A ceremonial county in South West England
Archaeologists have uncovered what appears to be one of the county’s largest Roman artefact collections at Mancot, Flintshire, in a survey tied to local development. The site has yielded brooches, moulds and pottery, with conservation underway ahead of potential public displays in Flintshire and Mold museums.
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 pilot scheme across Wiltshire schools is restricting phones at certain times through Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders and ANPR monitoring, aiming to create safer environments and encourage walking and cycling.
Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed a pygmy hippo calf born on July 31 to Gloria and Otto. The gender is pending health checks; the calf is bonding with its mother in private, away from public view, while keepers monitor its early development.
German officials have found a drone fitted with semtex explosives beside a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport and have called the incident a "hybrid" security threat. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has returned from holiday and has said Germany is facing sustained hybrid attacks. Investigators and US officials are examining whether the drone is linked to a foreign intelligence service.
The UK has endured a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales. Health alerts remain in place as drought conditions deepen, with millions under hosepipe bans and reservoirs running low. Forecasters warn the heat could sustain into the week, while authorities prepare extreme heat measures and monitor infrastructure strain.
Firefighters are tackling extensive grass fires across the West Midlands amid a record heatwave. Homes have been damaged and residents evacuated as crews declare major incidents in Stourbridge, Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. Emergency services warn people to stay indoors and close windows.
A shelter rescue story follows Boone, an 18‑month-old dog, who was saved from neglect and is now living with Bessie, the shelter’s new adopter. The dog’s rehabilitation includes vaccinations, ear infection treatment, and a slow introduction to family life, with a strong bond forming between Boone and Bessie.
Scientists say climate change is pushing several bird and mammal species northward, with new breeding evidence appearing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The latest findings show little egret nesting in Aberdeenshire, barn owls breeding in Fermanagh, and ospreys reestablishing in Anglesey and Rutland Water. Conservation groups urge vigilance and habitat protection as ranges expand and threats persist.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
A former Bay Shore High School teacher has been convicted of multiple sexual offenses involving a 16-year-old pupil and two teenage girls, marking a significant turn in a long-running abuse saga tied to the district.
Chris Rokos plans to relocate residency to Greece, opening an Athens office as part of a broader move away from the UK. The move follows Greece’s flat tax regime for foreign income and reflects a wider exodus of Britain’s wealth creators amid tax and regime changes.
Col Samantha Shepherd has been cleared by a military court board of a charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline in connection with the handling of sexual assault allegations raised by Gunner Jaysley Beck. Maj James Hook's trial continues as the case against both officers unfolds in North Yorkshire.
Joshua Cammidge, 31, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparing an act of sabotage after prosecutors say he gave Google Maps screenshots and addresses for four drone-manufacturing sites in Swindon and volunteered to carry out sabotage while communicating with a suspected GRU Volunteer Corps representative.
UK households face higher energy costs as lawmakers debate removing levies from bills funding renewables and social schemes. Several sources warn that the change could lower bills but may affect funding for green projects and vulnerable households. Inflation and Middle East tensions are adding pressure, with forecasts suggesting bills will rise despite policy tweaks.
Independent’s IndyBest highlights space-saving Wiltshire ottoman storage bed from Dusk, plus other value buys, with date-specific delivery and assembly details. Reviews emphasise price-to-quality balance and easy setup for a compact bedroom.
A summer of heatwaves has boosted butterfly sightings in Britain, with painted ladies up 335% year-on-year. Experts warn a lack of rainfall could trigger a population crash next year, affecting food chains and habitat resilience. Public are urged to water gardens and plant nectar sources as autumn approaches.
A collage of reports shows investors and personal anecdotes intertwined with daily life in post-name-change era. CNBC cites a bullish take on PWR and Duke Energy amid election noise; Guardian pieces reflect personal narratives from dating to home life, a frog, and a CPR dog hero, illustrating human-scale consequences.
Prison governors are weighing plans to install a second bed in rapid deployment cells across multiple facilities to cope with overcrowding. Leaked emails show officials argue for rapid capacity gains, while officials warn this could breach health and safety rules and risk safety.
Five British men from London have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford prompted a major incident. Dozens of homes were evacuated and a large cordon remains as investigators explore possible state-backed or proxy involvement.
A mix of housing and social projects is unfolding across several UK locales. In Lewisham, officials propose handing public land to community groups to build social housing, backed by land trusts and streamlined planning. Other reports cover rural housing affordability, library-housing projects in Boston, and displacement risks from recent developments in Charlton.
A roundup of Scotland’s haunted pubs and related tales, drawing on sources from The Scotsman, BBC and The Guardian. Historic England researchers contest the veracity of “oldest pub” claims, while regional pubs report ghostly sightings and legends tied to centuries of local history.
Fashion labels and designers are embracing a utilitarian, garden-inspired aesthetic that blends cottagecore whimsy with practical, country-chic gear. Brands from Straw London to Luvashk are pushing outdoor-ready pieces, turning allotments into a fashion statement as consumers seek durable, stylish everyday wear.