Henry Pease, one of the fathers of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, once described seeing “a prophetic vision of a town arising on the cliff and the quiet, unfrequented and sheltered glen turned into a lovely garden.”
Today, Saltburn is better known for its colourful beach huts, quirky funicular cliff lift, and Victorian charm.
The town’s history, once linked to smuggling, is centred around the Ship Inn.
Saltburn Cliff Tramway. (Image: Dave Charnley Photography)
John Andrew, the pub’s landlord in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was known locally as the “King of the Smugglers.”
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Now, the town perched on the North Yorkshire coast, has been named one of the top places to live in the UK.
A guide from Muddy Stilettos shines a light on the country’s “loveliest city spots, towns and villages” with the best schools, shopping and pubs.
The Northern Lights over Saltburn beach. (Image: Chris Martin)
Muddy Stilettos described Saltburn as having: “A cool, laid-back vibe.
“This seaside gem ticks all the boxes.”
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The town also boasts a thriving surf scene and a growing creative community.
Its attractions include the only remaining pleasure pier on the North East and Yorkshire coast as well as one of the oldest funicular lifts in the world, the Saltburn Cliff Tramway.
Saltburn has recently attracted high-profile visitors, including Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.
Mr Plant stayed at the Spa Hotel over Christmas while touring with his band Saving Grace, and performed a sold-out show in Middlesbrough Town Hall on the Sunday before Christmas.
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It appears the “prophetic vision” of a thriving town on the cliff has well and truly come to life.
VANCOUVER, Canada (AP) — A shooting at a school in British Columbia left eight dead including the suspect, with two more people found dead at a home believed to be connected to the incident, Canadian authorities said Tuesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said more than 25 people are injured, including two with life-threatening injuries, after the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
School shootings are rare in Canada.
The town of Tumbler Ridge, which has a population of about 2,400 people, is more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) north of Vancouver, near the border with Alberta. The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.
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RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd told reporters that investigators had identified the shooter but would not release a name, but that the suspect’s motive remained unclear.
“We are not in a place to understand why or what may have motivated this tragedy,” Floyd said.
He added that police are still investigating how the victims are connected to the shooter.
“As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury,” RCMP said in a statement.
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“Six additional individuals, not including the suspect, have been located deceased inside the school. Two victims have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries. A third victim died while being transported to hospital.”
The Peace River South School District said earlier Tuesday that there was a “lockdown and secure and hold” at both the secondary school and the Tumbler Ridge Elementary school.
Larry Neufeld, the member of the legislature for Peace River South, told reporters at the legislature that an “excess” of resources, including RCMP and ambulance support, have been sent to the community.
He said he didn’t want to release any more information over concerns that it might jeopardize the safety of the ongoing operation.
Nine cannabis factories containing drugs worth around £600,000 were discovered by police in a Cambridgeshire village. Cambridgeshire Police worked with the Ministry of Defence to carry out a series of warrants at a site in Middle Drove and Ugg Mere Court Road, Ramsey Heights, on Monday (February 9).
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As part of the operation, officers discovered nine cannabis factories at these addresses. As a result, a 54-year-old man from Ramsey was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been bailed until May 8.
A 26-year-old man from Ramsey was also arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply drugs and a 73-year-old man from Ramsey was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, concealing criminal property, possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of firearms. Both remain in custody while investigations continue.
While carrying out the warrants, officers also found suspected stolen property. These include: a suspected stolen Audi and BMW; a JCB believed to have been used in criminal activity; stolen firearm and ammunition; a large quantity of suspected stolen tools and plant machinery; car key cloning device, a stolen skip and cable cutting equipment.
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Police also found copper cabling and stripped outer casing, multiple stolen number plates and two suspected stolen metal stags. This was a part of the force’s ongoing work to target organised criminal activity linked to cannabis production and recent metal thefts across Huntingdonshire.
Neighbourhood Inspector Colin Norden said: “This operation is another clear example of our commitment to disrupting drug networks, tackling organised criminal activity and safeguarding the wider community. We will continue to act on intelligence and strike at any moment to protect our communities.
