A fire broke out at an elementary school in downtown Tokyo Friday, but all of about 300 students and teachers were evacuated or rescued, officials said.

The Tokyo Fire Department said the fire at the Takinogawa No. 3 Elementary School broke out near a music room on the top floor of the four-story building late morning Friday.

Firefighters rescued one teacher and several schoolchildren out of the building, with non-life-threatening injuries, the department said.

Television footage showed black smoke billowing out of windows on the fourth floor, as firefighters combated the fire at the scene. Dozens of fire engines were deployed.

All others inside the building when the fire broke out had evacuated to a nearby park on their own and no one was left behind, officials said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Andy Burnham is heading back to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election.

The newly elected Labour MP easily beat Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.

It marks the end of weeks of campaigning in the constituency based south of Wigan, and the start of the next political race in Greater Manchester for Andy Burnham’s old job as mayor.

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Becoming an MP disqualifies Burnham from being Greater Manchester mayor, so a replacement needs to be found for the region’s top political job.

That means another by-election is about to take place, with voters across Greater Manchester choosing the next mayor.

It is set to be a massive operation, with 2.1 million people registered to vote in the contest, and around 400,000 expected to do so by post.

Ahead of the crucial race, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at what happens next and when the mayoral by-election will be held.

What date will the by-election for Greater Manchester mayor take place?

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has confirmed July 30 as the date for the mayoral by-election. The GMCA’s returning officer, Caroline Simpson, told the Manchester Evening News earlier this month: “If the Makerfield by-election result triggers a mayoral by-election, Greater Manchester will be legally required to hold a by-election within 25-35 working days.

“To ensure we are ready, we have identified July 30 as the date which will allow the maximum number of people to vote, whether in person, by post or by proxy.

“This will avoid holding an election during the peak holiday period in August and will mean that postal votes will arrive just before, or only a day or two into, the school holidays.

“While Greater Manchester’s returning officers are very experienced at running elections, the lead time for a mayoral by-election would be shorter than for a scheduled poll.

“So, following legal advice, and with support from government and the Electoral Commission, we have begun essential preparation work such as booking polling stations. We are doing this in advance of, not in anticipation of, the Makerfield by-election outcome on June 19.”

The by-election touches all corners of Greater Manchester, so expect to see candidates campaigning across all ten boroughs of the city-region.

Counting for mayoral elections usually takes place the day after polling day, so the result should be known by Friday, July 31.

What voting system will be used?

The government has just changed the voting system for how mayors are elected.

A system called supplementary voting will be used to elect Greater Manchester’s next mayor, rather than the previous first-past-the-post method.

The change came into force on June 18 after passing through Parliament wrapped up in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act.

It could have a huge impact on deciding who becomes the next mayor of Greater Manchester. Voters choose a first and second preference among candidates in supplementary voting.

If no candidate gets 50 per cent of vote in the first round of voting, a second round of voting is held between the two candidates with the most support.

That’s the stage where secondary votes are added and could flip the entire result on its head.

One potential scenario could see party A win more votes in the first round of voting, but still go on to lose the mayoral by-election if party B picks up more second preference votes in round two.

Reform UK said earlier this week that the change was a ‘cynical attempt’ to sway the race in Labour’s favour. Labour didn’t comment when asked about the claims from Reform.

The change in voting system was debated in the House of Lords on June 16.

Lord Hayward, a Conservative, said: “Let us be honest about this order. It is not normal to identify who would be affected by a particular change of law, but this order is an attempt to prevent Reform winning the possible Greater Manchester mayoralty by-election.

“There is no other justification for the haste with which this order has been introduced, other than that it solves the Labour Party’s problems and prevents Reform winning a mayoralty.”

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, for Labour, responded: “The Government were very clear during the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act that we intended to make this change for mayoral and PCC elections after May 2026. There is now the potential for such an election; I will come on to more about that in a moment. We are therefore acting to deliver on our commitments made to Parliament.”

What happens next?

Political parties will choose their candidates to stand in the mayoral by-election before campaigning begins.

