Steve Hempstock, owner of Steve's Rubbish Removals in Worcester, reports that his business is struggling to keep up with an increase in illegal fly-tipping, receiving requests to clear dumped waste two or three times a week. Hempstock attributes the rise partly to increasing disposal costs and notes that sites targeted include industrial estates, private land, and rural locations. Separately, Forestry England reported a severe fly-tipping incident at Button Oak near Bewdley involving large mounds of rubbish.
Summary headline: Worcester rubbish removals firm struggles to cope with surge in fly-tipping
A murder trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court has heard how witnesses attempted to save Michael Mullins, the 56-year-old head teacher of Stretford Grammar School, after he was dragged under a car for more than a mile. Simon Richardson, 35, denies charges of murder and manslaughter, after allegedly fleeing the scene at speed following the collision.
Summary headline: Witnesses tried to save head teacher dragged to death under car, murder trial hears
A court has heard that footballer Antoine Semenyo 'froze' and was left hurt and upset after being allegedly racially abused by a Liverpool fan during a Premier League match at Anfield in August 2025. The defendant, Mark Mogan, denies charges of racially aggravated behaviour.
Summary headline: Antoine Semenyo 'froze' after alleged racist abuse at Anfield, court told
Doctors report that Pope Leo XIV is recovering as expected following a successful 90-minute surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff, who was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after the procedure, has started walking, resumed a normal diet, and undergone respiratory physiotherapy. He is expected to remain in hospital for about a week.
Summary headline: Pope Leo XIV recovering well after surgery to remove part of lung, doctors report
The family of 71-year-old Annette Bishop has paid tribute to her after she was found dead with serious injuries at a property in Bradley Stoke, Bristol. Her 73-year-old husband, Gerald Bishop, has been charged with her murder and is scheduled to stand trial at Bristol Crown Court on 5 April.
Summary headline: Family pays tribute to Annette Bishop after husband charged with murder
The Australian Defence Force has confirmed that a hidden video recording device was found in a cabin on the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns, Queensland. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie raised concerns in parliament regarding allegations of concealed cameras in female shower facilities and claims that footage may have been uploaded online. The defence department stated that the incident has been referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and that the ship remained docked to facilitate the investigation and support crew members.
Summary headline: Hidden video recording device discovered in cabin on Australian navy ship HMAS Leeuwin
Gateshead Council has cleared two large piles of illegally dumped waste from a playing field in Dorset Avenue, Birtley. The waste, which included gas canisters, paint, medical equipment, sofas, and washing machines, posed a serious explosion and health hazard if set alight. Clearing the site required 20 staff and 12 vehicles costing over £20,000, and forced the council to divert resources away from other local services.
Summary headline: Fly-tipped waste cleared from Birtley housing estate
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Wayfair, Appliances Direct, and Gold's Gym a total of £6m for using misleading sales tactics, with customers set to receive refunds totalling £440,000. Wayfair received a £4.8m fine for false time-limited offers, Appliances Direct was fined £1.2m for deceptive urgency claims and automatic service add-ons, and Gold's Gym was fined £45,000 for failing to display clear total pricing for memberships.
Summary headline: Wayfair and other firms fined £6m by competition watchdog for misleading sales tactics
Two people were hospitalized after a pick-up truck crashed into a bungalow on Church Road in Pimperne during the early hours of Tuesday. The incident caused a temporary power cut for 48 customers, prompted a gas leak alert, and required emergency services to cut the occupants out of the vehicle.
Summary headline: Two injured and power cut after pick-up truck crashes into Pimperne house
The jury in the trial of police officer John Williamson at the High Court in Edinburgh has been sent home for the night and will resume deliberations on Thursday morning. Williamson denies charges including rape and under-age sexual activity alleged to have taken place in Shetland between 2014 and 2022. The Crown withdrew five of the original nine charges before closing speeches, leaving four remaining charges for the jury to consider.
Summary headline: Jury sent home for the night in trial of police officer accused of island rapes
Leicestershire County Council has initiated legal action seeking a judicial review of a government proposal to expand Leicester's political boundary. The reform would move approximately 250,000 county residents into an enlarged Leicester council area as part of a wider local government reorganisation. Council leaders criticised the government's handling of the process as unfair and creating uncertainty, while the government defended the plans as a way to improve public services and provide land for new homes.
Summary headline: County council launches court challenge over Leicester boundary expansion plans
A man and a child broke into the Ernehale Pub in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, stealing copper pipes and lanterns while flooding the cellar. The new owner, Jamie Thomas, estimates that the stolen materials were worth about £20 in scrap, but the resulting repairs will cost thousands of pounds. Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed that a burglary investigation is under way.
Summary headline: Man and child break into Arnold pub and flood cellar during copper theft
A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in his 30s in the St Peter's area of Broadstairs. Kent Police attended an incident in Ranelagh Grove after receiving a report of concern for a person, where the victim was confirmed dead at the scene.
Summary headline: Murder arrest in Broadstairs after death of man in his 30s
South Street in Wareham, Dorset, has partially reopened to traffic with temporary traffic lights following a safety assessment after a ceiling and masonry collapse at the Bear Hotel. The hotel was evacuated on Sunday following the incident in an unoccupied bedroom, which led to road and pedestrian closures due to structural concerns. Contractors have been appointed to carry out repairs, and internal structural works are scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Summary headline: Road reopens in Wareham after Bear Hotel ceiling collapse
Patients at Newbury Street Practice in Wantage, Oxfordshire, have raised concerns and frustration regarding the introduction of an AI triage system named Andi, which screens all incoming phone calls. While some patients described the tool as a barrier to receiving care and cited errors—such as a 65-year-old patient being asked about pregnancy—the practice defends the system, stating it improves access, increases capacity, and has received largely positive feedback during its first month.
Summary headline: Patients express frustration over new AI receptionist tool at Wantage GP surgery
During the trial of her ex-husband Kieran Hayler at Lewes Crown Court, Katie Price testified that nobody believed her when she initially said he had acted inappropriately with a teenager. Hayler, 39, denies three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to a 13-year-old girl in 2016. During cross-examination, Hayler's lawyer accused Price of lying and orchestrating a smear campaign, which Price strongly denied, maintaining that she had messages proving what happened.
Summary headline: Katie Price tells trial no-one believed her about ex-husband's alleged actions
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent after a car crashed into a bridge over the River Ise between Kettering and Warkton. Northamptonshire Police reported that the incident occurred on Pipe Lane shortly before 05:30 BST on Tuesday. The teenager has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue, and the affected road has been reopened.
Summary headline: Teenage boy arrested following single-vehicle bridge crash in Kettering
Staff members who are part of the National Education Union at Oasis Academy Immingham have gone on strike over a dispute regarding funding, investment, and a lack of progress on a school development plan. The union previously balloted for industrial action over a proposed restructure, which was dropped after an agreement to boost pupil numbers and invest in the academy. The school's trust stated that students remain their absolute priority and they are working to minimise disruption.
Summary headline: Staff at Oasis Academy Immingham strike in funding and investment dispute
City councillors in Sheffield have approved plans by Elizabeth and John Clare to transform land near Hollins Lane in Stannington into a commercial dog park, allowing owners to rent the facility by the hour for up to six dogs. The decision was made despite objections concerning traffic, noise, and green belt impact.
Summary headline: Sheffield dog park approved despite local objections
Strong gales and heavy rain, driven by the remnants of Hurricane Isaias and an area of low pressure, have caused widespread disruption across Scotland, leading to the cancellation of more than a dozen ferry routes and the closure of airports and roads.
Summary headline: Ferries cancelled and disrupted as strong gales and rain hit Scotland
