Claire Throssell, a mother from Penistone whose two sons were killed by their father in a house fire in 2014, has campaigned for 12 years to change the 'presumption of parental involvement' in family law. Following a vote in the Commons passing the Courts and Tribunals Bill by 301 votes to 193, the proposed legislation will remove this presumption from the Children Act, moving it to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
Summary headline: Penistone mother says she has 'kept promise' to killed sons as parental contact law changes
The article examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in translation, the debate over whether human translators can be entirely replaced, and the risks associated with machine translation errors in high-stakes fields like legal and medical work.
Summary headline: How long will humans be needed for translation?
A court at the Old Bailey has been shown bodycam footage of Palestine Action supporters breaking into the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent, on 17 June 2024. Security guards testified about being attacked and sprayed with red paint during the raid. Nine defendants are on trial facing charges of criminal damage, burglary with intent, and violent disorder, all of which they deny.
German police in Cologne have confiscated a robot and launched an investigation after it was allegedly used by two teenagers to grope a 16-year-old girl. The 120cm device reportedly approached the victim from behind near a fast-food outlet, making thrusting motions while the suspects allegedly streamed the incident live on social media.
Summary headline: German police seize robot allegedly used to grope teenage girl in Cologne
A team of eight volunteers, led by RAF veteran Carole McCullough, is travelling to Goudier Island in Antarctica for a five-month mission to carry out critical repairs on the historic Port Lockroy base. Organised by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, the three-year mission aims to protect Britain's first permanent scientific base from environmental damage and climate change. During their stay, the team will live without running water or flushing toilets, operate the world's most remote post office, museum and gift shop, and monitor a local colony of Gentoo penguins.
Summary headline: UK volunteer team heads to Antarctica to restore historic Port Lockroy base
Stephen Gilbert, 74, from Aghalee, was born with unilateral microtia, meaning his left external ear was underdeveloped or missing, leaving him unable to hear on that side. He was recently fitted at the Ulster Hospital with a newly-designed prosthetic ear that accommodates a hearing aid, allowing him to hear on his left side for the first time. The hospital's oral and maxillofacial surgery service creates bespoke prostheses for individuals affected by birth defects, injuries, and cancer surgery, helping to restore both appearance and function.
Summary headline: Man with unilateral microtia hears on his left side for the first time thanks to a prosthetic ear
Former US President Barack Obama has received an honorary doctorate from Queen's University Belfast. During his acceptance speech, he praised Northern Ireland's progress through the Good Friday Agreement, discussed the fragility of democracy, and challenged the younger generation to continue building an inclusive future.
The US Treasury Department has fined Bank of America $1.2bn (£910m) for failing to detect and report potential money laundering and illegal activity, including omitting over $5bn in suspicious activity reports. The bank admitted to wilfully violating the Bank Secrecy Act by relying on external inquiries rather than internal controls for proactive detection. The penalty comprises fines from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Foreign Assets Control, with the bank stating the non-tax-deductible charge will impact its third-quarter earnings.
Summary headline: Bank of America fined $1.2bn by US Treasury over money laundering and sanctions failures
HBO's award-winning series Girls is returning for a five-episode limited run, ten years after its finale aired. Creator and star Lena Dunham announced the revival alongside original cast members Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, and Andrew Rannells. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027, with Judd Apatow returning as executive producer. The new run will follow the characters as they reach the milestone of turning forty.
Summary headline: Lena Dunham's Girls to return for a limited HBO series revival
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a key energy facility supplying heating and electricity to Kyiv, Darnytska CHP-4, was hit in a Russian ballistic missile attack alongside a residential building. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that two people were killed and 21 injured in the strike on the apartment block. The attacks occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump claimed an energy ceasefire had been agreed, though multiple strikes have been reported since then.
Summary headline: Russian strikes hit key power plant in Kyiv, Zelensky says
A court has heard that members of an organised crime gang who fired shots into the wrong house in Pyle, Bridgend, were actually targeting a young child in retaliation over missing drugs. Cardiff Crown Court was told the shooting on 22 September 2025 targeted the youngster to get back at Daniel O'Callaghan over missing Class A drugs on Guernsey. Police recovered a photograph of a child and incriminating text messages from the defendants' phones.
