Wildlife hit hard by drought, fires and heat as extremes become ‘new normal’ The UK’s landscapes and wildlife endured drought, heat and fires that gave way to downpours and floods in 2025 as extreme weather becomes the “new normal”. The National Trust’s annual review of the year for nature warned the latest in a run
Earliest coin minted in Scotland saved for nation after metal detectorist find The earliest known coin minted in Scotland – almost 900 years ago – has been acquired for the nation after it was found by a metal detectorist. The medieval David I silver coin was discovered in a wooded area near Penicuik, Midlothian, and
Majority of investors planning to boost portfolios in 2026, survey finds Nearly two-thirds (62%) of investors with at least £100,000 in assets plan to increase the amounts they put away in 2026 despite market uncertainties, a survey indicates. More than a fifth (23%) said they will look to bolster their portfolio significantly, according to the
French actress Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91 French actress Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. The film star earned worldwide fame as one of the most recognisable faces of post-war cinema but later withdrew from the showbusiness world to devote her life to causes such as animal rights. Known widely as BB
Holly Ramsay arrives to her wedding with famous father by her side Model Holly Ramsay has arrived at Bath Abbey for her wedding to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty with her TV chef father by her side. Holly, 25, kept the finer details of her dress under wraps as she arrived at the abbey shrouded in
England defeat Australia by four wickets in the Boxing Day Ashes Test England’s long wait for an Ashes win on Australian soil is finally over as they came out on top after two days of mayhem in Melbourne. Ben Stokes’ dreams of bringing the urn back home may already be over after three straight losses
Twenty wickets tumble on frenzied first day at MCG as England trail by 46 runs Chaos ruled in front of a record Ashes crowd as Australia got the better of the Boxing Day madness at the MCG. Any sense that Australia’s unassailable 3-0 lead would transform Melbourne’s marquee fixture into a lame duck event was
Tracy-Ann Oberman returns to EastEnders as Chrissie Watts Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman has spoken about her emotional return to EastEnders, as her character is back on screens to “create havoc” in Albert Square. The 59-year-old left the BBC soap in 2005 when her character was jailed for 20 years for the murder of her husband, Den
Cold health alert issued for Christmas Day A cold health alert has been issued for Christmas Day, as forecasters said the prospect of a white Christmas was “highly unlikely”. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold health alert from 6pm on Christmas Day to 12pm on December 27 for south-west England.
Flu hospital admissions fall as health officials warn virus ‘still with us’ Hospital admissions for flu in England are falling for the first time this winter, though health officials have warned the virus is “still with us” and that infections could “bounce back” in the new year. The rate of admissions stood at 7.8 per