City and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England — England’s largest local authority district by population
The Dunblane massacre has prompted widespread condemnation after Rupert Lowe described the 1996 tragedy as “one murder” on a Joe Rogan interview. Critics say the comment minimises the 16 children and their teacher who were killed and the enduring impact on gun-law reform in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex and other high-profile figures have lost a court case against the Daily Mail over alleged unlawful information gathering. A further hearing on July 29-30 could impose substantial legal costs. Harry has traveled to the UK with Meghan for a family visit tied to the Invictus Games countdown.
James Holder, 54, of Cheltenham, has been convicted by Gloucester Crown Court of raping a woman after a night out in May 2022. He has been jailed for eight years. The trial heard he entered the victim’s home uninvited, sleepily returned to a bedroom and raped her after she asked him to stop. Holder co-founded Superdry and previously led the Bench brand.
The Item Club has warned that the UK faces a year of job losses driven by higher energy costs and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war, with South Wales and the Humber hardest hit. London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow are also expected to shed thousands of posts as discretionary spending contracts.
The government has disclosed a new price range for HS2 at up to £102.7bn (2026 prices) and confirms first services will be delayed to 2036–2039, with full completion possibly by 2043. Top speeds are being reduced and automatic operation may be dropped to cut costs; Lovegrove’s critical report is among the influencing reviews.
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
A set of recent reports cover long Covid rehabilitation, a Parkinson’s diagnosis for Bruce Foxton of The Jam, and Lyme disease campaigning by a Scottish MSP. Also covered are ulcerative colitis coupled with PSC in a Birmingham mother and ongoing chronic illness advocacy in media.
An 18-year-old has opened fire at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, killing two adults and injuring a child. Police moved quickly to detain the suspect within minutes; the library is closed for now as investigators examine the scene and motive remains under investigation.
The UK is under a red heat warning as a spell of extreme heat drives record temperatures across southern England and Wales. Hospitals declare incidents, water companies enforce hosepipe bans, and travel is disrupted as rail and road networks struggle to cope.
The government is expanding use of former military sites to house asylum seekers, planning to accommodate about 3,750 people across Bicester, Barnham and Linton-on-Ouse, with extensions at Crowborough and Wethersfield. Local opposition persists in several communities as the plan unfolds.
Andy Burnham has vowed to deliver radical change by devolving power from Westminster, proposing a “No10 North” and a broad programme on housing, utilities and growth. He emphasises collaboration over confrontation as he faces a crowded leadership landscape.
Andy Burnham has consolidated support after Makerfield by-election and is positioned to lead Labour. Polls show rising backing, but MPs warn against an early general election. He faces the task of forming a new government and defining a policy agenda, with a potential reshuffle and cabinet choices pending.
Oxfam shops have benefited from notable donations of rare memorabilia. A signed Paul McCartney book has sold for £950, while a Tolkien first edition Hobbit has raised £38,400. Donors remain unknown in at least some cases, but proceeds support Oxfam’s poverty relief and emergency appeals.
The NPR project has a £45bn funding cap and aims to connect northern cities with new or upgraded rail lines. MPs warn it risks repeating HS2’s failures, with unclear costs, routes and governance. The government maintains a disciplined, phased approach while engaging mayors and Network Rail.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified distinct androgen profiles in women with endometriosis, suggesting a non-invasive blood test could diagnose the condition and cut the current nine-year average wait in the UK. The study analysed 11-oxygenated androgens, including 11-ketotestosterone, in blood samples from 159 diagnosed patients and 57 controls, achieving over 95% accuracy in identifying cases.