When a dairy cow miscarries, a farmer loses far more than an unborn calf. Feed has been grown, land and water used, and greenhouse gas released during the cow’s pregnancy but milk production, a future animal and income will be lost.

One of the most important of these greenhouse gases is methane. Methane is produced by microbes within a cow’s stomach during digestion (known as enteric-methane) and most of it is breathed out into the atmosphere. Instead, healthier animals are more productive, so the amount of methane they emit is associated with more milk or meat, reducing the emissions associated with each litre or kilogram produced.

My research focuses on diseases in farm animals such as cows, goats and sheep. In a recent peer-reviewed journal paper, my team and I examined evidence from livestock systems around the world. We found that preventing disease can improve growth, milk production, fertility and survival, often lowering the emissions associated with each litre of milk or kilogram of meat. However, the available evidence is not yet strong or consistent enough for animal health to be included confidently in climate policy.

Studies investigating greenhouse gas emissions in livestock make different assumptions and usually use estimations rather than directly measuring them. Building on ongoing research supported by the Global Methane Hub (an international philanthropic alliance formed from more than 20 major climate foundations), we developed a new project called Halow (Health Approaches for Lowering Livestock Emissions). Recently approved as a major international research initiative of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, it will test when improvements in animal health deliver genuine climate benefits.

There is no single way to transition to more sustainable livestock farming globally. Much of the debate in high-income countries focuses on eating less meat and dairy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, in low- and middle-income countries, demand for milk, meat and eggs is growing while access to diverse diets remains unequal.

The priorities for food production vary across different parts of the world. Wealthier countries looking to reduce excess consumption and total emissions, while many poorer countries need to improve access to nutritious food without allowing emissions to grow at the same rate. Livestock also provide income, savings, manure and power for farming. Preventing animals from dying or producing far below their potential could provide more food and income from resources already being used. That makes animal health part of a fairer climate response, but is not a licence for unrestricted expansion of livestock numbers.

What the losses mean

We previously calculated the potential impacts of reducing calf deaths and reducing pregnancy loss in livestock in our Kenya and Tanzania study.

Modelling data from farms in northern Tanzania, we calculated that cattle miscarriage increased emissions per kilogram of milk by 4% in Indigenous cattle and 15% in higher-yielding cattle. Including the losses from both cattle and goats, the estimated milk and meat protein lost was equivalent to the current annual animal-protein consumption of about 649,000 Tanzanians.

In the same paper, we looked at the productivity of local beef cattle in western Kenya, where 16% of calves died during their first year and most diagnosed deaths were linked to infection. At the current mortality rates, the protein loss was equivalent to the annual beef-protein consumption of about 4.5 million Kenyans.

Halving mortality to 8% reduced estimated enteric-methane emissions per kilogram of beef by 3.2%. However, as more calves survived, the herd produced more beef but also more enteric methane in total. The footprint of each kilogram became smaller, while emissions to the atmosphere increased.

This is not an argument for allowing calves to die. It is an argument for measuring food security, livelihood and climate outcomes together rather than assuming that improved efficiency guarantees an absolute reduction greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

From evidence to climate policy

Countries estimate livestock emissions from animal numbers and standardised figures. Better health can change milk yield, growth, fertility, mortality and the number of replacement animals needed, however existing methods don’t always capture these effects accurately.

The Halow platform allows scientists like us to compare interventions across farming systems. It enables researchers to evaluate which ones work, at what cost and whether they reduce total emissions or only emissions for each unit of food. It will consider who benefits and recognise that negative results will matter too.

Animal health will not solve the livestock sector’s climate impact on its own. However, leaving disease out of climate policy ignores emissions that don’t produce food or benefit livelihood. A fair livestock transition means reducing excess consumption where it is high, improving access to nutritious food where it is low, and cutting avoidable losses everywhere.

Passengers on a Ryanair flight allegedly passed out and threw up after being left in a sweltering cabin without air conditioning.

