North Yorkshire Council planning officers are recommending approval of the reserved matters application for the Vale of York MSA at Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge.

The proposal for the Welcome Break services has generated significant local opposition, with Boroughbridge Town Council, Kirby Hill and Marton-le-Moor Parish Council, Langthorpe Parish Council, Skelton-cum-Newby Parish Council and Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council all objecting.

Objectors argue the latest plans go far beyond what was approved at outline stage, claiming the scheme has become more visually intrusive through a higher motorway bridge, larger embankments, expanded landscaping and additional drainage lagoons east of the A1(M).

Parish councils have described the changes as materially increasing the scale and impact of the development and say a fresh planning application, supported by a new environmental impact assessment, should have been submitted.

Concerns have also been raised over the omission of green roofs, the safety of the B6265 access, the visual impact on nearby Kirby Hill, the effect on groundwater because of the site’s position above a principal aquifer, and whether the development remains necessary given other motorway service facilities that have since been approved or expanded elsewhere on the A1(M).

More than 70 members of the public also submitted objections, raising fears over increased traffic, noise, light pollution and landscape harm.

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However, planning officers concluded that the development remains broadly consistent with the outline permission and does not require a new environmental impact assessment.

They say a separate screening opinion found the changes are not so substantial that the existing environmental assessment can no longer be relied upon.

The report also rejects claims that green roofs have been removed, stating they remain part of the proposals, with wildflower roofs on the main amenity building and fuel station and sedum roofs on the drive-through coffee shop and HGV filling station.

Officers note that the bridge and eastern roundabout are higher than originally illustrated, but say the increases remain within the approved height parameters and were necessary to meet National Highways’ requirements for a single-span bridge capable of accommodating future vehicle heights.

They also point out that National Highways, the council’s highways authority, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the council’s ecologist have all raised no objections, subject to conditions where appropriate.

The service area would provide parking for 364 cars, 90 HGVs, 18 coaches, caravans and motorcycles, together with fuel filling stations, a drive-through coffee shop and amenity building.

Outline planning permission was granted for the MSA in 2021 following a public inquiry after more than 20 years of legal wrangles.

The application will be discussed by North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee on Tuesday next week (July 21).

The incident commander said fire fighters have been working 18-hour stints

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued an update as the ‘extensive’ moorland blaze they have been battling since Saturday night (July 11) enters its fourth day.

Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were first called to Dovestone Reservoir on Saturday night following reports of fireworks being set off in the area.

A major incident was declared on Monday afternoon with as many 70 firefighters tackling the blaze, which has sent smoke and ash far across Greater Manchester and beyond, with health experts advising people in affected areas to remain indoors where possible.

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Much of Greater Manchester, including Tameside and Stockport, has been affected by smoke and haze in the days following the fire, though one M.E.N reader in Reddish said her area was not as smoky as before.

Elsewhere, the wildfire at Tintwistle, above Woodhead Road in Glossop, first broke out nearly three weeks ago. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident, with firefighting operations set to go on ‘for some time’, officials said.

In an update this afternoon (July 15) the force said they were using drones for ‘aerial reconnaissance’ and a ‘range of appliances and specialist vehicles’, as well as beaters and water backpacks, to prevent further spread.

And this evening GMFRS’ incident commander Paul Fearnhead gave an update from Swineshaw Reservoir, which has also been affected by the fires.

He said there were a ‘large number’ of crews on scene battling the ‘extensive’ fire on the moorland. “Our resources have been working from around 4am until 10pm at night each day this week since Sunday,” he said.

“The area is really challenging and we’re working with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, game keepers, United Utilities, all working to resolve this incident and delay its spread across the moorland.

“The fire is inaccessible other than on foot, via wildfire units and our air capabilities. Helicopters are using reservoirs to water bomb the incident and put the fires out.

“We have just short of ten fire engines at this scene, deployed across the moorland, being hampered by the warm weather, smoke and wind.

“We are asking people to stay away. It is a small area that we are working in and the moors are very smoky. Please do not come across this area.”

The United States said it had launched fresh strikes against Iran on Wednesday evening as President Donald Trump warned Tehran it “better behave”.

The US military said “Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels” moving through the Strait of Hormuz had been targeted, and that it had separately fired on a ship attempting to violate its renewed blockade of Iran’s ports.

It came after Iran claimed it had struck US military targets in the region, including in Bahrain and Kuwait, as a fifth day of renewed hostilities strained their preliminary deal to end the war.

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, meanwhile told state media Tehran had “no reason” to abide by the deal if it did benefit from it.

Trump had threatened late on Tuesday to attack bridges and power plants should Iran not return to talks next week.

Asked by reporters late on Wednesday whether he would give a deadline before doing so, he responded: “I ‌don’t like giving ​deadlines, but they pretty ⁠much know, they know ​the story… ​they ​better ​behave.”

He later told delegates at a defence summit that Iran was “not happy right now”.

“They want to settle so badly. They don’t like what we’re doing,” he said. “We’ll find out whether we want to settle with them or if we just finish it off.”

