The new Hinchingbrooke Hospital is set to have the same number of car parking spaces as there are on the current site.The hospital in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was one of four in the East of England found to have crumbling reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust announced on Thursday that it had appointed a company to build the new hospital.Project manager Deborah Lee said: “We’ve got to replace all the car parking that will be displaced, so we’ve committed to not reduce the amount of car parking as that was really important to local residents in particular.”The hospital has been included in the first wave of the government’s New Hospital Programme.A consultation giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts on the plans is open until 16 August.Lee said the issue of parking had been raised by local residents, and she added that the hospital would have to “replace all of the car parking”.”We’re quite far down the process of acquiring the land adjacent to us… which is currently owned by the Cambridgeshire Constabulary,” she said.
Author: admin
Pledge made over parking at new Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Liverpool pubs in Chicago: Best places to watch Leeds match
An exterior view of Soldier Field – Photo via IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
Liverpool have been marking the beginning of the Andoni Iraola era with a tour of the United States this summer, and are set to draw their stateside pre-season schedule to a close on Sunday, when they face Premier League rivals Leeds United at Chicago’s Solider Field.
The Reds kicked off their friendly action with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland at Nashville’s GEODIS Park, before going on to beat Championship promotion-hopefuls Wrexham 1-0 at Yankee Stadium in New York on Wednesday night.
Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch linked up with Iraola’s squad in Chicago prior to the Wrexham clash, but did not feature, so expect to see them – along with Jeremy Jacquet – this weekend.
Tens of thousands of supporters are expected to watch Sunday’s clash against Leeds in-person at Chicago Field, but if you don’t have a ticket yourself, there are plenty of great spots around town to watch the game.
Read on as Football Ground Guide takes a look at some of the Liverpool pubs in New York, and some of the best places for fans to watch the Wrexham match.
Back in Chicago ahead of our final US Tour fixture this weekend 🛬— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2026
Liverpool vs. Leeds United: Best places to watch in Chicago
A.J. Hudson’s Public House – 3801 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
A.J. Hudson’s Public House is the home of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club Chicago (OLSC Chicago), who host screenings of every Reds match on the bar’s huge array of TVs.
This spot is well-known to sports fans in the windy city, and features a calendar for sporting events being shown live prominently on their website, so expect to see the place packed with plenty of Liverpool fans on Sunday.
The Globe Pub – 1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613-2408
The Globe Pub is another venue popular with sports fans in Chicago, thanks to its 15 TVs and carefully curated range of beers to suit all tastes.
The food at the Globe is also worth checking out, with matchday staples such as curried sausage and chips being served along with steak and quesadilla.
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro – 3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro has been a core part of Chicago’s North Centre since opening in September 2005, and is a regular, cosy spot for those that enjoy sports and live music.
This Irish pub opens early on weekends when Liverpool are playing, and stocks an extensive range of more than 70 whiskeys, not to mention its scratch-made food and grocery full of harder-to-find Irish favourites like Barry’s Tea!
The Albion Manor – 1480 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
The Albion Manor is a classy English-style pub that welcomes sports fans on matchdays, and with Liverpool in town, expect to see plenty of Reds jerseys at the bar.
The food and drink at the Albion is highly-rated, and visitors heading over to watch the game might want to know that brunch is served on weekends between 10am and 2pm.
Cleo’s Bar and Grill –1935 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622-5541
As a specialist sports bar, Cleo’s is sure to be buzzing on matchday, and with a closing time of 4:00am on Sundays, the place will be full of energy long into the night.
Liverpool fans looking for a vibrant atmosphere should consider watching the game here, and those hoping to make a day of it could do a lot worse than basing their evening at Cleo’s.
We’ll see you in the States this summer 🤩🇺🇸Liverpool will play matches against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United on pre-season tour as part of preparations for 2026-27 🙌 pic.twitter.com/YPy2Ci6aC7— Liverpool FC USA (@LFCUSA) March 4, 2026
Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States
Liverpool 4-2 Sunderland – GEODIS Park, Nashville – July 25
Liverpool 1-0 Wrexham – Yankee Stadium, New York – July 29
Liverpool vs. Leeds United – Soldier Field, Chicago – August 2 – 3:00pm (local time)
Liverpool squad in full
Iraola opted to hold Isak, Wirtz and Gravenberch back from his matchday squad against Wrexham, preferring instead to give the trio more time to get up to speed with his demands before throwing them into a game, so expect to see all three take to the pitch at Soldier Field.
