter of them lasting less than 35 minutes, making it essential to serve meals quickly. This reflects the broader cultural shift towards on-the-go food, with the number of fast-food outlets increasing across the UK.

To support this shift, CRB Cunninghams collaborated with IFG to produce a free guide offering practical advice for schools on how to create a nutritious grab-and-go meal service. The guide also details how technology plays a critical role in adapting to the modern eating habits of pupils.

The guide includes:

  • Insights into changing trends in school food access
  • Tried-and-tested recipes that students enjoy
  • The role of technology in delivering school meals
  • Strategies to future-proof your school’s meal service
  • Q&A with experts from Impact Food Group

As schools continue to prioritise nutritious meal offerings, this guide provides essential information on how to implement an effective grab-and-go meal service, with popular recipes from IFG that meet the needs of today’s students.

Impact Food Group stated, “As caterers, we need to offer students fresh, exciting food experiences to compete with what they can get outside the school gates. New food trends, dining styles and digital solutions all have a role to play.”

Download the free Grab-and-Go Recipe Guide.

Are UK Private Rental Prices Too High to Afford?

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Recent research from 2024, compiled by LandlordBuyers.com, reveals that private rental prices have risen across the board in England (8.5%), Wales (8.5%), Scotland (7.6%) and Northern Ireland (9.9%) over the past year.

Experts suggest that no more than 30% of a person’s monthly salary should go towards rent. However, in the following regions, tenants are spending well beyond this recommendation:

  • London = 53.4% of salary on rent
  • South East = 37.5% of salary on rent
  • South West = 36.5% of salary on rent
  • East England = 35.9% of salary on rent
  • Scotland = 32% of salary on rent
  • West Midlands = 31.9% of salary on rent

By contrast, other regions in the UK see renters spending less than 30% of their income on rent:

  • North East = 24.7% of salary on rent
  • Wales = 24.8% of salary on rent
  • East Midlands = 27.3% of salary on rent
  • Yorkshire = 27.8% of salary on rent
  • North West = 29% of salary on rent

Discussing the UK’s current rental market, Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director at LandlordBuyers.com, said: “A North-South divide definitely still exists but the divide is tapering. Only in mid-September did estate agent Hamptons release data that showed the gap between rental values in the North and rental values in the South of England has narrowed to its lowest point in over a decade,” explains Jason. “In fact, while it was still more expensive to rent in the South, Southern rents were only 37% more expensive than those in the North – down from 43% more in August 2023 and a peak of 55% more in November 2021.”

Jason points out that the future of the rental price divide will depend on various factors. “One will be landlords themselves: which ones decide to exit the market and where their rentals are geographically located. Buy-to-let professionals are holding their breath ahead of autumn’s Budget. If pockets of landlords, perhaps mainly in the South, decide to sell, we could see supply restricted, values rise and the gap widen again.”

“Conversely,” he continues, “if Labour gets to grips with levelling up, we may see the appeal of Northern towns surge, wages catch up with Southern counterparts and demand for property – both to buy and rent – increase.”

Jason also discusses the role of house prices: “House prices will play their part too. Stagnating property and rental values in the South have been blamed for the rental value slowdown, whereas house price growth in the North has been broadly strong. If this trend continues, we could see Northern values increase further and approach something more like rental equilibrium across the country.”

“In terms of average salaries versus average rental prices, there is still a disparity. While the Office for National Statistics reported wage growth of 5.1% over the three months to July 2024 – outpacing inflation at 2.2% – Goodlord found that the average cost of a new rental home in England was 7% higher in August 2024 compared to the same time in 2023.”