Sunny skies are expected for runners crossing the finish line of the London Marathon on Sunday as forecasters anticipate the beginning of a warm and settled spell across much of the UK.
The Met Office said temperatures in the capital were expected to peak at about 22C on race day. Early conditions are likely to be cooler and more comfortable for runners as they set off in the morning.
In Manchester, also hosting a marathon on Sunday, similar conditions are forecast. Spells of sunshine and a high of 17C are expected.
Oli Claydon, of the Met Office, said conditions were expected to remain favourable. “It’s looking like the marathons for both Manchester and London will be dry. Temperatures shouldn’t be a problem for the morning, but the temperature will build during the day.”
The broader UK outlook is varied. Rain is expected to move across Northern Ireland and into the far west of Scotland and Cornwall overnight into Friday, accompanied by a southerly breeze.
Central and eastern regions of the UK are likely to remain dry, though areas of low cloud, patchy mist and frost may develop overnight under clearer skies.
By Saturday, a band of patchy rain is forecast to move eastwards across Scotland, England and Wales, followed by bright spells, particularly farther north. Conditions are expected to become increasingly warm and settled.
On Sunday, southern and eastern parts of the UK will experience dry weather and long spells of sunshine, while northern regions may continue to see scattered showers and increased cloud cover.
Highs of 24C are possible in the south-east of England by Monday, with further rises expected as warmer air is drawn up from continental Europe due to a blocked weather pattern – a mixture of high pressure to the east and low pressure to the west of the UK.
By midweek, temperatures are forecast to reach 25-27C in parts of south-eastern and central England, potentially marking the warmest weather of the year so far.
While such conditions are not unprecedented for April, they would be the highest recorded since 2018. The UK’s April temperature record of 29.4C, set in London in 1949, is likely to remain intact.
The spell of warm weather is expected to persist through next week, though a shift in the pressure systems may bring cooler conditions and the possibility of showers to some areas by next weekend.
We’re here to help you reach for the stars and complete the NYT Strands puzzle for today, April 25, 2025.
Fans of word puzzles like Wordle or Connections definitely have to give Strands a go. In this game, you’re presented with a jumbled grid of letters where you must join them together to create words all linked to one topic know as the spangram – one or two words that span from opposite sides of the grid to reveal the puzzle’s theme.
Today’s theme hint is “It’s in the stars” and there are seven theme words to be found, plus the spangram. If you’re a bit stumped with Strands, then these constellations will help shine some light on the problem.
Spoiler warning: Below there will be information about today’s New York Times Strands puzzle.
Ursa Major
(Image credit: AlxeyPnferov/Getty Images)
The largest constellation in the Northern Hemisphere is the aptly named Ursa Major constellation: the Great Bear. Here you’ll be able to spot one of the most recognizable collection of stars in the sky, the Big Dipper. Throughout history it’s been used as a compass, a clock, a calendar and even a ruler … and now it’ll help you solve today’s NYT Strands puzzle.
Orion, the “Hunter” constellation, can be seen in both the Northern and Southern hemisphere thanks to its location on the celestial equator. Your eyes will be drawn here to Rigel (Beta Orionis) and Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis), two of the brightest stars in the sky.
The NYT Strands puzzle for April 25, 2025. (Image credit: New York Times)
Cygnus
(Image credit: grebeshkovmaxim/Getty Images)
One of the most beautiful constellations in the sky is the celestial swan, Cygnus. The Milky Way galaxy runs through Cygnus and is easy to find thanks to the shape of the Northern Cross at its center. Cygnus is also notable for containing Cygnus X-1, the first known black hole.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Centaurus
(Image credit: grebeshkovmaxim/Getty Images)
Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to our solar system, can be found here in this constellation. Centaurus is named for the mythical half-man, half-horse creature, the Centaur. There is also one other centaur star pattern found in our night sky: Sagittarius, the Archer.
Virgo
(Image credit: grebeshkovmaxim/Getty Images)
There are twelve constellations of the zodiac and Virgo is the largest of them. In fact, it’s the second-largest constellation in the sky. Virgo means “virgin” or “maiden” in Latin.
Crux
(Image credit: grebeshkovmaxim/Getty Images)
Within the constellation Crux is an asterism called the Southern Cross. Throughout history this has been an essential guide for navigators as two of its major stars (Gacrux and Acrux) line up to point towards the South Pole.
Watch: Dads David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar on why they’re running the London Marathon
Two dads whose daughters were killed at a dance class in Southport last year have told the BBC how their children will be with them in spirit as they run the London Marathon.
