Denmark and its Scandinavian neighbours often appear at the top of many of the world’s “best of” lists, from happiest and least corrupt to best place to raise a family.

The Danish way of parenting has inspired a slew of manuals that have become bestsellers. To parents elsewhere, the picture presented is a near utopia of supportive government policies and effortless rearing of happy babies.

But how different is parenting in Denmark really from other countries, like the UK?

I am a professor of psychological science at Aarhus University in Denmark. My research focuses on mental health and parenting in the early years. Here’s what the evidence shows.

Health Gap / Sundhedskløften is a collaborative series from The Conversation UK and Denmark’s Videnskab.dk exploring what the two countries can learn from each other when it comes to health and wellbeing.

From cycling and alcohol to inequality, healthcare and everyday habits, the series looks beyond hospitals and medical treatment to explore how culture, politics and society shape the way people live – and how healthy they are.

More leave for dads

Denmark and the UK differ on leave for new parents in two striking ways: how much compensation is provided and how leave can be shared between parents.

Denmark provides more generous leave compensation than the UK and assigns equal amounts of leave to each parent that cannot be transferred.

In 2022, Denmark implemented a reform offering 11 weeks of leave to fathers, and the equivalent to mothers, that is “use it or lose it”, and fathers are now estimated to take most of their nontransferable leave.

For fathers in the UK, the statutory leave entitlement is much shorter, at just two weeks. It is also less well paid, at around 19% of average earnings, compared with about 50% in Denmark.

Employers in both countries can offer enhanced paternity leave that provides more time off or higher pay than the legal minimum. But nonetheless, UK fathers take much less leave than fathers in Denmark, with a recent survey finding that most took around two weeks.

But mums still do nights

Danish nontransferable paternity leave is intended to make the sharing of infant care more equal between parents and help mothers stay in paid work.

Along with subsidies of at least 75% of early childcare expenses, these policies help explain why Denmark has markedly higher rates of mothers in employment than in the UK.

Childcare does seem to be shared more than is the norm in the UK and financial support helps to smooth mothers’ transition back to work.

Despite these strong policies to support father’s involvement in early care, in most families in Denmark, as in the UK, it is still mothers who are the primary caregivers. Even during paternity leave, our research shows that mothers are the ones who report getting up more often at night.

This matters for mothers’ health and their postpartum experiences. Disrupted sleep in the months after birth is associated with low mood and, in some cases, symptoms of depression.

Danish fathers and mothers, too, endorse traditional ideas about men’s and women’s parenting ability, with most parents believing that mothers are better than fathers at early childcare.

So while policy clearly helps fathers take an active role, it does not fully equalise the caregiving load of fathers and mothers, or mean that men and women are perceived as equally competent carers.

Naps outside

Beyond policy, there are cultural beliefs about what is good for babies that differ between Denmark and the UK, too.

One highly visible example is the practice of leaving babies to nap outside, despite temperatures that frequently dip below zero.

Uncommon in the UK, babies in Denmark and the Nordic countries often sleep outside during daytime hours, well bundled up in prams. Parents believe that the fresh air is good for a baby’s developing immune system, improves sleep quality and buys mothers some time for themselves.

Though, it is perhaps easier for Danish parents to engage in such a practice against a backdrop of relatively high social trust. In Denmark, 74% of respondents in a nationally representative survey agree that most people can be trusted, whereas only 43% of adults in the UK say the same.

Calmer babies?

Given the generosity of Danish parental policies and the trust in others that allows outdoor napping, it is little wonder that headlines about contented Danish babies appear in the media with some regularity. Indeed, one analysis positioned British babies as crying “the most” and Danish babies “the least”.

Various explanations have been suggested: that Danish parents are less stressed because of generous parental leave; that outdoor napping promotes calmer babies; or simply that Danish parents view crying as a normal way for babies to communicate rather than something to fear.

However, a close look at the evidence suggests reason for caution. The estimates of Danish infants’ crying came from only a handful of studies conducted more than two decades ago, involving relatively small numbers of infants.

