Ceremonial county in North West England
Matthew Rhys has become the first actor to win two leading-actor Emmys in a single night, taking both the limited series and comedy lead actor trophies for The Beast in Me and Widow’s Bay, while Widow’s Bay dominates the ceremony with 14 wins. Rhea Seehorn and Jean Smart also secure major acting honours across drama and comedy categories.
Prison overcrowding is driving a major policy rethink. Government plans to accelerate prison-building 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.
The government has announced £132.5m to fund after-school clubs and enrichment activities in schools, aiming to broaden access to music, engineering, debating and sports. Ofsted will weigh a school’s enrichment offer in personal development assessments, and the move responds to loneliness among digitally connected youth. Online-safety restrictions for under-16s are expected soon, with discussions around an Australian-style ban.
The UK government has announced plans to block children under 16 from major social media platforms and to restrict livestreaming and stranger contact on gaming services, following Australia’s model. Legislation is expected before Christmas with protections due to take effect in spring 2027; Ofcom will design "highly effective" age checks.
A collision between two East Midlands Railway trains near Bedford has left one driver dead and more than 100 people injured. RAIB is investigating after a stationary train unexpectedly braked due to a fault in its AWS system, and a second train failed to stop, colliding at Elstow. Disruption is expected on the Midland Main Line as engineers work to recover the scene.
Multiple reports show energy bills rising amid Middle East tensions and supply concerns. Ofgem’s price cap has increased, with calls for targeted support for vulnerable households. Analysts warn bills will stay high through winter, while ministers weigh policy options.
Two lifelike rescue efforts near Hartlepool and Boulmer have ended in tragedy as two separate incidents haul more questions about coastguard funding and water safety. Authorities report a death toll remains uncertain in one case and a confirmed fatality in the other, while families seek accountability and changes to safety provisions.
Sizewell B will continue generating electricity until 2055 after a 20-year life extension, with a contract for difference guaranteeing 370.50 per megawatt-hour from 2035. The move aims to shield billpayers and secure thousands of jobs and clean power, while backing new nuclear projects.
A cross-border crackdown on county lines has led to multiple seizures, arrests and safeguarding actions as authorities target recruitment of vulnerable youths and drug distribution networks in Merseyside and across the UK.
The annual UK climate report shows that 2025 was the warmest year on record, with a shift of warmer conditions moving north and uphill. Days over 30C and nights over 18C have quadrupled in London, while rainfall fell sharply and droughts became more common. Authorities warn that extreme heat, sea levels, and water shortages will shape policy and daily life ahead.
The New York Times and The Scotsman publish evolving restaurant lists, highlighting standout eateries across cities and regions. The coverage notes shifting trends toward casual dining, authentic regional specialties, and the balance between value and quality. Readers are guided through top picks and changing lineups as venues open and close.
An ongoing operation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales has led to eight men being charged across Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and Argyll and Bute. The charges involve rape of minors and facilitating sexual exploitation dating from 1985 to 1996. Prosecutions continue.
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 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, finishing ten under. The win makes him New Zealand’s fourth major champion and follows a week marked by fast play and dramatic momentum. He defeated Cameron Young with a final-round surge, while the event featured record attendance and praise for Fox’s pace.
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.
BBC reporting shows a caterers’ no-show near Ormskirk forced Kate and Matt Dean to improvise with two local restaurants, ensuring guests were fed at their wedding reception after the original caterers failed to arrive.
Three groups of UK zoos report cub births among endangered big cats. Longleat’s Amur tiger litter is two weeks old and remains unnamed as keepers monitor development. Separately, lions have delivered cubs at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Whipsnade, highlighting ongoing conservation efforts.
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 sentenced to 20 years in Hull Crown Court for 67 offences tied to Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. Police found 35 bodies and hundreds of ashes misallocated or stolen from charities in a case that exposes a shaken trust in funeral services. Regulators vow tighter oversight as families pursue redress.
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's rebranding under private owners has aimed to broaden appeal with bold branding and new identities, including Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. While ventures like free merchandise activations have boosted engagement, questions remain about sustainability, fan loyalty, and the economics of franchise cricket as competition nears its finals.
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.
Seven people have been charged with malicious damage for a March 8, 2025 protest at Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort and prosecutors have alleged the offences were "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection." The first hearing has been adjourned to October; critics warn terrorist-linked sentencing will greatly lengthen prison terms for protest offences.
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.
Multiple cities face record rain and flood risk as storms surge. New York reports its wettest extended period this summer; the UK and parts of Europe experience continued downpours amid drought in drought-stricken areas. Forecasts warn of continued disruption and potential infrastructure stress.
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.
The NHS is expanding free cholesterol tests and blood pressure checks to adults aged 40 to 84 in participating high-street pharmacies after a north London pilot showed 19% at high risk and 88 people starting statins. The program aims to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and reduce pressure on GP and hospital services.