New arrival Jacquet has yet to make his Liverpool debut since arriving from Rennes, sitting out the Reds’ first two friendlies as a precautionary measure, but the manager has indicated that the 20-year-old centre-back is in line to play this weekend.
On that front, Iraola also confirmed that Joe Gomez is set to miss the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season after suffering an injury against Sunderland.
Alexis Mac Allister and summer signing Victor Munoz are not part of the Merseysiders’ contingent in the United States having reached the World Cup 2026 final, while Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alisson Becker remain at the club’s Kirkby training base.
Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros, Bailey Hall, Harvey Davies.
Defenders: Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Calvin Ramsay, Calum Scanlon, Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Josh Abe, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell, Kieran Morrison.
Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Will Wright, Josh Sonni-Lambie.
Staffordshire Farmer Escapes Prison After Council Uncovers Mass Cattle Neglect
A Staffordshire livestock farmer has narrowly avoided immediate incarceration after local trading standards inspectors executed an unannounced raid, discovering dozens of cattle rotting or severely emaciated across a desolate agricultural holding in the English Midlands.Thirty-year-old Jennifer Bennett was handed a stringent suspended sentence and a comprehensive decade-long ban from keeping animals by the Newcastle Magistrates’ Court following one of the region’s most disturbing agricultural welfare interventions in recent history. The severe judicial sanctions underscore the uncompromising enforcement of European-aligned agricultural standards in the United Kingdom—a rigid regulatory baseline that is increasingly critical for East African nations like Kenya, which are actively seeking to export commercial dairy and beef products to lucrative, highly regulated international markets.A Grim Discovery in StaffordshireThe horrifying scale of the neglect was officially exposed during a raid executed by the Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Animal Health Team on March 25 of last year. Acting on vital intelligence, inspectors descended upon the farm located at Brookside View, Hodge Lane, in the rural district of Birchcross, Uttoxeter.Upon breaching the perimeter, veterinary officers were met with scenes of profound suffering. The investigation documented a herd of nearly 100 cattle subjected to catastrophic deprivation. Inspectors found numerous dead animals left to decompose in situ, posing severe biohazard risks. Surviving cattle were found in advanced states of emaciation, with many lacking the physical strength to stand or move. Investigators meticulously recorded that the herd had been systematically denied adequate access to basic life-sustaining resources, including clean drinking water and foundational nutritional forage.Furthermore, vulnerable newborn calves were discovered housed in exceptionally filthy, disease-ridden conditions that flagrantly violated baseline animal husbandry protocols. To prevent further agony, local authorities immediately seized the surviving herd. While many animals received emergency, extensive veterinary rehabilitation at significant public expense, several were in such irreversible distress that attending veterinarians were forced to euthanize them on-site to end their suffering.Judicial Sanctions and Regulatory EnforcementDuring the sentencing hearing on Thursday, July 30, the Newcastle Magistrates’ Court delivered a scathing assessment of the operations at Brookside View. District Judge O’Connor held Jennifer Bennett fully legally culpable for the catastrophe.”Jennifer Bennett is the person responsible for the welfare of the animals as the legal owner and there was a significant period of neglect which led to disease and death,” the presiding judge stated, utterly rejecting any defense of ignorance or temporary hardship.Custodial Sentence: Bennett received a 14-week prison sentence, suspended, saving her from immediate incarceration but placing her under intense judicial probation.Community Service and Fines: She was ordered to complete 12 months of community service, pay £1,000 (approximately KES 165,000) in prosecution costs, and submit a £154 victim surcharge.Decade-Long Ban: Crucially, the court imposed a strict ten-year disqualification order, completely banning Bennett from owning, keeping, or participating in the husbandry of any animals until 2036.The legal reckoning remains incomplete. Authorities confirmed that the investigation also exposed suspected severe breaches of strict cattle identification laws and the highly regulated disposal of animal by-products. Bennett’s father, Alan Bennett, who was identified as bearing day-to-day operational responsibility for the doomed herd, is currently awaiting separate criminal sentencing at the Stafford Crown Court.The Agricultural Supply Chain CrisisAnthony Screen, the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, categorized the intervention as an incredibly distressing episode for veteran inspectors. “We take animal welfare extremely seriously and will not hesitate to pursue robust enforcement action where standards fall below the law,” Screen warned the wider agricultural community.The Uttoxeter case highlights the immense, often invisible pressures fracturing the lower tiers of the agricultural supply chain. Spiraling costs of commercial feed, veterinary medicines, and systemic labor shortages have driven