Millions of Britons will have their eyes on the skies tonight as a solar eclipse sweeps across Europe. 

Aside from being incredible to look at, they are also known to create no shortage of strange events. 

The unexpected darkness will disrupt the internal clocks of many animals – including pets – leading to confusion and anxiety. 

‘Some animals rely even more heavily on light cues; birds are one example,’ explained Dr Kristina Paradowski, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

‘If a pet bird is out of its cage, it may go back in and find its perch as if it is nighttime. 

‘Pet birds in the path of totality will likely be more vocal in periods prior to and after the eclipse, but silent during the peak eclipse.’

Research has also shown that previous eclipses have led to a spike in traffic accidents.

What’s more, a 2011 study found that even microbes get muddled during these celestial events – with some species changing shape during the peak. 

1. Animals will act strangely

Animals rely on cues from nature to understand what time of day it is. As a result, the darkened sky brought on by an eclipse can cause wildlife to shift their routines.

For example, during the 2017 total solar eclipse over the US, fireflies started flashing their lights when the phenomenon hit its peak. 

‘The arrival of darkness triggers many species of firefly to produce a chemical reaction that lights up their abdomen. This light is a signal to attract potential mates,’ the US Fish and Wildlife Service explained. 

And during a 1991 total eclipse over Mexico, spiders were found to start taking their webs down, as if it were nighttime. 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service added: ‘After the sun reappeared, they began to rebuild their webs again like it was the start of a new day.’

And it’s not just wild animals who will be confused during tonight’s event. 

Dr Kristina Paradowski, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says the eclipse could spark unusual reactions from pets

According to Dr Paradowski, the eclipse could also spark unusual reactions from pets. 

‘The sudden increase in darkness during what should be the middle of the day is puzzling and disorienting for pets,’ she explained. 

‘Often, when darkness quickly increases during what should be daylight, storms follow. 

‘As a result, there may be a conditioned response in some animals to be expecting storms when the day suddenly darkens. 

‘This can be especially true in animals with storm anxiety.’ 

2. There will be a spike in traffic accidents

During the 2017 solar eclipse over the US, scientists from the University of Toronto charted a spike in road traffic accidents. 

‘We found a significant increase in traffic risk in the US around the time of the total eclipse, averaging to one extra vehicle crash every 25 minutes and one extra crash fatality every 95 minutes,’ said lead investigator, Professor Donald Redelmeier. 

During the 2017 solar eclipse over the US, scientists from the University of Toronto charted a spike in road traffic accidents

‘The total amounted to 46 extra deaths linked to the eclipse.’

While the reason for this spike remains unclear, the researchers say it’s probably not down to the change of light itself.  

Professor Redelmeier added: ‘Instead, the findings likely derive from increased traffic, travel on unfamiliar routes, speeding to arrive on time, driver distraction by a celestial event, drug–or–alcohol–impairment from related celebrations, or eclipse viewing from unsafe roadside locations.’

3. It will suddenly get cooler 

Temperatures across the UK will drop by several degrees tonight, thanks to the solar eclipse. 

As the moon covers the sun – by up to 96 per cent in parts of Britain – it will not only get cooler, but winds will also drop. 

However, there is a catch. 

This relief from the heat will only last for around an hour. 

Asked how cool it might get, a spokesman for the Royal Astronomical Society told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s hard to say exactly as it depends on the time of day and amount of coverage of the Sun but usually about 1C to 3C during a partial solar eclipse and around 5C during a total solar eclipse. 

‘These are averages though, it can be more or less.’

4. The wind will change direction

The ‘eclipse wind’ is a change in wind direction as the moon temporarily blocks out the sun.

In 2015, scientists from the University of Reading set up roadside weather sensors during a partial solar eclipse. 

They found that the wind changes direction thanks to changes to the ‘boundary layer’ – the area of air that usually separates high-level winds from those at the ground.

Professor Giles Harrison, who organised the experiment, explained: ‘As the sun disappears behind the moon the ground suddenly cools, just like at sunset. 

‘This means warm air stops rising from the ground, causing a drop in wind speed and a shift in its direction, as the slowing of the air by the Earth’s surface changes.’

In 2015, scientists from the University of Reading set up roadside weather sensors during a partial solar eclipse. They found that the wind changes direction thanks to changes to the ‘boundary layer’ – the area of air that usually separates high-level winds from those at the ground 

5. Tides reach their peak   

While eclipses themselves don’t cause strong tides, they always coincide with a new moon – meaning tides are at their peak. 

As a result, lifeguards are urging people not to swim in the sea during the event. 

