The village next to the RAF

Tucked between Alnmouth and Craster, Boulmer (pronounced “Boomer”) is little more than a row of cottages and a pub facing directly onto the North Sea.

Just inland, RAF Boulmer provides round-the-clock surveillance of UK airspace, making this quiet seaside community an unlikely neighbour to a major air command and control hub.

A smuggling capital turned fishing village

For centuries Boulmer’s reputation was anything but sleepy – in the 18th and 19th centuries it was notorious as the “smuggling capital of Northumberland”, with contraband spirits, salt, and tobacco traded through the Fishing Boat Inn.

Much of that illicit traffic was linked to figures like William Faa, the so-called King of the Gypsies, who travelled down from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border to do business here.

Despite that colourful past, the village has changed very little in more than a hundred years and is now regarded as one of the last true traditional fishing communities on the Northumberland coast.

With no harbour, blue-painted fishing boats are still hauled up onto the beach, bringing in seasonal catches of crab, lobster, and sea salmon.

How RAF Boulmer arrived on the doorstep

The RAF story at Boulmer began during the Second World War, when land near the village was requisitioned as a decoy airfield designed to draw German attacks away from nearby bases such as RAF Acklington.

Complete with grass runways, dummy aircraft, and ammunition stores, the site was hit in Luftwaffe raids in 1940 and 1941 before being upgraded to a full operational airfield in March 1943, housing Spitfire training flights from No. 57 Operational Training Unit.

The wartime airfield closed in 1945 and reverted to being agricultural land, but the RAF returned in the early 1950s, building a protected underground radar and control centre to monitor the growing Cold War air threat.

By the mid-1950s Boulmer had been designated one of just nine master radar stations, and over subsequent decades its radars fed data into Britain’s air defence network.

A modern air command and control hub

Today RAF Boulmer is part of the RAF’s Air Command and Control Force.

Its mission is to “generate and sustain an operationally agile air command and control capability”, providing continuous surveillance of UK airspace and tactical control of combat and support aircraft from a base that employs around 1,000 service personnel and civilians.

For decades its distinctive “golf ball” radar dome has been a familiar landmark.

The station has survived several defence reviews and a proposed closure in the 2000s.

A village shaped by the base – but still itself

Despite sharing its name with one of the RAF’s most important radar stations, Boulmer itself remains strikingly low-key: a single street of stone cottages, its pub, and a sweep of sand and rock that attracts walkers, birdwatchers, and anglers more than tourists.

Occasional TV crews have passed through – the ITV comedy-drama Distant Shores used the village as a key filming location in 2004.

It is understood that the plane has gone down near the remote Sucia Island near the US and Canada border, with first responders en route and 11 casualties reported so far at the scene

Advertisement

Emergency services have been called to a plane crash with as many as 11 casualties reported as smoke fills the air.

It is understood that the plane has crashed down near the remote Sucia Island on July 23, near the border of the US’ Washington state and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The US Coastguard and air medical transport service Airlift North West have been spotted “hovering the area of Shallow Bay”, as per radar.

Reports indicate that a local fireboat has also arrived at the scene.

Further reports indicate the plane may have been a Kenmore Air aircraft, which is understood to have “crashed on the shore of Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands”.

“There were thunderstorms in the vicinity at the time of the crash, which [was] about 5.22pm as per Flight Radar data.”

More to come.

NEW YORK (AP) — A man was arrested Thursday after police said he stabbed two men in separate, nonfatal attacks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side that the New York Police Department is investigating as possible hate crimes.

Raul Morales, 51, allegedly stabbed an Asian man and a Jewish man and yelled the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, witnesses told the police department.

The department was working to determine a motive, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. There wasn’t immediately any known link between Morales and the victims, and the initial investigation suggested that mental health may have been a factor in the attacks, Tisch said.

Morales remained in custody Thursday evening and it wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

The stabbings happened about two blocks apart in broad daylight, police said. Both victims were taken to a hospital and were expected to survive.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the stabbings “horrifying” and said he was relieved that both victims were in stable condition.

“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” Mamdani posted on the social media platform X.

Hate crimes in New York City have been on the rise in recent years, while overall violent crime rates have dropped, according to police data. Tisch said in April that more than half of all confirmed hate crimes in the city so far this year targeted Jewish people.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was disgusted by Thursday’s attacks and emphasized that New York stands with its Jewish and Asian communities.

“Asian New Yorkers, like Jewish New Yorkers, have endured waves of hate-fueled violence in recent years,” she said in a post on X. “Hate rarely stops with one group. New York will continue confronting it wherever it appears.”