Mr Aguiar tells BBC Breakfast he talks to Alice when he’s running alone. “I tell her to keep going with me, that we’re going to do this together, you’re going to be with me – always.”
Mr Stancombe says his daughter would be very proud of his efforts. The pair had watched coverage of the marathon on TV last year and she told him he should run the race in honour of her grandmother.
“A little bit of me was like, ‘oh yeah, alright Els,'” says Mr Stancombe. “I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons.”
Bebe’s parents, Lauren and Ben King, will both be at the marathon to support the pair, on Sunday.
“It is just incredible what they are both doing,” says Mrs King. “And we want to be a part of it every step of the way.”
Family handouts
The dads are raising money for projects commemorating the lives of Elsie, Alice and Bebe
Mrs King says it is important to the couple that they are at the roadside as they want to represent their daughter while David and Sergio, who are running in honour of their girls, are cheered towards the finish line.
“They were such wonderful, caring little children,” she says. “Even though none of them knew each other, they were all so similar. And I reckon they are just up there watching over us and looking out for us.”
“I keep saying Elsie and those other girls will live longer than us,” says her mum, Jenni Stancombe. “Elsie’s Story and the work that we’re doing in the community will continue [her legacy].”
She says the grants are for “causes that will bring joy, happiness and support to children… Elsie wouldn’t want it any other way”.
Mrs Stancombe says she chokes up at the thought of David crossing the finish line and imagining what their daughter’s reaction would have been.
“She’d be shouting from the line, you’d hear her above everybody else,” she tells us. “She’d take his medal off him straight away.”
David Stancombe says he can’t imagine what he will be like when he finishes the marathon but wants to enjoy it
Mr Stancombe says around 40 friends and family will be in London to cheer him on, all wearing hoodies and t-shirts featuring the Elsie’s Story logo.
“I’ve seen so many videos of people crying at the end of the London marathon and I can’t imagine what that will be like,” he says. “But I want to enjoy the day. I want to do it for me and I want to do it for Elsie.”
Mrs Stancombe is certain her husband will complete the marathon, having witnessed his resilience and determination during training.
“I have absolutely no doubt, but I know it will be Elsie who’ll be the one to carry him over that finish line.”
“Twenty-six miles, I’ve never done anything like that before. But for my girl, I would do 26 or 50 – whatever,” he says. “The pain doesn’t matter, I’m going to do it.”
Sergio Aguiar says he talks to his daughter when running alone and tells her they will do the marathon together
It will be dedicated to Alice and Bebe, who previously attended the school.
Alexandra Aguiar, Alice’s mum, says her daughter would have loved to see “her friends play on the playground that [bears] her name”.
“The fact her name will be overlooking the playground forever, that would make her feel special,” she says. “And [I’m sure it’s the] same for Bebe.”
Mrs King agrees, saying the new playground is a fitting tribute. “It’s really special that all [Bebe’s] friends from that school will have this lasting legacy of her,” she says.
“She’d be over the moon that she could bring some happiness to her friends and the kids of Churchtown.”
Family handout
Ben and Lauren King will be at the marathon representing Bebe as they cheer on David and Sergio
Ms Aguiar also feels her daughter will be accompanying her dad in spirit during the marathon. “She’s always with us. And she’s going to be there helping daddy.”
She says she knows how Alice would have celebrated his efforts: “She would have made a big thing of it and told everyone. She would also bring her shopping list to do after the marathon!”
Running alongside Mr Aguiar will be Jinnie Payne, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School.
She says she has been struck by his courage to run and focus on the playground project.
“His determination [and] his resilience give me so much strength,” says Ms Payne. The project, she says, is ultimately about Southport remembering the girls.
Mrs Stancombe and Ms Aguiar will be at the marathon to support their husbands. However, both say it will be their daughters – not them – who helps them cross the finish line.
You can watch the London Marathon live on BBC One and iPlayer from 08:30 BST on Sunday and follow it live on the BBC News website.
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Mick Greener, from Nottingham, will be doing his fourth London Marathon on Sunday.
The 29-year-old teacher said he hoped to run the race in about two hours and 45 minutes, which would give him time to “to get a shower and get up to Wembley for the game”.
“Obviously, I’ve had the marathon in the diary for a while and when Forest made the semi-final and it fell on the same day, it didn’t click,” he added.
