Thames Water faces collapse as crisis talks take ‘longer than expected’

UK ministers are working towards finalizing a youth mobility scheme with the EU by the end of 2026, which would allow tens of thousands of young British and European citizens to live and work in each other's countries. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reset Britain's relationship with Europe following its exit from the EU six years ago.

A report by the RSPB reveals a significant increase in street names in Britain inspired by declining bird species, with names like Skylark Lane and Swift Avenue rising by 350% for skylarks, 156% for starlings, and 104% for lapwings from 2004 to 2024. This trend occurs despite the alarming decline in the actual populations of these birds in the wild.

Record heat and drought in 2025 have resulted in an estimated £800 million loss for UK arable farmers, marking one of the worst harvests on record. This situation has raised concerns among farmers about their ability to sustain their livelihoods in an increasingly volatile climate.

Thames Water has reported a return to profitability, attributed to recent increases in water bills, which have provided sufficient cash flow to sustain operations into the first quarter of next year. This development comes amidst ongoing financial challenges faced by the company.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for the alliance to equip Ukraine with the necessary tools to safeguard its sovereignty during a meeting of NATO and EU foreign ministers. This statement follows a UN General Assembly resolution urging Russia to return Ukrainian children and coincides with a new defense pact announced by Britain and Norway.