The UK Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat covering London, parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales, and southern England from 9-21 BST on 25-26 June 2025. Temperatures could reach 40°C, close to the UK record of 40.3°C. The UK Health Security Agency issued its second-ever red heat health warning. Significant disruption is expected, including travel delays, school closures, and risks to health and life. The heatwave is part of a broader European heatwave.

Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was found guilty on 31 March 2025 of 18 sexual offences including rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency against two child victims spanning from 1985 to 2008. The jury at Newry Crown Court also found his wife Eleanor Donaldson aided and abetted the abuse, though she was deemed unfit to stand trial. Donaldson was remanded into custody pending sentencing on 25 September, with the judge indicating a lengthy prison sentence. The conviction marks a dramatic fall for a key figure in post-Brexit negotiations and Northern Ireland politics.

Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, members of the Scattered Spider hacking group, pleaded guilty on 10 March 2025 to conspiring to commit unauthorised acts against Transport for London (TfL) under the Computer Misuse Act. The September 2024 cyber-attack cost TfL £39 million, disrupted tube arrival information, payment systems, and Oyster card services for three months, and affected up to 10 million customers. Flowers also admitted hacking two US healthcare companies. The case highlights the growing threat from English-speaking cybercriminals. Sentencing is scheduled for 15 July 2025.

A train manager who helped injured passengers after a fatal collision between two East Midlands Railway services near Bedford on 20 June 2025 has been praised as a hero. The driver, Shaun Burton, a former councillor, was killed and about 100 people were injured. The manager, despite being injured, took emergency action to prevent further disaster by placing circuit clips to stop other trains. The line between Bedford and Luton is expected to remain closed until 28 June for repairs, including replacing 600 meters of track.

Nottinghamshire Police arrested two men, aged 55 and 59, on suspicion of misconduct in a public office as part of Operation Perth, an investigation into maternity failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The arrests relate to breaches of the Human Tissue Act in the management and operation of mortuary services at Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. The investigation runs alongside a major maternity inquiry involving about 2,500 cases, led by independent senior midwife Donna Ockenden, whose report is due to be published on Wednesday.

A 14-year-old boy from Wandsworth has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Jamal Coombes, who was fatally stabbed on Glycena Road in Battersea, south-west London. The suspect appeared at Highbury Corner Youth Court charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. Two other 15-year-olds have been released on bail, and another remains in custody.

Ten years after the UK referendum to leave the EU, critics argue Brexit has left Britain poorer and weaker, with the Bank of England estimating a 6% GDP loss. Promises of a 'Global Britain' and 'Singapore-on-Thames' have not materialized. Public opinion has shifted, with an estimated 20-30% of Leave voters now regretting their choice. The Labour government under Keir Starmer seeks to rebuild ties with the EU while facing fiscal constraints.

The UK Department for Education announced that from September, an extra 3,000 unannounced nursery inspections per year will include checks on safe-sleep practices for young children. This follows a BBC investigation into nursery failings where children died or were sexually abused, including the death of 14-month-old Noah at Fairytales Nursery in Dudley. The measures aim to strengthen safeguarding after cases where nurseries with 'good' Ofsted ratings were found to have serious safety issues.