“My first thought was ‘that’s annoying’ because I wanted to be in Nottingham for the game, not in London.
“Then I thought I just might be able to get tickets, and I did, so it’s looking like it will be a great day.”
Andy Aiston will also be running the marathon before joining other Forest fans heading up Wembley Way.
The 30-year-old, from Giltbrook in Nottinghamshire, said he was shocked when both events were set for the same day, but is hoping to complete the race in under three hours to give him as much time as possible to make the match.
“I hope it’s going to be a brilliant day for me and for Forest,” he said.
“It could either be the best day ever [if] I do the marathon and then Forest win, or it could be absolutely tragic because the marathon goes completely pear-shaped and Forest lose.
“It feels like a bit of a gamble really but I just have to do it really, given that I’m already there.
“My target is to do it in under three hours which should mean I get over the finish line at about 12:30 or 12:45 so I’ve just got to basically get all my stuff, see my wife at the end of it, [and] sort of enjoy the moment.”
ADAMS COUNTY, Ill. (KHQA) — After representatives refused to move a proposed solar farm project in Ursa last week, the Adams County Board held a public meeting to hear concerns about the proposal.
Greenkey Solar, based in Oregon, has proposed a 4-megawatt, 27-acre solar farm that would sit near residential homes in Ursa.
The board, which is being asked to approve a special use permit for the project, wanted an opportunity to ask questions of Greenkey.
Greenkey Solar Project Manager Desiree Noisette pitched the positives of the project to the board and residents.
“This commercial solar facility has no impact beyond the perimeter. There’s no smell, there’s no noise, there’s no light pollution, there’s really nothing that spills out over the property lines when it comes to this project,” Noisette said.
However, the project raised some concern among board members, including questions about what would happen if the solar farm were ever decommissioned.
“I have heard rumors of after having solar panels on a property that the soil is no longer fit to put agricultural type products back on the land. Is that true or has that been studied?” Asked Russ Hinkamper, Adams County Board Member.
Many residents also attended the meeting, voicing their disapproval of the project and expressing concerns about how the project could negatively affect property values.
“It’s when people come up to me and say, ‘I wouldn’t want that in my backyard,’ and to me that’s an indication, that should tell you enough right there that we are, and I think most of the people on Ash Street are definitely concerned about home values,” said Tim Hightower.
One resident, Doug Seeber, along with others, has been working with Greenkey representatives to come up with alternatives for the project.
He said the project could also negatively affect trees in the area, referencing how plants near a cell phone tower built next to the property have died.
“It has baby arbor vinings that continue to die out and get replanted and none of those in five years have even reached the height of the fence that’s around it,” Seeber said. “So with a 30-year life on this solar farm, we may never see these trees looking like the pictures that they were showing on that display.”
The board will vote May 13 on whether the special permit will be administered for the project.
Australia, Apr 18 2025 – Arcadis, the leading global Design & Consultancy organisation for natural and built assets, is proud to announce the successful completion of its role as Lender’s Technical Advisor (LTA), supporting the ACEREZ partnership.
EnergyCo has appointed ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA, and Endeavour Energy with Financial Advisory by Capella Capital, to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission project for the next 35 years.
This collaboration has led to the financial closure of the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project, Australia’s first contestable transmission infrastructure delivered through a competitive tender process.
As the Lender’s Technical Advisor (LTA), Arcadis offered essential insights and assurance to lenders through robust LTA services. This affirmed the technical viability and bankability of this groundbreaking infrastructure’s proposed design delivery and operational model. The Arcadis team prepared a Technical Due Diligence report, which enabled the project to advance through contracting and financing milestones.
“This project sets a new benchmark for how public-private partnerships can enable transformative energy infrastructure. We are proud to have played a key role in this milestone and support the ACEREZ partnership on a project that leads the way for future Renewable Energy Zone developments in Australia,” stated Henry Olivares, National Energy Transition Lead, Arcadis.
The Central-West Orana REZ project is the first of its kind in Australia, a true pathfinder in the nation’s clean energy journey by establishing a blueprint for future REZ transmission initiatives.
The Central-West Orana REZ transmission project will unlock 4.5 gigawatts of new network capacity and connect 7.7 gigawatts of wind and solar energy, powering 2 million homes yearly. It is expected to be operational by 2028. The REZ will also create 5,000 construction jobs at its peak and support local suppliers.
The REZ is anticipated to bring $20 billion in private investment to the region by 2030. Arcadis is proud to play a key role in delivering this resilient, future-focused infrastructure that drives the transition to net zero, aligning with Arcadis’ Planet Positive Future vision.