Superintendent pharmacist Rachel Jones revealed some ‘embarrassing’ body traits could actually give an insight on your health

A recent social media health ‘tip’ suggests that having hairy toes could actually be a good sign that your body is quite healthy. Rachel Jones, Pharmacy Superintendent at Superdrug, revealed the truth behind this claim, along with some other body ‘quirks’ that can reveal how well your body is functioning.

Rachel explained: “Social media and beauty standards often make people feel like normal bodily functions are something to hide or fix. In reality, many of these things are signs that our bodies are doing exactly what they’re designed to do.”

Hairy toes

Despite what the social media ‘tip’ claims, Rachel revealed: “On its own, having hairy toes doesn’t necessarily tell us anything definitive about circulation.”

However, she warned that any “noticeable change” like losing hair on your feet or legs, or changes in skin colour and pain could indicate an “underlying circulation problem”. She advised: “If these symptoms occur, it’s important to seek advice from a healthcare professional so they can assess the cause.”

Ear wax

Many people try to remove ear wax as soon as they notice it, often associating it with something dirty. But the pharmacist assures it’s a sign your body is hard at work protecting you.

She said: “Ear wax acts as the ear’s natural defence system. It helps trap dust, dirt and bacteria before they can reach the inner ear and also helps keep the ear canal moisturised.”

Excessive build-up can cause discomfort or hearing difficulties but Rachel warned against using cotton buds to clean it out: “Cotton buds can often push wax further into the ear canal rather than removing it, which can make the problem worse.”

For those experiencing troublesome wax build-up, blocked ears or changes to hearing, Superdrug offers an Ear Wax Removal Service, where trained healthcare professionals can assess the ear and remove excess wax safely where appropriate.

Passing wind

Passing wind is actually a sign that your gut bacteria “are doing their job”. High-fibre foods like vegetables can increase how much gas you produce because it supports healthy digestion.

However, Rachel warned: “While excessive changes in bowel habits, persistent bloating or ongoing digestive discomfort should always be investigated, occasional wind is a completely normal and healthy bodily function.”

Smelly feet

The summer months often brings complaints of sweaty and smelly feet, and while the smell might not say much about your health, the sweat surprisingly does. Rachel explained: “Sweat is actually odourless. The smell develops when sweat mixes with naturally occurring bacteria on the skin. While sweating is unpleasant, it often indicates that the body’s temperature regulation system is functioning normally.”

To avoid the smell caused by sweaty feet, the expert recommended keeping your feet clean, changing socks regularly and using products like antibacterial foot spray to keep your feet feeling fresh.

Sweating

Sweating can be a frustrating bodily function, especially during hot weather, but it’s one of the body’s most important functions. To the extent that if you stop sweating in hot weather, there’s likely something wrong.

Rachel said: “Sweating is how the body regulates its temperature and prevents overheating. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to cool ourselves down effectively.”

If you excessively sweat regardless of temperature or activity, this may be a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Rachel explained: “While sweating itself is completely normal, excessive sweating that interferes with daily life can have a significant impact on confidence and wellbeing. The good news is that support is available.”

The Lucy Pittaway Art Gallery in Newcastle has now shut, following the closure of two other galleries at the start of the year.

The store, located on Blackett Street, shut its doors for the final time in May. The gallery has not confirmed why the closure has happened.

Lucy Pittaway confirmed the closure of the Bowness in Windermere and Harrogate locations in a Facebook post earlier this year.

The post said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I share some difficult news from our Lucy Pittaway family.

“Shortly, we will be closing two galleries, Bowness-on-Windermere and Harrogate.

“This has been an incredibly tough decision, influenced by the rising operational costs facing so many UK businesses, including a significant rent increase at our Harrogate location.”

Ms Pittaway’s galleries in Richmond, Yarm, York, and Keswick, as well as the Brompton-on-Swale Outlet, remain open.

Born and raised in Stockton, Ms Pittaway began her art career more than 13 years ago after her twins started school.

She started out by painting in a small metal shed at home and producing one-off commissions and prints for exhibitions.

Her growing popularity led to the opening of her first gallery, and the business has since expanded across North Yorkshire, the North East, and the Lake District.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ezra Jin Mingri was inside a detention center in southern China on the morning of July 3, worrying that he would likely spend at least 15 years behind bars. The 57-year-old Chinese Christian pastor had even previously wondered whether he would live to see freedom again.

