A modern city at the heart of Yorkshire’s industry and culture
Labour has set October 28 for its autumn budget, pledging fiscal discipline. Ministers say the plan will fund devolution, defence and growth while maintaining the party’s rules, even as borrowing costs rise and the Iran conflict strains public finances.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
The UK has endured a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales. Health alerts remain in place as drought conditions deepen, with millions under hosepipe bans and reservoirs running low. Forecasters warn the heat could sustain into the week, while authorities prepare extreme heat measures and monitor infrastructure strain.
CrossCountry’s Birmingham power outage has crippled rail services nationwide, with near-normal operations only for Peterborough–Cambridge–Stansted. Tickets remain valid across operators, and rail replacement buses are in place as major routes face ongoing cancellations and delays.
Barry Mitchell, Queen’s second bassist during the band’s formative period in 1970–1971, has died. Mitchell played 13 gigs before leaving the group and later reflected that he wasn’t enthusiastic about their music at the time. He subsequently played with Tiger and left a legacy celebrated by fans and fellow musicians.
Visitors to Snowdon have faced long queues amid hot weather and rising numbers. Wardens are urging patience for safety and to protect the landscape. Reports from BBC, The Guardian and New York Post show a mix of reactions and concerns about inclusivity, safety and how best to access popular outdoor spaces.
Graeme Dott has been found guilty of two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour toward a girl and a boy, with sentencing set for September. World Snooker has revoked his membership and he faces removal from Hall of Fame.
Local mural of Ronnie O’Sullivan by Chris Ashmore has gone viral. The artwork, 30ft tall on the Spot On Snooker Club wall in Sheffield, has drawn praise for brightening the area while eliciting criticism over facial likeness. Ashmore says tweaks are planned after working two of five weeks; scaffolding limited his view. Club manager Dan Kirkland defends the piece and calls for tolerance online.
Police are investigating the death of a newborn girl found at a property on Holywell Heights, Wincobank. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder as inquiries continue. Authorities urge the public to avoid speculation while detectives pursue leads.
Police investigating the death of a newborn girl in Wincobank (Sheffield) confirm the baby died from stab wounds. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder; two have been bailed. Postmortem results and ongoing inquiries are driving the fast-moving investigation.
Campaigners are pressing NHS England to update a 2017 rule that bars a second allogeneic stem cell transplant if relapse occurs within 12 months. Affected patients indicate the policy is outdated and unaffordable without fundraising. An independent review into the case for a second transplant is under way.
Liverpool city region has begun bringing bus services back under public control, starting in St Helens. Fares stay capped at £2, and the network aims to increase frequency, improve evening and weekend services, and better connect hospitals and rail links.
The Easdale World Skimming Championship has drawn competitors from more than 30 countries to Easdale Island in the Inner Hebrides. Organisers have installed an official geologist to safeguard stone integrity after last year’s cheating scandal; a Toss Off final will decide trophies as participants aim for the back wall of the flooded quarry.
Spire Healthcare has agreed to be taken private by Tulip UK, a group backed by Toscafund, THCP Advisory and Ares Management. The deal values Spire at about £1.03bn on a fully diluted basis and includes a plan for a year-long strategic review after completion. Chief executive Justin Ash will step down and be replaced temporarily by Sir David Sloman.
A one-year-old girl has died after a medical emergency in a Warwickshire home. A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect; a scene remains on Long Street, Atherstone, as police investigate further.
The president has repeated a personal story that he was at the World Trade Center site after the 2001 attacks, saying firefighters lifted him from the U.S. Steel Building as it "creaked." First responders who were on the scene have said they never saw him there. He has continued to insert himself into anniversary remembrances while praising the country's strength.
Four women describe how drug gangs exploited them from adolescence, using grooming and violence. They allege authorities failed to protect them, and a government inquiry into drug gangs is underway.
Funding Circle has announced that chief executive Lisa Jacobs will leave the group no later than September 2027 and the board has begun the search for a successor. Jacobs has led the group since 2022 after joining in 2012, as profits for the six months to June climbed, prompting an upgraded outlook. Shares fell in early trading despite the upbeat results.
Associated British Foods says Primark has acquired a Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its established click-and-collect model. Primark sales are dipping year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe weakens. A demerger plan to list Primark separately is targeted for end-2027.
