The First Minister said: “Where we have the powers in Scotland, we will act – building on the support we already have in place to support people with the cost of living including abolishing peak rail fares, extending childcare provision and ensuring most people in Scotland pay less income tax than south of the border. ”

Tees Valley Wildlife Trust has launched the contest to shine a light on the wild species living across parks, gardens, and its nature reserves.

Open to amateur photographers of all ages, the competition will feature at least 12 winning images in the trust’s 2027 calendar, with one selected for the front cover.

Tom Harman, chief executive of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust (TVWT), said: “We know there are some brilliant wildlife moments happening across the Tees Valley every day – in our parks, along our streets, by the river and coast.

“This competition is about celebrating that and encouraging people to take a closer look at the nature around them.

“You don’t need to travel far to find something special.”

Entrants can submit up to three landscape-format photos taken with a phone or camera, provided they feature wild, native species in natural settings in the Tees Valley.

Images can be shared via Facebook, Instagram, or emailed to info@teeswildlife.org.

No AI-generated or heavily edited images will be accepted.

The competition closes on May 1.

Mr Harman said: “The competition is designed to be accessible to everyone, you can enter with a few clicks via social media or email and you don’t need a fancy camera.

“It’s all about images that reflect real moments in nature.”

Winning photographs will be featured on TVWT’s website and social media, and the calendar will be for sale from local business across the Tees Valley.

In addition to celebrating local wildlife, the competition aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and enhancing green spaces across the Tees Valley.

Entrants are reminded that only wild, native species are eligible, and images must capture animals or plants in their natural habitat.

Anyone interested in taking part can find full entry details at www.teeswildlife.org, or by emailing info@teeswildlife.org.

Images can also be submitted via the trust’s social media channels before the deadline.

The coastguard and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) were called to the beach at Red Bank Farm, Bolton-le-Sands, at around 5.15pm.

Teams worked quickly as the tide came in to free those who had become trapped.

Bay Search and Rescue, a recovery team working in the area, said the people got stuck in wet and very soft sand while out walking.

The rescue involved coastguard teams from Knott-End, Arnside and South Lakes, Morecambe, and Holyhead, North Wales.

Two people were rescued from quicksand in Bolton-le-Sands (Image: Bay Search and Rescue/Facebook)

In a social media post, Bay Search and Rescue said: “Holyhead CG requested BSARs Sherp and Quicksands Rescue equipment following a call when people managed to get stuck in some very soft sand while out walking.

“The first team on scene from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service did an outstanding job supported by Morecambe Coastguard Rescue Team and freed the casualties in quick sharp time and got them to safety.

“Superb responses from all teams asked to assist and a massive response from BSAR members with nearly a whole team turnout.

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“If you see someone in difficulty around the coast, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

A fire service spokesperson said: “Two fire engines from Morecambe and Bolton-le-Sands attended Shore Lane, Bolton-le-Sands.

“Two casualties were rescued from quicksand by fire service personnel using one sandboard and one spade. The casualties were escorted back to the shoreline.

“Crews were detained for 45 minutes.”

The Government is being called up to include comprehensive, cross-cutting anti-SLAPP measures in the King’s Speech in May

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Local news organisations across the UK are today taking part in a coordinated Day of Action against abusive legal threats known as SLAPPs, led by the News Media Association in partnership with the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition.

The day brings together publishers to highlight the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation to intimidate journalists and suppress reporting in the public interest, and to urge the Government to deliver robust anti-SLAPP legislation.

Publishers are marking the Day of Action through op-eds and letters to MPs, underlining the particular vulnerability of local and regional newsrooms to costly and time-consuming legal intimidation.

The News Media Association and the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition are calling on the Government to include comprehensive, cross-cutting anti-SLAPP measures in the King’s Speech in May.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of the News Media Association, said: “SLAPPs thrive in silence, using the threat of costly and intimidating legal action to shut down journalism in the public interest.

