Global Trade

Dog walkers and visitors have been warned of a potential outbreak of blue-green algae at a nature reserve.

North Lincolnshire Council urged people to "take extra care" when visiting Ashby Ville lake in Scunthorpe, while it works with the Environment Agency to check the water.

Blue-green algae is a collection of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams which can become harmful.

The council also reminded visitors that open water swimming can be dangerous.

The blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, can become abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich surface waters that receive a lot of sunlight, leading to floating mats or scums on the water's surface.

Some blue-green algae can produce toxins, some do not.

However, it is not possible to tell if a bloom is toxic simply by looking at it.

Exposure to high levels of any blue-green algae blooms – whether by contact with water blooms, swallowing the water or inhaling airborne droplets – can cause health effects in people and animals.

These can include diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

However, the algae can be extremely dangerous to pets, livestock and wildlife.

The council added that swimming in open water is dangerous and could be fatal.

It said: "Ponds and lakes may contain hidden rubbish, sunken buildings or dangerous weeds that can trap bathers who also risk catching waterborne infections.

"At this time of year the shock of entering cold water can also be extremely dangerous," it added.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Israel's "Operation Rising Lion", as it calls its attack on Iran, is unprecedented. It is vastly more extensive and ambitious than anything that has come before, including the two missile and drone exchanges it had with Iran last year. For Iran, this is the biggest assault on its territory since the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988.

In the darkest hours before dawn the Israeli Air Force targeted not just sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme but also the country's air defences and ballistic missile bases, thereby reducing Iran's ability to retaliate.

On the ground and in the shadows, the network of operatives working for Mossad, Israel's overseas intelligence agency, reportedly helped to pinpoint the exact location of key figures in both the military command and nuclear scientists.

Those killed overnight include the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the guardians of the Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Shah's regime in 1979, as well as the head of the mainstream armed forces and the head of the IRGC air force. Iran says at least six of its scientists have been killed.

Once again, Israel's spy agency is shown to have successfully penetrated the very heart of Iran's security establishment, proving that no one there is safe.

Iran's state TV reported that 78 people were killed and said that civilians, including children, were among the dead. (This is an unofficial figure and has not been independently verified.)

Mossad was reportedly able to launch drones from inside Iran as part of this attack. The primary targets of this whole operation have been the nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz and bases belonging to the IRGC. For Israeli military planners, this has been a long time coming.

Iran is reeling and this may be only the first wave. There will be many more potential targets on Israel's hitlist, although some may be beyond its reach, buried deep underground in reinforced bases beneath solid rock.

So what has led to this attack by Israel and why now?

Curbing Iran's nuclear programme

Israel, and several Western countries, suspect that Iran has been secretly working towards what is called "breakout capability", meaning the point of no return in developing a viable nuclear weapon.

Iran denies this and has always insisted that its civil nuclear programme – which has received help from Russia – is for entirely peaceful purposes.

For more than a decade Israel has been trying, with varying degrees of success, to slow down and set back Iran's nuclear progress. Iranian scientists have been mysteriously assassinated by unknown assailants, the military head of the nuclear programme, Brig-Gen Fakhrizadeh was killed by a remote-controlled machine-gun on a lonely road near Tehran in 2020.

Before that, US and Israeli cyber sleuths were able to insert a devastating computer virus, codenamed Stuxnet, into Iran's centrifuges, which caused them to spin out of control.

This week the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), found Iran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations and threatened to refer it to the UN Security Council.

Many of the concerns over Iran's nuclear programme arise from its stockpiling of highly enriched uranium (HEU) that has been enriched up to 60 per cent, far beyond the level needed to generate civil nuclear power and a relatively short hop to the level needed to start building a bomb.

There was a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme. It was concluded in 2015 during the Obama presidency, but Donald Trump called it "the worst deal in the world" and when he got into the White House he pulled the US out of it. The following year Iran stopped complying with it.

Nobody outside Iran wants the Islamic Republic to possess the nuclear bomb. Israel, a small country with much of its 9.5 million-strong population concentrated in urban areas, views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat.

It points to the numerous statements by senior Iranian figures calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states don't much care for Iran's revolutionary Islamic Republic regime but they have learned to live with it as a neighbour.

They will now be extremely nervous about the risks of this conflict spreading to their own shores.

For Israel, the timing was crucial. Iran has already been weakened by the effective defeat or elimination of its proxies and allies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Its air defences were heavily compromised after last October's attacks by Israel.