The rumour mill about who could stand for each party has already kicked in, with names being suggested by sources. Official announcements and campaign launches are expected to happen in the next few days.

What follows will be weeks of campaigning to try and convince voters to back their various visions for Greater Manchester.

The scale of the by-election means parties will be out and about across the region, from Wigan to Stockport and everywhere in between.

Whoever wins the race will be handed one of the most important political jobs in the country, running Greater Manchester.

The mayor of Greater Manchester has a huge range of responsibilities, from deciding the transport budget for the region from government, including over the future of bus services, to being the public’s voice on policing matters, and being in charge of funding for housing and regeneration schemes.

The stage is set for a fascinating race.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were called to reports of a disturbance on Market Street at around 10pm on Tuesday, June 17.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on Market Street, Little Lever at around 10pm yesterday (17/06/26).

“One man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.”

Lano’s front door was severely damaged (Image: NQ)

Damage was caused to the front door of Lano Store and the front window of Village Chippy.

The Village Chippy was also damaged (Image: NQ)

A worker at Lano Store, which reopened as normal the following morning, confirmed the incident had damaged the shop’s front door.

He said he was unaware of many of the details surrounding the disturbance but confirmed that nothing had been stolen from the premises.

“There was just damage to the front door,” he said.

An eyewitness reported seeing a man running down Market Street carrying a hammer shortly before police arrived.

The area was also reportedly cordoned off.

Other neighbouring businesses said they were unaware of the disturbance and had not suffered any criminal damage.

Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Andoni Iraola and his Liverpool team face a big season after the Basque coach took over from Arne Slot but transfer progress is being made

Liverpool will discover their Premier League fixture schedule on Friday, bringing their summer transfer plans into sharp focus. The Reds are embarking on a first window with Andoni Iraola at the helm and have already been busy.

Jeremy Jacquet became the Reds’ first new arrival, with a move from Rennes agreed long before Iraola agreed to replace Arne Slot in the dugout. Victor Munoz looks to be next and there is plenty to say about the pursuit of the young Spaniard.

There have also been a number of departures, with out-of-contract pair Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate finding new clubs. Robertson’s move to Tottenham was confirmed before the transfer window opened, while Real Madrid confirmed on Thursday that they would add Konate to their ranks for the 2026/27 season.

Today, though, our attention has turned to potential incomings before Liverpool begin their pre-season campaign in July. Here are our latest lines from around Anfield.

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Munoz deal ‘includes surprise transfer clause’

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool’s move for Osasuna star Victor Munoz includes a sell-on clause. However, it doesn’t relate to the Pamplona club but rather to Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were reportedly paid around £4.3m by Osasuna for 50 percent of Munoz’s rights in 2025, with Madrid also enjoying a buy-back clause. Liverpool are reported to have approached Jose Mourinho’s side to ensure they didn’t use the clause to re-sign the 22-year-old forward.

Liverpool are also understood to be paying Munoz’s £34.7m release clause in full but allowing Real Madrid to retain an unspecified buy-back clause which they could use in 2027. The fee paid between for the youngster will be split between the two Spanish clubs.

Reds pip Newcastle again

A move for Munoz would see history repeat itself. Newcastle United had also been pushing for the Spaniard but their failure to immediately meet his release clause has allowed Liverpool to enter the chase.

It’s an all-too-familiar situation for Eddie Howe’s side. Last summer, the Magpies made an early push for Hugo Ekitike at the start of the summer window only to see the Frenchman move to Anfield.

Newcastle also saw star striker Alexander Isak move to Liverpool on deadline day and looked as though they would also lose out to the Reds for defensive target Marc Guehi. Ultimately, though, Guehi’s move to Anfield fell through and he ended up joining Manchester City midway through the season.

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The plans were submitted by Be One Homes – formerly Bolton at Home – and include 30 houses on green land behind Doris Avenue.

It was the property’s designation as ‘affordable’ that swung the vote in their favour, with several councillors noting the importance of affordable housing in the Bolton area.