“We want to make Huntingdonshire a safer place for everyone, and the public play a vital role in helping us do that. If you see anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem, please report it to us.”
Governors and church representatives cite ‘fundamental flaws’ in proposals to discontinue the school’s Church in Wales status
Philip Dewey Court Correspondent, Bruce Sinclair and Local Democracy Reporter
22:13, 10 Feb 2026
Plans to discontinue a Church in Wales school in Pembrokeshire have been labelled as “fundamentally flawed,” partly due to issues surrounding land ownership, according to councillors. In a meeting held last May, Pembrokeshire council reviewed a report from the School Modernisation Working Group that detailed the findings of an education provision review in the Preseli area.
A subsequent meeting in July supported a general consultation to cease operations at Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and re-establish it as a 3-11 community school.
The council’s consultation highlighted the surplus of school places in the area, juxtaposed with a significant decline in pupil numbers. The consultation concluded on 30 January.
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The proposed changes have met with substantial opposition, with hundreds signing a petition against them. The petition, hosted on the council’s own website, recently closed after amassing 391 signatures.
Any petition exceeding 100 signatures prompts a debate at a council scrutiny committee. In the case of Cilgerran, this debate took place at the schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee on 5 February.
The e-petition for Cilgerran, initiated by Louise Williams, stated: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this [change] will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.
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“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.
“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”
During the meeting, Gary Fieldhouse, vice-chair of the school governors, expressed that losing the Church in Wales status would be “a profound mistake,” emphasising that the school’s association with the church was “not symbolic but fundamental,” providing “a sense of belonging” that wouldn’t be replicated if the link was severed, and it would “change the essence of what we are”.
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He highlighted issues of land ownership and pointed out that the “thriving” school, which is in a robust financial position with no deficit, was likely to see an increase in pupil numbers once a new housing estate in the village was constructed.
Reverend John Cecil criticised the proposals as “fundamentally flawed,” noting that the school’s land was legally held in trust as a Church of Wales school, and any change would essentially result in “essentially creating a new school with no premises to occupy”.
Cabinet member for education, Councillor Guy Woodham, reiterated pledges he had previously made regarding petitions for other schools across the county facing possible closure, stating that final reports concerning the school’s future would be “as balanced as possible”.
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“I’m happy to give that assurance again; to present in a fair way so councillors can make an informed decision.”
Committee members were informed that legal discussions relating to the matter were continuing, with the petition being formally noted.
A report outlining the final proposals will be presented at a forthcoming council meeting.
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Do you think you’re paying too much council tax this year?
Do you think you’re paying too much council tax this year?
The film revisits his career and troubled personal life and tells the story of the fans that travel to Belfast
23:11, 10 Feb 2026Updated 23:12, 10 Feb 2026
A new documentary film is set to meet George Best fans visitng his home in Belfast.
‘True North: Staying At Georgie Best’s’ takes a look at the ongoing global fandom surrounding football legend George Best, as told by the fans who make the pilgrimage to visit his childhood home.
It airs on BBC One Northern Ireland and iPlayer on Monday, February 16 at 10.40pm.
His family home at Burren Way on the Cregagh Estate in East Belfast has been restored to a style that captures the 1960s, when George was at the height of his fame.
Open for tours and overnight stays, it has become both a shrine and a sanctuary for football supporters from around the globe.
A description of the show reads: “True North: Staying at Georgie Best’s captures the stories of those who travel from all over the globe to visit the house and walk in the footsteps of their hero.
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“For John from Manchester, who visits with his wife Christine, George Best was a boyhood hero. His visit to Belfast is a poignant one, which culminates in an emotional moment at George’s graveside.
“Andrew, a self-proclaimed George Best superfan organises an annual ceremony at the footballer’s grave on George’s birthday and retraces the star’s early steps by visiting Nettlefield Primary School where George’s story began.
“Manchester United fans Matt and Steve not only watched George Best play but had the rare opportunity to meet him in later years to reflect on the impact George had on the club.”