some marginalized farmers to abandon baseline welfare protocols. However, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) maintains absolute zero tolerance for starvation and neglect, viewing such failures not merely as animal cruelty, but as direct threats to national biosecurity and the integrity of the human food chain.Implications for Global Livestock StandardsThe severe legal consequences unleashed in Staffordshire offer a vital case study for the global agricultural export sector, particularly in East Africa. The Republic of Kenya, leveraging the regulatory power of the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, is heavily pushing to expand its livestock export footprint into the European Union and the post-Brexit United Kingdom.To access these premium markets, Kenyan ranchers and commercial abattoirs must guarantee compliance with the exact welfare and traceability standards that Jennifer Bennett so catastrophically violated. The UK’s ruthless prosecution of traceability failures (missing ear tags, undocumented deaths) demonstrates that international markets will instantly reject African exports if systemic welfare blindspots are detected. Kenya’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (Cap 360) contains provisions for prosecuting neglect, but localized enforcement often lacks the rapid, punitive bite demonstrated by the Staffordshire Trading Standards unit.Ultimately, the tragedy at Brookside View serves as a brutal reminder that modern agricultural economics cannot be sustained through the silent suffering of livestock. The total destruction of a farming legacy and a decade-long professional exile proves that in the highly scrutinized modern food chain, animal welfare is an unassailable legal imperative.
Europe’s Most Hospitable Cities for Tourists: Which Destinations Made the Global Ranking?
Several European cities have made the list of the world’s most hospitable tourist destinations for 2026. Find out which city took the top spot in Europe, which countries are represented in the Top 20, and what criteria were used to evaluate hospitality
An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine
BUYWhen planning a trip, travelers are increasingly focusing not only on tourist attractions or the cost of their vacation, but also on how comfortable and welcoming the destination country is to visitors. A new international ranking has revealed which cities around the world offer the best conditions for travelers.As reported by Euronews, London was named the most hospitable city in Europe in 2026, and in the global ranking, it was second only to Singapore, which topped the list.Read also: Where Not to Go in the Summer of 2026: 5 Popular Destinations That Could Ruin Your Vacation.Which cities were recognized as the most hospitable for tourists in 2026?This year’s list of the world’s 20 most hospitable cities included representatives from Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. London achieved the best result among European cities, ranking second in the world. In addition to the British capital, another city in the United Kingdom — Edinburgh — also made the list, coming in at 11th place.In total, nine European cities made it onto the global ranking, confirming the high level of development of tourism infrastructure and services on the continent. The United Kingdom, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands performed particularly well this year — each of these countries is represented in the ranking by two cities.Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!The top 20 cities are as follows:● Singapore;● London (United Kingdom);● Sydney (Australia);● New York (United States);● Boston (United States);● Penang Island (Malaysia);● The Hague (Netherlands);● Hong Kong;● Copenhagen (Denmark);● Aarhus (Denmark);● Edinburgh (United Kingdom);● Utrecht (Netherlands);● Davao (Philippines);● Ottawa (Canada);● Melbourne (Australia);● Prague (Czech Republic);● Amsterdam (Netherlands);● Toronto (Canada);● Montreal (Canada);● Brno (Czech Republic).If you’re planning a trip to one of these destinations, it’s worth taking care not only of your itinerary but also of your personal safety in advance. For Ukrainians traveling abroad, travel insurance from Visit Ukraine will help you get the necessary coverage during your trip and avoid significant expenses in case of unforeseen situations.Which country was named the most hospitable for tourists?Although Singapore topped the global ranking, Canada can generally be considered the most hospitable country. Three Canadian cities — Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal — all made it into the top 20 of the ranking. This is the highest representation among all countries included in the ranking.What criteria were used to evaluate the world’s most hospitable cities?The ranking was compiled by Holafly, which evaluated cities based on several key indicators that affect tourists’ comfort. The study took into account:● visa policy openness;● Henley Openness Index scores;● the number of tourist and information assistance centers.It was the combination of these criteria that made it possible to identify the cities where travelers can most easily obtain the necessary information, access tourist services, and enjoy a comfortable stay during their trip.We remind you! Slow travel is becoming one of the most popular travel styles in the world. Read about which cities topped Saily’s 2026 ranking and why they are best suited for a long and comfortable immersion in local culture.Photo: Lucas Davies/UnsplashWant to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.All rights reserved.
