This week's News in Brief covers the latest University updates, whilst celebrating the upcoming Durham Book Festival and remembering Durham alumna and TV editor Biddy Baxter.

A record number of students across the UK are set to attend university in 2025. The regional gap has widened this year, with the North East experiencing the lowest number of top A-Level results.

Northern Mayors and universities have expressed disappointment at their exclusion from the Global Talent Fund.

Reform took control of the council in May, with 65 seats, but have since lost a seat to the Liberal Democrats in early July, following the resignation of one of their councillors just nine days into ...