UK Counterterrorism Police Investigating Fire Near Heathrow
Britain’s counterterrorism police are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire near Heathrow Airport, signaling that the possibility of sabotage was being taken seriously, at least as a precaution. But officials said there was no immediate evidence that foul play was involved. After the blaze at the electrical substation and subsequent power outage, the scale of the resulting chaos raised uncomfortable questions for Britain’s government about the security measures protecting key transport hubs and the resilience of the country’s aging infrastructure. The Metropolitan Police in London said that counterterrorism specialists had taken charge “given the location of the substation and the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure.”Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said it was “not unusual” for the specialized officers to be involved in an investigation of such a major incident, and he told Sky News that there was “no reason at all for anyone to be concerned or alarmed.”
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 19:06 UTC
Sunday Times names two North East towns among best places to live in 2025
More infoTwo North East towns have been named among the best places to live in the UK in an annual list compiled by the Times. Whitley Bay and Heaton, which were named the best places to live in 2024, have dropped off the list. The overall winner of the best places to live in the North and North East is Ilkley in West Yorkshire. Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: "We can see what people really love about the places they live. Best places to live in the North and North East
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 17:10 UTC
Crickhowell and Presteigne among Wales' top places to live in Sunday Times guide
Crickhowell is described by judges as "small but perfectly formed," and was praised for its thriving independent high street, successful schools, and strong community pride. Presteigne is named as a "supremely community-minded town" and was recognised for its vibrant local initiatives, from volunteer drivers to guerrilla gardeners and a community orchard, as well as for being the only official Dark Sky town in England and Wales.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 15:00 UTC
Penryn, Cornwall, The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025 includes 72 locations across the UK and is released today Friday, March 21. Penryn was described as being a bit rough around the edges (Image: Staff)While admitting it is still a bit rough around the edges, Penryn was praised for its energy, creativity and community. The redevelopment of the Anchor Warehouse saw the tide turn for the town as well as the arrival of Jubilee Wharf development. Amy Oliver manager of the Sunshine Cafe & Yoga has lived in Penryn for two years. Amy Oliver manager of the Sunshine Cafe and Yoga centre (Image: Staff)She said would agree that Penryn was particularly focused on community and that Penryn had a very strong community feel.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 13:33 UTC
Tuolumne County confirms two measles cases, warns of exposure at high school and emergency room
Tuolumne County reported some of the state’s lower vaccination rates last school year. The Tuolumne County Public Health Department on Wednesday confirmed two measles cases a day after it opened an investigation into the possible infections. The California Department of Public Health reported Thursday that there have been at least eight confirmed cases of measles in the state this year. Tuolumne County reported some of the state’s lower vaccination rates in the 2023-24 school year, according to data published this week by the state public health department. Public health experts say a 95% vaccination rate, sometimes called “herd immunity,” is considered the gold standard of disease prevention.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 13:11 UTC
Chew Valley named south west's best place to live by The Times
The Chew Valley in North Somerset has been named the best place to live in the south west of England by The Times, external. The region pipped seven other places to the top spot including Hotwells and Cliftonwood in Bristol, Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire and Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Sunday Times Best Places to Live judges praised its "combination of beautiful landscapes and forward-thinking rural enterprises." Saffron Walden in Essex was named the overall best place to live in the UK.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 12:38 UTC
Heathrow airport shut: Video shows massive fire raging overnight
London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest in the world, was forced to shut down on Friday after a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation cut power to the facility. The disruption has led to the cancellation of at least 1,350 flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers globally.Authorities confirmed that the airport will remain closed until at least 11:59 pm local time. The power outage also impacted thousands of homes and businesses in the surrounding areas. Airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have canceled or rerouted multiple flights. Fire crews remain on-site, working to fully extinguish the blaze as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 11:35 UTC
Sunday Times lists Knutsford as one of UK's best places to live
Knutsford is one of seven locations across the North West chosen in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. In their description, the judges said: "Already one of the classiest towns in Cheshire, Knutsford just keeps getting better and better. Knutsford has regularly featured on the Sunday Times list, consistently impressing the judges. Six other locations in the north west are featured in the comprehensive guide here: thetimes.com/best-places-to-live. "That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 09:50 UTC