North West Net Zero Hub event explores how UK can accelerate clean energy delivery
Part of national Energising Britain programmeEvent focused on accelerating the UK’s transition to clean energy through effective public engagement and collaborationKeynote speech by DESNZ Minister Katie WhiteKatie White OBE MP, now Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, joined community organisations, local authorities and business at a recent event exploring how Britain can deliver clean energy and bring people along on the journey.Over 150 representatives from government, local authorities, businesses, housing organisations and community groups gathered in Manchester for Energising Britain North West, a flagship event organised by North West Net Zero Hub, focused on accelerating the UK’s transition to clean energy through effective public engagement and collaboration.Hosted at Sister, the event formed part of the national Energising Britain programme led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), supporting the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower.The event brought together organisations and experts from across the North West to explore a critical challenge facing the transition to net zero: how to deliver clean energy infrastructure and decarbonisation projects at pace while engaging the people and communities who will be central to their success.The programme featured a keynote address from Katie White OBE MP, who was then Climate Minister, alongside contributions from leading organisations including Liverpool FC, Together Housing, Futureproof Cumbria and Carbon Co-op, who shared practical examples of successful climate action and community engagement.Delegates also heard insights from Mike Berners-Lee, Chair of the National Emergency Briefing, as well as speakers from IPPR, Climate Outreach and the National Storytelling Exchange, who examined how behaviour change, public engagement and effective communication can help accelerate climate action.The day included sessions exploring the role of culture, faith, youth and local communities in the transition to net zero, alongside an interactive marketplace where organisations showcased innovative projects, shared experiences and developed new partnerships.Bringing together more than 150 delegates from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, the event created a platform for collaboration between those delivering clean energy projects, supporting local communities and shaping future policy. Participants included representatives from local and combined authorities, housing providers, energy companies, community organisations, investors, universities and cultural institutions.A key focus throughout the day was the importance of building public trust and participation as the UK accelerates the transition to a cleaner energy system. Speakers shared practical examples of how meaningful engagement can help unlock local support, encourage behaviour change and ensure communities benefit from the opportunities created by the transition.Representatives from organisations including Great British Energy, Electricity North West, SP Energy Networks, the National Wealth Fund, Green Finance Institute, Community Energy England and the Carbon Literacy Project were among those contributing to discussions on how partnerships can accelerate progress towards net zero across the region.The event concluded with a forward-looking session led by Climate Outreach, exploring what a successful transition could look like by 2050 and identifying the actions needed today to achieve that vision.James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at North West Net Zero Hub, said:“The Energising Britain event was a great way to bring together key organisations in the North West so they could learn from experts in communication on climate issues. We are very grateful to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for its support to convene the event and to give us the opportunity to play our part in encouraging public participation at the local level.”“This event was mobilised in a very short timeframe and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to those team members who did such a fantastic job and made the event a big success. In particular Paul Riley our Net Zero Engagement Lead, who carried much of the responsibility for organising a significant flagship occasion and who secured some exceptional speakers. Feedback has been positive and people came away with lots of ideas and plenty of optimism”.Andy King, Director of Clean Energy and Net Zero at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:“Events like Energising Britain are essential if we are to deliver the clean energy transition at the scale and pace required. The day brought together leading practitioners, policymakers and communicators who demonstrated how meaningful public engagement can build support for net zero and create lasting benefits for communities. Big thanks to the team for organising such an inspiring event.“Thanks also to Minister Katie White who was an excellent keynote speaker. She spent a lot of time engaging with the exhibitors at the marketplace. It was also great to hear Ed Miliband recognise and praise the work of North West Net Zero Hub.”Following the event, delegates continued discussions through a People, Planet, Pint networking session, providing an opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions and strengthen relationships across sectors.As the UK seeks to accelerate its transition to a cleaner and more secure energy future, Energising Britain demonstrated the importance of collaboration, communication and community involvement in delivering lasting change.
