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.’

A 23-year-old British man, Ayrton Redfearn, was killed in action in Ukraine‘s Donetsk region. He died on 9 May.

From Devon, Mr Redfearn had joined a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army in 2025, his mother, Natasha, told the BBC, adding she “lived in fear of the police coming to my door with bad news”.

“This fear became reality on the evening of 11 May, and the world of myself, and Ayrton’s 10-year-old brother, then fell apart,” she said.

Mr Redfearn was a Torquay Air Cadet as a child, joining the RAF at 17 before travelling overseas.

His mother stated: “We are trying to have just 1 per cent of the strength, bravery and courage of Ayrton, and if we can do this, it will help us to eventually come to terms with our life without him.

“I am very grateful for all the tributes, messages and support from those who knew Ayrton and from strangers.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities.”

The FCDO warns British nationals fighting in Ukraine face a high risk of maltreatment.

Its website states: “British nationals fighting in Ukraine have been killed or captured. British nationals undertaking humanitarian work have also been detained by Russian authorities. The risk to life, or of maltreatment, is high.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India marks an effort by Washington and New Delhi to steady strained relations as the two countries seek to reinforce strategic and economic ties despite recent trade tensions.

In meetings Sunday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio stressed cooperation on trade, energy, defense and maritime security. Rubio said the countries remained strategically aligned and expressed optimism about a broader trade deal.

Rubio’s four-day trip also includes talks with members from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Indo-Pacific alliance more commonly known as the Quad.

Here is what Rubio’s visit means for India-U.S. ties:

India-US ties strained by tariffs

Relations between India and the U.S. have strained in recent months after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports, partly over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The move angered Indian officials and fueled concerns in the Indian government over Washington’s reliability.

The two countries later reached an interim trade arrangement that eased some tariffs and expanded Indian purchases of U.S. goods, including energy products. But talks on a broader trade deal remain unresolved.

Despite the tensions, India and the U.S. continue to strengthen defense and technology ties, with Washington viewing India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region.

During his talks with Jaishankar on Sunday, Rubio described India as one of Washington’s most important strategic partners and said he was optimistic the two countries would finalize a bilateral trade deal soon. Rubio also conveyed an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump for Modi to visit Washington later this year.

Questions over the Quad’s role

Rubio’s visit also is expected to include talks on Tuesday with foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan, which are member nations of the Quad alliance along with the United States.

The grouping has become a key platform for cooperation on maritime security, supply chains and regional strategy as China expands its military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The Quad has repeatedly criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of militarizing disputed waters. The Chinese government has accused the Quad of trying to contain China’s rise and regional influence.

Recent trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, along with Trump’s recent visit to China, have prompted renewed attention to the grouping.

Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said India’s growing global influence has been largely tied to its role in balancing China’s power in the region and any shift in U.S. policy toward Beijing could affect New Delhi’s strategic value to Washington.

“If the U.S. changes its approach towards China, it will diminish India’s importance,” Donthi said.

Iran war adds pressure on India

The Iran war has added to India’s energy concerns, raising worries about shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for the country’s crude imports. Rising fuel costs have increased pressure on the Indian economy.

Jaishankar said Sunday that India would continue expanding energy imports, including from the U.S., while diversifying suppliers to keep markets stable and prices affordable. He said New Delhi wants energy markets to remain open and unconstrained to support global economic growth.

India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine war has at times strained relations with the U.S.

Washington has urged India to increase purchases of U.S. oil and gas as part of broader efforts to diversify energy supplies, with Rubio emphasizing stronger energy cooperation during meetings in New Delhi.

Sightseeing in India

Alongside official meetings, Rubio’s visit also has included cultural engagements.

He began the trip in eastern city Kolkata and visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters founded by Mother Teresa. He also attended a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Rubio’s itinerary includes stops in the cities of Agra and Jaipur, two of India’s most visited tourist destinations known for monuments, forts and palaces.

Chelsea‘s failure to qualify for Europe will help them become “a real threat” in the Premier League next season, says former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.

A 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on Sunday brought down the curtain on a disappointing season for the Blues, who have sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior along the way.

While they began the campaign fresh from being crowned Club World Cup winners in July, the result on Wearside allowed the Black Cats to claim the final Europa League spot at Chelsea‘s expense.

Chelsea, who started the day above Sunderland in eighth, slipped to 10th, to also finish a point and two spots behind Brighton, who qualified for the Conference League.

It is only the third time since 1995-96 that Chelsea have ended a top-flight season in 10th place or lower.

However, they notably recovered to win the title in 2016-17 having been in exactly the same position at the conclusion of the previous season.

With Xabi Alonso taking the reins in July as their new manager, Rooney believes Chelsea will become a major force.

“I think they’ll be a real threat next season,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast.

“Obviously having one game a week, and then with Alonso coming in, I think it’s exciting for the Premier League because I think he’s got the potential to be a top manager.

“It gives him a period of time to feel his way into the club and get his ideas across. So I think it will benefit the football club.”

Rooney’s old club Manchester United had no European commitments this season and finished the campaign strongly to take third place in the Premier League.

