I know the names and locations of most cities, upland areas, rivers and forests, and those I don’t know I am always keen to learn about.
That’s more than can be said for many of the students appearing on University Challenge. I am frequently aghast at the lack of geographical knowledge exhibited by people who are seen as the intellectual elite of this country.
A recent episode saw team members from Merton College, Oxford, wrongly identify Blackburn as Chester, place Kings Lynn on the coast of Kent, and then made a further blunder, by wrongly identifying the inland town of Bury St Edmunds as King’s Lynn.
A further set of questions about towns in South Yorkshire garnered just one correct answer from University College London. Students, and people generally, seem to take more interest in foreign parts than they do our own country. I was amused by how quickly one Oxford scholar answered a question on the Yalu River, speedily rattling off the correct answer “North Korea and China.”
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Chester is not a Lancashire Pennine town. Picture: Pixabay (Image: Pixabay)
It’s not only on University Challenge. Contestants on Mastermind often exhibit the same ignorance when faced with questions about the geography of the UK, as do those taking part in other quiz shows.
At work too, I have encountered many a London-based PR company whose staff would ask: “Bradford? Is that near Newcastle?”
It makes me wonder whether schools still teach kids about the geography of the UK.
When I was at secondary school our geography teacher Mr Thackeray would periodically give out maps of Great Britain. On it were 20 numbered dots. We pupils would be asked to write the names of places and geographical features beside those dots. I loved this task and hated getting any wrong. I once got all 20 correct and was thrilled. I remember Mr Thackeray being amazed that I named The Solent and Spithead between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – this was thanks to a jigsaw I had at the time, with coastal waters named.
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It helped that we learned about the regional identity of counties – the Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Welsh coalfields, shipbuilding on the Tyne, Wear, Tees and Clyde, the fishing industry around the Humber, the Staffordshire potteries, Kent’s fruit-growing ‘Garden of England’. I could go on.
Do they even teach stuff like that nowadays? Give or take the odd industrial estate and car manufacturing plant, there’s scant industry left in the UK to learn about.
My geographical knowledge was also helped by our annual holidays. Every year Dad would book a holiday in a different corner of the UK. We would head to Pembrokeshire one year, the New Forest the next, then Suffolk, Dorset and Aberdeenshire. At the time I felt envious of pupils whose families jetted off to the Costa del Sol, but as I grew older I began to appreciate our UK breaks. I learned so much about my homeland – knowledge that I retain to this day.
I know I am lucky to have experienced such holidays, and many people are not so fortunate, but I also loved pouring over Dad’s schoolboy atlas, and his many Ordnance Survey maps. After we had been on a walk, I would study the route. I especially loved the Lake District – which we visited annually – and can pretty much remember each lake and its position on the map.
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People travel more than ever now, to destinations at home and abroad. But could they identify those locations on a map? Or even place their home town? Sadly, even with an Oxbridge education, I very much doubt it.
Watching President Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska in the centre of Kyiv lead a minute’s silence to honour the tens of thousands of soldiers who have died on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war was a sobering moment.
European prime ministers and dignitaries had come to Maidan Square in Kyiv as an act of solidarity and remembrance as they set candles in front of the sea of crosses, photos and flags that now adorn this makeshift memorial for those killed in this conflict.
But equally, there is an acknowledgement from those gathered that when it comes to this war, there is no end in sight: the leaders who arrived in Ukraine to mark this anniversary expect to be coming back next year, too.
For Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, the trip was a moment to focus not just on sanctions, weapon supplies and territory, but to try to highlight the war Vladimir Putin is waging against women and children in Ukraine as he wages a “war on Ukrainian culture”.
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“I think one of the things that’s been clearly happening, the way that so many children have been stolen, the ways in which, in the temporarily occupied territories, they are trying to change the education system, trying to choke out the Ukrainian language,” she said.
“It’s an attempt really, not just about territory, but to have a war on Ukrainian families, to have war on Ukraine history and culture and identity,” the foreign secretary told me in an interview in Kyiv.
Image: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska. Pic: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters
But even as she arrived in Ukraine, issues at home plaguing the government and her foreign office brief were dominating the agenda, with the former US ambassador that she sacked, Peter Mandelson, arrested and taken in for hours of questioning by the police as Ms Cooper took an overnight train to Ukraine.
The foreign secretary, who sacked the ambassador just days into her job in September, reiterated her position that Lord Mandelson “should never have been appointed” and, in a rare flash of emotion, told me that “vile” emails were exchanged between Lord Mandelson and paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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In one of the emails released by the US Department of Justice, Epstein replies to Lord Mandelson asking how being free from jail felt, by saying “she feels fresh, firm and creamy”. Lord Mandelson replied by calling Epstein a “naughty boy”.
