The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Rail services cut on West of England line after dry weather impacts

South Western Railway will halve trains between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids from 10 August because dry weather has caused clay soil shrinkage on the West of England line.

5 min read

A South Western Railway train passes parched vegetation.

What does Neet mean and why are there so many in the UK?

More than one million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK are classed as Neet, with officials and a review warning of a lost generation without urgent support.

7 min read

A young man looks at his phone while sitting at a computer in his home. He looks weary.

Funeral director accused of leaving baby's remains on floor for two years

A Hull court heard emotional testimony from families after 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes were found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.

5 min read

Courtroom sketch of Robert Bush in a dark three-piece suit standing alone against a plain brown background. He wears a light-coloured shirt and a purple tie. The illustration is rendered in soft pencil and pastel tones.

Urgent inquiry launched after 14 elephants die near Kenya’s Amboseli

An urgent inquiry is under way after 14 elephants died near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, with experts testing carcasses to find the cause.

2 min read

A family of elephants walking together with a giraffe to the right crossing in background in Amboseli National Park - 2025

Chairman stole £22k from football club to fund cocaine habit

Former junior football club chairman Karl Morecroft stole £22,491 from RTB Ebbw Vale, faked HMRC documents and was handed a suspended jail term.

4 min read

Karl coming out of court. He has short brown hair and a groomed moustache and beard. He has a black top on and grey jeans. he holds his phone in his left hand.

Virgin Atlantic engineer dies after Heathrow maintenance accident

A Virgin Atlantic engineer has died after being injured during maintenance work on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Heathrow on 11 June. Police and the HSE are investigating.

3 min read

A large white passenger plane in flight. It carries red Virgin Atlantic branding.

Funeral held for 'devoted mum' killed in level crossing crash

The funeral has taken place for Kerry Coombes, 33, who was killed when a train struck her car on a level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire, on 25 June.

3 min read

Head and shoulders of a woman in her early 30s with long, brown hair and brown eyes and wearing a black coat with a dark brown fur hood, stands in front of a window smiling at the camera.

Police release 28 more images after Celtic title victory trouble

Police investigating disorder after Celtic’s title win have released 28 more images of supporters they want to speak to. Two officers were seriously injured and three people needed hospital treatment.

2 min read

Celtic fans took over the Trongate area of Glasgow after winning the league title

Man convicted of murdering two men found in Cornish woodland

James Desborough has been found guilty of murdering two men he met in a homeless shelter. He had already admitted preventing their lawful burial and is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

2 min read

More than 40 people have died on NI roads this year

A senior police officer has described fatalities on Northern Ireland's roads as "carnage" after the number of deaths this year reached 42.

2 min read

Ch Supt Norman Haslett is standing on the side of a road. He is wearing a PSNI cap and a yellow high viz jacket with a body vest. There's a walkie-talkie attacked to his vest. He has medals on his lapels. Fields are in the background. Some cars are passing. A tripod with a camera attached is to his side.

Powell says student loan system is top priority

Lucy Powell says student loans are a top priority as education secretary, backing criticism of Plan 2 interest rates and saying the issue must be reviewed for fairness.

3 min read