What distinguishes parenting in Denmark from the UK is not a single factor, but a combination of family policies, parenting practices and cultural ideas about what is good for children. Policies encourage fathers to be involved early on and make it easier for many mothers to remain in paid work.

They do not, however, mean that care is shared equally between parents. And based on the evidence to date, there is no guarantee that the Danish way results in babies that cry any less!

This series was commissioned as part of a partnership between Videnskab.dk and The Conversation, where articles are published in English and Danish.

Ali Carter and Ronnie O’Sullivan have had some compelling and feisty encounters over the years, but used to be perfectly friendly 30 years ago, before things turned sour.

The pair practised together as youngsters in Essex but would go on to have controversial clashes, particularly at the World Championship and Masters.

Their shoulder barge during a 2018 Crucible meeting was extremely spicy, by snooker’s standards, while their 2024 Masters final was ill-tempered and the post-match press conferences were far from friendly.

Carter says the animosity, on his side, stemmed from getting on well in the practice room, but not experiencing the same treatment from the Rocket when they got to tournaments.

Speaking on the Talking Snooker podcast, Carter said: ‘Me and Ronnie, we used to practise together, as a 17-year-old at Witham Snooker Bowl. We played every single day.

‘That was what led up to winning the Benson & Hedges Championship in 1999. That was a big tournament then and if it wasn’t for him getting me prepped up, I probably would never have won that tournament.

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‘So, after spending a lot of time with Ronnie, and he probably knew at the time how good I was, I just felt that when we went to tournaments, he wasn’t really the same towards me.

‘Looking back, I probably took it personally. I think he’s like that with everyone, it wasn’t just me. But I’m not everyone, am I? I can only speak from my own perspective. So, I just thought, well, if he can’t be bothered to talk to me, then I can’t be bothered to talk to him. That’s fine. We both know where we stand then.’

Plenty of time went by before the briefly physical clash in Sheffield in 2018, but Carter says it was what happened after the shoulder barge incident that made him feel relations had improved, but then got significantly worse again.

‘Ronnie is a master of table-craft, really owning and dominating the arena. On that given day, I thought, no, I’m not having this, I’m not going to be bullied,’ Carter said of the memorable 2018 contest.

‘I managed to win that match. Afterwards he came up to me. We had a couple of words afterwards. He said, “Oh, good luck.”

‘Anyway, then we were at the Novotel in York, and he was with Damien Hirst and all his cronies, and I was having breakfast. Ronnie came over to me, he said, “Listen, I’m really sorry about what happened in Sheffield.” I said, “Mate, it’s all heat of the moment stuff. The temperature’s running high. You want to win, I want to win. It’s no problem.”

‘Then lockdown happened and all the tournaments were in Milton Keynes, so I played Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals of the [2020] Northern Ireland Open at Milton Keynes.

‘I’d done an interview with Alan McManus before and he said, “It’s always a needle match between you and Ronnie.” I said, “No, not at all. He came up to me in the Novotel in York and he apologised and I apologised. It’s all water under the bridge.”

‘So, anyway, he beat me, then the next tournament, I’ve come out of the tournament office. He must have seen my interview and he’s gone, “I never apologised to you. That was your fault.”

‘I said, “What? So I just made it up then, did I? That you come up to me in York and apologised?” He went, “Yeah, you did,” and then had a little laugh, and that was that.

‘You can’t comprehend what’s just happened. Is he getting me at it or what? And I just thought, right, okay, he wants to say that, whatever. The only way I can take myself out of that situation is just have nothing to do with it anymore, not speak to him. It’s pointless.’

O’Sullivan has spoken about the conversation in York before, saying that he did not intend to apologise, but wanted to move on from animosity.

‘I didn’t apologise to Ali,’ he said. ‘I just said, “Look, let’s move on, let’s not hold any grudges over it.”

‘I still feel that I was in the right on both occasions, so that apology that they say that I said was definitely not an apology.’

