Ceremonial county in North West England
Onshore wind plans face security and environmental concerns as MoD objections in various sites spotlight aviation radar and peat soil risks. Proposals include Hope Moor in County Durham and Redmere in Cambridgeshire, with local planning and national security considerations shaping decisions.
Police have charged eight men in connection with a long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales. The defendants, aged 54 to 73, face multiple rape and associated offences dating from 1985 to 1996. They are due before Newport Magistrates’ Court on July 24.
Ayrshire golfer has secured a second Open appearance after final qualifying at Dundonald Links. He has decided to pursue PGA qualification and is aiming to compete again at The Open, even as he prepares to return to PGA training. The Open week at Royal Birkdale has brought him personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
Northern leaders are steering a push for investment and culture to rejuvenate the region, with Andy Burnham’s influence and a revived civic approach guiding new projects like local food festivals and arts hubs. The pieces highlight Todmorden and Ouseburn as exemplars of a broader northern renaissance in outdoor spaces, culture and community cohesion.
Muna has built a reputation as a fierce live act with support from major stars. Their early setback at Pet-A-Palooza became a comic memory, while moves by RCA and Phoebe Bridgers helped them find direction. Today the trio balances punk-energy, electronic textures and personal songs that resonate with diverse fans.
MacIntyre opens with strong rounds but cannot sustain momentum at Royal Birkdale. He finishes outside the podium as Cameron Young leads early; Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns post record rounds. MacIntyre confronts his temper in a weekend marked by frustration and warnings, while others seize the day on the Lancashire links.
Bryson DeChambeau has incurred a two-shot penalty for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns share the Open lead after a record-tying second round of 62, while DeChambeau remains five under and potentially out of contention.
A collection of articles shows record heat-related deaths across Europe and North America linked to a warming climate and El Niño, with officials expanding cooling programs and researchers urging responsible media portrayal to shape urgency. The data indicate rising temperatures and strained infrastructure, while experts forecast more extreme conditions ahead.
Rory McIlroy has posted a solid round as the Masters focus shifts. He is chasing a weekend push after a late surge and potential eagle chances; fellow players like Burns and Herbert set the pace with 62s.
The Farnborough Airshow highlights a surge in defence and aerospace ambition. UK firms unveil the Brontanax unmanned combat aircraft demonstrator, while governments announce funding and orders that underpin a national push to lead in next‑generation air power and reindustrialisation.
Ryan Fox has won The Open at Royal Birkdale, finishing ten under par to secure his first Open title and New Zealand’s fourth major. The victory comes on the back of a swift final round, with Fox finishing birdie-birdie to seal victory as conditions tested players on a sunlit, windy Southport course.
At Farnborough, Boeing’s Ghost Bat leads a pack of rival autonomous combat aircraft, with General Atomics, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin unveiling or showcasing models. The U.S. Air Force aims for a price well under $80 million per jet and expects hundreds of aircraft annually by the mid-2030s, as world powers invest in crewed-uncrewed teaming and next‑generation combat air power.
A wedding in Ormskirk was saved when two local restaurants stepped in after the caterers failed to show up. The couple, Kate and Matt Dean, organised a last‑minute shift, with Piri Piri Grill and Scoozi Pizza and Pasta feeding 100 guests at Lost and Found Ormskirk while staff supported the couple and their guests throughout the day.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has welcomed two new African lion cubs born to Zamaya on July 4, while keepers monitor their health behind the scenes. The birth underscores ongoing conservation work for the species, with public debut planned after vaccines are complete and the cubs join the pride in a larger 13-acre African Adventure habitat.
Hulls and Woad post solid rounds in challenging conditions on the Lancashire coast to stay within reach of Ryu Hae Ran, who is closing in on a third straight major title. Other leaders include Jeeno Thitikul, Nelly Korda and Shiho Kuwaki.
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.
Four separate fatalities have claimed lives in the UK: a car crash in Huyton, a pedestrian collision in Lancashire, and two condolence-focused tributes in Wirral and Huyton. Investigations are underway as families honour loved ones and communities rally.
Five Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage at a Barclays branch in Burnley in August 2024 face possible terrorist sentencing after the judge considers a “terrorist connection” to the offence. The development follows Woolwich and Bristol cases where such a connection was recognised.
Bill Oddie, the Goodies star and longtime wildlife presenter, has died aged 85. His agent says he was a multi-talented figure who championed conservation, with Springwatch and Birding with Bill Oddie among his notable programs. He faced battles with mental health throughout his life.
Fringe performers from The Scotsman, Guardian and Independent discuss their journeys, challenges and upcoming Edinburgh shows, offering a window into the festival’s evolving landscape.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has executed warrants across Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea, seizing devices and documents as part of a crackdown on firms behind mass text messages about car finance mis-selling. Regulators say more than 12 million complaints have been logged since September 2025, with up to 100,000 reports daily.
