Donna Ferguson

Nicola Sturgeon says she has not spoken to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, since he began serving a five-year prison sentence for embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party. Speaking during a podcast recording at the Edinburgh festival fringe, Sturgeon said Murrell concealed his guilty plea negotiations and continued to lie to her until the day he admitted the crime. She said she will neither visit nor speak to him, and described coming to terms with discovering that she did not know him as a difficult process for herself and her family. Murrell spent party funds on items including a motorhome, vehicles, cosmetics, iPads and expensive household goods. Sturgeon has denied knowing about his crimes, was not charged following a police investigation, and acknowledged that retaining him as SNP chief executive after becoming party leader was an error of judgment.

Iranian missile and drone attacks across Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain killed two US troops and left one missing as US forces carried out a seventh night of strikes on Iranian targets. Kuwait and Bahrain reported damage to civilian infrastructure and activated emergency measures, while the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Iran’s actions as war crimes. Iran claimed to have targeted US military sites and halted ships in the strait of Hormuz, accusations the US denied. US strikes hit Iranian surveillance and military infrastructure, with Iran reporting dozens killed and widespread power disruptions. Iranian officials warned of full-scale offensive operations if US attacks continue.

Jens Spahn resigned as chair of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union after he and his husband used a surrogate mother in the US, contradicting the party’s firm opposition to surrogacy and his own previous criticism of the practice. The revelation prompted accusations of hypocrisy from CDU members and other politicians, intensifying pressure on him to step down. Spahn acknowledged that prioritizing his family was incompatible with his political role, while CDU leader Friedrich Merz called the resignation necessary to preserve political credibility.

Riot police clashed with thousands of protesters in Erfurt attempting to block delegates from attending the AfD’s national conference, held on the centennial of a Nazi party gathering in nearby Weimar. Around 20,000 demonstrators organized blockades, causing disruptions but failing to prevent the meeting, which began on time with most delegates present. Protesters and politicians condemned the timing of the conference and accused the AfD of promoting extremist policies, while party leaders defended their right to assemble and criticized the demonstrators. The event occurred ahead of key regional elections where the AfD hopes to gain state-level power for the first time.

Inspectors from the Human Tissue Authority found eight bodies in advanced decomposition at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust due to insufficient mortuary freezer capacity and failures in identification procedures. The issue surfaced after the family of Harriet Hawkins raised concerns about the condition of her body, prompting scrutiny that fed into a major review by Donna Ockenden detailing systemic failures across the trust’s maternity services. Chief executive Anthony May apologised, citing ongoing corrective actions and enhanced oversight. Nottinghamshire Police, through Operation Perth, arrested two men on suspicion of misconduct related to mortuary practices as part of a broader investigation into maternity service failures.

A 15-year-old boy, Archie Law, rescued two men who fell from an inflatable toy boat off Broadford Bay on the Isle of Skye after spotting them drifting and cold. He reached them before the RNLI crew, who later confirmed the men were safely returned to shore. RNLI officials praised the teenager and reiterated warnings against using inflatable toys in open water, stressing safety measures and cold water shock risks amid an ongoing heatwave.

The driver killed in the Bedford train collision was identified as Shaun Burton, a 60‑year‑old East Midlands Railway employee remembered by family, colleagues and unions as dedicated and well‑liked. More than 100 people were injured in the crash between Corby and Nottingham services, and major disruption on the Bedford–Luton line is expected to continue for at least a week while investigators work and damaged trains are removed. Network Rail and emergency services outlined ongoing repair efforts, while local residents assisted stranded passengers as investigations by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch continue.

David Hockney’s funeral was held privately in accordance with his wishes, attended only by his partner and great‑nephew. Memorial services are planned in London, Yorkshire, Paris and Los Angeles, and much of his private art collection will be donated to foundations and public institutions. Tributes highlighted his artistic impact, and demand for his work surged at Art Basel following his death.

Great white pelicans have bred successfully in St James’s Park for the first time in more than 360 years, with four chicks hatching in May. Staff attribute the rare breeding event to the group of six adult pelicans forming nests shortly after being released from avian flu precautions. Wildlife experts from multiple UK institutions are helping care for the rapidly growing chicks, and visitors are being asked to avoid disturbing them during their vulnerable early months.

An amber extreme heat warning has been issued for southern England and south‑east Wales as temperatures are forecast to reach the mid‑30s, accompanied by tropical nights and isolated thunderstorms. Health authorities warn of increased risks to older people and those with medical conditions, as well as a heightened danger of water‑related incidents. Safety officials urge caution around open water, and breakdown services anticipate higher demand due to heat‑related vehicle issues. Botanic gardens report stress on sensitive plants and are taking measures to manage heat and maintain humidity levels amid rising temperatures linked to the climate crisis.

The Scottish Conservatives captured Aberdeen South from the SNP in a byelection marked by a significant swing and low turnout. Douglas Lumsden campaigned heavily on protecting North Sea oil and gas, a message reinforced by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who framed the vote as a referendum on energy security. SNP leaders acknowledged the impact of tactical voting, while additional context pointed to internal challenges and recent scandals affecting the party. The SNP held a separate seat in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, but the loss in Aberdeen South signaled voter discontent and strategic setbacks for the party.

