Northern England's historic county with a strong regional identity
A man has entered the Amur tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster and died at the scene. The park remains closed while authorities investigate. Eyewitnesses describe the sequence of events as staff evacuated the area and emergency services responded. Authorities say Altai the tiger remains unharmed and the incident is under investigation.
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.
The 16-17 Saver Railcard has been extended to remain valid for a full year from purchase, even if the holder turns 18, with the change taking effect on 17 August. The policy aligns the youth railcard with others, aiming to reduce travel costs for young people and support education, employment, and training. Several outlets report on varying proposals to widen discounts beyond the Southeast.
North Devon District Hospital will stop deliveries from August 11 due to staff shortages, with no clear reopening date. Pregnant women face long journeys to Exeter or Taunton. Local MPs urge action as the region grapples with staffing gaps affecting maternal care.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
Rail operators across the UK are adjusting timetables and services in response to an amber heat warning, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C in several regions. Operators warn of reduced services, enforced speed limits, and potential disruption, urging passengers to check journeys before travel.
A solar eclipse has drawn thousands of spectators across the North East and Cumbria, with observers calling the event phenomenal and marking the moment as a rare, shared experience.
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election with 22,239 votes after resigning in July; Count Binface has taken a record 9,455 votes (26.9%), the best-ever result for a novelty candidate. Major parties boycotted the contest and a parliamentary investigation into a a35m gift to Farage has resumed.
England has built a 195-run lead at Headingley as Jordan Cox leads a productive day with 73, Brook and Lawrence adding half-centuries, while Usman claims wickets for Pakistan. Sam Curran faces a groin injury and will miss the third Test.
England and Wales face persistent prison overcrowding amid a capacity shortfall. New plans aim to ease pressure by expanding spaces and shifting inmates to open facilities, while warnings about safety and staffing persist.
Twenty-one white storks have been released from breeding aviaries in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, as part of a rewilding project inspired by Knepp in West Sussex. The birds are expected to acclimate in Cornwall for a couple of months before migrating south for winter, with hopes they will return to nest in coming years. Natural England notes that releases are not a native priority, citing historical records of storks in Britain, while supporters argue climate-driven range shifts justify the experiment.
England endures a fourth heatwave this summer, with drought conditions expanding across the country. Hosepipe bans are in place or expanding, reservoirs remain low, and experts warn that only sustained rainfall will ease the strain on water resources and wildlife.
A government-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping is expanding, with new powers to seize assets, higher fines, and regional enforcement to tackle organised waste crime that has blighted communities across England. The effort follows a BBC investigation identifying several supersites and a rising tide of waste crimes.
A mix of Guardian, Independent, Scotsman and other outlets feature musings on food culture, vegan cooking, coastal cuisine and personal memories. The pieces explore how British eating habits travel from seaside classics to plant-based trends, with reflections on tradition, modernity and regional flavors.
England has built a commanding lead over Pakistan on a damp Headingley day, with Brook narrowly missing a century but Root, Cox and Lawrence contributing, and Tongue and Robinson leading the bowling effort as Pakistan's attack struggles in the field.
New prime minister has framed his premiership as a circuit breaker, pushing devolution and local control as keys to growth. Mayors will gain tax receipts and civil service support to drive local projects, with 18 authorities piloting secondments and a data-sharing program.
England has thrived in a commanding opening three days of the Rothesay Test, with Joe Root restoring captaincy, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson excelling with ball, and Jofra Archer contributing both bat and ball as Pakistan crumble for 135 in the second innings after a 409-run first-innings lead.
A 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin has been landed off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in Atlantis Canyon, by charter captain Damon Sacco and client Walter Chapman. Weighing 1,260 pounds and measuring over 11 feet, the fish is believed to be the largest Atlantic blue marlin caught off the U.S. East Coast. The head is being aged at a university lab to determine its age. The catch occurs in a narrow window for blue marlin in the Northeast.
