A ceremonial county in South East England
Researchers have estimated at least 2,700 excess deaths in England and Wales across May and June heatwaves, and France and Spain have reported about 1,000 excess June deaths each. Teams from Imperial College, the Met Office and LSHTM have attributed roughly 40–60% of UK heat deaths to human-caused warming; Europe recorded more than 10,000 excess deaths in late June.
A string of BBC and independent reports show families face higher costs during summer holidays as support programs wind down. Charity leaders warn of rising food insecurity and hospital malnutrition among children, while households change plans to cope with rising prices.
hosepipe bans have been extended across parts of southern and central England amid record heat and low rainfall. Water companies warn demand has peaked, risking shortages unless rainfall returns. Welsh Water and other providers have imposed bans and stressed exemptions for essential use.
Authorities in Buenos Aires have extended a preventive ban on throwing confetti at stadiums following a recent fire that damaged seats and forced evacuations during a River Plate–Boca Juniors match. The ban cites ignition risks and the home club's prior safety protocols in the context of high-crowd events.
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 government has introduced a temporary VAT cut on children’s meals, cinema and attraction tickets to ease cost of living during the summer holidays. The measure, announced by the Chancellor, is designed to help families, with firms free to pass on the saving. The scheme runs until September 1 and covers parks, zoos, cinemas and restaurants.
Provisional temperatures have surpassed long-standing June records across England, with 35.8C in Wigonholt and 35.7C in Charlwood, amid a Met Office red heat warning. Forecasters say figures could climb further as a heat-dome over western Europe drives extreme heat, health warnings are in place, and schools and transport are disrupted.
Emergency services are conducting a multi-agency search at Testwood Lakes, near Totton, Hampshire, after a 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming. The incident coincides with a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures around 36C. The area is closed to the public while responders search, and authorities urge the public to avoid the site.
The UK is under a red heat warning as a spell of extreme heat drives record temperatures across southern England and Wales. Hospitals declare incidents, water companies enforce hosepipe bans, and travel is disrupted as rail and road networks struggle to cope.
English wine is expanding with higher production and a broader range of styles. Waitrose, M&S and Aldi are cited for low prices and accessible options, while producers experiment with sparkling, still and orange wines, signaling a maturing sector.
Dame Penelope Keith has died after a battle with cancer. Her career spans stage, The Good Life and To the Manor Born, with a lasting impact on British comedy. Tributes praise her comic genius and decades of work in theatre, television and charity.
Swift populations in the UK have declined sharply in recent decades due to loss of nesting sites. Cambridge’s Darwin College and other buildings are hosting nest boxes to support swift colonies. A live camera on the Attenborough Building provides public viewing as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
Coughlans Bakery has ceased trading and entered voluntary liquidation after rising business rates, employer national insurance contributions, and fuel costs added to a challenging financial climate. Romesh Ranganathan, a co-owner since 2024, has shared in the heartbreak as staff and suppliers face the impact.
England’s one-day side is reshaping as Bethell eyes an ODI opening spot alongside Duckett, while Stokes’ retirement creates a leadership and selection vacuum. Curran and Coles emerge as other potential pillars as England chase a series win against India in the white-ball format.
Pizza Express has conducted an internal inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 2001 Woking visit, testing his alibi amid Virginia Giuffre’s allegations. BBC and Guardian reports say no evidence confirms or disproves the claim, while Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing and remains under police investigation.
A heatwave has pushed wildfire risk to extreme levels across England and Wales. North Wales declared a major incident near Conwy Mountain as crews battle expanding wildfires. Similar blazes are under way in Derbyshire, the South Downs and other counties, with hundreds of firefighters battling ongoing fires and evacuations continuing.
Tokyo, the Labrador, has recovered after a cannabis ingestion incident on Ben Nevis. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team carried her down the peak to a vet; vets believe discarded cannabis on the trail caused the illness. The owner warns fellow dog owners about hidden drugs in outdoor spaces. All parties report a full recovery.
Counter-terrorism police have arrested twelve people across England over a potential serious threat to the UK Ijtima event in Suffolk. The event, attended by about 15,000 people, ended early as a precaution. Investigations continue with searches at multiple addresses.
British judges have ordered a fresh inquest into Jools Sweeney’s death after new social media evidence and questions about the role of online platforms emerged. The move overturns a 2022 inquest that recorded a narrative verdict and did not examine social media data. A path is now open for a comprehensive review of digital life and its impact on the case.