Robby West

Olivia Ojemen, who entered care at 16 after moving to the UK from Nigeria, has secured a scholarship to study biomedical science at Birkbeck, University of London. She credits her foster mother, Elda Britto, with providing the emotional and practical support—including educational resources—that helped her achieve A-level grades of A in biology, A in maths and B in chemistry. Ojemen says being in care does not define a person’s future, while Britto urges people to give children in care the chance to fulfil their potential.

Fourteen-year-old Poppy raised the alarm and safely evacuated her home near Norwich after sunlight refracted through a glass snow globe and ignited a pencil case on a bedroom windowsill. She called her mother, followed instructions to leave with the family dog and contacted emergency services. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service praised her response and warned people to keep glass ornaments, mirrors and other reflective objects away from direct sunlight and combustible materials.

British Sugar has proposed closing Cantley, the UK's oldest sugar factory, potentially from the end of February 2027, putting more than 100 jobs at risk. Residents describe the plant as central to the village's identity and worry about lost employment, community support and increased truck movements if processing is moved elsewhere. Others see the brownfield site as a possible opportunity for housing, jobs and shops. British Sugar says the proposal is intended to improve efficiency and secure the long-term future of the UK sugar industry, with a consultation planned and operations to be concentrated at facilities in Wissington, Bury St Edmunds and Newark.