Tom Adeyoola to lead Innovate UK
A technology entrepreneur is set to become the head of the government’s £1.1 billion a year innovation funding agency, Innovate UK, ahead of potential cuts to its budget. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said Tom Adeyoola is its preferred choice to replace Indro Mukerjee, who left last September, in the £195,000-a-year role. Adeyoola’s selection comes at a crucial time for the agency, which supports the research and development efforts of 450,000 organisations a year. Its budget increased significantly under the last government but it faces scrutiny as part of the government’s spending review. • Innovate UK puts grant scheme on hold for small businessesAdeyoola, 47, worked at the mobile operator Three
Source:The Times
March 25, 2025 00:10 UTC
Bird Flu Found in Sheep in U.K., a World First
Bird flu has infected a sheep in Britain in what the government on Monday described as the first case of its kind reported anywhere in the world. While avian influenza had already been detected in cattle and other mammals, including in the United States, the infection of a sheep will increase concern over the potential impact of the disease’s spread. In a statement, Britain’s government said that avian origin flu (or H5N1) had been found in a ewe during what it called “routine surveillance” of livestock in Yorkshire in the north of England, where cases had been confirmed in captive birds. “All affected birds and the infected ewe were humanely culled to mitigate the risk of further disease spread,” the statement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said. “Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep at the premises, including the lambs of the affected ewe, were negative for the presence of avian influenza virus.”
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 18:23 UTC
Russia and Ukraine Hold U.S.-Mediated Talks in Riyadh: What to Know
Ukrainian and U.S. officials on Tuesday held a second session of negotiations in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible limited cease-fire, a day after Russian and American delegations held similar discussions that lasted more than 12 hours. Kyiv and Moscow have been holding separate U.S.-mediated talks in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to discuss a temporary moratorium on strikes on energy sites, as well as a cease-fire in the Black Sea, a vital route for both nations to export commodities — in what could be a crucial step toward a full cessation of hostilities in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Ukraine held its first session of talks on Sunday, followed by Russia on Monday. A Ukrainian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the negotiations, said talks continued on Tuesday morning, and Ukrainian news media said they had ended after about one hour. The discussions have been aimed at finding common ground between Kyiv and Moscow, but both sides have cautioned against expecting an imminent deal.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 17:16 UTC
Housing affordability is back to similar levels seen pre-pandemic, says ONS
Housing affordability in England and Wales has returned to similar levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic, helped by wages rising faster than property values, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A sharp worsening in affordability had been seen in the early 2020s, as the financial impacts of the coronavirus were felt by households. Last year, the median average home in England cost around 7.7 times average full-time employee earnings, at £290,000 versus £37,600. At the same time, average earnings rose a much faster rate, by 20%. Housing affordability has improved in 91% of local authorities in England and Wales and worsened in 9% since 2023, the report found.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 13:52 UTC
See inside Cereal Partners factory making Shredded Wheat
Shredded Wheat is produced by Cereal Partners, in a large factory in Staverton, and has been since it was moved from Welwyn Garden City in 2007. Still, guided by Justin, the Wiltshire Times followed the genesis, growth, and packaging of the iconic ‘Big Biscuit’ Shredded Wheat item. (Image: Newsquest)The beginning of the process is much the same as the end, which is just like the middle – concerning wheat. This specific process is no less hypnotic than the rest of the production of Shredded Wheat – but the mechanised harmony of fine-tuned instruments is far from the only thing going on in the Staverton factory. At the packing stage, Mr Hill introduced us to two relevant experts: Bartosz and Martin, who posed for photos beside the machine that sees the pouches enter the Shredded Wheat boxes.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 13:14 UTC
Oakham, Rutland named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2025 by The Times
This week, The Sunday Times named Oakham in Rutland as one of the best places to live in the UK in 2025, quoting the excellent local businesses, proximity to Rutland Water and local arts scene as contributing factors. The article, written by Alexandra Goss, describes Oakham as a 'compact county town,' which is 'just as pretty as neighbouring Uppingham but far more practical.' Goss also highlights Connie Taylor Ceramics, Darn Knit and Rock-a-buy Records as brilliant additions to the high street. Oakham's statue honouring Queen Elizabeth II (Photo: Grace Kennington)According to Goss, the best area to live in Oakham is Stamford Road. Oakham's lively pubs and restaurants give the town a sense of community (Photo: Grace Kennington)The article does point out what so many people love about Oakham.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 12:38 UTC
