The anti-vax conspiracy theorists driving the deadly new outbreak of measles in America: TOM LEONARD visits a Texas town where parents are turning their backs on vaccines
'Absolutely no decorations of any kind,' reads a notice fixed to the fence, written in English and German.
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BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Number of empty homes on the rise across England
Across England, the number of empty homes has been steadily rising, with councils "increasingly concerned" about both the impact they have on local communities and the lost resource. "It makes you feel afraid because you don't know what's going to happen next."Ann Devereaux has cherished her home in a peaceful corner of Bristol for more than 25 years. But the property next door - empty, collapsing and overrun with pests - has become a constant source of was once just an eyesore is now a "magnet" for crime, she said."It's a place just available and open for misuse," she added."Whether it's men coming out and urinating against the wall, drug-dealing or fly-tipping."It makes me feel scared when I leave my house or come in at night. It's wearing me down emotionally."She has witnessed violence outside her front door, and the rotting smell of rubbish dumped inside the building sometimes drifts into her living room. Bristol City Council said it has ordered the owner of the building to make it Ms Devereaux and others in the tight-knit community of St Werburgh's say the situation is "only getting worse".Just months ago, the roof of the derelict property collapsed, unleashing dozens of rats into nearby gardens."It's a wasted resource, and I know there are a lot of places like this which are empty and rotting and creating real problems," said Ms city council said it is "continuing to monitor the building" and will consider further action, including stepping in to carry out safety works, if the owner does not meet their obligations. The BBC contacted the owner of the building, but had no of St Werburgh's say they want the property brought back into use urgently - and their story is not number of empty homes in England has risen over the last decade, even as the country grapples with a housing are now more than 700,000 empty homes, according to the most recent government figures. Of those, 264,884 are classed as "long-term empty", meaning no one has lived there for six months or Wales, the figure stood at 120,000 empty properties the last time the data was collated. In 2023 the Welsh Government launched a £50m National Empty Homes scheme, which offered up to £25,000 for improvements to be made to properties to make them available again. Empty homes are also viewed as a missed opportunity by housing one single night last autumn there were 4,667 people sleeping on the streets in England, according to official statistics - a near-record high and the third annual rise in a row. Bristol charity, 1625 Independent People, is trying to change Future Builders programme is transforming vacant properties into homes for young people facing homelessness to rent at a reduced cost. Becky Hopkins became homeless in the city at just 18 years old."I was completely lost, lonely, and isolated. I had feelings of self-hatred. I was worried all the time," she the programme gave Ms Hopkins a more affordable place to rent while she worked towards a more stable future. "After having a stable place, I really could focus on working on my mental health and building better habits."Now 21, she is training to become a Royal Navy engineer."It's a transformation I didn't think was possible," she said. Local councils are on the frontline of the empty homes issue, and leaders are now calling for stronger powers and resources to bring more back into officers are tasked with tracing the owners of empty properties so they can be held Fudge leads the team at South Gloucestershire Council, which has brought 47 properties back into use so far this year."If left empty, they can lead to a spiral of decline, neglect and decay in a community," he said."We initially try to engage with the owner, but when it becomes a detrimental impact to the wider neighbourhood, then we have to take enforcement action to stop that decline." Law change call If the property has been empty for more than two years, and the owner is not cooperating, councils can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).If granted, the council does not gain ownership of the property, but gets the right to manage and potentially improve it, recouping costs through this power is rarely utilised because of the long and complex process England, between 2017 and 2020, only 20 decisions were made on EDMO applications, according to government Local Government Association is calling for changes in the law to make it easier for councils to take over the management of vacant homes. The group Action on Empty Homes is also campaigning to bring empty properties back into manager Chris Bailey said: "Every empty home is a lost opportunity to improve the life of a family that's currently homeless."These are homes which are relevant, in the right places - in the middle of towns and cities where people want to live - where services exist already."It's not a case of building a whole new town and waiting for 10 years for it to happen, these are homes that are available now, they could be brought back into use within a year."But it is not always straightforward. When homeowners die, their property often remains empty during the probate process, during which their assets are legally assessed and Sadler inherited her mother's house in 2011."It's a huge privilege to inherit a home," she said. "But it's bittersweet when it's such a close family member, because the home is them and they are the home."The property had fallen into disrepair, and Ms Sadler struggled to afford the mounting