Two fire crews were brought to Glisthwaite Lane in Green Hammerton at 9.16pm on Friday (July 10).

At the time, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had spread approximately two metres into a nearby field of standing crop.

The fire was extinguished before a thermal imaging camera checked for further hotspots, a service spokesperson said.

They added: “The local farmer was informed of the fire before crews left the incident.”

Thirty tech billionaires are trying to build a self-proclaimed crypto micronation called ‘Liberland’ on a muddy section of unclaimed land in the Danube River.

The uninhabited marshland on the border of Serbia and Croatia was founded by Czech libertarian politician Vít Jedlička who claimed the territory in 2015.

His vision was to create a nation which eradicates tax and government regulation and it has gained support from the likes of Chinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun.

The group are using blockchain – effectively a secure digital ledger – to construct the first decentralised autonomous government and also the world’s ‘freest country’.

Now, 11 years on ‘The Free Republic of Liberland’ has 200 registered companies but still lacks any proper infrastructure and is not recognised by any other nations.

Those behind the project have therefore set up a permanent outpost across the river called ‘Ark Village’ which has shared rooms, kitchenettes and a meeting room.

Investigative reporter Matt Shea gained rare access to the area for new documentary The Tech Billionaire Takeover which airs on BBC Two on Sunday at 9pm.

Mr Shea is taken inside the Ark Village main building to have breakfast with members of the group including Mr Jedlička, whom he describes as ‘Mr President’.

Mr Shea meets Czech libertarian politician Vít Jedlička who claimed the territory in 2015

Scenes in the BBC documentary from Ark Village, which has been set up next to Liberland 

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Mr Shea looks around some of the accommodation at Ark Village, which is close to Liberland

The Free Republic of Liberland is a self-proclaimed micronation on the island of Gornja Siga. Pictured: A team wave with the Liberland flag before heading to the island in 2016

The journalist is then told he will be shown around the plot they bought around the property with the intention of building a longevity clinic and spa.

A longevity clinic focuses on extending healthy aging, using advanced medical testing to find hidden health risks early rather than treating illness after it occurs. 

Mr Jedlička says: ‘I think longevity tourism in general will be one of the key businesses, not just cryptocurrencies, not just AI which we already have quite a lot.’

The reporter also speaks with Mr Sun, the 35-year-old founder of Tron who was elected prime minister of Liberland using blockchain elections in October 2024.

Mr Sun says: ‘Liberland represents a bold vision for the future – one where sovereignty, innovation and the individual’s freedom are at the centre of society.’

Liberland is located on the marshy island of Gornja Siga – which is unclaimed by both Serbia and Croatia due to a border dispute stemming from the 1990s Balkan wars – and is home to wild boar, woodpeckers and red deer.

Croatia deployed border police units and patrol boats to prevent repeated attempts by Liberland organisers to reach the area when it was first set up in 2015. 

Serbian police prevented them from crossing the border from their side.

Since being declared independent by Mr Jedlicka, there are now more than 1,262 registered citizens and 804,000 applications for citizenship.

Czech politician Vít Jedlička (centre left) with the Liberland flag and other citizens in 2015

Mr Jedlička had a vision to create a nation which eradicates tax and government regulation

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Liberland citizen Dorian Stern-Vukotic on board the Liberty boat with forms the nation’s navy

The island is unclaimed by both Serbia and Croatia due to a border dispute from the 1990s wars

A man applies for Liberland citizenship in the village of Backi Monostor in Serbia in 2015

People look at the Swan, a shuttle vessel connection between Batin in Croatia and Liberland

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A man holds a Liberland passport. There have been 804,000 applications for citizenship

Liberland, seen from a plane, is a parcel of disputed land on the western bank of the Danube

A man holds a numberplate from Liberland, which now has 200 registered companies 

A settlement on the island – which is about the size of Gibraltar – has been up and running since August 2023, with a core group of people maintaining a continuous physical presence. 

They have been developing the land, having already constructed the first house, set up basic infrastructure and marina facilities.

Liberland’s website states that non-EU visitors who cross into the area from the Croatian side are usually issued a notice requiring them to leave Croatian territory within seven days, accompanied by a temporary re-entry ban.

However, it also says those seven days are ‘more than enough to earn full Liberland citizenship’, by helping with construction, clearing land, building infrastructure or other community projects.

Liberland citizens use cryptocurrency to pay voluntary taxes for the upkeep of the heavily-forested island and its navy, known as the ‘Liberty’.

The tokens are the Liberland Dollar, which handles money and network fees; and Liberland Merit, which handles voting and laws. Both can be both be bought with bitcoin.

