Times letters: BMA strikes and how to pay for the NHS
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Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 11:46 UTC
Eckington village among prettiest in the UK for mini break
This is when, in the best villages, you can spill out from the pub, pint in hand, to watch a leisurely game of cricket on the green. Stay in the Cotswolds describes Eckington as a “charming village” with a “picturesque setting”. "It lies alongside the River Avon, contributing to its picturesque setting, though this proximity also means the area is susceptible to occasional flooding. Nearby towns such as Pershore and Evesham, both situated along the River Avon, offer a range of amenities and historical attractions. "Furthermore, the historic town of Tewkesbury, located where the River Avon meets the River Severn, is also within easy reach.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 11:45 UTC
Leading doctors urge BMA to reconsider strikes amid concerns over public trust
Earlier this week, the BMA announced that resident doctors, formerly junior doctors, in England would walk out for five consecutive days from 7am on July 25, in a dispute over pay. Lord Darzi, 65, told the Times: “Doctors have a special place in society. The public’s trust in doctors is earned, not guaranteed. The pair’s calls echoed those made by Prof Winston, 84, who said he resigned from the BMA on Thursday. This means improving pay and conditions so that resident doctors stay in the health service and the UK to become expert clinical leaders, running entire services and innovating treatments.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 10:49 UTC
The North Wales beach that’s ‘like Cornwall’ named one of the best in the UK
North Wales is often the go-to seaside destination for Mancunians, a region known for its spectacular beaches from scenic, sandy coves to vast stretches of golden sand. This year several beaches found along its coastline have been named the best in the UK by The Times, including the village of Aberdaron, located on the Llyn peninsula. Village of Aberdaron (Image: Ian Capper / geograph.org.uk )The village overlooks a mile-long beach of the same name, nestled between two headlands with gorgeous views out to sea. Bardsey Island (Image: Daily Post Wales )Its name translates to ‘The Big Kitchen’ and it’s said to be one of the oldest beach cafes in the country. Becws Islyn Bakery is also a great option if you want a snack to take to the beach.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 10:42 UTC
Hereford Sixth Form College one of top in UK for Oxbridge offers
According to The Times' statistics, the sixth form college achieved 21 Oxbridge offers in 2024, equalling a success rate of 37 per cent of the students who applied. The philosophy behind the college's success was stated as: “Find your weird interest, a niche within your subject, and pursue that,” said Vicky Orsmond, the college’s senior progression lead. Read more:Ms Orsmond told The Times that students are encouraged to send off a piece of written work which is "imperfect", where tutors had been critical in their marking. “Admissions tutors know if an essay has been rewritten," she said. "If we have been quite brutal with a pupil when we marked it, it also shows the student can take feedback.”The college was described as something of an "outlier" in their success, as most state schools achieve Oxbridge offers in double figures are selective, and usually based in London or South East England.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 09:45 UTC
I camped on one of UK's best beaches that gets cuts off by the tide
The main south beach at Shell Island near Llanbedr, Gwynedd. Shell Island in Gwynedd was the regional winner in The Times' 'UK's 50 top beaches' list. The Times commented on the views from Shell Island over to Harlech and beyond across the Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). You have to time it right, though, as the tide times will affect when you can make the trip over. Get more information on prices, facilities and tide times on the Shell Island website.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 09:04 UTC
Beever-Jones' maturity helping her embrace first major tournament
She is speaking to the travelling English media at her first major tournament but demonstrates a maturity beyond her 21 years. “Just growing up, I’m quite mature for my age and that reflects onto the pitch now just being able to feel comfortable. “It's weird, although I'm doing this right now, it still doesn't even really feel like it's happening,” said Beever-Jones. “The times I have played for England I've absolutely loved it. I've seen people using it however they wish but I'm quite big on writing stuff down, so I've got a little memory book,” explained Beever-Jones.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 07:46 UTC
Best beaches in Donegal for a trip to enjoy the bank holiday weekend heat
And where better to go during the sweltering heat than the rugged coastline just across the border in Co Donegal. The main strand has a car park and a well-maintained children's play park built into the sand dunes. There's the main strand known simply as Buncrana beach, there's Lisfannon strand which is the first one you'll spot on the road, there's Dunree Bay, Porthaw beach near Ned's Point and there's Stragill. KinnagoeKinnagoe Bay, Co Donegal (Image: Tourism Ireland / Failte Ireland )Kinnagoe Bay in Co Donegal, is found on the western coast of the Inishowen peninsula, is a stunning beach sheltered by steep, tree lined hills. Marble Hill, DunfanaghyMarble Hill beach, Dunfanaghy (Image: Tristan Hutchinson/ Failte Ireland )Marble Hill in Dunfanaghy features miles of clean, golden sand and spectacular Atlantic views.
