Councillors said they ‘did not find credible’ the potential driver’s denial of the allegations

A man’s application for a taxi licence has been blocked because councillors were concerned about the the ‘risk to the travelling public’.

A meeting on Bolton council’s licensing committee considered a man’s application to drive a private hire vehicle. Recently published minutes of the meeting stated the committee had been made aware the applicant, who was not named, had been arrested on suspicion of serious, violent offences.

The report said: “The applicant was arrested in 2022 for a section 47 assault and non fatal strangulation following his wife’s complaint to the police. His wife subsequently wanted no action taken.

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“The committee found that on the balance of probabilities a serious incident did occur. The applicant denied the allegation which the committee did not find credible.”

The report said the committee was concerned at the risk to the travelling public and so found that there was reasonable cause to refuse to grant the application.

At the same meeting, held on January 6, a different taxi driver was handed an eight-week suspension after failing to report that he had been convicted of a mobile phone breach.

The published minutes read: “The driver had a conviction from December, 2024 for breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle mobile phones, which due to the six penalty points was treated as a major traffic offence under the council statement of fitness and suitability.

“Normally in such circumstances the licence would be revoked. The driver also breached the conditions of his licence by not reporting the above conviction on time and the committee also noted the driver’s previous attendance at this committee and a previous warning letter regarding breach of conditions.”

The licensing committee decided they had ‘reasonable cause to suspend the licence to drive a private hire vehicle for a period of eight weeks’. Neither of the individuals were named by the council in the published minutes.

‘We need to do better’

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has called on PM Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a dedicated ‘nighttime economy minister’ in Government.

Ms Rayner argued for the creation of the role ‘to champion the sector inside Government and ensure that the voices of small and medium businesses are heard loud and clear’, adding that ‘we need to do better’ in recognising the value of the industry.

The Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, speaking at an industry event in Liverpool on Thursday, said: “These places are part of our national story, and they deserve protection, recognition and support, and that is why I would support the Government in having a named minister with responsibility for the nighttime economy to champion the sector inside Government and ensure that the voices of small and medium businesses are heard loud and clear.”

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She said other countries ‘have led the way on this’ and the UK should give its nighttime economy and its hundreds of thousands of businesses a ‘true champion on the national stage’.

“I see the best of this sector close up, the venues in this room, the spaces you represent are extraordinary,” Ms Rayner said. “They command global respect. They drive the visitor economy. They make the UK a cultural and social powerhouse that is envied worldwide.”

Ms Rayner said the Government must listen to the struggling hospitality sector and recognise its ‘value not just in rhetoric, but in policy’.

Speaking at Liverpool’s Night Time Economy Summit, she added: “If we’re serious about recovery, then we must fuel the recovery of them (businesses). That means recognising the value not just in rhetoric, but in policy. And this is where we must be candid.

“There is, without doubt, a clear divide between policy that truly understands the night time economy and policy that simply applies a one-size-fits-all approach. Too often, policy is done to this sector, not with it. And I recognise clearly and openly that more needs to be done to engage the industry directly and consistently and respectfully, to listen, to co-design, to recognise expertise where it exists.

“Because confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe that they will be treated fairly, that the rules won’t shift without warning, that the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again.”

Rory Copeland appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (February 11), where he was issued with a criminal behaviour order (CBO).

The two-year order means the 22-year-old, of no fixed abode, cannot enter B&M, Aldi, Morrisons or Tesco in Consett.

He also must not remain on any retail premises when asked to leave by a member of staff.

In December last year, Copeland was jailed for 28 weeks after admitting 22 counts of shoplifting in Consett.

Consett Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Liddell said: “Retailers have been blighted by Copeland’s behaviour for some time now, so I hope this result demonstrates that we are working to address shoplifting and prevent further offending from these individuals.

“We will never stop targeting shoplifters who bring harm to our communities with their offending.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to criminals to think twice before committing crime in our town – you will not get away with it.”

A ceremony was held at the site on Monday, February 9 to mark the commencement of the improvements.

South Ayrshire Council has this week announced that works on the upgrade and extension of Troon Leisure Club are underway.

A ceremony was held at the site on Monday, February 9 to mark the commencement of these improvements.