Chief Constable Chris Noble has resigned just before a misconduct hearing, with a panel ruling the allegations proven but reporting restrictions apply. Becky Riggs remains acting chief constable as oversight calls intensify around police leadership selection.
Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed a pygmy hippo calf born on July 31 to Gloria and Otto. The gender is pending health checks; the calf is bonding with its mother in private, away from public view, while keepers monitor its early development.
A round of legal actions crosses borders: a Jordanian activist faces renewed legal pressure after an extradition attempt; Egyptian and UK cases involve drugs, fraud and abuse of position. The DOE and international agencies are coordinating to pursue accountability in several high-profile cases.
Robert Bush has been jailed for 20 years at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to 67 offences linked to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. Police uncovered 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes stored in deplorable conditions, with victims recounting misidentified ashes, fraud, and fake funeral plans. The case has spurred calls for tighter regulation of the UK funeral industry.
A UK study across 18 cities shows a rise in e-scooter-related injuries among under-16s and adults, with limb, head and facial injuries most common. Helmet use remains very low. Researchers urge clearer public health messaging and tighter private-e-scooter regulations as trials continue.
The England Lions head coach has stepped away as he prepares to take up a head coach role with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. The move ends his 23-month tenure with the Lions, during which he helped develop a new generation of players and oversee England’s white-ball work. England’s performance director praises his impact and notes plans to grow coaching opportunities.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
The Hundred has undergone a branding revamp under private ownership, with teams rebranded to IPL-style identities. Attendance has stagnated this season despite record investment, and executives say bold branding is essential to attract new fans while navigating ongoing financial strains and market adjustments.
England endures a fourth heatwave this summer, with drought conditions expanding across the country. Hosepipe bans are in place or expanding, reservoirs remain low, and experts warn that only sustained rainfall will ease the strain on water resources and wildlife.
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.
e.l.f. Cosmetics launches a limited pickle-flavored Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm line, prompting influencers to test tastes on camera. The collection includes Real Dill, von Dill, and Spicy Lil’ Dill, plus a Briny Blender sponge. A prior sell-out shows strong demand, while new drops expand the range. Availability is limited and prices stay under $10.
A judge has ruled that five Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage to a Burnley Barclays branch in August 2024 will not face terrorism sentencing provisions. The group has said they damaged windows and threw red paint to protest Barclays' past shareholdings in Elbit Systems. The defendants will be sentenced on 4 September.
A roundup of UK travel features highlights scenic routes, coastlines and towns from multiple outlets, focusing on accessible nature, iconic landscapes and local culture. The pieces span Gleneagles in Scotland, Lake District gems, Edinburgh’s outdoor scene, and Shetland’s northern beauty.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has fined Elderly Aids Limited (EAL) for making nearly 760,000 cold calls to TPS-listed individuals to sell call-blocking devices. The firm faced an enforcement notice and may face further action if the fine is unpaid. Calls continued during investigation; the company also attempted to strike itself off Companies House.
UK drought conditions persist despite a spell of heavy rain. Morecambe records 52.5mm in 24 hours, a third of the region’s rainfall for June–mid-August. Reservoirs sit at 62.6% capacity as the National Drought Group urges continued vigilance and a longer period of sustained rainfall.
Inditex’s Lefties opens its first UK store in Liverpool, featuring robotics to sort clothes and a new online-first proposition. The move, part of a broader UK expansion, targets a budget-conscious segment and faces competition from Primark, Shein and others. The retailer plans more UK outlets based on early performance.
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.
England expands a seven-minute cholesterol test to 100 pharmacies as part of a national push to spot heart-disease risk early. Patients aged 40-84 without recent tests can get a fingertip cholesterol reading, a blood pressure check, and tailored lifestyle advice. Early detection aims to reduce heart attacks, strokes, and NHS pressure.
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.
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.
Matthew Rhys has become the first actor to win two lead acting Emmys in a single night, taking honors for Widow’s Bay (comedy) and The Beast in Me (limited series). He also holds a previous lead drama win, making him the first man to win in all three lead acting categories. Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay dominates the night with 14 wins.
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.
Residents near the AGC Chemicals site in Thornton-Cleveleys have shown elevated PFAS levels, especially PFOA, in blood tests. Authorities warn that tests cannot predict individual health outcomes, while calls for more research and clearer guidance intensify as investigations continue.
RHS forecasts record mushroom sightings as drought followed by wet autumn boosts growth. Foragers report bumper edible varieties in Lancashire, while warnings persist about look-alike poisonous species. Experts advise identifying fungi carefully and highlight the ecological role of mushrooms in breaking down organic matter.