Ceremonial county in North West England
Liberia has unveiled the PATHWAYS Framework, reconciling the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Five-Year Plan with the National Youth Policy. The initiative aims to mobilize investments, create sustainable pathways for youth, and ensure broad participation in governance across Liberia’s counties. The framework centers youth, peace, and security with six pillars: governance, evidence, pathways, sports, creative economy, and strategic investment.
A series of property and lifestyle features show a UK focus on intimate, well-designed spaces—from snugs in homes to boutique hotels and curated retreats. The Independent discusses snug design; Scotland’s Cromlix unveils a woodland spa and fine dining expansion; Edinburgh’s Leith market offers a traditional-meets-modern flat; Guardian covers new homes in Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Kent.
Delta flight 1076 from Atlanta to Chicago Midway has been struck by a fireworks mortar during its descent. The Airbus A319 landed safely with no injuries; FAA is investigating. Passengers and flights may face delays.
Posthumous conditional pardon is granted to Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in the UK, acknowledging a grave injustice linked to domestic abuse while noting flaws in responding to abuse within the justice system.
Scotland is rolling out the Aeos 3D robotic exoscope at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow to assist complex brain surgeries. Toby Peart, 13, is among the first patients to benefit, with early signs of improved precision and recovery. The technology promises clearer views, better depth perception and safer procedures for young patients.
The new British prime minister has stated that defending Britain’s national interests comes first in its dealings with the United States. In a warm initial exchange with President Trump, the PM says he will voice differences if needed and will not rush to elections. Defence spending remains a key issue as ministers map out plans ahead of the autumn budget.
UKRI has pulled the Lovell telescope funding, triggering a funding crisis at Jodrell Bank. Observations are due to end in March 2028 unless new funds are found. A broad coalition is calling for immediate alternative funding.
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 has crossed Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive across Britain since 1999. Scientists and agencies such as NASA have flown instruments and balloons into the path of totality to study the Sun's corona and to gather data for improving space‑weather forecasts.
North Devon District Hospital's maternity services have been suspended due to staffing shortages. Expectant mothers face long journeys to Exeter or Taunton for birth while councils, NHS bodies and locals weigh contingency plans. Authorities say the move is to ensure safe care.
Fires at waste facilities linked to lithium‑ion batteries have escalated, provoking safety concerns and costing up to £1bn a year. Data show 1,518 battery-related fires in the year to March 2026, with batteries blamed for most incidents at recycling centres and bin lorries. Experts call for safer disposal and new policies as incidents rise across major cities.
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.
Four men are charged in separate cases linked to fatal or serious injuries in Huyton and surrounding areas. Trials are scheduled or adjourned, with hearings centering on March 2027 timelines and post-incident investigations.
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.
Two HGV trailers containing about 70,000 pints of Guinness have been stolen from a Runcorn industrial estate. Police have released CCTV footage of two men believed to hold vital information. Trailers were later located in Skelmersdale and Gillibrands Road; total value is around £205,000 as officers pursue leads and urge witnesses to come forward.
The Thirlwall Inquiry into the Countess of Chester Hospital has found a complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit, with safeguarding procedures not invoked even after concerns were raised about nurse Lucy Letby. The report urges reforms, including CCTV for cots and insulin-fridge CCTV, and highlights missed opportunities to intervene between 2015 and 2016.
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.
Spiders are appearing more widely across the UK as warming drives ranges northward. Reports from multiple sources show new northern sightings of the wasp spider and other species; scientists warn these shifts reflect climate change and will reshape local ecosystems.
Bentley has unveiled the Torcal, its first fully electric SUV, designed in Crewe and set to go on sale as a 2028 model. The car, starting at £173,000, aims to blend luxury with EV tech, with ranges up to 375 miles and 0–60 mph in as little as 2.8-3.3 seconds depending on variant. The launch signals Bentley’s continued push into electrification amid cautious demand for EVs among rivals.