UK heatwave threatens food shortages, Met Office update for 13 areas
Farmers warn the next 10 days are crucial to prevent food shortages later in 2026 as extreme heat and low rainfall affect crops across the UK.
Category : Environment
UK food shortages warning: next 10 days crucial for harvest
Farmers warn the next 10 days are crucial to prevent food shortages as the UK faces drought conditions with just 3% of July rainfall.
50p garlic spray banishes slugs and aphids from garden
Horticultural expert Benedict Vanheems reveals how a 50p garlic bulb can be turned into a natural pest control spray to deter slugs, aphids, carrot flies and whitefly without harsh chemicals.
Brighton gets £22m to save collapsing Victorian arches
Brighton's Victorian arches get £22m government funding to avoid collapse and secure the road above for the next 100 years.
50p garlic spray recipe to banish garden pests naturally
Gardening expert Benedict Vanheems shares a simple 50p garlic bulb recipe to naturally repel slugs, aphids and other pests without harsh chemicals.
Life as a Welsh farmer in 2026: fear, isolation, fulfilment
Welsh farmers face rising costs, extreme weather, and new legislation, but find fulfilment in a challenging industry. Loneliness and mental health are major concerns.
Farmers warn next 10 days crucial to avoid food shortages
Farmers warn the next 10 days are crucial to prevent food shortages after extreme heat baked Britain dry, with just 3% of typical July rainfall and no rain in the south and east.
Community rallies to save historic Aigburth church
Heritage campaigners, musicians and the local community unite to safeguard the future of St Michael-in-the-Hamlet, a Grade I Listed cast iron church in South Liverpool, as funding decision looms.
50p garlic spray repels flies and ants in gardens
Garden expert Benedict Vanheems recommends a homemade garlic spray to repel flies, ants, and other pests without harsh chemicals. The 50p ingredient creates allicin, which confuses insects.
Butcher's simple trick for perfect steak crust every time
An expert butcher reveals the secret to achieving a perfectly seared steak: letting it 'sweat' before cooking to create a superior crust.
Americans call Trump 'dangerous' and 'corrupt' in poll
A new YouGov poll finds 52% of Americans describe Donald Trump as 'dangerous' and 49% as 'corrupt' 18 months into his second term, with approval at negative 24%.
UK Heatwave: 36C to Hit Four Areas Hotter Than Greece
UK weather maps show a 36C heatwave starting in late July, with four areas hotter than Greece. The Met Office warns of very warm conditions into August.
Burnham's £2 bus fare cap shows he understands families
Andy Burnham brings back £2 bus fare cap, scraps VAT on electricity bills, but support must target those in greatest hardship, says Mirror
Blaenavon Wildfire: Firefighters Warn Nantyglo and Brynmawr
Firefighters are battling a 200-hectare wildfire in Blaenavon, with smoke affecting communities across South Wales. Two communities warned to close windows.
Small Businesses Preserve Community Spirit on Townsend Lane
Despite decades of change, small businesses on Townsend Lane in Anfield maintain a strong sense of community, with cafes, supermarkets, and charities supporting locals.
Brown foam in Barry is algae, not sewage, says NRW
Brown foam spotted in Barry waterfront is caused by algae, not sewage, Natural Resources Wales confirms after investigation.
Scottish Water Urges Summer Water Safety in Lanarkshire
Scottish Water reminds Lanarkshire residents to stay safe around reservoirs, rivers, and lochs after 39 accidental drownings in Scotland in 2025.
Hosepipe Bans: Exemptions for Lawns, Blue Badge Holders
More than 18 million customers face hosepipe bans across southern England. Exemptions include new lawns, blue badge holders, and priority services customers.
Dovestone moorland fire: Firefighters to stay until weekend
Firefighters will remain at the Dovestone reservoir moorland blaze until at least this weekend, with operations to contain the fire and prevent flare-ups continuing for five more days.
20m Britons under hosepipe bans as eighth water firm acts
Around 20 million Britons are now subject to hosepipe bans after Thames Water became the eighth major water firm to impose restrictions amid record-breaking summer heat.
Ravenscraig director marks 30 years since towers demolition
Thirty years after the demolition of Ravenscraig's cooling towers, director Russell Wilkie reflects on the site's transformation into a thriving community.
Met Office explains UK's 'opaque' skies from Canadian wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke from Canada drifted over 900 miles across the Atlantic, causing UK skies to turn hazy and 'opaque', the Met Office explained.
State pensioners born before certain date get £100 boost
Winter Fuel Payments will increase by £100 for state pensioners aged 80 or over in 2026, with automatic payments under new PM Andy Burnham.
Chester Zoo releases 32 critically endangered newts into wild
Chester Zoo has bred and released 32 critically endangered Montseny brook newts into a secret mountainous habitat in Catalonia to save the species from extinction.
Once-lost Raeburn portrait of Burns on display in Alloway
A once-lost Henry Raeburn portrait of Robert Burns has gone on display at his former Ayrshire home, 230 years after his death, after being rediscovered during a house clearance.
Heatwave reveals secret garden lost for 350 years
Scorching temperatures have revealed the outline of a 17th-century garden at Chatsworth, hidden for 350 years under a lawn.
Grant to Preserve Hexham Abbey's Medieval Paintings
A £138,088 National Lottery grant will help preserve Hexham Abbey's medieval panel paintings, the largest collection in the UK, which risk being lost without urgent work.
Firefighters tackle large woodland blaze in Macclesfield
Firefighters are tackling a large woodland and grass fire in Macclesfield Forest, with six fire engines dispatched and more on the way.
UK skies turn opaque grey from Canada wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke from Canada drifted across the Atlantic, turning UK skies opaque and grey, the Met Office confirmed.
Arthur's Seat Fire Extinguished: Residents Advised to Keep Windows Closed
The blaze at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh has been extinguished. Fire crews left the scene around 1pm after ensuring all hotspots were out. Residents had been advised to keep windows and doors closed.
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