Neil Shaw

The Met Office forecasts heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms across parts of the UK during the Bank Holiday weekend, with Northern Ireland, the North West and north-west Scotland expected to see some of the worst conditions. The unsettled weather is expected to be short-lived, with drier and warmer spells likely to return in September, particularly across southern areas. The forecast follows one of the UK's warmest and driest summers, during which five heatwaves and widespread hosepipe bans were reported.

UK salmonella cases linked to suspected imported eggs have risen to 259, including one death, as of August 25, 2026. The UK Health Security Agency has identified three genetically related clusters and is continuing its investigation with the Food Standards Agency and other public health agencies. Officials say the overall risk remains low and there is no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected, but babies, young children, pregnant women and older people are advised to eat only thoroughly cooked eggs in restaurants and cafés and to avoid dishes such as mousse, fresh mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce unless eggs meet approved British standards. Good food storage, cooking and hand hygiene are also advised.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast across much of England and Wales over the Bank Holiday weekend after significant flooding in parts of Birmingham. The Met Office has issued two yellow thunderstorm warnings, with some areas facing 50–75mm or more of rain, lightning and hail. Temperatures are expected to fall from highs of 27–28°C on Thursday to around 22–25°C through the weekend. Authorities have urged people to avoid flood water, while the unsettled conditions follow a period of exceptional heat and drought across England and Wales.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow and First Steps Nutrition Trust examined 298 commercial wet baby food products sold in UK supermarkets. They found that spouted pouches, which made up 60% of the products studied and were often marketed for babies under six months, generally contained less protein, more sugar and less energy than breast milk and other complementary foods. Many were considered nutritionally and texturally similar to sweet fruit smoothies, which the NHS does not recommend for babies under 12 months. The researchers called for tighter rules on the composition, labelling and marketing of baby food pouches, criticizing claims such as “no added sugar” when products contain free sugars from puréed fruit.

The article reports that country music star Dolly Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, although the specific cancer was not disclosed. It includes tributes from her publicist, nephew and Donald Trump, alongside background on Parton’s music, philanthropy and family. Radiation oncologist Jiri Kubes explains that persistent fatigue, a cough lasting more than a few weeks and unexplained weight loss can warrant medical assessment, while emphasizing that these symptoms usually have non-cancerous causes and that persistence or unusual changes—not isolated symptoms—should prompt consultation with a doctor.

Leaving a typical 150W desktop computer running continuously could add about £228.73 a year to electricity costs compared with using it for eight hours a day. GEEKOM estimates that switching off the computer, enabling sleep settings, reducing screen brightness and limiting peripheral use can reduce consumption. The article also compares lower-powered laptops and mini PCs, while noting that actual costs depend on usage and electricity tariffs.

Nutrition expert Lucy Kershaw recommends six affordable additions to a cholesterol-friendly diet: avocado, oily fish such as sardines or mackerel, chickpeas and other legumes, oats and barley, berries, and plant sterols. The foods are described as sources of unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fibre or compounds that may reduce cholesterol absorption. The guidance also advises limiting saturated-fat-rich red and processed meats, checking products for added sugar and salt, and consulting a GP before making major dietary changes or taking supplements, especially when using medication.

UK job vacancies fell in July for the first time in four months, with healthcare, nursing, hospitality, logistics, delivery, pubs and restaurants among the sectors recording weaker demand. Adzuna said the reversal was more than a temporary blip and that jobseekers now outnumber vacancies by more than a year ago. Teaching, travel, construction and manufacturing were exceptions, while the graduate jobs market continued to weaken.

The RAC expects around 20 million leisure car journeys during the summer bank holiday weekend, with Friday forecast to be the busiest and most congested day. INRIX identifies likely delays on sections of the M25, M5 and M1, while drivers are advised to travel before 10am, carry water and check tyres, oil and coolant. Higher petrol and diesel prices have led some motorists to cancel or reduce their plans. Green Flag anticipates increased breakdown demand, and Network Rail warns of major engineering-related disruption on several routes.