Historic spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, England
A 19-year-old Norwegian footballer, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder in London after being recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish crime group with links to the Iranian regime. He travelled to the UK with two guns and ammunition and was arrested in Huddersfield last year. Sanctions against Foxtrot Network remain in place.
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 Mirror and Independent-led coverage reports a new national dialogue project, Britain Talks, launching in September to foster conversation across divisions following a decade of extremism and hate, with Jo Cox’s family and other bereaved parents leading the call for action.
England and Wales are expanding rapid, non-invasive endometriosis testing on the NHS. The move follows long waits for diagnosis, with average times now around nine years, and points to blood-test research that could transform diagnosis and treatment. The BBC/Endometriosis UK reporting highlights patient stories and expert comment on access and impact.
British judges have ordered a full inquest into Jools Sweeney's 2022 death after fresh social media evidence was identified, overturning a 23-minute original inquiry that did not examine digital life. The ruling also prompts wider questions about how platforms preserve data for coroners and may influence new legal standards.
David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, has survived a pole impalement on Granite Peak in Montana. After self-assessing the injury and with friends’ support, he decided to descend about 10 miles over rugged terrain using a Garmin inReach to call for help. He reached a clinic, then a hospital, and was discharged within days, with plans to return to work.
Rapid, non-invasive endometriosis tests are being rolled out to shorten the nine-year average diagnosis wait. Campaigners and patients welcome the shift after years of dismissals and delays in diagnosis.
The UK has seen a record-hot July and persistent drought across large parts of England and Wales. Hosepipe bans remain in force as cooling rain is forecast to be patchy and limited this weekend. Forecasters warn that heat and dry conditions will continue into next week, with a potential return of hotter spells in parts of the country.