Flight FR7268 was due to leave Malta for Birmingham at 5.40pm on August 10, but did not depart until around 7pm.

Ryanair blamed the initial delay on a minor technical issue, with a passenger falling ill causing further disruption.

But the wait to board allegedly brought fresh problems, as passengers struggled in the extreme heat.

Eva Gregory, 16, claims she and her family spent around 30 minutes on a bus without air conditioning before being moved to another vehicle. 

She said they were then moved to a second bus, which apparently had only limited air conditioning, for approximately another 30 minutes. 

However, according to the airline, passengers were taken to the plane by bus and stayed in the vehicle for an extra ten minutes where air conditioning was available. 

The holidaymaker from Derby alleged passengers had to wait on the tarmac in the blazing heat for a further 20 minutes before boarding.

Holidaymakers were allegedly transported on a bus with limited air con before boarding the plane which apparently didn’t have air con until it took off

Eva claimed the cabin was still not air-conditioned when they boarded. She ended up experiencing nausea before having a panic attack as she watched the situation unfold around her.

‘When we boarded, it was immediately obvious the air conditioning was not on,’ Eva told NeedToKnow.

‘It was like walking into extreme heat. We got on the plane but were sitting and waiting in the heat with no air conditioning at all for over an hour.

‘All the passengers were extremely agitated and quite quickly became frustrated. People were taking their tops off because of the heat.’

Eva said she saw two passengers lose consciousness and claimed other travellers were being sick.

She added: ‘Two people passed out, although I’m not sure how many were throwing up.

‘I was experiencing the feeling of needing to throw up, but as I have a phobia of being sick, it gave me a panic attack.’

Eva continued: ‘They [the staff] didn’t even offer free bottles of water to anyone, even those experiencing medical emergencies.’

Eva said she saw two passengers lose consciousness and claimed other travellers were being sick

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According to Ryanair, the crew opened the onboard bars, allowing passengers to buy drinks and snacks if needed. 

Eva claimed the cabin crew tried to stop passengers from boarding until the issue had been addressed. 

She said: ‘The Ryanair cabin crew absolutely did their best. They were telling them not to let us onboard until the air conditioning was fixed.

‘The other workers did not listen to the cabin crew and then the crew were the ones dealing with passengers’ anger when it was not their fault.’

The air conditioning allegedly began working gradually after the aircraft became airborne.

Eva said: ‘The heat and witnessing medical emergencies made me feel uneasy. The whole situation makes me feel extremely angry.’

Footage shared online by Eva showed passengers standing in the cabin as crew appeared to attend to people on board.

According to Ryanair, the onboard bars were opened by crew so passengers could buy drinks and snacks (stock)

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Text over the video alleged people were ‘passing out, throwing up, crying and having panic attacks’.

A Ryanair spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘This flight from Malta to Birmingham (10 Aug) was delayed prior to departure due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft and subsequently became delayed after a passenger became ill onboard.

‘Following an inspection of the aircraft by engineers, the aircraft was cleared to operate, and this flight departed Malta at 7pm local.’

The Government sent the emergency alert on Friday evening, which began appearing on mobile devices from 7pm in “the most extensive use” of the UK’s mobile phone alert system.

The Government sent the emergency alert on Friday evening, which began appearing on mobile devices from 7pm.

Mr Burnham had earlier visited Stourbridge in the West Midlands, where a wildfire destroyed 19 homes on Thursday, the hottest day of the year so far.

The Stourbridge blaze spread across more than 500 acres, with the West Midlands Fire Service summoned to “hundreds and hundreds of incidents” throughout its patch, according to the area’s chief fire officer Simon Tuhill.

The message which appeared on mobile devices was “the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident”, Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said.

She said the decision to send the alert “reflects the seriousness with which the Government is acting to safeguard people and property”.

Ms Haigh continued: “During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires.

“By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe.”

“The Government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.”

Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary, said: “As well as supporting firefighters on the ground now, my department will hold a summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other key organisations to look at our future response.

“To the residents affected, particularly those who lost their homes and their life’s possessions to fire – we will work with the mayor and local leaders to make sure you are supported.”

The alert read: “There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally.

“Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.

“Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.

“Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999.”

Mr Burnham wrote on X: “This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. The request came directly from fire and rescue services.

“I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives.

“Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting.

“During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.

“Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions.

“We can all help them. Please take the emergency alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.”

The Prime Minister earlier announced a ban on disposable barbecues in England, Wales and Scotland has come into force “until further notice”.

He said: “The temporary ban on barbecues, disposable barThebecues, comes in today.

“All retailers will be receiving notification of that ban, and we ask them to, obviously, implement it in full until further notice when we can remove it.”

Following the wildfires on Winter Hill in 2018, fire wardens now patrol the area in a bid to prevent another such blaze breaking out.

Bolton Council has warned that strict rules to protect the open space, which attracts scores of visitors, remain in place, as major incidents across Greater Manchester serve as a reminder of the dangers of wildfires.

Those breaking the order face a hefty fine.

The One Show’s 20th anniversary special episode has been disrupted minutes after starting by a blasting Government alert about wildfires.

The BBC chat show was just beginning an extended hour-long anniversary special when hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp were drowned out by an alarm.

When introducing the segments set to air across the episode, Kemp was explaining how former host Christine Lampard was returning to the studio when the alarm could be heard on the broadcast.

While Kemp pushed through and kept speaking, Jones shook her head and raised her hands, before she said: “You couldn’t make that up could you. Is that a fire alarm?”

Kemp then faced someone off camera and asked: “Is there some sort of fire alarm?”

“We continue,” they both said, before running through the rest of the segment introductions before the alarm cut out and Kemp said: “Ok, it’s stopped”.

The noise was an emergency alert sent out to the phones of people across England and Wales to warn communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires.

The alert, which were sent on a rolling basis from 7pm, warned people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.

Recipients have also been urged to report any fire immediately by calling 999.

Following the airing of a segment, Kemp then told viewers: “As you will probably be aware that was actually a wildfire alert on everyone’s phones.

“You would have heard it on the opening of our show, but as always we hope everyone is staying safe, of course.”

Later in the show presenters Clara Amfo and Angellica Bell also faced disruption.

When presenting a segment outside, an ambulance could be heard driving past with its sirens on, nearly drowning the presenters out for about 15 seconds as they tried to speak.

Elsewhere during the episode, the event celebrated the long-running show, speaking to former presenters, guests and people who have been assisted by the programme.

While being reunited with some people she helped in past episodes, Bell broke down in tears, with Jones declaring: “Angellica doesn’t cry often, so that’s a result!”

The episode also looked back at celebrity interviews and past musical performances from artists including Harry Styles, Elton John, Olivia Dean, Stormzy and Take That.

Wrapping up the show, Jones then asked to share a message with viewers, in which she said: “A huge thank you to the team and crew who work relentlessly hard on this programme to make it a brilliant show for all of you every day.

“Thank you for all of the guests for entertaining us, being so generous with their time and just being all-round nice people. Thank you to all of my co-hosts over the years. I’ve been so lucky to sit next to all of them.

She added: “Lastly, thank you to all of you at home. You are the most important people in all of this. Thank you for being with us every weekday. It’s a real privilege for us all to be with you all at seven every night.”

The episode then ended with a performance from Tom Grennan.

By WILL GRIFFEE

Published: 17:49 BST, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 20:21 BST, 14 August 2026

Confusion broke out across England and Wales tonight as millions received an emergency wildfire alert. 

The alert was sent to mobile phones across the country at 7pm today warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks. 

It is the largest ever use of the technology since the emergency alert system was introduced in 2023. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told members of the public to take the warning ‘seriously’, and said it was triggered at the request of firefighters. 

