UK Sanctions Russian Spies Over Cyber Warfare Operations
One of the sanctioned GRU units carried out online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol in Ukraine, enabling a 2022 attack that destroyed a theater in the city killing hundreds of civilians, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
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a few seconds ago
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Walsall Council provides update on future of former Bloxwich Hospital
The deputy leader of Walsall Council has provided an update following speculation about the future of the former Bloxwich Hospital site. The premises, still owned by the Black Country NHS Trust, was last used as a psychiatric facility before its closure in February 2025. READ MORE: Nine Walsall councillors blocked from standing in 2026 elections amid Conservative branch chaos The sale of the Reeves Street site is part of an agreement that has allowed the trust to secure funding for the newly opened Older People's Inpatient Unit at Dorothy Pattison Hospital. Since its closure, social media has been flooded with unsubstantiated claims that the building will be converted into 'luxury' accommodation for 'illegals'. However the trust said it was committed to ensuring any future use for the site will 'align with the needs of the community'. Currently, the building has no existing planning permissions and no live planning applications are under assessment by the council for any alternative use. Ward member for Bloxwich West, Councillor Michael Coulson, asked for the update at full council on July 30. Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew responded: 'The trust, after interventions by officers, myself and Councillor Flint, are committed to ensuring that any future use for the site aligns with the needs of our community. 'They are working closely with us now to support the disposal and deliver a scheme that meets local needs. 'Any forthcoming proposal will be subject to a planning application and associated formal statutory consultation process.' Council Andrew said he has been 'quite firm' with the chief executive of the trust about its responsibility to secure the building. He added: 'Organisations which own public property need to make sure it is secured and that they are not causing a problem to the communities they represent, otherwise it just passes the bill on. 'Whether that's to the fire service because of an arson attack, or the police, or the council because we have to start taking enforcement action. 'I've been quite firm about their responsibility as a public sector organisation to the people that we all represent.'
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
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Residents concerned over new housing updated on any plans
Residents concerned over the idea of new housing in Swindon have been rest assured that there are "no plans" for a new development. Wroughton and Wichelstowe residents were quick to share their concern over new potential housing being built on the field adjacent to Ashen Copse. The local parish council have reaffirmed that there is no indication of new housing and Councillor John Hewer released a statement. He said: "As Chair of Wroughton Parish Council, and on behalf of our parish councillors, I would like to let our residents know what we Wroughton & Wichelstowe Parish Council (WWPC) knows, we are seeing increasing anxiety from residents around the possibility that a couple of fields adjacent to Ashen Copse may be developed for housing. "We have not been given any official information about this. However, I have met with the landowner to establish what the possible plans are. "The land owner acknowledged that a land agent had contacted them about possible development on his land, however he confirmed to me that no plans had yet been presented to him and he promised to contact WWPC when this happens. "It is quite common for land agents to contact land owners who have put forward land to SBC for possible development, but this does not necessarily mean this will proceed." The land is located west of Wroughton where there is plenty of rural grounds headed towards Bassett Down. Recommended reading Comedian joins campaigners at Oasis concert in bid to save sports hall Residents react to 400 new homes to be built near Swindon What's happening to the Adver's former home in Old Town? The statement made by Councillor Hewer also expressed the commitment that the parish had to fight against unwanted land use. He continued: "WWPC will always give information that we can confirm as fact, but do not inform or comment on speculation. "WWPC have always robustly challenged any unwanted and inappropriate planning applications. "As an example, at last night's Planning and Highways meeting (29/07/2025), we strongly objected to the application for 14 houses proposed by a developer to be squeezed in between existing houses on Langton Park. "The Swindon Borough Council draft Local Plan has been published. "WWPC requested that Swindon Borough Council (SBC) hold a public meeting in Wroughton to explain their proposals to residents. "They refused a public meeting but have agreed to hold a public drop-in event for residents as part of SBC's consultation. This will be at the Ellendune Community Centre on the 6th October from 5 to 7pm."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
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Map reveals parts of Wales where most sexual offences are reported
Sexual offences reported to police soared in Wales last year - as a new estimate suggests one in eight women aged 16 or over was a victim of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking last year. For men, that estimate is one in 12, making the overall average one in 10 for adults in England and Wales. That adds up to more than three million women and around two million men aged over 16 suffering from sexual assault, domestic abuse or stalking. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here READ MORE: Met Office weather maps show moment Storm Floris wall of rain will cover Wales READ MORE: Met Office issues 24-hour weather warning as Storm Floris to batter Wales It is the first time an estimate has been made of the combined prevalence of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and stalking. Separate Home Office figures show the number of sexual offences that were reported to police in Wales, including rape and sexual assault, increased by 11% in the year ending March, 2025, to 10,577 crimes. That's an increase of 1,113 sexual offences. However, that might be at least partially explained by increased public confidence in reporting crime. Cardiff reported the highest number of offences, with 1,238 crimes recorded by South Wales Police. That was followed by the Cwm Taf Community Safety Partnership area which takes in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil counties (948) and Swansea (857). However, crime rates, the number of crimes recorded in each area for every 1,000 people who live there, allow for a fairer comparison of areas with different population sizes. They show that in Wales, sexual offences were most likely to be recorded by police in Denbighshire. North Wales Police recorded 441 sexual offences in Denbighshire last year, around a third as many as there were in Cardiff. However, when compared to the size of the population, that translates to a crime rate of 4.6 offences for every 1,000 residents living in Denbighshire, or the equivalent of one in 219 people suffering some form of sex crime in the last year alone. That was the highest rate in Wales, and the 26th highest rate of more than 300 community safety partnership areas in England and Wales, which are broadly similar to council areas. Conwy (482 crimes, a rate of 4.2 offences per 1,000 people), and Torfaen (381 crimes, a rate of 4.1) had the next highest crime rates in Wales. In Cardiff, the area with the highest number of crimes, the rate was 3.3 offences per 1,000 residents, the equivalent of one in 301 people reporting a sexual offence. You can see the rates and numbers of sexual offences where you live using our interactive map below. While the Home Office figures show crimes recorded by police, the new estimates of people suffering sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) using data collected as part of the Crime Survey for England and Wales. This annual poll, based on face-to-face interviews, seeks to measure the amount and impact of crime, including offences which may not have been reported to police. The survey measures experiences of crime, with sexual assault, domestic abuse, and stalking referred to as 'crime types' because in some cases a criminal offence may not have occurred. Despite the grim picture painted by the CSEW and official police figures, the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) believes even more crimes are being hidden. Rebecca Hitchen, head of policy and campaigns at EVAW, said: 'This new, combined measure of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking fails to capture the full spectrum of VAWG (violence against women and girls) incidents, including online abuse, so-called 'honour'-based abuse, child abuse and sexual harassment. "Our concern is that this measure has been created for the ease of government, rather than trying to truly represent the scale and impact of violence against women and girls. 'Even with this narrower approach the figures are stark, with an estimated one in eight women experiencing a form of domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault last year alone. "There is no more time to waste. We need a plan from the top that sets out clearly how the government intends to tackle this national crisis. 'We're calling for a further consultation process to be opened so that there is transparency and a clear structure around how the VAWG sector and VAWG experts can inform and guide the development of the government's approach to measuring VAWG and the delivery of its mission to halve it. "This must include consultation with smaller specialist VAWG organisations, including those led 'by and for' Black, minoritised and migrant women, and others who are marginalised.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