RNLI Jersey posted on Facebook: ‘RNLI lifeguards do not recommend swimming after 6pm over the next couple of days due to the increase in swell and large pushing tides.’

6. Microbes will shapeshift 

The team studied bacteria and fungi before and after the event, and noted ‘significant changes’. 

‘There was significant change observed during exposure to normal sunlight and eclipse phase,’ they explained in their study, published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.

‘Bacterial colonies showed difference in morphology on smear examination and sensitivity pattern during this study. 

‘One fungal species and three bacterial isolates were studied and changes were recorded. 

‘Fungal species showed a definite change in their morphology on exposure to sunlight during eclipse.’

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role, will leave at month’s end, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.

Leavitt, 28, just recently returned to the White House after taking a brief leave for the birth of her second child in May.

Leavitt has been one of the most visible advocates of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. The Republican president described her as one of his “most trusted aides” in a social media post announcing her departure.

He said Leavitt “will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect! Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections.”

Leavitt recently returned to work after taking leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May. She also has a two-year-old son.

“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life,” Leavitt said in a social media post.

Trump did not outline plans for who might replace her in the high-profile role.

She worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

During Trump’s first term in office, Leavitt worked as a press aide in the White House press office. She then became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The One Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary, but many fans were surprised to discover who the BBC show’s very first presenters were back in 2006.

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Since the BBC show first aired back in 2006, viewers have seen a rotation of presenters fronting the programme.

While Alex Jones has been at the helm for the past 16 years, The One Show viewers have also seen the likes of Christine Lampard, Clara Amfo and Angellica Bell.

However, the first female star of the show is a very well-known face for her role on ITV’s Loose Women.

One person has unearthed the first opening of the programme two decades ago, as Adrian Chiles and Nadia Sawalha welcomed viewers for the first time, reports the Mirror.

The duo are seen in the clip side by side as Adrian promised fans would see a range of stories from people across the country, including ‘good ones, funny ones, happy ones and sad ones’.

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Captioning the introduction, the person on X confessed they ‘never knew’ Nadia was part of The One Show and questioned whether or not she’d be back for the 20th celebrations.

Originally, the BBC show ran for a four-week trial, which Nadia fronted. Although when that was over, her Loose Women co-star Myleene Klass took over.

Following Myleene, another ITV star fronted the programme as Christine Lampard was a host for three years before Alex Jones joined.

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Alex is now the longest-running presenter on the series, celebrating 16 years in 2025. Recently, the Welsh star spoke about what she’s most proud of during her long tenure.

She told the BBC: “There are two answers. I’m most proud of the fact that I’m still here because to have a job that you not only love but you’re really proud to do is rare over the stretch of time that I’ve been here.

“It makes me a bit emotional because I’m so proud of the show. It has withstood so many changes in trends, changes in the way people watch TV or whatever, and it still stands and stays relevant. It’s still really strong in the ratings and I think it would be really missed if it wasn’t there at 7pm.”

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To mark the milestone anniversary, The One Show has been celebrating with a week of special programmes featuring celebrity guests, memorable reunions, surprise moments and stories that have captivated viewers over the last two decades.

A description reads: “Alex and Roman will lead the celebrations from the studio, while familiar faces will be live across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland revisiting some of the programme’s most memorable stories and discovering what happened next.

“Across entertainment, real-life stories, cultural milestones and extraordinary achievements, the week will shine a spotlight on the people and moments that have defined The One Show.”

The One Show is available to watch weekdays on BBC One from 7pm

Nick Reiner, son of the late famed movie director Rob Reiner, has been formally indicted in relation to the murder of his father and mother Michele. 

A Los Angeles County grand jury indicted the 32-year-old on murder charges in relation to the stabbing killings of his parents inside their LA home last December.

The indictment was returned on July 20 and unsealed on Wednesday, when Reiner entered a not guilty plea.

Reiner was arrested hours after their bodies were found inside their $13.5 million Brentwood home having been stabbed to death. 

He is facing two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced the charges, alongside another allegation that he used a dangerous and deadly weapon when he allegedly killed the ‘This is Spinal Tap’ director, 78, and his mother, 70.

Reiner remains held on no bond and is next set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in September. 

Nick, who has a long history of mental health and substance abuse issues, had earlier been seen having a loud argument with his father at a holiday party thrown by Conan O’Brien hours before his parents’ bodies were found, reportedly by his younger sister Romy.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced the charges, alongside another allegation that he used a dangerous and deadly weapon when he allegedly killed the ‘This is Spinal Tap’ director, 78, and his mother, 70

Nathan Hochman, the LA County District Attorney, has said that the death penalty is on the table for Reiner if he is convicted.