He wrote on X: ‘This evening, an Emergency Alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. The request came directly from Fire and Rescue Services. 

‘I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives. Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting. 

‘Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions. We can all help them. Please take the Emergency Alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.’

The emergency alert warned that even small flames could ‘rapidly develop into a major wildfire’. 

The alert interrupted BBC1’s The One Show as the alarm sounded at the beginning of the programme. 

The alert interrupted BBC1’s The One Show as the alert sounded throughout the programme 

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Host Alex Jones, who clearly did not know the alarm would be issued, said: ‘You couldn’t make that up could you.

‘I think that’s the fire alarm…I’m doing my best to keep a straight face.’

Panic erupted in a Wetherspoons pub in Wales after English drinkers received the Government Alert about the risk of wildfires in Welsh and couldn’t read it.

Richard Williams, 77, was enjoying a pint with his wife in The Picture House in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, where just 18 per cent of the country’s population speak Welsh.

A minuscule 0.2 per cent of the Welsh population speak no English at all.

English drinkers in the pub couldn’t read the announcement and pandemonium ensued as drinkers desperately attempted to find Welsh speakers to translate it for them. 

Richard, a retired photographer, said: ‘People were relaxing on a Friday night in Wetherspoons when all of a sudden all hell broke loose.

‘Every phone in the pub omitted an almighty beep as the government alert landed – but no one in the pub had a clue what it meant as it was in Welsh.

‘We all knew it was a serious warning, but about what? A natural disaster? A terrorist attack?

‘People started running around in panic, in a desperate bid to find a Welsh speaker to translate the message.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (centre) walks with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (right) as he talks to Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill (left) during a visit to Stourbridge this afternoon

Around 100 firefighters tackled the inferno which broke out near Stourbridge golf course

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‘Eventually, after about ten minutes, the English version arrived, but it felt a very long time.

‘A lot of people in the pub are holidaymakers and so were doubly confused.

‘Why not have it in both Welsh and English?

‘It makes absolutely no sense. My wife and I are English but spend a lot of time in Wales.

‘We speak a little Welsh, but not enough to understand the message.

‘It caused a lot of needless panic.’

Social media users came out in droves to share their confusion as the alarm sounded this evening. 

Even if a mobile phone was set to silent, the alarm would make a loud noise. 

Smoke continues to rise from Stourbridge this morning after the devastating wildfires

The blaze in Stourbridge forced some people to flee after it started tearing through homes

One X user said: ‘I almost knocked my drink down… About five phone went off simultaneously.’

Another wrote: ‘They just used the nuclear warfare alarm over a barbecue.’ 

A third shared: ‘Mate that alarm man, thought my phone was going to explode’. 

One X user said: ‘Thanks government. I really needed three panic alarm alerts telling me not to have a f***** BBQ.’ 

Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said: ‘In response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires, the Government has taken the decision to issue an emergency alert to England and Wales.

‘This is the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the Government is acting to safeguard people and property.

‘During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires.

An aerial view of the remains of a home on Brunswick Gate in Stourbridge this morning 

‘By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe.’

‘The Government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.’

Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary, said: ‘As well as supporting firefighters on the ground now, my department will hold a summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other key organisations to look at our future response.

‘To the residents affected, particularly those who lost their homes and their life’s possessions to fire – we will work with the mayor and local leaders to make sure you are supported.’

Mr Burnham had earlier visited Stourbridge in the West Midlands, where a wildfire destroyed 19 homes on Thursday, the hottest day of the year so far. 

The Stourbridge blaze spread across more than 500 acres, with the West Midlands Fire Service summoned to ‘hundreds and hundreds of incidents’ throughout its patch, according to the area’s chief fire officer Simon Tuhill. 

Fire chiefs were investigating whether A-level students lighting barbecues to celebrate their results started a wildfire that destroyed six homes on a millionaires’ row. 

The government today called in the army and banned disposable barbecues to help tackle wildfires as ‘tinderbox’ Britain continued to swelter in a heatwave today. 

