Latest news with #NorthEast
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Tyne-Wear derby: 'A remarkable occasion'
The Tyne-Wear derby is back – and the North East is already bracing for one of English football's most fiercely contested the release of this season's Premier League fixtures, Sunderland will host Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light on 13 December, with the return game taking place at St James' Park on 21 March. These dates are now etched in the minds of supporters across the matches stir the emotions quite like the Tyne-Wear derby. For some, it's about pride. For others, it's about history. But for everyone, it's a game that transcends the football Radio Newcastle's Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck said: "When I think of the North East derby, I think of passion, passion that both sets of fans have for their club and how much we get to experience that when the games are being played."On the other side of the divide, Sunderland's matchday commentator Nick Barnes shared his own take - one that focuses on the emotional toll the derby can take on those said: "In one sense, it's a fantastic occasion. In the other sense, it's a real headache, madness in the build-up to the game itself, with all the banter and social media goes bananas. The anxiety, anticipation and the tension and everything that goes with the atmosphere, it is a remarkable occasion."Listen on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five quirky stories you missed this week as woman receives reply to message after 30 years
A woman who received a reply more than 30 years after she threw a message in a bottle into the sea is one of our five bizarre local news stories you may have missed this week. The Daily Record reported how Alaina Beresford, from Portknockie in Scotland, was shocked to receive a postcard from someone who had found the bottle washed up on a beach in Norway. Elsewhere, a seagull in Cornwall was caught on camera stealing a maintenance worker's mug, and a lollipop man in Yorkshire has been ordered not to give high fives to children he helps cross the road. You can read the full version of each of our selected articles through the links under each story – or read more top headlines from around the UK's regions on the Yahoo UK local news page. A woman who sent a message in a bottle as a girl has received a reply from 2,000 miles away - over 30 years after chucking it into the sea. Alaina Beresford was just 12 years old when she wrote a message and popped it into an empty bottle of iconic North East drink Moray Cup. And now, 31 years later, Alaina received the surprise of her life when that message got a response. Read the full story from the Daily Record A popular Stokesley pub has been named among finalist for the Best Pub for Dogs Award. The owner of The Mill, Alex Cook, says it was his own personal experience that led the way in creating a truly dog-friendly pub environment. The 43-year-old and his team are in the running for another award at The Great British Pub Awards, which takes place in September. In recent years, the pub has committed to catering for dog owners making it an experience for pups stopping by at the end of their walks. Read the full story from Teesside Live A beloved lollipop man has been told he can no longer give 'high fives' to children as they cross the road. Neil Cotton, 57, who assists primary and secondary pupils in Howden, near Hull, East Yorkshire, claims he's been instructed to stop the friendly gesture as it "upsets some drivers having to wait another ten seconds". Read the full story from Yorkshire Live A Herefordshire shop dealing in medals and military antiques is displaying another fascinating piece of history. War & Son Medal and Military Antiques based in Leominster have a piece of Adolf Hitler's marble map table from the Chancellery in Berlin at the end of the Second World War, thanks to the family of a British war veteran. Read the full story from the Hereford Times A maintenance man who had been bird-proofing a Cornish harbour town found himself the victim of a very unusual 'mugging', when a seagull got its own back - by flying off with his coffee mug. The caffeine-craving winged menace was pictured in full flight, with his victim's mug still hanging out of its beak. Read the full story from Cornwall Live
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Business leaders vote to hold interest rates amid economic uncertainty
Business leaders in the North East have voted to hold interest rates. The decision came during the June 2025 meeting of the North East Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), a group of business figures who provide regional economic insight in partnership with Newsquest, Clive Owen LLP, and Recognition PR. Five members voted to keep rates steady at 4.25 per cent, while two called for a cut. David Coates, managing director of Newsquest North, said: "Given all the uncertainty that there is at the moment, let's not add any further uncertainty, so steady as she goes and stay where we are." The committee cited ongoing economic challenges, including inflation above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target, rising costs, and geopolitical instability. Graham Robb, senior partner at Recognition PR, also voted to hold rates. Mr Robb