There is a sympathetic president in the White House and lastly, Israel reportedly feared that some of Iran's key uranium enrichment equipment was about to be moved deep underground.

Where does this go from here?

It is clear what Israel wants by this operation: it is aiming to, at the very least, set back Iran's nuclear programme by years. Preferably it would like to halt it altogether.

There will also be many in Israel's military, political and intelligence circles who will be hoping that this operation could even so weaken Iran's leadership that it collapses altogether, ushering in a more benign regime that no longer poses a threat in the region. That may be wishful thinking on their part.

President Trump said on Friday that Iran had "a second chance" to agree to a deal. A sixth round of US-Iran negotiations was due to take place in Muscat on Sunday but Israel does not set much store by these talks.

Just as Russia is accused of stringing along Trump over peace talks with Ukraine, Israel believes Iran is doing the same here.

Israel believes this is its best and possibly last chance to kill off Iran's suspected nuclear weapons programme.

"Israel's unprecedented strikes across Iran overnight were designed to kill President Trump's chances of striking a deal to contain the Iranian nuclear programme," says Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

"It is clear their [the attacks] timing and large-scale nature was intended to completely derail talks."

New plans have been submitted for a major high street development providing homes, a village square and shops.

Developer London Square wants to build 101 homes in Ascot, with space for businesses, community use and a park, south of High Street and east of the town's fire station.

A previous set of plans for 132 homes were dropped by the developer just days before they were set for refusal by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Council officers argued the previous plans did not include enough affordable housing and had an "unnecessary reliance" on private cars.

Currently, the land is close to Ascot railway station and is being used as a car park for the racecourse.

New plans have reduced the number of homes and said 40% will be affordable, which complies with council standards.

These would be 29 homes and 72 apartments, including 33 one-bedroom apartments, 29 two-bedroom apartments, 10 three-bedroom apartments, 16 three-bedroom homes and 13 four-bedroom homes.

Each apartment would have a private balcony, communal terrace or garden, with all homes provided with a private garden plus 135 car parking spaces.

A village green will make up 26% of the total land.

Along with the homes and green space, 960m sq of floor space would be provided, which could be used for offices, shops, restaurants and cafes.

Ricardo Rossetti from London Square said: "We hope that the quality of the updated application will be well received and assist in meeting long standing objectives to bring positive benefits to Ascot."

The plans have been received by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and are currently under consultation.

Five teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stolen Mini Cooper was allegedly deliberately driven at people on bikes.

The car was involved in a hit-and-run after being driven into two boys riding a Sur-Ron electric motorbike at about 12:30 BST on Thursday on Teyfant Road in Bristol, Avon and Somerset Police said.

At about 17:30 BST the same day it was also seen following a 19-year-old man on a scrambler-type off-road bike along Fulford Road, before colliding with him on Hareclive Road.

The man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, while the two boys on the electric motorbike did not sustain serious injuries. All five suspects have been released on bail.

Insp Terry Murphy said: "We are keeping an open mind about this investigation and at this time we believe the incidents are linked and we're treating the collisions as a deliberate act."

Blood donors across south London may have potentially saved around 11,000 lives in the three months since Brixton's new blood donor centre first opened to the public, according to data from NHS Blood and Transplant.

Between December 2024 and February 2025, 3,773 people donated at the centre in south London, providing more than 3,000 units of blood. Each unit can save up to three lives.

Around 1,000 first-time donors were among those who chose to give blood in Brixton, and 50% were under 35 – twice as many as the national average.

More than half of black heritage blood donors have the RO blood sub-type, which is needed by people with sickle cell disease.

'I wake up in pain'

For Calvin Campbell, who has sickle cell disease, regular blood donations keep him alive.

"One of the main things about sickle cell is pain," he said. "I am always in pain; I have been in pain every second, every minute of every single day of my life since I was six months old.

"I go to sleep in pain, I sleep in pain and I wake up in pain.

"If it wasn't for the people who donate blood, people who have never met me, I literally would not be having this conversation. The only reason I am sitting here now is because of regular blood exchanges."

Leitita, from Lewisham, has been donating blood since she was 18.

"As soon as I was able to give blood, I was so excited to start doing it," she said,

"It is really amazing, especially hearing that there's so few black heritage donors that are donating. It makes it even more important for myself to continue keeping myself healthy so that I can continue donating.

"I have got a sub-type, the RO sub-type, and knowing that it helps a specific segment of my community was even more motivating for me to continue donating my blood."