Ghalibaf however said Iran’s national security depended on Tehran maintaining “Iranian arrangements” in the strait.

He added that negotiation – along with war – was part of Iran’s strategy of resistance as it engaged an “existential” conflict with the US.

The best offense. The best defense.

The World Cup final is set, and fittingly, a clash of styles awaits. Lionel Messi — the most prolific goalscorer in the tournament’s history — and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain‘s defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to decide the title.

Spain beat France in one semifinal on Tuesday; Argentina, the comeback kings of this tournament, rallied to beat England 2-1 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

Argentina is seeking its fourth title and looking to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil pulled off the feat in 1958 and 1962. Spain is looking for its second title, after winning in 2010.

Argentina leads the tournament in goals scored — 19.

Spain leads the tournament in fewest goals allowed — one.

Something will have to give on Sunday, when the biggest World Cup ever — a 48-team, 104-match extravaganza spread out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico — comes to an end.

It’s not Finalissima. It’s going to be better.

South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain were supposed to meet in Doha, Qatar, back in late March in Finalissima, a showdown between the teams that are led by Messi and Lamine Yamal in a prequel of the World Cup.

That game never happened. Security became an issue because of unrest in the Middle East, with Iran intensifying its attacks on neighboring countries at that time in retaliation to the aerial attacks by United States and Israel in a war that is still ongoing. The game was called off.

So, instead of playing at Lusail Stadium, the site of the epic 2022 World Cup final where Messi and Argentina won on penalty kicks over France and Kylian Mbappé, they’ll play just outside of New York in soccer’s biggest game.

It’ll be a showdown of soccer’s present versus soccer’s future, not to mention a showdown of the teams that held the top two spots in FIFA’s world rankings entering the World Cup — Argentina at No. 1, Spain at No. 2.

There was a famous photo taken in 2007 when Messi was part of a UNICEF program and posed with a baby.

Yamal was that baby. Like Messi (who now plays for Inter Miami), Yamal would become a left-footed star for Spanish club Barcelona. It is the most improbable of stories: from a photo together two decades ago, the two stars are set to be together again to end this year’s World Cup.

A picture-perfect finish.

How Spain got here

— Record: Six wins, one draw, zero losses.

— Goals for: 13.

— Goals against: 1.

— Group stage: drew with Cape Verde 0-0, beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, beat Uruguay 1-0.

— Knockout stage: beat Austria 3-0, beat Portugal 1-0, beat Belgium 2-1, beat France 2-0.

How Argentina got here

Record: Seven wins, zero draws, zero losses.

Goals for: 19.

Goals against: 7.

Group stage: beat Algeria 3-0, beat Austria 2-0, beat Jordan 3-1.

Knockout stage: beat Cape Verde 3-2, beat Egypt 3-2, beat Switzerland 3-1, beat England 2-1.

Streaking

Both teams enter the final with impressive unbeaten streaks.

— Spain is carrying a 37-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and friendlies into the final, having won 28 of those matches with nine draws in that span. Its last loss was 1-0 to Colombia in March 2024.

— Argentina is unbeaten in its last 13 World Cup matches, with 11 victories and two draws since falling to Saudi Arabia to open group play at the 2022 tournament.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

“Behind every stall, café and restaurant is a personal story – people who have built businesses, developed products and contributed to the city’s growing reputation as a food and drink destination”

Belfast’s thriving food and drink scene will serve up a warm welcome to the 800,000+ people expected to attend the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast next month.

From artisan producers and market traders to independent cafés, restaurants and drinks brands, the city’s food and drink offering will play a central role during the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.

While individual venues city-wide are planning their own special Fleadh offers and taster menus, alongside performance spaces for musicians, Belfast City Council has shared details of dedicated markets and pop-ups planned across the celebrations.

Fleadh Food and Drink Village

A Food and Drink Village beside Belfast Cathedral, operated by Market Place Europe on behalf of Belfast City Council, will provide a dedicated destination for local traders, producers and growers to showcase their flavours to visitors. The family-friendly space will be open from 11am to 6pm on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 August, 10am to 8pm from Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 August and 10am to 11pm from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 August. It will include a delicious, diverse menu celebrating the region’s unique flavours and the best local ingredients, alongside relaxed, communal seating, a covered dining area and performance space for live music, providing the soundtrack to your snack.

St George’s Market

Normally only open at weekends, St George’s Market will also be open throughout the week of the Fleadh, welcoming visitors on 10am to 3pm on Sunday 2 August as usual, then from 10am to 5pm, Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 August, before extending its opening hours to 10am to 10pm from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August – expected to be the busiest days of the event. Belfast’s oldest market will offer the ideal place to relax with friends, grab a coffee or sweet treat and shop for souvenirs and handcrafted goods, with live music and additional space for traders in neighbouring Verner Street.

Craic and Craft Market at Waterfront Hall

Another official Fleadh location, ICC Belfast/ Waterfront Hall, will also host its own Craic and Craft Market. Set just outside the competition venues, it offers an easy-to-reach culinary stop, packed with street food vendors, family activities and live music.

