A ceremonial county in North West England
Maternity services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple have been suspended due to staffing shortages, forcing expectant families to consider long journeys to Exeter or Taunton. Trust leaders say the move is temporary and focused on safety, with other maternity services continuing elsewhere at the Royal Devon site.
A rising tide of fires at recycling centres, bin lorries, and general waste sites has been linked to lithium batteries and e-cigarette devices. The incidents, driven by improper disposal and faulty batteries, have prompted calls for safer disposal and stricter regulation. BBC Verify and other outlets report dozens of blazes since 2019, with the threat growing in urban areas.
Chester Zoo has used electrochemotherapy to treat a fibrosarcoma in a 50kg reticulated python named Jodie Foster. The procedure, adapted with University of Liverpool cancer specialists, has left Jodie cancer-free and eating normally. The operation required two operating tables joined to accommodate the snake, and the team notes the treatment’s potential for veterinary medicine and broader translational research.
A look at how streaming and new platforms are reshaping the careers and memory of a BAFTA-winning director, with reflections from collaborators and a peek at archival material and upcoming releases.
Police have seized nitrous oxide canisters and ecstasy at Creamfields in Daresbury, Cheshire, ahead of the August bank holiday festival. Officers say more searches will continue as organisers maintain a strict anti-drug policy.
Independent and Ecologist reports show households embracing heat pumps alongside flexible grid policies. Homeowners cite lower bills and better integration with solar and storage, while debates persist about data centres’ diesel backups in the US.
Tim Curry has died at his Los Angeles home on 25 August at age 80, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz has confirmed. The English actor had been wheelchair‑bound after a major 2012 stroke and had a history of kidney cancer; the death certificate lists those conditions as contributing factors. He had originated Dr Frank‑N‑Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and enjoyed a six‑decade career across stage, film and voice work.
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.
A van was struck by a train at a level crossing in Burscough, Lancashire. The driver died at the scene. Two train passengers suffered minor injuries as emergency services responded. Trains are disrupted with lines blocked between Wigan Wallgate and Southport, and buses are replacing some services.
Multiple court hearings in Liverpool Crown Court relate to separate cases in Huyton. A 44-year-old man faces charges linked to an eye injury from an incident at Fairway; another case concerns four men who died in a July crash on East Prescot Road, with one individual remanded in custody ahead of trial.
Liverpool city region has begun bringing bus services back under public control, starting in St Helens. Fares stay capped at £2, and the network aims to increase frequency, improve evening and weekend services, and better connect hospitals and rail links.
Geese’s Getting Killed signals a robust, contemporary rock moment. The band’s new work reflects global tensions and is doing so with force, while the political scene around Reform UK persists in a wary climate.
Police are investigating the theft of around 800 barrels of Guinness valued at about £205,000 from an industrial estate in Runcorn. Trailers connected to two HGVs were used, with both drivers yet to be identified. Dashcam footage and witness accounts are being sought to recover the barrels and complete the investigation.
The Thirlwall Inquiry into the Countess of Chester Hospital has published findings on how safeguarding failures on the neonatal unit occurred and what reforms are proposed, with ongoing attention from the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The report does not reopen Lucy Letby’s convictions but signals potential changes in hospital safeguarding and oversight.
The Thirlwall Inquiry has found a complete failure to protect babies on the Countess of Chester neonatal unit, with executives delaying police involvement and prioritising reviews over safeguarding. The report highlights missed opportunities and calls for accountability as families seek reassurance.
The Thirlwall inquiry has found a complete failure to protect babies at Countess of Chester Hospital, faulting senior management for delays, safeguarding gaps and a toxic culture. The 822-page report calls for major NHS reforms and accountability measures, amid ongoing investigations into Lucy Letby’s convictions.
Autumn triggers a surge in house spider activity across the UK, with males venturing indoors in search of mates as temperatures cool. The Scottish autumn season sees a high variety of harmless species, with False Widow sightings increasing in the Borders. Cleaning and pest-management steps can reduce insect prey and, in turn, spider presence.
Hyundai’s 2026 Ioniq 5 AWD Limited gains 320 hp and all-wheel drive, but its 269-mile EPA range trims efficiency compared with the rear-wheel drive version. The 2025 lifecycle refresh swapped to a new charge port and added a rear wiper, shaping user experience for 2026 buyers.
As autumn deepens, households face higher energy bills while experts urge caution for vulnerable groups. Practical tips from experts and shoppers aim to keep homes warm and affordable without compromising health.
Autumn colours in the UK are changing as trees respond to a record-hot, drought-stricken summer. Experts say a false autumn is common this year, with some species colouring earlier or later than usual and others shedding leaves prematurely while the overall display may be less vibrant.
Simon Richardson has been jailed for murder after driving through give-way markings, dragging local head teacher Michael Mullins beneath his Volvo for over a mile. Mullins died from multiple injuries; Richardson also receives a 25-year minimum for murder and a concurrent term for dangerous driving.
The police reform drive has moved to the forefront as Sir Mark Rowley and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood push to shrink England and Wales’ 43 forces into a smaller number of regional bodies. Mayors and critics warn that local accountability could suffer, while Hogan-Howe’s review outlines a possible path to nine regional forces and a nationwide service.