said: "The extra national insurance cost has hit both profits and margins, and as a result there is a cut back on the quantity of things businesses buy." Nicola Bellerby, tax partner at Clive Owen LLP, emphasised the impact of rising National Insurance contributions. Ms Bellerby said: "The cost of the National Insurance rises is starting to be felt, and the statistics are quite scary." She voted to hold rates, noting the pressures on businesses and the importance of controlling inflation. Arnab Basu, CEO and founder of Kromek Group plc, highlighted wage pressures and global instability. Mr Basu said: "There is a wage inflation coming in our sector because there's not enough engineers, particularly in the North East." He also voted to hold rates, referencing concerns about energy prices and the broader international economic environment. Donna James, research director at Populus Select, pointed to optimism in technical fields but warned of broader risks. Ms James said: "We are in danger of seeing wage inflation, and I'm worried about oil prices driving inflation with the situation in Iran and Ukraine." She also supported holding rates to maintain stability. However, not all members agreed. Martyn Tennant, head of the corporate team at Swinburne Maddison, voted for a cut. Mr Tennant said: "Businesses need the support of a rate cut now to help them through economic challenges." Kevin Brown of Pacifica Group also backed a rate reduction, citing concerns about consumer finances. Mr Brown said: "I'm concerned about the consumer debt that no one's talking about. Recommended reading Darlington charity warns financial pressure threatens survival as festival cancelled Rishi Sunak calls for £1.4bn A66 road upgrade to be given green light North East business confidence rises - and its 'good news' for job prospects "I think that will end up being a depressant on the retail sales market both in hospitality and in physical goods." The Shadow MPC's views reflect ongoing uncertainty and the varying pressures facing different sectors across the region. Their recommendations add a regional perspective to the national debate on monetary policy as the economic outlook remains mixed.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Bishop Auckland mother among 27 'poisoned' by fake Botox
In recent weeks, 28 people in the north-east of England have been left with potentially fatal botulism after having anti-wrinkle injections believed to have been fake. Such reactions are usually so rare hospitals stock very little anti-toxin and they were in danger of running out. On one night in June five people were in an accident and emergency department (A&E) in Durham suffering from serious adverse effects of anti-wrinkle injections - Nicola Fairley was one of days of having what she was told was a Botox jab, but which turned out to be an illegal copy, her throat began closing up, an eye swelled shut and one side of her face started to droop. She could not smile, struggled to eat and swallow, felt exhausted and was desperate to 37-year-old mother of four from Bishop Auckland in County Durham told staff she had been given injections and was unwell."They got the doctor to see me within five minutes and started some tests there and then," Mrs Fairley the 28 people, mostly in the Durham and Darlington areas, who have found themselves in a similar position, four others ended up in the same hospital on the same night as Mrs an average year, the University Hospital of North Durham usually sees no cases at all of botulism that require treatment. Only six were recorded in the whole of England in being approached by the BBC the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has set up an investigation. Botulinum toxin is widely used to reduce facial wrinkles and treat muscle conditions. While cosmetic practitioners do not need to be licensed, the drug does. Only seven brands are licensed in the UK, with Botox the most well used correctly the amounts are small and side effects are rare. But unregulated toxin, or larger quantities, can attack the nerves and cause botulism, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes paralysis. Mrs Fairley had anti-wrinkle injections before, paying £100 for three areas, but then won a round of treatment from the same provider in a competition. She was told it was a stronger type of the toxin and again had three areas says she had no idea this treatment was two hours her forehead was "frozen", although genuine cosmetic injections should take several days to start working with the full effect visible after two weeks. Of those in A&E at the same time, some had used the same practitioner as Mrs Fairley. They were all diagnosed with botulism and one doctor told the group they had never seen that many people with the condition at the same is so rare, hospitals do not typically keep large quantities of the anti-toxin - made from horse blood - that is used to stop the toxin spreading further. North Durham was already trying to source anti-toxin drugs from other hospitals as there had been a spate of cases in the days before Mrs Fairley and the others arrived in A& an internal communication seen by the BBC, a hospital leader said: "We've just about exhausted all stock of the antitoxin from local holders (Newcastle, Carlisle and Leeds) and have 10 more coming from London." They