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ITV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
A bitter row erupts in the world of cat shows, leaving customers demanding refunds
A growing dispute between rival organisations has shaken the UK cat show scene. There have been cancelled events, refund complaints and calls for calm, in what some are describing as 'catty' drama. Cat shows are becoming increasingly popular, offering owners the chance to exhibit their pets and compete for prizes. But recent cancellations and online rows have raised questions and left some customers feeling frustrated. Steven Meserve runs Loving Cats Worldwide (LCWW), an organisation that hosts cat shows in fourteen countries. But three of LCWW's UK events were recently cancelled, leaving customers asking for refunds, but getting little responses. Dozens of people who were scheduled to attend events in London, Bristol and Belfast contacted ITV News to say they hadn't received their money back. Meserve says the shows were called off due to an online campaign against him, which he claims caused reputational damage and financial strain. Meserve told ITV News, 'We are refunding on a rolling basis and to the best of our ability. 'But we don't have any revenue. There's no revenue. 'I'm doing everything I can to rebuild what I built after I was decapitated.' Earlier this year, Kate Sheppard bought tickets to attend the LCWW show in Bristol, only to find the show had been cancelled, and her refund still hadn't arrived four months later. Kate told us: 'The tickets were £30 each, there's two of us so £60. 'That's not a small amount, especially with the cost of living crisis 'You put your trust in people and for it then to be just taken away and not returned, it's not fair, it's not right.' She's one of more than a dozen people who contacted ITV News to say they were still waiting for refunds following the cancellation of three UK events run by LCWW. Kelly Makdissy, a former colleague of Meserve's, is now among his critics. She says she too is owed money by LCWW. Makdissy now runs her own cat shows, but denies that her own events are designed to copy the format. She also denies any involvement in an organised campaign against LCWW. 'It depends how you look at it, for me it's not a copy cat because all the show rules are different. 'To be fair I wouldn't want to copycat LCWW, here we have actual members that are cat breeders from all different aspects of life.' 'I think cat shows should really continue,' she said, 'It's an upcoming thing and people are learning about it.' Meserve strongly denied any mismanagement, and says attempts to discredit him are part of a coordinated effort to undermine his work. With around a quarter of UK households owning a cat, the potential audience for cat shows is large. But the sector has yet to reach the profile of dog events like Crufts. 'Dogs get all the money, dogs get all the accolades, Crufts is huge.' Meserve complained. 'There is no Crufts for cats. 'We are the equivalent to that - and that's where we will be. 'We're growing one city at a time.' The charity Cats Protection has warned that while many owners enjoy showing off their pets, the events can sometimes be stressful for animals. For now, though, the tension seems to lie more with organisers than the cats themselves.
Fox Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Bill Belichick's arrival at North Carolina headlines the NFL's sideline influence in the ACC
Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The group of roughly 60 reporters had crowded around the table Thursday long before Bill Belichick arrived to take questions in his first run through Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media days as North Carolina's football coach. Some massed at each end, multiple rows deep. Others filled rows of chairs positioned in the middle, in front of a platform filled with video cameras on tripods to capture the words of the man who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles. 'I mean, it's Bill Belichick, like of course everybody's going to circle him up and try to ask him as many questions as possible,' UNC linebacker Thaddeus Dixon said with a chuckle from his own nearby table, adding: 'He's got so much aura.' It was a sign of how Belichick sure draws a watch-his-every-step crowd as he gears up for his freshman season as a college coach. Yet he's also the headliner for a larger pro influence that has arrived in the ACC, with the league boasting three former NFL head coaches — the most of any conference — just as the dawn of the revenue-sharing era making the college ranks look more like the pros than ever before. He joins Boston College's Bill O'Brien, the former Houston Texans head coach who also worked as a Belichick assistant in the NFL. And there's former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich, who is leading Stanford as an interim coach this season. O'Brien is in his second year with the Eagles and also previously was head coach at Penn State. Reich took over in the spring after the firing of Troy Taylor for off-field concerns, coming after a call from former player-turned-Stanford general manager Andrew Luck for what he has described as a one-year move. And then there's the 73-year-old Belichick, the NFL lifer who had said he 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try yet never seemed likely to do so — until he missed out on NFL openings, took a year off and UNC hired him in December. Belichick said he has talked with numerous coaches who had coached at both levels, mentioning people like Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban. 