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WALB) – The City of Bainbridge is notifying residents that Georgia Power crews will soon begin work in the area to enhance the safety and reliability of the local energy grid.
According to city officials, one of the leading causes of power outages is trees and limbs coming into contact with power lines. To address this, Georgia Power has contracted professional utility arborists and specialized crews to trim — and in some cases, remove — trees located too close to power lines or within utility right-of-ways.
All work will be conducted with safety and quality in mind. If tree work is needed on private property, affected residents will be contacted directly.
For questions or concerns regarding the project, residents are encouraged to contact Georgia Power’s Customer Support Team: (877) 276-0578, georgiapowertrees@southernco.com
City officials thank the community for their patience and cooperation as Georgia Power works to reduce outages and ensure safer, more reliable power service.
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To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Nearly every QB-needy team in the first round had interest in Shedeur Sanders, but if you polled every one of them right now you’d have gotten split decisions at best. For me, Sanders’ best-case scenario in the NFL is Bo Nix. His worst case is Kenny Pickett. That’s the reality of this situation and despite all attempts to claim otherwise, NFL teams were not fooled. I thought Cam Ward was a top-15 prospect in this draft and maintained for months that Sanders was closer to Jaxson Dart than Cam Ward on the overall board. That’s exactly how this has played out.
Same time, I don’t think Sanders will have to wait very long to hear his name Friday as the Cleveland Browns — who smartly moved down in the first round before taking Mason Graham — have the first pick of Day 2 at No. 33. If Cleveland passes on Sanders, look for the Raiders, Saints or even the Jets (all picking before No. 42) to have interest.
La tenista española Paula Badosa, número nueve del mundo, ha anunciado esta mañana en su cuenta de Instagram que finalmente no disputará el Masters de Madrid. La catalana se iba a enfrentar a las 11.00 en el estadio Manolo Santana a la rusa Veronika Kudermetova (52ª), pero los problemas crónicos en la espalda le han impedido saltar a la pista. “Quería comunicaros que desafortunadamente no podré jugar este Mutua Madrid Open. He intentado hacer todo lo posible hasta el último momento porque sabéis la ilusión que me hace jugar en casa, pero está siendo una lesión complicada. Espero estar al 100% pronto”, ha escrito la jugadora de Begur, de 27 años.
Badosa no juega desde hace ya más de un mes. Su último partido fue el 23 de marzo ante la danesa Clara Tauson, pero solo dos días después tuvo que renunciar a enfrentarse contra la filipina Alexandra Eala en los octavos de final del Masters 1000 de Miami. La española no participó después en los torneos de Charleston y Stuttgart, y ahora también se pierde Madrid pese a que hace tres días dijo que se sentía mucho mejor. “Cada mañana que me levanto, me levanto asustada, pero de momento el feedback está siendo muy bueno, positivo, y al menos puedo entrenar. Estoy cogiendo forma, me estoy recuperando y estoy contenta porque en mi vida normal ya no estoy sufriendo constantemente”, afirmó el martes la tenista ante la prensa en la Caja Mágica.
El año pasado, Badosa también sufrió un revés en Madrid. Llegó al Masters fuera del top-100, con su carrera deportiva en una encrucijada por la lesión crónica que sufre desde mayo de 2023 y que la apartó durante ocho meses de las pistas, y en su primer partido perdió ante la gallega Jessica Bouzas. La catalana consiguió después parar el dolor en la espalda con inyecciones de cortisona. Recuperó su mejor nivel en el segundo semestre de 2024, en el que llegó a los cuartos de final del US Open y a las semifinales de los Masters de Cincinatti y Pekín. Abrió este curso con otra penúltima ronda en el Open de Australia, pero ya se tuvo que ausentar hace semanas de Indian Wells, el Masters 1000 que levantó en 2021 y el único hasta ahora en su carrera.
“Es difícil gestionarlo emocionalmente para mí. Sobre todo, porque empiezas el año tan bien, vienes con buena dinámica, y yo, no quiero engañar, pero sentía que este iba a ser mi año, el mejor año de mi carrera“, contó el martes la tenista sobre su situación física. La jugadora de Begur, que tiene que tratar de recuperarse para el Masters de Roma y sobre todo para Roland Garros, sufrió otra recaída de su lesión en la espalda a principios de marzo. Según relató hace tres días, fue en el lado contrario al que normalmente le suele molestar.