The makeover will combine retained refurbished and new-build elements to provide:

* A new fitness gym and multi-functional studio

* New building frontage, entrance, reception, and circulation area

* A refurbished wet changing area

* A new dry changing area

* New baby change facilities, accessible changing, and toilet provision and:

* Alterations to external parking, access and landscaping arrangements.

The project is on track for completion in the Spring of 2027.

South Ayrshire Council’s Depute Leader and Policy Lead for Commercial/Operational Services, Councillor Alec Clark, said: “I’m pleased that works to modernise and expand Troon Leisure Centre are underway.

“This is the latest in a series of upgrades we’re making across our Sport and Leisure facilities in South Ayrshire, showing our commitment to investing in and improving our services.”

South Ayrshire Council’s Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: “This leisure facility is at the heart of the Troon community, so it’s exciting to announce that works are progressing. The new and improved Club will offer even more opportunities for Troon locals and visitors to improve their health and wellbeing.”

South Ayrshire Council’s Policy Lead for Housing and Property Services, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to mark this milestone in the delivery of the Troon Leisure Club project. The investment in a facility that is modern, efficient, sustainable and fit for purpose is part of wider improvements across our Sport and Leisure provision.”

Jo Cameron, Alliance Delivery Manager, said: “By working with trusted, Scotland-based partners, we’re ensuring the Troon Leisure Club upgrade is delivered with local insight and expertise. Together, we’re creating a sustainable, future-ready facility that supports health, wellbeing and social connection across the whole community, and we’re really pleased to see work underway.”

Frank Foy, Project Director at Thomas Johnstone Ltd., said: “This project brings together a strong team with a shared focus on quality, coordination and long-term value. As works get underway, our role as main contractor draws on our specialist experience in delivering building extensions and refurbishments within live environments.

“We’re pleased to be working closely with Alliance Leisure once again, alongside South Ayrshire Council, to deliver a well-considered solution for the local community.”

The local authority has launched a dedicated microsite for the Troon Leisure Club project to keep everyone up to date with the progression of works and give details on how to access their Sport and Leisure services during the closure. Visit https://troon-leisure-redevelopment.co.uk/ for more details.

Services running between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport are not able to run due to the failure, according to Northern.

The train company says that services running between the stations “will be cancelled or delayed”, with disruption expected until 2.30pm.

Services between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport, a line which passes through Bolton, are said to be affected, alongside multiple other lines.

Network Rail Manchester Piccadilly says: “Disruption between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

“There is a problem with the points, which allow trains to move across lines of track. We’re on site to investigate and resolve the issue.”

Northern says you can travel on the following train operators and routes at no extra cost:

⚠️Disruption between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport⚠️

There is a problem with the points, which allow trains to move across lines of track.

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We’re on site to investigate and resolve the issue.

Please check @nationalrailenq for travel updates.

— Manchester Piccadilly (@NetworkRailMAN) February 12, 2026

Manchester Metrolink services between Manchester Stations and Manchester Airport.

Manchester Metrolink services between Manchester Stations and East Didsbury.

Transport for Greater Manchester 42 and 142 bus services between Manchester City Centre and East Didsbury.

Transport for Greater Manchester 42C bus services between Manchester City Centre and Heald Green.

Transport for Greater Manchester 43 and 103 bus services between Manchester City Centre and Manchester Airport.

Transport for Greater Manchester 50 bus services between Manchester City Centre and Burnage/Mauldeth Road.

Transport for Greater Manchester 11 service between Stockport and Gatley.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities in overnight attacks, officials reported on Thursday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow was “hesitating” about another round of U.S.-brokered talks on stopping the fighting.

Washington has proposed further negotiations next week between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Miami or Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, which was the location of the last meeting, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

Ukraine “immediately confirmed” it would attend, he said. “So far, as I understand it, Russia is hesitating,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a messaging app interview late Wednesday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that another round of talks was expected “soon” but gave no further details.

American officials made no comment on the possibility of further talks as part of a yearlong peace effort by the Trump administration. Zelenskyy said last week that the United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal.

