Global Trade

Farmers send 'respect livelihoods' plea to TT fans

by Jasmine
written by Jasmine

Farmers have implored motorsport fans visiting the Isle of Man for the TT festival to "respect their livelihoods" amid warnings about foot and mouth disease (FMD).

The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) issued the plea due to a growing outbreak of the disease in Europe.

Earlier this year, restrictions were put in place on the island which ban the importation of meat and dairy products for personal use from anywhere outside of Great Britain.

MNFU secretary Sarah Comish said she was concerned both about the highly contagious nature of the disease and the fact that there will be "so many people travelling from Europe to the island" for the two-week festival.

FMD is a highly infectious virus that causes blisters inside an animal's mouth and under their hooves, and can cause lameness and problems feeding.

Ms Comish said that while the threat level "now seemed to be under control" it remained vital for travellers not to bring dairy and meat products to the Isle of Man.

She also asked TT spectators not to leave any food waste lying around.

Spectators often watch the racing from farmland, added Ms Comish, "so it is just about respecting the environment you are in".

'Huge impact'

An FMD outbreak would have a "huge impact" on livestock farmers, said Ms Comish, since the Isle of Man is "heavily dependent on export trade".

The TT festival was cancelled in 2001 following outbreaks of the disease in the UK.

This week saw the first seizure of meat and dairy products brought in from Europe.

Four kilograms of meat and 800g of cheese found in a campervan were confiscated by customs and immigration officers in Douglas.

The seizure could lead to a "significant fine" if the matter proceeds to court, the government said.

The recent discovery of bluetongue disease "right next door" in Lancashire has also "caused worry" in the Isle of Man's farming community, said Ms Comish.

Bluetongue disease can cause cattle to become infertile and even be fatal.

Since it is spread by midge bites, its spread is "more difficult to control", she added.

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Global Trade

Man wanted over indecent exposure near landmark

by Liam
written by Liam

A man is being sought by police in connection with an incident of indecent exposure near a historical landmark in North Yorkshire.

It happened at about 16:00 BST on 5 May, Bank Holiday Monday, near The Strid at Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale, a police spokesperson said.

The man involved was described as white, in his late 20s to mid-30s, about 6ft (2m) tall, balding and slightly overweight. He was also believed to have been wearing a grey hooded top with a white stripe down it, and dark jeans.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who had any information about the incident, was asked to get in touch with police.

The North Yorkshire Police spokesperson added that officers were treating it as an isolated incident.

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Innovation

Uncertainty over opening date for specialist school

by Carter
written by Carter

Education chiefs have been unable to confirm when a new secondary school for children with autism will open in North Yorkshire.

Officers at North Yorkshire Council said a date for the facility, on the site of the former Woodfield Community Primary School in Harrogate, could not be announced until an academy trust was assigned to run it.

The school, in Bilton, was initially due to open in September 2024, however the project was delayed.

Education leaders were then hopeful the first pupils could start in September 2025, but parents have expressed concern this target could now also be missed.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said her 11-year-old son may have to be educated at home if it failed to open for the upcoming academic year.

"It's ridiculous that it looks like it won't be open after all this time," she said.

"There are so many parents and children in need of this school opening as soon as possible.

"There are no other schools like it in Harrogate and my son is unable to travel to Leeds, Thirsk or York to go to another school that is similar due to his sensory needs and travel fatigue."

The school is due to cater for 80 autistic pupils aged between 11 and 19.

The council said the school would help to address a rising demand for specialist education in North Yorkshire.

Amanda Fielding, the authority's assistant director for inclusion, said: "We have progressed the building works as planned and are working with the Department for Education regarding which academy trust will be assigned.

"Until this process is concluded, we are not in a position to announce an opening date."

Woodfield Community Primary School closed in 2022 after years of falling pupil numbers and an "inadequate" rating by Ofsted.

Councillors agreed a £3.5m redevelopment to turn the site into a specialist school the following year.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the Department for Education for comment.

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Innovation

US consulate threatened with closure under Musk cuts

by Brooklyn
written by Brooklyn

The United States consulate in Edinburgh could be closed due to spending cuts imposed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

Documents seen by The Washington Post suggest the diplomatic mission – which has had a presence in the city for more than 200 years – is under threat due to a proposed 48% cut in the US State Department's budget under Donald Trump's administration.

