In a victory for nature, more than 2,300 miles of waterways were reconnected in Europe last year, as a record number of dams were removed across the continent.  

A new report by Dam Removal Europe, an environmental group, found that 603 river barriers were taken down across the continent last year – up significantly on the 542 removed in 2024. Sweden led the way, with 173 removals, followed by Finland (143) and Spain (109). Iceland and Macedonia, meanwhile, pulled down their first river barriers.

According to the report, the record breaking year saw Europe’s dam busters reconnect around 2,300 miles of waterways in 2025, improving river habitats and reopening migratory routes for fish. 

Biodiversity gains have already been reported in some places, including along the River Lee in north Wales (pictured), where sightings of sea lamprey nests have surged since Eribstock Weir was removed. 

“Seeing these [nests] is genuinely exciting,” said Joel Rees-Jones, who led the project. “By reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like Erbistock Weir, we’re giving iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance to thrive.”  

However, obstacles remain. “With more than 150,000 obsolete barriers fragmenting European rivers, there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Dam Removal Europe. “But momentum is really building.” 

Image: Christian Björling

Charles Hanson, star of Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip, is coming to Helmsley as part of his UK-wide valuation day tours.

The 48-year-old is based at Hansons Auctioneers’ HQ at Etwall, near Derby – one of 11 salerooms across the country.

He also the host of the new TV show called Secrets of the Auction House, which sees Charles and his team unearth forgotten antiques around the UK.

Charles said he believed the historic Ryedale area – famed for its country houses, farming heritage and generations of family ownership – could produce some fascinating discoveries.

He said: “Helmsley is exactly the sort of place where exciting antiques can still emerge. Across North Yorkshire you find wonderful country house pieces, traditional oak and pine furniture, silver, clocks, militaria and agricultural bygones tucked away in family homes.

“With beautiful historic estates nearby and such a strong heritage culture in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we uncover one or two real surprises.”

Charles added: “But we’re not just looking for local antiques. With the price of gold the highest it has been since the 1970s, jewellery tucked away in trinket boxes is currently making huge amounts.

“When people bring in what they think are worthless bits of costume jewellery their jaws drop when I tell them that it could be worth thousands. “I always say every house has one great valuable squirrelled away and nothing gives me more pleasure than unearthing them.”

Charles said: “No appointment is necessary, just turn up with your hidden treasures and, who knows, you could discover you are sitting on a goldmine.”

” At one walk-in valuation in Birmingham a blue and white Chinese pot, known to the family simply as “Aunt Beryl’s vase”, went on to sell for £800,000.”

Members of the public are invited to take their treasures for expert advice and free auction valuations to Helmsley Arts Centre on June 16, from 11am to 1pm.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to consign items for future Hanson’s auctions.

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Asked about recent criticism of the UK’s diminished capabilities by the former defence secretary, Lord Robertson, and whether the government is willing to give the military the extra funding it has said it needs, Sir Richard said he was confident ministers are aware of the threats and are increasing spending.

The exercise, held at Catterick Garrison, involved soldiers from 11 EOD and Search Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and was designed to prepare them for the demands of modern conflict in urban environments.

Major Matthew Coleman, officer commanding, said: “Today is bringing us back to basics from our normal day job.

“Today is hugely important, the junior and senior members of the team are all working together and preparing themselves for what they would need to do in a real-life urban warfare situation.”

The training focused on squadron-level individual training requirements, including blank firing and building clearance drills.

Designed to ensure operational readiness and reinforce team cohesion, the exercise marked a return to core soldiering skills for a regiment best known for its specialist EOD expertise.

The regiment is made up of around 650 personnel, including ammunition technicians, Royal Signals specialists, Royal Engineers search teams, and intelligence operators.

The exercise assessed individual performance, team integration, and command and control under pressure.

Lance Corporal James Tunstall, who recently qualified as an instructor, said: “Today is about training the troop in urban tactics, making sure we’re all fully trained and everyone has an awareness of what urban training is.

“Learning it is very different to teaching it.

“Personally instructing is a lot more difficult.

“Today has given me the knowledge that I need to learn the drills better in order to know how to instruct them better.

“It benefits the whole team to try and work together in close proximity – it’s definitely beneficial to the whole team and individually too.”

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Lance Corporal Caitlin Donohue, an ammunition technician who joined the unit two weeks ago, described the experience as challenging but valuable.

She said: “It’s very daunting.

“Urban training is a completely new environment for me, it’s really interesting and fun to be a part of.

“I would definitely feel 100% more comfortable going into a real-life situation because of this exercise and training.”

The regiment operates across the UK and on overseas deployments.

For the men who delivered England’s greatest footballing triumph, glory came at a cost.

The Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup win against West Germany was an iconic moment. The match brought joy to millions, ignited chaotic street parties all over the nation and gave birth to the legendary phrase; “They think it’s all over – it is now.”

