First trees planted in effort to expand ‘iconic’ temperate rainforest site
Volunteers have planted 450 saplings from Wistman’s Wood, an ancient oak woodland covering seven acres in the Dart Valley, on Dartmoor, Devon, and installed protective guards around naturally regenerated trees. Newly planted trees are being established in small groups and in a newly fenced area, by the Duchy of Cornwall, working with Natural England, Moor Trees, the Woodland Trust and tenant farmers, with a long-term ambition to create a “mirror image” of the existing wood. Temperate rainforest is one of the most precious habitats in the UK (Duchy of Cornwall/Charles Sainsbury-Plaice/PA)Atlantic temperate rainforest is one of the UK’s most precious habitats. Wistman’s Wood has numerous protections for its significance for nature conservation, including some of the rarest species of mosses and lichens, and is rich in folklore and mythology, the Duchy said. Volunteers have planted saplings to expand Wistman’s Wood (Duchy of Cornwall/Charles Sainsbury-Plaice/PA)Acorns and rowan seeds have been gathered and grown on in the past two years by Moor Trees’ community tree nursery in Dartington, south Devon.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 12:04 UTC
Heather burning ban on peatland to be expanded under Government plans
This means the ban would apply to more than half of the country’s 677,250 hectares of blanket bog, including the entire area of upland deep peat. Any burning would need to be done under strict licence, issued where there is a clear need, such as reducing wildfire risk, the Government said. But 80% of England’s peatlands are degraded while large-scale burning of its vegetation causes the release of harmful pollutants into the air. Ministers argue that expanding the ban will help to improve air quality in villages, towns and cities. A rare global habitat, it is a precious part of our national heritage, and that is why we’re announcing a consultation on these measures to ensure deep peat is better protected.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 11:04 UTC
Toddler expelled from UK nursery school for being transphobic: Report
A toddler was reportedly excluded from nursery for being "transphobic", newly released figures have revealed.According to data from the Department for Education (DfE), the child – believed to be either three or four years old – was suspended for what was described as “abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity”.The incident occurred during the 2022–23 academic year at a state school, as reported by The Telegraph. She expressed disbelief that a toddler could be suspended for what was labelled ‘transphobia’ or homophobia, and added that this was not an isolated incident. Joyce claimed that 13 children aged four and five had been suspended or excluded for similar reasons. He argued that if an ideology results in toddlers being punished for failing to adhere to it, that might be a compelling reason to reconsider the ideology altogether.A spokesperson for the Department for Education stated that all pupils and staff should feel safe and protected in school and should never be subjected to violence or abuse. The plan includes initiatives such as free breakfast clubs in every primary school, improved access to mental health support, and a renewed emphasis on attendance through targeted school improvement efforts.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 10:14 UTC
Football gossip, paper talk and transfer rumours: Viktor Gyokeres, Milos Kerkez and Jules Kounde
THE SUNLiverpool believe they have won the battle to sign £50m-rated left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. DAILY STARAjax are eyeing a free transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen. THE ATHLETICArsenal are developing a strong interest in Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres as they consider their options to recruit a striker this summer. Manchester United have reportedly almost halved their ticket prices for Sunday's derby after a lack of uptake. DAILY RECORDRangers will reportedly have to stump up at least £5m if they are to land Maccabi Tel Aviv star Dor Turgeman this summer.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 09:58 UTC
The Sun reduces losses with cover price hike as The Times boosts subscriber numbers
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Enterprise - good ideas, product development and SME news every WednesdaySomething went wrong, please try again later. The Sun has managed to reduce its pre-tax loss, thanks to an increase in cover price which helped counterbalance declining newspaper sales. The Sun, which files its accounts under News Group Newspapers with Companies House, cut its pre-tax loss from £65.8m to £18m in the year ending 30 June, 2024. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £50.3m for the year, a slight improvement from the previous year's loss of £53.7m.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 09:09 UTC
The 'booming' Greater Manchester town with affordable homes and glorious scenery named one of UK's best places to live
The 'booming' Greater Manchester town with affordable homes and glorious scenery named one of UK's best places to liveThis old mill town, which sits between Manchester and the Peak District, has been hailed by The Times in its 2025 list of the best places to live in the UKThe Greater Manchester town has been hailed in The Times' prestigious list (Image: Getty Images )A Greater Manchester town which boasts gorgeous scenery and cheaper than average homes has been named one of the best places to live - and local estate agents say the property market is 'booming'. The former mill town of Mossley, which sits in Tameside between Manchester and the Peak District, found itself on The Sunday Times' list of the 'best places to live in the UK in 2025' alongside just one other Greater Manchester area - The Heatons in Stockport. "It’s just 20 minutes by train to Manchester city centre, but just a few minutes the other way and you’re surrounding by glorious rural scenery." The great mix of places to eat, drink and shop in Bottom Mossley also lend to its 'thriving' community. Article continues below“All these things combined make it a hugely popular place to live and the housing market in Mossley is booming.”
