Somerset happiest secondary schools revealed by Sunday Times
READ MORE: Somerset schools in Sunday Times best secondary schools listREAD MORE: Somerset village in Sunday Times secret places to live listThe top 10 happiest Somerset schools list, in descending order, is as follows:10 - St Katherine's School - scored 89%Address: Pill Rd, Bristol, BS20 0HU. Headteacher: Mr Jamie WordsworthCastle School, Taunton, is one of the happiest secondary schools in Somerset. Headteacher: Melissa GeorgeSaint Gregory's Catholic College, Bath, is one of the happiest secondary schools in Somerset. Headteacher: Mr Gareth BeynonChew Valley School is ranked as one of the happiest secondary schools in Somerset. Headteacher: Gregg MockridgeStanchester Academy is one of the happiest secondary schools in Somerset.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 13:18 UTC
Indian student self-deports after US revokes visa
Live EventsAn Indian student at Columbia University Ranjani Srinivasan , has left the United States after her student visa was revoked for allegedly supporting Hamas , which the U.S. government designates as a terrorist organization. In a statement, DHS said she was "involved in activities supporting Hamas" and accused her of "advocating for violence and terrorism." When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathisers use the CBP Home app to self-deport. "In addition, Columbia University graduate and U.S. legal permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, of Palestinian heritage, was arrested for leading anti-Israel protests on campus.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 12:37 UTC
Jail for Penrith M6 crash driver four times over drink limit
A driver who crashed by the side of the M6 while more than four times the legal drink-drive limit has been jailed. James Black was found unconscious inside his Ford Ranger on a grass embankment on the northbound carriageway near Penrith, Cumbria, on 18 August 2024. Appearing at Carlisle Magistrates' Court, the 47-year-old from Brannock Place in Newarthill, near Motherwell, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and must serve a 34-month driving ban when released.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 11:21 UTC
Helicopter route permanently closed after fatal Washington DC crash
The closure of the helicopter route near the airport makes permanent restrictions put in place after the January 29 mid-air collision. The FAA order will allow a few exceptions for helicopter use, including presidential flights along with law enforcement and life-saving missions. Before the collision, there were 28 government agencies authorised to fly helicopters near Reagan National, including the Department of Defence, military services, law enforcement and emergency medical services. The Army Black Hawk involved in the January crash belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion based at Davison Army Air Field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Before the crash the now-closed route was a regular part of their mission routes and training.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 07:27 UTC
Memorial service held for Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone
Many acclaimed musical artists performed at the service, including Keke Wyatt, Anthony Hamilton and Kirk Franklin. Angie Stone at the the 2009 Soul Train Awards (Gregory Smith/AP)“She was so beautiful,” Wyatt said. The family of Angie Stone spoke at the service (Olivia Bowdoin/AP)The group recorded Funk You Up, which has been sampled by numerous artists, including Dr Dre. Stone created hits like Baby with legendary soul singer Betty Wright, and Wish I Didn’t Miss You and Brotha. “This woman sewed good things to people, she sewed kindness to people, she sewed joy to people, she sewed love and her voice to people,” Perry said.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 07:27 UTC
Meghan Markle slammed as she copies Princess Kate fashion more than 33 times
Meghan Markle may have escaped royal life and now live thousands of miles away in a sprawling mansion worth millions – but she appears to be taking fashion notes from her sister in law, Princess Kate. Princess Kate is renowned as a global fashion icon, so it comes as no surprise that Meghan is fond of her fits. From show-stopping gowns, vibrant summer wear, and winter formals, Meghan has taken note of Kate's outfits in her closet. Most recently, we saw her attend the Invictus Games in Canada with Prince Harry, and she sported an almost identical ensemble to Princess Kate. Take a look below to see seven of the times Kate and Meghan have worn very similar outfits.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 05:01 UTC
‘Characterful’ Wiltshire hotel among the best in the UK
The Bath Arms Hotel, in Horningsham, near Warminster is the 45th-best place to stay in all of Britain, according to a league table put together by the Times. The pub was founded in 1736, and in 2020, it was taken over by the Beckford Group, who have reared it into one of the region’s premier establishments. In 2023, they added an outside spa to the site, featuring products by Bramley. READ MORE: Wiltshire pub near Warminster on the market for £425kThe Times gave the hotel a respectable 8/10 rating, with both food and the stay getting the same rating. Overall, the Cavendish Hotel in Derbyshire took the top spot.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 04:38 UTC
India files appeal in UK court to extradite arms agent Bhandari
LONDON: Indian govt has applied to London high court for a point of law of general public importance to be certified to allow India to appeal the Sanjay Bhandari extradition judgment in Britain's Supreme Court, reports Naomi Canton. Indian authorities are seeking to extradite Bhandari (62), a defence middleman residing in London, to face criminal charges of laundering and wilfully evading taxes in India by not declaring foreign assets and foreign income on his Indian I-T returns, claiming he evaded Rs 197 crore in taxes, contrary to Sec 51 of Black Money Act.In the tax years 2012 to 2013 and 2015 to 2016 Bhandari, an Indian national, declared he had nil foreign assets despite having amassed Rs 731 crore of foreign assets, the charges state. A high court official said: "An application was filed by Indian govt to certify two points of law of public importance; and grant leave to appeal to SC in relation to those two questions."