Rexford Osei-Bonsu, manager of the Brixton donor centre, is encouraging more people to come forward to donate their blood.

"We have the capacity to deliver more than 1,000 appointments a week and are happy to work round your availability, whether that's on your way to work, during your lunch break or as you head home," he said.

"Giving blood is quick and painless. The entire appointment takes no longer than an hour and, in most cases, is much quicker. The actual time spent in the donation chair can be around 15 minutes.

"Donors can only give three to four times per year, so recruiting more donors is vital to securing London's blood stocks."

About sickle cell disease

• Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form into sickle or crescent shapes and become stuck in blood vessels, causing episodes of severe pain known as crises, as well as serious or even fatal complications, including organ damage and strokes.
• Many sickle cell patients rely on regular blood transfusions or full blood exchanges to proactively manage their symptoms, while others are given transfusions as an emergency treatment.
• A single patient receiving regular full blood exchanges can require blood from up to 100 donors each year.

An 87-year-old care home resident with dementia has found a "sense of purpose" since volunteering at a local charity shop.

Shirley Wolfe, who lives in Dukes Court Care Home in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, helps out once a month at Niamh's Next Step in the town, a children's cancer charity boutique.

She used to work as a sales assistant for John Lewis in her youth.

"It gives her a sense of purpose," said Kate Singleton, the well-being and activities coordinator from Dukes Court Care Home.

Ms Wolfe added: "I worked for John Lewis and I used to sort out [the customers]. I loved it and the people were fantastic."

Her responsibilities at the charity boutique include dressing mannequins, arranging shop displays, and greeting customers as they arrive.

Ms Singleton continued: "We're seeing a definite difference in Shirley.

"There's an immediate smile and a glow about her."

Sam Curry, manager at Niamh's Next Step, added: "You can tell she enjoys being back in the retail environment.

"She's been doing really well – she seems to be having a lovely time."

A paraglider pilot in his 70s was airlifted to hospital after reportedly flying into a cliff.

It happened at about 12:20 BST on Thursday at Weybourne Beach, near Sheringham.

"The man was transported by air ambulance to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment," said a spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service.

The man's injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, they added.

A family of travellers who turned a field in West Sussex into a caravan site have launched an appeal after being told they must leave.

Benjamin Keet laid hardstanding and built waste tanks on land off Stall House Lane, near Pulborough, before installing caravans on 18 January.

Police were called to intervene after clashes between the travellers and local residents, but no further action was taken.

Horsham District Council said it already has "a number" of existing traveller and gypsy sites, and that it had rejected retrospective planning from Mr Keets because of potential harm to the area and a nearby listed building.

The land is jointly owned by Mr Keet, Tony Castle and William Hughes, and there are currently two static caravans and two touring caravans on site.

After moving onto the land, they sought retrospective planning permission for four static caravans and four touring caravans.

But the council has rejected the application "due to concerns that the extent of the development was harmful to the rural character of the countryside location and to the setting of an adjacent listed building".

The authority then served an enforcement notice ordering the owners to remove the caravans and return the land to how it was before they moved in within six months.

All three landowners have appealed against the order, claiming the site is well screened and not visible from the road or other properties.

"You'd be chucking me and the kids on the side of the road in a caravan with a generator if I couldn't live here, same for my brother," said Mr Keet.

Shortage of traveller sites

Elizabeth Pleasant, from the planning inspectorate, heard from residents opposed to the development and council planning officers as well as the travellers, their agent and their barrister.

Michael Rudd, the barrister for the owners, said they had intentionally developed the land without permission, but said the law allows for retrospective applications and appeals.

"The impact from this development on the landscape is limited and can be reduced with planning conditions," he claimed.

Mr Rudd also said there was "significant need" for places for travellers to live.

A review carried out for the council last year concluded that 80 pitches for travellers and gypsies should be provided over the next five years and 128 by 2040.

But Mr Castle said the council have "little interest" in finding sites for travellers and gypsies.

"We're trying to create homes for our community that the local authority is failing to do," he said.

Mr Hughes added: "It's down to us and it's hard to find a site that's not in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a flood zone or a protected area, and if we do find one, developers want it for housing and pay millions."

The planning inspector will decide whether to uphold the appeal in about four weeks.

The council accepted that there is a need for additional traveller sites, but said: "This application was refused due to concerns that the extent of the development was harmful to the rural character of the countryside location and to the setting an adjacent listed building, and therefore contrary to relevant planning policies."