But following that historic victory, several members of the 1966 World Cup team, including Martin Peters, Ray Wilson, and Nobby Stiles, passed away from dementia. Jack and Bobby Charlton also suffered from the disease before their deaths.

We can never know for certain how much heading the ball can be blamed for these diagnoses.

60 years since England won the World Cup, Channel 4 will show the historic match in full technicolour glory on Saturday, to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Society and the work the charity does to help over 100,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Sir Geoff Hurst will introduce the broadcast, alongside comedian David Baddiel.

A prominent advocate for dementia research, Sir Geoff has pledged to posthumously donate his brain to medical science to help researchers study the impact of heading footballs, and he has strongly supported a ban on children heading the ball.

In the programme he pays tribute to his teammates lost to the disease and meets meets Adron, who attended the 1966 World Cup Final, and now lives with dementia.

Lifelong England fan David Baddiel, who co-wrote football anthem ‘Three Lions’, is also an advocate for neurological research after losing his own father, Colin, to Pick’s disease, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. 

Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Sport, Joe Blake Turner, says, ‘As we approach a World Cup summer, there’s no better time to relive England’s one and only victory with this special broadcast that will also raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Society.’

Highlights of the match will include extra time, a controversial goal, the crowd running onto the pitch and Queen Elizabeth II presenting England’s captain, Bobby Moore, with the golden Jules Rimet trophy. Older fans will remember the moment he wiped his muddy hands on the velvet balustrade of the Royal Box so he wouldn’t get her white gloves dirty.

As well as featuring England captain Harry Kane and other England stars, the programme will include calls to action on dementia and encourage the audience to donate to Alzheimer’s Society.

The number of viewers on Saturday evening is predicted to exceed that of the live broadcast itself.

’60 years ago, 32 million people, the largest ever audience in UK history, watched England win the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final in black and white,’ says Neil Canetty-Clarke, the Executive Producer.

‘We hope millions more will watch it in colour on Channel 4 on June 6 to celebrate the anniversary and support Alzheimer’s Society.’

The programme will be produced by Whisper and Final Replay. Anton Sensky, the Producer and Director for Whisper, says the project is a ‘deeply personal’ mission.

‘As primary carer for my mother, it was both emotional and cathartic to share this journey with David Baddiel, Sir Geoff Hurst and the Alzheimer’s Society,’ he reflects.

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, adds:’It’s heartbreaking that many former players – and indeed fans – of the legendary 1966 World Cup team have been affected by dementia.

‘Their stories are a powerful reminder of why we must keep raising awareness and the funds needed to support people living with this devastating condition today while also working towards a better future.’

The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final In Colour, in partnership with SunLife, will air on Channel 4 at 4.45pm and Channel 4 Streaming on Saturday June 6.

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Some PIP claimants with stable or severe conditions will face reviews only every four or six years under updated award guidance, the DWP has confirmed

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that certain individuals receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may only undergo reviews every four or six years following revised award guidance.

The modification was flagged by welfare rights website Rightsnet, which reports that the DWP stated new standard review periods will be “operationalised” as four and six year awards in practice. The DWP also clarified that extended review intervals are designed to function as minimum periods rather than fixed standards, meaning awards can still be adapted to individual circumstances.

Crucially for numerous long-term claimants, the Department also confirmed that 10-year ‘light touch’ awards will remain in place for individuals with the most severe or stable conditions, reports the Daily Record.

Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review

A ‘light touch’ review is typically granted to claimants who have:

• Very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
• High level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
• A planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
• A special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age

PIP is a disability benefit paid to more than 3.9 million individuals across England and Wales who require assistance with daily living activities or mobility requirements due to a long-term health condition or disability.

It’s vital to note that the benefit has been superseded in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, which is managed by Social Security Scotland.

Existing DWP guidance already indicates that ‘light touch’ reviews are reserved for claimants with severe conditions or those whose needs are unlikely to change. The revised clarification is likely to provide comfort for numerous disabled individuals who are concerned about regular reassessments and repetitive paperwork.

Within the existing framework, PIP awards can differ considerably in duration based on a claimant’s medical condition and whether their situation is anticipated to alter.

According to PIP guidance on GOV.UK, awards undergo regular reviews to ensure claimants continue to receive appropriate levels of support.

Nevertheless, campaigners and welfare advisers have consistently maintained that individuals with lifelong or degenerative conditions should not be subjected to needless reassessments.

Rightsnet reports that the DWP’s clarification confirms extended review periods will remain integral to the department’s strategy for those with more stable medical conditions.

The UK Government had previously set out proposals for extended PIP award review periods as part of broader disability benefit reforms, though the most recent clarification offers greater insight into how the modifications are anticipated to operate practically.

The announcement arrives as the UK Government pursues wider reforms to disability benefits and assessments.

Individuals currently in receipt of PIP need not contact the DWP unless instructed to do so or their circumstances alter.

Claimants in Scotland already receiving Adult Disability Payment undergo assessment through a distinct system operated by Social Security Scotland, which has prioritised minimising unnecessary reviews for individuals with lifelong conditions.