Man Facing Murder Charges For Killing Wife Nothabo Zandile Tshuma & Their Two Daughters
Source: Photo courtesy of the Bedfordshire Police Department / Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5.South African authorities have arrested 45-year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma in connection to the death of his wife and two daughters, according to reports from BBC, People and Bedfordshire Police.Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma arrested: What happened?According to the BBC, the case’s opening court hearing took place on July 28 in Britain, where prosecutors outlined how the three victims were allegedly killed by Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma and how their bodies were discovered inside a home in Great Denham, a village in Bedfordshire, England, on July 7.An inquest into the deaths of Tshuma’s wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, and their two daughters was formally opened and adjourned by Coroner Emma Whitting during a hearing in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, on Tuesday.According to statements read by the coroner’s officers, Nothabo died from “head injuries,” while her daughters’ causes of death were each recorded as “blunt force head injuries.” The inquest was adjourned, with a future hearing date yet to be determined.
Prosecutors believe Tshuma killed his wife Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and their two daughters.Prosecutors allege Tshuma killed his 42-year-old wife and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5, before fleeing to South Africa, where he was arrested earlier this month. UK prosecutors have since authorized three murder charges against him.The BBC reported that concern was first raised by Nothabo’s cousin, who contacted police after being unable to reach Nothabo or her daughters for several days. The cousin told officers she normally spoke with Nothabo every day but had not heard from her in several days.
RELATED CONTENT: 2 Young Sisters Found Buried In Suitcases—Their Mother, Aliyah Henderson, Now Faces Murder ChargesInvestigators also learned the children had not attended school, and an initial welfare check at an associated address found the property unoccupied. Officers later went to the family’s home on Carnoustie Drive in the early hours of July 7, where they discovered the bodies.
In a July 9 news release, Bedfordshire Police confirmed that the mother and her two daughters were found dead together inside the home. The force also shared a statement from the family, who thanked the local community for its support during the ongoing investigation.Family members and the community are mourning the loss of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and her daughters.In the press release, a family member expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating:“The Khumalo family is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our beloved Zandile (Nothabo) Khumalo and her two children. During this time of unimaginable loss, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out with prayers, messages of comfort, and support. Your kindness and compassion have brought great strength to our family,” they continued. “As the circumstances surrounding their passing remain the subject of an official investigation, we are unable to comment further at this stage. We are also awaiting guidance from the relevant authorities before confirming funeral and memorial arrangements.”They added in part,“We kindly request that the media and members of the public respect our family’s privacy during this profoundly difficult time and refrain from sharing or circulating unverified information or speculation. The Khumalo family sincerely appreciates the continued love, prayers, and support shown by family, friends, and the wider community.”The schools attended by Natalie and Nala also paid tribute to the two girls.Mrs. Gemma Gibson, Headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School, remembered Natalie, saying:“Natalie was a bright and accomplished Year 10 student who was dearly loved by everyone at Bedford Girls’ School. She was a talented dancer, musician and keen sportswoman. She was fun loving, full of life and had a positive impact on everyone she came into contact with; she will be remembered with warmth and affection. Her tragic death, together with that of her loving mother and younger sister, who were also well known to many of us, is a hugely devastating shock to all at Bedford Girls’ School and the wider Harpur Trust group of schools. Our thoughts and prayers are with Natalie’s wider family, friends and all of those impacted by this terrible news.”Jo Webster, headteacher of Pilgrims Pre Prep School, also honored Nala, saying:“Nala was a much-loved member of our school community who brought joy to those around her every day. Many of our staff had known her since she was seven months old and had the privilege of watching her grow. Known for her inquisitive and bubbly nature, positivity and wonderful sense of humour, she was a little ray of sunshine. Whether wearing one of her favourite colourful hair accessories, making those around her laugh or taking centre stage in our Pre-School Nativity, Nala brought warmth and happiness wherever she went. She had an extraordinary impact on our community and will be remembered with enormous love and affection. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Nala’s family, friends and everyone affected by this heart-breaking loss.”