After the very tetchy 2024 Masters final, the pair met again in the 2025 World Championship and there appeared to be little ill will in that match, which O’Sullivan won without controversy.

They played again at the German Masters this year and Carter says they spoke on friendly enough terms before a win for the Captain in Berlin.

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‘I had a little chat with him, actually, at the German Masters when we was walking out to play last year,’ he said.

‘I just thought, “Oh, I’ll speak to him, I’m bigger than this.” We had a bit of chat and look, we’re snooker people, aren’t we? We’re competitors.’

Carter also revealed an interesting twist to his relationship with the Rocket, as he gets on very well with his dad, Ronnie O’Sullivan Sr.

During Carter’s treatment for cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2013 and ’14, recovering both times, O’Sullivan Sr reached out to offer help.

‘I get on so well with his dad, spent a lot of time with his dad in Sheffield this year, had a lot of coffees with him,’ said the Captain.

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‘His dad, when I was going through my cancer treatment, this number kept ringing me, so obviously I thought I’d better answer this, might be a consultant. He went: “Ali, it’s Ronnie O’Sullivan Senior. This is unconditional, anything you want, anything I can do for you, consider it done, you’re an Essex boy, and I just want you to know, anything I can do.”

‘I’d never met the guy! I went: “Thanks, Ron, that’s really nice of you to say.” So there you go.’

Carter does feel that his clashes with the Rocket have caused him to receive abuse from O’Sullivan’s fans over the years, leaving him as something of a ‘marmite’ figure in snooker.

‘I think it’s the Ronnie fans, and not necessarily snooker fans, that generally want to put the knife in,’ he said.

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Police were called just before 11.30am on Monday (September 21) following reports that a man had been threatened with a machete while walking his dog on Hutton Avenue.

The suspects were reported to have made off on an electric motorbike which was heading towards the Eastbourne area of the town.

Police and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) launched a search for the suspects with police helicopters circling the town for an hour.

A spokesperson from Durham Police said: “Urgent enquiries were launched to locate the suspects, coordinated by the force incident manager in our control room, with officers from Durham Roads and Armed Policing Unit and Response taking to the ground.

“Assistance was also sought from the National Police Air Service who diligently tracked the bike as it rode through the town, directing officers on the ground to its location.”

The bike was stopped on Tornado Way, and a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of several offences, including affray, dangerous driving, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and failing to stop for police.

A 17-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a controlled Class A drug with intent to supply.

The pair were taken into police custody where they remain today.

The bike, and a large machete, were both seized by police.

A spokesperson from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) confirmed they were looking for two suspects.

Police helicopter seen over Darlington

NPAS said: “At 11.54am on Monday, September 21, a police helicopter crew from NPAS Newcastle was deployed to Darlington to support Durham Constabulary in locating and apprehending two suspects on an electric bike.

“Total flying time on the task was 58 minutes.”

Several police cars were also seen by residents rushing along Neasham Road near Darlington railway station while the helicopter remained overhead.

Planning officers from North Yorkshire Council served the interim injunction on occupants of the site near Hillam, west of Selby, on Saturday (September 19).

The order prevents any further development or expansion of the site off Betteras Hill Road unless authorised by planning permission.

It also prohibits additional caravans or mobile homes being brought onto the land.

No further hardstanding can be laid, while further building and engineering works, including roads, paths and sewerage, water or electricity infrastructure, are also prohibited.

However, Councillor Tim Grogan, whose Monk Fryston and South Milford division includes the site, said the travellers had ignored the injunction, just as he claims they previously ignored a temporary stop notice issued by the council.

The Reform councillor said: “The officers turned up on Saturday and were told where to go, apparently. They’ve then completely ignored the notice and the lorries are still coming.

“The local residents are furious. They’re holding a meeting to discuss what they can do.”

Work began on the land at around 4.45pm on Friday, September 11.

A drone image of the traveller site near Hillam. (Image: LDRS)

Over that weekend, HGVs delivered tonnes of hardcore and building materials, while heavy earth-moving machinery was brought onto the land.

