North Yorkshire Police say they are appealing for witnesses and footage after a light aircraft crash yesterday (February 18) in Hutts Lane in Grewelthorpe.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At 12.21pm, we received a report that a light aircraft had crashed within the grounds of the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, which was closed to the public at the time of the incident. Emergency services responded immediately.

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“On arrival, they located a single occupant, a man in his 20s inside the aircraft. The man remains in hospital in a serious condition. No-one else is believed to have been on board the aircraft.”

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said that crews from Leyburn, Thirsk and Ripon were called to the incident– with emergency services helping to free the pilot from the aircraft.

A spokesperson from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed that they attended the scene.

They said: “We received a call from police colleagues at 12.24pm to report a light aircraft crash in the Masham area.

Man seriously injured after aircraft crashes into North Yorkshire sculpture garden (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)

“A number of ambulance resources were dispatched to the scene, including an ambulance, a team leader and a Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and one patient was airlifted to hospital.”

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed that it has started an investigation into the incident, with their officers attending the scene today.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who saw the aircraft prior to the incident, to come forward.

If you have any footage of the incident – including mobile phone or dashcam footage of the aircraft while airborne, please contact matthew.wilkinson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, ask for Matthew Wilkinson.

Please quote reference 12260030318 when providing information.

Christopher Phillips, 60, has been charged with preventing a lawful burial

Police have issued an update after a woman’s body was found in a freezer at a property in a Welsh seaside town. Police confirmed that a 60-year-old man was arrested after the force received a call concerning the welfare of a woman before finding a body at a property in Porthcawl.

South Wales Police has now confirmed that a man has been charged after the body of the woman, who was in her 80s and from Porthcawl, was found within the property on Poplar Crescent.

Christopher Phillips, 60, from Porthcawl, has been charged with preventing a lawful burial.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police attended an address on Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl at 1:45pm on Tuesday, February 17 after a call concerning the welfare of a woman.

“A woman in her 80s from Porthcawl was found dead within the property.

“Christopher Phillips, 60, from Porthcawl has been charged with preventing a lawful burial. Investigations into the death are on-going.”

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​The feature, which is one of the town’s “most enjoyed landmarks”, has stood at the top of West Cliff for more than 170 years, but despite being replaced in 2002 the structure is deteriorating.

​A plan to find genuine replacement bones has been abandoned, however, after “all realistic avenues for sourcing replacement natural whalebones have now been exhausted”.

​“In light of this, the only viable option available is to commission high-quality replicas,” a report by Whitby Town Council states.

​The Mayor of Whitby, Cllr Sandra Turner, said: “North Yorkshire Council has looked at all the avenues, which we knew were remote and difficult, to say the least, and there isn’t a set of whale bones available.

​“Obviously, we would never condone any whales being killed so that we could have a set of whale bones, that’s always been the stance from day one.”

​“The position is now to go out and look for what would be the best replica set that can be obtained.

“North Yorkshire Council is fully on board with replacing them, and it will be a question of what is going to be the best substitute,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

​The last replacement bones came from Whitby’s twin town of Barrow in Alaska after a worldwide appeal, from a whale that was killed legally by native Inuit in 1996.

It is understood that Alaskan authorities had been “trying to speak to those involved previously at North Slope Borough (Barrow).”

​North Yorkshire Council (NYC) is now in the process of seeking quotations for a range of replica options, including consideration of materials, durability, cost, and long-term maintenance implications.

​Speaking to the LDRS, Mayor Turner praised NYC for its support and assistance with the project.

​“We’re going to wait now and see what comes back on costings and what possibility there is for a replica set, and then the decision will be taken.

​“I know what I would rather have, but it isn’t up to me, it’s up to everyone else.”

​Asked what the timeline was for sourcing the replacement, the mayor of Whitby said she hoped “things can move along swiftly enough that we would have a replacement set by the end of the summer at the latest, but I can’t say that’s written in stone”.

​North Yorkshire Council will pay for the replacement replica, Cllr Turner said.

​She added: “North Yorkshire Council has been absolutely brilliant and we’ll be getting an updated report very soon, and then we’ll see what the situation is for the replicas.”

Held on Front Street in Stanley, the market will run from 3pm to 8pm on Friday February 27 and promises to once again transform the high street into a lively community hub filled with food, entertainment, and culture.

The market, which drew more than 6,500 visitors across four events last year, is part of a bi-monthly series organised by Baccanalia and sponsored by Karbon Homes, with new backing this year from The Forge arts organisation.

The partnerships have helped secure £34,000 in funding from the North East Mayor’s Events and Festivals Fund to grow the event, which will continue through to October 2026.

Victoria Keen, Strategic Place Partnership Lead at Karbon, said: “Since April 2025 when the first market was organised, we’ve had a great response from the community who are supportive of this initiative.

“The street market has grown from strength to strength and local residents and organisations are proud of Stanley and where they live.