In the span of 24 hours, Jin was 15 time zones away, digging into an In-N-Out hamburger in Los Angeles and watching fireworks with his family on the eve of Independence Day, marking America’s 250th anniversary.

“It’s so dramatic. It’s unimaginable,” the pastor told The Associated Press outside the nation’s capital.

He said he was suddenly released after being held since October, then put on a plane to the U.S. after President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May.

“It’s a miracle,” Jin said this week.

Jin has led one of China’s most influential underground churches, which defy government restrictions by not being registered with authorities. He is an exceptional case of a high-profile Chinese detainee going free following a U.S. request at a time when Beijing’s leadership has only become more unyielding to foreign pressure.

Chinese pastor credits Trump for his release

Jin said Chinese authorities released him without forcing him to make a confession or going through a show trial, dropping the charges instead. He said he did not know if there was any deal or swap for his release and credited Trump’s “unique diplomacy.”

“It has results,” the pastor said.

Trump, when leaving Beijing in May, told reporters that he brought up Jin’s case and that Xi said he would “strongly consider the pastor.” Trump also has vowed to “save our Great Christian population” worldwide.

When asked about Jin’s release, the Chinese foreign ministry said the country manages religious affairs in accordance with the law. “We firmly oppose interfering in China’s internal affairs with so-called religious issues,” the ministry said.

Jin is handed new Nikes and taken on an unknown journey

Jin said he was called suddenly to gather his few belongings, including a Bible, on July 3. He was handed new clothes and a new pair of Nike shoes. He was told he was being moved from the detention center in the southern city of Beihai, where he had been locked up for 266 days.

“Could it be that these people, now pressured, would put me under home arrest?” Jin said he wondered. He had heard from his lawyers that Trump had brought up his case with Xi less than two months earlier.

But he crossed out that possibility when the police van whisked by his old neighborhood and took him to a high-speed train station.

He was escorted into a train car with no other passengers, just police officers, who were recording video. Jin said he still did not imagine he could be freed because China rarely responds to outside pressure and many other Christian pastors and political activists are still locked up.

“I thought they would move me to a secretive place,” he said. A release was “too good to believe.”

In 2018, authorities in Beijing shut down the church’s physical sanctuary after the congregation refused to install surveillance cameras. Jin sent his family to the U.S. but stayed behind to keep developing the church, which met in small groups and gained a strong online following during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2025, Jin and other church leaders were detained in another crackdown.

Pastor gets back his passport and heads to America

At the airport, Jin said he was handed his passport before stepping on a plane. A U.S. diplomat had been waiting for him for hours.

For the nearly 13-hour flight, Jin was too excited to sleep. When he landed in Los Angeles, the pastor said he was welcomed by U.S. officials and given a fee-free one-year visa.

He reunited with his family after a yearslong separation and got to hold his three grandchildren for the first time — the youngest was barely a month old.

His daughter Grace Jin Drexel, who had lobbied for months for her father’s release, said she didn’t recognize him at first because he lost a lot of weight and had visibly aged.

Now free, Jin is working for the release of other Christians

Jin said he would be working to help free the eight other Zion Church members and other Christians detained in China. That includes Wang Yi, pastor of the Early Rain Covenant Church, who is serving nine years in jail.

To that end, Jin met House Speaker Mike Johnson this week, along with relatives of three detained Christians in China.

“I am free in this country, so warmly welcomed, so I am making a special call not to forget that many more are still detained,” he told AP, choking up. “I hope we will continue to strive for them to be free.”

The Republican speaker said Jin’s release had bipartisan support. “This is something we all agree on,” Johnson said. “It’s about religious freedom around the world.”

Jin said another hope is for China to legalize independent churches.

“Probably the most important wish in my lifetime is that Chinese churches can be recognized by their own government,” Jin said.

___

Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to the report.

Since October 7, 2023, the PSC, the Greens and other activist groups have put sustained pressure on the previous Labour administration in Hackney to end the twinning and divest the council’s pension fund from firms linked to Israel’s military activity and occupation. Former Mayor Caroline Woodley twice refused to do either, on the grounds that it would inflame community tensions, and because it was not in the council’s power to divest, she claimed.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that’s become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, but demonstrators vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.

Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams. Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.

The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.

In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after appeals from dozens of members of parliament and following “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He did not elaborate on the talks.

Protest organizers said demonstrations would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. They have called for demonstrations across the country on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament on Monday that drew thousands of people.

“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,” said Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group that has spearheaded the movement, named in reference to a remark by the country’s supreme court chief justice that compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches.

