Ceremonial county in the East of England; Watford's the largest settlement.
The High Court has quashed Enfield Council’s planning permission for Spurs’ women’s and girls’ football academy at Whitewebbs Park after determining councillors were materially misled by excluding an ecological report. The judge dismissed bias claims as weak. Enfield Council has withdrawn its defence and says it will move forward with community-focused plans.
Canadian 17-year-old Anna Huang has won the Centurion Club event, while Charley Hull finishes runner-up after a late collapse. Hull’s surge and Huang’s finish mark a dramatic conclusion to the tournament at Centurion Club, with Lydia Hall in the mix.
Police say a knife attack at Kingsway Recreation Ground in Bedfordshire has left one teenager dead and others injured. A 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder; two others remain in hospital with serious injuries. Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for information.
GSK has announced a 1.9 billion cost-cutting programme and a shift of more than 1,000 scientists to a new Cambridge R&D campus from Stevenage by 2029, part of broader plans to cut costs and expand late-stage trials.
Deborah Franklin, 65, has been convicted by a jury of multiple sexual offences against a boy in Hertfordshire during the 1990s. She taught at a prep school and was in her 30s at the time. The verdicts come after the boy reported the incidents in 2024; sentencing is scheduled for 1 October, with a high possibility of imprisonment.
Veteran actor Tom Chadbon, known for Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, has died last weekend. He appeared in City of Death (1979) as Duggan and later in The Trial of the Time Lord and other series, including Peep Show and Casualty. Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues.
UK health officials say interim data suggest 2026 could record the highest heat-related deaths, with 2,877 fatalities across May and June heatwaves—nearly double 2021 levels. Records for May and June temperatures are already in. Authorities warn the NHS faces strain as heat intensifies.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
A wildfire on Dunwich Heath near Minsmere has burned hundreds of acres, destroying habitat for rare species. Firefighters have stabilised the blaze, while authorities urge caution and local volunteers rally to support habitat recovery through fundraising and long-term stewardship.
July 2026 marks one of the driest Julys on record across the UK, with England and Wales declaring drought conditions. The Met Office notes unprecedented heat and low rainfall, affecting agriculture, water supplies, and daily life. Government and Environment Agency leaders say action is underway, including infrastructure investments and stricter water use rules.
Courts have dismissed legal challenges to Gatwick’s £2.2bn expansion and to Luton’s growth plans. Gatwick’s plan will deliver more flights and jobs while Luton’s project aims to nearly double passenger numbers by mid‑2040s. Campaigners warn of noise and climate impacts as officials push ahead with delivery by 2030 and beyond.
The NHS has been forced to confront ongoing summer pressures as heatwaves drive higher A&E attendances, equipment failures, and drought-related health risks. Officials say planning for summer pressures is now essential, with public awareness campaigns and infrastructure upgrades in focus.
A fifth heatwave has prompted amber heat health alerts for most of England, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s. The UK Health Security Agency warns of health and service impacts, drought conditions worsen in several regions, and officials urge precautions as authorities brace for potential disruptions to travel and power.
A gas explosion in Newton Longville near Milton Keynes has left one man injured and 24 nearby properties evacuated. Authorities are leading the investigation, with SGN coordinating emergency response and a 50‑metre cordon in place. The blast prompted nearby residents to shelter in hotels or with relatives.
A government-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping is expanding, with new powers to seize assets, higher fines, and regional enforcement to tackle organised waste crime that has blighted communities across England. The effort follows a BBC investigation identifying several supersites and a rising tide of waste crimes.
The CMA has cleared the €1bn Danone acquisition of Huel after a preliminary inquiry, with Danone saying the move will help growth in nutrition and international expansion for Huel. The deal values Huel at around €1bn and follows a series of branding and regulatory notes, including prior advertising scrutiny.
Inquests have concluded that Claire Lomas's death from injuries sustained in a 2024 microlight crash in Jordan is accidental. The coroner notes no link to risk assessments and says investigations have yielded lessons. Lomas, a fundraising campaigner and Paralympian, was flying for an Apple-commissioned Adventure series when the aircraft crashed after aborting a landing.
A wave of studies finds that AI analysis of mammograms can identify cardiovascular risks in women, including hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke, alongside breast cancer screening. Researchers say mammograms could become a dual-purpose tool for early cardiovascular risk detection, prompting earlier intervention.
CrossCountry’s Birmingham power outage has crippled rail services nationwide, with near-normal operations only for Peterborough–Cambridge–Stansted. Tickets remain valid across operators, and rail replacement buses are in place as major routes face ongoing cancellations and delays.
Barry Mitchell, Queen’s second bassist during the band’s formative period in 1970–1971, has died. Mitchell played 13 gigs before leaving the group and later reflected that he wasn’t enthusiastic about their music at the time. He subsequently played with Tiger and left a legacy celebrated by fans and fellow musicians.