"The council reserves its position on any further planning enforcement action until after the planning inspector's decision is received on both appeals."

More burial plots will be provided in Wakefield, after concerns about limited space in the city's main cemetery.

Wakefield Cemetery, on Sugar Lane, dates back to 1859 and is set to become full within seven years, according to a council report.

Opposition leader Nadeem Ahmed, from the Conservative and Independent Group, called for the allotments next to the site to be given priority when negotiating more space for burials.

However, Wakefield Council has instead pledged to consider a range of suitable sites in the city, so options are not limited.

Labour deputy leader Jack Hemingway told the council debate that securing burial provision that met the needs of all communities was being taken seriously.

"There is currently sufficient burial space at Sugar Lane and the council is pro-actively using the time we have to seek expanded burial provision when that space runs out," he said.

The councillor added the process to create burial land was not straightforward, with high environmental requirements now in place.

A finance report, published last month, estimated the cost of the work at a potential new site to be around £100,000, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Unequivocal commitment

The council has extended cemeteries or explored other potential sites across the district in recent years.

In January 2023, work began to create 1,000 plots by extending Hemsworth Cemetery.

In the same year,  surveys and drilling were carried out at Barracks Field, in Pontefract, to test if it was suitable to be turned into a cemetery.

Hemingway said surveys had also been carried out at a number of potential burial sites in Wakefield.

"We want to ensure that families can choose to bury their loved ones in the towns in which they lived," he added.

"We aim to meet the needs of all faiths, and those of no faith.

"We have already made a commitment to ensure sufficient burial space for Wakefield. I am happy to unequivocally repeat that today."

The deputy leader said the council did not want to preclude other sites that might be more suitable at this stage.

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

An associate of the tech billionaire Mike Lynch had been "enjoying getting his life back" when he was fatally struck by a car while out on a run, an inquest heard.

Stephen Chamberlain died in hospital three days after a collision involving a Vauxhall car on the A1123 at Stretham in Cambridgeshire on 17 August 2024.

The 52-year-old had previously faced fraud charges in the US alongside Mr Lynch, who died after his superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily on 19 August.

In a statement read by lawyer Sally Hobson, Mr Chamberlain's widow Karen said he had taken up running after the fraud charge, and it had "helped him mentally stay calm and focus on what was ahead".

Mr Chamberlain and Mr Lynch were found not guilty of the charge in June last year following a trial at a federal court in San Francisco.

Mrs Chamberlain said her husband would "meticulously spend hours planning his routes" and competed in ultra-distance races.

He was "safety conscious", she said, and he would wear one earbud but leave the other ear free.

She told the inquest at New Shire Hall, Alconbury Weald, that he had been home from the US for two months and was "making up for lost time, enjoying getting his life back".

'A matter of seconds'

The inquest heard the collision happened as Mr Chamberlain was crossing a road between two parts of a bridleway and he was struck by the car as it crested a humpback bridge.

In a statement summarised by area coroner Caroline Jones, the driver involved said that as she "approached the bridge she proceeded down the incline" and a man "suddenly emerged into the road".

She said she saw Mr Chamberlain "looking to his left away from her and only looked to his right just before the collision".

She said she had "braked hard and steered to the nearside", but "he was too close" and the front offside of the vehicle collided with him.

She said she had been driving within the 60mph (97km/h) speed limit, had been on her way to a shop in Newmarket, Suffolk, and had "no time pressure", the coroner said.

A witness statement said Mr Chamberlain was thrown "approximately 15ft" in the air and "the entire incident must have been a matter of seconds".

The coroner said the female driver of the car should not be named at the hearing.

Police forensic collision investigator PC Ian Masters said it was "not an ideal crossing point by any stretch of the imagination".

Asked by the coroner if it was his view that it was not an avoidable collision, Mr Masters replied: "Yes, that's correct".

The coroner concluded that Mr Chamberlain died as the result of a road traffic collision.

She shared the concerns of the family that the humpback bridge was an "irredeemable barrier" to visibility for pedestrians and other road users.

She said she would write to Cambridgeshire County Council as the highways authority for further information before deciding whether a report to help prevent future deaths was necessary.

Mr Chamberlain's daughter Ella said in a statement to the inquest that her father was the "perfect role model in every way".

His son Teddy said in a statement: "He was the glue of our family, always ready with an answer.

"The mental and physical strength he showed was beyond anything I could imagine."

He added that he was the "greatest dad I could ever have asked for and I'm so proud to be his son".