Author: Darren Smith

British farmers are battling severe drought conditions that threaten a wide range of everyday food staples, from potatoes and salad crops to beef and dairy, as experts warn shoppers could face higher prices and smaller produce in the months ahead. British farmers are grappling with what experts are calling a perfect storm, as drought conditions have now been officially declared across half of England, placing further pressure on crop yields already under strain. The situation compounds existing pressures on the UK’s food supply, including disruption caused by the war in Iran, years of elevated fertiliser and animal feed costs stemming…

Wildlife officials in Kenya say 15 elephants found dead this month in Amboseli National Park were likely poisoned by cyanide after eating tomatoes contaminated with pesticides from nearby farms, in one of the deadliest single elephant poisoning incidents recorded in the country in recent years. Wildlife officials in Kenya confirmed on Thursday that 15 elephants found dead earlier this month in Amboseli National Park were likely killed by cyanide poisoning. Authorities believe the toxin originated from pesticides used on farms bordering the park, which sits near the Tanzanian border and is renowned for its elephant herds. Preliminary laboratory tests have…

Local fishermen joined the Hellenic Coast Guard in a dramatic sea rescue operation to save dozens of tourists stranded on beaches along Crete’s southern coast, as deadly wildfires swept across the Greek island and killed three firefighters. Local fishermen played a critical role in rescuing dozens of terrified holidaymakers stranded on Crete’s beaches, as devastating wildfires tore across the Greek island during the peak of summer season. Footage captured the moment locals braved rough seas to evacuate tourists trapped along the coastline, with the sky turning ominous shades of orange and black as a fleet of coast guard vessels and…

A new survey has revealed that parents spend the equivalent of almost three full working weeks each school year driving their children to extracurricular activities, adding further pressure to households already grappling with rising back-to-school costs. Parents are losing a staggering number of minutes every year ferrying their children to activities designed to keep them active and engaged, according to a new survey. Soccer, baseball, music lessons, dance, chess and visits to friends’ houses all form part of the typical family routine, and a survey conducted by Talker Research has now totalled up the time parents spend behind the wheel…

Three maintenance workers were left dangling 70 feet above the ground in Rio de Janeiro after ferocious winds sent their suspended platform crashing repeatedly into a high-rise tower, before they managed to scramble to safety through an apartment balcony. Three terrified workers were left clinging to a suspended platform 70 feet above the ground after powerful winds sent it slamming repeatedly into a high-rise building in Rio de Janeiro. The men were battered by gusts topping 62mph as their platform, known as a gondola or Building Maintenance Unit (BMU), was hurled violently against the Apple Bali tower at the Barra…

Rosie O’Donnell has reflected on her infamous 2007 on-air clash with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, describing their fractured friendship as the most difficult relationship from her time on The View, while naming Joy Behar as her favourite co-host and closest remaining friend from the show. Rosie O’Donnell has revisited her explosive falling-out with former The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, describing it as the most “problematic” relationship from her time on the daytime talk show. Speaking to People, the 64-year-old comedian, who appeared on the programme across two separate stints, from September 2006 to May 2007, and again from September 2014 to February…

Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot is set to turn down a lucrative approach from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli to replace Matthias Jaissle, who is departing for Newcastle, as the Dutchman remains focused on securing a top job in European club football. Arne Slot is preparing to reject a lucrative offer to manage in Saudi Arabia, with the former Liverpool head coach determined to remain within European club football. Al Ahli had identified Slot as their top target to replace Matthias Jaissle, who is set to take over at Newcastle United, and were reportedly ready to make him a formal…

Official figures show more than 70,000 prisoners in England and Wales have been released early under the Government’s emergency SDS40 scheme, introduced in September 2024 to relieve severe overcrowding across the prison estate. More than 70,000 prisoners have been released early from jails in England and Wales under a Government scheme designed to tackle prison overcrowding. According to figures published by the Ministry of Justice, 70,066 inmates had been freed under the policy by the end of March 2026. The scheme, formally known as Standard Determinate Sentence 40 (SDS40), was introduced as an emergency measure on 10 September 2024, just…

Four people have died after being found aboard an overcrowded boat during a French rescue operation in the English Channel, on a day that saw around 500 migrants make the crossing to the UK across 11 separate boats. Four migrants have been found dead on a small boat in the English Channel this morning, French coastguard authorities have confirmed. The deaths occurred during a rescue operation after the vessel, which was overcrowded, got into difficulty, with other passengers on board rescued. The tragedy came on one of the busiest days for Channel crossings this summer, with GB News confirming that…

The Metropolitan Police will not pursue action against Green Party leader Zack Polanski over an Instagram image he shared showing a T-shirt referencing Nigel Farage’s execution, it has been reported, following calls from Reform UK for him to be arrested. The Metropolitan Police will not be taking action against Zack Polanski over a social media post that showed a T-shirt appearing to depict the execution of Nigel Farage, it has been reported. The Green Party leader had faced calls for his arrest after sharing the image, which Reform UK said it had reported to police as an incitement to violence.…