A cathedral city in North Yorkshire with Roman roots at the Ouse-Foss confluence
The NPR project has a £45bn funding cap and aims to connect northern cities with new or upgraded rail lines. MPs warn it risks repeating HS2’s failures, with unclear costs, routes and governance. The government maintains a disciplined, phased approach while engaging mayors and Network Rail.
Burnham has positioned himself as Labour’s leading candidate for prime minister, pledging to devolve power, extend local control, and rebalance the economy. He plans a No 10 North unit to oversee devolution and regional growth, while the party cautions about defence and fiscal rooms for manoeuvre as leadership unfolds.
KFC has announced a revamp that includes Open House, new sauces, and a refreshed Colonel Sanders look. The first Open House prototype will open in McKinney, Texas, later this summer, with table service, drive-thru and takeout. The chain is expanding its boneless items and introducing 20-plus sauces, including Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey Habanero, as part of a broader reinvention.
The UK has just experienced a new heat event following a recent record and forecasters warn that hotter conditions are likely to recur with July and August expected to be above normal. Projections show temperatures potentially reaching the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales as officials monitor health impacts and the grid.
A multi-country heatwave has pushed Europe to record temperatures, with the UK recording its hottest June day. Health alerts remain in place in parts of Europe as authorities warn of heat-related risks and disruptions to transport and daily life.
The government has earmarked three former MoD sites to house about 3,750 asylum seekers and extend current ex-military sites’ use. Labour pledges to end asylum hotels as hotel numbers fall since last year. Protests and local opposition persist in several communities.