A family-friendly estate has been forced to close due to a water outage “beyond its control”

A popular attraction in Cambridgeshire has been forced to shut on Wednesday (June 10) due to a water outage. Owned by the National Trust, Wimpole Estate, near Arrington, has closed today due to a regional water outage “beyond its control,” they say.

The reopening time has not yet been confirmed and visitors have been advised to refer to its website for further updates.

In a statement warning visitors of the closure, a spokesperson for the estate said: “We greatly regret having to close Wimpole Estate today, 10th June. Due to a regional water outage this is beyond our control.

“We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment that this may have caused. Please refer to the website about future reopening times.”

Wimpole Estate offers an impressive 17th-century mansion, an extensive garden and parkland with an array of wildlife to explore, an in-hand farm and a cafe known as The Old Rectory.

Visitors also regularly follow pathways around the countryside before ending up at The Old Rectory for some lunch. Its terrace even overlooks the garden.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Wednesday that gives his immigration and deportation agenda a nearly $70 billion boost for the rest of his time in the White House.

The bill provides $38 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $26 billion for the Border Patrol. An additional $5 billion would cover unforeseen costs, according to the White House.

Trump signed the legislation in the Oval Office a day after House Republicans pushed the measure through by a 214-212 vote over the objections of Democrats. His signature ended a nearly six-month fight over Department of Homeland Security funding that began with shooting deaths of deaths of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, in January during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

Democrats began demanding changes to immigration enforcement after the shootings, creating an impasse — and resulting in the longest agency in history — that ultimately led Republicans to go it alone on the funding.

The agencies will be funded through the next three years. The new law front-loads routine annual funding, ensuring a virtually uninterrupted flow of money as the Trump administration seeks to deport some 1 million people per year.

The legislation had become sidetracked over $1 billion for White House security, including for Trump’s new ballroom, and a $1.8 billion fund to compensate his allies who claim to be victims of political prosecution. Both proposals became politically toxic and were scrapped.

The bill as passed focused exclusively on immigration enforcement, a topic that Republicans have treated as a defining issue between the two major political parties and one the GOP hopes will carry it to victory in November’s midterm elections.

Chris Blundell, director of Harrogate-based Providence Collection, makes his remarks announcing the company’s latest annual results, which have just been posted on Companies House.

During the year to August 2025, the company generated turnover of £3.9 million, representing an increase of 1.0% compared to prior year.

Gross profit increased by 8.2%, from £1,291,293 to £1,396,993.

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In comments dated May 28 2026, Mr Blundell said this reflected “improved cost control and operational efficiencies.”

The operating loss reduced by 7.6% year-on-year from £716,659 to £674,643.

The loss before taxation dropped from £1,393,212 to £1,279,440.

Mr Blundell continued: “Significant increases in labour costs and business rates were countered by both improvements in operational efficiencies as well as controlling overhead costs.

“In the coming year, the estate will be streamlined to ensure profitability going forward.”

The company has just announced the sale of The Black Bull at Moulton, The Punch Bowl at Marton-cum-Grafton and The Cleveland Tontine near Northallerton.

Mr Blundell also warned: “The group operates in a dynamic sector that is subject to a range of external and internal risks. The economic environment remains a significant factor, with hospitality businesses being particularly sensitive to inflationary pressures, fluctuations in interest rates, and shifts in consumer spending habits.

“Labour market conditions also continue to pose challenges. Recruiting and retaining skilled personnel, especially in rural locations, is increasingly difficult, with wage inflation and staffing shortages contributing to operational pressures.

“The full year impact of the increases to Employers National Insurance will impact ability to recruit and availability of staff.”

Over the year to August 2025, staffing decreased from 115 to 110.

Mr Blundell continued: “Regulatory changes also present a level of uncertainty, as the business must remain compliant with evolving legislation concerning health and safety, licensing, and employment.

“Seasonal variations and unpredictable weather further influence trading performance, particularly for rural sites that rely on tourism and local events.”

He added:” To manage and mitigate these risks, the group is focused on sound financial management, operational resilience, and the continued investment in team development and customer service. These measures aim to ensure the business remains agile and well-positioned for sustainable growth.”

Do you agree with Chris Blundell? What can government do to help our pubs and hotels? Is it to blame for any of these problems? Let us know in the comments below.

Crews from Malton, Sherburn and Pickering responded to the incident at 12.05pm on Scarborough Road in Rillington.

The A64 through the village was also closed while crews dealt with the fire.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Fire crews extinguished the fire which had spread to the house interior, ventilated the heavily smoke logged premises and gave oxygen therapy to the occupier until the arrival of an ambulance.

“A fire investigation team was also dispatched.”

A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday ordered California socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages to the parents of two young brothers who died when her car struck them in a hit-and-run collision in 2020.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson must also pay $1.17 million in punitive damages.

