New research commissioned by Ultion, a high-security lock manufacturer, revealed growing safety concerns faced by UK women as winter nights draw in.

From politics to environmental science, history to fiction, comedy to cuisine, four packed days of events have been announced for the 20th Lichfield Literature Festival.

A former railway signaller has celebrated his 90th birthday with a special visit to the Manchester Rail Operating Centre (ROC), returning to the railway where he spent more than four decades of his career.

Fostering rules will be relaxed and red tape cut to create 10,000 new places for vulnerable children in England, the government says, making it easier for full-time workers to become foster carers under the plans and clearer guidelines are being drawn up to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to get involved.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival has announced its special guest line-up for 2026, including TV gardening favourites Monty Don OBE and Alan Titchmarsh CBE, as well as food legends Mary Berry DBE and Raymond Blanc OBE.

Critical thinking skills, not just alliances, may be the secret to surviving The Traitors, according to an English language expert who says the hit show's drama reflects lessons found in school texts like Macbeth and Lord of the Flies.