Ceremonial county in North West England, bordered by Cumbria, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside.
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.
Pamela Gwinnett has been extradited from Tenerife to the UK to serve a six-year sentence for theft and fraud by abuse of position, relating to defrauding an 89-year-old pensioner. She was convicted in her absence last October and extradited after being arrested on Tenerife in July. She admitted breaching bail and is set to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court.
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.
Energy bills for millions in England, Scotland and Wales have risen by 13% due to higher gas costs amid tensions in the Middle East. Regulators warn the impact will persist into winter, with calls for targeted support and possible social tariffs.
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.
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 has failed to challenge for the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale after back-to-back rounds of 71 on the weekend left him two under for the tournament. He has admitted to temper issues and accepts warnings as part of his game, while Cameron Young has set the clubhouse lead with a 64. The Open is led by Lucas Herbert after a 62 from him and Sam Burns.
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 and Bryson DeChambeau thrill fans as their third/fourth rounds unfold at the Open, delivering powerful drives, bold play and near misses. Fleetwood and Burns also contribute, leaving the leaderboard tight and the drama high as the weekend approaches.
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.
A Cantonese restaurant in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, has faced two fake orders totalling about £400, undermining trust and prompting a fraud report. The owner says the incident highlights community impact and resilience as she continues running the business.
BBC Business reports multiple zoo births across the UK. Amur tigers have two cubs at Longleat, Wiltshire, while Northern African lions at Whipsnade and Fresno Chaffee Zoo welcome new litters. The births strengthen conservation efforts for vulnerable big cats.
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.
A roundup of the latest from the Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, with Haeran Ryu defending strong form, Shiho Kuwaki and Yealimi Noh close behind, and Lottie Woad and Charley Hull in contention for a maiden major.
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.
Pro-Palestine Action supporters have gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as trials and potential terrorist connections draw attention to UK counter-terrorism laws. Activists face sentencing after convictions for 2024 Barclays protest damage; prosecutors are weighing terrorist connections amid broader political crackdowns.
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.