A city and metropolitan borough in West Midlands, England; England’s largest local authority district by population.
The government has announced a £1bn investment to introduce 29 battery-electric Adessia Stream trains built by Alstom at Derby, to run on TransPennine Express routes. The fleet will cut journey times, boost capacity by 30%, and create thousands of UK jobs as delivery runs from 2028 with service from 2034. The trains will run emissions-free on non-electrified tracks and improve accessibility.
Reform UK faces renewed questions as undercover Channel 4 footage shows senior aides discussing how foreign money could fund polling and influence campaigns. Farage denies wrongdoing, while police say offences may be investigated and internal reviews continue amid a Birmingham conference backdrop.
Ryanair and other airlines have criticised National Air Traffic Services chief Martin Rolfe as a series of faults disrupts flights across the UK. Transport officials have ordered independent reviews and a full investigation into Swanwick’s flight-processing failures.
England leads by 23 runs after Pakistan bowled out for 133 on day one. Gay and Brook build a 104-run stand for England; Tongue, Robinson, and Archer dominate with the ball. Debutants for Pakistan struggle as Razaullah shines briefly before dismissal.
The National Air Traffic Services fault has disrupted UK flights nationwide, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers with Heathrow, Gatwick and other hubs hit. Disruptions have stabilized but fresh scrutiny of Nats follows, as airlines weigh costs and passengers seek refunds.
Protesters at Reform UK’s Birmingham conference have been assaulted; footage shows a protester being hit with a crutch and hair pulled. Police are reviewing footage and appealing for witnesses as questions mount over party leaders’ comments.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has withdrawn Uganda from the Invictus Games to avoid opposing King Charles III, following a royal letter about the Sussexes. The decision follows Uganda’s earlier announcement and contrasts with UK coverage of the royal family and Invictus Games planning.
Two Reform UK aides have been suspended following undercover footage aired by Channel 4 News alleging potential evasion of electoral rules linked to a 350,000 donor. The party says no laws have been broken. Police and the Electoral Commission are reviewing the claims. The party also faced questions over the funding of three polls ordered this year.
Politico and BBC report that a cross-party push involving Nigel Farage and Jordan Bardella has signed a memorandum to deport migrants who cross the Channel back to France; disagreements linger on enforceability and how it would work in practice. Reform UK and RN leaders are positioning for possible future coalitions as elections approach.
Nigella Lawson has joined the Great British Bake Off as a judge, replacing Dame Prue Leith. The 17th series premieres on 22 September with Lawson in the tent alongside Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond. Twelve amateur bakers from diverse backgrounds compete for the iconic cake stand as the new series launches.
The Civil Aviation Authority has said the disruption from the Nats outage is likely covered by extraordinary circumstances. Passengers are unlikely to claim compensation for delays or cancellations caused by the incident. UK/EU rules require care and compensation for significant delays, with hotels and meals provided when needed. Some flights may still face compensation in cases of mechanical failure. Airlines and authorities are reviewing the implications for future disruptions.
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election but faces a continuing parliamentary standards investigation into a £5m donation. Farage did not attend the count, choosing an overnight event instead, while police and council authorities review licensing for the night’s activities.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have planned a move from California to a private, non-royal home outside London later this month and have enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools for September. King Charles has been told and has welcomed the chance to see his grandchildren; the couple will remain non-working royals.
Tottenham Hotspur have acquired Omar Marmoush from Manchester City on an initial loan, with a 60m pounds option to buy next summer, amid a flurry of summer signings that have put Spurs over 300m in expenditure. Marmoush joins Savio in a City-to-Spurs reshuffle as Roberto De Zerbi rebuilds his attack.
The bank holiday weekend is marked by widespread rail disruption due to a Birmingham power outage affecting CrossCountry’s control centre. Plans for a near-normal service on Monday are in flux as rail routes face cancellations, rail replacement buses are in place, and tickets remain valid across operators amid disruption.
Audrey Werro leads as the Diamond League heads to Zurich, with Keely Hodgkinson withdrawing due to readiness concerns. Dos Santos and Russell have set world-leading times, while Duplantis and Karalis push for 6.32m in pole vault.
A Sudan-born man with catatonic schizophrenia has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and an indefinite hospital order after pleading guilty to attempted murder in a frenzied attack on a lone woman in March 2024 in Leeds. The attack prompted concerns over safety and mental health care, with the judge noting a sexual element to the assault.
France is entering a pivotal presidential contest in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads early polls, while the left remains fragmented. Centre and reformist contenders contemplate primaries, amid debates on Europe, the economy, and national security.
A band of thunderstorms and heavy rain has prompted yellow weather warnings across much of England and Wales. The Met Office warns of disruption to transport and potential flooding, with 81 areas under warning and multiple flood alerts. Homeowners in Perry Barr have already seen flooding, as forecasters anticipate further downpours over the bank holiday weekend.