“That’s just vile,” she told me. “It makes me feel so angry.”
“I’ve been really clear, Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed as ambassador to the US and I think some of what has been so, so deeply frustrating about all of this is that really at the heart of all of these should be the victims of Epstein, they’re women and and children who faced the most horrendous criminal exploitation trafficking and that really should be the focus.
“As you know, when I was home secretary, I made it a mission for the government to halve violence against women and girls over the next 10 years.
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“That’s a strategy now that the prime minister has championed. And now, as foreign secretary, I am making tackling violence against women and girls something that is an international theme for us as well.”
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Beth says she’s never seen the foreign secretary so furious.
On that issue, Ms Cooper used her time in Ukraine to meet female victims of Russian aggression and sexual violence and the “voices for children” charity with Olena Zelenska to highlight the plight of thousands of children stolen from their Ukrainian families by Russia.
Yevgen Zakharov, a civil rights activist working at the Civil Liberties Centre, told the foreign secretary on her visit there that Putin “wants to eliminate Ukrainian identity”.
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“This is his crazy idea, a genocidal intent is there,” he said.
Throughout these visits, we heard stories of women in Russian-occupied territory being beaten, sexually abused, falsely imprisoned and sent to Labour camps.
Elena Jagapova spoke of how she was taped to a chair, beaten until bloodied, sexually abused and sent to a labour camp. Another, Julia, told us of how her children – then 10 and 17 – were abducted by the Russians, and her 19-month battle to get them back.
Ms Zelenska says more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been stolen by the Russians as part of their campaign to eradicate Ukrainian culture, through repressing the language, forcing indoctrination and trying to brainwash children.
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“We heard stories not just of torture, but also of this attempt to really destroy Ukrainian culture and identity as well,” said Ms Cooper.
“That’s why it’s so important that we provide support for Ukrainian families, support for Ukrainian services but, also, make sure that you could have the kind of special tribunal, the kind of court processes, international court processes, that can pursue exactly those questions and can make sure that there is some justice and accountability.”
Image: Ukrainians visiting the graves of their relatives in Lviv, western Ukraine. Pic: Reuters
The UK has made it clear to Ukraine that it will play a part in helping set up war crime courts when this conflict finally ends, in echoes of Britain’s role in the Nuremberg trials that punctuated the Second World War.
But when that moment comes is hard to see. Those who gathered in Ukraine on Tuesday did so with a weariness that has come to characterise an attritional war in which Russia isn’t winning, but neither is it defeated, as Europe and the US give enough support for Ukraine to fight on, without the firepower – or sanctions against Russia – for it to truly succeed.
Mr Zelenskyy warned on the eve of the fourth anniversary that Putin had already started World War Three and Ukraine was the outpost, the frontline pushing Putin back.
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Ms Cooper doesn’t want to use that language, but she does acknowledge that Russian aggression is here to stay, and allies must support Ukraine for however long it takes.
To that end, the UK introduced another sanctions package on Tuesday, and is pushing the US and Europe about a maritime services ban to make it much harder for Russia’s shadow fleet to transport Russian oil.
The frustration is that the US, in trying to pursue peace talks – and reportedly in favour of Russian demand that Ukraine cede the 20% of the Donbas territory not under Russian occupation as part of any truce, is reluctant to squeeze Russia economically right now.
So this war grinds on. For the Ukrainians and allies, one glimmer of hope is that Russia is now losing more men that it can mobilise on the battlefield.
Ukraine hopes that if it can increase the casualty rate to 50,000 Russians a month, then Putin might be forced to consider conscription, which could prove politically difficult and begin to stall his momentum.
That Russia has sacrificed an estimated 500,000 lives in order to gain less than one per cent of Ukraine’s territory tells of the attritional war in which these two sides are locked – and with the horrific loss of life.
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In the meantime, Britain and Europe will try to put more pressure on the US to bring in more aggressive sanctions against Russia, to financially starve Putin’s war machine.
But for all the signs of solidarity on Tuesday, there is little to show in the way of concrete steps to peace. Ukraine hopes for a game changer in the coming months, but is reconciled to more anniversaries like today.
Princess and Junior Andre have reportedly signed up for the BBC’s Celebrity Race Across The World following the success of their ITV2 reality show
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
22:54, 24 Feb 2026
Princess and Junior Andre are reportedly set to participate in the upcoming series of Celebrity Race Across The World. Insiders suggest that the siblings, children of former glamour model Katie Price and singer Peter Andre, have already embarked on their international journey to commence filming for the BBC show.