Also important was the fact that Bolton cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply.

A range of houses have been proposed (Image: BTP Architects)

The council officer noted: “The benefits of the development demonstrable outweigh the potential harm, and therefore we recommend the development should be approved.”

Cllr Martin Donaghy – who is not on the planning committee himself – came to the meeting to oppose the plans as a representative of his ward Tonge with the Haulgh.

Cllr Donaghy said: “The wildlife on the site will be significantly disturbed and lost.

“Access to the site is on the narrow Colenso Road and Bury Road. The residents of my ward asked me to come before you and ask that you reject the application.”

The plans aim to build 30 new houses over the land (Image: Newsquest)

A representative of Be One Homes said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with local developers Forshaw to create these properties.

“We are looking to deliver 50 per cent of the properties under a social rent scheme. So far we have had over 1400 expressions of interest in the properties.”

Councillors then had a chance to ask questions to the planning officer Jodie Turton.

Cllr John McHugh asked: “Are there any waterways next to the area that have been contaminated? Will the new trees that are planted in the area have TPOs on them?”

The planning officer said: “The land used to be the site of a bleachworks. And no, the trees will not immediately have tree protection orders on them when they first go in – this can only be done at a later date.”

Cllr Glen Clarke said: “What measures are being taken to protect the waterways?”

The officer said: “The environment agency have asked us to monitor the construction process sure that no pollution goes into the waterways as a result of it.”

The plans will go to a vote at town hall (Image: BTP Architects)

Cllr David Grant made a statement: “I think what is important is that it is 100 per cent affordable housing. There is a huge need. I don’t see anything in the reports that would warrant refusal.

Cllr McHugh agreed: “I think the key thing is that it is affordable.

I think it sad that a community is affected by this, but it is the key that it is affordable. I second the motion to approve.

The planning committee then voted to approve the application.

The report provides a clear review of how last year’s Fylingdales Moor/Langdale End wildfire was handled, based on operational data, decision records and feedback from staff involved.

The wildfire happened in summer 2025 and required a long, coordinated response involving many organisations working together. At its peak, it affected a large area (over 20km) of moorland and forest.

The report provides a clear review of how last year’s Fylingdales Moor/Langdale End wildfire was handled, based on operational data, decision records and feedback from staff involved.

The incident was particularly complex as the fire occurred in a remote area with limited water supplies and difficult access.

Parts of the site had previously been used as a military training range, meaning crews also had to work around the risk of unexploded ordnance.

Despite these challenges, there was no loss of life, no serious injuries and no damage to homes. Critical infrastructure at RAF Fylingdales was also successfully protected.

The report highlights several key strengths, including teamwork between more than 30 partner organisations, successful protection of communities, homes and infrastructure and clear command structures and use of specialist wildfire expertise

It also sets out where improvements can be made, including enhancing wildfire pre-planning and sharing of wildfire and other risk information, strengthening resilience for long-running incidents

and developing scalable welfare and support for staff over extended periods

(Image: North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service)

Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said: “I would like to take this opportunity to again thank our staff, partner agencies, other fire and rescue services, landowners and farmers and local communities for the support they provided both during the incident and since.

“This debrief provides a clear account of our response to one of the most significant wildfire incidents we have faced. It highlights what worked well, but also where we need to improve, so we can continue to strengthen how we prepare for and respond to incidents of this scale.

“Since the incident, we have already taken steps to strengthen our safety messaging working more closely with partners. We have also improved our ability to operate in remote areas by developing new water supply arrangements with farmers and we are working with landowners and partners through a North Yorkshire Fire Operations Group to improve coordination and shared understanding of wildfire risk.

“The remaining areas identified in the debrief will be taken forward through a structured improvement programme to ensure learning is fully embedded and put into practice.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “The Langdale wildfire was a defining moment for our region, highlighting both the scale of the challenge we face and the importance of being prepared for it.