Eight teams face an extensive Europa and Conference League schedule as the new season begins, with Bournemouth and Sunderland among the highlights, including ties against Milan and Real Sociedad and a return to European competition for Palace and Celtic.
Andy Burnham has addressed MPs in the House of Commons for the first time since becoming prime minister six weeks ago, setting out plans to expand public control of utilities and ease household costs. He has faced immediate questions about how he will fund defence commitments, tackle prison overcrowding and whether No.10 North in Manchester will be more than a symbol.
A father has donated part of his liver and small intestine to his son after the child was diagnosed with malrotation and liver failure. The operation, performed at King’s College Hospital, marks a life-saving intervention for a family facing complex transplant needs.
A slate of Edinburgh fringe reviews from The Guardian and The Scotsman highlights a blend of inventive theatre and stand-up, from clowning with political edge to dog-centric humor and workplace parodies. Reviews praise daring concepts, energetic performances, and social commentary, while noting uneven pacing in some pieces.
The Avanti West Coast pay deal with Aslef has been approved after threatened strikes, with drivers receiving a 3.6% pay rise, time-and-a-half on Sundays, and up to £720 for a fifth day. The arrangement is part of a government-led push to stabilise rail services as the Labour government moves to renationalise the sector.
UK ministers are pushing new schemes to tackle Neet levels as government-backed opportunities expand. Reports show over a million young people are economically inactive, with work schemes at Boots and new guarantees shaping the debate.
Pakistan has seen a rapid collapse in form and a dramatic but controversial shake-up of players and coaches during a Tests tour in England, prompting questions about management and future strategy. England leads the series after dominant wins, while the PCB faces an inquiry into conduct.
Meera Syal has publicly detailed how two traumatic encounters in the 1980s and 1990s shaped her career. The actress describes casting-room coercion and assault, the decision not to report, and how she found solidarity with South Asian women’s groups that helped steer her path toward writing and performance.
A London court of appeal has ruled that the so-called box-shifting practice, used to avoid business rates on vacant offices, cannot amount to beneficial occupation. The City of London Corporation, backed by local authorities, has argued that the scheme defers tax revenue for years. The decision threatens a £500m to £1bn annual loss in potential relief for landlords and a wider reform of business rates.
Pakistan has replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with Mike Hesson and handed debuts to seven players as part of a major reshuffle ahead of the Edgbaston Test against England. The move comes after back-to-back losses and a controversial row surrounding a Sky interview.
Frasers has built its Hugo Boss holding to about 47.9% and says it aims to exceed 50% of shares and voting rights. The move follows Harvey Nichols acquisition and a failed bid to take Hugo Boss private. The group says there is no certainty it will achieve the majority and it is reviewing support for Hugo Boss chair Stephan Sturm.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed scrutiny over a £5m donation and alleged foreign funding, with two top aides suspended as Channel 4 footage prompts police inquiries. Reform UK confronts internal turmoil as the party prepares for its Birmingham conference and a high-stakes debate over leadership and donor transparency.
A 30-year-old climber, Alexander Harris, has died after a fall on Musa Ka Musalla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The search involved police, volunteers and drones. Harris, originally from Birmingham, held Irish citizenship and worked in Islamabad. His trail-running club expressed condolences and noted his love for Pakistan’s mountains.
Reform UK has launched an investigation after Channel 4 News alleged funding from a US firm for three polls costing 33250 pounds, with undercover Verbatim reporters posing as donors. James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down as the party gathers for its Birmingham conference. The party denies any illegal funding and says the investigation is independent.
Reform UK has signed a memorandum with France’s National Rally to intercept boats and return migrants. The agreement, presented on stage in Birmingham, claims France will ordinarily accept those returned, though details remain contested and the document is non-binding. Critics label it a stunt while supporters argue it signals a tougher border stance.
Pakistan makes sweeping changes to its squad and coaching staff after heavy defeats to England in the first two Tests, introducing seven new players and replacing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with Mike Hesson as the third Test at Edgbaston approaches.
Ryan Bridge, founder of Raise the Colours, has been charged with 14 offences linked to a two‑month period in Oxfordshire. The charges include threatening behaviour, harassment and common assault. He will appear in Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 3 November as injunctions against flag displays remain in force in Oxfordshire and Birmingham.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has allowed Next to justify paying warehouse workers higher basic pay than shop staff, citing recruitment and retention costs. The decision affects thousands of claimants and follows years of litigation, with Leigh Day planning an appeal on several points including night-time pay and rest breaks.
Nats has identified a technical fault in its flight‑processing system and engineers have been working to restore services since Tuesday. Departures at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen have experienced delays and cancellations; airports warn knock‑on disruption will continue today, and passengers are advised to check with their airline.