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England is now suffering from “nationally significant” water shortfalls despite rain in July, officials warned as the country faces more hot, dry conditions. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status. England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of […]

Expectant mothers are to bypass seeing their GP and can now book straight in with their midwife for pregnancy care, NHS officials have announced. Traditionally, mothers-to-be made an appointment with their family doctor to tell them the news before being booked in with their midwife. And in recent years, online self-referral has been introduced by local health bodies. But NHS leaders said that only half of expectant mothers were using […]

Kemi Badenoch has suggested migrants currently housed in hotels could instead be held in “camps”, as the number of English Channel small boat crossings nears 50,000 since Sir Keir Starmer took office. The Conservative Party leader warned that some communities “don’t feel safe”, as she visited Epping in Essex, where protesters have gathered in recent weeks opposing the decision to house asylum seekers in local hotels. Latest Home Office figures […]

A Metropolitan Police volunteer officer groomed a child after meeting her online and told her she “enjoyed being raped” during sexual encounters, a court heard. Prosecutors said the 27-year-old, who was born a man named James Bubb but now identifies as a woman named Gwyn Samuels, asked one alleged victim to perform a sex act in public when she was 12 years old. The court heard the defendant was later […]

A 96-year-old former RAF corporal who left school when he was 14 has become the oldest contestant in Countdown history. Donald Elsom, of Stanley, County Durham, will appear on the Channel 4 gameshow on Monday afternoon after being a dedicated viewer for decades. Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom has been described by the broadcaster as bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp […]

The Education Secretary has pledged to tackle the “thorny” generational challenge of British white working-class young people falling behind their peers as she called it her “priority” for the year ahead. Bridget Phillipson has said it is a “national disgrace” that so many young people are “written off” and do not get what they need in the education system to achieve and thrive after leaving school. Speaking before A-level results […]

More foreign criminals will be deported before their appeals have been heard as the Government expands its “deport now, appeal later” scheme. Offenders from another 15 countries including India, Bulgaria and Australia will now be included in the scheme, bringing the total to 23 countries. The scheme allows the UK to deport offenders who have had a human rights claim against their removal rejected, with any appeals heard from abroad […]

Mel Gibson has said it was a “joy” to make the film Braveheart as he spoke at an event to mark 30 years since the historical epic was filmed in Ireland. The Oscar-winning director and actor posed for selfies with fans and signed posters before attending a musical performance of movie songs in Co Meath. Gibson starred in Braveheart as Scottish rebel William Wallace, as he sets out to challenge […]

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for not saying how a footballer known as the “Palestinian Pele” died in its tribute to him. UEFA wrote on X that he was “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”. Responding on Saturday, Egyptian star Salah wrote: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Among those who praised his response was […]