Three staff members felt unwell the day before a Perth and Kinross primary school was evacuated due to a suspected chemical leak.
On Wednesday, Crieff Primary School closed its kitchen and pupils were given packed lunches to prevent any illnesses from spreading.
No faults were found when kitchen equipment was tested. But another staff member became unwell the next day and the school was closed and evacuated by police.
Altogether 11 adults were taken to hospital on Thursday. Police have not yet found a spillage or leak that could have led to their illness.
The school is set to reopen on Monday.
Police Scotland said officers were called to the school on Broich Road at about 11:30 on Thursday and the building was cleared as a precaution.
The Scottish Ambulance Service sent four ambulances and three special operation response teams to the school, while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent two appliances and one specialist appliance.
The school was cordoned off and 11 adults were taken to Ninewells Hospitals in Dundee. They were later discharged after a clinical assessment.
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said none of the patients had any “immediate medical concerns”.
Testing will continue, however, to identify the cause of their symptoms and the primary school kitchen will be deep cleaned over the weekend.
The SFRS said no hazardous substances have been found in their investigation.
The council said there has been no evidence of gas leaks. Tests for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were also carried out along with checks on the gas, water and electricity supplies.
A specialist firm has been contracted to carry out further investigations and the kitchen will remain closed while this happens.
Packed lunches will be provided to pupils until the kitchen re-opens and they will be taken in classrooms rather than the dining area.
Sheena Devlin, children and families spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council, said: “This has been a very difficult week for pupils and staff and I would like to thank them, and parents and carers, for the way they have responded this week.
“Following extensive testing and consultation with partners and NHS Tayside, we will re-open to pupils on Monday.
“However, we have appointed a specialist company to carry out a forensic check of the kitchen and its appliances to make sure everything is working exactly as it should so our staff, pupils and wider school community can have absolute peace of mind.”
But after summers in my Uncle Rich’s mobile home in the late ’80s, where the lounge was too small to lounge in and you could barely fry an egg in the kitchen, I’d need more than these two celebs to convince me.
So, with my partner, Bianca, and kids, five-year old Frank and three-year-old Pearl, I made the trip to Kent’s Hoo Peninsula to check out Stacey’s “best” holiday spot.
Like the former Loose Women star, we had booked a gold caravan with a view over the on-site lake and the Thames Estuary, with Southend on the distant horizon.
Stepping inside the airy space, any fears of a repeat of Isle of Wight 1989 instantly vanished.
The roomy living area had two double sofas with wide doors that opened on to a veranda complete with table and chairs for al fresco dining.
Back indoors, the kitchen was fully kitted out with a large oven, dishwasher, microwave and even a washing machine.
The kids charged into their room to fight over who would have which bed, while we took in our master bedroom, which featured an en suite and a walk-in wardrobe.
Now, we were starting to see why Stacey had given it the thumbs-up.
And that was before we had even ventured to the main hub, which has recently had a multi-million-pound facelift.
Mum Breaks Stereotypes About Caravan Holidays
We used the revamped pool every day of our stay and it was lovely to watch the kids improve their swimming technique.
Fortunately they had energy left for more active fun, with Frank raring to go for his 9am kickabouts on the footballcourts with his new mates.
Pearl made sure she did not miss out by signing up for the Activitots sessions, where she enjoyed a mini-Olympics workout by jumping hurdles, throwing kid-friendly javelins . . . and egg-and-spoon races.
The new Adventure Village hosts the bulk of the outdoor activities.
One day, Frank was buzzing after the bungee trampoline propelled him about 20 feet into the air, while Bianca got her adrenalin fix by braving The Jump, a 20ft leap off a wooden platform into a giant Hollywood stuntman-style crash mat.
And both kids loved the mini-aerial adventure, where they tackled an assault course and plunged down a mini-zipline, as well as the inflatable bounce-and-play sessions and a great park with towers and slides.
It turns out Stacey was right after all. Caravan breaks really do make the best holidays.
Us adults made sure we got a workout too with a family kart ride around the site, which involved pedalling the kids through the venue as they took in the sights.
Pearl followed in Stacey’s footsteps and joined a Make-a-Bear class, which gave her the chance to create her new best friend, Bella the dog.
Both kids were also keen to try the balloon-making class in the new 1,200-seater Marina Bar and Lounge.
