A region of Wales bordered by England and mid Wales, home to historic Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and coastlines to Pembrokeshire.
The new Prime Minister has launched a UK‑wide listening tour to hear people’s cost‑of‑living concerns. He has unveiled measures including VAT cuts on energy bills, a bus‑fare cap, and business‑rates relief for pubs and venues, while signalling further action in the budget and on high streets. He is travelling to communities to inform a long‑term plan.
The UK is facing a heatwave with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s by midweek and warnings of drought across large parts of England and Wales. Authorities say millions are under water-use restrictions as dry conditions intensify, with new heat alerts and potential hosepipe bans.
The Greenlink interconnector linking the UK and Ireland has been rerouted to avoid Dobby’s grave on Freshwater West after Harry Potter fans protested. Officials say the project now avoids the fictional site and proceeds while highlighting tensions between fandom and infrastructure.
The UK is experiencing record heat and drought this summer, with temperatures reaching 36C. Garden centres report a shift from cottage garden plants to tropical varieties. Enthusiasts are cultivating subtropical gardens, while rare palms and tree ferns are becoming common in private plots. The trend reflects broader changes in horticulture as gardeners adapt to extreme conditions.
Wildfires across Wales and parts of Britain have prompted emergency alerts and military assistance. Fire crews are battling multiple blazes, evacuations continue, and authorities urge the public to avoid actions that could spark fires. Prime Minister Burnham has urged serious adherence to the alert.
A murder investigation has been launched after violent disorder in Pontnewynydd near Pontypool, with a man in custody and multiple arrests as investigators uncover links to rival motorcycle clubs. A Ford Transit van has been traced in connection with the incident.
Britain is facing a spate of wildfires amid drought and heat, prompting a temporary nationwide ban on disposable barbecues. Prime Minister says the move aims to curb fires and protect homes as authorities deploy firefighting planes and consider further emergency support.
Millions of phones warn of very high wildfire risk across England and Wales. The alert urges people to avoid actions that can spark fires, with the government deploying military support and banning disposable barbecues as firefighters battle dozens of blazes.
An emergency wildfire alert has been sent across England and Wales warning people not to light fires as heatwaves press on. Police and fire services say the alert is crucial for safety, while critics argue about its timing and impact on daily life. Prime Minister and local leaders urge caution and resilience as blazes stretch resources.
UK fire services report a continued surge in wildfires amid prolonged heatwaves drought and water restrictions. The Stourbridge blaze has destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others while conditions persist across the country with major incidents declared in several regions.
The Royal Mint is releasing 600,000 coins dated 2023 and 6.5 million dated 2026 featuring King Charles’s portrait. The capercaillie design appears on the reverse, as circulation expands amid strong demand. Queen Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender while the transition continues.
Ministers have received final consultations on the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields and are preparing a decision that will balance jobs and energy security against climate concerns. Labour figures, industry groups and environmental campaigners are pressing ministers from different angles as the regulator and Energy Secretary complete their reviews.
Two women have died in a blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough. A man, 23, has appeared in court charged with two counts of murder as investigations continue and coroner openings confirm the cause of death as fire.
BBC reports that actor Michael Sheen has pressed MPs to back a national PCB testing and cleanup programme after tests showed elevated contamination at sites linked to Monsanto. The Welsh government calls contaminated land a key priority, amid questions over who should fund testing and cleanup. The Welsh Affairs Committee is also hearing from researchers and journalists who documented findings.
The 60th anniversary of Aberfan’s 1966 disaster is marked as leaders pledge ongoing coal-tip safety measures. Survivors recount the day, and authorities acknowledge shortcomings while funding and programs are expanded to prevent repeats. A national remembrance program includes exhibitions, performances, and new archives.
The Childhood Lottery analysis has identified Middlesbrough as the hardest place to grow up in England and Cheshire East as the least challenging. It shows wide disparities in education, health, safety, and funding, prompting calls for minimum standards and a national fund for improvement, with mayors and local authorities urged to take stronger roles.
As autumn deepens, households face higher energy bills while experts urge caution for vulnerable groups. Practical tips from experts and shoppers aim to keep homes warm and affordable without compromising health.
Kerosene from a GE Aerospace site has entered the River Taff in South Wales, triggering advisories for residents to keep windows closed. NRW and fire services are containing the spill as investigations continue; river impacts span several miles with reported fish and invertebrate harm and ongoing containment efforts.
The government has announced a national wildfire resilience push, drafting RAF aircraft to help firefighting efforts, restoring peatlands as natural firebreaks, funding PPE for crews, and launching an AI unit to speed detection and response. The plan follows a record 2026 wildfire season and heat waves across Europe.
Police Scotland has deployed a large-scale operation to tackle bonfire night disorder across Scotland, with multiple incidents of fireworks directed at emergency services in Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas. One male has been arrested; crews report minor injuries and several fires in bins and parks. The operation involves officers from multiple forces and international coordination.