Ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of Northern England
England endures a fourth heatwave this summer, with drought conditions expanding across the country. Hosepipe bans are in place or expanding, reservoirs remain low, and experts warn that only sustained rainfall will ease the strain on water resources and wildlife.
Blake Lively has been awarded legal costs totaling $8,035,040.88 in the It Ends With Us dispute; a judge has ruled she is entitled to fees and costs from Justin Baldoni’s countersuit, while damages were rejected. The settlement occurred in May 2026, with implications for future retaliation cases.
Coastguard rescue officers have worker status, and the MCA plans to stop hourly pay in September to classify CROs as volunteers. MPs, unions, and coastguards are pushing for negotiations amid a growing political row.
Ann Widdecombe has been found dead at her Haytor, Devon, home after sustaining serious injuries. Police have arrested a 28-year-old man in Rotherham and counter-terrorism officers have taken over parts of the inquiry. Authorities say there is currently no information to indicate a political motive or that the attack is terrorism-related.
A 78-year-old former Conservative minister, Ann Widdecombe, has been found dead at her Devon home with serious injuries. Police have arrested a white British man in Rotherham; investigators say there is no evidence yet of a political motive, and the inquiry remains ongoing.
Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon; prosecutors have charged 28‑year‑old Joshua Kerry with her murder after his arrest in Rotherham. Counter‑terrorism teams have taken the lead and police are continuing to investigate whether the attack had a political or terrorist motive.
Fans at FIFA Fan Festivals in Philadelphia and Atlanta have drawn hundreds of thousands for World Cup viewing, with activations from sponsors, volunteer support, and large screens shaping the experience. Reports also show crowding and security concerns at recent live-event activations, while other festivals face mixed feedback on crowd management.
Following the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, police confirm a counter-terrorism inquiry is running in parallel with the murder investigation. A 28-year-old man has been arrested and a University of Aberdeen staff member’s online comments are under review. Victim Widdecombe is described as having sustained serious injuries.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found with serious injuries at her Devon home. A 28-year-old man is in custody on terrorism-related suspicion after authorities say new information has come to light. The suspect was re-arrested amid ongoing inquiries.
Following the killing of Ann Widdecombe and a related arrest over a threat to Farage, Reform UK faces renewed security scrutiny. Counter-terrorism police are investigating the death; police report an arrest on suspicion of threatening communications to a MP in London.
The investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s killing is led by counter-terrorism police. A 28-year-old suspect remains in custody on terrorism and murder charges. Politicians call for a serious review of MPs’ security as officials warn of a rising threat and debate about taxpayer-funded protection continues.
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.
Former MP Ann Widdecombe has been killed in a targeted attack on her Dartmoor home. A 28-year-old man is in custody as counter-terrorism police look into possible left-wing extremist motivation. The National Protective Security Authority has published guidance on safe rooms for high-risk figures, published online before Widdecombe’s death.
The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister has died after a hammer attack at her home in Haytor, Devon. Joshua Kerry has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges of murder and possible terrorism offences. Prosecution says the assault occurred on 8 July, with Kerry remanded in custody as the investigation continues.
Two people have died after being pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on Sunday evening. Emergency services responded rapidly, and police say the families have been informed. The incident coincides with heightened warnings about open-water dangers ahead of next week’s Boardmasters festival.
The government has unveiled plans to give England’s mayoral authorities a share of income tax to fund local development. While praised as a potential fix for regional inequality, the policy will take years to implement and risk leaving slower-growing areas behind, as councils seek to borrow for major projects amid central oversight.
Mayors will keep a share of income tax and business rates from 2027-28, replacing central grants and empowering local areas to fund transport, housing and jobs. The reform is pitched as the biggest transfer of power in a generation, with details to be announced in the autumn budget as Burnham leads devolution push.
The government has scheduled an autumn budget for October 28 to extend public investment while sticking to fiscal rules. Leaders say the plan will fund devolution, defence, and growth strategies, but analysts warn higher borrowing costs and inflation pressures from the Iran conflict could constrain room for new spending.
A 73-year-old farmer has been convicted of murdering Richard Dyson, whose body was found in a concrete-filled barrel on a Barnsley farm. Dyson’s daughter read a victim impact statement in court as the judge sentenced the killer to life with a long minimum term. A friend received a three-year sentence for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Public mourners gathered at Buckfast Abbey for Ann Widdecombe’s private requiem, following her death on 8 July at 78 after a fatal assault. The service featured tributes from family, political figures and clergy. A public memorial is planned later this year, with donations split between Leprosy Mission and Abound India.
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 Packers tackle Bako-Bewele has begun the process to change his surname to Bako-Bewele to reflect his Nigerian ancestry; he has worn the new name on his jersey and is aiming to complete the required legal steps while recovering from a tendon injury.
Courts have dismissed legal challenges to Gatwick’s £2.2bn expansion and to Luton’s growth plans. Gatwick’s plan will deliver more flights and jobs while Luton’s project aims to nearly double passenger numbers by mid‑2040s. Campaigners warn of noise and climate impacts as officials push ahead with delivery by 2030 and beyond.
Pooja Kanda and families affected by knife crime welcome the government’s expansion of knife-surrender bins and a mobile surrender van. Since July last year, more than 14,500 weapons have been handed in, with knife-enabled robberies and homicides showing declines. The scheme aims to remove dangerous weapons from streets, with new bins in Yorkshire and other areas.
Counter-terrorism police have reopened an April 2025 incident at Nigel Farage’s London home and identified a new line of inquiry not pursued at the time. The police watchdog is investigating conduct related to the earlier inquiry, while Farage says the development underscores the seriousness with which security services are treating potential threats to Reform figures.
The Guardian reports that UK leaders are confronting a persistent Neet crisis as youth unemployment remains high. A UK delegation visits Ireland to study its rapid decline in Neet rates, while Labour pledges reforms to boost technical education and apprenticeships. The piece highlights austerity-era cuts and calls for preventive investment.
Jason Cunningham, a British boxing champion, is relaunching a youth hub at Brodsworth Miners Welfare in Doncaster. He aims to create a safe, engaging space for local youths, offering boxing, music, podcasts and more, building on his Iceman Foundation’s community work.
Georgia has suffered a sudden collapse due to postural hypotension and dehydration. Her five-month-old was put to nap when her son James dialled 999 and kept him calm. A police handler adapted their approach, guiding James to ask his mother to tickle her to wake up. Georgia regained consciousness; James is celebrated for his quick thinking and the officers later presented him with a toy helicopter.