It’s believed that Princess, 18, and Junior, 20, were enlisted by producers following the success of their ITV2 reality programme The Princess Diaries. The reality series, which documents the influencer navigating life under public scrutiny, was the channel’s most successful launch of 2025 outside of Love Island and Big Brother, and is due to return for a second series next month.
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Celebrity Race Across The World features four renowned duos competing across a region of the world to reach a destination using any means of transport other than aeroplanes. The previous series saw Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon declared winners after a 3,700-mile race through Central America.
A source disclosed to The Sun regarding the show’s new recruits: “Princess and Junior have proven themselves to be well-mannered, hardworking kids and opportunities continue to come their way. Execs were impressed with the ratings for The Princess Diaries but also how they came across.
“They’re brilliant signings for Celeb Race as they bring with them a younger audience. But bosses are also looking forward to seeing how they cope with the stripped-back style of travelling as they’re more at home in five-star hotels than a hostel.”, reports the Mirror.
Representatives for Princess and Junior Andre declined to comment, and the BBC has been approached by Wales Online for a response.
This follows the siblings breaking their silence after their mother Katie’s whirlwind marriage to her fourth husband, Lee Andrews.
Newly released records appear to confirm that the couple officially finalised the legal registration of their marriage on 17 February. During a recent appearance on This Morning, Princess and Junior discussed their mum’s latest wedding.
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Princess revealed she hasn’t yet met Lee, with Junior adding that they are “happy as long as she’s happy”.
At the time, Princess stated: “I’ve not met him.” Junior quickly chimed in, with Princess agreeing: “Our mum is her own person, she’s her own woman, she’s going to do what she’s going to do and at the end of the day, we’re supportive of her as long as she’s happy.
“As long as she’s happy that’s all I care about,” Junior continued, with Princess adding: “If she’s happy, we’re happy.”
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You can catch up on Celebrity Across The World on BBC iPlayer
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Signs have been added to the car parks of the stores which are taking part in the supermarket’s small trial, and they tell drivers not to park in parent and child car parking bays if they don’t have any children with them.
The notices at Tesco warn shoppers that anyone who is seen to abuse the spaces and what they’re intended for will face a parking charge.
Tesco told Newsquest the signage also applies to disabled parking bays with customers being reminded to display their Blue Badges when using them.
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Should fines be imposed for incorrect use of parent and child parking bays in supermarkets?
In our original article explaining that Tesco shoppers had spotted the notices, we included a poll, asking Newsquest readers if they would like to see the fines introduced in more supermarkets.
We asked ‘Should all supermarkets introduce a parking fine for incorrect use of designated spaces?’ and a huge 80% of the 1,291 readers who answered voted in favour of it.
Meanwhile, 18% said they wouldn’t like to see the fines introduced at other UK supermarkets.
A further 2% replied that they weren’t sure and sit on the fence when it comes to this discussion.
UK high street shops that no longer exist
On Instagram, Netmums shared pictures of the new signs that have started to appear in some Tesco car parks and it led to a large discussion.
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One person said: “This is a good start, every single time I go with my toddler there’s always a single man parked up and getting out with no child.
“The amount of abuse I’ve received when saying something to them is horrifying too so fine away!”
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Someone else said: “My local Tesco has introduced this and im here for it! Just curious about how its going to be monitored”.
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This person shared: “YES!!! I can’t stand people who use them without young children. Drives me insane!”
Others suggested the warning needed to be clearer, with one saying: “This needs to include pregnant women!”
Another shared: “What age is classified as children”.
How could supermarket car parks be further improved? Let us know in the comments below.
Police said inquiries into the incident are ongoing
22:16, 24 Feb 2026Updated 22:18, 24 Feb 2026
A man has died following an alleged assault outside a Wetherspoon pub in south Wales. Gwent Police previously said a 37-year-old man from Tredegar was in hospital in a life-threatening condition following an incident outside The Picture House in Ebbw Vale over the weekend.
Gwent Police confirmed on Tuesday evening that the alleged victim had sadly died in hospital.
A Cardiff man who was previously arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, a statement from the force said.
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The incident was reported to have taken place outside The Picture House in Bethcar Street between 11.30pm on Friday, February 20, and 12.15am on Saturday, February 21.
Gwent Police said its investigation into what happened was “continuing at pace”.
The 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody where he is being questioned.
Police have asked for anyone who witnessed the alleged assault, or has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage, to get in touch if they have not already done so.