The motorway will be shut from junction 53 at Scotch Corner to junction 56 at Barton Junction for road marking renewal works.

Starting on June 29, the closures will take place from 8pm to 6am.

The affected area on the northbound carriageway stretches 3,697 metres from the exit slip road at junction 53 to the entry slip road at junction 56.

The southbound carriageway will also be closed from the exit slip road at junction 56 to the entry slip road at junction 53, covering a distance of 3,659 metres.

Additionally, the northbound entry and southbound exit slip roads at junction 53 and the northbound exit and southbound entry slip roads at junction 56 will be closed.

For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal – Public Notices from The Northern Echo ( publicnoticeportal.uk). 

Alternative routes will be clearly marked for drivers.

The closures will not affect emergency service vehicles or those involved in the works.

The order for these closures will come into force on June 28 and can last for up to 18 months, though the current plan is for the works to finish by July 20.

For more information, contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk.

The witness said his partner had “gone into detail”, stating that Donaldson had inappropriately touched her “on a number of occasions” and that he kissed her and “put his tongue down her mouth”.

A man became emotional as he told a court of the moment his wife revealed to him alleged sexual abuse by former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson when she was a child.

The witness said his wife was scared as she told him about the alleged incidents and he realised “this was massive for her”.

Newry Crown Court also heard about a message sent by Jeffrey Donaldson to a church minister who had been providing pastoral support to the couple stating he just wanted to “find a way to say how sorry I am”.

Ex-MP Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.

Complainant A and B have both previously given evidence at the sexual offences trial.

Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts.

On Thursday, the court heard evidence from the husband of Complainant A.

Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC asked him about the first time the woman told him about allegations of abuse in 2019.

He became emotional as he told the court: “She said that when she was younger, Jeffrey had abused her on a number of occasions.”

The witness said his partner had “gone into detail”, stating that Donaldson had inappropriately touched her “on a number of occasions” and that he kissed her and “put his tongue down her mouth”.

He said she also told him about an alleged incident where she was “woken by a light” and Donaldson was looking at her “private parts”.

He told the court that woman had related another alleged incident to him when “Eleanor had walked in and saw something happen”.

He said: “I was very upset, she was slightly surprised by how upset I was.

“She was scared, she had never told anyone this, I recognised this was massive for her.”

The witness was cross-examined by Jeffrey Donaldson’s barrister Kieran Vaughan and Eleanor Donaldson’s barrister, Ian Turkington KC.

Later the court heard evidence from a Presbyterian minister and his wife who had provided “pastoral support” to Complainant A and her husband after they had disclosed an allegation of abuse.

He said he had contacted the church’s head of safeguarding as he “wanted to know what the boundaries were regarding our responsibilities”.

He said the first meeting took place in 2022.

The witness said when he was on holiday in the summer of 2023 he received a message from Jeffrey Donaldson.

The court heard that Donaldson asked for the message to be kept “in confidence” and said he did not know “where else to turn and would truly appreciate the opportunity for a private conversation”.

The minister said he responded the following day that it would be “inappropriate” to have the meeting.

The court heard that Donaldson then sent a reply which said: “I do understand entirely. I don’t want to cause them further upset.

“I just want to find a way to say how sorry I am and repent before them as I have before the Lord.”

The message added: “I will leave it to the Lord and trust that he will find a way.”

The witness said he did not respond to the message and informed Complainant A and her husband.

He told the court: “I did not want to give any impression I was communicating outside of this arrangement behind their back.”

The case will continue on Friday.

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Hunter Bell’s win was an early statement performance in a season that features a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and European Championships in Birmingham.

The 32-year-old, who won world outdoor 800m silver ahead of Hodgkinson in Tokyo last September, has now returned to the longer distance where she took a remarkable Olympic bronze in 2024.

Faced with a last lap kick from Nikki Hiltz, Hunter Bell moved up alongside the American before going ahead to take the win in her outdoor season debut.

“I felt really happy to come away with the win. The first race of the season is very tough because you don’t know where you are,” Hunter Bell told BBC Sport.

“It’s a big improvement from the 4:00 dead I opened up with last year, which was an improvement from 2024, so all boding well.”

Fellow Britons Jemma Reekie, who pushed to near the front of the field briefly on the approach to the final lap, and Laura Muir finished 11th and 14th with times of 4:05.39 and 4:10.54 respectively.

Hodgkinson, also entering a first race outdoors this year, improved her personal best by 0.47 seconds in the 400m, where she was looking to demonstrate her one-lap potential following a speed-focused training block.

Norway’s Henriette Jaeger won the event in 49.60 seconds, in a field which featured six athletes who had gone sub-50.

Hodgkinson, 24, will now return to the 800m, the distance at which she set a world indoor record in her title win this year and took Olympic gold in Paris.

She will race in Stockholm on Sunday and on consecutive July weekends in Eugene and London, with her intention to topple Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova’s world outdoor record which has stood for 43 years.