Experts at Trinity College in Cambridge have recreated a 17th‑century garden first planted by naturalist John Ray, using historical records to identify species he cultivated. The project highlights Ray’s contributions to botany and coincides with the 400th anniversary of his birth. Located beneath Isaac Newton’s former rooms, the site is also linked to his early laboratory work. The restored garden emphasizes local, resilient, and pollinator‑friendly plants, reflecting both historical fidelity and modern ecological priorities.

The Biodiversity Heritage Library hosts more than 64 million digitized pages of global scientific and historical biodiversity literature, offering vital resources to researchers, educators and the public. Its collections range from medieval botanical manuscripts to illustrated field journals and rare species records, enabling discoveries such as shifts in orchid distribution after Australia's wildfires. Despite its scientific importance, the library’s future is uncertain after the Smithsonian withdrew administrative and technical support, leaving funding only through 2027. Advocates emphasize the library’s potential to expand with AI, improved text recognition and multilingual access, and call for support to keep it freely available.

Jeremy Clarkson revealed he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer last summer, discovered early after medical checks, and documented in the final episodes of the fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm. He underwent surgery to remove affected tissue and appeared in hospital scenes discussing the seriousness of his condition. Prostate Cancer UK thanked him for increasing awareness, noting many men in the UK are diagnosed too late. Health experts highlighted risk factors and encouraged men to seek PSA testing through their GPs as prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men in the country.

Scientists have determined that the Giant’s Causeway formed during a major volcanic event about 60 million years ago, with new geochronology showing the relevant activity lasted 5.5 million years—significantly shorter than previously believed. The research links volcanic formations across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Greenland to the same event, establishing a unified geological timeline. Findings connect the Causeway’s basalt columns with similar formations in locations such as Staffa, Skye and Rùm, redefining the regional volcanic history and placing the site within a broader global context.

A study led by the University of Edinburgh found that people in the UK with hypermobility spectrum disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome wait up to 21 years for diagnosis, with the longest delays in Wales and Northern Ireland. Respondents reported chronic pain, joint dislocations, gastrointestinal issues and high levels of anxiety and depression, alongside major impacts on education and employment. Many travelled outside their region for diagnosis. Government spokespersons acknowledged the challenges and highlighted efforts to improve diagnostic pathways and clinical awareness.

A federal judge’s ruling that Donald Trump’s name had been illegally added to the Kennedy Center led to its removal overnight in Washington DC after last‑minute appeals failed. Crowds gathered as workers took down the lettering following a legal challenge by Representative Joyce Beatty. The court affirmed that only Congress can rename the venue and temporarily blocked Trump’s separate effort to close the center for renovations. The Justice Department’s attempts to delay compliance, citing safety concerns, were rejected. The dispute unfolded amid broader efforts by Trump to reshape Washington during his second term, including construction plans that have also faced court intervention.

David Hockney, one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists, died at 88 after a six-decade career marked by innovation across painting, photography, collage and digital media. Tributes from figures including Tracey Emin, Keir Starmer and King Charles highlighted his originality, charm and global impact. Institutions such as Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Pompidou Centre praised his enduring legacy and confirmed upcoming exhibitions. Born in Bradford and emerging as a defining pop artist of the 1960s, he later explored new technologies, redefined perspectives through photocollage, and produced iconic works such as Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures). He is survived by his partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima and extended family.

Three Royal Navy personnel, including the UK’s only serving female naval commando, Lt Lily‑Mae Fisher, died when a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Sourton Down, Devon. Poor weather conditions accompanied the crash, which destroyed the aircraft and is now under investigation by the Ministry of Defence. Tributes were issued by defence leaders, political figures and the royal family, while an eyewitness described hearing engine failure before a flash and explosion. The incident follows a similar Merlin Mk4 crash in 2024 that killed Lt Rhodri Leyshon.

Bob Harris is stepping down from BBC Radio 2 after 30 years due to worsening health following the spread of prostate cancer to his spine. He thanked listeners for their long‑standing support and said he must now focus on recovery. BBC colleagues praised his decades-long influence in music broadcasting, highlighting his roles on The Country Show, Sounds of the 70s and The Old Grey Whistle Test. Harris’s final shows aired earlier in the year, and Shaun Keaveny will take over Sounds of the 70s.

Documentary photographer Polly Braden spent a year working with young people in coastal communities across England and Wales to highlight their resilience, creativity and the challenges they face due to deprivation, austerity and limited opportunities. Her images form the basis of a new touring exhibition produced in collaboration with Guardian Seascape, featuring portraits, participant-made postcards and a film about youth culture in Blackpool. The project emphasizes the importance of sustained engagement, access to youth services and greater attention from policymakers to support young people on the socioeconomic margins of the UK coastline.

Legislation before the House of Lords would allow social landlords in England to evict domestic abuse perpetrators without requiring victims to leave and would let courts transfer joint tenancies to survivors. The bill also raises the tenancy requirement for right-to-buy eligibility from three to ten years, protects new and rural social homes from sale for decades, and restores councils’ ability to repurchase properties. Additional provisions remove unused measures from the 2016 Housing and Planning Act. Supporters, including domestic abuse advocates and Keir Starmer, frame the changes as addressing long-term underinvestment and improving security for social tenants.