were "bracing" themselves for more MHRA told the BBC it was investigating allegations surrounding the illegal sale and supply of fake "Botox-type" products in the North East. Chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said the body's criminal enforcement unit "works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines".Buying anti-wrinkle injections and other medicines from illegal suppliers significantly increased the risk of getting a product which is either "falsified or not authorised" for use in the UK, she said. An aesthetic doctor based in Newcastle, Steven Land, believes anti-wrinkle injections in three areas for less than £150 is very cheap and this could suggest the supplier was using an illegal toxin. Dr Land, who has also worked in A&E, said he was contacted weekly by "fake pharmacies" offering to sell him the toxins for such small amounts he "knows they're illegal". Genuine injections were "very safe if done properly" but called for the industry to be regulated, he said. As things stand it is not regulated at all, with anyone able to provide cosmetic injections."Your provider should be able to show you the product they are using and be happy to answer any of your questions - and have the answers," he Land said he had been fearing a botulism outbreak for years, noticing more and more businesses in the region offering injections that were suspiciously cheap. An investigation into the cause of the recent cases of botulism is being led by the UK Health Security Agency with partners including Durham County Council's public health team. Director of public health Amanda Healy said they were urging anyone with symptoms to seek treatment. An incident management team had been set up to deal with the issue and they were working out if the cause of these incidents of botulism was the "type of toxin used or the way it was used", she said. Mrs Fairley says the business owner who gave her the injections has apologised. "I know she hasn't done this on purpose," Mrs Fairley says. "I just don't know where people get it from - it's scary. "There needs to be more rules and stricter guidelines on who can do it - not just anybody who can go and do a course and just do it. "There's that many people who do it - it's part of your beauty regime like getting your nails done or your hair." What happened, and the continuing side effects, has put Mrs Fairley off having cosmetic injections again. She urges anyone considering it to ask questions about the product and make sure it has been properly prescribed. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said people's lives were being put at risk by "inadequately trained operators in the cosmetic sector" and said this was why the government was looking into new regulations."We urge anyone considering cosmetic procedures to consider the possible health impacts and find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner," a spokesperson said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
North East green corridors 'will connect people with nature'
Three newly designated "green corridors" in north-east England are aiming to connect town and city-dwellers with routes in Gateshead, Durham and Teesside have been named by the National Trust as part of plans to create 20 such spaces across England, Northern Ireland and Wales by the start of the next conservation charity says it is looking to "end unequal access to nature, beauty and history".It has partnered with a number of organisations, including Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham and Teesside universities, after securing £2.9m from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Gateshead's nine-mile (14km) Tyne Derwent Way trail, which connects historic sites along the River Tyne, is one of the three areas named.A second route stretches along the River Wear from Durham city centre to Crook Hall Gardens, taking in Brasside Ponds, Low Newton Junction Nature Reserve and heritage sites such as Finchale corridor runs from Middlesbrough and the Tees Estuary to the North York Moors National Park and Roseberry will also link to existing long-distance walks in the area, such as the Weardale Moir, the trust's senior urban programme manager (North East), said the organisation was looking at "new and inspiring ways of engaging with communities - ensuring our local green corridors, and their culture and heritage, thrive". Prof Richard Clay, of Newcastle University, is among researchers who will be conducting work to monitor the impact of green spaces on health and described the corridors as a "glorious" way to help people make the most of the nature on their doorstep."We know it is incredibly important for our well-being. It lifts us."This shows that even if someone lives in an urban area, they can get out into amazing spaces nearby."There are so many stories that we can tell through these kind of projects. The Tyne Derwent Way runs past the Metrocentre, which very few people realise is built on the site of two gas power stations that were leading-edge technology at the time."And we all talk about coal, but if we go further back, there were windmills on the hills in Gateshead."You could say the future will look a lot like the past in that it's going to be green rather than coal and gas." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
