The River Thames: England’s longest river, running through London
The Westminster plan to pedestrianise half of Oxford Street is advancing. From today, nearly 0.6 miles will be vehicle-free, with changes to traffic patterns, deliveries outside hours, and new public spaces. The scheme is backed by the mayor and central government and aims to boost footfall, cut congestion, and improve the city’s air quality.
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.
A teenager has died after entering open water near Millwall Outer Dock in London's Isle of Dogs. Emergency services recovered the body late on Monday; police say the death is unexpected but not suspicious. Officials urge caution around water and remind families to keep children safe near open water.
A long-running study of carrion crows uses tiny microphones and artificial intelligence to decode their complex vocalizations, revealing thousands of hours of calls from birds and brood parasites. The researchers say the work advances understanding of crow communication and behavior.