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More than half of England officially in drought, Environment Agency says
The Environment Agency has declared drought conditions across seven regions of England, meaning more than half the country is now officially affected as prolonged hot, dry weather depletes water supplies. The declaration matters because it signals mounting strain on rivers, farming and wildfire risk, with millions of people already subject to hosepipe bans, and follows…
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Teenage Norwegian hitman guilty of plotting to assassinate UK target on behalf of Iran-backed gang
A Norwegian teenager has been found guilty by a UK court of plotting to assassinate a target on British soil as part of a hit allegedly commissioned by an Iran-linked criminal network. The case is being seen as further evidence of Tehran’s use of organised crime figures to carry out attacks against perceived enemies on…
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Ride announce 2027 comeback tour across the UK
Ride, the English shoegaze band formed in the late 1980s, have confirmed a return to live performance with a UK tour set for 2027. The announcement will be welcomed by long-standing fans of the group, who remain one of the most influential acts to emerge from the shoegaze and alternative rock scenes of that era.…
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New UK leader Burnham vows to fix a ‘broken’ social care system
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to fix England’s “broken” social care system, describing decades of political failure to provide affordable, decent care as a “major dereliction of duty.” Speaking at a London care home, Burnham said the system was as unfair as American healthcare, with vulnerable people bearing the brunt of costs, and…
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‘Blankety Blank,’ ‘Celebrity Mastermind’ & ‘Live At The Apollo’ All Canceled By The BBC Under Sweeping Content Cuts
The BBC has cancelled three long-running entertainment shows — Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo — as part of a drive to save £500 million ($664 million) amid a deepening funding crisis at the broadcaster. The corporation called the decisions “difficult” and “really tough,” noting the cuts had been targeted at the…
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Praise from Mourinho and Conte, likened to Rashford – SWFC-linked striker profiled – thestar.co.uk
The article profiles a striker reportedly linked with Sheffield Wednesday, highlighting praise he has received from José Mourinho and Antonio Conte and comparisons made with Marcus Rashford. The reported interest matters because it suggests Wednesday may be considering a forward with a strong reputation and potential to improve their attacking options. The available text does…
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Man arrested over Fargate fight – thestar.co.uk
A man has been arrested in connection with a fight in Fargate, Sheffield. The arrest means police are investigating the incident and may be seeking to establish what happened and whether any offences were committed. The available article material does not give details of the alleged fight, including its date, any injuries, the man’s age…
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Number of centenarians in England and Wales grows by a fifth in decade as birth rates plunge to lowest in nearly half a century
The number of centenarians in England and Wales has risen by around a fifth over the past decade, new figures show, even as the country’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1978. The trend highlights a significant demographic shift, with a growing elderly population placing greater demands on health and social care…
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Daisy* Re-Introduces Herself With A New EP
UK electronic pop artist formerly known as BABii has released a new self-titled EP under the fresh moniker Daisy*, marking a change in name and aesthetic direction prompted by a shift in her personal life. The rebrand signals a deliberate reintroduction for the artist, whose work has long blended club-influenced production with a strong melodic…
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NHS England rapped over inaccurate Palantir patient data disclosure
NHS England has admitted that a data protection document wrongly described who could access patient information, failing to disclose that staff from US contractor Palantir could view identifiable data within part of its Federated Data Platform. The admission followed a request for clarification from the National Data Guardian (NDG), an independent body that advises on…