Will Stone

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to return to the UK for an extended period, with their children expected to attend a British school. US sources attribute part of the move to the couple’s reported disillusionment with Donald Trump and his administration, while critics question their finances and motives. The return could revive their relationship with the British public and King Charles, but their status as private, non-working members of the Royal Family is expected to remain unchanged. Questions also remain over whether UK taxpayers will cover their substantial security costs, amid Harry’s continuing legal dispute with the Home Office.

The number of prison officers disciplined for inappropriate relationships with prisoners or former inmates in England and Wales rose from 12 in 2017/18 to 32 in 2024/25. The cases reportedly often involved inexperienced female staff and, in some instances, led to drugs being smuggled into prisons or mobile-phone rules being ignored. Former prison governor Ian Acheson attributed the problem to inadequate recruitment, training, staffing and supervision, while the Ministry of Justice said such relationships were unacceptable and that offending staff would face the toughest action.

A Nutella-commissioned study finds that music is a central part of many Britons' morning routines, with 87% saying it makes them and their families feel more energised and 58% using it to create a positive breakfast atmosphere. Queen's “Don't Stop Me Now” tops the resulting feel-good playlist, followed by ABBA's “Dancing Queen” and Katrina and the Waves' “Walking on Sunshine.” Pop is the most popular genre, while psychologists suggest upbeat music may improve mood, motivation and stress levels. DJ Spoony has partnered with Nutella's Summer Breakfast Club and temporarily adopted the name “DJ TeaSpoony” to promote the findings.

Daniel Kinahan is being extradited from Dubai to Ireland to face trial after being identified by Dublin’s High Court as a senior figure in an organised crime gang. Irish authorities are preparing an extensive security operation involving rooftop snipers, bomb-proof transport vans and prison signal jammers. Kinahan is alleged to be linked to international drug trafficking and firearms offences, while Irish and UAE officials say the extradition demonstrates their commitment to the rule of law and cross-border judicial cooperation.

UK pubs, restaurants, private members’ clubs and theatres are banning Meta’s £359 smart glasses because their embedded cameras could enable people to record others without consent. Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin said the glasses appear to breach common pub rules against filming customers or employees, while restaurateur Jeremy King and Soho House also supported restrictions. ATG Theatres said wearers would be asked to remove them during performances. Meta defended the glasses, highlighting their music, translation and hands-free calling features and an always-on capture LED that blinks during recording and disables the camera if obstructed.

BP reported second-quarter profits of $5.73 billion (£4.2 billion), more than double the previous year’s figure and its strongest quarterly result in four years, as conflict-related volatility lifted energy prices. The increase, alongside stronger results from Shell and ExxonMobil, prompted criticism from Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, which accused oil companies of profiting while households face high energy bills and climate-related harm. Donald Trump also criticized energy firms for making excessive profits during the Iran war and called for some of the gains to be returned to the public.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is to work from No 10 North in Manchester once a week, making him the first UK prime minister to operate regularly outside London and Whitehall. He will chair a National Economic Council meeting at the new Heron House facility, which is intended to drive economic growth and transfer decision-making power to local communities. Burnham and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said the move would address decades of centralisation, while Burnham argued that the initiative would also benefit regions beyond northern England, including the East of England and South West.