Sean Brady

How has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcode The makeup of Great Britain’s high streets has changed dramatically. See what the data says about where you live

The image above is an extract from The Guardian newspaper.
www.theguardian.com/business/ng...

From department stores to discount shops, bookmakers to beauty salons, the makeup of Britain’s high streets has shifted dramatically since 2019.

Why Nature Close to Home Matters: Evidence from the People and Nature Survey  By Lydia Dixon, People and Nature Deputy Director, Natural England  A daily dose of nature boosts physical and mental health, strengthens communities, and can save the NHS millions every year. These benefits are often greatest for people in nature-deprived communities, who gain disproportionately from …

In England, 73% live within a 15-minute walk of green space, but 27% do not. This gap affects Black and Black British adults, who have less access than White adults to nearby green spaces.
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/27/...

Weekly activities, workshops, employer events, and personal projects keep things exciting.
seftontrailblazer.my.canva.site/opportuniti...

YOUR CHOICE COUNTS! Pick from a menu of creative and digital activities.
Set achievable goals based on what interests you most.
Work with mentors who act like personal trainers for your
progress.

Global population living with extreme heat to double by 2050 | A new University of Oxford study finds that almost half of the global population (3.79 billion) will be living with extreme heat by 2050 if the world reaches 2.0°C of global warming above

Most of the impacts will be felt early on as the world passes the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement, the authors warn. In 2010, 23% of the world's population lived with extreme heat, and this is set to grow to 41% over the next decades.
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-0...

18 roads getting new 20mph speed limits to put drivers off using them as rat-runs Speed limits are set to be reduced to 20mph in parts of one Merseyside town, according to a Sefton Council report, which aims to promote ‘traffic calming’ and increase neighbourhood safety. The council has identified 18 areas of Southport which will be subject to the reduction in speed limits, including Bispham Road and Old Park Lane.

Sefton council has identified 18 areas of Southport which will be subject to the reduction in speed limits, including Bispham Road and Old Park Lane.
www.liverpoolworld.uk/news/traffi...

Become a member | The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire Manchester and North Merseyside Help us protect the precious wildlife and wild places on your doorstep by becoming a member.

Wildlife is in a worrying decline.
By becoming a member, you'll be joining 29,000 of your fellow wildlife lovers in directly funding our work on the ground to safeguard wildlife for the future across Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
www.lancswt.org.uk/become-member

Snowdrops | Little Green Space

Like many of our native wildflowers, snowdrops have been given lots of different names over the years. Galanthus translates as 'milk flower' in Latin, but other names include 'common bells', 'fair maids of February', 'snow-piercer' and 'dingle-dangle'.
littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/sn...

About us CAFOD is the Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. It is an international aid agency working to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing countries

We believe a better world is one that's good for everyone. We collaborate with local experts and leaders to create a world free from the limits of poverty, conflict, or the climate crisis. #cafod
cafod.org.uk/about-us

UK rolls out free AI training, but will it save your job? The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, said the government's aim was to ensure people benefit from AI rather than being left behind by it.

Research published alongside the announcement shows only 21% of UK workers feel confident using AI at work, while just one in six businesses currently use the technology.
news.sky.com/story/uk-ro...

Government announces support package that backs British pubs The Chancellor is backing British pubs with a major support package, as the government recognises the challenges facing the industry and the vital role they play in building strong local communities.

Government backs British pubs with a major package of support on business rates and licensing reform, recognising the challenges they face and important role they play in local communities.
www.gov.uk/government/...

A year ago, we warned that the world
was perilously close to global disaster
and that any delay in reversing course
increased the probability of catastrophe.
It's now 85 seconds to midnight.
thebulletin.org/wp-content/...

Pope Leo warns of ‘overly affectionate’ AI chatbots | CNN Beware of the AI chatbot that becomes more than just a friend, or worse, an emotional crutch. Pope Leo XIV has warned about overly “affectionate” chatbots, urging regulation to prevent humans from forming serious emotional bonds with their AI companions.

Compared to his predecessors, Leo XIV is more engaged with the digital world. As a bishop and cardinal, he had an X account, and as pope he wears what appears to be an Apple watch or other smart watch.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/24/...

Bunker billionaires on a burning planet Capitalism is driving ecological destruction and social upheaval. Is it a death cult, and can we escape it?

Capitalism is the social and economic system which is destroying our natural environment. It is a system which has propelled us into two devastating world wars and threatens a third.
theecologist.org/2026/jan/23...