A police pursuit has led to fatal crashes in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, and Dunstable, Bedfordshire. In Warwickshire, a 62-year-old woman driving a Ford Puma died after colliding with a pursued Audi A3; the Audi driver, a 19-year-old man, died at the scene. In Dunstable, a separate collision after a pursuit killed the driver, a 41-year-old man. The IOPC has launched investigations into both incidents.
Suffolk residents from across ages report nervousness about cashless car parks after a spate of fines and app issues. BBC figures show millions of private charges, while incidents include a 89-year-old fined under a five-minute grace policy and a scam linked to QR codes.
The FDA has approved daraxonrasib, sold as Rasonque by Revolution Medicines, for adults with previously treated or ineligible metastatic pancreatic cancer. Clinical trials have shown median survival extended to about 13.2 months versus roughly 6.7 months with chemotherapy. The drug will be available in the US with a roughly $39,800 monthly list price and expanded-access programmes have already treated thousands.
Tributes have poured in following Dolly Parton’s death at 80, with fans and peers sharing memories and AI-generated tributes raising ethical questions. Parton’s family highlights the need for compassion and respect amid a flood of content, while friends and industry figures reflect on her business legacy and philanthropy.
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 Harrow Crown Court jury has found Sally-Anne Bowen guilty of seven counts of indecent assault against teenage boys who were students at Christ’s College in Finchley, north London, in the late 1980s. Bowen denies the charges and will be sentenced on November 20.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
A victim has travelled to Reading Crown Court to witness the sentencing of Ethical Forestry directors after they admitted fraud. The case centers on the misappropriation of funds from thousands of investors for personal gain, while victims hope for accountability and closure.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
Giant pumpkin growers across Britain are pressing on despite drought, health setbacks and logistical challenges. A Maldon grower has a 1,200lb pumpkin, while Staffordshire champions eye a new record at the Malvern show. The community and seeds of competition drive the giant-vegetable scene.
Nigella Lawson has joined the Great British Bake Off as a judge, replacing Dame Prue Leith. The 17th series premieres on 22 September with Lawson in the tent alongside Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond. Twelve amateur bakers from diverse backgrounds compete for the iconic cake stand as the new series launches.
Malcolm Potier has been jailed for two years after a non-fatal strangulation at a London Coliseum performance. The attack followed an exchange with theatre-goers; Potier has a history of prior murder-for-hire plots in Australia. The case has highlighted concerns about violence against women and public safety in crowded venues.
Oasis has revealed a 2027 tour spanning the UK, Europe and the US, with 11 Manchester shows, five Celtic Park dates in Glasgow, and four at Knebworth. Richard Ashcroft will headline all dates. The tour follows their 2025 reunion and weeks of teaser posts and a drone reveal in Manchester.
FOI data show bus lane and bus gate penalties have surged in early 2026 across English cities, Scotland and Wales. Manchester, TfL and Birmingham lead the fines, with Edinburgh rising in Scotland. Authorities emphasise the need for clear signage as fines can be reduced if paid quickly.
Carers UK reports a rise in people leaving work to provide unpaid care, with about 1.5k individuals per day doing so and a £37 billion annual cost to the economy. The government is reviewing employment rights for carers while calls for paid leave grow.
Women farmers form a large share of Africa’s agricultural workforce, but face higher risks, less land, and limited access to finance and tools. El Niño-driven droughts highlight the need for inclusive, gender-aware climate resilience and investment in irrigation and resources.
Prison governors are weighing plans to install a second bed in rapid deployment cells across multiple facilities to cope with overcrowding. Leaked emails show officials argue for rapid capacity gains, while officials warn this could breach health and safety rules and risk safety.
Investigations show defects in new homes and scams in repairs, prompting calls for independent checks, stronger warranties, and a trusted trader app to protect homeowners as more cases reveal systemic failures in the housing market.
Conservation charities and research bodies have launched a series of habitat restoration projects across Britain. Initiatives include native wildflower plantings in Cumbria, beaver enclosures at Elmore Court, moss carder bee recovery efforts in Cornwall and Kent, and woodland restoration through Droimeann cattle grazing in Scotland. Funding and partnerships are accelerating practical nature recovery, with aims to boost pollinators, habitats, and biodiversity.
Dame Esther Rantzen has died at 86 after a long illness, her family has announced. The broadcaster fronted That’s Life! for 21 years, founded Childline in 1986 and the Silver Line in 2012, and later campaigned publicly for legal change on assisted dying after a stage-four lung cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Unreleased Oasis recordings from the 1990s, including 63 live shows and hours of rehearsals, have been withdrawn from auction after legal action by the band. Littleton Auctions had planned a sale in October, but Oasis has intervened, delaying the auction while the dispute proceeds. Other memorabilia remains on offer.
New evidence suggests Till the Bells Ring, a 1926 Scottish feature with synchronized sound, premiered in Edinburgh a year before The Jazz Singer. Discrepancies in archival dating have led researchers to re-evaluate the birthplace of the modern sound film.
Margaret Hamilton has died at 90. The MIT computer scientist has led development of the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo program, coined the phrase "software engineering," and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Her daughter has confirmed she died on 30 September in Cambridge, Massachusetts.