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You can assist the investigation by contacting Gwent Police via their website, calling 101, or messaging them directly on their Facebook or X social media channels quoting log reference 2600055384.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information or visit their website.
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She was last seen near the Old Anchor pub in Sutton
Police continue to search for a woman who has not been seen in nine days. Carol Hillier, 64, was last seen near Sutton in East Cambridgeshire.
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Carol, from Sandy, in Bedfordshire, was spotted at around 11:20am on Sunday, February 15. She was seen near the Old Anchor pub, off Bury Lane, Sutton, near Ely.
She has been described as white 5’4, of medium build with chin length, mousy grey hair, and grey/blue eyes. She wears glasses and was last seen wearing a dark plum coloured Rohan coat, pale blue beanie hat, dark walking trousers, and carrying a small rucksack.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police confirmed on Tuesday (February 24) that Carol has not yet been found.
Anyone who has seen Carol on or since Sunday, or has footage of her should contact the police through the force website quoting reference 233 of February 15.
Brook has always been one of Bazball’s most devoted believers.
McCullum is the only Test coach Brook has had, the only permanent coach he has worked under as white-ball captain. He often speaks straight from the McCullum philosophical handbook.
It was no surprise, therefore, that he credited his coach with the plan to promote Brook from number five to bat at three for the first time in his international career.
It was McCullum who put the idea to his captain early on Tuesday morning, less than 12 hours before the start of the game.
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Some England players, like Jacob Bethell, who was nudged down to number four by Brook’s promotion, were told earlier in the day, but the rest were not fully made aware of the plan until McCullum spoke in the pre-match huddle.
“Baz was the mastermind there,” Brook said.
“He had the discussion with me this morning about going up the order and trying to maximise the powerplay.”
McCullum’s move means England now have a free hit in their final Super 8 match against New Zealand on Friday. After that they will travel to India for a semi-final.
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Somehow, after stuttering and struggling to this point, they are the closest side to winning the title. Australia have gone already and defending champions India could follow before the week is out.
If the co-hosts remain, one of South Africa or West Indies will surely be knocked out.
Brook is two wins from becoming the fourth England men’s captain – after Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler – to lift a World Cup.
He is leading his way, which will bring moments that will leave you scratching your head. Now is the time for Brook to be backed, however.
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He is not only a captain, one sharp tactically on the field and supremely talented with the bat, but a leader.
The hospitals are trying to minimise impact to anyone affected.
Cambridgeshire hospitals have said they will need to postpone some operations due to a shortage of supplies. There is a “global shortage” of bone cement used for joint replacements such as knees and hips.
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As a result, hospitals under the Cambridge University Hospitals Trust (CUH) – including Addenbrooke’s Hospital – and Peterborough City Hospital have had to postpone some upcoming operations.
The CUH website said: “One of the major international manufacturers temporarily paused production following a packaging fault. Although production has now restarted, supplies remain limited across the UK and are expected to be affected over the coming weeks.
“This national issue is being coordinated by NHS England, and like other NHS trusts, CUH has put immediate measures in place to ensure patient safety and continuity of urgent care. We recognise how frustrating and disappointing this disruption may feel, particularly if you are currently waiting for surgery.
“Like other NHS trusts, we are prioritising our use of bone cement to treat patients with the greatest clinical need. Unfortunately, some planned joint replacement surgeries or procedures will need to be postponed.”
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A Peterborough City Hospital spokesperson said the hospital is trying to keep the impact to a “minimum”.
They added: “We are doing all we can to keep the impact of this issue to a minimum, but we will need to postpone some planned surgery over the coming weeks. We recognise how frustrating and disappointing this will be for patients who will have already waited a long time for their procedure.”
The pub will replaced with a restaurant, which will be the first of its kind in Cambridgeshire.
A Cambridgeshire pub is set to close soon, with a new restaurant replacing it. In November, it was announced that Mulberry Tree Farm in Hampton, Peterborough, would be closing.
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The pub has served Hampton for more than 10 years, and it has been popular for its large cake slices it serves. In its place, Hickory’s Smokehouse will open as the first of its kind in Cambridgeshire, creating around 100 new jobs.
The closing date of Mulberry Tree has now been confirmed as Saturday, February 28. In a social media post, a Mulberry Tree spokesperson said: “Mulberry Tree Farm as you know it will be closing our doors on February 28, but if you haven’t already heard, there’s exciting news ahead!
“Hickory’s Smokehouse will be opening later this year, so keep your eyes peeled! Thank you to everyone who’s visited Mulberry Tree Farm over the years, and we hope to see you again soon as Hickory’s.”