With archive photographs and video footage of George’s playing career and of his time in the house, the film revisits his career and troubled personal life and tells the story of the fans that travel to Belfast.
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Whether they’re superfans, collectors, or casual admirers, what unites them is a shared affection for a player who transcended sport and inspired millions.
True North: Staying At Georgie Best’s is on Monday 16 February on BBC One NI and BBC iPlayer at 10.40pm. It was made by Ronin Films for BBC Northern Ireland.
Emma Davies, 45, was discovered at her home on December 24.
She was said to have been alone at the time of her death.
An inquest into her death was opened at Crook Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (February 10), and heard she was identified by a friend and police officer.
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Coroners’ officer Laura Menzies told the hearing: “I understand the circumstances to be that on December 24 Miss Davies was found dead at her home address.”
The inquest was adjourned to be held in full on April 22 at 10am in Spennymoor.
Romeo Is A Dead Man – a very strange game (NetEase Games)
Suda51, the man behind Lollipop Chainsaw and Shadows Of The Damned, returns with his weirdest and most entertaining game in several years.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Grasshopper Interactive founder Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda has a reputation for bringing a punk aesthetic to the craft of making video games. He’s best known for earlier titles like killer7 and No More Heroes but after a poor run in recent years, Romeo Is A Dead Man is very much a return to form. It’s quirky, rule-breaking, and feels like it shouldn’t work – yet, somehow, it does.
If nothing else, Romeo Is A Dead Man is utterly distinctive: you’re not likely to mistake the hard-boiled, ultraviolent, cynically humorous games Suda51 churns out for those made by anyone else. The first aspect in which this new game forcibly grabs your attention is by employing a blizzard of vastly differing art styles, instead of just one.
Thus, in Romeo Is A Dead Man’s first hour, you find a diorama style intro; comic book style framed cut scenes (which themselves showcase different styles of comic book art); conventional third person 3D which is also warped into a Tron style, blocky, shiny neon version of itself; a pixel art hub offering homages to games of the 16-bit era; psychedelic, fractal-like transition screens; and further retro homages going all the way back to the days of Pong.
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The game is visually arresting but in the hands of anyone other than Suda51, it would surely have ended up as a horrible mishmash. That it manages not to, is attributable to the sheer off-the-wall nature of its storyline, which instantly forces you to suspend disbelief, then carries on further into the outer reaches of preposterousness. Once you surrender yourself to its logic-defying weirdness, the use of different visual styles to convey chunks of that narrative somehow makes sense.
Romeo Is A Dead Man’s plot centres on Romeo Stargazer, deputy sheriff in a small, dead end American town, who stops his squad car to investigate a body in the road and is mauled and killed by a monster. Luckily, his grandad Benjamin is a time-travelling boffin who has invented a life support system which he turns up with and injects into Romeo. Benjamin dies in the process but is reincarnated as a patch on the back of Romeo’s jacket.
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As a result of his newfound powers, Romeo is recruited by the FBI’s Space-Time division, who send him off to take down a list of the universe’s most nefarious space-time criminals, lurking in different time periods and causing anomalies that destroy different multiverse versions of Earth. It turns out that among their number is Juliet, Romeo’s ex-girlfriend. Throughout the game, the story of their romance is told in flashback. Romeo, a puppyish character, still pines for her and that leads to disaster whenever he catches up with one of her variants.
Romeo, along with his mother and sister, and a cast of weird alien types, is headquartered on the FBI’s Space-Time spaceship, which provides a tempo-altering oasis from the relentless gore and violence that each chapter brings. There’s loads to do on the spaceship, most obviously upgrading Romeo’s abilities via a Pac-Man pastiche. But you can also grow zombie-like allies for you to summon or sit around listening to shaggy dog stories from the other characters.
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When it’s time to go on a mission, you’ll find each chapter sends you to a different time period, where Romeo must use his melee and shooting skills to dismember hordes of enemies. The combat, using both a melee weapon and a gun, is reminiscent of No More Heroes and the only part of the game that feels in any way ordinary. It’s gory and fun, but it’s the set pieces, locations, and enemies that add the most flavour. The fact that you can’t change weapons without switching back to the main menu is a pain though.
