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London’s Ulez linked to healthier lung growth in children

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London’s Ulez linked to healthier lung growth in children

Seven years after London introduced its Ultra Low Emission Zone, researchers are moving beyond pollution readings to measure what cleaner air is doing to people’s health – with striking results for children’s lungs

When London introduced its Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in April 2019, the aim was to cut traffic pollution and protect the health of the people breathing it. For years, evidence of its impact has largely come from roadside monitors, exhaust emissions and changing vehicle numbers. Seven years on, researchers are increasingly able to measure something more tangible: what cleaner air appears to be doing to people’s bodies.

The latest findings come from a five-year study involving more than 3,400 primary school children in London and Luton. Researchers led by Queen Mary University of London recruited children aged six to nine from schools within or bordering the original central London Ulez and compared them with children in Luton, a similar urban area without a comparable clean-air zone.

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The children underwent annual lung-function tests between 2018 and 2022, allowing scientists to compare how their lungs developed before and after Ulez was introduced.

Before the scheme came into force, the London children had lower lung capacity than those in Luton and were exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a harmful pollutant strongly associated with vehicle exhausts. After 2019, however, NO₂ levels fell faster in London while the children’s lungs grew more rapidly.

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One key measure was FEV₁, the amount of air a person can forcibly breathe out in one second after taking a deep breath. At the beginning of the study, average FEV₁ was around 38ml lower among the London children. Over the following four years, annual growth was around 10ml greater than among children in Luton and, by the end of the study, the difference had effectively disappeared.

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A second measure, forced vital capacity (FVC), also improved faster among London children, although that gap had not completely closed.

Prof Chris Griffiths, one of the study’s senior authors at Queen Mary University of London, told the BBC he was “absolutely stunned” by the speed of the improvement.

“This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children’s stunted lung growth,” he said.

Prof Anna Hansell, of the University of Leicester, who was not involved in the research, said the improved lung function was “likely to have lifelong benefits for their health”, while cautioning that an observational study cannot prove that every difference between the London and Luton children was caused by Ulez.

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Initially covering central London, Ulez expanded to inner London in 2021 and across the capital in August 2023. Image: Alena Kravchenko

The findings mark a significant development in how the effects of the scheme can be assessed. Until relatively recently, most arguments over Ulez revolved around how far emissions had fallen, whether drivers were switching to cleaner vehicles and what pollution monitors were recording. Researchers are now beginning to build evidence of what those changes could mean for the people exposed to the air itself.

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Children are an especially revealing group because developing lungs are vulnerable to traffic pollution. Poor lung growth during childhood can persist into adulthood and is associated with increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease later in life.

The latest findings also follow earlier research from the same study suggesting that Ulez changed the way some children travelled. Researchers found that 42% of London children who had previously been driven to school switched to walking, cycling or public transport after the zone was introduced, compared with 20% of children in Luton. The shift towards active travel was particularly pronounced among children who lived further from school.

For Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, the consequences of London’s polluted air had already been devastatingly clear. Her nine-year-old daughter, Ella, died following an asthma attack in 2013 after years of exposure to high levels of pollution near the family’s home in Lewisham. In 2020, Ella became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death.

This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children’s stunted lung growth

Her mother has since campaigned for legally enforceable clean-air standards aligned with World Health Organization recommendations through the campaign known as Ella’s Law.

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Speaking to the BBC following publication of the new research, Adoo-Kissi-Debrah said the first steps towards improving London’s air through Ulez had “clearly been worth it”, while emphasising that further action was still needed.

London has made substantial progress on nitrogen dioxide since Ulez began. The capital passed the government’s national compliance assessment for the legal annual NO₂ limit for the first time in 2024, although some individual monitoring sites have continued to record concentrations above that level and UK limits remain considerably weaker than WHO guidelines. UK regulations allow an annual average of up to 40 µg/m³, compared with the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³.

Initially covering central London, Ulez expanded to inner London in 2021 and across the capital in August 2023. The policy has been politically contentious, particularly over the £12.50 daily charge levied on drivers of older, more polluting vehicles, with critics arguing that the cost could fall disproportionately on lower-income households and businesses.