The opening date for Hickory’s has not yet been announced. Hickory’s Smokehouse has been approached for more information.
After 20 years since its first online order in 2006, the homeware retail giant has launched a new app, and its arrival comes with a few perks too for those who wish to use it.
Available for iOS and Android phone models, the new app aims to “enhance” consumers’ shopping experiences.
Dunelm is offering incentives for downloading the app including free drinks in their in-store Pausa cafes, and 10% off a first app purchase.
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Dunelm launches new app as part of ‘exciting’ shake-up in how customers can shop
Shoppers can use the app to check-in for Click & Collect orders, check product availability at their local store and scan products for further information as they browse the latest cushions, candles, bedding and other home accessories.
App customers also have the ability to shop particular ranges and styles, depending on their preferences.
To support the ongoing development of this new channel, Dunelm has a roadmap of new features which will further enhance the shopping experience for customers, with increased levels of personalisation and inspiration.
The retailer has said the newly launched app acts as an “easy and convenient companion for all Dunelm shopping journeys, incorporating the AI-powered search, recommendations and browse functionality which has been driving a more personalised experience on the Dunelm website”.
UK High Street Shops That No Longer Exist
It comes as last year, Dunelm introduced a generative AI-driven product discovery solution on Dunelm.com, in partnership with Google Cloud.
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John Gahagan, chief technology & information officer at Dunelm, commented: “We’re really excited to have launched our new App.
“It’s just over 20 years since we delivered our very first online order and this is the next chapter in our digital journey.
“The App brings our customers new ways to interact with our products and services, wherever they are, ensuring an easy, convenient and inspirational shopping experience.
“Our launch is just the beginning and we look forward to bringing a range of new, innovative features over the coming months, as we continue to help customers create homes they love.”
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The Dunelm app is available to download now from the App Store and Google Play.
Morrisons introduces ATM charges at select UK stores
Dunelm isn’t the only major UK shop that has announced a new change affecting shoppers this week.
Morrisons has also confirmed it will now be charging its customers who use ATMs at a handful of its Daily convenience stores, as part of a new pay-to-use trial.
Using ATMs at Morrisons Daily shops used to be free, but the use of cash machines has dropped significantly due to an increase in cashless payments.
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As a result, Morrisons is looking for ways to keep an ATM service for consumers.
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Morrisons said the change will allow customers to continue withdrawing cash at their local Daily site rather than losing the ATM service entirely.
Pricing decisions for ATMs are not controlled by Morrisons as they are operated by external providers.
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Have you already downloaded the new Dunelm app? Let us know what you think of it, in the comments below.
From April 6 2026, the price of making voluntary National Insurance contributions from overseas will soar — dramatically increasing the cost of securing a full UK State Pension.
And experts say many expats still don’t realise what’s coming.
What’s changing for Class 2 voluntary National Insurance contributions?
Until now, eligible expats could pay Class 2 voluntary National Insurance contributions at just £3.50 per week – around £182 per year.
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From April, that option effectively disappears for many, leaving only Class 3 contributions at £17.75 per week – or £923 per year.
That’s a 407% increase.
At the same time, new rules introduce a 10-year minimum UK residence or contribution requirement, up from three years, potentially locking some expats out of eligibility altogether.
Voluntary contributions can significantly increase your entitlement under the UK State Pension system.
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If you fall short of the required 35 qualifying years, topping up missing years can boost your weekly income for life — and protect access to annual increases under the Triple Lock.
Fail to act before 5 April, and the same top-ups could cost thousands more over time.
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You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number.
UK searches for “Class 3 National Insurance contributions” have surged 200% in the past year
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Searches related to pension top-ups are up 40% in the past month
Searches for the CF83 form have jumped 70% in the past week
Many expats appear unsure whether they qualify — or what steps they need to take before the deadline.
“Act urgently before April 5”
William Cooper, Marketing Director at health insurance specialists William Russell, warns: “Expats need to act urgently before April 5.
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“Paying voluntary Class 2 contributions is far cheaper than the upcoming Class 3 rate, and many people don’t realise payments can be backdated, sometimes covering several missing years at the lower cost and significantly boosting future pension income.”
He adds: “Taking action now could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds and protect entitlement to future State Pension increases.
“After April, the same top-ups will cost significantly more, and some people may no longer be eligible at all.”
Recommended reading:
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What expats should do now
Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast
Confirm whether you qualify for Class 2 contributions
Consider submitting form CF83 to assess eligibility
Act before 5 April 2026
You can contact the HM Revenue and Customs International Pension Centre for guidance.