Roseberys London - 10 British Ceramicists you need to know Ceramicists have contributed to the art world for centuries. Today the lines of ceramics and fine art are inseparably i

These ten British ceramicists represent some of the key players in the ceramic movement, both past and present - some of whom are still alive and still making today.
www.roseberys.co.uk/news/10-bri...,Father%20of%20British%20studio%20pottery%22.

International Day of Clean Energy | United Nations International Day of Clean Energy is a platform to drive the adoption of policies and practices to promote awareness on the sustainable use of energy resources and to strengthen collaboration and cooperation to promote the global energy transition.

For populations without clean energy access, the lack of reliable power hinders education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and many of these developing regions still rely heavily on polluting fossil fuels for their daily life, perpetuating poverty.
www.un.org/en/observan...

Obamas say Alex Pretti killing a ‘tragedy’ as calls mount for full investigation Former president and first lady say killing should be ‘wake-up call’ and federal agents are not operating in lawful way

Former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, called the killing “a heartbreaking tragedy” and “a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault”.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/202...

Photography Competition | The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire Manchester and North Merseyside Snapped some amazing #naturemoments on your adventures at our reserves? Enter our photo competition and you could feature in our wildlife calendar!

Each month we are giving you the opportunity to enter your wonderful photographs into our competition where you will be in with a chance of featuring in our new wildlife calendar and receive your very own copy.
www.lancswt.org.uk/photo-comp

AI is hitting UK harder than other big economies, study finds Britain is losing more jobs than it creates owing to artificial intelligence, Morgan Stanley research suggests

Last week Jamie Dimon, the boss of the US bank JP Morgan, told the World Economic Forum in Davos that governments and businesses would have to step in to help workers whose roles were displaced by the technology, or risk civil unrest.
www.theguardian.com/technology/...

The King's Trust | Confidence, courses, careers The King's Trust helps people aged 11 to 30 to build confidence, get a job or launch a business. Start something today.

Every young person should have the chance to succeed.
We know how hard it can be to get started in life. Whatever challenges you’re facing, if you’re aged 16 to 30, The King’s Trust (formerly known as The Prince's Trust) is here for you.
www.kingstrust.org.uk/

Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race by Labour ruling committee Decision likely to set off ferocious row between Keir Starmer loyalists and allies of Greater Manchester mayor

Of the 10-strong “officers’ group” of the NEC, the vote went eight to one against Burnham, a Labour source said. The chair, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, abstained.
www.theguardian.com/politics/20...

Burns Night | Traditions and Robert Burns Information | Scotland.org Find out about the life and poetry of Robert Burns, as well as Burns Night celebrations and events in 2026.

Did you know that Robert Burns was born on 25 January 1759? Each year, we celebrate Burns Night on 25 January and pay tribute to Scotland's National Bard.
www.scotland.org/events/burn...

Well done.
"The Atkinson is delighted to have received Accreditation status. Accreditation is the benchmark for well-run Museums and Galleries, administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation Scheme".
theatkinson.co.uk/news/museum...

Geopolitics of the Arctic - Wikipedia

"Over time, the Arctic melting is expected to reveal under-water resources and new shipping opportunities, which led to a fear of inter-state hostility in a scramble for new territories...."
It's time to pay attention to the potentialities of new dangers.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopol...

Remember John Connolly, Everton FC?
He used to live opposite us.
A neighbour plus his mates and I went to watch him and the team play at Aston Villa.
Afterwards because I'm a Brummie I bought everyone some caviar, actually battered Cod Roe. Didn't go well!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C...

Trump withdraws Canada's invite to join Board of Peace Trump did not provide a reason for the decision, which comes after Canada's PM Mark Carney warned of a "rupture" in the US-led global order.

"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump said on Truth Social in a post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

You're better off not becoming his puppet!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articl...

The Quiet Revolution: Using AI to Redefine Your Work Multiply Your Time and Unlock Hidden Income… Have you ever finished a long, exhausting day at work only to realize you accomplished nothing that truly mattered to you? You answered…

Self-improvement in the digital age isn’t about reading more books; it’s about learning faster and applying knowledge immediately. AI acts as a personalized on demand tutor.
medium.com/@aibeginner...

Liverpool make calculated staff move with Matt Newberry Liverpool have made a significant behind-the-scenes change with Matt Newberry, whose responsibilities at the club have quietly expanded.

Lewis Steele of Mail Sport has confirmed that Newberry, formerly head of academy recruitment, is now operating as Liverpool’s Director of Global Talent.
That title is not cosmetic.
www.empireofthekop.com/2026/01/23/...

Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.
See the results come in on a live noticeboard.
www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happe...