'Each situation is a little bit different,' Belichick said earlier Thursday before the packed afternoon interview session. 'But it's a great game and I love being a part of it. Those people all talked about the great experiences they had, Coach O'Brien went to Penn State. it's different, but it's still football. It's fun." The Big Ten is the only other league with multiple former NFL head coaches in Nebraska's Matt Rhule (previously with the Panthers) and Rutgers' Greg Schiano (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The Southeastern Conference has Mississippi's Lane Kiffin (the former Oakland Raiders), while UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. previously coached in Atlanta and Seattle. New Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said the ACC trio has brought 'notoriety' to the league, along with a challenge for coaches of the ACC's other 14 football-playing members. 'Obviously Coach Belichick is one of the best coaches in our profession,' Dickert said. 'But you know, this isn't professional football. You know college football is a unique and different challenge. From the schematics to the tempo to the recruiting, there's a whole different world.' Still, the arrival of revenue sharing — with schools now allowed to pay athletes directly following the $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement — in college has at least some parallels to NFL business. The settlement allows schools to share up to about $20.5 million with athletes, divided among sports with football positioned to get the biggest cut due to its role as the revenue-driver in college athletics. That has made college football look closer to a pro model than ever, even as Reich noted Tuesday: 'Football is football.' Meanwhile, O'Brien can see value in his NFL experience in handling what amounts to the college version of a salary cap. 'I embrace it, I think it's great that these guys can make money,' O'Brien said. 'I'm not fighting it at all. But at the same time, it's 'Here's what it is, and here's why it is.' I'm not uncomfortable in those conversations. I think my experience in pro football has helped me a lot with those types of conversations.' It seems like a natural pivot, too, for Belichick considering he and general manager Michael Lombardi have leaned into messaging painting UNC as the NFL's '33rd' team. It's part of UNC's audacious bet on Belichick to reshape the program, which includes the coach being set to make $30 million guaranteed for the next three seasons in a five-year deal. Belichick has been a college coach now for the better part of a year, but seeing him roaming the ACC media days — even stopping after his afternoon interview sessions to grab a box of popcorn that's complimentary for the media — takes some getting used to in this college world. That's true even for league coaches like Clemson's Dabo Swinney, a two-time national-title winner with the Tigers. And it might take all the way to UNC's Labor Day opener against TCU, fittingly a college version of Monday Night Football, to get used to it. 'I didn't have much of a relationship with him prior to ACC meetings in May," Swinney said. "But it was awesome. I really enjoyed it. There was more than one occasion where I went, 'Yep, that's Bill Belichick right there. Yep, right here in the ACC coaches meeting.' It's the most 2025 thing ever.' ___ AP college football: and recommended Item 1 of 3
Kuwait Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Drought-hit raspberry farmers in Serbia fear ‘catastrophic' future
20,000 residents in Arilje seek irrigation systems to support raspberry production ARILJE, Serbia: Facing drought and record heat, raspberry farmers in western Serbia are warning of the worst season in decades for one of the world's largest exporters of the fruit. Under the scorching sun, pickers move through parched raspberry fields in search of the few fruits that have not shriveled to a pea. The dry spell started six weeks early in the region of Arilje, around 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Belgrade, hitting a harvest already weakened by a late frost which struck while the berries were in bloom. 