At least 14 caravans have since been brought onto the site.

North Yorkshire Council served a temporary stop notice on September 14 in an attempt to prevent further unauthorised development.

The authority then went to the High Court to obtain the interim injunction imposing wider restrictions on activity at the site.

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, said the injunction had been served immediately by planning enforcement officers with support from North Yorkshire Police.

He added: “The injunction prohibits any further caravans being brought onto the land, the construction of additional structures, the installation of services or drainage, and the importation of materials or laying of hardstanding.

“We recognise the concern caused within the local community and have kept elected members and the parish council informed throughout and we will continue to provide updates as the case progresses.”

Mr Harne said the council would continue to monitor the site for compliance with both the injunction and the temporary stop notice.

The injunction does not require caravans or other items which were already on the land when the order was made to be removed.

It instead prevents further occupation, development and materials being brought onto the site unless authorised by planning permission.

The interim order remains in force until October 21, when a further hearing will take place at the Leeds District Registry of the High Court to decide whether it should continue.

Mr Harne added: “We will continue to take all appropriate action available to us to protect the interests of residents, ensure compliance with planning law and pursue matters through the courts where necessary.”

The person planning to give the building a new lease of life said it is currently deteriorating

A former Chinese restaurant and takeaway that’s been empty for about a decade will be turned into flats. Swansea Council approved the proposed change for the building that used to house Fortune City on Llangyfelach Road in Brynhyfryd, on Monday.

It means that the former Fortune City, based along Llangyfelach Road in Brynhyfryd, Swansea, which has been vacant for around eight to ten years, will now become three self-contained residential flats.

WalesOnline reported in May how Praveen Prabakaran had submitted plans for the building and described it as “deteriorating” in planning documents. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here

He had stated in his proposal: “The premises have remained vacant for approximately eight to 10 years and present a deteriorating and under-utilised appearance within the street scene.”

A council report which recommended to approve the plans stated: “The proposal would secure the beneficial reuse and refurbishment of a long-term vacant mixed-use property within a sustainable urban location.

“Whilst the proposal would result in the loss of a commercial unit within the Brynhyfryd local centre, sufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate the longstanding vacancy and lack of commercial viability of the premises.”

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“I am someone who is always cold, and this heated blanket has honestly been a lifesaver.”

With temperatures dropping and winter fast approaching, many people will be searching for ways to keep warm without turning up the thermostat – especially as energy costs continue to climb. An electric blanket offers an effective solution for staying snug during cold evenings, providing warmth without the need to heat an entire room.

Currently available on Amazon, the MiaandCoco Electric Heated Blanket King Size retails at £49.99, with customers reporting it’s spacious enough to cover two people at once. The king-size option dimensions are 200x180cm, offering ten different temperature levels.

For peace of mind, the blanket includes an adjustable automatic shut-off timer, eliminating concerns about forgetting to switch it off after drifting off in its comforting warmth. Crafted from flannel and sherpa materials, it’s both soft and long-lasting, while also being suitable for machine washing.

Those seeking a more eye-catching pattern might consider the Carmen Fleece Electric Leopard Print Over Blanket, priced at £62 from Dunelm. Featuring a leopard print pattern and plush texture, this comfortable blanket offers nine heat levels and comes with a 1.5m power lead.

Alternatively, Debenhams stocks the Dreamcatcher Deluxe Electric Throw in black for £22.99, reduced from £39.99. This option similarly features nine temperature settings with a timer function, and can be machine washed at 30 degrees, reports the Mirror.

The MiaandCoco Electric Heated Blanket King Size has received numerous positive reviews from Amazon customers. One reviewer commented: “Really good heated blanket and does exactly what it’s supposed to. I’ve actually bought it twice already which says enough on its own. It heats up nicely, gets properly warm, and is really comfortable because of the soft flannel and sherpa material.”