Summary headline: Bridgend crime gang shooting targeted a young child, Cardiff Crown Court hears
William Shaw, a Reform UK councillor representing the Conisbrough ward on City of Doncaster Council, has resigned from the party to sit as an independent. Shaw stated that his decision is due to holding politically neutral positions in his council work, including roles as the council's farming and nature recovery champion and on the Pride in Place board for Conisbrough North. Reform UK's Doncaster leader, Howard Rimmer, expressed disappointment, noting that residents elected Shaw under the party's banner. Shaw remains a councillor for the ward.
Summary headline: Doncaster councillor William Shaw quits Reform UK to sit as an independent
Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be the world's oldest shipwreck off the coast of Kekova Island in Turkey, dating back 4,400 to 4,700 years to the Early Bronze Age. Although the wooden structure did not survive, divers recovered more than 30 ceramic storage pots (amphorae) and three stone anchors from an underwater slope 30 metres deep. Some of the amphorae still contain a viscous residue, and researchers are analysing it to determine if the vessel was carrying goods such as olive oil, wine, or tree resins. The finds will be displayed in the new Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Antalya.
Summary headline: World's oldest shipwreck discovered off the coast of Kekova Island in Turkey
Scotland's farming industry is exploring new crops, such as tea and Mediterranean vegetables, alongside advanced technologies and climate simulators to adapt to a warming planet. Experts suggest that climate change and cheap renewable energy could transform Scotland into a key climate-resilient food region.
Summary headline: How Scotland's future crops and farming practices are adapting to climate change
Several British newspaper front pages feature a speech by MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum warning that Russia is the primary threat to UK security and that AI is supercharging threats. Other prominent stories include a tax crackdown on online retailers for the upcoming Budget, the donation of London's oldest restaurant Rules to the National Trust, and reporting on William Chapman, the man killed in a tiger enclosure who was formerly a child actor.
Summary headline: UK newspaper headlines cover MI5 warnings on security threats and local news stories
Longtime Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has criticised BBC director general Matt Brittin for making "clumsy" comments about an unofficial AI-generated episode of the sci-fi show. Brittin previously told a conference he had been sent a "pretty good" 50-minute AI episode, sparking backlash from writers. During a media interview, Davies also expressed concern over writers using AI for first drafts and confirmed that a new series of Doctor Who with a fresh Doctor and companion is planned for next summer, despite the show currently being at a crossroads.
Summary headline: Russell T Davies criticises BBC director general over AI Doctor Who comments
A BBC News investigation looks into the rising tide of vehicle theft in the UK, where a car is stolen every four minutes. Police and experts reveal that gangs are using sophisticated technology like electronic skeleton keys and signal-jammers to steal vehicles to order, often dismantling them in illegal "chop shops" or shipping them overseas. Although reported thefts dropped slightly last year, forces remain overstretched and under-resourced, with victims facing high insurance quotes and a low charge rate for offenders.
Summary headline: Inside the police battle against vehicle thieves as car thefts rise across the UK
Australian police have charged 19-year-old Isaac Bechara with murder following the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy at a Sydney home in September. The victim died in hospital three days after being shot in the face and neck. Investigators are examining potential gangland connections, noting that several individuals present during the incident are known to police and some are uncooperative.
Summary headline: Sydney teenager charged with murder of 12-year-old boy shot in face and neck
Author and presenter Richard Osman spoke about his strong ties to Sussex during an event for his latest book, We Chase Shadows. Osman explained how growing up in Haywards Heath, visiting his mother's retirement village in Burgess Hill, and discovering an ancestor who was a witness in a 19th-century Brighton murder case heavily influenced his writing and connection to the region.
Summary headline: Richard Osman discusses his deep personal and ancestral links to Sussex
Plans to invest nearly £2.1m to repair and refurbish the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough, Nottingham, are recommended for approval by Nottingham City Council's executive board. The project includes replacing the athletics track and refurbishing the main stand, which was previously closed due to health and safety concerns.
Summary headline: Nottingham's Harvey Hadden Stadium £2.1m repair plans set for council approval