The UK debates overseas and domestic political donations after crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate 27m to Reform UK. Government plans to cap donations by Britons living abroad backdated to March 25 and to tighten rules on foreign influence are being scrutinised as MPs warn of a potential Americanisation of UK politics.
FOI data show bus lane and bus gate penalties have surged in early 2026 across English cities, Scotland and Wales. Manchester, TfL and Birmingham lead the fines, with Edinburgh rising in Scotland. Authorities emphasise the need for clear signage as fines can be reduced if paid quickly.
Bristol City Council has updated its advertising policy to ban ads for fossil fuels, non‑electric cars and fast fashion across council‑owned spaces such as bus stops, billboards and digital screens. The move follows a broader review of promoting polluting products and aims to shift public advertising toward sustainable alternatives.
IPPR data shows a persistent regional divide in job opportunities for 18–24-year-olds. Rotherham faces far fewer vacancies per 1,000 youths than the Cotswolds, with nine of the 10 best areas for youth jobs in the south. The government is under pressure as ministers review Milburn’s findings and consider reforms to apprenticeships and a universal youth service.
The DP World Tour has revised its 2027 calendar as the Ryder Cup moves Ireland-ward, prompting date shuffles for key events and a reordering of the European circuit’s calendar. Several tournaments relocate in the lead-up to the 2027 season, with Wentworth and other Rolex Series events affected along with national opens and Open Qualifying Series slots.
Authorities have evacuated nearby properties and launched a forensic search around a Mapplebeck Road property in High Green, following a discovery that prompted safety measures. A 36-year-old woman has been charged under the Explosive Substances Act and is remanded in custody. Road closures remain in place as emergency services continue their investigations.
Two adjacent farmers in Devon and Scotland reflect a broader shift in farming: one pursues rewilding while the other remains committed to intensive farming. A documentary follows their tensions over three years, revealing how boundaries blur as birds, cattle and soil health intersect with food production and livelihoods.
McLaren has announced a £500 million investment across UK sites, expanding its Woking HQ and a South Yorkshire carbon‑fiber facility, creating about 1,000 jobs by 2032 and potentially 3,000 more in the supply chain as part of broader growth in British manufacturing.
A 60-year-old security guard has donated one of his kidneys to Karen Davey, a 41-year-old mother of four in Wales, after she pleaded for help on social media as her kidney failure threatened her ability to be a mother. The operation took place in July at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, offering Karen a lifeline after months of waiting for a transplant.
The publicly owned Great British Energy has opened its Aberdeen HQ at Marischal Square, promising a £750,000 training partnership and five percent of roles in entry-level paths. The event features a royal appearance and remarks from GB Energy’s chief executive, government ministers, and opposition critics. Aberdeen is positioned as a hub for the UK’s energy transition, while timelines for direct job creation remain contested.
Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of child sexual abuse. The High Court in Edinburgh backdated the sentence; his name has been added to the sex offenders register. Victims described grooming and multiple assaults spanning 1993-96 and 2006-10.
Two Edinburgh plays revisit 18th-century culture: Brian Logan's Douglas explores Enlightenment tensions, while Jordan & Skinner's Do Not Pass Go tells Lizzie Magie's story and Monopoly’s contested origins. Both shows, in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, mix historical drama with a sharp eye on gender and power, running through October.
Regulators have warned South West Water over leaking levels 18.5% above forecast amid a severe drought. The firm is deploying acoustic loggers, drones and leak-detection dogs while urging customers to conserve water to protect supplies.
Hong Kong qualifier Cheung Ka Wai has upset seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 in a NI Open first-round thriller. Cheung staged a late comeback, sealing victory in a decider after O’Sullivan’s early dominance, including a 138 clearance in frame two.
The Tour de France 2027 will begin with stages in the United Kingdom, including Edinburgh, Keswick and Cardiff, before finishing in Paris area. The women's race begins in Leeds and includes three English stages. The route features 28 climbs and two ITTs in the men’s edition, with key climbs such as the Grand Colombier, Tourmalet and Portet, and a Pyrenean finale.
Fog has affected transport and travel this week, with warnings for dense low visibility across large parts of southern and central England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Forecasters expect fog to clear gradually, but delays and cancellations persist for flights, roads and rail as conditions evolve.