The consulate, which occupies a prestigious address on Edinburgh's Regent Terrace, first opened in Leith in 1798 and provides services and support for American citizens.

A spokesman for the US State Department said "operations were continuing as normal".

The Scottish government said it would do "all it can" to maintain the "social, cultural and economic ties" between Scotland and the US.

The Edinburgh consulate is reportedly among almost 30 diplomatic missions and embassies threatened with closure under the plans.

The Trump administration is proposing slashing the budget of the State Department and the US Agency for International Development by $28bn (£21.4bn) per year.

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Economy

Residents reminded to check bin day due to changes

by Julia
written by Julia

Residents are being reminded to check their bin collection dates ahead of a scheduled change.

Bin days will change in Adur and Worthing from Tuesday, with the councils saying rounds need to be updated to prepare for food waste collections and due to new homes being built in the area.

Most residents' rubbish, recycling and garden waste collection dates will change as part of a new system aiming to improve the efficiency of bin collections.

An Adur & Worthing Councils spokesperson said: "All collection rounds have been reviewed as part of the upcoming change, which is essential to ensure residents continue receiving a quality and reliable bin collection service."

Some households were asked to put both their refuse and recycling bins out for collection in the first week of the new schedule, which would then go back to an alternate weekly collection service.

Food waste collections are being introduced nationally in 2026 as part government plans.

Adur and Worthing residents can check their collection dates downloading a mobile app, visiting the bin day lookup page, or calling the contact centre team.

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Global Trade

Dog mauled to death in attack by pocket bully

by Layla
written by Layla

A dog has been mauled to death by another that escaped from its home in Rotherham, police said.

Officers were called to Albany Road in Kilnhurst at 07:05 BST on Monday following reports a shih-tzu was being attacked by a pocket bully – a mix of an American bully and a Patterdale terrier.

Armed officers attended and seized the pocket bully that was found in a nearby property. It remains in kennels while inquiries continue, South Yorkshire Police said.

Ch Insp Emma Cheney said: "The owner of the shih-tzu, an elderly woman, could have been seriously injured during this ordeal. Thankfully, she was not but is now grieving the loss of her dog and companion."

'Easily avoidable'

She added: "This was another case of dogs escaping their home, something that can easily be avoided with responsible measures in place."

Over the Easter weekend, South Yorkshire Police received 26 reports of dogs causing harm or fear.

Ch Insp Cheney said the force received on average five reports a day of dogs acting dangerously in the area and urged owners to be responsible.

"If owners don't change, the reality is, it's only a matter of time before we could be facing another fatality caused by a dog and an irresponsible owner," she said.

"This behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take action. You will be held responsible and you will be put in front of a court for your animal's behaviour."

South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

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Tech

World-first gonorrhoea vaccine launched by NHS England as infections soar

by Sophia
written by Sophia

England will be the first country in the world to start vaccinating people against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea.

It will not be available for everyone. The focus will mainly be on gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple sexual partners or an STI.

The vaccine is 30-40% effective, but NHS England hopes it will reverse soaring numbers of infections.

There were more than 85,000 cases in 2023 – the highest since records began in 1918.

Gonorrhoea does not always have symptoms, but they can include pain, unusual discharge, inflammation of the genitals and infertility.

How many people will choose to be immunised is uncertain.

But projections by Imperial College London show that if the jab proves popular then it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS nearly £8m over the next decade.

Max, a sexual health campaigner, told BBC Newsbeat he would "100%" take the vaccine after being diagnosed with gonorrhoea twice within a year.

"I think this is great that it's been announced", he says, adding: "It's going to take the pressure off the clinics, it's just a big win all round."

Vaccination will start in August and will be offered through sexual health services.

Public Health Scotland said it was also working on plans to launch its own programme for high-risk individuals.

Northern Ireland's Department of Health said the issue is being considered, with an announcement expected shortly.

BBC Newsbeat has also asked health leaders in Wales whether they intend to do the same.

Is it effective enough?

This vaccine wasn't designed for gonorrhoea. It's the meningitis B vaccine currently given to babies.

But the bacteria that cause the two diseases are so closely related that the MenB jab appears to cut gonorrhoea cases by around a third.

That will require a delicate conversation in sexual health clinics as the vaccine will not eliminate the risk of catching gonorrhoea. It is normally caught while having sex without a condom.