Titanic Quarter Night Market and Titanic Food Festival

Further along the Maritime Mile, a packed programme of activities will also get tastebuds tingling, with the Titanic Quarter Night Market (4pm to 10pm, Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August) and the Titanic Food Festival (11am to 5pm, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August).

Located at SS Nomadic, they’ll be joined by live music sessions, outdoor movie screenings, carnival games and pop-up céilís.

Councillor Joe Duffy, Chair of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The Fleadh is an opportunity to celebrate not only our local music and culture, but also the incredible people who help make Belfast such a vibrant place to visit. “Behind every stall, café and restaurant is a personal story – people who have built businesses, developed products and contributed to the city’s growing reputation as a food and drink destination. “Through the Belfast Flavours network, our business and tourism teams have been working closely with local producers and independent businesses to help them make the most of this opportunity to connect with new audiences, showcase their skills and demonstrate the quality and creativity that can be found right across Belfast.”

With additional late-night bus services now confirmed for the Fleadh, visitors can also extend their experience until later in the evening to enjoy a taste of world-class restaurants, neighbourhood cafés and lively bars.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

Two men have been shot dead by ICE agents in separate incidents in Maine and in Texas – raising questions about the tactics used by immigration officers and bringing back a big political problem for President Donald Trump.

BBC’s North America Editor Sarah Smith explains the backlash the president is facing on one of the biggest issues he ran his election campaign on.

Video produced by Cai Pigliucci, filmed by Ian Druce, edited by Meiying Wu

Police found several bottles of whiskey inside the driver’s cab when he was stopped

A lorry driver was more than six times the legal drink-drive limit when members of the public reported his dangerous driving to police. He was seen weaving across lanes on the A14 by police who responded.

Officers stopped the Iveco HGV lorry on the A14 eastbound at Fenstanton on Monday afternoon (July 13). They found several bottles of whiskey inside the cab.

Driver Darek Smagiel, 55, provided a roadside breath test and blew 221 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than six times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes. Two hours after his arrest in custody, he gave an evidential reading of 121.

Smagiel, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 14). He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for three years.

PC James Allen, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “Smagiel’s driving fell far below the standards of a careful and competent river. He put members of the public at risk of a serious collision. I would like to thank members of the public who called in to report his driving which has ensured he is now off the roads for a considerable time.”

Imagined Things Bookshop, on Montpellier Parade, worked out it would need to sell an extra 176 paperbacks to cover the increased cost.

In an appeal posted online in March, bookstore owner Georgia Eckert said: “Despite it being the Year of Reading, the government has increased business rates bills for bookshops across the country, including ours.

“We need to sell an additional 176 paperbacks to cover the increase alone (it’s over 1,000 to cover the original bill).

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“So if you’re in a position to buy one extra book we’d really appreciate it! Let us know it’s an extra one by telling us in person in the shop or commenting at checkout on our website, and we’ll colour a book in each time.”

A reminder of what needed to be done. (Image: Pic supplied)

Georgia added: “And just to add that though we’re concerned about our own rising costs, we do totally appreciate costs of all kinds of things are going up for everyone and many won’t be in a position to buy any extra books.”

By the end of June, the target had been reached.

Georgia posted on Facebook that “we got off lightly” in having to sell 176 more books.

She continued: “For some bookshops it’s tripled (that would’ve been 2,000 extra books for us, as the base bill is about 1,000). We’re so grateful we weren’t in that position.

“With rising costs everywhere we enormously appreciate every single book purchased, extra or regular. You help us to pay the rent, pay our wonderful booksellers, pay the bills and buy lots of brilliant new books! You help Imagined Things do wonderful things!!! Thanks so much folks.”

The bookstore in Montpellier Parade, Harrogate. (Image: Pic supplied)

Georgia told The Press this week, that the rates hike was around 16 per cent.

She continued: “We had to sell nearly £2,000 more of books to sell just to cover the rates increase, as not all that is profit.”

“People have been lovely and very supportive. They wanted to help and that was so lovely.”

In the meantime, Imagined Things, which began in 2017 in Westminster Arcade, before relocating to Montpellier Parade in 2022, says it is popular with authors, with 60 of them calling in over the past year for book signings.

This week, the business turns nine and to celebrate, it has a pile of books to giveaway.

Georgia added on Facebook: “You bought not just a book, but a bookshop’s future! Endless thanks from me. It’s been a rollercoaster going from a radiographer to opening a bookshop, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Getting to walk into my bookshop will never get old.”

Warrants were issued for three properties in the Eston area to crack down on the problem.

The operation was carried out by Redcar and Cleveland trading standards in partnership with Cleveland Police as part of a multi-agency effort to tackle the supply and distribution of illicit tobacco.

Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing Support, Cllr Ursula Earl, said: “The trade in illicit tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.

“The National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HRMC is playing a significant role in disrupting this illicit trade and is helping to take illicit tobacco products off the streets.”

Lord Michael Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.

“Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – has removed 102 million illegal cigarettes.”

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council say further investigations will be undertaken by the relevant enforcement authorities.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.