A murder trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court has heard that 56-year-old head teacher Michael Mullins was dragged for more than a mile under a car driven by Simon Richardson. Richardson denies murder, manslaughter, and dangerous driving after the incident on 20 April, where his Volvo collided with Mr Mullins as he cycled home from Stretford Grammar School. Prosecutors claim the defendant stopped briefly to try and dislodge the victim before driving on and leaving him to die.
Summary headline: Head teacher Michael Mullins dragged to his death under car, murder trial told
New figures reveal that repair work to Nottingham's Grade II-listed Council House will exceed £11m, including £8.65m to repair a leaking roof and nearly £3m for other urgent repairs over the next three years. Councillors are set to approve the spending plans on 20 October as part of a wider £19m property estate repairs programme.
Summary headline: Nottingham's landmark Council House repairs projected to cost over £11m
The States of Guernsey is launching a training course for its managers during Menopause Awareness Month to help them recognise menopause symptoms and understand their impact on the workplace. The initiative aims to improve employee wellbeing, encourage open conversations, and support women in remaining active at work.
Summary headline: Managers at Guernsey States to receive menopause training
Christopher Cooksey, an 89-year-old man from Basildon on palliative care, had his dying wish fulfilled when local cattle owner Chloe Lucas brought a nearly two-year-old Highland cow named Margaret to his home. Cooksey, who lost much of his vision, was able to feel and kiss the cow after his family appealed online for assistance.
Summary headline: Basildon man's dying wish fulfilled as he meets Highland cow in his front room
Three men aged 30, 33 and 45 have been arrested and charged following a break-in at the Tesco Ness-side store on Dores Road in Inverness. The incident occurred at approximately 01:00 on Sunday, and the suspects are scheduled to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Summary headline: Three men arrested after break-in at Tesco store in Inverness
The BBC has cancelled plans to build a new bespoke recording studio for The Archers in Birmingham as part of a cost-cutting drive, raising the possibility that the long-running Radio 4 soap opera could be recorded outside the city for the first time in 75 years. The announcement has drawn criticism from the Equity union, cast members, and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, who argue that the show's connection to Birmingham is integral to its identity. While the production team is still scheduled to move to the Digbeth hub in 2028, the BBC is currently assessing alternative studio facilities across the UK and the West Midlands.
Summary headline: BBC shelves plans for new Archers studio in Birmingham as part of cost-cutting
Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby Squire was raped and murdered in January 2019, has been speaking to pupils at Newent Community School in Gloucestershire to promote safety and encourage the reporting of non-contact sexual offences through her 'It Does Matter' campaign.
Summary headline: Libby Squire's mum urges teenagers to never leave friends alone
Elon Musk has indicated that the US government may be responsible for speed restrictions placed on Ukraine's use of the Starshield network, which disrupted battlefield drone missions. Musk stated that Starshield is controlled by the US military and the US President, and noted that Starlink is intended for civilian or defensive use rather than offensive military action. Ukrainian officials urged the removal of the limits following strikes by Russia that left hundreds of thousands without power.
Summary headline: Elon Musk suggests US government may be behind Starlink speed restrictions affecting Ukrainian drones
A man on trial for attempted murder at Bristol Crown Court has claimed that he only intended to frighten a rival who had intimidated his family, and that the sawn-off shotgun went off accidentally. William Scammell, 25, admits firing the weapon through a car window on Speedwell Road on 1 April, injuring Ryan Cridland with shrapnel. Scammell denies charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, while the prosecution argues that pointing a loaded, cocked weapon at close range demonstrates clear intent.
PC Austin Travis of Thames Valley Police has been charged with two counts of sexual assault following allegations made by two people known to him regarding incidents in Oxford city centre in November 2025.
Summary headline: Thames Valley Police officer charged with sexual assault
A Celtic supporter who entered the pitch and made an offensive gesture towards then-Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland during a title-clinching match has been sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work and a two-year football banning order.
Summary headline: Celtic fan banned for two years over offensive gesture towards Lawrence Shankland
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have arrived in Ceuta for the first royal visit to the Spanish North African exclave in nearly two decades. The visit follows a major migrant crisis in July, which saw around 70,000 people enter from Morocco, causing local tensions, humanitarian concerns, and political debate ahead of upcoming elections. The royal couple met with local officials, plan to attend an interfaith ceremony, and are scheduled to visit Spain's other North African exclave, Melilla, next.
Summary headline: Spanish royals make rare visit to Ceuta following migrant crisis
Residents living near the £200m Thickthorn roadworks scheme on Cantley Lane South in Norfolk report that heavy machinery is causing severe vibrations, shaking furniture, and creating cracks in their walls. National Highways stated that contractors are monitoring noise and vibrations and that they will investigate any concerns regarding property damage.
Summary headline: Residents near £200m Thickthorn road scheme claim heavy machinery is rattling homes and causing cracks
Sheffield City Council has announced plans to bring forward an £11m upgrade of Hillsborough Leisure Centre by three years, with work potentially starting in April 2027 instead of 2030. Following a feasibility study, the council determined that refurbishment was more cost-effective than a full rebuild. The proposals, which include refurbished changing facilities, a new health suite, an expanded fitness gym, and exterior improvements, will be considered by the finance and performance policy committee.
Summary headline: Sheffield City Council proposes bringing forward £11m Hillsborough Leisure Centre revamp
Investment firm Ithaca Holdings has acquired dating app Bumble for $1.3bn (£980m), with Ravi Gupta and John Hegeman taking over as co-chief executives. The loss-making company, founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, previously dropped its signature 'women-first' messaging rule and has faced struggles including steep financial losses and falling share prices since its 2021 stock market flotation.
Summary headline: Dating app Bumble acquired by Ithaca Holdings for $1.3bn
The head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, has warned that the UK is facing a higher volume of state threats than during the Cold War, driven by foreign adversaries such as Russia and Iran, alongside emerging dangers from artificial intelligence and extreme right-wing terrorism.
Summary headline: MI5 tackling more state threats than during Cold War, warns intelligence chief
An employment tribunal has ruled that a handyman was lawfully and fairly dismissed after inadvertently creating mustard gas while carrying out chemical maintenance at the University of Hertfordshire swimming pool. Anthony Brown, working for Pinnacle FM, wedged open a chlorine tap and later used a liquid vacuum to clean up chemical spillages, triggering a hazardous reaction that led to the evacuation of the university's pool and gym in October 2024. Although the tribunal noted a lack of direct spillage training, it concluded that Brown's actions constituted a wilful breach of health and safety rules.
Summary headline: Sacking of handyman who inadvertently created mustard gas at University of Hertfordshire pool upheld by employment tribunal
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, a 71-year-old housekeeper who worked for Princess Firyal Irshaid for 11 years, has been cleared by jurors at Southwark Crown Court of stealing jewellery from the princess's central London home.
Summary headline: Housekeeper cleared of stealing Jordanian princess's jewels
A car crashed into the Marks & Spencer store at the Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside, seriously injuring two pedestrians. The incident occurred at approximately 14:15 BST, sending a man and a woman in their 60s to hospital. The driver, a woman in her 70s, stayed at the scene to help police with their enquiries.
Summary headline: Two seriously injured after car crashes into M&S at Silverlink Retail Park
Revised plans for East Suffolk Council's cultural quarter in Lowestoft have been approved, allowing the regeneration project to restart after being stalled for a year due to the discovery of a sewer. The redesigned scheme avoids relocating the sewer, gained support from Anglian Water, and will transform the former Battery Green car park and Marina Road area into a dynamic cultural destination.
