Latest News
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Micro-hydro project has returned over £1 million to a local community
Harlaw Hydro, a community-owned micro-hydro scheme near Balerno opened in 2015, has generated over £1 million in revenue and uses proceeds to fund local projects including community centre upgrades and the conversion of a former police station into a nursery.
Charity walk returns to Delamere Forest to raise money for hospice
St Luke's Hospice's Twilight Walk will take place in Delamere Forest on Saturday 21 March as a 10km dusk route to raise funds for patient care; last year about 700 people raised £50,000.
Swindon's historic hooters to mark 40th anniversary of Railway Works closure
A replica hooter will be sounded at 4.30pm on 26 March 2026 at STEAM Museum to mark 40 years since Swindon Railway Works closed, and a week of exhibitions, screenings and talks will run around the anniversary.
Community volunteer awards seek firm sponsors for November event
Community CVS and Blackburn with Darwen Council are asking businesses and organisations to sponsor the Community Volunteer Awards, which are scheduled for 5 November 2026 and typically attract more than 1,000 nominations.
Girl reads for 12 hours to raise money for children's hospice
Twelve-year-old Jayda Higginson read for 12 hours on February 14 and raised £567 for Derian House; she completed 706 pages despite dyslexia, ADHD and visual stress.
Ukraine: Trump supports Putin-Zelensky meeting as Kyiv begins anti-drone netting
President Trump has backed leader-level talks between Ukraine and Russia, with President Zelensky saying a meeting with President Putin is expected; Ukraine's defence minister said Kyiv will accelerate installation of anti-drone nets on frontline roads, aiming for 4,000 km by year-end and about 20 km per day in March.
Grace Tame: Australia PM apologises for calling survivor 'difficult'
Australia's prime minister apologised after describing Grace Tame as "difficult" during a rapid-response game; Tame and other politicians criticised the label as dismissive of a woman who has spoken out about abuse and campaigned for law change.
Canada says US tariffs are unlikely to be lifted
Canada's finance minister François-Philippe Champagne said the United States appears unlikely to lift recent tariffs and described a baseline tariff as a 'price' for market access, following President Trump's State of the Union and a new 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122.
Wu-Tang collaborator Oliver 'Power' Grant has died at 52
Oliver 'Power' Grant, an early backer and business partner of the Wu-Tang Clan, has died at 52, the group announced; a cause of death was not disclosed.
Beverley Callard fears husband may not find her attractive after surgery
Actress Beverley Callard had surgery to remove two lymph nodes after an early breast cancer diagnosis and says she is recovering at home but worried about her appearance and intimacy with her husband; she has a follow‑up appointment to learn if further surgery is needed.
World Trade Center's final office tower will begin construction this spring
Construction on 2 World Trade Center is expected to start this spring and the building will become American Express's new headquarters, with completion slated for 2031.
Australian teen attacked for being gay amid reported links to Islamic State supporter
Videos and court documents reported by ABC describe a series of attacks on gay and bisexual men in Sydney, including a man who said he was lured and assaulted last April. Authorities and community groups say investigations and court matters are ongoing.
Green tea after meals could reduce gum disease, dentist says
A US dentist highlighted that green tea's catechins can suppress harmful oral bacteria, and a 2021 meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials reported improvements in periodontal measures.
Ethiopia's tensions in Tigray may risk renewed conflict
People are leaving Tigray amid reports of troop movements, brief clashes, drone strikes and rising shortages, while disputes over territory and party status have strained the 2022 Pretoria peace deal ahead of June elections.
Harry and Meghan to visit World Central Kitchen regional hub in Jordan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit World Central Kitchen’s regional headquarters in Jordan to learn about its meal operations supporting people in Gaza and displaced populations, and they will meet a WHO delegation and visit a national mental health rehabilitation centre.
NHS maternity units found to cover up harmful childbirth errors
An independent inquiry led by Baroness Amos reports that some NHS trusts have hidden or altered medical records after incidents causing harm in childbirth, and families have often been denied clear answers. Baroness Amos's final report is due in the coming months and local inquiries, including the Nottingham investigation, remain underway.
Maternity care found failing due to racism and staffing issues
An interim review led by Baroness Amos finds racism, staffing shortages and other systemic problems across maternity services in England; final recommendations are due in April and the Health Secretary has said he will act.
England's maternity care report finds cruel comments, racism and cover-ups
An interim national investigation report says some NHS trusts covered up failings and falsified records, and that bereaved mothers faced cruel comments and incidents of racism; the inquiry is ongoing.
NHS maternity care 'not working' for women and babies, review warns.
An interim report by Baroness Amos's National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation finds NHS maternity services in England are failing many women, babies and families and says repeated failures have not been addressed. The report says investigators met more than 400 family members and heard from over 8,000 people, and that final recommendations will be published in the spring.
Over £50 million allocated to tackle homelessness
The government announced £50 million in funding split across two programmes to support councils and organisations working on homelessness and rough sleeping. The package includes a £37 million fund for community organisations and a £15 million innovation programme targeting 28 high-pressure areas, including London.
Aldi announces second pay rise for 28,000 UK store workers
Aldi will raise hourly pay for more than 28,000 store workers from April 1, with base rates of £13.50 nationally and £14.88 inside the M25 and higher rates for longer service.
Aldi makes change that will impact 28,000 staff.
Aldi will offer paid breaks to all colleagues, a benefit estimated at about £1,500 per year for the average store colleague; the change is reported to affect 28,000 staff and follows recent announcements of higher pay rates and extended maternity pay.
Fat jab results may improve with six healthy habits, experts say
A Harvard study of about 100,000 former US veterans found that GLP-1 medication use combined with six healthy lifestyle changes was associated with more than a 40% lower risk of major cardiovascular events; GLP-1 use without lifestyle changes was linked to a 16% lower risk.
Teddi Mellencamp celebrates daughter Dove's sixth birthday during cancer treatment
Teddi Mellencamp posted photos marking daughter Dove's sixth birthday and referenced past surgeries for Dove and her own recent cancer treatment; she has said the cancer is currently undetectable but remains on immunotherapy.
Cass Thorburn shares message after breast cancer diagnosis
Cass Thorburn said she is in her second week of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with triple‑negative occult breast cancer and thanked health staff and supporters for their care and messages.
We Might Regret This review: disabled-led comedy continues to skewer its targets
The BBC's disabled-led comedy We Might Regret This returns with a second series filmed last summer amid debate over disability benefits; it blends messy friendships and sharp satire while following Freya and her missing friend Jo.
Canada promises food aid to Cuba amid US fuel blockade
Canada pledged C$8 million in food aid to Cuba, to be delivered through United Nations agencies, while Mexico has sent a separate shipment of more than 1,100 tons of supplies amid worsening fuel and supply shortages on the island.
Rachel Reeves' tax plans and rising pensioner tax bills
About 8.7 million people over state pension age now face bills from HMRC, roughly three-quarters of all pensioners, an increase of almost 30% in four years. The personal allowance remains £12,570 a year tax-free.
Parents accused in death of three-month-old Adam Essid appear in court
Adam Essid, a three-month-old from Finchley, died at Great Ormond Street Hospital after emergency responders attended his home; his parents have been charged and remanded. A plea hearing is set for 13 May and a provisional trial date is scheduled from 15 February next year.
Killer found guilty after partner was left to die at Chester home
A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner after her body was discovered at their Chester home; he is due to be sentenced on Friday.
