Ceremonial county in the English West Midlands
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England are evaluating beaver reintroduction in the Severn Vale after beavers have already returned to Greathough Brook. DEFRA would need a licence for wider release as studies map impacts on biodiversity and drought resilience.
Disruptions will now allow passengers with valid tickets to travel on other operators’ trains within two hours of cancellations, with automatic swaps on major routes as Great British Railways moves forward.
The TransPennine Express fleet is set to be the UK’s first long‑distance battery‑electric trains, built by Alstom and entering service by 2034 after testing from 2028. The fleet will shorten journey times between key northern routes, boost capacity by about 30%, run emission‑free on non‑electrified tracks, and support thousands of UK jobs.
Cattle on the West Coast Main Line have blocked tracks near Rugeley, causing widespread delays and cancellations for Avanti West Coast, Lumo, London Northwestern and West Midlands services. The line has been blocked for more than three hours, with disruption expected to last until 4pm. Tickets are being accepted on alternative routes.
A wave of legal actions has unfolded as multiple individuals face charges for fraud, embezzlement and money laundering across the U.S. and Europe. Proceedings highlight the reach of illicit finance in corporate and public institutions, with investigations centering on unemployment benefits fraud, luxury embezzlement and political corruption.
The Range Rover Sport Electric has been shown in prototype form at Goodwood. It follows the full-size Range Rover Electric, with deliveries due in 2027. The Sport aims for more dynamic driving while preserving Range Rover comfort and off-road ability.
Jaguar Land Rover plans to cut fewer than 300 UK jobs as it continues its recovery from a cyber attack that halted production last year and amid tariff pressures. The company says affected staff may be redeployed or offered voluntary exit, with locations and roles undisclosed.
The Category A-listed North Bridge has fully reopened to traffic and pedestrians after eight years of restoration. The project has delivered a restored facade, structural work, and new monitoring access, with final below-street works to follow this year. Officials say the bridge is returning to its role as a key transport link ahead of the festival peak.
Sir Ian McKellen has sent a video message to Wigan Pride, expressing love and support. The actor recalls his Wigan grounding and celebrates today’s Pride as a sign of change that lets LGBTQ+ people live openly. The festival marks a shift from past times when Pride did not exist in Wigan.
England and Wales face ongoing drought conditions as reservoir levels stay low despite a wetter winter. Officials warn that continuing heat and low rainfall threaten water supplies, with hosepipe bans in effect and calls for infrastructure action.
A police pursuit has led to fatal crashes in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, and Dunstable, Bedfordshire. In Warwickshire, a 62-year-old woman driving a Ford Puma died after colliding with a pursued Audi A3; the Audi driver, a 19-year-old man, died at the scene. In Dunstable, a separate collision after a pursuit killed the driver, a 41-year-old man. The IOPC has launched investigations into both incidents.
Two teachers have been prohibited from teaching after TRA findings that their actions brought the profession into disrepute. Udall’s conviction for sexually motivated acts involving a girl under 13 and Bullen’s sending of explicit images to a teenager prompted fresh prohibitions, with Udall’s order immediate and no review.
Lando Norris has launched LN4 Fusion, a multi-championship junior race team, with aims to nurture young drivers from karting to potential Formula One, and to back them financially via the LN4 Legacy Programme. The project will compete in F3, Italian F4, and FIA Formula Regional European Championship in 2027, with a view to entering Formula 2 in the future.
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.
Pakistan’s Razaullah belts nine sixes on 81 off 63, guiding a 449 all out as England chase 130 to seal the series. Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Azan Awais contribute 50s; England’s bowlers struggle to stem the attack.
The parole board in South Australia has upheld the release of James Vlassakis, the former witness-turned-convicted murderer, after his parole decision was challenged. The case, tied to the Snowtown bodies-in-barrels murders, has drawn opposition from victims’ families and sparked debate over parole reforms.