Spark News
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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that university students in England will pay higher tuition fees while also receiving a boost to maintenance loans starting next year. For the first time in eight years, tuition fees for undergraduate students will increase, with an additional charge of £285 set for courses in the 2025/2026 academic year. […]
A North Tyneside pub landlord who tried to flee the country after admitting his role in a cocaine conspiracy has been sentenced to eight years in prison. David Falcus, 52, used the encrypted messaging handle ‘Novaghost’ to facilitate the supply of Class A drugs into the North East. Northumbria Police specialists, working under Operation Venetic, […]
A new cookbook is celebrating the roles food and language have played in Sunderland’s cultural history. The Mackem Cewkbewk, written by Paul Swinney and published by A Supreme Love, delves into local dishes—both novel and traditional—and the unique dialect that has shaped the city’s identity. For me, this marriage between local language and food represents the […]
Environmental activists such as Greta Thunberg are helping inspire Sunderland students to take everyday actions to tackle climate change. The University of Sunderland’s environmental sustainability team takes a role in reducing the institution’s carbon footprint and encouraging students to take sustainable actions. Organisers have noticed that the awareness of environmental issues, such as climate change […]
Durham’s students are the key to keeping the city afloat and reducing crime, according to local traders. Shopkeepers say students are crucial to bringing revenue into the city and making the city centre streets feel safer during term time. Muminah Ali, owner of Dunelm Food Stores on New Elvet Road, said: “On a business level, […]
Plans to restore a historic Sunderland bandstand have been given the go-ahead. Built in 1880, the Roker Park bandstand has served as an important site for community activities as a Victorian-era free public facility. However, due to ageing and disrepair, the 144-year-old bandstand was temporarily closed in 2021 to ensure safety. Sunderland Council has […]
Live music can sometimes be described as incredibly euphoric and it certainly was last Friday (18.10.24) when Divorce headlined Newcastle’s Cluny for only the second time and their first set in the city since they supported Self Esteem at the BBC Proms Glasshouse takeover last year. Firstly, a personal note to add context, I used […]
A 37-year-old man has been arrested by Northumbria Police following the emergency evacuation of a Whitley Bay street today (October 20th, 2024). Residents and businesses were asked to evacuate their properties this morning, after emergency services were seen to attend an incident on Station Road near Whitley Bay Metro Station. ChronicleLive reported the street being […]
A man from Sunderland has been convicted of murdering his partner, after she sustained more than 100 injuries at his hand. The incident took place on October 17, 2023, when 41-year-old Stephen Todd dialled 999 to inform that he found his partner unresponsive at his home in Grangetown, Sunderland. The Emergency services attended the […]
Businesses across the North East have until June 1, 2025, to clear disposable vapes from their shelves following the government’s announcement of a ban on single-use e-cigarettes. This move, aimed at reducing environmental harm and protecting public health, has sparked significant debate across the North East. Environmental campaigners argue that disposable vapes, often seen littered […]