“Jo and I have spoken to businesses and landowners in the area and understand the impact they still face. This was a truly North Yorkshire response and I will always be in awe of the bravery and commitment of our firefighters, farmers, landowners and everyone that came together to tackle this unprecedented incident. We are seeing the impact of more extreme weather in the countryside, our communities, and our economy. Incidents like this reinforce the need to think long-term about resilience, how we manage our land, how we support our emergency services, and how we work together to reduce risk.

(Image: North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)

“This debrief helps build that bigger picture. It’s not just about learning from one incident, but about shaping how we respond to a changing environment. I will continue to work with partners and government to ensure North Yorkshire has the recognition and investment it needs to meet these challenges head-on.”

Jo Coles, Deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime said: “This was one of the most significant incidents North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has ever faced, and I want to once again recognise the extraordinary efforts of fire fighters, partners such as farmers and landowners as well as the local community whose combined effort was instrumental in tackling this extraordinary fire. It’s vital that lessons are learned following an incident on this scale so that we can improve the prevention and protection work that will keep people safe from future risks across the county – this debrief is a crucial part of that process. The work to improve prevention of future wildfires is already underway and I will continue work closely with Mayor David Skaith to hold the fire and rescue service to account for those changes on behalf of the public.”

The report can be read in full at Fylingdales Moor/Langdale Wildfire – North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

The Holywood man wanted more after moving to three under with a fabulous eagle five holes from home

Rory McIlroy was left frustrated after dropping two shots at his last two holes – but he still managed to break par at Shinnecock Hills to lay the foundations for a shot at a second Major of the season.

On a day of toil for most of the field at one of world golf’s toughest courses, the Masters champion squeezed out a one-under-par opening 69.

He wanted more after moving to three under with a fabulous eagle five holes from home but he walked off the course only one stroke adrift of surprise clubhouse leader Sam Stevens.

It is certainly a distinctly better start than McIlroy made the last time the US Open was held at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. On that occasion he shot 80.

“With the conditions today, anything around even par is a good start. It was a day to keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it which is exactly what I did eight years ago,” said McIlroy.

“It was really about minimising mistakes and for the most part I did that today.

“It’s a challenging golf course as it is but when you put 30 mph wins on top of that it tests the best.

“It’s so hard, it’s so difficult. I didn’t think I hit two bad iron shots but I couldn’t get up and down.

“Overall a really good day.”

Links-like in its looks and murderous in its intentions, Shinnecock has the capacity to ruin golfers. So it was a case of keeping out of the trouble that lay around every corner for McIlroy and he did so in hitting ten out of 14 fairways in the wind.

It is not the sort of golf he would once have been capable of. These days though he is a man for all seasons.

The fireworks at the fifth – his 14th hole of the day – saw him post a three after a booming downwind drive of 396 yards.

After that the errant approaches to eight and nine which cost him bogeys late on were a disappointment.

Under par though at Shinnecock Hills is a great place to be.

In the five previous US Opens held at the New York course a grand total of three players have finished the championship in red numbers. It is that hard.

A two-hour fog delay early on pushed back tee times but when McIlroy’s turn eventually came he made a flying start with birdies at two of his first three holes.

He gave them back after being caught up in the rough at the 13th and par-five 16th but made his move with a birdie at the third after a glorious approach to two feet.

With the wind at his back he ate the 597-yard fifth alive, holing out from 11 feet for his three before his slips late on

McIlroy’s playing partners Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood also made solid starts. Aberg also shot a 69 while Fleetwood – runner-up to Brooks Koepka in the 2018 US Open – produced a fightback late on with back-to-back birdies to card a 70

Tyrrell Hatton, who won on the LIV tour at Valderrama earlier this month, double bogeyed his final hole to sign for a 74.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, playing his first Major for six years, unravelled after a promising start to shoot a 76.

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It should have been a moment of pure joy.

Canada, 40 years after playing in their first World Cup, secured their first-ever win at the tournament in emphatic fashion, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in front of a packed and loud Vancouver Stadium.

They are almost certain of a place in the last 32. But celebrations were overshadowed by a dreadful injury to Ismael Kone.