Northampton man launches new company to mix his love of travel and padel
A Northampton man is taking his passion for padel international by mixing his love of travel and the sport.Tom BeachIt was here he realised he wanted to follow his two passions in life – mental health and padel.The 47-year-old, who splits his time between living in Walgrave and Barcelona, has since launched a wellbeing business to provide mental health advice and support to large corporations.Following the success of his company, he is now looking to his second passion, padel, which is a mix of tennis and squash.Tom said: “After a stint in the Ukraine for the humanitarian effort I realised life is too short and I needed to follow my passions in life.“My wellbeing business is working wonderfully well and it’s great to know I’m making a difference in people’s lives.“However, this summer I wanted to take things one step further and embrace my love of Barcelona and padel, with my new business launching at the end of this month.”Tom’s new company, Padel by Beach, provides planned breaks in the Spanish city, mixing exploring the Catalan capital with beachfront padel sessions.He says after seeing a huge explosion in padel across Northampton, he hopes locals who also love the sport or want to learn how to play will sign up for his four-day long trips.Tom added: “I’ve played tennis for more than 30 years, but it’s not that social. Padel has much more interaction, keeps you fitter and most of all, is fun.“Northampton has seen a huge surge in people taking up the sport. In the past year we have had seven padel centres launch in Northampton. It’s a sport for any age group and an amazing way to meet new people through all the events they put on, like singles nights or ‘pizza and padel’.“Now there is so much choice of which courts to go to, and all of them offer different things, from ice baths and saunas to bars and competition.“The explosion of padel in the town is great, and I’m hoping to help the community of Northampton explore a new sport and the world through my trips.”Tom is offering members of Padel Social House in Brackmills a 15 per cent discount on booking, and is launching the business at the venue this Friday July 31.Visit www.padelbybeach.com for more information.Continue Reading
Water resilience grant scheme set up for farmers and growers
If nothing else, this summer has shown that improving food resilience is essential if we are to survive – so a new water resilience grant scheme for farmers and growers in the region is very timely.Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the scheme to boost water resilience countywide is delivered by Water Resources East and Cambridgeshire County Council as part of its water efficiency agenda.Carrots growing in healthy soilFarmers, growers and horticultural businesses across Cambridgeshire can now apply for grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 from a £1.3million grant scheme designed to improve water efficiency, strengthen resilience to drought and support sustainable food production.Water supply in the region has long been flagged up as inadequate to the challenge of building tens of thousands of new homes – along with population rises and the climate change challenges which this month lost farm estates across south-west France and Spain to wildfire. Fires have destroyed 100,000 acres of land in France following the outbreak of wildfires, and in Spain 295,000 acres have been lost since the fires commenced on 22 July – and a fire is currently raging at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, just 75 miles east of Cambridge.A major incident has been declared following a fire at Dunwich Heath. Picture: Suffolk Fire and Rescue ServiceDaniel Johns, managing director at Water Resources East, said: “Water availability is becoming an increasing challenge for agricultural businesses across the region. This scheme provides a practical opportunity for farmers and growers to invest in solutions that improve water efficiency, strengthen resilience and support sustainable food production for the future.”The first window for applications for the scheme is now open to agricultural and horticultural businesses operating within Cambridgeshire. Applications will be reviewed at three intervals, based on applications received before midnight on: 27 September 2026, 29 November 2026 and 17 January 2027.Cllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council. Picture: Hannah Brown, LDRCllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “With our farmers and growers facing hotter, drier summers, we want to support them to create a balanced, long-term approach to water management and make the sector more resilient to these pressures.“This funding will enable farmers and growers to take practical action to improve water resilience while supporting the sustainable management of our water resources. Local projects such as this highlight our work to support a green and sustainable county, by managing the effects of a changing climate securing the future of water, food and farming.”Further information, including eligibility guidance and the application form, is available here.
