Ceremonial county in East Anglia, England
Prince Harry has visited the UK this month for charity and Invictus events and has met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove. The meeting has allowed Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, to see their grandfather for the first time since 2022. The trip has followed his loss in a High Court privacy case and a dispute over state-funded security for his family.
The UK faces a fourth heatwave as dry conditions persist. Wales has declared drought, parts of England remain in prolonged dry weather, and hosepipe bans cover millions. Health alerts warn of heat-related risks as rivers run low and wildfires threaten landscapes.
HouseStories shows residents sharing memories of personal spaces; Claire Marsh reconnects with the home she grew up in near Ascot Close, while neighbours reflect on wildlife and community spirit.
A three-year-old has been pulled from a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon and has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been released on bail after being assessed as not fit for interview. The zoo has closed its Tropical House.
The government is expanding use of former military sites to house asylum seekers, planning to accommodate about 3,750 people across Bicester, Barnham and Linton-on-Ouse, with extensions at Crowborough and Wethersfield. Local opposition persists in several communities as the plan unfolds.
Public Health France has recorded 5,764 excess deaths between 17 June and 2 July during an exceptional June heatwave, the highest heat-related excess mortality since 2003. France recorded 21,674 deaths against 15,910 expected; two-thirds of the excess were people aged 75 and older and more than half occurred between 25–27 June.
A continent-wide heatwave has intensified, with France, the Netherlands and Belgium reporting thousands of excess deaths as temperatures shatter records. Health systems are strained, and wildfires and droughts are spreading across southern Europe. Officials warn that climate change is driving more extreme heat, with record highs continuing into the coming days.
Paul Flack, 55, the brother of late TV presenter Caroline Flack, has died after being found unresponsive at his Norwich home on 21 June and subsequently dying in hospital. An inquest has opened, with a full hearing scheduled for 23 October. Caroline Flack died by suicide in 2020 amid media scrutiny.
Nigel Farage faces renewed questions over finances after revelations of a £5m gift and payments from Direct Bullion and other crypto-linked associates. MPs’ interests show substantial payments for promotional work, while critics demand greater transparency and accountability.
UK households face water-use restrictions as heatwaves push demand. South East Water and Southern Water have introduced temporary hosepipe bans in Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with further restrictions possible as a third heatwave of the year looms. The Met Office warns continued extreme temperatures, while water firms stress reduced outdoor use to protect supplies.
A European heatwave has intensified, with records shattered across multiple countries. New analyses attribute a substantial share of heat-related deaths to human-caused climate change, while authorities warn of ongoing health and infrastructure pressures as temperatures stay high.
The UK is coordinating with European allies at the Ankara NATO summit to push a deep precision strike programme and boost defence funding. Keir Starmer is leading discussions, while Trump presses allies on spending. Ukraine seeks air defences amid a shifting security landscape.
A Florida group home, All About Living Inc., is facing a lawsuit after a resident with autism and an intellectual disability contracted necrotizing fasciitis, leading to amputation of two fingers. The suit claims systemic understaffing, inadequate training, and deficient supervision.
The National Energy System Operator has issued a margin notice for Thursday evening due to extreme European temperatures, marking the third such notice this year. The move signals a higher cushion between demand and supply, as heat drives up electricity use and strains generation.
The Heritage Live festival series has cancelled this summer’s events at the Englefield, Audley End and Sandringham estates due to escalating costs and a tougher festival market. Organisers say refunds will be issued via ticket agents after a delayed rescue package failed to materialise, leaving fans frustrated with conflicting refund guidance.
The Welsh government has pledged a multi-year budget for farming subsidies, ring-fenced at 340m a year until March 2030, amid debate over sustainability and how best to support the sector as farms adapt to environmental schemes and legacy funding transitions.
The UK has seen a record-hot July and persistent drought across large parts of England and Wales. Hosepipe bans remain in force as cooling rain is forecast to be patchy and limited this weekend. Forecasters warn that heat and dry conditions will continue into next week, with a potential return of hotter spells in parts of the country.