Holidaymakers 'flight from hell' after vomiting 30 times
Cameron says he was bed-bound for his first few days in Thailand - and described the journey as a 'flight from hell'. The flight had been delayed for five hours and Cameron says he believes the food hadn't been stored properly during that time. "It did smell a bit weird but all plane food kind of does. "Then 20 minutes later, I had diarrhoea twice and ten minutes after that I was just constantly throwing up for the duration of the flight. "I wouldn't be sick 20 minutes after eating their food if it didn't come from their food.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 12:35 UTC
US, UK, Canada & Australia lose sheen as international students look elsewhere
Live EventsIn a significant shift reshaping global education, major English-speaking destinations are witnessing a steep decline in international student applications, causing a redirection of mobility patterns toward non-anglophone countries.According to the Global Education Trends 2025 report by MSM Unify, a study abroad consultancy, countries like Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have seen a dramatic fall in student interest due to increasingly restrictive visa policies, rising living costs, and reduced post-study work opportunities.Meanwhile, Germany, France, and Finland are rapidly emerging as attractive alternatives, offering lower tuition fees, more accessible work permits, and long-term settlement pathways. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)The study reveals that Canada, once a top choice for Indian and Chinese students, experienced a staggering 46% drop in international applications in 2024 following the introduction of a study permit cap and stricter Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility rules.Australia, where application numbers have plunged by 36%, has implemented tougher screening criteria under its new “Genuine Temporary Entrant” guidelines, discouraging students who may seek long-term residency.The UK has recorded a 16% decline, largely driven by inflationary pressures and recent restrictions on dependent visas for postgraduate students.Even the US, which has traditionally remained a resilient player in global education, saw an 11% drop in processed applications as concerns over affordability and visa uncertainty persist.“Policy changes across major study destinations have not only impacted students but also significantly affected the financial health of institutions,” said Sanjay Laul, founder of MSM Group. “Reduced international enrolments are translating into lower revenues and shrinking contributions to local economies. For instance, international students added CAD 22 billion to Canada’s economy in 2022—a figure projected to decline sharply this year,” he said.“Additionally, many countries depend on international graduates to address critical labour shortages in STEM and healthcare sectors,” Laul said. “Continued enrolment declines risk exacerbating these skill gaps further.”With anglophone nations tightening regulations, students are increasingly looking to Europe, where governments are actively courting global talent through progressive immigration policies and financial incentives.Germany, which hosted 380,000 international students in 2023-24, has introduced the Skilled Immigration Act, allowing students to work longer hours while studying and facilitating smoother transitions to permanent residency.France has expanded its student integration programmes, including free French language courses and subsidised housing, leading to a 5% increase in international enrolments.Finland, long overshadowed by its European neighbours in higher education, has seen a surge in applications for English-taught programmes, particularly in business and healthcare, after reforming its residency pathways to accommodate students’ families.Beyond financial and visa-related advantages, the shifting preferences of international students reflect broader anxieties about stability and career prospects.According to the report, the shifting tides in international education could have long-term consequences for traditional higher education powerhouses.Universities in Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US, which have long relied on foreign student tuition as a critical revenue stream, now face economic setbacks.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 11:33 UTC
Killer who tortured two students and stabbed them 244 times demands £10k in human rights compensation after claiming he suffered 'mental trauma' when jail staff broke his Xbox
A 'sadistic' killer who tortured two students has demanded up to £10,000 in human rights compensation after claiming he suffered 'mental trauma' when prison staff broke his Xbox console. Nigel Farmer, 49, killed two French students after stabbing them 244 times in an 'orgy of bloodletting' in 2008. But Farmer, who is imprisoned at Full Sutton Prison in York, has launched a claim to receive damages for up to £10,000 after he suffered 'mental trauma' when prison officers broke his console. He said officers broke his Xbox during a routine search in January and sued for damages at Central London County Court, according to The Sun. In the middle of the violence, he rang his friend Bernie Sonnex - brother of Dano - to boast of the crime.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 11:15 UTC