Paramedics treated 54 people in the West Midlands, with 19 admitted to hospital, after several wildfires broke out yesterday during Britain’s fifth warmest day on record.

Charred land and burnt houses this morning following the huge wildfire in Stourbridge

Emergency services are looking into reports that the fires could be linked to Year 13 students lighting barbecues and burning notepads after receiving their exam scores.

A TikTok craze sees some youngsters film themselves lighting up paperwork, with fire investigators now considering whether the activity could have caused the chaos.

West Midlands Fire Service confirmed the rumours were shared with fire crews, who have so far found no direct evidence to support the theory but remain open-minded.

Mr Burnham told reporters in Stourbridge this afternoon: ‘Britain is a tinderbox right now, and please just have that in your mind. We’re going to go into the rest of the weekend… This is not over by any means. We’ve got 37 fires smouldering around the country, so it could be more. So please bear that in mind at all times.’ 

Around 100 firefighters were tackling the inferno which broke out near Stourbridge Golf Course, obliterating 40 acres of land. Golfers are said to have fled in their carts.

Residents said ash was ‘raining down’ amid the ‘very strong’ smoke.

Elsewhere, a train derailment in Sussex on a Southern service near Lewes that saw 150 people evacuated and two seriously hurt may also have been a result of the heat.

Another train derailed on the Greater Anglia network near Wickford in Essex today, although no one on board the service from Southend Victoria to London was injured.

Extremely hot weather will continue in south-east England, East Anglia, Lincolnshire and the Midlands today with a high of 35.3C at Frittenden in Kent this afternoon. That made today the tenth day in 2026 where temperatures have reached at least 35C (95F). 

Friday is provisionally a record-breaking tenth day in 2026 where temperatures have exceeded 35C (95F) or more, according to the Met Office.

Frittenden, near Ashford in Kent, was among the hottest places, where temperatures reached 35.3C.

Heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in place until 10am on Saturday across London, the South East, the South West, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. 

This is a breaking news story.  

Brad Botcherby, from Gateshead, says his love of the high street bakery inspired him to turn a vague idea for a garden bar into something more unique.

The 30-year-old joiner, known online as ‘The Geordie Joiner’, is so obsessed with Greggs that he visits his local chain every day.

He decided to bring the chain’s distinctive blue-and-white branding to a garden bar he has been dreaming up for a long time.

The new garden bar is filled with bakery-themed decorations and souvenirs, including cushions shaped like Greggs pastries and funky AI-generated artwork of King Charles enjoying a steak bake.

Inside Brad’s Gregg’s themed bar. (Image: North News)

Brad documented the build online to his 60,000 TikTok followers.

He said: “I absolutely love Greggs. It’s just so easy isn’t it? It’s cheap and great for when I’m out on the go. There’s one practically on every corner in the North East.

“My favourite things to get are the sausage, bean and cheese melt and the corned beef bake.

“I usually get six or seven things at a time when I go.

“I had wanted to build a bar in my garden for a while, and thought a Greggs-themed one would be brilliant.”

The idea came together after somebody offered him a spare Greggs shop sign that would have gone to waste.

Brad said: “Initially, we were just creating a normal bar – but because I do a lot of videos about Greggs someone got in touch and said they had a spare shop sign from doing out one of the shops that was just going to go in the skip.

“That’s where the idea came from and we wanted to carry the theme throughout.”

Brad’s Gregg’s themed bar. (Image: North News)

The finished bar also includes a mini fireplace, television, retro radio, sofa and a display dedicated to Newcastle United as well.

Brad’s videos have gone viral, with one of his recent TikTok’s showing off his Greggs cushions racking up over 10,000 likes, and praise from other Greggs enthusiasts calling it a “fantastic use of adult money.”

Brad said: “Everyone who has seen it thinks it’s brilliant. I don’t think anyone else has anything like what we have, which makes it quite niche.”

