Sergey Ryzhikov logs into the Zoom session on Russian poetry in York while orbiting the Earth.

Changes are to be made to an alleyway in Leeds after women's safety campaigners labelled it a "hotspot" for assaults.

The cut-through, near the rugby and cricket stadiums in Headingley, will have its hedges cut short to improve visibility and CCTV cameras installed by the entrance.

Campaigner Brittany Coffey, from Reclaim The Night Leeds, said: "It is so scary to know there's somewhere so close to you and so close to a student area that's known for this":

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Health leaders in York have been reassuring city residents that the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is safe.

Image source, Reuters

Use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been paused in 11 European countries after a small number of blood clots were reported among people who had recently had the jab.

But Sharon Stoltz, York's public health director, said: “The AstraZeneca vaccine is safe to use. There isn’t any reason why anybody should be anxious about it.”

Prof Mike Holmes, chair of Nimbuscare GP partnership, said the MHRA, the regulatory agency for the safety of medicines in the UK, says the vaccine is safe.

“The issue that’s been raised across the continent is the concern that they increase the risk of blood clots forming. These are a common condition that we see any time, not just during pandemics," he said.

“We see people developing blood clots all the time and the key message is that, despite the eleven million vaccines given in the UK, we’ve not seen an increase in the number of blood clots.”

Joan Lawrence, whose daughter disappeared from York 12 years ago, says she knows the pain of Sarah Everard's family.

A man who was struck by a lorry carrying cement in a West Yorkshire village has died, police have confirmed.

Image source, PA Media

The 42-year-old pedestrian was hit by a DAF cement truck on Skipton Road, Steeton, just after 11:00 yesterday morning, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The man was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who might have dash camera footage of the incident, is being urged to contact police.

Loose Women's Coleen Nolan has revealed paedophile predator Jimmy Savile made advances towards her when she was 14.

Image source, Keith Mayhew/Zuma Press/PA Images

In an ITV interview, she recalls how Savile, who was born in Leeds and had homes in Leeds and Scarborough, invited her to his hotel suite after the Nolans appeared on Top of the Pops.

Savile promised to "look after" her, the singer and TV star (pictured below), now 56, said.

Nolan said she thought the Top of the Pops presenter was a "dirty old man" and was not surprised when his abuse was revealed after his death in 2011.

Savile who was exposed as one of the UK's most prolific sexual predators, who exploited his status to prey on hundreds of people.

In an interview for Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Nolan (above far left performing on Top of the Pops), said she did not accept Savile's invitation.

"At the time I just thought, you dirty old man. As if I'm going to go up there, I wouldn't do it anyway," she said.

"I've got four sisters on the stage that would have beaten the crap out of him."

BBC Radio Bradford

Work is set to begin on building a new market in Bradford after the council signed a formal contract with a construction company.

Image source, Bradford and District Markets

The new Darley Street Market (artist's impression above) will host traders across three storeys in the city centre.

As well as non-food and fresh food stalls, 500 seats will be provided for customers at hot food and drink stalls.

The construction project will begin with demolition of current properties on Darley Street between April and December, with the new facility expected to open in summer 2023.

Bosses at Kier, the company responsible for the upgrade, say they'll engage with local residents, including site visits, work experience, and apprenticeships.

Kier's regional director for North and Scotland, Dan Doherty, says: “We are pleased to be starting on site and we look forward to working collaboratively with Bradford Council, as well as our local supply chain to deliver this important project.”

A detective investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence 12 years ago has said it is "not too late" for people "to do the right thing".

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

The chef, 35, failed to arrive for work at York University on 18 March 2009. Police believe she was murdered despite her body never being found.

Det Supt Wayne Fox said there were likely to be several people who either knew, or had strong suspicions, as to what happened.

He said: "For whatever reason, they have maintained a silence for 12 years. That is an awfully long time to carry such a burden of guilt.

"The longer you carry it, the greater the anguish you are causing to Claudia's family and friends.

"If you know something that could help us find Claudia, or those involved in her disappearance and suspected murder, please come forward. It is not too late."

Mr Fox, who took charge of the investigation in October, said Claudia's loved ones had endured "unrelenting anguish and trauma throughout this time" and deserved answers.

"Please do the right thing, come forward and speak to me," he added.

To date, nine people have been questioned by North Yorkshire Police in relation to Claudia's disappearance, but no charges have ever been brought.