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 01:51 UTC
Lunar eclipse: Blood Moon pictured across UK before dawn
Early-rising stargazers in the UK woke up to a lunar eclipse just before dawn on Friday. The eclipse was partial for most of the UK, with the Earth's shadow only covering part of the Moon. But some western areas of the UK, as well as the Americas and some Pacific islands, saw a total lunar eclipse. It is the first since May 2022, when the Moon turned completely red. A stunning "blood Moon" was created as the Moon moved into Earth's shadow, gradually darkening before turning a dusky red.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 01:19 UTC
Clarkson, May and Hammond Grand Tour reunion confirmed
Last year's final episode of The Grand Tour seemed to signal the end of over 20 years on the screen together. The original Top Gear or The Grand Tour (Amazon)? Recommended reading:Jeremy Clarkson on The Grand Tour: One For The Road finaleJames May and Richard Hammond make return to Top GearAnother Grand Tour? According to reports, the episode was directed by Phil Churchward, who also worked on Top Gear and The Grand Tour. Amazon confirmed in a press release that we can expect The Not Very Grand Tour to be released on Friday 18 April.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 01:17 UTC
UK honours John Lennon with special edition coin collection
A specially minted British coin to mark the year the Beatles legend and peace advocate John Lennon is displayed in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park, dedicated to the former Beatle (AP photo)LONDON: John Lennon is being honoured in a specially minted British coin collection to mark the year the Beatles great and peace advocate would have turned 85, the Royal Mint said Friday.The coin, which will go on sale on Monday, features a portrait of Lennon that is based on a famous image taken by music industry photographer Bob Gruen in 1974. It depicts a side profile of Lennon, taken on the roof of his penthouse in New York. Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman in the city on Dec 8, 1980 at the age of 40.Lennon's name appears to the left of the portrait, while the word "Imagine" features on the right side of the design in a reference to his single and album, released in 1971.The Royal Mint, which has struck the coins of monarchs from Alfred the Great to King Charles III, has an ongoing "music legends" series, celebrating singers and songwriters. Lennon follows the likes of McCartney, David Bowie, Queen, the Rolling Stones and Shirley Bassey in being honoured on a Royal Mint coin. Prices will start at $24 for a five-pound denominated coin up to $8,330 for a 200-pound denominated coin.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 00:20 UTC
British peers call for return of skulls, bones sourced illegally
UK peers have called for human remains being displayed in British museums to be returned to the communities they belong to, and a ban on the sale of the same. In the UK, human body parts can legally be held in museums and private collections, as well as be put up for sale. The call to return human remains follows an uproar last year over the sale of a 19th century skull belonging to the Nagas at an antique centre in Oxfordshire. During a debate on the matter, the House of Lords was told on Thursday that a human skull can sell for over Rs 1 lakh. The British Museum alone holds over 6,000 human remains, including mummified bodies.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 00:09 UTC
Six Nations in major broadcasting change as BBC loses rights to show England rugby matches
THE Six Nations will remain on ITV and the BBC until 2029 after a new TV deal was agreed. But the Beeb won't show ANY England matches from the start of next season. That means Saturday’s potential title-deciding match between Wales and England will be the last shown on BBC until at least 2030. Until now, ITV has had the rights to all England matches at Twickenham. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the new agreement will see them show ALL England games home or away.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2025 23:53 UTC
Streeting quizzed on potential nurse job losses from NHS reform
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has been quizzed on whether nurses will lose their jobs due to the upcoming dissolution of NHS England. He asked the health secretary to “look me in the eye” and tell him that this would not happen. The health secretary said it “should not” happen because of the cost savings that would come from cutting bureaucracy. Mr Marr pressed the health secretary further, and Mr Streeting said in response: “Other jobs will also become available. “I’ve got to trust frontline leaders to do the right thing,” said Mr Streeting.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2025 20:59 UTC
Bob Blackman: 'Don't wear business attire!' UK MP 'warns' people on Holi attire, extends wishes
"Tomorrow is Holi, where Hindus throughout the world will celebrate the deliverance of Vishnu (actually Prahlad) from Holika. I also advised my fellow parliamentarians attending Holi festivals to not wear business attire to truly enjoy the festival of colours! "Blackman also said that the festival celebrates the eternal love of Radha and Krishna and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holi, the Festival of Colours, celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna and signifies the triumph of good over evil! May this Festival of Colours bring joy and happiness in your life!
Source:The Times
March 14, 2025 20:44 UTC