Engage2learn Acquires Instructional Coaching Group; DeweyLearn Raises $5M Series A
Educator-support development company engage2learn has acquired Instructional Coaching Group, the companies announced.Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Founded by educational researcher Jim Knight, Instructional Coaching Group provides professional coaching frameworks and research-backed methodologies. The companies said the acquisition will integrate Knight’s research into engage2learn’s GroweLab AI platform to streamline educator support and feedback.Engage2learn provides K-12 districts with a range of professional development, school improvement, and strategic planning services. It also offers ReadyLab, a durable skills assessment platform used by districts to build students’ portraits of a graduate. “By bringing ICG into the engage2learn family…we are empowering entire leadership teams with the definitive system to focus on human connection, preserve dignity, and drive student success,” said Shannon Buerk, founder and CEO of engage2learn.Engage2Learn is backed by private equity firm Leeds Equity Partners, which announced in 2021 it had made an undisclosed “significant investment” in e2L. DeweyLearn Closes Series A. The company behind the multimodal AI tool, DeweyLearn, has closed a $5 million Series A funding round, it announced.The round was led by SJF Ventures, with participation from Catalysis Capital, Morningside, and Owl Ventures, among others.DeweyLearn is an AI-enabled platform that combines audio, video, and learning data to assess skills and deliver insights into teaching and learning in both physical and online settings. Its offerings are applied across industries like healthcare education, higher education, workforce learning, and K-12.Don’t Miss the Summit Everyone Will Be Talking About
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The platform was recently recognized in the 2026 ASU+GSV Cup, a competition that featured 50 top early-stage ed-tech startups chosen from more than 3,000 nominations.“DeweyLearn is building a model of human learning informed by real cycles of observing, intervening, and measuring across diverse learning domains,” said Dirk Liebich, co-founder and chief technology officer of DeweyLearn. “Our novel approach quickly builds a knowledge graph tailored to each customer…but, in doing so, we’re also creating a meta knowledge graph of how people learn.”DeweyLearn co-founder Luyen Chou serves as the CEO and previously held roles as chief learning officer at 2U and chief product officer at Pearson.Imagi Raises $4.5M. AI literacy-focused company Imagi has raised a $4.5 million seed round, leaders announced.The round was led by Brighteye Ventures and DayOne Capital, with participation from FemInvest and We Are Human, led by the founders of Kahoot. ElevenLabs founder Mati Staniszewski, former GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, and singer Will.i.am were among the angel investors.Imagi, based in New York, also received investment from funders including Morgan Stanley and Sparkmind Capital.The new funding will be used to continue to expand access to AI education for students, the company said, as well as to scale teacher training programs, hire U.S.-based talent, and invest into compliance and research.Imagi operates in more than 100 school districts across the country, it reports, and has partnerships with OpenAI and Lovable to structure classroom AI teaching with safety guardrails. The platform aims to offer K-12 students direct, supervised access to AI tools, within a curriculum designed to build AI literacy.“Today’s schoolchildren are the first generation who will never know a world without AI,” said Dora Palfi, co-founder and CEO of Imagi. “But…AI is not designed with children in mind. This means we need safe, tested AI education for children, with guardrails trusted by educators and parents.”
Dairy farmer hit with 10-year ban after ‘abuse and neglect’ of almost 100 animals
Neglect led to disease and death, says judgeA Staffordshire dairy farmer has been handed a suspended jail sentence and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after for ‘prolonged abuse and neglect’ of almost 100 animals.Jennifer Bennett, 30, was handed a 14-week suspended jail sentence, 12 months’ community service, and £1,000 costs when she appeared before magistrates today (Thursday).She was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.Newcastle-under-Lyme magistrates heard that many of the cattle were found to be dead or starving during an inspection by Staffordshire County Council’s animal health team at Brookside View farm in Hodge Lane, Uttoxeter, on March 25 last year. Bennett’s father Alan, who had day-to-day responsibility for the cattle, will also be sentenced at a later date During the visit, officers found multiple cattle in extremely poor condition, including numerous dead animals and other emaciated animals unable to stand. They also found cattle without adequate access to feed or water and calves housed in dirty conditions.Councillor Anthony Screen Nearly 100 cattle were removed from the farm to prevent further suffering. Many received extensive veterinary treatment, however, some in such poor health had to be put down.District Judge Joseph O’Connor told the court: “Jennifer Bennett is the person responsible for the welfare of the animals as the legal owner and there was a significant period of neglect which led to disease and death.”Councillor Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This is another incredibly distressing animal welfare case our Trading Standards officers have had to deal with.“The suffering uncovered in this case was significant and required immediate action to protect the animals involved.“We take animal welfare extremely seriously and will not hesitate to pursue robust enforcement action where standards fall below the law.”The investigation also uncovered suspected offences relating to cattle identification and animal by-products legislation.Alan Bennett, who had day-to-day responsibility for the care of the cattle, is due to be sentenced separately at Stafford Crown Court.Continue Reading