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A five-year study involving more than 3,400 primary school children found significant improvement in children’s lung function following the introduction of Ulez. Image: Annandistock

Against that debate, the evidence of falling pollution has become increasingly substantial. City Hall estimates that roadside NO₂ concentrations across London in 2024 were 27% lower than they would have been without Ulez and its expansions. Across the capital more broadly, population-weighted NO₂ exposure fell by 41% between 2019 and 2024, while exposure to PM2.5 – tiny particles capable of entering the lungs and bloodstream – fell by 28%. Those wider reductions cannot be credited to Ulez alone, as other clean-air policies and changes took place over the same period.

Some of the largest gains have been recorded in communities that historically breathed London’s dirtiest air. City Hall analysis estimated that among some of the most deprived communities near busy roads, the number of people exposed to illegal pollution levels was around 80% lower than it would have been without Ulez.

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Evidence of wider health effects is also beginning to emerge. A 2026 Imperial College London study found that the introduction of the earlier T-Charge and Ulez was associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular and all-cause emergency hospital admissions, although the reduction in respiratory admissions was not statistically significant.

Separate analysis estimates that the number of deaths attributable to air pollution across London fell by around 40% between 2019 and 2024. Researchers again stress that the decline cannot be attributed solely to Ulez, but taken alongside the emerging evidence on hospital admissions and children’s lungs, it suggests that London’s cleaner air is beginning to show up in more than pollution monitors.

“Traffic pollution in cities damages children’s health and development,” Griffiths told the Guardian. “We provide the strongest evidence yet on how these harms can be prevented. Ambitious clean-air zones should be considered a priority for cities globally with traffic-related air pollution.”

Main image: iStock / dusanpetkovic

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Travis Kelce finally shares glimpse of new dog with Taylor Swift as pup makes public debut alongside NFL star… with adorable name ‘revealed’

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Travis Kelce confirmed that he and Taylor Swift have welcomed a new addition to their family

Travis Kelce confirmed that he and Taylor Swift have welcomed a new addition to their family shortly after tying the knot. 

The NFL star and pop sensation celebrated their wedding in spectacular fashion when they exchanged vows in front of a star-studded guest list at Madison Square Garden on July 3. 

Now, amid their newlywed bliss, Kelce revealed that he and his A-list wife have become proud owners of an adorable dog. 

The pup, which is reported to be a white Samoyed named Wendy, according to Forbes, made its first public appearance as it stars alongside the Kansas City Chiefs tight end in a campaign for Tommy Hilfiger. 

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Wendy appears alongside the three-time Super Bowl winner on the roof of the Plaza Hotel, lounging on a black-and-white sofa as Kelce poses in a navy peacoat and white turtleneck. 

The fluffy canine also makes a cameo in a video for the campaign, following her famous dog dad through the iconic New York hotel.

Travis Kelce confirmed that he and Taylor Swift have welcomed a new addition to their family 

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The Kansas City Chiefs star revealed that the A-list couple own a dog called Wendy

The Kansas City Chiefs star revealed that the A-list couple own a dog called Wendy

Wendy starred alongside the tight end in a campaign for Tommy Hilfiger

Wendy starred alongside the tight end in a campaign for Tommy Hilfiger

The American fashion brand had been looking to cast a dog for the advert when Kelce volunteered his and Swift’s own, Vogue reported. 

‘We figured, why not her? She crushed it and actually really fit into that Tommy aesthetic, too,’ Kelce told the outlet. ‘Those are some of my favorite shots.’ 

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Kelce gushed over his gorgeous new pet, saying: ‘She lights up my day.’ 

The pet’s existence was first revealed by the Daily Mail in exclusive footage from inside the couple’s wedding, which showed a picture of the happy couple posing with their furry friend.

A source told the Daily Mail that ‘it seems that Travis made it happen’ regarding the dog. 

In a 2025 episode of the Fitz & Whit podcast, Kelce’s brother Jason, 38, told hosts Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth how much Swift has influenced Kelce’s interior design choices, sharing a story that inadvertently revealed the truth.

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He said Kelce had gone all in on a pair of designer couches that he described as ‘green velvet, over-the-top couches.’

He pushed his brother on the price tag: ‘I’m not gonna say the dollar amount – but I’m like, dude, what are these couches?’