That is in addition to the $176 million in damages for wrongful death and emotional distress that jurors ordered Grossman and Erickson to pay parents Nancy and Karim Iskander last week, after finding them negligent in the deaths of Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8.

“This verdict sends a clear message that everyone must be held accountable when their selfish actions put innocent lives at risk,” Brian Panish, the Iskander family’s attorney, said in a statement Wednesday.

Erickson’s attorney, Jeff Braun, said they respected the verdict.

“In the coming days, we will review the verdict with our client and discuss the appropriate path forward,” Braun said in a statement. “Today, however, our focus is on acknowledging the extraordinary loss the Iskander family has endured. We extend our sincere condolences to them and continue to keep them in our thoughts.”

Grossman’s attorney, Esther Holm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Grossman was sentenced in 2024 to serve 15 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in a separate criminal trial. She is a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the wife of a prominent burn doctor.

The boys’ parents also filed lawsuits in civil court against both Grossman and Erickson, who was driving ahead of her when the Iskander brothers were killed. That trial began in April.

The deadly crash occurred on the evening of Sept. 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, a city on the western edge of Los Angeles County.

Panish, the Iskander family’s attorney, argued that Grossman and Erickson were both driving recklessly after drinking margaritas together. The two were dating at a time when Grossman and her husband were separated.

Panish said Grossman was driving 73 mph (117 kph) when her car struck the boys in a crosswalk on a road where the posted speed limit was 45 mph (72 kph).

He said Grossman was following Erickson, who was also speeding and narrowly missed the family.

Holm, Grossman’s attorney, denied that her client was intoxicated. She said Grossman was distracted when she saw the boys’ mother dive out of the way of Erickson’s vehicle.

Braun, Erickson’s attorney, called the boys’ deaths a tragedy but emphasized that the vehicle he was driving “made no contact with the children.”

Rail passengers face ‘major disruption’ until 5pm (June 10)

A person has died after being hit by a train between Stevenage and Peterborough on Wednesday, June 10. The British Transport Police confirmed officers were called to the line near Sandy at 10.08am following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

The force said: “Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and file will be prepared for the coroner.”

All lines between Stevenage and Peterborough were closed while emergency services attended the scene. Rail passengers face “major disruption” until 5pm (June 10). National Rail has confirmed that lines have since reopened but trains may still be delayed by up to two-hours, revised or cancelled whilst service recovers.

Operators such as Grand Central, Hull Trains, LNER and Thameslink have been affected. Passengers have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

A spokesperson for National Rail said: “The emergency services are dealing with an incident where a person has been hit by a train between Stevenage and Peterborough.

“To allow them to complete their work safely, all lines are closed. This is expected to cause major disruption until early this afternoon.”

The series starring Alfred Molina has been hailed ‘one of the best’ detective dramas around.

Enthusiasts of detective dramas and mystery series are being encouraged to watch what’s being called “one of the best” detective programmes available.

Launching on Prime Video in 2022 with four murder mysteries, the miniseries features Alfred Molina as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec police force.

While investigating a series of murders in an apparently idyllic Canadian village, he uncovers deeply buried secrets and confronts ghosts from his own past.

The series is ‘Three Pines’, adapted from an 18-book novel collection, with viewers praising Molina for his portrayal of the fictional detective.

‘Three Pines’ received two Directors Guild of Canada award nominations, and fans have flocked to IMDb reviews to express their opinions.

One viewer described it as “magnificent”, stating: “Oh my goodness, what a treat! After five minutes, I was totally enthralled and in love with the adorable Gamache.

“Beautifully filmed and performed. How lovely to have characters with real, believable depth. Having come to the end of the series, I feel desolate that it has finished.”

Another viewer drew comparisons to the popular detective series Midsomer Murders, noting: “Very well done, not overdone. One of those great shows like Midsomer Murders.

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“You can’t stop watching, addictive for the binge watcher. The cast is greatly talented and the characters are just perfectly written. This is a great show and beautifully filmed and just keeps the viewers interested.

“I hope the show will continue as long as Midsomer Murders has.” Unfortunately, the programme was not commissioned for a second series, prompting numerous devotees to turn to the original novels to satisfy their Gamache cravings.

A final viewer remarked: “Amazing on all fronts. This show is truly one of the best I have ever seen.

“From the moment I first started Three Pines, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, and I’ve already begun my first of several rewatches to come. I cannot recommend this show enough.”

Molina previously discussed with RadioTimes.com what distinguished his character, explaining: “I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but his superpower is empathy. Not just his willingness to empathise, but his desire to empathise, his need to understand and see a point of view that may not be his own.

“I think that’s what makes him kind of special as a detective, he has a moral standard about [how] he won’t carry a gun, even though it’s standard issue for Canadian police.”

