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Ramadan and Lent begin almost together for the first time in over 30 years
Ramadan and Lent are starting within a day of each other, a close coincidence not seen since 1992; the overlap reflects the Islamic lunar calendar moving about 11 days earlier each year.
Pension savers could boost their pension by £37k with an extra £39
Standard Life's analysis says adding about £39 a month to pension contributions could grow to roughly £37,000 over time, and the article highlights taking advantage of tax relief and putting lump sums into a pension. It also notes that defined contribution members can usually change payments through their employer or provider and that the state pension requires 10 qualifying years for any payment and 35 years for the full amount.
Edinburgh Hearts legend Gary Mackay helps tackle youth anti-social behaviour
Gary Mackay runs free Friday evening football sessions at Tynecastle Park that have supported more than 38 at-risk young people since June 2024, and Police Scotland reports local reductions in youth-related call-outs.
Central heating may dry out skin and increase irritation
The article reports dermatologist Dr Emma Craythorne saying dry indoor air from central heating can speed water loss from the skin and trigger mild inflammation; cold, windy outdoor air can be similarly drying.
Wybourn Chatty Cafe in Sheffield provides a welcoming support space
Visitors say the Wybourn Chatty Cafe offers social contact and local activities for parents and others; the Chatty Cafe network began in Greater Manchester in 2017.
Gaza's jobs crisis leaves many unable to afford basics
Unemployment in Gaza is estimated at about 80%, and although humanitarian aid deliveries have increased since the October ceasefire, many people still lack cash to buy essentials because prices remain high.
Garden trail returns to Newport this summer as organisers seek more hosts
Newport in Bloom's 'Through the Garden Gate' returns on July 19 and organisers are asking residents to open their private gardens to visitors; proceeds fund the group's planting displays for the following year.
Lancashire foster agency praised by Ofsted for outstanding leadership
Ofsted rated Foster Care Matters in Lancashire as 'good' and singled out its leadership as outstanding.
Brazil's Lula gets image boost at Rio Carnival but faces legal scrutiny
A top samba school staged a parade honouring President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at Rio's Sambadrome during Carnival, drawing praise and complaints that the tribute may have crossed into early campaigning.
SEND reform is being pursued with a cautious approach
Ministers are planning changes to the SEND system that favour more support in mainstream schools, and the government has delayed its white paper while carrying out consultations with parents and professionals.
Erin Doherty wins at Independent Spirit Awards and joins Rebecca Hall
Erin Doherty won Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the Independent Spirit Awards for her role in Netflix's Adolescence, and Rebecca Hall was among the attendees at the Los Angeles ceremony.
China's Lunar New Year travel rush remains the world's largest annual migration
The 40-day Lunar New Year travel rush began on Feb. 2 and runs through the official Spring Festival holidays from Feb. 15 to 23, with officials expecting a record 9.5 billion domestic trips. By Feb. 10 railways had carried 1.01 billion passengers and flights reached 16.32 million in the first week.
UK to champion AI's role in growth and public services at Impact Summit in India
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Minister Kanishka Narayan will lead the UK delegation at the AI Impact Summit in India, where the UK plans to announce three initiatives backed by £58 million to support AI use in developing countries.
Father accused of killing wife and injuring teen
Police say a 57-year-old man allegedly fatally stabbed his estranged wife and injured a teenage relative at their Farmingville home, then attempted to take his own life; the woman was pronounced dead at hospital and the teen was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The accused is hospitalized and faces charges including second-degree murder, with an arraignment to be scheduled once he is released from care.
Profound autism category proposed to describe children with highest support needs
A proposed "profound autism" category would apply to autistic children aged eight and over who have little or no language, an IQ under 50 and require 24-hour supervision; an Australian study found about 24% of autistic children met or were at risk of meeting these criteria.
Gisèle Pelicot moved to tears by messages of support in first TV interview
Gisèle Pelicot watched video messages of support during her first televised interview on Newsnight and became visibly emotional; her husband was sentenced in December 2024 after being convicted of sexual offences against her.
Netanyahu says US deal with Iran must dismantle nuclear infrastructure
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told U.S. President Donald Trump last week that any U.S. deal with Iran should dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure rather than only halting enrichment.
Child safety: No online platform gets a free pass, Prime Minister says
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said no online platform will get a 'free pass' on children's safety; the government will launch a consultation on social media protections in March and plans legal changes to tighten rules for AI chatbots.
Investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance: what to know
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson home after last being seen Jan. 31; the FBI and Pima County investigators have released surveillance footage and collected evidence for laboratory analysis.
Harry Clark seeks to meet the new Pope in BBC documentary
A 60-minute BBC documentary follows Harry Clark's trip from Slough to Rome as he seeks a meeting with the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV and explores faith in modern Britain; it will air on BBC Two and iPlayer this Easter.
Harry Clark to front BBC documentary about his trip to Rome
Harry Clark will front a 60-minute BBC Two documentary, Harry Clark Goes to Rome, in which he travels to Rome and Vatican City to explore faith and identity and seeks a meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
Russia accused of killing Alexei Navalny with dart frog toxin, UK says
The UK Foreign Office says samples from Alexei Navalny's body contained the toxin epibatidine, and Britain and allied governments have blamed the Kremlin for his death.
Michael Jordan reflects on NASCAR settlement in rare Daytona interview
Michael Jordan gave a rare interview at the Daytona 500, reflecting on the antitrust case that was settled last December and saying the agreement granted teams permanent charters.
Brazil Carnival survival kit: Revelers offer street party do's and don'ts
Veteran Rio Carnival participants describe simple preparations—light snacks, sunscreen, hydration and hygiene items—to cope with long street parties. Sunday was the second official day of festivities and Carnival runs through Ash Wednesday.
UK and German defence chiefs warn about Russia and say rearmament is not warmongering
Britain's and Germany's top military chiefs wrote that Russia's forces have shifted westward and are rearming, and they framed increased defence spending and industrial expansion as necessary responses; NATO has set a target for members to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035.
Dad to walk 20 miles from Edinburgh Castle to Gullane for charity
Gary Clydesdale will walk 20.8 miles from Edinburgh Castle to his hometown Gullane on May 2 to raise £2,000 for CHAS, and his wife Kirsty will join him.
Brush teeth properly may be linked to lower risk of dementia and other conditions
At the AAAS conference experts reported growing evidence that gum disease and oral bacteria are linked to inflammation affecting organs across the body and may be associated with more than 50 systemic conditions, including dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers.
Wuthering Heights opens to $34.8 million, powered by women
Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights earned $34.8 million in its first three days in North America, with PostTrak reporting about 76% of opening weekend ticket buyers were women. The studio said the total could reach roughly $40 million by Monday and the film is expected to add about $42 million from 76 international territories.
Jacquelin honours 'Pirate' Pantani and takes bronze in biathlon pursuit
Emilien Jacquelin led the 12.5km pursuit at the Milano Cortina Games, touched an earring lent by Marco Pantani's family and finished third after missing two late shots behind Martin Ponsiluoma and Sturla Holm Laegreid.
Gaza: At least 12 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes
Local rescue services and hospitals reported that Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 12 people and injured others, and the Israeli military said the strikes were a response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas.