The other element to each chapter is subspace, which is accessed via TVs on which a mysterious philosophical Svengali appears, and allows you to reach areas inaccessible in the surface world. There’s no fighting in subspace (at least until the game’s latter stages) but there are puzzles which open up new areas and staircases, and key parts to find, which will allows you to reach the chapter boss.
The normal graphics are actually pretty good (NetEase Games)
There are puzzles – some quite decent but never too obscure – in the surface world too, and plenty of gameplay variation between the chapters. One, for example, majors on stealth (and is set in a creepy abandoned hospital, bringing to mind classic horror games of yore). In another chapter, set in the 1970s, Romeo acquires a zombie assistant called Jenny, who ends up being dismembered but still survives. As is customary for a Suda51 game, dark humour abounds.
As the game builds to a crescendo, you’re even treated to an 8-bit style point ‘n’ click interlude, which morphs into a Japanese hip-hop musical number. By then, Romeo seems to exist outside of space and time. Each chapter begins with an Oscar Wilde quote and it’s a fair bet that no other game this year will be so chock full of literary references.
If you’ve recently worried that games are in danger of becoming generic and safe, Romeo Is A Dead Man will more than allay such fears. It’s completely out there, both visually and story-wise, pleasingly experimental, very funny, and pretty satisfying to play – although its combat is probably its most conventional aspect.
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What it isn’t, is polished to within an inch of its life, although for some that will be another part of the charm. It isn’t the longest game around – if you explore every nook of subspace for collectibles, you might get 20 hours’ gameplay from it – but it also doesn’t overstay its welcome.
It makes little sense, at least as far as conventional logic is concerned, but in terms of pure escapism it’s off the charts, creating the absolute antithesis of anything corporate or bland. Romeo Is A Dead Man offers glorious proof that Suda51’s punk ethos is still alive and well. It won’t appeal to everyone, but that’s the point.
Romeo Is A Dead Man review summary
In Short: Suda51’s punk attitude results in another uniquely bizarre third person action game, but this one has more life and originality to it than most of his other more recent titles.
Pros: Arresting mix of art styles, out there storyline, and good sense of humour. Enjoyable third person action and great music.
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Cons: Unlike the rest of the game, the combat is not especially original and the bosses can be a bit samey. Not very polished.
Score: 8/10
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Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PC Price: £41.99 Publisher: NatEase Games Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture Release Date: 11th February 2026 Age Rating: 18
The uglier the enemy the tougher they are (NetEase Games)
Don Lemon, the former CNN host, has secured legal representation from a federal prosecutor who resigned from his post amid a dispute with the Trump administration. A court filing on Tuesday revealed that Lemon, who is among nine individuals indicted for their alleged roles in disrupting a church service in Minnesota, has hired Joe Thompson.
Thompson, who previously served as interim U.S. Attorney, stepped down last month from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he had been leading major fraud investigations. His departure coincides with a broader exodus of prosecutors from the office, reportedly driven by growing frustration with the administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown and the Justice Department’s response to fatal shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis.
Lemon faces federal civil rights charges concerning his coverage of the church protest, which occurred at a church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was a pastor. He has previously stated, through another attorney, his intention to plead not guilty, asserting he was not affiliated with the group that disrupted the service and was present solely as an independent journalist.
The indictment, however, reportedly details various actions by the group, including comments made by Lemon during his livestream report on the event.
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Lemon is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 13 in federal court in St. Paul. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Lemon is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 13 in federal court in St. Paul.
The Trump administration has cited the Minnesota fraud cases, in which most defendants have come from the state’s large Somali community, as justification for its immigration crackdown in the state. Thompson estimated in December that the losses to taxpayers from several fraud cases being prosecuted in Minnesota could total $9 billion.
Thompson recently formed his own law firm with Harry Jacobs, another former federal prosecutor who resigned amid the upheaval in the office. Jacobs had been lead prosecutor in the case of Vance Boelter, who has pleaded not guilty in last year’s assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the nonfatal shootings of a state senator and his wife.