The three-time Super Bowl winner gushed over the adorable pup in an interview with Vogue

The three-time Super Bowl winner gushed over the adorable pup in an interview with Vogue 

Clues about the pup's identity have been mounting for months. It is Swift's fourth pet

Clues about the pup’s identity have been mounting for months. It is Swift’s fourth pet

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The couple tied the knot at Madison Square Garden back in July in a private ceremony

The couple tied the knot at Madison Square Garden back in July in a private ceremony

Kelce defended the purchase: ‘It’s an investment. It’s art, Jason.’ But when Jason came back to Kelce’s house around six months later, one of the couches had been pushed to the wall.

‘He just got a puppy,’ Jason told the podcast. ‘The puppy had chewed a hole in the back of it.’

Whitworth – himself a friend and former teammate of Kelce’s – couldn’t resist adding: ‘Investment gone! Investment’s over.’

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Still, clues about the pup’s identity have been mounting for months.

In March, a white Samoyed was spotted at Westchester County Airport hopping out of Swift’s silver Chevy Suburban surrounded by her security detail.

The footage showed the happy-looking pooch jump down from the vehicle and sniff the ground as a security guard kept a tight grip on its leash.

Just months earlier, however, Swift had appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and denied having a dog in her life.

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A source told the Daily Mail that 'it seems that Travis made it happen' regarding the dog

A source told the Daily Mail that ‘it seems that Travis made it happen’ regarding the dog

Asked about rumors she had been spotted walking a mystery dog, she shot it down: ‘I have never walked a dog in Florida or maybe ever,’ she told the late-night host.

The dog is now Swift’s fourth pet.

She famously has three cats – Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button.

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The cats have appeared in her music videos and graced magazine covers, becoming celebrities in their own right.

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Enzo Fernandez set for awkward Erling Haaland reunion after Chelsea transfer to Man City

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Daily Mirror

Enzo Fernandez is set to join Manchester City from Chelsea, but is set for an awkward reunion with Erling Haaland

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez looks set for an uncomfortable reunion with Erling Haaland at Manchester City after the two clubs agreed on a £125m fee for the midfielder. Enzo Maresca is set to be reunited with the Argentinian international at the Etihad Stadium after agreeing a joint British-record transfer fee.

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It’s welcome news for Haaland, who will no doubt be relieved to see an on-field battle with the Blues enforcer finally draw to a close. The Man City striker accused Fernandez of stamping on him during a meeting between the two sides in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea at the start of the 2024/25 season.

Pep Guardiola’s outfit got their Premier League title defence off to a flying start with a win over the Blues, though Haaland had plenty to say about Fernandez afterwards.

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“All the time he stamps on me, he pushes me and everything, not only him,” Haaland told BBC Sport after the win. “I don’t know what he wants but that’s what they do I guess.

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“We just won the Premier League so let’s take it game by game. It’s 37 games left, let’s not forget we won the Premier League and now we have won the first game of this season.

“It’s amazing to have everyone back. We go from there. It’s ridiculous how quick it actually goes, it’s my third season now. I’m happy, especially now after the win.

“It’s the first game back and we’re not in perfect shape, but we did a really solid performance. We just stayed calm and played, it’s amazing to see.”

This is not the first occasion Fernandez has been accused of underhand tactics, having elbowed Man City newcomer Elliott Anderson in the back during the World Cup clash between England and Argentina.

The foul went unpunished, much to the fury of England players and staff, with Fernandez escaping a yellow card for the incident.

Tensions boiled over between the two nations, with Anderson and Fernandez locked in a battle throughout the match. Ultimately, however, it was Argentina who came out on top, defeating the Three Lions 2-1.

Fernandez has been given the green light to travel to Manchester to complete a medical at City, bringing an end to the uncertainty about his future.

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The Argentinian had been vocal about a potential move to Real Madrid under former boss Liam Rosenior, but Los Blancos have not tried to buy the midfielder this summer.

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Newborn baby girl found dead in Sheffield house was stabbed to death, police say: Five remain in custody over ‘murder’

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A police forensics team could be seen entering the property on Monday as detectives continued to question seven people on suspicion of murder

A newborn baby girl found dead at a Sheffield house was stabbed to death, police have revealed, as detectives continue to question five people over her murder.

