City, administrative centre and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England
Maas’s sixth ACOTAR book has released, launching a new Valkyrie Cycle arc. Parts two and three will follow in January 2027 as more titles are teased. Fans are debating crossovers with Crescent City and Throne of Glass while awaiting further details.
Cardiff City face fresh fitness concerns as defenders Will Fish and Perry Ng, and midfielder Alex Robertson, are assessed ahead of a Wednesday home game against West Ham. The squad has already been stretched by injuries to Lawlor, Chambers, Bielik and the suspended Osho, with Rubin Colwill returning from injury to feature as a substitute.
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.
NHS services face ongoing summer pressures as heatwaves intensify, with A&E attendances rising and infrastructure strains highlighted by officials. Hospitals report equipment failures in heat, and authorities warn of greater risks to the vulnerable as climate-related health demands grow.
British sprinter Matt Hudson-Smith has claimed his fifth continental gold at the European Championships, defending his title in the 400m in front of a home crowd at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. He powered to victory in 44.17 seconds from lane nine, ahead of France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta and the Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers. The night also saw Emily Newnham win silver in the women’s 400m hurdles and Amy Hunt reach the 200m final.
CrossCountry’s Birmingham power outage has crippled rail services nationwide, with near-normal operations only for Peterborough–Cambridge–Stansted. Tickets remain valid across operators, and rail replacement buses are in place as major routes face ongoing cancellations and delays.
Meera Syal has publicly shared details about a 1980s assault and how she navigated violence and industry culture to build a landmark career, including her 2025 damehood and collaborative work with Sanjeev Bhaskar.
Carers and advocates push for an 18-week standard to secure accurate dementia diagnoses, care plans, and access to treatments. The push follows delays in diagnoses, healthcare shortages, and high-profile voices backing reform. Government commitments signal action, while civilians urge faster, clearer pathways.
Liverpool city region has begun bringing bus services back under public control, starting in St Helens. Fares stay capped at £2, and the network aims to increase frequency, improve evening and weekend services, and better connect hospitals and rail links.
The Guardian and The Scotsman analyze the evolving role of culture and arts funding in the UK. They highlight investments like Freelands’ £1.5m over five years to nurture art education and warn that cutting arts education infrastructure risks undermining community renewal and creative opportunity.
Rai has stepped into the spotlight at Wentworth, recording a six-under-par 66 in the BMW PGA Championship while Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox also feature in a marquee pairing. Rai says the experience is special, and McIlroy continues to refine his swing as the fields press toward the weekend.
20-year-old Irish jockey has claimed Flat racing’s champion jockey title, becoming the youngest since the early 1900s. He has ridden Bow Echo to notable wins, including the 2000 Guineas, and is targeting Sir Gordon Richards’ 269-winner record for a calendar year. Murphy concedes defeat as Loughnane dominates the season and eyes further goals.
A four-year-old girl has died after falling from height at an address on St Paul’s Road, Barking. Police say the incident is not believed to be suspicious. Ambulance crews treated the child at the scene before she was taken to a London major trauma centre, where she later died.