'I used to be the best picker here, getting 100, even 120 kilos a day. Now I can barely manage 20 or 25,' Ivan Mitic told AFP, as he plucked berries from the occasional healthy branch. Even after he has sorted through several rows in the intense summer heat, the richest raspberries are in short supply, and his fluorescent green tray is left half-filled. 'You just can't pick enough. From five or six rows, you can't even fill one crate,' the 27-year-old picker said. Data published by the World Bank show Serbia was the top global exporter of several frozen berries, including raspberries, in 2023. In 2024 it shipped around 80,000 tons of raspberries, mostly frozen, to major markets including France and Germany last year, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. But it has not rained for almost two months, and with no irrigation systems, Ivan's employer, Mileta Pilcevic, said farmers are experiencing the worst season in 50 years. 'We expected a state of natural disaster to be declared. The heat has been extreme. We thought someone would reach out, but no one has,' Pilcevic said. The third-generation raspberry farmer said his fruits had withered to a fraction of even a poor harvest, where he could expect at least 22 tons. 'This year, after all this drought, I'll be lucky to get five.' Across his three hectares, dead fruit and pale green, unripe berries hang from leaves. June was Serbia's driest month on record, according to meteorologists, with no rain in what is usually the Balkan nation's wettest weeks. 'Due to climate change, climate variability has increased,' University of Belgrade meteorologist Ana Vukovic Vimic said. 'The warm, dry season is getting longer, while peak rainfall has moved from June to May, with the trend continuing toward earlier months,' Vukovic Vimic said. Alongside declining rainfall, the region has warmed dramatically in the last 10 to 20 years — now two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer on average, she said. This summer is predicted to be record-breaking, with its average temperature already 2.5C (4.5F) hotter, the professor said. Serbia's 'red gold' is one of the country's most important export products and is among the many crops stricken by the drier, hotter climate, agricultural economist Milan Prostran said. The berry makes up a third of all fruit exported from the country and was worth around $290 million in 2024, according to the chamber of commerce. This year, drought is likely to drag those figures down. 'Reports from the field suggest this will be one of the worst seasons we have seen, both in yield and fruit quality,' the chamber warned. Prostran said investment in irrigation had been 'completely neglected' in a country with abundant rivers. 'I hope it will receive more attention in the coming years,' he said. 'Catastrophic' consequences The state company in charge of irrigation projects said it is aware of the challenges, noting that irrigated land in Serbia has increased significantly over the past five years. But just over two percent of the land suitable for irrigation had systems in place, the company Srbijavode said in a written statement. Further development is 'crucial to mitigating drought and ensuring stable agricultural production', the company said. But raspberry farmers in the hills of Arilje, already weighed down by three bad seasons, do not have the funds to install the systems themselves. 'Maybe there will be drought next year, maybe not, we don't know,' said Ljube Jakovljevic, who runs a farm neighboring Pilcevic's. On dry days, he hauls water in large canisters by tractor to maintain his two hectares of raspberries. Both Mitic and Pilcevic agree that without help to build irrigation systems, the future of the region's raspberry production, and the 20,000 residents who rely on it, is uncertain. 'The consequences will be catastrophic. We will not be able to survive from this, let alone invest in the next season,' Pilcevic said. – AFP
India Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu to end back-bencher culture with U-shape classroom seating
The Tamil Nadu government has introduced a new seating arrangement in classrooms to eliminate the traditional concept of back benchers and encourage a more inclusive and engaging learning last week, Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom school in Kerala adapted this model inspired by a the new approach in Tamil Nadu schools, students will be seated in a U-shape or 'pa'-shape (in Tamil), ensuring that every child remains visible and heard. This arrangement is being implemented on a pilot basis and may be expanded depending on the The model aims to foster conversation-based learning, improve teacher-student interaction, and ensure that no student is left out due to seating position.A MOVE TO END CLASSROOM HIERARCHYThe U-shape seating format is expected to help teachers maintain eye contact with all students, monitor classroom behaviour more efficiently, and reduce the sense of hierarchy that often comes with rows and columns of to an official press release from the Tamil Nadu government, 'Every voice should be heard and seen. Learning