“It demonstrates the true meaning of collaboration where multiple people and organisations work together with a common purpose.

“It’s exciting to see the first street market of the year coming up at the end of this month and a lot of work has gone on into making it a success.

“We are very grateful to Baccanalia, The Forge and all our partners for making this possible.”

The next event on February 27 will feature hot comfort food, sweet treats, warming drinks, fire pits, and toasted marshmallows, with entertainment from The Dinnerladies.

Guests can expect comedy, music, and interactive performances throughout the evening.

Adding to the atmosphere will be a walkabout ‘Time Machine’ act starring two Victorian explorers who will delight crowds with magic, mind reading, and other curiosities.

Businesses along the high street have expressed strong support for the market, saying it brings the community together while also boosting footfall in the area.

With Karbon owning and managing one in four homes in Stanley, the markets align with the company’s goal of positive “place shaping” in the town.

More than 120 individuals from over 60 organisations, including local councils, charities, Durham University, and Beamish Museum, are involved in the effort to revive Stanley’s high street

The Forge is focused on integrating cultural programming through performers, artists, and community group involvement, while Baccanalia is curating the vendor lineup and helping local businesses develop their street trading capabilities.

Thomas Wales, director of Baccanalia, said: “We wanted to create something that felt genuinely cosy and uplifting for February.

“The Winter Warmer is all about good food, glowing lights, free entertainment and giving people a reason to come into town, spend time together and shop local.”

Phil Whitcherly, director of economic growth and innovation at the North East Combined Authority, said: “There is an amazing community spirit in Stanley already, but events like these are so important for bringing people together, and showcasing local talents.

“The Mayor’s Events and Festivals Fund is all about boosting the creative sector, from supporting small venues, creating opportunities for talent, and enabling events that engage communities and celebrate our culture.

“We’re delighted that we are able to help keep the Stanley Street Market returning to the heart of town through 2026, breathing vibrancy into the high street and giving local artists and artisans the opportunity to showcase their wears in the community.”

The organisers have promised that this year’s markets will be even “bigger and better” than before, with plenty to enjoy for visitors of all ages.

Market dates for the remainder of the series are set for Fridays on April 10, June 12, August 14, and October 9, 2026.

The event continues to be a collaboration between Karbon Homes, Baccanalia, The Forge, Durham County Council, Stanley Town Council, and cultural partners from across the region.

Megan Keller’s overtime strike settled the first instalment of an ugly neighbourly dispute at these Olympics.

Keller secured the United States their first women’s hockey gold in eight years, their Canadian rivals looking as though they had been handed a bucket of sick rather than silver.

There is little that is friendly about this furnace-like overheated rivalry. Make no mistake: these two teams despise each other, and bad blood is often spilled alongside tears in the resulting border spat.

At major events, fans have witnessed them refuse to share lifts, and there have even been stories — denied by both sides — of respective flags being desecrated.

When it comes to hockey, for these two sides taking part at the Olympics means very little; it is win or nothing.

In a tetchy final, Canada broke the deadlock while short-handed, Laura Stacey’s threaded pass slapped home by Kristin O’Neill, a goal against the run of play.

Canada’s goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens pulled off save after save to maintain the advantage, as time seemed to be running out for the increasingly desperate USA.

But the pressure eventually told when the US captain Hilary Knight, who had struggled to make her usual impact, levelled the score with just two minutes remaining.

No hockey player has made more appearances for the USA at the Games than the future Hall of Famer Knight, and none have scored more goals.

And this – the 16th of an Olympic career that started in Vancouver 16 years ago – was the most important of them all. Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin may need to hand over her ‘Captain Clutch’ nickname.

With overtime secured, it took four minutes of close-quarters action before Keller fired home, giddily emptying the USA bench on to the ice in a flurry of helmets and gloves, while the Canadians simply slumped in dejection.

The highest peaks and deepest valleys of this Winter Olympic experience captured in one image. “I’m lost for words,” said Keller.

“This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. The effort and faith we have kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”

Canada may be the defending champions but the US had won their previous seven encounters, echoing 2002 when their winning streak over their neighbours reached eight — only for Canada to edge a thriller on their home ice at the Salt Lake City Games.

This time they delivered the victory that was expected — and now they want the US men to complete the double. They play Slovakia in Friday’s semi-final, while Canada, on the other side of the draw, face Finland.

“Hopefully we’ve shown the guys how to do it,” said Knight, who returns from the Olympics with a gold medal and an engagement, following a proposal to US Olympic team-mate, speed skater Brittany Bowe this week.

Lee Stecklein was full of praise for her captain, in what will be her final international match, claiming it was not just her actions but her words that inspired the USA to keep believing as the clock ticked inexorably, and excruciatingly, down.

“That’s the perfect way to end it, she’s the best player of all time,” she said. “To score goals like that, as consistently as she did, it’s insane and we always believe because of her.