For a man who admits he visits Greggs every day, it may just be the ultimate way to enjoy a sausage roll.

The high-flying academic at the centre of a Cambridge University plagiarism row has been found dead.

Professor Jason Arday was found unresponsive at a London address shortly after 3pm on Friday.

It comes after a tumultuous few weeks in which fellow dons had questioned if the 41-year-old academic’s work was original.

It had also prompted an examination of his previous academic posts.

As questions mounted from academics, journalists and broadcasters, Arday resigned his prestigious role.

He had been Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, having been appointed a professor of sociology of education in March 2023.

But after a succession of questions about his past achievements, he quit on August 5.

Cambridge University announced it had ‘begun an investigation following new information about Mr Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments’. Jesus College, where he was a fellow, also launched an investigation.

The high-flying academic father-of-two was ‘unresponsive’ at a London address 

When Arday resigned from his professorship and his fellowship, he said that this should not be ‘mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me’. He cited the ‘personal cost’ of the furore which he said had been ‘too great’. He also cancelled a series of events to promote his new memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which was released in the US this week.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm on Friday, August 14, following a report that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property.

‘Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

‘At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.’

The statement added: ‘The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’

Prof Arday, a married father-of-two, seemingly had the world at his feet in 2023 when he was appointed Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, with the appointment celebrated by the world’s media in which he was the subject of glowing profiles.

His rise was meteoric, given the childhood he has described.

Diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay, Prof Arday said he could not speak until he was 11 and could not read or write until he was 18.

In recent weeks, doubts were cast on his claims but the then-professor denied the accusations against him and disputed claims made about his past.

Many of the claims were connected to Arday’s work for good causes during which said he had raised £5million for charity through long distance running, including running 30 marathons in 35 days.

When he quit, Prof Arday said it was ‘with profound sadness’. He said his appointment had been ‘without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life’, adding: ‘To become the youngest Black professor in the University’s history was something I could scarcely have imagined as a child growing up with a diagnosis of autism, unable to speak until I was 11 years old.’

After days of questions from all quarters, he said: ‘There comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great. I have a family. I want to be present for them. I want to reclaim some peace, some privacy and some semblance of an ordinary life. I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight, where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgment.

‘For my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away.’

Prof Arday said: ‘This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge. Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me. It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.’

Amid the mounting questions over the truth, Cambridge University announced an inquiry. This week the university’s vice-chancellor said she understood the concerns raised by the appointment and shared them too.

In a letter to staff, Prof Deborah Prentice acknowledged the ‘anger and anxiety around this damaging and difficult case’.

The university head also announced Cambridge’s investigation would be independent and carried out by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge and will begin ‘as soon as possible’.

Hammersmith and Fulham, which owns the Grade II* listed bridge, had hoped to secure £300 million to fully restore the bridge, but a report by council officers said the Department for Transport (DfT) had instead recommended it apply for a “phased repair” to keep the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

The hospital will see three new arrivals introduced

Two popular food outlets are being closed at a Cambridge hospital as it looks to introduce new “healthier options”. The Burger King and Starbucks at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge will close to make way for new food services.

The changes were announced by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) on Thursday, August 13. The hospital will see three new arrivals to deliver a “wide range of options for patients, visitors and staff”, according to the trust.

A new Peabody’s Coffee, Baked Potato Co and Tortilla are set to open. The trust confirmed Burger King will close on Sunday, August 16 meanwhile Starbucks will close on Sunday, October 4.

It has also revealed the opening dates for the three new arrivals. Tortilla will open on Monday, September 28, Peabody’s Coffee will open in November and Baked Potato Co will open later in January 2027.

A spokesperson for CUH Trust said: “Following feedback, we are introducing new food outlets with greater choice, healthier options and new services, including digital ordering where available.”

Food and drink options will be available across the hospital during the changes. Some outlets will be temporarily closed while the works take place. Signage will help direct people to alternative outlets where needed.