The firm’s website describes them as “battle tested and seasoned” trial lawyers.
Thompson did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment Tuesday.
Cardi B was part of Bad Bunny‘s Super Bowl halftime show. What she did exactly, well, that turned into a perplexing question for two major prediction markets.
At least one Kalshi trader filed a complaint with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over how the prediction market handled Sunday’s appearance by the Grammy-winning rapper. The result of a similar event contract on Polymarket also drew the ire of some users on that platform.
Prediction markets provide an opportunity to trade — or wager — on the result of future events. The markets are comprised of typically yes-or-no questions called event contracts, with the prices connected to what traders are willing to pay, which theoretically indicates the perceived probability of an event occurring.
The buy-in for each contract ranges from $0 to $1 each, reflecting a 0% to 100% chance of what traders think could happen.
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More than $47.3 million was wagered on Kalshi’s market for “ Who will perform at the Big Game? ” A Polymarket contract had more than $10 million in volume.
Cardi B joined singers Karol G and Young Miko and actors Jessica Alba and Pedro Pascal on a starry front porch during the halftime spectacle. She danced to the music, but it was unclear whether she was singing along during the show, which included performances by Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga.
Due to “ambiguity over whether or not Cardi B’s attendance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show constituted a qualifying ‘performance,’” Kalshi cited one of its rules in settling the market at the last price before trading was paused: $0.74 for No holders and $0.26 for Yes holders. The platform returned all the money to its users.
Polymarket’s contract was resolved as Cardi B had performed, but the yes was disputed. A final decision on the contract is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
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In the CFTC complaint — first reported by the Event Horizon newsletter and posted by Front Office Sports — the trader alleges that Kalshi violated the Commodity Exchange Act with how it resolved the Cardi B contract. The trader — a Yes holder — is seeking $3,700.
A message was left Tuesday night seeking more information from the CFTC.
The Super Bowl capped a big NFL season for prediction markets.
Kalshi reported a daily record high of more than $1 billion in total trading volume on the day of the game, an increase of more than 2,700% compared to last year’s Super Bowl. The season-long total for all Super Bowl winner futures was $828.6 million, up more than 2,000% from last year.
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The increased activity on Sunday caused some deposit issues. Kalshi co-founder Luana Lopes Lara posted on X on Monday that the “traffic spike was way bigger than our most optimistic forecasts.” She said the platform had reimbursed processing fees on the effected deposits and added credits to users who experienced delays.
The Oceanic Awards took place this week, with finalists from across the UK turning up at the ceremony to celebrate excellence across the curry industry.
Masala Craft in York scooped the Bar Curry Restaurant of the Year Award at the event which recognised and toasted the talents and hard work of individuals and businesses within the industry.
Masala Craft in York is a Nation’s Curry Awards 2026 winner
The Indian tapas restaurant was among the category winners who have distinguished themselves with their exceptional quality, innovation, and consistency in offering memorable dining experiences.
Masala Craft, led by owner and long-standing chef Arving Mamgain, opened at 72 Walmgate in 2023, which was previously home to Penny’s Bespoke Foodhouse, having previously been based in King Street until it closed in late 2022 due to rising costs.
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Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of Oceanic Awards, said: “We’re proud to once again celebrate the finest in the UK’s curry scene, recognising the creativity, innovation, and exceptional service that have become synonymous with this beloved cuisine.
“The UK’s curry industry is a vital part of our culture, and these awards recognised the exceptional talents of the individuals and businesses that make it so special.
“We’d like to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.”
Jaflong Bangladeshi in Ripon was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year category, while ILLAM Restaurant in Harrogate received the Outstanding Achievement Award in the South Indian Restaurant of the Year category.
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The overall winner of the Curry Restaurant of the Year went to Aarti in Leeds while the Best of Yorkshire Award went to Bengal Brasserie in Wetherby.
The awards annually celebrate the UK’s rich and diverse curry culture and encourage the continued growth and evolution of the industry.