'Aim is probably just to get back into England side': Sam Curran on his international comeback ahead of IPL 2025
"My main aim is probably just to get back into the (England white-ball) side. With England, I guess I've never really found that perfect role. "I feel like if I get my role right with England, I'll get back into it, who knows what will happen now. I feel in a really good space. Sometimes, as a player, those ones that are a bit more brutal can be really good because you want to go and prove them wrong.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 09:36 UTC
How to stop your child from scrolling — the doctor’s guide
As a father of two, Dr Rangan Chatterjee is all too familiar with the pressure parents face to give their children a smartphone, and as a GP he has had a front-row seat to witness the damage the devices unleash on developing brains. “The widespread adoption of technology and smartphones in our children’s lives is the most urgent societal issue we face,” says Chatterjee, author of the bestselling book Make Change That Lasts and host of the hit podcast Feel Better, Live More. It’s an issue made plain by Adolescence, the chilling Netflix drama in which a 13-year-old boy is arrested for murder after being sucked into an online world his parents knew nothing about. Chatterjee says that over the past decade an
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 08:47 UTC
Saffron Waldon announced UK 'Best Place to Live' for 2025
Saffron Waldon announced UK 'Best Place to Live' for 2025Saffron Waldon has been named the best place to live in the UK in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guideColoured houses, Saffron Waldon, Essex Author: Martha Tipper Published 11 hours agoLast updated 8 hours agoHere's some news to be proud of for communities in Essex - as we now know Saffron Waldon is the 'Best Place to Live' in the UK in 2025. "Once seen as stuffy, old-fashioned and expensive, Saffron Walden is enjoying a swish new lease of life" says Tim Palmer, chief judge and writer of Best Places to Live. "You wouldn't say Chelmsford and Saffron Waldon have a huge amount in common. "Saffron Waldon is pretty, historic, very chocolate box, full of community spirit whereas Chelmsford has all the conveniences you need for a really good life and good commuter links and schools. “That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 07:33 UTC
Woodbridge named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide 2025
A Suffolk town has been named among the best places to live in the UK. Woodbridge has been included in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide alongside Saffron Walden (national winner), Chelmsford (regional winner), Norwich, Reepham, The Shelfords and Wivenhoe. Woodbridge has been named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025. “What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there. “That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 07:32 UTC
Chiranjeevi slams paid fan meet-ups in UK, promises refunds
Megastar Chiranjeevi has taken a strong stance against middlemen who have been charging fans for unauthorized meet-and-greets . In a message on social media, Chiranjeevi expressed his gratitude for his fans' love but condemned the practice of collecting fees for these interactions. However, I’ve been informed that some individuals are attempting to charge a fee for the fan meetings. Any fee collected by any one will be refunded immediately. Chiranjeevi will also be working on a comedy-drama with Anil Ravipudi, marking a return to the genre after a long time.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 03:45 UTC
U.S. Denied Entry to French Scientist Over Views on Trump Policies, France Says
A French scientist was prevented from entering the United States this month because of an opinion he expressed about the Trump administration’s policies on academic research, according to the French government. Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister for higher education and research, described the move as worrying. “Freedom of opinion, free research and academic freedom are values we will continue to proudly uphold,” Mr. Baptiste said in a statement. “I will defend the possibility for all French researchers to be faithful to them, in compliance with the law, wherever they may be in the world.”Mr. Baptiste did not identify the scientist who was turned away but said that the academic was working for France’s publicly funded National Center for Scientific Research and had been traveling to a conference near Houston when border officials stopped him.
Source:The Times
March 21, 2025 03:24 UTC
This Charming British Detective Show Is an Escape From Uncertain Times
In the opening scene of the detective show “Ludwig,” the camera pans up and down the floors of a glass office building while jaunty music plays on the soundtrack. Employees chat as they pack up and leave for the day, and then we reach an upper level, where a man in a button-down shirt and slacks is sprawled on the floor, an ornate knife sticking out of his chest. When the comedian David Mitchell read this first page of the show’s script last year, he immediately thought, “This aesthetic is exactly what I want,” he said in a recent interview. “It just felt — which is weird to say when it involves someone being murdered — but it felt fun.”When “Ludwig,” starring Mitchell in the lead role, aired in Britain late last year, viewers seemed to agree: Nearly 10 million people tuned in, making it the BBC’s most popular new scripted program in years.
Source:The Times
March 20, 2025 19:09 UTC