Ceremonial county in North West England
The government has extended a 20% business rates relief for hospitality venues into next year, while clarifying that very large live music venues will not qualify. Officials say the measure will help almost 32,000 venues and ease costs for landlords and operators, though hotel and restaurant groups argue the package should be broader.
UKRI has withdrawn funding for the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank, putting 28 jobs at risk and delaying its role in the e-Merlin network. Observations may end by March 2028 unless alternative funding is found; experts warn this risks the UK’s standing in international radio astronomy.
Public data show overcrowding remains an issue on key commuter routes in England and Wales, with load factors exceeding 170% on several services last autumn. Authorities say capacity improvements and new timetables are underway to ease pressure while fares and service quality are under scrutiny.
Nathan Owen has been jailed for four years and three months after fabricating a car-acceleration emergency to avoid a finance agreement. Police pursued the Jaguar I-Pace across multiple motorways, but investigations showed the car was functioning and speeds reached up to 86mph before it was stopped.
Sir Ian McKellen has sent a video message to Wigan Pride, expressing love and support. The actor recalls his Wigan grounding and celebrates today’s Pride as a sign of change that lets LGBTQ+ people live openly. The festival marks a shift from past times when Pride did not exist in Wigan.
A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 has passed across Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from Britain since 1999. Scientists have collected coronagraph and in‑flight data to study the Sun’s corona and short‑term atmospheric effects; safety warnings about direct viewing were widely issued.
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.
A former England international denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch after an incident in Huyton. His trial has been adjourned to March 2027, keeping him in custody while the investigation continues. Lynch suffered serious eye injuries; Barton previously played for Manchester City, QPR and other clubs.
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.