Another customer remarked: “The size is great as well and easily covers two people comfortably. I like that there are different heat settings so you can adjust it depending on how cold it is, and the timer feature is useful at night. Overall it feels good quality, works reliably, and makes winter so much more comfortable. Very happy with it.”

A third reviewer noted in their extended feedback: “I am someone who is always cold, and this heated blanket has honestly been a lifesaver. It is incredibly soft, cosy, and provides a wonderfully even warmth without feeling overpowering.”

That said, one customer encountered minor difficulties with the remote control. In their four-star assessment, they stated: “This electric heated blanket is a good product overall. It provides excellent warmth and comfort, making it perfect for cold days or relaxing at home. The material feels soft and cosy, and the heating performance is consistent.

“The remote control can be a little tricky to use at first, but it does offer useful features such as adjustable heat levels and a timer function, which adds convenience once you get used to it. Overall, a well-made and reliable heated blanket that keeps you warm and comfortable, with thoughtful features for everyday use.”

A further reviewer noted: “Nice product, only reason not giving it a five was expecting the heat setting on highest level would be more hot. Unfortunately it wasn’t as hot as thought. Nonetheless, a decent heat blanket!”.

The MiaandCoco Electric Heated Blanket King Size is currently available to purchase on Amazon.

Wellness Run Day 2026 will be held at Cutacre Country Park on Saturday, September 26, featuring a family-friendly 1K fun run alongside a chip-timed 5K race.

Organisers say the event is designed to promote health, wellbeing and community spirit, with both races open to everyone from first-time runners to experienced athletes.

Alongside the running events, visitors can enjoy live music, food and refreshments, raffles and community activities throughout the day.

Every participant who completes their race will receive a finisher’s medal, while gold medals will be awarded to the top finishers.

Local businesses, schools and community groups are also being encouraged to enter teams as part of a wider workplace and community wellbeing initiative.

Event organiser Steve Hague said the aim was to create more than just a race and to bring the community together to have fun and get active.

He said: “We wanted to create more than just a race.

“The aim is to bring people together, encourage healthier lifestyles and provide a fantastic day out for families, friends and local organisations.

“Whether you’re an experienced runner or simply looking to take part in a community event, we’d love to see people get involved.

“This is our first event like this, but we are looking forward to it and, if the public engage with it, we will be doing this annually.”

Harvey Duffy, 20, of Egerton Road in Walkden, and Cameron Caswell, 23, of Botany Road in Eccles, were both sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for their roles in a drugs operation in Little Hulton, which involved the use and exploitation of vulnerable people, including missing children.

Duffy pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

Caswell was jailed for six years and 10 months after admitting possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

DC Naylor, from Greater Manchester Police’s Salford district, said: “Duffy and Caswell exploited vulnerable people in their community – including children – as part of their criminality.

“Drugs profits meant much more for these offenders than the wellbeing of these people.

“By regularly exploiting those most vulnerable, Duffy and Caswell were able to distribute drugs across Little Hulton, making illicit profit and contributing to the cycle of misery that drug dealing permeates.

“I’m glad that they are now behind bars and away from those they would seek to exploit.”

The court heard that the pair operated a Class A drug line that used the home of a vulnerable drug user as a base and recruited children to distribute drugs in the community.

Investigators found nearly 1,000 messages between Duffy and the children over a three-month period, showing he directed their actions and placed them in dangerous situations.

At the time, the children were listed as missing from home and were staying at the address of a vulnerable drug user—a known marker of county lines exploitation.

Duffy was arrested and charged in February 2026, and Caswell was arrested and charged the following month.

Significant communications between the pair were revealed.

Caswell was also convicted of firearms offences after a gun was found hidden at a property in Little Hulton.

England are braced for four competitive matches against top European sides in the space of just 11 days. Ahead of home-and-away fixtures against Czechia and away to Croatia, they begin their campaign on Saturday against the newly crowned world champions, Spain, at Wembley, a repeat of their first-ever Nations League fixture in September 2018, when they lost a close game 2-1.