A LABOUR government throws Putin money for fossil fuels so he can continue his war in Ukraine.

The Tory/Reform response? Predictably, they happy-hug Trump’s doomsday ‘Drill baby Drill’ philosophy. Forget carbon emissions. Savour those sweet exhaust fumes!

Ed Miliband, to his credit, is working to expand renewables, reduce UK dependence on foreign oil, and improve energy security. Why is his own government not working with him?

Fossil fuels cost us all a fortune. The OECD found £26.7 billion in UK fossil subsidies and support in 2023, including £14 billion for gas. The IMF identified £13.7 billion in “explicit” UK fossil fuel subsidies in 2022, relating to undercharging for fossil fuel supply cost, especially gas.

Those figures don’t include the health impacts or environmental costs: pollution, habitat loss, acid rain, climate change.

And, to cap it all … the government fails to use off-peak off-shore wind power. Last year wind power companies received £350 million to switch off their turbines at night (instead of storing the energy for the next day), and gas companies received £1 billion to produce the electricity that could have come free overnight from the wind turbines.

It’s madness. Coherent policy and action please!

Christian Vassie

Blake Court,

Wheldrake, York

…LOYALTY to one’s nation within the Labour Party appears to be in very short supply, particularly from those in charge.

Accepting we require a constant supply of oil to exist, they prefer to accept this necessity from Russia when abundant resources are available from our own off shore oil fields, this makes no logical sense whatsoever unless you secretly prefer Kremlin’s ideology to ours.

Peter Rickaby,

Moat Way,

Brayton

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Jones had not managed to win in six first-round appearances across the four Grand Slams – although this was her first main-draw match at Roland Garros.

She is unique among British players in that she grew up playing on clay, having left Bradford aged 10 to move to Barcelona, and has achieved her greatest successes on the surface.

But her 2026 season has been heavily disrupted by physical issues. Forced to retire from her opening match at the Australian Open in January because of a torn muscle in her hip, Jones suffered her gym accident just as she neared a return to full fitness.

“Physically I was very lucky to come out of it the way that I did,” Jones told BBC Sport before the tournament.

“The hospital said to me I was lucky not to be in surgery or have a brain bleed with the way it happened.”

The 25-year-old was taken to hospital with a wound on her head and later began suffering from headaches and dizziness – symptoms consistent with concussion.

But Jones said the emotional toll was just as impactful as the physical damage.

“It’s been such a stop-start year, two steps forward, two steps back,” she said.

“For someone with my character, if I feel unproductive it’s a huge difficulty for me.”

Reform UK would “clamp down” on any abuse of a proposed £5 billion tax break for workers doing extra hours, Robert Jenrick has said. The “hard work bonus” would create a tax-free allowance for overtime above a 40-hour week for workers earning less than £75,000.

Reform leader Nigel Farage said the plan would “restore the appeal of a strong work culture”, with overtime becoming tax-free for 90% of employees. The party said it could meet the expected £5 billion annual cost of the policy through a £40 billion package of cuts and savings.

Reform has aimed the plan at attracting more voters in Labour’s former industrial heartlands as it seeks to prevent Burnham from winning the Makerfield by-election.

It said a warehouse worker at the South Lancashire Industrial Estate in the seat working six hours of overtime a week would be £700 a year better off as a result of the tax break.

A Band 3 prison officer at HMP Hindley in the constituency working eight hours of overtime a week could be £1,300 better off, Reform added.

An easyJet flight from the Isle of Man to Liverpool was forced to declare a mid-air emergency and divert to Manchester Airport following an aborted landing sequence

Passengers on an easyJet flight were left stunned yesterday when they were informed mid-air that they would be touching down at a different airport after the crew declared an emergency.

The service from the Isle of Man to Liverpool was compelled to declare the emergency and reroute to Manchester Airport after an attempted landing was abandoned.

Flight tracking information for easyJet flight U251 revealed the aircraft had left the Isle of Man roughly an hour before the incident occurred. Problems began as the plane approached its scheduled destination of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

During the landing attempt at Liverpool, the flight crew performed a “go-around” after discovering an aircraft obstructing the runway at Liverpool airport.

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A go-around refers to an aborted landing manoeuvre carried out by an aircraft on final approach or after touchdown. It can be initiated by the pilot or requested by air traffic control for various reasons, including an unstabilised approach or runway obstruction, reports the Mirror.

Following the unsuccessful landing, the Airbus A319 entered a holding pattern, circling at 6,000 feet just beyond Liverpool. Shortly afterwards, the crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 code through the aircraft’s transponder, the international signal denoting a general airborne emergency, according to AirLive.net. Following the emergency alert, the aircraft was prioritised by air traffic controllers, who provided directions to guide the plane away from Liverpool and towards Manchester Airport, which boasts longer runways and superior emergency response capabilities.

At Manchester Airport, emergency response teams and fire services were placed on standby to meet the twin-engine aircraft when it landed, which is standard procedure for all unplanned emergency arrivals. As of 4.05pm yesterday, the flight was confirmed to have landed safely at Manchester.

easyJet has been approached for a comment.

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The potential development would see up to 65 new homes, public open space and recreational facilities built

A developer is hoping to build up to 65 homes in a Cambridgeshire village. Gladman Developments plans to submit a planning application for the development of land off Balsham Road in Linton.

A formal planning application has not yet been submitted. Outline planning permission will be sought for the development for approximately 65 new homes, public open space, and recreational facilities.