If you don’t fancy either of those, the Creative Studio also has sand-bottle building, although my personal favourite was the Pottery Creations class.
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The kids got involved with the pottery classes and also took part in mini-Olympics gamesCredit: Supplied
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Caravan holidays are far more luxurious than those many enjoyed several decades ago
Climbing wall
We left with a football piggy bank, psychedelic elephant and two jewellery boxes for Nannie’s birthday.
Then on top of all that there are arcades, fairground stalls, a climbing wall, fishing lake and a NERF Training Camp in an inflatable arena.
Plus there’s day and night time entertainment with lively interactive shows for the kids until 8pm followed by competitions and live acts every night for the adults.
Trying to fit the shows in and eat could be tricky, but luckily your food can be delivered to your table next to the stage from the on-site fish and chip shop, Burger King or Papa Johns.
You can also dine out at Huffkin Of Hoo, which serves up great value pub-style grub.
We barely had time to leave the park, with so much action on site, but I did manage to check out the peaceful local beach and nature reserve.
STAYING THERE: A four-night mid-week Haven Holiday in a two-bedroom saver caravan in autumn is from £69 including access to the restaurants, arcades, takeaways, swimming pools, entertainment and pre-paid activities.
Russia’s President accused Ukrainian forces of trying to hit Kursk Nuclear Power Plant after invading the region last month.
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin said: “One can only imagine what will happen if we strike back; what will happen in Europe.”
The BBC reported last month that Russian forces are bolstering defences around Kursk’s power plant.
Russian military bloggers, including war correspondent Alexander Sladkov, allege that Ukraine has been trying to seize control of the plant.
“I was informed about the impact of the drones. I was shown some of the remnants of them and signs of the impact they had,” Grossi said, without saying who was responsible.
“The core of the reactor containing nuclear material is protected just by a normal roof”, he said during his visit. “This makes it extremely exposed and fragile, for example, to an artillery impact or a drone or a missile.
“A nuclear power plant of this type, so close to a point of contact or a military front, is an extremely serious fact that we take very seriously.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also sent a warning to the US over reports that Washington could supply long-range weapons to Ukraine to enable them to strike territory deep within Russia.
He said: “Americans already stepped over the line that they set up. They’re joking about our red lines. Don’t joke about our red lines. They perfectly know where they are.”
“The obsession in the fight for power for Democrats to appear cooler than Republicans or vice versa, at least now—it’s leading to more and more escalation.
“I’m confident there are sensible people there who have an influence, and I hope the interests of the USA will be considered.”
President Tinubu Promises Good Governance, Seeks Chinese Inspiration
Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu, in a meeting with Nigerians residing in China, has pledged to deliver exemplary governance, inspired by China’s achievements, before departing for the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the China World Hotel in Beijing, President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with his official visit, describing it as productive. He highlighted discussions with Chinese leaders on enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy, and mining, notably at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“Nigeria is undergoing critical reforms, and we are making bold decisions,” President Tinubu remarked, referencing recent policy actions like fuel price adjustments aimed at paving the way for sustainable development. He emphasized the necessity of challenging decisions to ensure a prosperous future, akin to China’s achievements in infrastructure, education, and public services.
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“We aspire to provide our children with quality education and modern facilities, fostering innovation and economic growth across all sectors,” President Tinubu affirmed to an enthusiastic audience.
Acknowledging the challenges of achieving national consensus on policies, President Tinubu assured his commitment to decisive leadership, backed by a competent team.
Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China), appealed to President Tinubu for advocacy in securing official recognition of Nigeria as an English-speaking nation by China, which could enhance opportunities for Nigerians in education and employment.
President Tinubu’s visit to China underscores his administration’s focus on transformative leadership and partnership with global allies, aiming to replicate China’s development successes in Nigeria.
For Stuart and Duncan Kirk, long-time England football supporters from Ipswich, Saturdayâs Republic of Ireland v England match brings back memories of ugly scenes in 1995.
Back then, rioting by England fans at Lansdowne Road forced the abandonment of the match after 27 minutes, while there was disorder on the streets before and after the game. The countries now meet in Dublin for only the second time in the 29 years since to begin their respective Uefa Nations League campaigns.