The infant was discovered at a property in Holywell Heights, Wincobank, after South Yorkshire Police received a 999 call at 5.58am on Sunday reporting concerns for the safety of a baby.

A forensic post-mortem examination has since established that the child died from stab wounds.

Seven people, aged between 15 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery. 

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Two of those arrested, aged 26 and 37, have since been released on bail, while detectives obtained a warrant allowing them to keep the other five suspects in custody for longer.

The grim discovery shocked the neighbourhood, where residents described the three-bedroom property as regularly being occupied by a large number of people.

One neighbour said the house had been rented by a Slovakian family who moved in around eight months ago.

She claimed there could sometimes be as many as 12 people inside the relatively small home, including children and adults.

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A police forensics team could be seen entering the property on Monday as detectives continued to question seven people on suspicion of murder 

It is believed the smart property in the Wincobank area of Sheffield was being rented by a Slovakian family

It is believed the smart property in the Wincobank area of Sheffield was being rented by a Slovakian family

The neighbour said she had never noticed a woman who appeared to be pregnant living at the address.

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She also claimed the occupants had left the property before officers arrived on Sunday morning.

‘There are loads of them in the house, they are always in and out,’ she said.

‘The baby died at 10pm, a policeman told me. And the family were all leaving after it happened.

‘Police have taken my CCTV, but I have seen it. The eldest son and his girlfriend left about 4am on the Sunday.

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‘Then the mum and about five others left shortly before 6am. And then the police arrived.’

The resident said she later witnessed officers carrying the infant from the house, wrapped in blankets, at around 1pm.

‘Every person has left the house, abandoning the baby,’ she added.

Another neighbour said the number of people staying at the address had appeared unusually high.

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‘People were crammed in that house at times. We have seen ten or 12 people living and sleeping there at times. It is just a smallish three- bedroom house, so I can’t imagine the sleeping arrangements.’

Two of those arrested, aged 26 and 37, have since been released on bail, while detectives obtained a warrant allowing them to keep the other five suspects in custody for longer

Two of those arrested, aged 26 and 37, have since been released on bail, while detectives obtained a warrant allowing them to keep the other five suspects in custody for longer

Police continue to guard a house in Wincobank, Sheffield, following the death of a baby girl

Police continue to guard a house in Wincobank, Sheffield, following the death of a baby girl

A further resident said she knew the family only casually and described them as Slovakian.

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‘I only knew the family to say “hello” to. They are Slovakian. 

‘I’m not aware of any of them working, and they would come and go all through the day and night, every day of the week.’It is dreadful what has happened, that a poor little girl has died. It has really traumatised by daughter.’

Police remained at the property as forensic officers examined the scene, with cordons put in place around the smart end-mews home.

A South Yorkshire Police dog handler was also seen searching surrounding gardens and bins with a cadaver dog.

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Detectives are now working to establish exactly what happened to the baby and who was responsible for her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said: ‘We recognise this is deeply distressing for those who would have loved to have a chance to love this baby girl, for the emergency services who responded and for the community who will inevitably be shocked by this incident.

‘Everyone involved in responding to this tragedy – from the first officers and paramedics on the scene to the detectives now leading the investigation – has felt the profound impact of this investigation.

‘Our commitment to this little girl is unwavering. We will confront every difficult and distressing challenge and pursue every line of inquiry with determination and care to secure justice for her.

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‘We know the local community will hold her in their thoughts and support us as we work through this complex investigation.’

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Knight, of South Yorkshire Police, previously urged residents not to speculate while officers continued their work.

She said: ‘We are aware news of this will be deeply concerning and I want to reassure our local communities that we have a dedicated team of detectives and officers hard at work to ensure justice is secured for the baby girl at the heart of this investigation.

‘As part of our investigation seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

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‘All of them remain in police custody at this time. We are working to determine the ages of some of those arrested.’

Police have appealed for anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.

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Jay-Z at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Key timings, tickets and setlist details

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Jay-Z at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Key timings, tickets and setlist details

This weekend the rapper will continue his Jay-Z 30 tour, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of his sixth album, The Blueprint.

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British man is rescued alive nearly a week after Nepal flood disaster

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People salvage their belongings from a building damaged by flash flooding in Nuwakot district of Nepal, Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Nepali rescuers have rescued a British man nearly a week after devastating flash floods tore through the country and killed more than 1,000 people. 