Of the new homes, 40 per cent would be offered as affordable housing, according to the developer. The development would also see an introduction of new habitats on site through wildlife planting, new trees, and hedgerows.

Gladman Developments says that local businesses would benefit from the additional custom that the development would generate. The proposal would provide on site job opportunities for around 20 people through construction, as well as 26 support jobs in associated industries.

This new development idea comes after similar recent proposals for the village including to build up to 75 homes on land off Back Road. These two roads are just a two-minute drive away from one another.

This outline planning permission, sought by Gladman Developments, for up to 75 homes on land off Back Road, has faced backlash from people living near to the proposed site. Concerns were raised about the “long term harm” the new homes could have on “road safety, local services, and the existing community”.

Another planning application recently submitted by Endurance Estates would see up to 100 new homes built on land south of Horseheath Road if approved. Horseheath Road is just over 11 minutes away from Balsham Road on foot.

Gladman said: “The delivery of housing on Land off Balsham Road, Linton responds to the acute need for housing within South Cambridgeshire. The delivery of up to 65 homes would help the council meet this need.”

Arteta has already said that he wants “to have the parade with two big trophies” as he sets out to win the Champions League for the first time in Arsenal‘s history.

Arsenal backed Arteta with around £250m of spending last summer as they looked to increase the quality and depth of their squad and they brought in players like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, who were categorised as ‘win now’ signings.

Arteta wants to build a legacy of sustained success at the Gunners and once the Champions League final is over, focus will move to tying him down to a new contract.

Initial talks have been had and will increase in pace as all parties work to have the new contract sorted before next season.

The Gunners are going to invest again in the transfer market this summer with co-chair Josh Kroenke already saying that Arteta is going to backed.

“If anyone deserves this, it’s this group.” Kroenke said to Sky Sports after the Arsenal trophy lift.

“[We are invested] emotionally, financially, everything. This club means the world to us.

“I think it took some people a few years to realise what that really meant but we have great people, players and coaches. We just have to continue providing the resources to do magical things like they did this season.

Arsenal‘s football leadership, with Josh Kroenke, CEO Richard Garlick, director of football operations James King and sporting director Andrea Berta alongside Arteta, are looking to recruit a midfielder, left-winger and striker. However, some money will have to be recouped too after last year’s big spending.

And with success secured, his level of influence and the transformation complete, now could be the time for Arteta to develop Arsenal into serial winners.

CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, has reported that US intelligence believes Iran’s supreme leader – who was injured in an Israeli strike on the first day of the war – is holed up in an undisclosed location, making communication with his envoys difficult and therefore delaying pace of talks with the US.

Ripon Theatre Festival returns with its Big Family Weekend, from July 11 t0 12, supported by Visit North Yorkshire, part of North Yorkshire Council.

The event promises a colourful blend of street theatre, live performances, music, and hands-on activities that will fill the city centre.

Ripon Theatre Festival is set to return with its Big Family Weekend, offering a packed programme of free family entertainment across the city this summer. (Image: Supplied)

The festival’s central locations mean most events are within easy walking distance, making it simple for families to move between performances and make the most of their time.

Festival Director Katie Scott said: “The Big Family Weekend is always a highlight – it’s full of colour, energy and things to see and do. We’re encouraging people to stay over, take their time and really enjoy what Ripon and North Yorkshire have to offer.”

Many events are free and un-ticketed, making it easy for families to dip in and out of the programme.

Cllr Mark Crane, executive member for open to business at North Yorkshire Council, said: “Events like the Ripon Theatre Festival’s Big Family Weekend are a powerful draw for visitors and play a key role in helping people fall in love with North Yorkshire.”

He said: “We’re delighted to support an event that not only encourages visitors to extend their stay but also gives residents the chance to enjoy high-quality experiences right on their doorstep.”

Most activities are within walking distance, allowing families to make the most of their time in Ripon.

Visitors can plan their weekend at ripontheatrefestival.org/big-family-weekend or pick up a printed Big Family Weekend leaflet from shops and the tourist information centre.

The initiative, delivered in schools and nurseries across Bolton, is designed to improve oral health from an early age and reduce health inequalities in communities most at risk of tooth decay.

The scheme is delivered by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by Bolton Council.

Lorna Dibnah, senior oral health practitioner at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “National Smile Month is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of good oral health from an early age.

The scheme has reached 80 schools and nurseries in the past year (Image: Supplied)

“By working closely with families, nurseries, schools and our public health partners, we are helping children across Bolton build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

“We are incredibly proud of the positive engagement we have seen so far through both our early assessment contacts and the supervised tooth brushing programme.”

To support children and families, public health nursing teams and family hub locality practitioners provide free toothbrushes, toothpaste and oral health advice during early assessment appointments.

Councillor Jackie Schofield, executive member for public health at Bolton Council, said: “Good oral hygiene in childhood is essential not only for healthy teeth and gums, but also for children’s confidence, wellbeing, speech development, and overall health.

“Tooth decay remains one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions among young children, despite being largely preventable.

“Through education, early support and community partnership working, Bolton is taking positive action to help every child achieve a healthier smile.”

The scheme has reached 80 schools and nurseries in the past year and forms part of a wider focus on prevention and early intervention.

During National Smile Month, families are encouraged to visit Bolton Council’s Family Hubs for additional support.

Throughout the month, oral health-themed ‘Chat, Play, and Read’ sessions will be held.

Free toothbrush packs will also be distributed at ‘Baby, Babble, and Bond’ groups during ‘Top Tips for Teething and Teeth week.’