The nationwide protests come a day after Modi publicly addressed the protests for the first time, announcing fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination paper leaks. The announcement did little to calm the movement, as protesters said it failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

Reese Witherspoon broke down in tears after learning that The Morning Show is officially coming to an end.

Witherspoon, 50, and her co-star Jennifer Aniston, 57, shared touching posts within hours of the announcement by Apple TV+ that the series would end after season five.

The fifth and final season, which wrapped filming on Wednesday night, will premiere in 2027 and reunite Aniston and Witherspoon with co-stars Mark Duplass, Billy Crudup, Nestor Carbonell, Karen Pittman, Nicole Beharie and Jon Hamm.

The show will also bring fresh talent into the mix including Jeff Daniels, Renee Rapp, Jesse Williams, Sean Hayes and Lizzy Caplan.

Though Aniston and Witherspoon both knew going in that this would be their last season, it’s obviously going to take time to digest.

Aniston, who is settling into her recently renovated Montecito property, took to Instagram to share photos from the Los Angeles set, including a picture of Duplass, who plays Charlie ‘Chip’ Black and longtime confidant to Aniston’s character Alex, giving Aniston and a weeping Witherspoon a consolatory hug.

Witherspoon, 50, and Aniston, 57, shared touching posts within hours of Apple’s announcement that the drama would end after season five

Another image showed her and Witherspoon sitting on their high chairs and having a belly laugh.

A third photo showed an empty control room with screens on, showing Aniston and Witherspoon having what looked like a closing face-off.

‘Laughing and crying. Final season of @themorningshow incoming… MUCH more to come. @appletv,’ the former Friends actress wrote in the caption.

Witherspoon offered fans of the show an Instagram reel of behind-the-scenes moments: sharing a hug with Aniston; both of them pointing to a golden plaque commemorating The Morning Show; enjoying an outdoor chat with Crudup; on a coffee break outside her trailer; and hanging out with other members of the cast and crew.

‘Eight years ago, we decided to tell a story about the people who bring us the news… A story about ambition, truth, power,’ Witherspoon wrote across the fleeting images.

‘Throughout five seasons, these characters challenged each other and challenged us. Because journalism isn’t just about reporting a story, it’s about finding the humanity.

‘But you’re only as good as the people you work with… and wow, how lucky am I to work with the BEST?!

‘Thank you to every cast and crew member who brought this story to life. Now… who’s ready for one more intense & dramatic final season of The Morning Show?!’

The Morning Show wrapped its last episode on Wednesday night; Aniston and Witherspoon were clearly feeling emotional in this moment shared by Witherspoon

Witherspoon and Aniston hugged it out as reality over the show’s conclusion set in

The fifth and final season of The Morning Show is scheduled to air sometime in 2027

Advertisement

‘It has been a stellar creative experience – one I will always treasure,’ Witherspoon said in a statement released earlier on Thursday

She captioned the clip: ‘8 years. 5 seasons. So many memories. I can’t wait for you to see the final season of @themorningshow !’

In a statement released earlier in the day, Aniston was philosophical, saying: ‘Going in knowing it would be our last, we were so fortunate to craft the conclusion with intentionality, and honor these characters the way they deserve.’

‘From the beginning, Apple has supported our vision for The Morning Show, and we feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to tell stories that reflect what’s happening in the world around us with a twist of dark humor.’

The star, who, like Witherspoon, is also an executive producer on the show, added: ‘It’s been such a privilege to work with this insanely talented cast, and our extraordinary writers, producers and crew. We’ve become such a family, and we’re all so excited to share this final season.’

‘This was always more than a show about a newsroom – it was a show about why the newsroom matters,’ Witherspoon said in a statement. ‘About freedom of the press, and the journalists who protect the fourth estate, often at great cost. Telling that story has been the creative privilege of my career.’

She concluded by thanking Apple, the writers, crew and cast: ‘It has been a stellar creative experience – one I will always treasure.’

The shock end of The Morning Show comes weeks after Aniston bid an emotional farewell to her ‘father figure’ James Burrows following his death.

The acclaimed television director, whose credits included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Will and Grace, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly and The Big Bang Theory, passed away on June 19 at the age of 85, and Aniston admitted she felt the ‘pressure’ to craft a message that matched the love he had always shown her and her co-stars while making Friends.

Though Aniston and Witherspoon both knew going in that this would be their last season, it’s obviously going to take time to digest

‘Oh boy … Papa Burrows. The hardest thing about writing this is that you spent a lifetime making people feel loved, and now it feels impossible to put all of that love into a few paragraphs.’