Source:The Times
July 12, 2025 04:03 UTC
India vs England 3rd Test LIVE SCORE IND vs ENG Updates Bharat Banaam England Aaj Ke Match Ka Scorecard Streaming JioHotstar, Sony Sports, Facebook, Youtube
Two absorbing days of Test cricket have seen both teams trading blows. There was plenty of talk on the opening day about the pitch being on the slower side and the edges not carrying. But come the morning of Day 2, the surface had noticeably quickened up. As for England, after a good night’s rest, their pacers will be raring to go and will look to exploit the morning conditions. Saturday, 12th July will be Day 3 of this Lord's Test, with the first ball to be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT).
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 23:28 UTC
Police Investigate Burning of Migrant-Boat Effigy in Northern Ireland as a Hate Crime
The police are investigating the burning of an effigy depicting Black migrants on a boat as a “hate incident” after it was set alight as part of annual loyalist celebrations in Northern Ireland. A boat containing life-size mannequins wearing life jackets was set on top of a tower of wooden pallets in Moygashel, County Tyrone, above banners reading “stop the boats” and “veterans before refugees.”The bonfire was set alight in front of a large crowd on Thursday night as part of wider events marking the start of Twelfth of July, which commemorates the 1690 victory by a Protestant king, William III, over a Catholic king, James II. For more than a century, members of the Protestant community have taken part in annual marches and parades around July 12. During the Troubles, the sectarian conflict between Catholic and Protestant communities, “marching season” was a source of tension and, at times, violence. While the marches have become less fraught in recent years, the bonfires remain a source of concern to police, some of whom fear they can stoke lawlessness.
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 23:11 UTC
IVF pioneer Lord Robert Winston quits BMA over doctor strikes
Lord Winston, 84, has been a member of the BMA since 1964. I think that the country is really struggling in all sorts of ways, people are struggling in all sorts of ways," he told The Times. But the BMA says wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008. Lord Winston's comments come after doctors and patient groups warned that the NHS in England was struggling to reduce wait times - a top priority for the NHS. "Doctors need to be reminded that every time they have a patient in front of them they have someone who is frightened and in pain.
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 22:38 UTC
Man stabs best friend 20 times over £20 debt in horror attack… but victim says ‘betrayal cuts deeper than wounds’
Chilling CCTV footage revealed the moment the victim was targetedKNIFE ATTACK Man stabs best friend 20 times over £20 debt in horror attack… but victim says ‘betrayal cuts deeper than wounds’A MAN stabbed his best friend 20 times in a frenzied attack over a £20 debt. Qusai Abdalla knifed his victim, a man in his 40s, in the head, chest and arm during the horror on September 29, last year. The callous 26-year-old later told the same associate he carried out the stabbing over an unpaid £20 debt, said Lancashire Police. Appearing at Preston Crown Court today, the victim said the "betrayal has cut even deeper than the physical wounds" because he thought Abdalla was a friend. Det Con Emily Armitage said: "This was a cowardly attack which could have easily resulted in a man losing his life... all over a £20 debt.
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 22:16 UTC
Takeaways From the Times Investigation Into Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu ignored this and other warnings, and his government went ahead with the overhaul, passing a law hours later that limited the judiciary’s power, setting off more unrest. Minutes after the attack began in October 2023, at the nadir of his political career, Netanyahu was already planting the seeds for his personal survival act. “I don’t see anything in the intelligence,” Netanyahu said in one of his first phone calls that day. As fighting still flared in southern Israel, Netanyahu’s team then briefed sympathetic influencers, telling them that it was the generals who were at fault for Israel’s worst-ever defense failure. Later in the war, Netanyahu’s team ordered archivists to alter the official records of his earliest phone calls on Oct. 7.
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 19:43 UTC
WorldSBK: Bulega tops the times despite a crash
WorldSBK: Blue skies and high temperatures have greeted the WorldSBK paddock at the UK Round. I felt quite good overall and I think we can do a good job tomorrow.”P5 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)“The bike wasn’t working well. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.202s4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.250s6. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) +0.282sFor more info checkout our dedicated WorldSBK (World Superbike) News page superbike-news.co.uk/category/world-superbikes/Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of WorldSBK.com
Source:The Times
July 11, 2025 19:36 UTC