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Wayne Rooney, former England captain, endorses Arsenals Declan Rice as the future Three Lions skipper. Rice, 26, showcased his leadership and skills in Arsenals 1-0 win over Everton, impressing Rooney with his all-around performance. Rice, already with 72 caps and twice wearing the armband, is praised for his decision-making, positioning, and drive. Rooney also commends Evertons Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Arsenals Viktor Gyokeres for their contributions. As Arsenal pursues the title and Rice continues to excel, Englands midfield appears poised for a promising future with leaders like Rice ready to step up.

Kilrea Bridge Reopens After Eleven-Week Closure: Local Businesses Struggle, Seek Support The historic Kilrea Bridge over the River Bann in County Londonderry, closed since September due to cracked retaining walls, has reopened to cars and light vehicles. The eighteenth-century bridge, built in 1783, connects Kilrea to Rasharkin and Dunloy. Temporary repairs have been made, with a full reopening expected by mid-February. However, local businesses, including a shop and fuel station, have suffered significant losses, with food sales dropping 30% and takeout plummeting 50%. Despite reopening, owners worry about the bridges ability to handle modern lorries, as it was designed for horses and carts. The bridge previously closed for over a month in 2022. Business owners, like Agnieszka McIntyre and Kenny Bradley, feel ignored by Stormont politicians, as they have not received financial aid. The Department for Infrastructure has no plans to replace the bridge soon, but local development plans in 2026 could lead to a new crossing. Regular checks and fixes are being made to ensure the bridges safety.

Australia secures a decisive victory, leading the Ashes series 3-0. England fans, including the Ryding siblings, remain hopeful despite the looming possibility of a five-nil defeat. They look forward to creating lasting memories beyond the cricket matches.

High-ranking Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, killed in car bomb explosion in Moscow. Sarvarov, who led operational training for Putins armed forces, was close to Russias top general and had fought in Syria and Chechnya. Officials suspect Ukrainian intelligence orchestrated the hit, highlighting a major security lapse for Russias elite officers. Ukraines military intelligence also claimed to have destroyed Russian jets at an air base, keeping tensions high.

In Bristols city farms, struggling teens find a new path to learning through animals and nature. Programs like St Werburgh’s City Farm offer courses for kids with special needs, trauma, or social challenges. Jayden, a thirteen-year-old, loves leading tours and caring for animals. These outdoor spots, inspired by Forest School ideas, have seen a surge in popularity since the first Covid lockdown. Staff report significant improvements in kids confidence, communication, and problem-solving skills. With growing demand and research supporting their effectiveness, Bristols farms prove natures healing power is stronger than ever.

UK doctors return to work after strikes amid record flu cases, as government and union prepare for pay talks in 2026.

Join Michael Buerk as he narrates the chilling minute-by-minute account of the Lockerbie bombing, marking its thirty-seventh anniversary. The Pan Am Flight 103 explosion, caused by a Semtex bomb hidden in a Toshiba radio, killed all 270 on board and eleven on the ground. Buerk shares his firsthand memories of the devastation, describing a massive crater and charred plane parts. The attack, linked to Libyan intelligence, claimed victims from twenty-one countries. Only one man was convicted, with a second suspect arrested in 2022. Listen to Minute by Minute: The Lockerbie Bombing for a powerful reconstruction of this tragic event.

In a shocking act of terror, Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, carried out a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, killing 15 and injuring dozens. Court documents reveal their planning, including firearms training and extremist ideology. The massacre, Australias worst in nearly three decades, sparked global outrage and led to tougher gun laws and hate speech rules. Naveed faces numerous charges and is now in prison.

Blackpool tops the list of England and Wales most crime-ridden spots, with a severity score of 31.7, driven by violent crimes and sexual offenses. Central London, particularly Westminster and Camden, also rank high due to tourist-targeting thefts. Wiltshire is the safest area with a score of 6.0. Crime severity scores have fluctuated since 2003, peaking at 16.4 last year, and vary greatly among police forces, with Cleveland having the toughest job at 23.4 and North Yorkshire Police the easiest at 9.8.