Liberland has a motto of ‘To Live and Let Live,’ but it has previously been described by Croatia as ‘a virtual caricature’ while Serbia said it was an ‘entertaining act which needs no further comment’.

Other individuals in Europe have previously declared the formation of a micronation nation state – including the Principality of Sealand, an abandoned North Sea oil rig off the coast of Suffolk which declared independence in 1967.

‘The Tech Billionaire Takeover’ airs on BBC Two on Sunday at 9pm 

The Institute for Addressing Strangulation, external (IFAS) was created in October 2022 with funding from the Home Office.

Their new impact report, released this week, highlights the UK’s understanding and response to strangulation four years since the law was introduced.

It includes data from police forces which they say shows a 13% increase in reports from the year before, and that there have been 24,446 offences prosecuted by the CPS since the offence was introduced.

Dr Helen Bichard, a principal clinical psychologist with North Wales Brain Injury Service, was involved in the original funding bid which led to the creation of the IFAS.

She said: “I had carried out research in 2020 which I think for the first time really highlighted the impact of strangulation on the brain, which was used by the government in creating the new legislation.”

She said changing the law was amazing but additional action was needed.

“It was almost as if the legalisation had proceeded all the systems that needed to be in place to make sure it’s effective, so that’s why IFAS was created.”

One of those actions is guidelines created for medical professionals as there were none for strangulation in the UK.

“They are a first of its kind, they will save lives – there is no greater impact than that,” said Bichard, adding that it is vital health professionals are aware of the situations and effects caused by strangulation.

“It can be catastrophic, it can cause death that’s why strangulation is used in violence because it is really effective.”

England is set to play Norway on Saturday (July 11) at 10pm

As England make their way further into the World Cup, the games have been a boost for Cambridgeshire pubs. England are set to play Norway on Saturday (July 11) at 10pm.

This means more fans and punters will be heading to their local to see if England can take one step closer to bringing it home. For pubs across the county, the World Cup games have left them fully booked.

At The Tivoli in Chesterton Road, Cambridge, staff have had to turn people away due to being “packed out” for games. “We’ve had to reject over 100 bookings for the Norway game,” events manager Ben Tatum said.

He added: “We’ve had a great couple of weeks with the World Cup so far. It took a couple of fixtures to get off the ground, but then all of a sudden we are packed out.”

During England’s last game versus Mexico, which was broadcast at 2am on Monday (July 6), Ben added that the pub was “very tense”. He said: “We had three Mexican lads at the back of the room, but everyone got on like a house on fire. It’s all very sporting camaraderie. It’s a decent atmosphere.”

The World Cup has also drawn more people to other pubs in Cambridge. Chloe Williams, who works at The Prince Regent, in Regent Street, said the pub has “definitely” seen an increase in people coming to watch the games.

She added: “It’s been great, we have been really busy. It’s really nice as everyone seems to come together to watch football.”

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Marianna, who asked to use only her first name, at the The Grain and Hop Store pub in Regent Street, said the pub has also seen more people turning out for the football. She said: “It’s been very busy, especially for England.

“We have been fully booked. We have not had any problems and we probably won’t. We always have people coming in to watch sports, but the numbers have definitely increased.”

David Turner-Robinson at the Golden Hind pub in Milton Road said everyone has had a “good time” watching England’s World Cup journey. He said: “We’ve had quite a lot of people. The next game is fully booked out. For the first few games, we weren’t sure how it was going to go. However, we have adapted and it’s been great.”

At The Shed Taproom and Grill at Sand Martin House in Peterborough, the games have been “hectic”. Zola Barraco, who believes “it’s coming home”, said: “It’s been great. It’s nice to see people so patriotic. We have had more families which has been really nice.

“It has been hard work for us bar staff as it’s a constant, but everyone has been in good spirits. Everything is always really nice and we’ve had no trouble.”

While the World Cup has been a winner for many pubs, some pubs haven’t benefited from it as much. Ali Prior from The Cobblestones in March said: “We haven’t really bothered with it.

“We are too far out of town and we have too many pubs to compete with that are walkable. It’s not really something we have pushed.”

Anatolia Sea View Mediterranean Cuisine, on the seafront in St Annes, currently holds an impressive 4.8-star rating on TripAdvisor and has been recognised with a Travellers’ Choice 2025 award.

The restaurant has built a loyal following among locals and visitors alike, with customers regularly praising its authentic Mediterranean dishes, attentive service, and stunning coastal views.

Specialising in Anatolian and Mediterranean cuisine, the venue serves a range of fresh seafood, traditional mezes, grilled kebabs, and classic Turkish-inspired dishes.

Several reviewers have described the restaurant as a must-visit destination when in Lytham St Annes, highlighting both the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere.

One customer, who visited with a friend, said: “Had a lovely meal last night with a friend.