“This SLAPPs Day of Action is a timely opportunity to shine a light on the growing misuse of the legal system and its chilling effect on journalists and newsrooms, particularly at a local level.

“As the Government sets out its priorities in the King’s Speech, there is a clear and urgent need for comprehensive anti-SLAPP legislation to properly safeguard public interest journalism and uphold freedom of expression.”

David Higgerson, chief content officer at Reach plc, said: “SLAPPs are not about seeking justice – they are about silencing journalism. When legal threats are used as a weapon, they chill reporting and deprive the public of information they have a right to know.”

Toby Granville, editorial development director at Newsquest, said: “Local journalism plays a vital democratic role. SLAPPs exploit imbalances of power and risk deterring reporters from pursuing stories that matter to their communities.”

James Mitchinson, editor at The Yorkshire Post, said: “Journalists should not have to weigh the public interest against the threat of financial ruin. Strong, effective anti-SLAPP protections are essential if scrutiny journalism is to survive.”

Ian Carter, chief operating officer, Iliffe Media, said: “SLAPPs rely on intimidation and secrecy. This Day of Action is about calling out abusive legal tactics and making clear that journalists will not be intimidated out of doing their jobs.”

Jon Gripton, group editorial director, Tindle Newspapers, said: “Freedom of expression and accountable journalism are cornerstones of our democracy. Tackling SLAPPs is about protecting those principles and ensuring they endure.”

Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says child poverty targets will be missed unless parties come together.

Political parties tend to tailor their manifestos to the groups in society that have the loudest voice.

Older people vote and leaders are increasingly scared of doing anything to upset pensioners.

The inhabitants of middle Scotland are annoyed about levels of tax and parties have responded accordingly.

Business chiefs have better access than most to the political process and their concerns are always addressed in election campaigns.

It is therefore a legitimate question to ask who looks out for disadvantaged children during the chase for votes.

Whichever party wins on May 7th will inherit a legally binding target to slash child poverty rates.

The current level is 21% – around 210,000 kids – and the target is to reduce it to below 10% by 2030.

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This means the next Scottish Government will have to take another 111,000 children out of poverty if the target is to be met.

Anti-poverty groups believe the SNP administration is on course to fail and more needs to be done.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is first out of the traps with a bold commitment to meet the target.

He says a focus on “structural” poverty – boosting skills, childcare and employment – is the best approach, not a benefits top up.

However, he is also committed to the SNP Government’s successful Scottish Child Payment, which means he accepts social security has an important role to play.

SNP leader John Swinney has said child poverty is his top priority in Government and his party’s manifesto will be launched on Thursday.

The reality is the SNP and Labour – two parties of the centre left – have more in common on anti-poverty policies than they would ever admit.

Hitting the 2030 target is difficult, but would be manageable if there is a political will.

Regardless of who wins next month, progressive parties should come together to give these children a better future.

Two RAF Typhoons were deployed from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and a Voyager refuelling jet took off from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as jets flew towards Shetland in response to reports of a suspected Russian aircraft

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RAF fighter jets have been scrambled amid concerns over a suspected Russian bomber approaching UK airspace, according to reports.

Two RAF Typhoons were deployed from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland today, while a Voyager refuelling jet also took off from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The aircraft headed in the direction of Shetland.

According to The Telegraph, an unidentified Russian warplane remained outside British airspace. The Typhoons subsequently returned to their base after it became clear that the Russian aircraft did not require intercepting. Sources told the publication that the deployment of British fighter jets to track the Russian aircraft formed part of a broader NATO response, reports the Mirror.

This follows an incident in 2020 when two Russian Bear-F Tu-142 long-range aircraft were intercepted by six Typhoons as they travelled towards the UK. In recent weeks, Russian warships and submarines have also passed close to UK waters.

Earlier this month, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that the UK and its allies tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines loitering over critical undersea cables in the North Atlantic for a full month before they withdrew.

A British warship and aircraft were deployed to deter “malign” activity by Moscow in waters off the UK’s northern coast, the Defence Secretary confirmed.