âI wondered what itâs going to be like around the city tomorrow,â said Stuart as he made his way into Temple Bar on Friday afternoon. âIt obviously brings the memories of that [29] years ago with the old violence and stuff.â
Roy Barron, from Barnsley, thinks the bad reputation England fans earned in the hooligan era still follows a well-meaning travelling support around. In his view, this is probably why English police officers have travelled to Dublin to assist gardaà in policing the match. But for Barron, those days are long gone.
âWeâre enjoying ourselves here… Iâm walking about with this shirt on,â he says, standing outside The Temple Bar with a T-shirt emblazoned with âThree Lionsâ, âand nobodyâs giving me any grief.â
England supporter Roy Barron in Temple Bar ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Republic of Ireland.
Alex Perril, from the Isle of Wight, thinks the days of anti-Irish chants among travelling England fans are over. âItâs not like that any more, I donât think. I donât think thereâs any antagonism from the English,â he says, standing outside a Carrollâs giftshop sporting an England T-shirt.
âThereâs a few chants they sing that I donât like, about the IRA and all that, but a lot of thatâs dying out now.â
Alex Perril (right), from the Isle of Wight, with his family.
Indeed, England fans who spoke to The Irish Times on Friday are more interested in having a few pints and getting a first glimpse of the team in the post-Gareth Southgate era. The former manager left his post after the team finished runners-up at Euro 2024, with former Irish international Lee Carsley taking the helm on an interim basis.
âIâm optimistic,â says Barron. âWeâve got a new manager. [Weâll] see what his tactics are going to be like, see if theyâre any different from Southgate, which werenât very good.â
And while the venom in the fixture might have fizzled out since the 1990s, Ireland fans will still be keen to win and get one over on Ireland-internationals-turned-England-internationals, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.
However, Stuart Kirk doesnât think Irish fans have a right to be sour about it.
âTheyâre born in England. We donât complain about Carsley going to play for you,â he says.
JOHNNY Fisher’s September 28 Copper Box Arena headliner has been cancelled after the heavyweight suffered an injury, Matchroom confirmed this evening. Fisher was set for his ‘Bosh Army’ to descend on the venue for a clash with Andriy Rudenko.
Consequently, the show will return up north as WBO lightweight ruler Rhiannon Dixon defends against Terri Harper in Sheffield’s 3,000-capacity Canon Medical Arena.
Harper is a former two-weight world champion but was stopped last time out by Sandy Ryan up at welterweight. She now slims down for another crack at glory. Unbeaten Dixon won her belt against Karen Carbajal in April and will look to cement her world-level credentials.
The original September 28 card was originally topped by Dalton Smith challenging Jon Fernandez for the vacant European super-lightweight title however Smith got injured and a venue merry-go-round ensued.
While Fisher recovers, the rest of the card remains in place. Peter McGrail takes on Brad Foster, George Liddard faces George Davey and Cameron Vuong fights Joe Underwood Hughes.
Giorgio Visioli, Jimmy Sains, Ibraheem Sulaimaan, Brandon Scott and Josh Babb also feature.
Josh Hull made his England debut on day one of the third Test against Sri Lanker to add variety to the bowling attack and former Test captain Flintoff welcomed him to the fold with a cap presentation before the match
Australia’s Josh Inglis smashed a record-breaking century as Scotland suffered a 70-run defeat in the second T20 international in Edinburgh.
After Travis Head’s heroics on Wednesday, his duck on Friday brought number three batter Inglis to the crease during the first over and he slogged seven fours and seven maximums on his way to 103, with a strike rate over 200.
Scotland never gathered any momentum to hurt the visitors in reply and batters failed to support Brandon McMullen, who claimed a half-century but the hosts fell way short of the target.
Opener Head hit a century in Australia’s first win over Scotland two days ago but was sent back to the pavilion after just one ball this time around after Brad Currie wiped his stumps out for the first wicket.
Currie was proving to be the danger man in the powerplay as he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk (16) with the Aussies on 23-2, but the quality of the visitors soon shone through and Cameron Green’s steady 36 from 29 deliveries provided a good anchor for partner Inglis to rocket Australia forward.
Image: Brad Currie was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland, finishing with 3-37
After Green became Currie’s third victim of the day, Marcus Stoinis (20 not out) came in to play a similar role as Inglis continued to take Scotland’s attack to the cleaners.