The incident happened eight minutes into the second half, with Canada leading 3-0. Their former Watford midfielder Kone, shortly after receiving the ball, was caught late and badly by Assim Madibo as he challenged for possession.

Kone’s reaction, and that of the players around him, said it all.

The 24-year-old Sassuolo midfielder looked anguished and in shock, with his leg visibly broken. His distraught team-mates rushed to him as the referee halted play so the medical staff could come on, while Madibo had his hands on his head.

A scuffle broke out between the two teams as frustration and anger over what had happened bubbled over.

Kone, though, despite suffering an injury that has ended his World Cup, lifted his thumb to the crowd as he was taken off on a stretcher.

“You saw that he was waving to the crowd and almost making everyone at ease,” boss Jesse Marsch said after the game.

“It is a statement about Ismael, but also this is an incredible team. I have been telling people for years about the character of this group.

“You got see how everyone was crushed but we had to find a way to stay focus.”

Focus they did – as from then on, the crowd and the players were united as Canada pushed on to score three further goals.

During the second-half hydration break, Marsch was in tears. Nathan Saliba – who had replaced Kone – held up his team-mate’s shirt after he scored his side’s fourth.

“He will be back stronger than ever and he will continue to have a great career,” said Marsch of Kobe.

“I said at the water break that he would want us to finish this game – and that is what the guys did.”

Parents should not need to take legal action to get the support that their child needs to thrive, says Record View.

Dad Stephen Clark was terrified that his young son, who has special needs, would be unable to cope with a mainstream high school.

His boy Cameron, 10, who is described as non-verbal and at nursery level, was already struggling badly at a mainstream primary school.

And Stephen felt strongly that his lad should be in a special needs school that met his needs.

Most readers would assume that would be a straight forward matter and Cameron would be placed in the right school.

But that’s where things took a twist that Stephen did not see coming.

Education bosses, tied to a mantra of inclusion, told the dad that Cameron would have to remain in a mainstream primary – and then move on to the local high school.

Stephen decided that was not good enough.

With no legal training and zero experience of the court system, he decided to launch a legal action to get his boy where he needed to be – a special needs school.

And today we report that he was won that legal battle – forcing local school chiefs to give Cameron the schooling he needs.

Cameron’s case raises serious questions about how our schools are run.

Education “experts” have for many years dictated that special needs kids are best served in mainstream schools.

That may be true in many cases.

But it’s clear that there is a glaring lack of provision for children with additional needs.

Inclusion is a laudable aim – but too often it is used as an excuse to simply land more work onto already hard-pressed teachers.

Very often children with additional needs fail to get the attention they deserve.

While teachers often struggle to cope with the extra demands placed on them as a growing number of kids require specialist skills.

We hope this case shines a light on the issue and leads to the right kind of change.

And we are sure Cameron, with the help of his determined dad, will thrive in his new school.

Become immortals

It’s not often that a group of footballers can make history.

But that’s the position Steve Clarke’s lads find themselves in tonight.

A win or draw against Morocco would virtually guarantee our progress to the knock-out stages of a major tournament for the first time.

Think of all the greats who have worn the dark blue of Scotland.

Legends like Dalglish, Law, Souness, McCoist.

None of them have reached the promised land of the knock-out stages.

If Andy Robertson and his compadres do the business tonight they will be up there with the Scottish football immortals.

And, more importantly, they’ll never need to buy a drink ever again,

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The UK government has issued a denial after mounting speculation that 90% of Dartmoor hill ponies were to be culled.

Speculation started over confusion around current grazing policy. So why have these animals been dragged into a political storm?

Britain’s semi-wild pony herds should otherwise be a conservation success story. As concern grows over biodiversity loss and habitat degradation, these animals are increasingly recognised for the role they can play in restoring damaged landscapes.

But on Dartmoor, policy decisions intended to improve the condition of protected habitats appear to threaten the long-term future of the very ponies helping to maintain them. UK government agencies are again pushing for reductions in grazing animals on Dartmoor’s commons. If those changes go ahead, one of Britain’s most distinctive semi-wild pony populations could face an uncertain future.