God's own country, or God's waiting room? A town reacts to its newfound fame
The view down Mill Street in Mossley (Image: Manchester Evening News )Norm has called this place home all his life. Standing on a busy Mossley Road, he gestured to the traffic: "Look how many cars have come by since we've been. They were walking down Mossley Road with their four-year-old rescue Labrador Robbie. Frank and Leslie Webster and their dog Robbie (Image: Manchester Evening News )"Oh yes, we've heard," smiled Leslie. As chair of Mossley Town Council, you would think he's better placed than most to speak with authority on the area - but not to some.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 09:50 UTC
Is Maura Higgins trying to upstage Kendall Jenner? All the times former Love Island star, 34, has copied the supermodel, 29
Maura Higgins has been seen wearing the exact same outfits as Kendall Jenner on multiple occasions over the years. Maura and Kendall have both been in a string of high-profile relationships as well as being seen on reality TV shows. MailOnline looks at all the times the reality star has copied the supermodel. Maura Higgins (L) on multiple occasions, has been seen wearing the exact same outfits as Kendall Jenner (R) - but is the Irish star trying to steal Kendall's spotlight? Taking a break from stealing inspiration from Kendall's looks, Maura swapped her style to match Kylie Jenner's iconic 2019 MET gala look.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 09:49 UTC
UK's Heathrow airport defends decision to shut airport amid blame game
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)"Hundreds of critical systems across the airport were required to be safely powered down and then safely and systematically rebooted," a Heathrow spokesperson said. "Given Heathrow's size and operational complexity, safely restarting operations after a disruption of this magnitude was a significant challenge. "John Pettigrew, the CEO of National Grid, said there were two other substations able to provide power to Heathrow, showing that the grid was resilient. "Two substations were always available for the distribution network companies and Heathrow to take power," he told the FT.While airlines such as British Airways , the worse affected, add up the bill for the closure, the government and Heathrow have both commissioned reviews into what happened. "It's really important that we do learn the lessons from this, and that's why I think those two reviews...are going to be really critical," Transport Minister Heidi Alexander told Sky News on Monday.Asked on LBC Radio about whether she had confidence in Heathrow's CEO Thomas Woldbye, Alexander said she wanted to see the results of the reviews.Heathrow is a private company owned by French investment group Ardian, Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund plus others.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 09:18 UTC
Heathrow airport had 'enough power' to stay open: UK grid boss
"There was no lack of capacity from the substations," he said. "Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow. "Airport officials said the closure was due to the time it took to switch to the other substations and make safety checks. "Hundreds of critical systems across the airport were required to be safely powered down and then safely and systematically rebooted," a Heathrow Airport spokesperson said. "Given Heathrow's size and operational complexity, safely restarting operations after a disruption of this magnitude was a significant challenge.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 09:17 UTC
Bird flu detected in sheep in UK for first time
Representative ImageThe British government on Monday said that a bird flu or avian influenza (H5N1) case had been detected in a sheep in England for the first time.The discovery occurred during standard monitoring of livestock at a location where avian influenza was previously found in captive birds. Following the US dairy cow outbreak, Defra implemented livestock monitoring at infected sites.“We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire. However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we're seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people – and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low. ""UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside Defra, DHSC, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Food Standards Agency. UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and will respond rapidly with NHS and other partners if needed," Chand added.
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 09:14 UTC
The benefits of advanced clinical practitioners in skin cancer services
Skin cancer advanced clinical practitioners ensure continuity of care for oncology patients with malignant melanoma and other advanced skin cancersAbstract Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has a high propensity to metastasise. Skin cancer advanced clinical practitioners play a vital role in providing high-quality, patient-centred care for patients with malignant melanoma and other advanced skin cancers. Citation: Sherman C (2025) The benefits of advanced clinical practitioners in skin cancer services. Author: Carol Sherman is skin cancer advanced clinical practitioner, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. What is evident, however, is that advanced practice is prolific in skin cancer services, where nurses have reshaped service provision by developing advanced practice roles across different specialities (Rammanohar et al, 2023).
Source:The Times
March 24, 2025 08:28 UTC