“Food was gorgeous, staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the view was stunning.

“Would definitely recommend. Thank you.”

Another reviewer praised the restaurant’s commitment to authentic cooking and its range of gluten-free options.

They wrote: “Great tasting authentic food cooked in a visible kitchen, most of the menu also available gluten free, great service and good value.

“A must every time we visit Lytham St Annes and well worth the effort of a walk down the prom.”

The restaurant also appears to have impressed customers with its efficiency and hospitality.

One diner said: “The Anatolian restaurant is beautiful, the staff and food are exceptional, and there are no long waits for your food either.

“We loved our meal here and will definitely return.”

Larger groups have also spoken highly of their experiences at the seafront venue.

A recent reviewer wrote: “Great evening.

“Food was fantastic with excellent customer service.

“There were 33 of us, and everyone enjoyed the experience.”

Customers frequently praise the combination of authentic Mediterranean flavours, generous portions, and views across the coastline, helping Anatolia stand out among dining destinations on the Fylde coast.

According to its TripAdvisor profile, the restaurant focuses on showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Anatolia and the Mediterranean, using fresh ingredients to create traditional dishes in a relaxed setting.

With a 4.8-star rating from more than 1,500 reviews, a Travellers’ Choice award, and diners repeatedly describing the food and service as exceptional, Anatolia Sea View Mediterranean Cuisine has established itself as one of Lytham St Annes’ most highly rated restaurants.

Argentina were allegedly the subject of a hacking that caused accredited members of Argentinian media to receive threats of further cyber-attacks if ‘justice’ isn’t served over the World Cup referee controversy

The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) has claimed its systems were infiltrated by Egyptian hackers, who subsequently sent mass emails asserting their win over Egypt was “snatched by corrupt refereeing decisions”.

The defending champions are reported to have been targeted in a cyber attack that resulted in accredited Argentine journalists receiving threats of further digital strikes unless ‘justice’ is delivered.

According to a report from Argentine outlet La Calle, the emails, dispatched from AFA email addresses, called into question the performance of French referee François Letexier. The messages stated that “Argentina did not win” and that the victory resulted from “corrupt refereeing decisions,” while praising the Egyptians’ display.

The outlet suggests that the group of hackers of Egyptian origin breached part of the federation’s database, obtaining email addresses, passwords, IP addresses, and specialist form data. Following the mass circulation of emails to journalists, Argentina released an urgent statement distancing themselves from any activity originating from their channels that appeared “unusual”.

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Their statement read: “Dear colleagues, we would like to inform you that we have detected the possible sending of emails from one of our institutional accounts that were neither generated nor authorised by our team.

“Given this situation, and while we conduct the corresponding verifications with the IT department, we would like to inform you that…We ask that you disregard any messages you have recently received from our account that seem unusual..”, reports the Mirror.

“There is a possibility that our account has been the subject of unauthorised access, so we are working to clarify what happened and take the necessary security measures. Our systems have the corresponding security and safeguards in place.

“Thank you very much for your attention and cooperation.”

The Pharaohs found themselves on the wrong end of a dramatic World Cup turnaround as Lionel Messi spearheaded a second-half revival to keep their hopes of retaining their title intact.

Mohamed Salah and his teammates established a two-goal advantage and appeared poised to shock the world champions, only for Messi to both score and provide an assist in a 3-2 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s team.

The fixture was overshadowed, however, by furious reactions from the Egyptian camp, who felt aggrieved by officiating decisions.

Ziko’s potential second goal was disallowed due to an infringement in the build-up, while Salah was refused a penalty during the sequence of play that led to Enzo Fernandez’s decisive strike.

Meanwhile, the contents mirrored grievances and criticisms voiced by manager Hossam Hassan and Mostafa Ziko. The criticisms, however, were met with a resolute response from FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina.

The former World Cup final referee came to the defence of his fellow officials in the face of mounting criticism. He said: “Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport. Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials.”

The Colt family, found living in a makeshift camp in an isolated farming valley in Australia, kept 38 blood relatives in squalor — with children so severely affected by inbreeding they were unable to speak or see

The discovery of a horrific incest cult hidden within a family home sent shockwaves through those who uncovered the harrowing situation.

A deeply disturbing incestring, started by two great-great grandparents in a remote farming valley, was brought to light after avoiding any intervention for years.

Their descendants were found to be severely disabled and unable to speak or see as a result of relentless inbreeding. Social services were horrified when they found 38 people living in squalor, all related.

The children, subjected to extreme abuse, were so severely disabled that they were unable to talk. After being placed in foster care, their adoptive families noticed deeply troubling sexualised behaviour.

In a disturbing development, one of the parents subsequently shared a post on Facebook with the sickening caption “Love Makes a Family”, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.