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 08:57 UTC
The Sun slashes losses as The Times treads water
The Sun slashes losses as The Times treads waterThe Sun, The Times and TalkTV form part of News UK. The Sun slashed its pre-tax loss as an increase in cover price helped to offset falling newspaper sales, it has been revealed. Separate accounts filed for The Times also show its finances have remained broadly the same during its latest financial year while TalkTV continued to make a huge loss. The Times, which posts its accounts via Times Media, reported a turnover of £383.4m for the year, down from the £385.7m it posted in the prior 12 months. The Times’ digital paid subscriptions totalled 594,000 in the year – a rise of 29,000 – representing 84 per cent of its overall 705,000 subscribers.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 08:01 UTC
Police review Borehamwood couple's arrest in school WhatsApp row
A police force is carrying out a "rapid and thorough review" after a couple were arrested over complaints they made about their daughter's primary school, which included comments on WhatsApp. Maxie Allen and his partner Rosalind Levine, from Borehamwood, told The Times they were held for 11 hours on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications, and causing a nuisance on school property. Hertfordshire Police said the arrests "were necessary to fully investigate the allegations" but there was "insufficient evidence" to take any action. The county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Jonathan Ash-Edwards, said: "There has clearly been a fundamental breakdown in relationships between a school and parents that shouldn't have become a police matter."
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 07:20 UTC
1923 Season 2: Episode 6 release date, time, where to watch and upcoming episode schedule
Episode 6 Release Date, Time and Where to WatchLive EventsEpisode CountUpcoming Episode SchedulePlot of Season 2FAQs(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelThe next episode of 1923 Season 2 , titled The Mountain Teeth of Monsters, is set to premiere on Sunday, March 30, 2025. It will be available on Paramount+ at different times based on time zones.1923 Season 2 Episode 6 will be released on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Teonna will reunite with someone from her past.1923 Season 2 consists of eight episodes, the same as Season 1. Paramount agreed to extend the series into two seasons.1923 Season 2 is available exclusively on Paramount+. Alexandra faces challenges as she embarks on a trans-Atlantic journey to reunite with Spencer.There are eight episodes in 1923 Season 2.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 03:41 UTC
Times letters: Arrest of parents who complained to school
Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, Your report “Police arrest parents for complaining about school” (Mar 29) made for uncomfortable reading, particularly in conjunction with the principles of policing, drafted by Sir Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police, in 1829, “to recognise always that the power of police to fulfil their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions and behaviour”. I have been mercifully retired for 24 years but feel confident that the case would have been dealt with very differently in my time in the service. It would have been written off pretty much at source as “no threat of imminent violence, no evidence of criminal offence, complainant advised this is not a police issue; see a solicitor if you
Source:The Times
March 30, 2025 23:43 UTC
Driving test waiting times hit record high
The number of test centres with a 24-week waiting time – the maximum possible – nearly doubled over the period, from 94 to 183. As of February, only 14 centres had waiting times at or below seven weeks, which is the DVSA’s nationwide target for the end of the year. “Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment. A DVSA spokesperson said: “Car practical test waiting times remain high due to an increase in demand and low customer confidence in driving test availability, resulting in a change in customers’ booking behaviour. “We continue to work on implementing our seven-point plan to reduce waiting times and encouraging learner drivers to only book their driving test when their instructor agrees they are ready.
Source:The Times
March 30, 2025 23:11 UTC
Ukrainian refugee’s boxing academy provides joy and confidence for UK youngsters
In May 2024, he founded Pohodin Boxing Academy, which operates from Syd’s Gym in Sheffield, together with Syd Khaan and Benny Banaris. Mr Pohodin came to the UK in 2022 (Danielle Desouza/PA)Mr Pohodin teaches a wide array of backgrounds and age groups on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday each week. “I’m very happy Ukrainian boxing is successful.”He added he feels particularly happy to live in Sheffield as he considers it to be the “centre of boxing” in the UK. “We are grateful for every Briton who helped Ukrainians, in their stay here and to those who volunteered and helped Ukrainians who are in Ukraine,” he added. Initially joining boxing classes for her wellbeing, she said she was glad she then met fellow Ukrainians.
Source:The Times
March 30, 2025 23:05 UTC
Government asks MP watchdog to review expenses rules after £900 ‘pet rent’ claim
“It’s important to say that the MP in question, she hasn’t done anything wrong in that she’s followed the rules as they are at the moment, but we don’t think that those rules can be right and that’s why the government will flag it with Ipsa.”
Source:The Times
March 30, 2025 22:49 UTC
Prince Harry Accused of ‘Bullying’ by Chair of Charity He Co-founded
An ugly rift between Prince Harry and a leader of a charity he co-founded escalated on Sunday after the leader, Sophie Chandauka, accused the prince of engaging in harassment and bullying to try to force her out of her post. Ms. Chandauka said that when Harry abruptly resigned last week as the patron of the charity, Sentebale, it was calculated to damage the organization after he failed to oust her from her post as the chair of its board of trustees. “Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their family?” Ms. Chandauka said in an interview with the British broadcaster Sky News. “That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale.”A spokesman for Harry and his wife, Meghan, declined to comment on Ms. Chandauka’s latest claims, which she made on the Sky News program “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.”
Source:The Times
March 30, 2025 21:58 UTC