should become a conversation, not a lecture.'The decision reflects a broader push towards student-centric education models that encourage participation, equal opportunity, and interactive teaching BASED ON CLASSROOM SIZEThe number of students accommodated in each classroom will depend on the physical size of the classroom, ensuring that the new seating does not compromise comfort or emphasised that the focus is on creating an environment where all students can actively take part in discussions and engage with both peers and PROJECT FIRST, THEN POSSIBLE EXPANSIONThe new seating model will first be rolled out as a pilot programme, giving the state an opportunity to assess its effectiveness before it is implemented on a larger the model proves to be successful, it may redefine classroom dynamics across Tamil Nadu's schools, promoting a more inclusive and responsive learning space for all students.- Ends
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Don't overcommit, warns Sello as Gallants change hands
Marumo Gallants head coach Lafitte Alexandre, chairman Abram Sello and assitant coach Julen Outrebon. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Maumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello is like a cat with nine lives - he continues to survive the whirlwind of businessmen who buy a PSL status only to fail in the end. Sello burst into the local football scene in 2021 after buying the status of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila who had just bought Bidvest Wits. His joy in top-flight football was short-lived due to poor administration, resulting in Gallants being relegated to the second tier division after two seasons. Sello's bogus administration then included being unable to cater for the team's needs on the continent during their CAF Confederation Cup's campaign As such, this resulted in two club officials being detained in Libya due to the money Sello owed to a notorious businessman who had footed his hotel bill. Before the season ended, the club and the players were allegedly on loggerheads over bonus rows after the team qualified for the Confederation Cup semi-final. Sello stayed for one season in the national first division before resurfacing in the top-flight last season after buying the status of Moroka Swallows. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have retained their status in the top-flight, but the sale and purchase of status in the statuses during winter transfer window has continued willy-nilly. As such, Gallants will have arch-rivals Siwelele FC in Bloemfontein next season after the son of sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, Calvin Le John, bought SuperSport United. Sello, though, has advised what Le John and other new chairmen must do and avoid in order not to make the same mistake he did when he arrived in the PSL. 'The challenge at the top, as we know, is finance,' Sello said. 'Finance can be run by an individual - auditors - so get the right people to advise you. 'Secondly, commit what you can. Don't be overwhelmed and sit at the corner and satisfy conditions that'll haunt you. Yes must be yes, and no must be no. 'Don't look at what the club has been doing - look at what you can do, who's advising you and the calibre of players you keep at the club.' Sello added it's hard to run a football club without a sponsor in the PSL, and that's why some bosses end up forking up monies from their own pockets to run operations. 'This is a very difficult position to be in,' Sello admitted. 'Our chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, used to say as a chairman you are always working hard. 'You throw your last cent into the club. When your son comes and asks for R5 you say you don't have it, but when a player asks for R6 you give him immediately. 'So, that's how it is. It is about passion and developing other people's careers. But it's not a child's play - it's very difficult, especially financially. 'You have to prove that you can get the sponsors, and all those particular things. But at the end of the day, you go home with your subsidies to supplement the monthly grant. 'It's not as easy as one may think. It's nice to watch the game on TV, but to run things behind the scenes, you definitely don't sleep.' Now a bit wiser after paying his school fees for misadministration, Sello has revealed how he managed to slightly change things around last season. 'I think the mistake that we do as the leaders of the clubs is to overcommit according to the people you are sourcing,' Sello explained. 'Don't overcommit according to the people you are outsourcing. Don't go over your line of expenditures. Not everybody will laugh. Commit to what you can afford. 'Also, satisfy your people. You are as good as your employees. So, satisfy the people around you. There'll be problems, but be ready to solve them. 'There'll be some disputes, but be ready to go and answer before the disciplinary committee. And amicably sort everything out.'
