Ceremonial and metropolitan county in North West England
England and Wales face ongoing drought conditions as reservoir levels stay low despite a wetter winter. Officials warn that continuing heat and low rainfall threaten water supplies, with hosepipe bans in effect and calls for infrastructure action.
Jaguar Land Rover’s revenues have fallen by 9.6% to £6 billion for the quarter to June 30, as production disruptions and a pivot from petrol/diesel to electric models weigh on sales. The group is pushing four new electric models while navigating a fire-related disruption and a wind-down of several Jaguar variants.
Automakers have announced strategic shifts as Chinese brands and US trade rules upend the sector. Volkswagen has proposed deep job cuts to cut costs, Jaguar Land Rover is adding hybrids and prioritising the US, and the Commerce Department has denied Polestar permission to sell new connected models in the US from 2027, pushing the brand to refocus on Europe.
The Southport Inquiry has begun its second phase, examining how to identify and manage violence-risk individuals, the role of the internet, and policies on weapons. Sir Adrian Fulford emphasizes that victims’ families remain central, and media should avoid naming individuals to reduce imitation risks.
Delta flight 1076 from Atlanta to Chicago Midway has been struck by a fireworks mortar during its descent. The Airbus A319 landed safely with no injuries; FAA is investigating. Passengers and flights may face delays.
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 IUCN red list shows growing threats to desert rain frogs and deep-sea vent molluscs from mining and energy developments. Some species are stabilizing due to conservation, but many face extinction without stronger protections; the news comes amid a broader assessment of biodiversity loss and conservation efforts.
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England dominates Fiji in a 73-8 Nations Championship win, with Henry Pollock scoring a hat-trick and new debuts making strong impressions. Kuruvoli is sent off for Fiji, and England eye a trip to Argentina next.
The Covid inquiry has found a “vast” waste of taxpayers’ money in PPE procurement during the pandemic, with almost two-thirds of the £14.9bn spent wasted. It criticises the VIP lane for favoured contracts and highlights inadequate stockpiles and planning.
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.
English hopes of ending the Open drought in England are rising as Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick and other homegrown players pursue glory at Royal Birkdale. The Open is returning to English soil for the first time since 1992, with fans hopeful the home advantage finally translates into a winner.
The Interior Department has finalized rules that require individualized protection plans for species added to the threatened list and mandate economic analyses for critical habitat. Critics warn the move could hamper wildlife recovery, while supporters say it balances conservation with development. Several species, including monarch butterflies and the grizzly bear, are cited in ongoing debates.
England has secured a five-try win over Argentina in Santiago del Estero, despite disciplinary bans and a late scare. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Marcus Smith lead the charge, with Ben Earl scoring twice in a high-tempo test that featured multiple sin-binnings and a review by the TMO.
Scotland is rolling out the Aeos 3D robotic exoscope at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow to assist complex brain surgeries. Toby Peart, 13, is among the first patients to benefit, with early signs of improved precision and recovery. The technology promises clearer views, better depth perception and safer procedures for young patients.
The Range Rover Sport Electric has been shown in prototype form at Goodwood. It follows the full-size Range Rover Electric, with deliveries due in 2027. The Sport aims for more dynamic driving while preserving Range Rover comfort and off-road ability.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% business rates reduction for nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027, a package the government says will save a typical pub about £1,100 a year and cost roughly £100m. Ministers are proposing to fund it by reviewing reliefs for vape shops and cracking down on online tax non-compliance.
Two separate UK cases of family tragedy are driving campaigns to change laws governing domestic violence and murder investigations. In Wiltshire, Carole Gould and Julie Devey advocate for legal reform after their daughters were killed by an ex-boyfriend; in London, a Taylor Swift-themed incident prompts deeper scrutiny of school safety and accountability.
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.
Jaguar Land Rover plans to cut fewer than 300 UK jobs as it continues its recovery from a cyber attack that halted production last year and amid tariff pressures. The company says affected staff may be redeployed or offered voluntary exit, with locations and roles undisclosed.
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.
Nathan Owen has been jailed for four years and three months after fabricating a car-acceleration emergency to avoid a finance agreement. Police pursued the Jaguar I-Pace across multiple motorways, but investigations showed the car was functioning and speeds reached up to 86mph before it was stopped.
Awaiting sources
Multiple UK cases unfold: a death linked to alleged careless driving in North Tyneside; a Merseyside child neglect case; a Wakefield manslaughter verdict; and a Aberdeen murder conviction as a Dundee High Court hears a separate attack.