A search and rescue spokesperson said: ‘We have rescued 118 Nepalese people… 44 are female and 74 are male.

‘We have also rescued one British male during this search and rescue operation.’

Floodwaters surged across the Nepal-Tibet border, sweeping away homes, buildings, roads and bridges, all while carrying mud and rocks downstream and causing widespread devastation on Wednesday, August 26. 

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This afternoon, disaster officials said at least 1,050 people in Nepal were killed by the floods, with more than 4,000 people still missing. 

Chinese officials confirmed that 16 people had been killed in Tibet, on the other side of the border. 

It comes as experts warned millions of tons of ice contained in glaciers surrounding the flash-flood-hit valley are at risk of collapse, which could cause yet another natural disaster.   

Rescue teams with search dogs continued to search through mud, rocks and debris on Tuesday on the border with Nepal and China for the thousands still missing.  

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People salvage their belongings from a building damaged by flash flooding in Nuwakot district of Nepal, Tuesday, September 1, 2026

The scale of the disaster is hampering rescue efforts in both countries, with landslides, destroyed roads and widespread damage cutting off remote areas. 

Crews faced challenging conditions as they searched unstable terrain and piles of debris, raising fears the death toll could rise as rescuers reach isolated communities. 

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Rescuers are racing to reach hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects in Nepal damaged by the floods. 

About 900 workers are missing from 12 projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels, according to local authorities.

An army spokesperson said teams assisted by foreign experts were working at several hydropower projects. 

Images released by the army showed rescue teams entering debris-filled tunnels and wading through mud and water in the search for signs of life.

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On the Chinese side, rescue crews scoured areas hit by mudslides, particularly around the Gyirong Port border crossing, which was destroyed.

Some rescuers, aided by search dogs, searched gaps among rocks and debris for signs of life. 

Other teams used heavy machinery to clear a major highway leading to Gyirong Port, hoping to clear the way for equipment, personnel and supplies to reach the disaster zone. 

In Kathmandu, police worked in heavy rain on Tuesday to bury dozens of bodies in multiple trenches next to a forested area.

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Damaged houses stand precariously near the swollen, debris-choked banks of the Trishuli River after flash floods in Nepal's Nuwakot district on Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Damaged houses stand precariously near the swollen, debris-choked banks of the Trishuli River after flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on Wednesday, August 26, 2026

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Satellite image shows the glacier on Mount Langtang Lirung in Nepal, days after its collapse on August 26

Satellite image shows the glacier on Mount Langtang Lirung in Nepal, days after its collapse on August 26

Barbed wire was erected around the site, while blue numbered markers identified the graves of people whose names were not yet known.

Authorities in Nepal have been burying bodies in temporary graves until they can be identified. They are preserving DNA samples, photographing distinguishing facial features and recording other identifying details.

Each body is assigned a reference number to help families identify and claim the remains later. 

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At least 11,814 people have been rescued so far. Emergency crews used helicopters and other aircraft to reach stranded communities in areas where roads and bridges have been destroyed by the flooding and landslides.

Efforts are being stepped up to provide assistance to survivors in areas where roads and other transportation routes had been damaged or cut off.

China said a second batch of relief supplies was being sent to Nepal, including drones, DNA testing and water purification equipment. Chinese DNA testing experts will also help Nepal identify bodies. 

Bimal Sharma, a helicopter pilot who has been flying rescue and relief missions, said he was shocked to see the devastation in Timure, a border town close to Tibet that he has known for years.

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‘It felt like I was flying over an entirely different landscape,’ said Mr Sharma, adding that he has had little opportunity to speak with the people he rescued. ‘I can see the pain in their eyes. It’s heartbreaking,’ he said. 

The disaster began in the Himalayas when a glacial collapse sent large amounts of rock, ice and meltwater into valleys below, triggering powerful floods downstream.

Nepal army soldiers work during a search and rescue operation outside a tunnel near the Hydropower Project sites, following deadly flash floods and mudslides, in Rasuwa district, Nepal, in this handout obtained by Reuters on September 1, 2026

Nepal army soldiers work during a search and rescue operation outside a tunnel near the Hydropower Project sites, following deadly flash floods and mudslides, in Rasuwa district, Nepal, in this handout obtained by Reuters on September 1, 2026

Scientists studying satellite imagery said the collapse appears to have involved the failure of bedrock beneath a glacier in the Himalayan region. The rockfall was powerful enough to register as a magnitude-5.2 seismic event.