The ordeal for the Colts, a pseudonym assigned by the court, began with June and Tim’s marriage in New Zealand in 1966 before they relocated to Australia. The couple had seven children, with Martha being the youngest.

Each of the 38 children within the group endured prolonged sexual abuse at the hands of siblings, cousins, fathers, an uncle, and a grandfather, spanning four generations. The Colt family first came under official scrutiny in June 2010.

Over the subsequent two years, authorities filed seven “risk of significant harm reports” centred primarily around neglect, medical neglect, and truancy concerns.

In 2010, social services finally gained access to the makeshift camp where the family lived. The site lacked even the most basic amenities, including running water and toilets.

The children were unable to comb their hair, had no knowledge of how to use toilet paper, couldn’t brush their teeth, and ate with their hands.

The caravan’s cooking area was caked in grime, vegetables were left to rot in the fridge, and the bed sheets appeared to be heavily stained with dirt. A kangaroo was discovered sleeping on one of the children’s beds.

Many of the children displayed visible physical deformities, with misaligned eyes, low-set ears, and appearances suggesting they were decades older than their true age. Only Rhonda’s five year old daughter was found not to have been fathered by a blood relative.

All remaining children were the products of incest.

Despite genetic testing proving to the contrary, Betty, Martha, and Raylene all continue to deny that their children are the result of incest.

Three of the girls, aged seven, eight, and nine, claimed their uncle, Charlie Colt, who lived on the property when the children were removed, was also their father. The nine-year-old also alleged that Charlie Colt had had sexual relations with her.

It is believed the family patriarch, Timothy Colt, who died in 2009, fathered children with both one of his daughters and one of his granddaughters.

Five of the boys who were removed also confessed to torturing animals on the farm, including puppies and cats, and admitted to mutilating the genitals of animals.

Initially, the family complied with a request from social services in June 2012 to improve their living conditions, but by July, police were forced to remove 12 children, all cousins aged between five and 15 years, after it was established they were at risk of harm if they remained at the property.

The children who were taken into care will remain there until they reach 18. The case came to public attention when the children’s court of New South Wales opted to make its ruling public.

In 2021, during the trials of other Colt family members, evidence emerged suggesting that Martha’s father, Tim Colt, may also be the father of his daughter Betty’s 13 children.

Martha, who was known to share a “marital bed” with her brother Charlie, had five children with him. Her trial heard that her children were likely fathered by Charlie, her own father Tim, and another brother.

Three family members, Roderick, Martha, and Derek Colt, filed intentions to appeal in 2020, but these have since lapsed. Of the 80 original charges against eight Colts – which included incest, child sexual abuse, indecency against a child, and perjury – many were subsequently dropped.

Charlie Colt, who initially faced 27 charges, was cleared of two counts and acquitted, with the remaining charges subsequently dropped. His brother Roderick, however, was convicted of raping his niece and half-sister Petra.

During the trial, it emerged Petra was in fact his half-sister, having been born to Roderick’s sister Betty and their father Tim.

Despite all eight family members being remanded following their arrest in 2018, only four have received custodial sentences.

Martha, along with her elder sisters Betty and Rhonda, and Betty’s daughter Raylene, faced charges for lying about the paternity of their children. In a 2018 Facebook post, Betty Colt shared a photograph of herself with two female relatives, bearing the caption “Love Makes a Family”.

Rhonda received a 14-month intensive corrections order (ICO) for perjury, which concluded in 2021. Raylene was likewise handed a 16-month ICO for perjury, which also came to an end in 2021.

Betty was found guilty on four counts of perjury, one count of lying under oath, and one count of perverting the course of justice, resulting in a 14-month prison term.

Her maximum sentence of two years and four months is due to expire in August. Martha, the youngest of the sisters, admitted to five counts of perjury and one count of making a false statement under oath.

Widdecombe’s political career spanned decades – she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.

Following news of the police investigation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “shocking news” and his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family “at this awful time”.

He said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, “to urge everybody to come together”.

Badenoch said she was “stunned” and “really struggled to find the words”. She added: “My heart is breaking for her family.”

Likely incoming prime minister Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe’s family, and said: “Ann gave a lifetime of public service.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public “to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress”.

In a post on X, she said the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death were “extremely distressing”, adding that her “thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones”.

1. Screen time (phone use, tablet use, etc.)

PixelsEffect via Getty Images

Get ‘curious’ before implementing boundaries that make sense for your teen

2. Chores

Figure out ways to add flexibility to the standard chore requests

3. Homework and grades

Letting kids experience consequences for their choices is important. But check in on the deeper issues, too.

Yes, parent-teen fights are common, but they can be healthy, too!