La ausencia de Badosa supone también un golpe para el torneo madrileño, que ha visto cómo las dos mejores raquetas españolas —ella y Carlos Alcaraz— han tenido que renunciar a jugar ante el público español por problemas físicos. Además, la Caja Mágica es un lugar especial para la tenista catalana, que en 2021 pisó las semifinales del evento para desencallar una carrera truncada hasta entonces por la depresión y las ansiedades, y en 2023 progresó hasta los cuartos de final. Hace tres días, Badosa decía que se tomaba esta edición al menos como un intento para disfrutar del abrigo de la afición, pero finalmente su lesión crónica no le ha permitido ni saltar a la pista.
Caen Bucsa y Bautista
La española Cristina Bucsa (94ª), que sustituyó esta mañana como lucky loser (perdedora afortunada) a Badosa debido a su retirada, ha caído ante Kudermetova en tres sets (6-4, 7-6 y 7-5, 2h 45m) tras desperdiciar en la tercera manga una bola de partido al saque. También ha perdido Roberto Bautista (55º) contra el número dos del mundo, el alemán Alexander Zverev (doble 6-2, 1h 10m), campeón en dos ocasiones en Madrid. La bielorrusa Aryna Sabalenka, que manda en el circuito femenino y el año pasado llegó a la final en la Caja Mágica, ha ganado sin problemas a la rusa Anna Blinkova (76ª) en dos sets (6-3 y 6-4, 1h 39m). Esta noche ha sido el turno de Alejandro Davidovich (29º), que ha derrotado al portugués Nuno Borges (41º) en la pista Manolo Santana (6-2, 6-3, 1h 14m). El malagueño es el único español que sigue con vida en el cuadro.
Alexander Zverev, este viernes en el estadio Manolo Santana durante su partido ante Roberto Bautista.INMA FLORES
Apuró hasta última hora e hizo todo lo posible para saltar a la Manolo Santana, pero Paula Badosa finalmente no disputará el Madrid Open. Tras la renuncia de Carlos Alcaraz, apenas 24 horas después llega otro jarro de agua fría para el torneo español, que tenía en Badosa al principal referente nacional. La de Begur, de 27 años y novena del ranking mundial, tendría que haber competido este viernes, desde las 11:00, ante la rusa Veronika Kudermetova, pero sus problemas de espalda impidieron a Paula disputar el torneo.
Story de Paula Badosa en el que la tenista española ha anunciado su baja en el Madrid Open.Instagram @paulabadosa
“Hola a todos. Quería haceros saber que desafortunadamente no podré competir en el Madrid Open. He intentado todo lo posible hasta el último momento porque sabéis lo que me emociona jugar en casa, pero está siendo una lesión complicada. Espero estar al 100% pronto. Un gran abrazo, Paula”, escribió Badosa en su cuenta de Instagram para anunciar su baja en el WTA 1.000 madrileño. La baja de Badosa ha provocado la entrada como repescada de otra española, Cristina Bucsa, que queda así como única representante española y que se medirá con Kudermetova en un partido que se moverá a la Pista 5 (el encuentro entre Katie Boulter y Jasmine Paolini se disputará en el primer turno de la Manolo Santana tras confirmarse la baja de Badosa).
Había conseguido dejar atrás Badosa el calvario de dolores en la espalda que le nació en Roma 2023 con una fractura en dos vértebras. Sin embargo, en el torneo de Mérida en marzo, la pesadilla volvió para la española. Se tuvo que perder Indian Wells y en Miami aguantó dos partidos. La propia Badosa explicó estos días que se trata de una lesión “distinta” porque es en el otro lado de la espalda y le toca el nervio, por lo que ha tenido que someterse a dos infiltraciones en el último mes.
Noticias relacionadas
La propia Badosa ya avisó en rueda de prensa sobre sus dudas de cara al torneo relatando la dificultad de esta última recuperación. “Engañaría si digo que estoy en plena forma, al cien por cien. Estoy recuperándome. Quizás ha sido una de las veces más duras la recuperación, porque es totalmente la lesión esta vez de lo que he tenido en el pasado. Justamente es en el otro lado y me estaba tocando el nervio. Digo que ha sido distinto porque lo pasaba fatal en vida normal, era constantemente un dolor, me costaba dormir, me costaba andar… Ha sido muy duro, pero he hecho un par de infiltraciones. La primera no me respondió bien, la segunda de momento parece que muy bien”.
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