But with Russia’s invasion of its neighbor marking its fourth anniversary later this month, disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over key issues have held up a comprehensive settlement. The issues include who keeps the Ukrainian land that Russia’s army has so far occupied, especially in the eastern Donbas industrial heartland, and Moscow’s demands for Kyiv to surrender more territory.

Ukraine wants Western-backed security guarantees, including a date for joining the European Union, and a postwar reconstruction package in place before it can contemplate signing a proposed 20-point settlement, Zelenskyy said.

Russia hammers civilian areas

Russia has meanwhile continued to pound Ukrainian civilian areas, including residential areas and the power grid, and Moscow has not responded to a U.S. proposal for an “energy ceasefire” that would also halt Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, Zelenskyy said.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Russia to stop hitting electricity infrastructure, reminding Moscow in a statement that targeting civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Russia fired 219 long-range strike drones, 24 ballistic missiles and a guided aircraft missile at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.

The main targets were the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, the second-largest city of Kharkiv, Dnipro in central Ukraine, and the southern port city of Odesa, the air force said — all cities that have come under relentless bombardment.

In Dnipro, Russian strikes injured four people, including a 4-year-old girl and a newborn boy, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha wrote on Telegram.

In Kyiv, several residential buildings were damaged, and two people were injured, according to the city administration.

In Odesa, one person was injured as a residential high-rise was partially destroyed and a market and a supermarket caught fire, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha wrote on Telegram.

Temperatures have moved above freezing point in Kyiv, but it is still bitterly cold in the city.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, said 2,600 buildings were left without heating after the Kyiv attack in addition to 1,100 buildings in the capital that already were without heating due to previous attacks.

In Odesa, nearly 300,000 residents were left without running water, Kuleba said, while in Dnipro the central heating system stopped working for some 10,000 people.

Ukraine strikes Russian oil and equipment

Ukraine has hit back at Russia with long-range strikes on military targets and oil refineries that generate a large slice of Russia’s income.

Ukraine’s General Staff said Thursday that one of its domestically produced, long-range “Flamingo” missiles hit one of the Russian military’s biggest storage sites for missiles, ammunition and explosives in the Volgograd region and caused major explosions.

Separately, Ukrainian forces also hit and started a fire at the Michurinsk Progress Plant in Russia’s Tambov region, a defense enterprise producing high-technology equipment for aviation and missile systems, the General Staff said.

Ukraine’s military also confirmed it damaged the Volgograd oil refinery in a strike the previous day.

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

The Manchester United co-owner said in an interview that ‘the UK had been colonised by immigrants’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said he is ‘sorry if his choice of language offended anyone’ following his claim that the UK has been colonised by immigrants‘.

The Manchester United co-owner made the comments in an interview with Sky News. The billionaire, who is founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, said that politicians needed to ‘do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track’.

He has now apologised following backlash over his comments stating he was ‘sorry’ over his choice of language. Sir Jim said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe.”

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He added: “It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.”

Sir Jim went on: “My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK. My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

The Football Association will examine whether Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial comments about immigrants have brought the game into disrepute, it is understood.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday night described the comments as ‘offensive and wrong’ – and called on him to apologise.

And Andy Burnham, who is part of a group of local officials working with Ratcliffe and United on the regeneration of the Old Trafford area and stadium, said: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.

“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing, portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory and should be withdrawn.

“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.

“We appreciate their contribution as a city region famous for the warmth of our welcome.”

In what appeared to be criticism of the Glazer family who hold a majority stake in United, Burnham added: “If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”

Trafford Council leader Tom Ross said: “These comments are wrong and they need to be withdrawn. Trafford has a proud history of being a welcoming, tolerant and diverse borough. People have always come here for opportunity, safety and community. We embrace and celebrate that reputation.

“People from many different backgrounds also work with the Council and our partners to help us deliver vital services for everyone in Trafford including in our care homes and schools.

“Manchester United draws fans and players from across the world and they too play an important role in the life of our borough.We need everyone to continue to work together to make sure we remain a welcoming borough for everyone who lives, works and visits Trafford.”

Dozens of people have been killed and thousands displaced after a cyclone hit Madagascar with gusts of up to 167mph.