He warned that Vladimir Putin had sought to exploit the world being “distracted” by the Iran war, and that he represents “the primary threat to UK security”. Addressing the Russian president directly, Mr Healey said: “We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.”

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Healey revealed that over the past few weeks – while much of the world’s attention was focused on the Middle East crisis – the UK, working alongside Norway and other allies, had responded to “increased Russian activity” in the Atlantic north of the UK.

This involved a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine and two specialist submarines from Russia’s ministry of defence deep sea research programme known as Gugi (Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research), he said.

Mr Healey said: “In response to the Russian submarines, I can confirm that I deployed our armed forces to track and to deter any malign activity by these vessels.

“A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P-8 aircraft alongside allies ensured that the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7.

“The Akula submarine subsequently retreated home, having been closely tracked throughout and we continued to monitor the two Gugi submarines in and around wider UK waters.

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“Our armed forces left them in no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert, as President Putin planned, and that their attempted secret operation had been exposed. Those Gugi submarines have now left UK waters and headed back north.” He revealed that 500 British personnel took part in the month-long operation. RAF crews flew more than 50 sorties using P-8 Poseidon submarine-hunting aircraft, with support from allied nations including Norway.

The Mirror has contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment.

The vehicle appears to have driven directly through the brick wall of JD Gyms on George Street, causing significant structural damage.

Images from the scene show the car lodged inside the building, with debris scattered across the gym floor and part of the vehicle protruding outside beneath the signage.

Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, were called shortly before 5pm.

Firefighters rescued a woman from the car, while a man inside the gym was also injured. Both were taken to hospital.

A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing injury by dangerous driving.

Road closures were put in place around the scene, though routes have since reopened as the situation begins to quieten.

These pictures show the recovery of the vehicle from the wall, as crews worked to remove it from the damaged building.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

(Image: Phil Taylor)

Middlesbrough Town Hall will receive £2.59 million from Arts Council England for essential repairs, including work to the roof, stonework, and windows.

The funding forms part of the £8.4 million Creative Foundations Fund, supporting seven venues across the North East.

Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: “This is fantastic news and a major investment in our Town Hall.

“We are grateful to Arts Council England for their support in helping us to protect and improve one of our most important cultural venues.

“The town hall plays a central role in Middlesbrough’s cultural life and this funding will help us continue to build momentum towards our bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029.”

The Arts Council funding will be matched by a £2 million investment from Middlesbrough Council to ensure the long-term viability of the Grade II listed building.

Rebecca Ball, Area Director North at Arts Council England, said: “Our museums, libraries and arts organisations have the power to change lives, they give us access to new worlds, teach us about our heritage and give us new perspectives on life.

“I’m so pleased that we’ll be supporting so many of our cultural organisations in the North with this capital investment, which will ensure that they can continue to deliver incredible arts and culture to their communities.”

Additionally, the council will fund upgrades to the town hall’s sound and lighting systems, as well as accessibility improvements.

Once completed, the work is expected to boost energy efficiency and reduce the need for ongoing repairs.

Philippa Storey, deputy mayor of Middlesbrough and executive member for culture, said: “The funding award recognises the value of this much-loved venue and helps to secure its future and the wide range of events it hosts.

“The town hall is an incredible building which sits at the heart of Middlesbrough’s cultural offer and I want to thank Arts Council England for their support.”

Designed in the 13th-century French Gothic style, Middlesbrough Town Hall was opened in 1889 by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

It now hosts hundreds of cultural events each year while also serving as a civic headquarters for some council operations and official meetings.

Elsewhere in the town, restoration work is under way at Middlesbrough’s original town hall, built in 1846.

That project is supported by a £4.5 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Officers from Lancashire Police’s roads crime team were patrolling on the M6 when they said they stopped the driver of a white VW Golf travelling southbound.

The car was stopped at J31 near Preston and both the vehicle and the driver were searched under section 23 of the misuse of drugs act.

Officers said they found around £7,000 in cash in the car, and a 39-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.