Marc Waddington

A fire at the Castletown and Malew fire and ambulance station near Ronaldsway Airport injured two firefighters and caused substantial damage. Nine crews and engines tackled the blaze, which began in an appliance room. The injured firefighters suffered minor injuries, flights were not apparently affected, and the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service said local and airport fire cover would continue while the cause and impact on the station’s operational capability were investigated.

Several US presidents have family or personal links to north-west England. Barack Obama’s great-great-grandfather sailed from Liverpool to the United States, while both George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush have connections to Lancashire. Abraham Lincoln is commemorated in Manchester for praising workers who boycotted Confederate cotton during the American Civil War. Woodrow Wilson regularly visited the Lake District and had family ties to Carlisle, while George Washington’s ancestors came from Warton near Lancaster. Local invitations for Obama and George W. Bush to visit the region remain unfulfilled.

Police in Greater Manchester plan roadside breath tests on Monday morning following England’s late‑night World Cup match against Mexico, warning fans that alcohol may remain in their system. The National Police Chiefs Council criticised the government’s late decision to allow pubs to stay open until 05:00, saying it strains policing resources. Downing Street said the decision was made promptly once England’s progression was confirmed and praised police cooperation while urging fans to drink responsibly.

A Merseyside woman brought her severe hoarding under control after support from her housing association, Prima, helped her address both clutter and underlying trauma. Her condition had worsened during lockdown, leaving her flat unsafe and at risk of violating housing compliance rules that could lead to eviction. Prima and other social landlords are establishing a national support model to help hoarders manage their homes. With structured weekly guidance, she gradually cleared her home and now maintains routines to prevent relapse, encouraging others to seek help early.