Ceremonial county in South East England, coastal and rural, with Brighton and Hove as the largest settlement.
Brighton Pride has kicked off its 35th anniversary weekend with a parade from Hove Lawns to Preston Park, followed by Pride on the Park festival. Organisers highlight sponsorship, community impact, and reflections on visibility amid global and local discussions about LGBT rights.
The UK’s South East Water is facing high demand as reservoirs run low during a spell of extreme May heat. Around 18,000 customers in Kent have experienced intermittent supply, with authorities urging essential use while bottled water is distributed to vulnerable households. Authorities warn the hot weather will continue to strain supplies.
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.
English wine is expanding with higher production and a broader range of styles. Waitrose, M&S and Aldi are cited for low prices and accessible options, while producers experiment with sparkling, still and orange wines, signaling a maturing sector.
Labour’s immigration minister Mike Tapp has triggered a high-stakes clash with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood by publishing an unauthorised Times op-ed advocating a care-worker exemption from new migration rules. Mahmood is demanding his sacking, while Downing Street weighs a response as the PM seeks to preserve party discipline.
Wildfires across England and Wales remain at very high to exceptional risk as heatwave conditions continue. North Wales declared a major incident near Conwy Mountain; firefighters are battling blazes in Conwy, Glossop, Tintwistle Moor and other sites as temperatures stay dangerously high. Authorities urge caution and continued vigilance.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners have extended a very high wildfire risk warning in central Highlands, southern, and eastern Scotland. Fire crews remain at multiple sites, including the Cairngorms and Arthur’s Seat, as temperatures stay hot and dry. The alert is in effect into the week, with officials urging the public to avoid outdoor fires and to stay vigilant.
Gen Z and millennials are embracing “soft hermitting” to cope with a busy social summer. A RiseGuide survey shows a third of young adults went days without human interaction; searches for “How to say no to plans” have doubled. Even stars like Harry Styles have taken quiet time after tours. Experts say the trend offers a way to protect mental space amid an overactive season.
The Raymond Briggs personal library, donated by his estate, goes on sale at Oxfam’s Hove bookshop and online. The collection features works by Schulz, Shepard and others, along with wartime and domestic-life volumes. The sale follows Briggs’s death at 88 in 2022.
The British Muslim Trust reports more than 70 attacks on mosques in the past year, with violence, vandalism and online abuse. While the government has pledged up to £40 million for protective security, mosques say funding is arriving slowly or being denied without explanation, leaving communities fearful and waiting months for support. Other incidents include arson threats and a hate-driven backlash. The report and responses from Home Office stress ongoing processing, with calls to devolve funds to local areas.