‘He called us his “kids” — “Where are the kids?” “Let’s see if the kids can make the joke work.” No pressure.’

‘His own incredible children were generous enough to share him with all of us who were lucky enough to experience his unicorn presence.’

‘He was a father figure to me. He always checked in on me. He worried about me, celebrated me, taught me, guided me and held me through the hardest times and the best of times. He spoiled us rotten.’

She added: ‘Most of all, he taught us — the kids — how important it is to love and respect one another. To take care of each other. To have each other’s backs and support each other, no matter what. And we did just that.(sic)’

The House of the Virgin Mary is a shrine located in Ephesus, Turkey, where the mother of Jesus is believed to have spent her final years. Thousands of miles away, nestled in a field outside Manila, a replica in the Philippines welcomes devotees in Asia’s biggest Catholic nation.

“The idea began as a place of refuge,” said Dennis Paez, the priest who led the project. “This is a place where no questions (are) asked.”

The replica was inaugurated in 2024 in Alfonso, a town in Cavite province about 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of the capital. Since opening, it has hosted Catholic pilgrimages, including celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in mid-July. The 67-square-meter (720-square-foot) structure mirrors the exact dimensions, shape and look of every stone at the original site.

According to Catholic tradition, the house in Ephesus is where Mary spent much of her life after Jesus’ crucifixion and before her assumption into heaven. The apostle John is said to have brought her to the region to escape persecution in Jerusalem.

Paez said the replica took about 10 months to complete. Workers of different faiths took part in the construction, something Paez viewed as the Virgin Mary bringing all of her children together.

“The apostolate of this place is to accept people with unconditional positive regard,” added Paez, who is also a psychologist specializing in supporting youth. “There is no therapy here. The therapist is our Mother.”

Marian devotion shapes Filipino faith

In the country of about 113 million people, nearly 80% identify as Catholic.

Philippine faithful often refer to the Virgin Mary as the Blessed Mother. Processions honoring her are held regularly throughout the country.

“We are a long-suffering people,” Paez said. “Our wealth is really our faith and our faith is such like that because of the Blessed Mother.”

Religious historian Michael Delos Reyes said that Filipino devotion to the Virgin Mary dates back to the time Spanish colonizers introduced Christianity in the 16th century. However, that devotion has also found expression in more recent moments of the country’s history.

Delos Reyes said that some attributed the 1986 People Power Revolution that led to the ouster of then-President Ferdinand Marcos to the Virgin’s intercession. And in 2013, when the Typhoon Haiyan ravaged Tacloban, devotees looked to the Blessed Mother for hope.

Filipinos turn to Mary for comfort

“To Jesus through Mary” is a phrase that reflects the central place Mary holds in Filipino Catholic life.

“Her maternal dimension is what Filipinos find meaningful, as well as her power to intercede on believers’ behalf,” said Deirdre de la Cruz, a professor of history and Southeast Asian studies at the University of Michigan.

Marian iconography and rosaries frequently adorn Filipino cars, public transportation, individual altars and shrines both in urban and rural landscapes, De la Cruz added.

“As someone who is known to provide comfort, Mary is a very familiar figure and someone to whom one can appeal in difficult times,” she said.

Daphne Oseña Paez, who recently visited the replica, said that despite being raised Catholic her devotion was not as strong as it became in adulthood. It began with a trip to Mexico, where she saw the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it deepened years later after enduring a difficult pregnancy that made her seek refuge in her faith.

“We don’t pray to Mary herself, but Mary intercedes for us,” Oseña Paez said. “In my times of trouble, and I’ve had a lot, I really clung on to the love and comfort of her as a mother.”

A pilgrimage closer to home

Donated Marian icons line the walls inside the replica. At the center stands a statue of Mary modeled after the one in Turkey, alongside a relic said to be from her veil.

Most of the displayed images were donated by art collector and Philippine culture advocate Maritess Pineda. She said her devotion to Mary led her to start a collection that has finally found a home.

Other Filipinos felt drawn to contribute in their own way. Rupert Suarez and his wife had visited the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus years earlier. When he learned about plans to build a replica in the Philippines, he joined the the project.

“I usually pray to the Mother,” Suarez said. “It’s so very blessed that we already have this replica built.”

The site has received little public promotion since its inauguration. Yet Father Paez said pilgrims have visited.

“I don’t at all think that it is me bringing them,” Paez said. “It’s The Blessed Mother asking them, inviting them to come.”

___

Hernández reported from Beijing.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.