UK national radio, delivering spoken-word programming from Broadcasting House since 1967
Sophie, a long-time fan of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, has joined Ambridge regulars in a Thursday episode recorded secretly in May at the BBC Mailbox in Birmingham. The duchess appears as a surprise guest at the Borchester Show in the drama’s 75th anniversary year, in her real-life role as honorary president of LEAF. Cast members include Tim Bentinck, David Troughton and Susie Riddell.
The National Audit Office has disclosed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received income from subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate while paying a peppercorn rent. The report notes it does not reveal how much rent was charged or income generated. The findings prompt MPs to press for reform and a public inquiry into royal finances. The issue is part of wider scrutiny of royal housing arrangements and the Crown Estate.
Fuller, Smith & Turner has reported a 5.7% rise in revenue to 398 million pounds for the year to March, with strong advance bookings for the World Cup. The group highlights increased staycations and garden upgrades, as it faces higher costs and public policy pressures.
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.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces a parliamentary standards inquiry over a £5m donation from crypto magnate Christopher Harborne, with competing accounts of its purpose and use while questions over declaration persist.
As temperatures surge across the UK and Europe, schools face red heat warnings. Authorities urge adaptive measures from headteachers, including flexible timings, ventilation, hydration, and possible early closures. The debate over whether to close schools or keep them open intensifies as unions demand better climate-ready infrastructure.
The Amos review has recommended appointing a national maternity and neonatal commissioner to drive urgent reforms in England. Ministers are now pursuing this plan, signaling a turning point after years of concerns about safety, listening to women, and discrimination. An accompanying 10-point plan sets out actions to improve triage, staffing, capacity, and accountability.
Consultant doctors in England have a mandate to consider industrial action while a government pay deal has ended a year-long disruption. The agreement includes a 6.6% uplift by 2027 and a 35.2% rise relative to four years ago, with 4,500 training places and exam-fee funding. The dispute has affected NHS services and could influence future talks.