He previously said: ‘This case is a death penalty eligible case. Along those lines, we take the process in which we determine whether or not the death penalty should be sought extremely seriously. That goes through a very rigorous process.

‘We will be looking at all mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and we have invited defense counsel to present to us both in writing and in a pleading any arguments they would like to make in consideration going forward or not going forward with the death penalty. So that is an ongoing process.’

In a heart-wrenching essay in April, Nick’s older brother Jake shared his horror at finding out that his beloved parents, who were married for 36 years, had been murdered and that his younger brother Nick was charged with their slayings.

He described how his sister Romy, 28, gave him the terrible news, which he said was ‘too devastating to comprehend.’

‘The only thing I could focus on was that I needed to get to my childhood home. I needed to get to my sister. I needed to figure out what the hell just happened,’ he recounted.

‘I was robbed of so many things that day,’ Jake, 34, continued. ‘My parents won’t be at my wedding, they won’t get to hold their future grandchild, and they won’t get to see me have the successful career I’m still seeking. It simultaneously breaks my heart and enrages me.’

As he was still reeling from the news of his parents’ deaths, Jake said he was horrified to then learn that his brother Nick was the alleged murderer.

Rob Reiner (second from left) and his wife Michele Singer Reiner (left) are pictured in April 2014 with their kids Jake, Romy and Nick 

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Nick  had earlier been seen having a loud argument with his father at a holiday party thrown by Conan O’Brien hours before his parents’ bodies were found, reportedly by his sister

‘We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable,’ he wrote.

‘Sure, any loss of a parent is devastating, but nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the center of it. It’s almost too impossible to process.’

‘Every day since then has been horrendous,’ he continued. ‘Every meeting we take, every person we talk to, every tear we shed, every movement we make is connected to our parents being murdered.’

‘When you are not living through a tragedy the specific way Romy and I are, it’s hard to wrap your head around just how horrific this has been,’ Jake explained.

‘Because they weren’t your parents, it might be easier to move forward or even forget for a moment about what happened that day,’ he wrote. ‘But for us, it’s every single day.’

Jake also paid touching tributes to his parents, saying that they were ‘the center of my life.’

While his famous father was a Hollywood legend, Jake described his mother, Michele, as ‘the engine, the backbone, and the heart of our entire family.’

Remarkable images have revealed the incredible moment that the sun is blocked by the moon in this evening’s solar eclipse.

In the UK, first contact – the moment the moon’s shadow first appears on the sun – occurred at 18.08 in Scotland, with the last glimpse ending just after 20.00.

Spectators in Europe had to wait a little longer for the moon’s orbit to cover the sun, although large parts of northern and central Spain, a section of Portugal and areas in Greenland and Iceland experienced the rare total eclipse.

In the UK however, it will have reached its peak of 96 per cent after about an hour of its first glimpse, although the specific moment of peak coverage will depend on where a viewer is in the UK.

At the eclipse’s peak, the country descended into relative darkness and the temperature dropped, with many viewers taking in the rare spectacle at popular lookout points.

If you missed this eclipse, the next chance to see such a significant natural phenomenon won’t come to the UK until 2050, and you’ll have to wait until 2090 for the next totality.

Meanwhile, take in the extraordinary moment from this evening with a selection of the most striking pictures…

A view of the total eclipse, as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, as seen from on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition, off the coast of Greenland

A view of the Solar Eclipse at 93 per cent in Blackwood, Wales – the next full solar eclipse in the UK is not expected for another 66 years

The Eiffel Tower is silhouetted as the moon partially covers the sun during a solar eclipse, as seen from Paris, France

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A composite image of seven separate photographs taken with a single fixed camera shows stages of a solar eclipse before, during and after totality, as seen from Arija, Spain

The Moon passes in between the Earth and the Sun 7.13pm, during the solar eclipse as seen from King’s Stairs Gardens in Bermondsey, south London

The International Space Station, with a crew of seven onboard, is seen in silhouette as it transits at roughly five miles per second across the backdrop of the sun being partially blocked by the moon and some clouds

The partial solar eclipse in Katowice, southern Poland

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People observe a partial solar eclipse at Northala Fields in London

People watch the solar eclipse during the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026

People view a partial solar eclipse beside St Michaels Tower on Glastonbury Tor, in Glastonbury

A partial solar eclipse is seen above Wetstraat / Rue de la Loi from the EU district in Brussels, Belgium