costs of essential renovations. As a result, the house has been empty while work is ongoing."We found more and more things that needed work," she said."You find yourself thinking - how am I going to do this?"Ms Sadler has secured a loan from Lendology which works with councils to offer low-interest loans to bring empty homes back into now hopes to complete the renovations and rent out the property through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited, and we know that having too many empty homes in an area can have a significant impact on local communities."That's why we are giving councils stronger powers to increase council tax on long-term empty homes alongside removing tax incentives for short-term lets, and we continue to consider further action." If you want to contact us regarding this story, email westinvestigations@ BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Grieving dad who saved dying kitten makes special request to animal shelter
A grieving father made a heartbreaking request to a Kansas City shelter after he saved a dying kitten. The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City said it received a call on Monday about a severely injured stray kitten. 'When we arrived, it was evident she was suffering from a previous injury and was in need of immediate medical attention,' the shelter wrote on Facebook. But it turned out the kitten was not the only one in need of help. 'The gentleman hero that saved her requested we name her Hope, because his little daughter just passed and her name was Hope,' shelter staff recounted. 'He said, "everyone needs a little hope, can you name her Hope please?"' Shelter staff were so moved by the tribute that they immediately agreed. Yet it is Hope that now needs some help from us, staff said. 'All four of her paw pads are burned, her eyelid was burned and she has a long road to recovery in front of her,' they wrote as they pleaded for donations to help the kitten. Many in the comments section were moved by the unidentified father's request. 'That's heartbreaking!' one woman wrote. 'Hope is a beautiful name!! So happy she's safe now.' Another added that it is a 'beautiful name [that] fits her well.' As of Thursday evening, the shelter had raised more than $300 for Hope's recovery.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- BBC News
'Fabric of Cumbernauld has fallen apart after church fire'
The destruction of a Cumbernauld church in a devastating fire will have lasting repercussions for the area, locals blaze that wiped out the St Mungo's Church building on Saturday came just over a week after another fire wrecked the nearby Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre. Community groups that used the church for events have been left scrambling to find replacement were no injuries in the blaze, which took until Sunday to put out. Caroline Noble, a volunteer with Cumbernauld and Carbrain Community Hub, told BBC Scotland News she feels like the original landmarks and heritage of the North Lanarkshire new town are said: "The full fabric of Cumbernauld has just fallen apart, really. It kind of feels like there is going to be nothing left, which is sad."The 1960s church, designed by Scottish architect Alan Reiach, is a B-listed building - meaning it is classed as being of regional or local importance. The community hub, based minutes away from the church, would use the building for some bigger events or activities, including a weekly café offering free have since found an alternative site for the café, but Ms Noble believes the loss of the church - and in particular the distinctive triangular roof visible across the area's skyline - will take time to get used added: "It's such an iconic building in Cumbernauld. Everyone was talking about it because it's just such a shock."Rhona McMillan, a member of the Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir that used the church as a rehearsal space, said the news was told BBC Scotland News: " It is a huge loss to the community and our thoughts are with the congregation and ministry team. "The choir have been rehearsing there for three years every Monday night, and it was an ideal space for singing and learning Gaelic." 'Place of special memories' The St Mungo's Church building was part of Trinity Parish Church, a union formed from Cumbernauld Old Church and Kildrum and St Mungo's churches in August 2024. Any decision on what happens next with the building will partly lie with the Church of Scotland, whose moderator the Rt Rev Rosie Frew said she was shocked by the said: "As well as being the focus of much of the life, work and worship of the congregation, St Mungo's has been both an iconic landmark and a place of special memories for the people of Cumbernauld."My thoughts and prayers, and those of members of the Church of Scotland, are with the congregation and community at this difficult time."She is scheduled to visit the site Alastair Duncan, the interim moderator of Cumbernauld Trinity Church, said the congregation had been left devastated and that the building was "cherished by many".He added: "Aside from its distinctive architecture, the B-listed building is held in great affection by the people of Cumbernauld, and its location remains a significant presence for the Church of Scotland." Online speculation has already intensified for what will happen next to the site, including calls for it to be Noble, who studied the area's heritage for her masters degree, believes the building's importance to the overall community should not be said: "I truly believe that heritage spaces are more than buildings, they are places where people's stories and memories are all held. "When the building isn't there, those stories still exist, so it has been more than just a building - not just for the church but for the whole community. "It's going to be odd not having it there."