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Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah said that the disaster highlighted the need for action to combat climate change.

‘This incident has indicated that the risks we face in the Himalayan region are increasing with climate change,’ Mr Shah said in a social media post Monday night. 

‘Therefore, this region must be alert, and at the same time, it is time for us to strongly raise the issue of disasters caused by climate change before the international community.’

More to follow.  

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Scottish politics LIVE John Swinney reveals SNP Government plan to axe health boards and quangos

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Daily Record

Trade unions are reacting with anger to Swinney’s plans to axe health boards.

Unison Scottish Secretary Lilian Macer said: “You cannot just restructure your way out of a public service crisis. The Scottish government must build the capacity of public services, not spend millions reorganising them.

“Previous overhauls have shown this rarely delivers the long-term savings promised. They’re loaded with upfront costs, cause years of disruption and are a distraction from making desperately needed improvements to our services.

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“The real issues facing public services are the Scottish government’s cuts to budgets and jobs. It is predicted that 20,000 jobs will be cut across public services and millions slashed from budgets.

“Scotland’s NHS has the longest waiting lists since devolution, thousands of nursing posts remain vacant and social care is in crisis. At the same time, councils are being warned they could become financially unsustainable.

“Changes to NHS boundaries won’t lead to a single extra nurse, care worker or paramedic nor any new care packages or hospital beds.

“Real investment is needed to make those services better. That means more staff, shorter waiting times and increased capacity to meet the population’s changing needs.”

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Vernon Kay mistaken for BBC Radio 2 co-star as he debuts new look

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Manchester Evening News

Bolton’s Vernon Kay was seen debuting a new look as he returned to BBC Radio 2 and made an ‘announcement’ about it

Vernon Kay has quickly been mistaken for one of his BBC Radio 2 co-stars as he returned to his show following a summer break, and made an ‘announcement’ live on-air.

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It was back in February 2023 that the Bolton presenter was announced as the new host of the station’s mid-morning show, replacing Ken Bruce, who had hosted the programme for 31 years, in May of the same year.

At the time, the TV and radio star said in a statement: “To be hosting the new Radio 2 mid-morning show is a total privilege. It’s going to be an unforgettable start to what promises to be an amazing journey. And to have two music legends coming up in the Radio 2 Piano Room is a dream come true.”

It was recently revealed that Vernon’s show remains as popular as ever, as according to data from research organisation RAJAR the 52-year-old now attracts a weekly audience of 6.8 million to his show.

On Tuesday (September 1), Vernon was back with his listeners following some time away and he quickly got them speculating as he told them he had made a “life-affirming” decision with the help of his family

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He said: “It’s a life-changer and it’s something that has been in the pipeline for quite some time. And it’s been a frustration of mine. And I finally came to a decision with family members, to sort it out.”

He then pulled out a pair of glasses, to which presenter and travel reporter Ellie Brennan replied: “Oh, well you look fabulous in those! You’re bespectacled like me.”

Vernon then went on: “I’ve decided to go to the opticians and sort my eyes out.” Ellie then remarked: “Are you joking? Do you know how worried I’ve been. I thought, ‘What’s he going to tell me!?’ Vernon then quipped: “You should see the text messages. Some people think I am leaving, behave yourselves!”

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Vernon has since taken to Instagram with a selfie showing off his new look, telling his followers: “Here you go…….. #glasses #adulting I’m finally at this stage of life..” And while many approved of the new glasses, some couldn’t help but think he looked familiar.

@oldolive said: “Thought it was OJ Borg at first.” @stuffmrsclappersdoes commented: “@oj_borg thought this was you.” @thewonderofwoolandwood wrote: “OJ lookalike!!!” @carts78 posted: “Did a double take then, thought you were @oj_borg.” emsyprotoruns added: “Haha @oj_borg I just came here to say you guys are twinning!!”

OJ then caught onto the comments and saw the funny side as he wrote under Vernon’s post: “If we are twins I guess that makes me Danny Devito?”

