Actor Hugh Bonneville has shared that he plans to have a marmalade sandwich and a chat with a Paddington Bear statue when he visits Suffolk to promote his new children's book. The actor, known for his roles in the Paddington film series and Downton Abbey, will be appearing at the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival to discuss his latest work, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea.
Summary headline: Hugh Bonneville plans Suffolk sandwich date with Paddington Bear statue
Bei einem gezielten Einsatz der US-Einwanderungsbehörde ICE im New Yorker Stadtteil Bronx wurde ein Mann aus der Dominikanischen Republik in seinem Auto durch Schüsse eines Beamten verletzt. In dem Fahrzeug befand sich zudem ein fünfjähriges Kind, das unverletzt blieb. Nach Angaben des Heimatschutzministeriums war der Mann vorbestraft. Der Vorfall stieß auf scharfe Kritik von New Yorks Bürgermeister Zohran Mamdani, der die Abschaffung der Behörde forderte.
Summary headline: Mann durch Schüsse bei ICE-Einsatz in New York verletzt
The Jersey government has approved an amendment to expand cold weather payment eligibility to an additional 105 homes, at an estimated cost of up to £21,000.
Summary headline: Cold weather payments in Jersey extended to 105 more households
A 16-year-old teenager from Coventry named Vian has successfully undergone pioneering gene editing treatment to reverse symptoms of thalassemia, a serious blood disorder. Previously requiring monthly blood transfusions and suffering from constant fatigue, Vian's edited stem cells were returned to her last December following chemotherapy. She no longer needs transfusions, has regained her energy, and now studies health and social care with ambitions of becoming a nurse. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy named JoelSamuel from Oldbury is at the beginning of a similar gene editing journey for sickle cell disease.
Summary headline: Coventry teenager with thalassemia says gene editing treatment changed her life
Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill has praised Brands Hatch as one of the greatest circuits of all time as the venue marks its 100th anniversary. Hill shared personal memories of the track, including receiving his first motorbike from his father, Graham Hill, at the venue as a reward for passing his 11-plus. He recalled attending races there during the 1960s and 1970s, later becoming the Champion of Brands in 1984 before winning the F1 world championship in 1996. Brands Hatch is celebrating its milestone with a year-long programme of events, races, and championships.
Summary headline: Damon Hill pays tribute to Brands Hatch as the circuit celebrates its centenary
Blackburn with Darwen Council has voted to reject and condemn a controversial proposal to introduce toll charges on a six-mile section of the M65 between Burnley and Colne. The toll idea was previously floated by Reform UK councillor Joel Tetlow at Lancashire County Council to help fund £15m needed for flooding repairs, though Reform UK has since distanced itself from the suggestion and claimed the comments were not serious. Blackburn with Darwen councillors proceeded with the motion to make their opposition clear and highlight potential negative impacts on local traffic and residents.
Summary headline: Blackburn with Darwen Council votes to condemn proposed M65 toll charges
Country music icon Dolly Parton has released a bilingual Welsh and English version of her classic hit 'Jolene', recorded in collaboration with her niece Jada Star and Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis. The track was recorded at Parton's Nashville studio in early 2025 following a viral translation by Lewis. Parton, who had known Welsh ancestry linked to Machynlleth in Powys, was said to be proud to sing in Welsh before her death on 25 August.
Summary headline: Dolly Parton releases posthumous bilingual Welsh-English cover of Jolene
More than 20 houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs) in Durham are being reviewed following concerns raised by City of Durham Parish Council regarding potential fire safety failings, such as bedrooms opening directly onto kitchens and missing fire doors. Durham County Council and the fire and rescue service are examining the data on a case-by-case basis.
The family of Tobias White-Sansom, a father-of-two from Nottingham who died in a Spanish hospital in July 2022 after being restrained by security and police in Magaluf, has received new blood spatter evidence and a court order. The family hopes this development will lead to criminal proceedings in Spain, four years after the incident.
Summary headline: New evidence reignites hopes for justice in death of Tobias White-Sansom in Spain
The finale of the World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool has been cancelled over safety concerns regarding forecast high winds. Organisers VisitBlackpool stated that the expected wind speed and direction made the event unsafe for both teams and spectators. Former winning teams from Wales, South Africa and Germany were scheduled to compete in the final event.
Summary headline: Blackpool World Fireworks Championship finale cancelled due to high winds
British carmaker Longbow has announced plans to begin production of its limited-edition Speedster electric sports car at Mira Tech Park in Nuneaton next year. Priced at around £85,000, the hand-built vehicle is backed by a £3m government fund via the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the project is expected to create over 200 skilled jobs before being followed by a Roadster model.