That comes despite the findings of a recent independent review commissioned by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The Fursdon review was launched in 2023 after a bitter dispute over how Dartmoor’s protected moorland should be managed. Its aim was to find ways to improve the condition of the moor while supporting the people and traditional practices that help shape it.

The review concluded that ponies are an important part of the solution.

Unlike sheep and cattle, ponies occupy a distinct ecological niche, as my research has shown. They eat more vegetation relative to their body weight than ruminants (such as cattle, goats and sheep). They also graze differently.

Like cattle, ponies are generalists, willing to eat rougher and less nutritious plants that sheep tend to avoid. Ponies are more likely than cattle to graze purple moorgrass (Molinia caerulea), a species that has spread widely across parts of Dartmoor and many other upland areas. Managing molinia was identified by the review as an important conservation priority.

These characteristics help explain why ponies are increasingly being used by organisations such as the National Trust, RSPB and local Wildlife Trusts in habitat restoration projects across the UK. In many places, they are now recognised as valuable conservation grazers.

So why are semi-wild ponies such as the Dartmoor hill pony, the Carneddau pony (of parts of Eryri, also known as Snowdonia) and the Welsh hill pony under threat? At a time when nature recovery, biodiversity and rewilding dominate environmental debates, why are we in danger of losing animals that have lived on Britain’s hills for thousands of years?

Part of the answer lies in what these ponies are not.

They are not “proper” breeds. They have no breed standard, no stud book and no pedigree registration. They will never appear in the ring at the Horse of the Year Show. They are classified as semi-wild or feral because the takhi or Przewalski’s horse (a rare and endangered wild horse originally native to the steppes of central Asia) is considered to be the only remaining wild horse.

But that can obscure something important. For thousands of years, the physical and behavioural characteristics of these local pony populations have been shaped largely by natural selection rather than human breeding. These animals are fundamentally different from modern native breeds that have been selectively bred by people.

The Dartmoor pony and the Welsh mountain pony, for example, were both formalised in the early 20th century and include Arabian bloodlines. Despite their similar names, they should not be confused with the semi-wild hill ponies that continue to roam the uplands.

Not livestock nor wildlife

Nor are these animals really livestock. Although they are technically owned by the commoners and pony keepers on whose land they graze, they are not kept for agricultural production. Their numbers are managed through periodic round-ups, but the animals have little commercial value.

The Fursdon review recognised this distinction. It recommended that “ponies and cattle should not be linked for the calculation of stocking rates” and that any actions likely to reduce pony numbers should be avoided.

Yet new countryside stewardship agreements are setting grazing limits for “cattle and/or ponies” as though the two are interchangeable. Meanwhile, wild deer, which are also large grazing herbivores, are excluded from those calculations.

À lire aussi :
Wildfire risk is now spreading to cool climates like the Scottish Highlands and Irish uplands

Semi-wild ponies do not fit neatly into the category of wildlife either. They receive none of the legal protections available to wild species and their habitats. Despite their semi-wild status, they are often overlooked in rewilding projects that seek to restore natural grazing processes. Instead, some projects have favoured imported Konik ponies (a Polish pony breed), often based on questionable assumptions about their origins and suitability.

As a result, semi-wild pony populations have spent years falling between the cracks of conservation and agricultural policy. That would be a remarkable fate for animals that have been part of Britain’s uplands since the Bronze age.

Dartmoor hill ponies were already grazing the moor as the peatlands that dominate today’s conservation debates were expanding across the landscape. They have lived through Saxon settlement, the rise and decline of tin mining and successive waves of agricultural policy that encouraged both overgrazing and undergrazing.

Today, these ponies are more than a cultural symbol. They are living components of upland ecosystems and are increasingly recognised as valuable partners in habitat restoration. If society is serious about nature recovery, it should attempt to find ways to protect and support these unique herds.

It would be a bitter irony if animals that can help restore damaged landscapes were lost because environmental policymakers failed to recognise their value.