Visitors to Snowdon have faced long queues amid hot weather and rising numbers. Wardens are urging patience for safety and to protect the landscape. Reports from BBC, The Guardian and New York Post show a mix of reactions and concerns about inclusivity, safety and how best to access popular outdoor spaces.
The Independent reports that the festival line-up is headlined by The Cure, with a night-time focus on goth and pop. Nick Cave delivers doom-laden sermons, while Blood Orange and Jalen Ngonda provide nocturnal, textured performances. The festival mood has cooled after earlier controversy surrounding ownership and funding.
Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old fisherman from Barnsley, has died while fighting for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. Reports indicate he joined Russian-backed forces in April, was granted citizenship, and was killed during a drone-assisted operation in Donetsk on 10 June. UK officials are confirming the death and emphasising consular limits while urging vigilance amid online recruitment for foreign fighters.
A band of thunderstorms and heavy rain has prompted yellow weather warnings across much of England and Wales. The Met Office warns of disruption to transport and potential flooding, with 81 areas under warning and multiple flood alerts. Homeowners in Perry Barr have already seen flooding, as forecasters anticipate further downpours over the bank holiday weekend.
Shoppers are buying compact backpacks and underseat bags as cabin-bag deals surge across multiple retailers. Deals from The Guardian, The Scotsman, and New York Post highlight price cuts on Ryanair-friendly bags, Regatta, Aerolite and Quince products, with discounts driving consumer demand.
Police are investigating the death of a newborn girl found at a property on Holywell Heights, Wincobank. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder as inquiries continue. Authorities urge the public to avoid speculation while detectives pursue leads.
Ben Stokes has joined the Adelaide Strikers for BBL16 after retiring from international cricket this year. He is available for the full tournament and is expected to earn around AU$500,000. Tim Paine praises the all-rounder as a key addition to the Strikers’ title bid.
Nigella Lawson has joined the Great British Bake Off as a judge, replacing Dame Prue Leith. The 17th series premieres on 22 September with Lawson in the tent alongside Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond. Twelve amateur bakers from diverse backgrounds compete for the iconic cake stand as the new series launches.
England’s white-ball unit dominates Sri Lanka at Southampton, with Baker claiming three wickets and Brook blasting 114 to propel a 254-run total; the hosts surge toward victory in Southampton, while the Sri Lankans bowled out for 135.
The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone has seen a large fire that forced about 280 guests to evacuate. Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirms the blaze started in the basement; police are treating it as suspicious. A welfare centre is assisting evacuees as investigations continue.
Public Accounts Committee warns that nationalising British Steel lacks a credible long-term plan, with costs rising and uncertainty for workers. Government asserts commitment to a sustainable, decarbonised steel sector while evaluating options for SSUK and broader industry support.
The final episodes of the Seven Up! series have arrived, documenting 14 lives at seven-year intervals since childhood. Kapadia’s two-part finale draws on archival footage, with one participant’s terminal cancer and others’ retirements shaping a reflective, elegiac end to the experiment.
Investigations show defects in new homes and scams in repairs, prompting calls for independent checks, stronger warranties, and a trusted trader app to protect homeowners as more cases reveal systemic failures in the housing market.
A 60-year-old security guard has donated one of his kidneys to Karen Davey, a 41-year-old mother of four in Wales, after she pleaded for help on social media as her kidney failure threatened her ability to be a mother. The operation took place in July at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, offering Karen a lifeline after months of waiting for a transplant.
The government has announced binding national maternity standards through a new taskforce, aiming to end postcode disparities and tackle racial inequalities. The plan follows long‑standing concerns about care quality and recent safety data.
Kevin Sinfield has completed seven ultramarathons in seven days, finishing at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final. The challenge has raised over £11m for MND charities since 2020, with support from royals and sporting figures along the route.
Two people were injured after an incident at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. Police say a man entered the tiger enclosure; the animals remained inside the habitat. Ambulances were dispatched and the park has shut pending investigation. Officials are working with authorities to determine what happened.