Inglis reached his century off just 43 balls – a record by an Australian in men’s T20 internationals – but was finally dismissed when he played Chris Sole straight into the hands of Richie Berrington at cover, before Tim David’s unbeaten 17 from seven balls propelled Australia to 196-4.
Image: Inglis posted seven sixes and seven fours in his impressive innings
Scotland opener George Munsey smashed 19 from nine balls in an attempt to put the pressure on Australia, but the hosts lost regular wickets to make this win a formality for their opponents.
Munsey and McMullen – who top scored for the home side with 59 off 42 – were the only two to make double figures as Scotland were bowled out for 126 in reply, with Stoinis taking 4-23 to put Australia 2-0 up in the three-match series.
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The third and final T20i between the two teams takes on Saturday (2pm start), before Australia head to England for a three-match T20I series and five ODIs later this month – with all eight matches live on Sky Sports.
The T20I series starts at The Utilita Bowl in Southampton on September 11, before further games in Cardiff on September 13 and at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on September 15, with the ODIs running from September 19-29. Stream cricket and more with NOW.
Dame Sarah Storey has done it again in the Paralympics.
She won her first golds at the Barcelona games in 1992 as a swimmer.
Now the 46-year-old has won her 19th gold in a thrilling 44 mile cycling road race in Paris this morning – narrowly beating a French teenager who is 27 years younger than her.
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Donald Trump will not be sentenced in his hush money case until after the presidential election in November, as the judge overseeing the criminal case against the former president moved his imminent court date to avoid the appearance of political interference in the crucial weeks before Election Day.
Trump, the first president to be convicted of a crime, will not face Justice Juan Merchan in a Manhattan courtroom until November 26, nearly six months after a unanimous jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
The judge had already delayed Trump’s sentencing to September 18 after initially scheduling Trump’s date in court for July 11.
Judge Merchan agreed to Trump’s first request to push back the hearing while he considered his arguments to toss the verdict in the wake of the Supreme Court’s “immunity” decision, which determined that presidents can be shielded from some criminal prosecution for official acts carried out while in office.
The judge has also paused a decision on that motion — which was expected this month — until November 12.
A sentencing hearing — if one is “necessary” after Merchan’s decision on Trump’s immunity claims — will follow on November 26.
Election Day is November 5.
In their request to delay his sentencing until after November’s election, Trump’s attorneys accused the court and prosecutors of “election interference” and argued that the timing for the September 18 court date “illustrates just how unreasonable it is to have the potential for only a single day” between the immunity decision and what they called an “unwarranted sentencing.”
Attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove claimed “there is no valid countervailing reason for the Court to keep the current sentencing date on the calendar” and “no basis for continuing to rush.”
In his four-page order on Friday, Judge Merchan said the arguments from Trump’s attorneys reintroduce a “litany of perceived and unsubstantiated grievances from previous filings that do not merit this Court’s attention and will not be addressed.
But he added that there were “several reasons” why he agreed to postpone the sentencing hearing.
“This matter is one that stands alone, in a unique place in this Nation’s history, and this Court has presided over it since its inception — from arraignment to jury verdict and a plenitude of motions and other matters in-between,” Merchan wrote.
“Were this Court to decide, after careful consideration of the Supreme Court’s [decision], that this case should proceed, it will be faced with one of the most critical and difficult decisions a trial court judge faces — the sentencing of a defendant found guilty of crimes by a unanimous jury of his peers,” he added.
The jury in Trump’s hush money trial “served diligently,” and the verdict they reached “must be respected and addressed in a manner that is not diluted by the enormity of the upcoming presidential election,” according to Merchan.
“Unfortunately, we are now at a place in time that is fraught with complexities rendering the requirements of a sentencing hearing, should one be necessary, difficult to execute,” he said.
“This is not a decision this Court makes lightly,” Merchan concluded, “but it is the decision which in this Court’s view, best advances the interests of justice.”
Trump was convicted on May 30 after 16 days of witness testimony and two days of jury deliberations.
A jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of an effort to conceal reimbursements to his then-attorney Michal Cohen, who bought the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from going public with her story about having sex with Trump in 2006.
Prosecutors argued that Trump’s efforts sought to corruptly influence the outcome of the 2016 by hiding politically damaging stories about then-candidate Trump in the weeks before Election Day.