Chelsea advanced through the league phase of the Champions League this term before suffering their joint-heaviest defeat in a two‑leg European tie, losing 8-2 on aggregate at the hands of holders Paris St-Germain in the last 16.

Rooney stressed that a less congested fixture list will only serve to benefit the Blues, who will have the advantage of more time on the grass together.

“Pre-season this year for all the managers at all the top clubs will be disrupted, obviously, because of the World Cup,” Rooney added.

“I think that’s where it will benefit Alonso, because he’ll have that time once the season starts to get his ideas across. The teams in Europe might struggle a little bit. It could be an extra three days a week [on the training pitch].”

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Households will this week find out how much energy bills are set to increase by from July when the price cap is updated as forecasts point to a rise of more than £200 and a painful winter of sky-high bills ahead due to the Iran war.

Regulator Ofgem will on Wednesday reveal the level of the annual energy price cap for July to September for a typical dual fuel household across England, Scotland and Wales.

Analysts Cornwall Insight predicted last week the cap will rise by £209 a year to £1,850 from July 1 – an increase of 13% on April’s £1,641 annual cap.

It sets a maximum price per unit of gas and electricity used, meaning households only pay for the amount of energy they use.

This means households will be largely shielded over the warm summer months, but concerns are growing over a painful hit when the cap is reviewed in October and energy demand rises as temperatures drop.

Cornwall Insight’s forecasts suggest the cap in October will be at a similar level to July, even if the Middle East conflict were to end soon, due to the physical damage to infrastructure and lingering effect of disrupted supply.

Calls have been mounting for the Government to set out action to support the most vulnerable, but Chancellor Rachel Reeves stopped short of any immediate energy measures in her cost-of-living plan.

She told MPs last week: “We stand ready to act if market conditions worsen significantly later this year and I have been leading cross-Government contingency work on design of potential future targeted and temporary support for businesses.”

Energy costs have been sent rocketing higher by Iran’s move to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas is carried.

But households have yet to feel the impact, as the price cap is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and April saw a 7% drop thanks to Government measures to reduce bills.

This included moving 75% of the cost of the UK’s renewables obligation from household bills on to general taxation, and scrapping the energy company obligation scheme.

Campaigners have warned over an “extremely difficult winter” ahead for the most vulnerable without extra support on bills.

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “Households need reassurance and support, not a summer of suspense.

“That means the Government must act before winter to spell out what support will be available.”

The Government has insisted that “tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority”.

Its package of support measures so far includes a cut in the rate of VAT on attraction tickets over the summer holidays, free bus travel for children in England during August, extending the 5p-per-litre fuel duty reduction and lowering import tariffs on more than 100 types of food products.

But the lack of further action on energy bills is seen as holding back spending by cash-strapped consumers.

Economist Martin Beck, at WPI Strategy, said recent official figures showing lower retail sales in April was already a sign that “energy pressures are biting”.

“Higher petrol prices, the prospect of an increase in household energy bills in July and weakening consumer sentiment all point to a more cautious spending backdrop,” he said.

The Oak Bistro has a Secret Garden courtyard that can be enjoyed in any weather.

A restaurant in the centre of Cambridge has been named as one of the best in the UK for outdoor dining ahead of summer. The Oak Bistro has been picked by OpenTable in its list of the Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in 2026.

The list includes food spots along the coast, as well as outdoor terraces in busy cities where you can enjoy some sun. The restaurants were picked based on a range of factors including diner reviews, and are said to deliver “exceptional al fresco experiences”.

From the outside, the Oak Bistro looks like a tiny restaurant with a few cosy tables inside. But if you walk through the restaurant, you will find the Secret Garden courtyard where you can enjoy al fresco dining “within the comfort of a semi-enclosed and weather-controlled space”.

The quaint courtyard has a retractable marquee roof and heaters and blankets in case you feel chilly during the evening. The outdoor dining spaces also offers a ‘unique place to enjoy a peaceful meal while in the middle of the city.

On the restaurant, OpenTable said: “In the daytime, it’s ideal for business lunches, meeting friends or even lunching on your own with a newspaper; in the evenings, customers flock for a romantic meals, dinner parties with friends and special occasions.”

The Oak Bistro says it is “passionate about quality British and European food” that is “cooked to order with traditional recipes”. The restaurant offers a a set lunch menu on Tuesdays to Fridays that costs £16 for one course, £22 for two courses, and £27 for three courses with a few options for each.

There is also an a la carte menu with options ranging from confit duck leg served with mashed potato, braised red cabbage, and red wine jus to aubergine alla parmigiana. There are lots of sides to share as well as a dessert menu featuring classic dishes like sticky toffee pudding and chocolate fondant.

Sasha Shaker, Senior Director at OpenTable in the UK and Ireland, said: “Outdoor dining has become a key draw for UK diners in the warmer months, shaping everything from catch-ups to celebrations, and even dog walks. Restaurants are responding by investing in alfresco spaces, with venues offering outdoor dining up 13% in the past year, year-over-year.

“For many diners, the perfect spot also includes space for their four legged friends. Our annual Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list features icons to help identify dog-friendly spots, so it’s easy to find the right place, whoever you’re dining with.”