Summary headline: Hand-built £85k electric sports car set to be made in Nuneaton
The Swanage Railway has launched a £60,000 fundraising appeal to reinstate the original Victorian wooden canopy at Corfe Castle Station in Dorset. The original structure was demolished by British Railways in the 1950s. This project marks the final phase of restoring the Grade II listed building to its appearance when the line opened in 1885.
Summary headline: Swanage Railway launches appeal to rebuild Victorian station canopy at Corfe Castle
An £80m plan by Cambridge City Council to demolish and regenerate the Arbury estate, including Arbury Court, has raised concerns among local residents and business owners. The project involves demolishing existing council flats and shops to build over 200 new homes, comprising council and private housing. While the council states it will do its utmost to support displaced residents and traders—including offering options to return and providing £500,000 in trader support—locals fear separation of multi-generational families, school disruptions for children, over-development, limited parking, and construction traffic.
Summary headline: Residents express concerns that an £80m regeneration of the Arbury estate in Cambridge could separate families and disrupt the community
The NHS is encouraging students to find out their blood type and become blood donors to maintain supplies and address a declining number of young volunteers. NHS Blood and Transplant hosted a 'What's Your Blood Type?' event at the University of Birmingham, where participants could take a quick pinprick test and register as donors. Officials highlighted a particular need for O negative and B negative blood stocks, as well as donors of Black heritage to help treat conditions like sickle cell disease.
Summary headline: NHS targets students to recruit a new generation of blood donors
Northern Railway is introducing 37 refurbished, air-conditioned trains across Manchester and the wider North West from early 2028 as part of a £25m investment programme. These trains will replace the ageing Class 323 fleet, offering increased capacity, more space, luggage racks, and power sockets on many routes ahead of the introduction of up to 450 new trains from 2030.
Summary headline: Northern Railway announces £25m investment to introduce air-conditioned trains in the North West
Shire Hall in Dorchester, a Grade I listed justice museum, has closed permanently following years of challenging economic conditions. Director Virginia Smith stated that government Covid-19 grants and staff furlough schemes had masked the museum's underlying financial woes. Additional pressures, including high utility bills, rising staff costs, the cost-of-living crisis, and lower visitor numbers during heatwaves, contributed to the closure. The Shire Hall Trust will return the keys to Dorset Council in two months.
Summary headline: Dorchester justice museum Shire Hall closes its doors for good after financial struggles
Patients and union members have staged a protest outside King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield to oppose plans by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to close its hydrotherapy pool. The trust aims to save £35m this financial year, expecting the pool closure to save up to £160,000 a year while offering land-based alternatives. Protesters and the GMB union argue the facility is a vital, specialist resource that aids mobility and pain relief, and noted that a final decision has not yet been made pending ongoing engagement with patients and staff.
Summary headline: Patients protest outside King's Mill Hospital against proposed hydrotherapy pool closure
Councillor Richard Morris, who survived a heart attack with his brother's help, has assisted in launching free 'phase four' cardiac rehabilitation classes in Droitwich. Supported by Wychavon District Council, the hour-long exercise sessions aim to help survivors build confidence and return to normality. The classes are held at Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre and Pershore Leisure Centre, supplementing earlier NHS-led recovery phases.
Summary headline: Council leader helps launch free cardiac recovery classes after surviving heart attack
Residents, councillors, and campaigners in Effingham, Surrey, are expressing frustration after a recent assessment found that local green fields meet the criteria to be reclassified as "grey belt" land, potentially making them easier to develop. Introduced by ministers in 2024 to target low-quality land like scrubland and disused car parks, critics argue the policy is instead capturing open fields separating villages. In Guildford borough, an assessment found that 92% of the green belt could be classified as grey belt. Local leaders and MPs are calling on the government to rethink the rules, while housebuilders argue the policy supports necessary housing development and infrastructure.
Summary headline: Concern in Effingham as green fields are reclassified as grey belt land
Water levels at Stithians Lake in Cornwall have dropped significantly following a long, dry summer, leaving parts of the reservoir too shallow for water sports and equipment hire. South West Water states that sustained rainfall over several months is needed to improve storage levels, while a hosepipe ban remains in place across Devon and Cornwall due to continued drought conditions and higher-than-average water consumption.
Summary headline: Stithians Lake water levels in Cornwall drop too low for water sports
