The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Hundreds of dead fish linked to heatwave in Norwich river

Hundreds of fish have died in Norwich’s River Wensum, with officials linking the incident to heatwave conditions and contamination from surface water drainage after heavy rainfall.

4 min read

A large dead fish on the river bank, possibly a carp, surrounded by smaller fish. The grass of the riverbank is visible to the right.

Suffolk heathland fire stabilises as National Trust launches fundraiser

A Suffolk heathland blaze affecting RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath is now stable, with crews still tackling hotspots as recovery begins.

4 min read

Blackened vegetation from a burnt-out heathland. Four burnt trees can be seen, and wisps of white smoke rise from the ground.

Rhun ap Iorwerth yn galw am wersi ar ôl llifogydd Gwaelod-y-garth

Dywedodd Rhun ap Iorwerth fod angen ymchwiliad cyflym a thrylwyr i'r llifogydd yng Ngwaelod-y-garth, wrth iddo ymweld â thrigolion a galw am wersi i'w dysgu.

4 min read

How to check how clean the sea is before swimming

A guide to checking sea water quality in the UK, including official ratings, sewage spill alerts, Blue Flag beaches and local testing efforts in Devon and Cornwall.

6 min read

Two men in wetsuits are walking into the sea at Bude, Cornwall. they are both holding surf boards and

Scientist's lifelong search ends with discovery of rare pink-striped seaweed

After 40 years, Prof Christine Maggs has helped identify a tiny pink-striped seaweed from Cornish maerl beds as a new species.

7 min read

Woman scientific diver exploring a Cornish maerl bed surrounded by other seaweeds stretching up around her.

El Niño forecast to intensify, raising heat and drought risks worldwide

The World Meteorological Organization warned that a strengthening El Niño from August to October could worsen heat, drought and flooding, threaten India’s monsoon and affect weather worldwide.

5 min read

People wade through a flooded street and a man pushes a stalled motor rickshaw

England and Wales on track for driest July on record

England and Wales are on course for their driest July on record after relentless heatwaves, with drought declared in large parts of the UK and wildfire risk rising.

7 min read

A cricket match on a yellow-brown, dry outfield with a green square

Hedgehog road deaths could devastate small populations

A Nottingham Trent University study found road collisions killed 15% to 29% of hedgehogs in four Nottinghamshire populations, with smaller groups especially at risk.

1 min read

Close up of a hedgehog as it moves through grass

Campfire likely sparked rare Isle of Wight habitat blaze

A National Trust ranger says a campfire almost certainly sparked a five-day blaze at Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, damaging nine hectares of rare habitat.

5 min read

A man standing in a scorched heathland after a wild fire

Danube low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant

Hungary's only nuclear plant is set to shut down as record-low Danube levels prevent cooling, while Romania also faces reactor disruption amid a widespread European heatwave.

5 min read