“We know that she’s someone who gets that done when no-one gives us a chance. She always tell us it’s not over until that buzzer goes. If it wasn’t her, it was going to be someone else, but it is really special that it was her.”

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The American politicians who want to speak to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor about Jeffrey Epstein say his arrest reinforces their case to have him called before them.

They’ll make it work, whatever and wherever it takes them.

“He can testify remotely, he can testify in person – and in the UK,” US Representative Suhas Subramanyam told me.

The Democratic member of the House Oversight Committee is prepared to travel to Britain to hear testimony from Andrew.

“We are going to New York to meet with the Clintons, we just came from Ohio to meet with Les Wexner,” said Rep Subramanyam. “And the entire committee doesn’t have to come.

“It can be certain members who are interested in that particular witness, but we are very flexible when it comes to hearing testimony from people who have knowledge of what happened with Epstein and Maxwell, and the cover up as well. He clearly has knowledge.”

As a foreign national, Andrew can’t be subpoenaed to give evidence. He has ignored all requests to testify.

He also denies any wrongdoing.

But committee members believe he has questions to answer over and above the interests of Thames Valley Police.

Rep Subramanyam told me: “I want to still hear from him. The door is still open. We will do it on his terms, and engage on his terms. I just want to make sure he tells the truth to us, because he’s not been truthful so far.”

Americans ‘want to see justice’

The arrest of Andrew further accentuates the difference in impact of the scandal in the US compared to other countries.

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In the UK, the former prince and Peter Mandelson are casualties of the Epstein affair. In turn, it has weakened Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has quit.

In the US, outside of the private sector, there has been little to no consequence for individuals named in the Epstein files.

Read more:
What does Andrew’s arrest mean for the royal family?
Andrew’s arrest ‘worst possible thing’ for the Crown

Rep Subramanyam said: “The people who’ve gotten the least amount of consequences are people in the Trump administration who keep coming up in the files.

“I think the American public and the world public want to see accountability and justice, not just for the victims, but they want to see the system work.

“And so that’s what this is really about. Is about making sure that governments aren’t covering up for rich and powerful people and that they’re being held accountable for these heinous crimes.”

The developer responsible for remakes of Shadow Of The Colossus and Demon’s Souls has suddenly been closed, with the loss of over 70 jobs.

You’d never know at a glance, but the video games industry is in dire trouble at the moment. Just this week we’ve had suggestions that the memory crisis, which could make it impossible to manufacture gaming hardware in bulk, could last up to a decade, while at the same time gaming is increasingly losing out to things like gambling and porn in terms of how people spend their time and money.

As if to underline the issue, it’s been revealed that Sony is to shut down Bluepoint Games, the studio they bought five years ago and which specialises in remasters and remakes.

Bluepoint has been around for 20 years but after the remake of Demon’s Souls, for the launch of the PlayStation 5, they’ve haven’t announced any new games.

Behind the scenes, it’s been rumoured that they, like most of Sony’s other first party studios, were put to work on a live service game – thought to be part of the God Of War franchise – but it was later believed to be one of two projects cancelled by Sony last year.

Whether they were about to realise their dream of working on a big budget new IP, as they originally intended to do after Demon’s Souls, is unknown, but in recent months they were hiring for people to work on some sort of third person action game.

Sony has made no public annoucement about the closure, but it was first reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, with the text of an email from PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst later appearing on ResetEra.

‘We’re operating in an increasingly challenging industry environment. Rising development costs, slowed industry growth, changing player behaviour, and broader economic headwinds are making it harder to build games sustainably,’ wrote Hulst.

‘To navigate this reality, we need to continue adapting and evolving. We’ve taken a close look at our business to ensure we’re delivering today while still well-positioned for the future. As a result, we will be closing Bluepoint Games in March.

‘This decision was not made lightly. Bluepoint is an incredibly talented team and their technical expertise has delivered exceptional experiences for the PlayStation community. I want to thank everyone at Bluepoint for their creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality. Where possible, we will work to find opportunities for some impacted employees within our global network of studios.’

In addition to various remasters, remakes, and ports Bluepoint also worked as a support studio for God of War Ragnarök, which is presumably why their live service game was based on the franchise.

As awful as the news is, it may only be the tip of the iceberg as far as Sony closures go, with many already worrying about the future of Destiny maker Bungie and Days Gone developer Bend Studio, who haven’t released a single new game this generation.

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Salesi Makahokovalu Rabuku, 32, originally from Fiji, was found dead at Marne Barracks at Catterick Garrison army base on January 20 this year.

An inquest was opened into the 32-year-old’s death today (Thursday, February 19) at Northallerton Coroner’s Court.

At the hearing, assistant coroner of North Yorkshire and York, Mark Armitage, said that Salesi was found in his bedroom at the military base.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Mr Arimitage said that the army engineer was pronounced dead “a short time later”.

The inquest was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

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