Thomas Ball is jailed after pleading guilty to six "carefully planned" child sexual offences.

Three cases of the P.1 variant are in South Gloucestershire and the fourth is in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Campaigners dressed as zebras have staged a protest alongside a road they say is "dangerous" in a bid to urge Sheffield City Council to put safety measures in place.

Image source, LDRS

Protesters held placards which said “this zebra needs a crossing” and “sign our petition” on Abbey Lane.

More than 5,000 people have signed the petition by the Friends of Ecclesall Woods, asking for a crossing to be installed in the area.

Ecclesall councillor Barbara Masters, supporting the campaign, said: “Speeding traffic and the amount of traffic using Abbey Lane and Whirlowdale Road has increased considerably.

“I feel very strongly something needs to be done here."

Image source, LDRS

Councillor Masters says the measures she hopes the authority will consider include lowering the speed limit and putting a crossing in place.

Some of the signatories of the petition left comments saying it's "frightening crossing the road" and that measures would "significantly improve", or even save, lives.

Signatory Holly Smith-Williams said it was "treacherous" trying to cross Abbey Lane.

"I usually cross dragging a barking dog and screaming kids. I’m probably screaming, too. You literally take your life in your hands," she said.

Photographer Laura Page challenges the stereotypes of age.

Darren Moore is denied his first win as Sheffield Wednesday boss as Callum Paterson's own goal gives Huddersfield a draw.

Championship side Rotherham United record 25 positive Covid-19 cases in the latest week of testing.

An inquest into the 33-year-old's death is due to take place on 18 March in Maidstone, Kent.

CCTV is to be fitted in a Leeds alleyway said by campaigners to be a 'hotspot for attacks' on women.

Mohammed Fike Butt denies murdering Jason Llanwarne by deliberately running over him in Leeds.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

People in Scaborough are being warned not to drop their guard against Covid-19 as the borough saw the highest number of fines handed out to lockdown rule breakers by North Yorkshire Police officers in the last week.

Image source, PA Media

A total of 50 fixed penalty notices were issued in Scarborough last week, almost half the 102 issued across the whole county.

Two large gatherings in Scarborough racked up a combined £16,000 in fines as police were called to a number of parties, according to the North Yorkshire force.

Supt Mike Walker said: "It's imperative we maintain the collective effort to reduce the infection rate as low as possible while the vaccination programme is rolled out across the population.

"We must keep going and not allow all the hard work and sacrifice to be undone through complacency.

“We must all keep adhering to regulations around travel and gatherings, maintaining social distance, wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport and keeping our hands as clean as possible."

Supt Walker also warned: "Everyone can expect to see an increased policing presence as we work alongside our partners to help keep the virus at bay in the weeks and months ahead."

A fresh appeal for answers about missing Claudia Lawrence has been made on the eve of the anniversary of her disappearance.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

The chef, 35, failed to arrive for work at York University on 18 March 2009. Police believe she was murdered despite her body never being found.

Her father Peter Lawrence, 74, died last month without finding out what had happened to his daughter.

His friend Martin Dales said there were people "at large" who had information.

No-one has heard from Ms Lawrence since she called her mother, Joan, on the evening of 17 March 2009.

She failed to arrive for her job at Goodricke College the following day and was reported missing by her father.

Detectives have previously said they "strongly suspect key and vital information" which would offer a breakthrough was being "withheld" and that the answer to her disappearance lies "locally".

Mr Dales said: "Despite the efforts of Claudia's late father, family, friends and police, there are still no answers and it is tragic Peter died not knowing what has happened to her.

"More to the point, in the light of there being no one brought to justice in the 12 years, there are still people 'at large' in York, or maybe somewhere else now, who know what happened to Claudia and potentially remain a threat to the communities in which they live."

A raid on premises in Sheffield uncovered six stolen vehicles, a "significant" amount of Class A drugs, other controlled drugs and cash, police say.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

The operation at an industrial lock-up close to the Wicker on Monday took place following information about organised criminal activity, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Det Con Mike Jenkins said: “As well as a significant quantity of drugs, we recovered cash which was hidden away in the premises.

“The vehicles we recovered are all believed to have been stolen in incidents across the north of England, so this is a really good result for our team and the public.

“While no-one was at the premises at the time, we are now carrying out inquiries to identify a number of people we want to speak to."