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For its 30th anniversary, scientists told Nature that Pokémon inspired interest in fields such as taxonomy, paleontology and ecology, and the franchise has been used in museum exhibitions, teaching games and to expose predatory journals.

Martin Lewis said shopping around and moving to cheaper fixed-rate deals can reduce household energy costs, noting Ofgem’s price cap will fall by an average 6.7% from April. He added that many fixed deals are already below the cap and that most fixes will also drop on 1 April.

Tony Devenport was sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years after jurors found him guilty of murdering his partner, Stephanie Blundell, and police released footage of his arrest in which he asked whether she was dead.

Spain alerted the World Health Organization to a suspected human-to-human A(H1N1)v case in Catalonia; the patient recovered with no symptoms and direct contacts tested negative.

Pakistani authorities say they launched strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and other areas in response to cross-border attacks, and the Afghan Taliban says it carried out a large-scale retaliatory operation; both sides have disputed each other’s casualty claims.

Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, won the Gorton and Denton byelection, overturning Labour's 13,000-vote majority and becoming the Green party's first MP in northern England. In her victory speech she emphasised her working-class background, pledged to earn the trust of all constituents, criticised the influence of wealthy donors, and called for community unity.

A total lunar eclipse, known as a 'Blood Moon', will occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026; the UK and much of Europe are reported to be outside the eclipse viewing path.

Reports say plainclothes security agents entered hospitals during early January protests and interfered with treatment of wounded people; Iran's Health Ministry denies those claims and says injured were treated without discrimination.

Researchers report that certain monocytes producing the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-10 were more common in males and linked to faster pain resolution in mice and people, and that testosterone appears to drive this effect. The newsletter also notes early trial results for an experimental drug targeting a p53 mutation and an analysis linking abortion restrictions to fewer obstetricians and gynecologists.

Flavor Flav will host a 'She Got Game' weekend in Las Vegas from 16-19 July with MGM Resorts to honour the US women's Olympic ice hockey team and other female Olympians, and he has launched a GoFundMe to support US women's Olympic medallists.

Mexican authorities announced that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, died after a firefight near Tapalpa, and the town remains tense as security forces and road crews work to secure and reopen access.

Barcelona has deployed 600 companion robots to private homes and care centres under a €3.8 million EU-funded pilot to support older people, including those in early cognitive decline; devices provide reminders, entertainment and a link to social workers.

Waitrose will stop selling mackerel sourced from Scottish waters from May 2026, saying the fish no longer meets its responsible sourcing standards; it will replace those products with Marine Stewardship Council-certified alternatives.

From 6 April 2027 UK pensions will be included in estate values for inheritance tax, potentially increasing the chance an estate exceeds the current £325,000 threshold; allowances are frozen until April 2031.

A 2017 survey found flame shell nests in Loch Carron broken and flattened with scallop dredge tracks; researchers returning four years later after a Marine Protected Area designation recorded signs of recovery and NatureScot said beds have since suggested expansion.

Mitsubishi has relaunched in the UK with the L200 pick-up; order books are open and prices start at £36,295 for the double-cab Titan (before VAT). The model uses a reworked 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel and is rated to tow up to 3,500kg and carry up to 1,000kg.

Researchers commissioned by NatureScot report that flame shell beds in Loch Carron have fully recovered since the site was designated a Marine Protected Area in 2017, with surveys and recent video showing repaired nests and further expansion.

A study of donated brains found that people aged 80 or older with exceptional memory produced more new hippocampal neurons than other older adults, while early cognitive decline showed minimal neurogenesis and Alzheimer's patients showed almost no new neuron growth.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Za'atari refugee camp and met Syrian refugees and aid staff in Amman; Meghan wore a casual wide‑leg trouser outfit that appeared creased while taking part in activities.

Big Mac Day on February 1 returned to Cornwall and Lancaster, with proceeds from Big Mac sales at four local McDonald's directed to the Children's Treatment Centre, a community-funded agency marking its 30th anniversary in 2026.

The Scottish Game Developers Association will run Games Talks Live across Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow from 24–26 March 2026, featuring lightning talks, networking and pitches from the SGDA Games Accelerator cohort.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai for a four-day visit to India aimed at resetting relations and deepening trade cooperation; he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will hold a public drop-in on 10 March 2026 from 4pm to 8pm at Crossmaglen Community Centre to gather views as part of a study to develop an Improvement Plan for Crossmaglen Square.

A young fan hugged the Princess of Wales during a meet-and-greet outside Oriel Davies gallery in Newtown and gave her a handmade necklace, which Kate accepted and wore. The visit forms part of engagements in Wales ahead of St David's Day that highlight local community projects and children’s wellbeing.

Former Scotland captain Stuart McInally has urged supporters to back Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance's Murrayfield event, which includes a 98ft abseil and a 7,500-step stair climb on May 16 to raise funds for the charity-funded air ambulance service.

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust says it has rehomed more than 73,500 animals since its 1986 founding and provides low-cost veterinary and neutering services across London and the South East.

A local ceasefire brokered with the IAEA will let teams repair backup power lines to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is not producing electricity and depends on external power to keep its nuclear material cool.

International Consolidated Airlines reported a record €5.0 billion operating profit on €33.2 billion of revenue and reduced net debt to about €6 billion, while management announced a €1.5 billion share buyback and a modest dividend yield.

Democracy Volunteers reported multiple instances of family voting at many polling stations in Gorton and Denton; election officials said no reports were made by polling staff and disputed the group's decision to raise the issue after polls closed.

A World Health Organization analysis reports that girls aged 13–15 in Europe have the highest tobacco use rate worldwide, and that about 14.3% of 13–15-year-olds in the region regularly use e-cigarettes.