But Prof Andrew Pollard, the chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommended the vaccine, said despite it only being 30% effective, it was "worth having" and could have "a huge impact" overall.

The decision is not just about the record numbers of cases. Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly difficult to treat.

Most cases are treated with a single dose of antibiotics, but there is an 80-year history of the bacterium which causes gonorrhoea repeatedly evolving resistance to our antibiotics.

It's happening to the current treatments too and is why some doctors are concerned gonorrhoea could one-day become untreatable.

The best way to deal with a drug-resistant infection is to never catch it in the first place.

Dr Amanda Doyle, from NHS England, said: "The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria."

The people most affected by gonorrhoea in the UK are those aged 16-to-25, gay and bisexual men, and those of black and Caribbean ancestry.

The vaccine is value for money when primarily offered to gay and bisexual men, rather than all teenagers.

However, clinicians do have the freedom to use their own judgement and offer the vaccine to people using sexual health services they think are of equally high risk.

People will be offered mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), HPV and hepatitis vaccines at the same time.

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Innovation

Burnley Premier League promotion parade revealed

by Paisley
written by Paisley

Thousands of Burnley fans are expected to line the streets of the town on Tuesday to celebrate the Clarets' return to the Premier League.

An open-top bus parade will make its way from Burnley Town Hall to Turf Moor.

The Clarets clinched promotion with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United on 21 April, but their 3-1 win against Millwall in the final match was not enough to seal the Championship title after rivals Leeds clinched a late winner at Plymouth Argyle.

Burnley manager Scott Parker and his players will appear at the town hall from 18:15 BST for interviews on the balcony before leaving for Turf Moor at 19:00. The journey to the stadium is expected to take about an hour.

PA Media
The Clarets clinched promotion with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United on 21 April and finished second on 100 points

The squad will be officially welcomed by Burnley Council's chief executive officer Lukman Patel, who said: "It's fantastic to see Burnley FC back where they belong again, in the Premier League.

"Everyone at the club, and all of the supporters, have done a brilliant job in getting us back into the best football league in the world.

"When the club is doing well, Burnley and the whole borough seems to be that much brighter and positive, and gives us all such a massive boost."

The council said: "We're looking forward to a great day celebrating our town and team, but above all, the safety of our residents is our top priority."

What's the parade route?

The route, organised by Burnley Council, will take the bus down Manchester Road and on to pedestrianised St James' Street, straight across the crossroads into Yorkshire Street, and finally into Harry Potts Way and Turf Moor.

The players will not be appearing at Turf Moor and no public events are planned at the stadium.

What about road closures?

The council advises to plan your journey in advance, to avoid these areas if travelling by car, and to follow all steward and signage instructions on the day.

The following roads will be closed to vehicles on Tuesday 6 May, from 09:00 to 21:00 BST:

Harry Potts Way, Burnley for its entire length

Unnamed road to the side of 114 Brunshaw Road, Burnley for its entire length

Yorkshire Street, Burnley from Todmorden Road to Centenary Way

Centenary Way, Burnley from Yorkshire Street to Gunsmith Place

Grimshaw Street, Burnley for its entire length

Elizabeth Street, Burnley for its entire length

Thomas Street, Burnley for its entire length

Nicholas Street, Burnley for its entire length

Dugdale Street, Burnley for its entire length

Manchester Road, Burnley from Finsley Gate to St James's Street

Saunder Bank, Burnley for its entire length

Hargreaves Street, Burnley from Manchester Road to St James's Row

Ormerod Street, Burnley from Hargreaves Street to Bull Street

Bull Street, Burnley for its entire length

Hall Street, Burnley for its entire length

Yorkshire Street, Burnley from Centenary Way to Hall Street

Church Street, Burnley from Chapel Street to Yorkshire Street

St. James's Street, Burnley from Manchester Road to Hall Street

Croft Street, Burnley for its entire length

Red Lion Street, Burnley for its entire length

Parker Lane, Burnley for its entire length

The following roads will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians:

Yorke Street, Burnley for its entire length

Ormerod Street, Burnley from Yorke St to Hargreaves Street

Closed to pedestrians:

Definitive right of way FP1201197 (Burnley) (canal towpath)

BBC Sounds

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