Variety praised the television adaptation for doing “justice to the best-selling novels on which they’re based”.

Three Pines is available to stream on Prime Video

U.S. prosecutors said Wednesday they will not seek the death penalty as part of a plea agreement with the man charged in the political assassinations of the top Democrat in the Minnesota House along with her husband, as well as the attempted murders of a state senator and his wife.

The defendant, Vance Boelter, was scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing Thursday morning in federal court in Minneapolis.

“The Attorney General has authorized and directed the government not to seek the death penalty against Defendant Vance Luther Boelter in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement,” assistant U.S. attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes wrote in a letter to the court Wednesday.

Boelter’s attorneys did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The court filing did not detail the terms of the plea agreement.

Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot by a man who came to their doors in the early hours of June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer and driving a fake squad car. The Hortmans’ golden retriever was so gravely injured that he had to be euthanized.

Boelter, 58, was captured near his home in rural Green Isle late the next day after what prosecutors have called the largest search for a suspect in Minnesota history. He faces federal and state murder, attempted murder and other charges. His state case has been on hold pending the resolution of his federal charges.

Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911 and has never had a federal death penalty case. While the Trump administration has pushed for greater use of capital punishment, there were questions about whether Boelter’s case would qualify for the death penalty under federal law.

Prosecutors have called the attacks political. When they announced the federal indictment in July, they released a rambling handwritten letter they say Boelter wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel in which he confessed to the shootings. However, the letter didn’t make clear why he targeted the Hortmans or the Hoffmans.

In some messages to media, Boelter referenced a vague and cryptic “investigation” he had been carrying out, sometimes suggesting it was about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Friends described Boelter as an evangelical Christian and occasional preacher and missionary, who held politically conservative views and had been struggling to find work.

When Minnesota’s legislative session convened in February, Hoffman got a warm welcome as he walked up the stairs into the Senate chamber. He said in a lawsuit filed against Boelter in April that his left arm and hand likely would never fully recover, and that he also had permanent injuries to his digestive and urinary systems.

Yvette Hoffman was left with permanent physical weakness, the lawsuit said, while their adult daughter, Hope Hoffman, who was there and called 911 but was not shot, suffered severe psychological trauma.

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Former AP reporter Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed.

Kieran McKenna has resigned as Ipswich Town manager, just weeks after clinching a return to the Premier League.

The 40-year-old took charge of the Tractor Boys in 2021 and guided them to three promotions in the past four seasons, two of which have taken the club into the top flight.

They will play among the elite in 2026-27 after finishing runners-up in the Championship in May.

Former Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil – currently boss of Strasbourg after being appointed in January – is one manager in the frame to replace McKenna.

The 43-year-old, who spent two years as a player with Ipswich’s big rivals Norwich City, has admirers at Portman Road. The club are open-minded about a successor, but O’Neil is a contender.

McKenna was recently linked with the Fulham job, after Marco Silva’s departure, but said his departure from Portman Road is because of his desire to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family.

“I feel this is the right time for me to step aside,” McKenna said.

“I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.

“After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.”

England have described the arrangement for the second Test as “interim”, and its impermanence seems important.

On Monday, when it first emerged that Stokes and Gus Atkinson were in hot water, there was an immediate feeling it would spell the end of Stokes’ captaincy.

It still may. There is an ongoing investigation. Stokes could decide to walk.

But, with every passing hour, the temperature is cooling. Stokes could return for the third Test at Trent Bridge or, more likely, the series against Pakistan later in the summer.

Still, Stokes has given a window into what England’s life might be without him. For the first time in his career, Stokes the cricketer is not indispensable. Earlier this week, head coach Brendon McCullum had to defend his batting, and back Stokes to return to form.

If Brook had been put in charge, England may have seen something they like. Brook and McCullum seemed more aligned during the T20 World Cup than Stokes and McCullum did during the Ashes.

Brook would have been captaining his peers, whereas Stokes leads a group of younger men, many of whom grew up idolising him. Maybe England would have found a Stokesless formation that makes them stronger: the leg-spin of Rehan Ahmed as the all-rounder, followed by four specialist seamers.

None of this becomes an issue with Root in charge. He will be all too happy to hand over the reins when the time comes.

These roles were once reversed. In the Covid summer of 2021, Stokes stepped in for one Test while Root was on paternity leave. Root left a note on Stokes’ peg in the dressing room which said: “Do it your way”.

Now, Root will do it his way. Clapping his hands from first slip, long sprints to talk to his bowlers. A smile on his face, maybe a classic Rootian century. Not the puffed-out chest of an alpha like Stokes, just the calm reassurance of English cricket’s most dependable presence.

Once again, it is Joe Root riding to England’s rescue.