The trail of destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Gezani has caused at least 31 deaths, the country’s disaster management office said.

Four others are missing, 36 are seriously injured, and 6,870 are displaced, with more than 250,000 people classified as disaster victims in total, officials said.

At its peak, the cyclone unleashed gusts of up to 167mph (270kph) – enough to tear metal sheeting from roofs and uproot large trees – with sustained winds of 115mph (185kph).

It comes just days after another cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Fytia, wrought havoc in Madagascar, killing 14 people and displacing 85,000 more.

Toamasina, the island nation’s second-largest city, was the hardest hit by Gezani, with 29 people killed as homes collapsed beneath the onslaught.

All told, 75% of the city’s infrastructure was destroyed, according to the office of President Michael Randrianirina. Power has been cut off since Tuesday.

“I have never experienced winds this violent,” said resident Harimanga Ranaivo. “The doors and windows are made of metal, but they are being violently shaken.”

Another resident, who gave his name only as Michel, described the scene as “devastation” when reached by phone.

He said: “Roofs have been blown away, walls have collapsed, power poles are down, trees have been uprooted. It looks like a catastrophic landscape.”

Red alerts were issued for several regions at risk of floods and landslides as the cyclone made landfall.

Gezani weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland on Wednesday, passing some 60 miles north of the capital, Antananarivo.

But it’s expected to pass into the Mozambique Channel, which separates Madagascar from mainland Africa, where forecasters warn it might strengthen again.

Now the island faces the prospect of Gezani turning back and bringing fresh destruction to its southwest coast next week.

Weather alerts have also been issued across the channel in Mozambique, where floods last month hit more than 700,000 people.

Read more:
Scramble to reach the starving after devastating floods
Cameroon re-elects world’s oldest president

Madagascar’s cyclone season lasts from roughly November to March, with more than a dozen tropical storms or cyclones recorded since 2020.

After years of authoritarian rule, there is hope that this election in Bangladesh will put the country on a path to democracy.

It is the first time people will be able to have their say since a mass student uprising in 2024 led to the ouster of the country’s longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

Read more: Bangladesh votes in first general election since bloody ousting of Sheikh Hasina

It was a day the world saw Gen Z topple an autocrat.

Once an icon of democracy and economic progress, Hasina is now in self-imposed exile in India, convicted and sentenced to death for ordering a brutal crackdown against protestors.

The UN estimates 1,400 people were killed in less than two months.

Her party, the once-dominant Awami League, is banned from this election, challenging claims from the caretaker government that this will be an entirely free and fair election.

But it is, at very least and for the first time in a very long time, an election where it’s hard to predict the outcome.

Many will be seeing it as a test to assess the strength and impact of the youth vote and student movements in other parts of the world, like Nepal.

In both countries, frustration over a lack of jobs and endemic corruption exploded, unseating long-established leaderships.

But the truth is, it’s the old guard looming large in this vote on the surface.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party is the frontrunner, the largest party, led by Tarique Rahman, son of the former PM Khaleda Zia.

He is part of a well-established dynasty.

Read more:
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister dies
India walks tightrope harbouring deposed Bangladeshi PM

Then there’s Jamaat-e-Islami, banned under Hasina and dedicated to running the country under Islamic law.

In December, the student-led National Citizens Party (NCP) made the controversial choice to ally with the much older party.

The split within the youth vote could limit the political impact and influence of young voters.

But there are a lot of them, about 45% of the 128 million registered voters are between the ages of 18 and 33, according to the Election Commission.

Nobody yet knows what they will do, or the many Awami League voters unable to back their party. So far, there are some early indications of low voter turnout in Awami strongholds.

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But more broadly, there is also a lot of hope and optimism in the air in Bangladesh.

There’s a sense of excitement, people speaking freely about their hopes and that openness hasn’t been on show in previous elections.

Many believe this could be an era-defining vote after years of autocracy and a chance to experience a real contest that doesn’t feel fixed.

One trend to watch for is the role of rising anti-India sentiment.

After years of good neighbourly relations, many voters, particularly young people, accuse Delhi of being overbearing and of supporting Hasina’s regime at the expense of democracy.