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CCTV images of woman released after serious assault at popular Edinburgh venue

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Officers have released CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to following the incident at The Pitt.

Police have released CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to following a serious assault at a popular Edinburgh food and drinks venue.

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The incident happened inside The Pitt on West Shore Road at around 1am on Saturday, June 27.

The Pitt is a well-known food and drinks market and events venue in the Granton area of the capital.

Officers investigating the assault have now released an image of a woman they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

She is described as being aged between 25 and 35, white, with long blonde hair and tattoos on her arms and legs.

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At the time, she was wearing a white vest top, dark-coloured shorts, white trainers and white socks pulled up.

Detective Constable Lindsay Johnston urged anyone who may recognise the woman or have information about the incident to come forward.

She said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2259 of 26 June, 2026.

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“Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”

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Bristol fire live: ‘Explosions’ heard as hundreds of firefighters tackle major blaze

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Daily Mirror

A spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are currently responding to a fire at an industrial unit on Emery Road, Brislington, Bristol.

“Fire crews were called at 2:27 pm, and firefighters from Hicks Gate, Temple, Kingswood, Avonmouth, Yate, Bath, Patchway, Bedminster and Nailsea are currently on the scene tackling the fire.

“We are asking residents and local businesses to keep their windows and doors closed and avoid the area where possible.”

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Huntingdon men killed after being ‘ejected’ from car in crash, inquest hears

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Cambridgeshire Live

The vehicle was ‘severely damaged’ and ‘lying on its side’, the inquest heard

Two men died after a car crashed off a major Cambridgeshire road, an inquest has heard. Jordan Moore, 27, and Imran Hafiz, 33, both from Huntingdon, were involved in a single vehicle crash on the A1198 near Hilton on January 11.

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The inquests into their deaths were held on September 1 by Area Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Caroline Jones. The silver Volkswagen Golf left the road and crashed into “a number of trees and hedgerow”, the inquest heard.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The reason the vehicle left the road is “unknown” but the inquest heard it was likely to be from a combination of cocaine drug use and low tyre tread depth in wet conditions.

Both Mr Moore, the driver, and Mr Hafiz, the passenger, were “ejected from the vehicle” by the impact of the crash. Both men were found outside the vehicle and emergency services were called by a passerby.

A passenger of a vehicle who was driving along the road saw a branch lying across the lane. The driver manoeuvred around it but saw a vehicle as they passed by. A road policing officer described the car as “severely damaged” and “lying on its side”.

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Another man who stopped searched around the car and found a person who he thought was dead. Emergency services attended and identified a male, confirmed as Mr Moore, who had received “catastrophic head injuries”.

A toxicology report determined Mr Moore, the driver, had quantities of cocaine together with other medications in his system. No alcohol was identified in his blood.

Upon searching the area with a torch, a police officer found the body of a second person. This person was identified as Mr Hafiz via DNA analysis by comparing tissue samples and a toothbrush.

Coroner Jones said a toxicology report found the 33-year-old front passenger was “significantly intoxicated” with alcohol as well as cocaine and THC.

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Mr Moore’s death was confirmed at 10.35pm and Mr Hafiz’s was confirmed at 10.45pm. A post-mortem carried out on Mr Moore’s death confirmed he died of a head injury.

Coroner Jones concluded Mr Hafiz’s cause of death was a head injury and that the pair died as a result of a road traffic collision.

The families of Mr Moore and Mr Hafiz paid tribute to them after their deaths. Mr Hafiz’s family said he was “charming, cheeky and mischievous”. They also said he “lived up to his name” and was the “brightest shining star” in their lives.

Mr Hafiz was also a father of two. His family added: “Our lives will never be the same but we will always remember him with biggest smiles on our faces as that is what he would have wanted – until we meet again fly high our angel we love you more than words could ever express, a huge loss to our entire family.”

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Mr Moore’s family said he will be “truly missed” and his absence left a “profound void” in his family’s lives. They added: “He was loved so deeply by so many, and his kindness, warmth, and spirit touched everyone who knew him.”

He was also described as a “devoted son, cherished grandson, proud dad, fantastic partner and much-loved nephew and cousin”.

Coroner Jones offered her condolences to the families for the loss of Mr Moore and Mr Hafiz.

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