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A plane flies during a partial solar eclipse in Prague, Czech Republic

People watching the solar eclipse at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London

A family gathers on the moor to watch the solar Eclipse through home made welding glasses in Blackwood, Wales

Passengers on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition watching the start of the total solar eclipse off the coast of Greenland

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Meanwhile, holidaymakers test their protective glasses ahead of a solar eclipse, at El Arenal beach in Mallorca

People gathering to watch the solar eclipse on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999

Hundreds of residents and tourists pack the steep, grassy slopes of the historic Krakus Mound  during the late afternoon to watch a solar eclipse in Krakow, Poland

After 18 seasons in the NBA, former UCLA standout Russell Westbrook officially retired on Wednesday. The 37-year-old guard, who suited up for both Los Angeles franchises during his career, shared the announcement in a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.

Originally from Long Beach, he spent two years playing college basketball at UCLA before the Seattle SuperSonics selected him fourth overall in the 2008 NBA draft. Prior to his rookie campaign, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and was rebranded as the Thunder.

Westbrook spent his first 11 years in Oklahoma City, establishing himself among the premier guards in the league. During the 2016-17 campaign, he earned Most Valuable Player honors after becoming only the second player in league history to average a triple-double across an entire season—a feat he ultimately accomplished four times.

A nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA selection, Westbrook claimed two scoring titles and led the league in assists on three occasions. Following his tenure in Oklahoma City, he played for the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards before being traded to the Lakers in 2021.

His time with the Lakers spanned under two seasons before a trade sent him to the Utah Jazz in February 2023. After agreeing to a contract buyout, he joined the Clippers, where he remained through the 2023-24 season. He subsequently moved to the Denver Nuggets before finishing his career with the Sacramento Kings during the 2025-26 season.

In his final year with Sacramento, Westbrook appeared in 64 games, including 58 starts, posting averages of 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Over his 18-year career, he accumulated totals of 27,176 points, 10,351 assists, and 9,025 rebounds.

He steps away as the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. He also finished fifth on the league’s career assists list and became the first guard in NBA history to gather more than 9,000 rebounds. Joining LeBron James, he is one of only two players ever to record at least 25,000 points and 10,000 assists. While Westbrook never won an NBA championship, he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and earned a gold medal representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympics.

The One Show has been bringing the nation together each weeknight for the past 20 years.

The beloved BBC show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

For two decades, The One Show has seen countless celebrities appear on the infamous green sofa from the likes of Tom Hanks, Cher, Kate Winslet and Tom Jones.

However, viewers have also seen a plethora of famous faces front the programme since it first aired back in 2006, including the first two presenters it ever had.

Initially, it was commissioned for a four-week trial run, with Adrian Chiles and Nadia Sawalha hosting the first episodes.

On X, someone unearthed the opening scene of the very first episode as Adrian welcomed viewers. In the introduction, he said: “Welcome to the very first One Show, live from the heart of the UK.

“Every day for the next four weeks, we’ll be telling all manner of stories. Good ones, funny ones, happy ones, sad ones, about all sorts of people all over the country.”

Nadia added: “I promise you that by the time we’re done, there won’t be a nook or cranny of this spectre dial we haven’t had a poke around in.”

They captioned the post: “I never knew Nadia Sawalha hosted the first year of The One Show?!! I wonder if she’ll be back for its 20th anniversary?”

People were quick to comment on the post, with many in disbelief over seeing the Loose Women star fronting the BBC series all those years ago.

One person said: “Was a pilot series, then Myleene Klass replaced Nadia when it went full-time, then Christine Bleakley came in. Wonder if Chris Evans, Jason Manford or Jermaine Jenas will make an appearance.”

Someone else added: “God, it feels like Alex Jones has been there foreeeeeeeeever.” As another shared: “She did the four-week pilot, before it became ‘always on’ the following year. I’m sure she was replaced by Mylene for a few weeks and then Christine.”

Nadia presented the show for its four-week run before she was replaced by Myleene Klass and later Christine Lampard before Alex Jones took over and has remained a staple on the programme for 16 years.

Speaking about being a long-running staple on the show, Alex commented: “I can’t believe it. Ultimately, it’s not about us who host it. The show itself is an institution, and it’s really found a way into people’s hearts. Especially since the pandemic I think, it’s become part of Britain’s daily routine.

“People switch on at 7pm and they know that they will get really good guests but also there’s always interesting VTs or we’re out around the UK celebrating individuals who’ve done something amazing in their community. It’s impossible to turn The One Show on and say I hate everything. I just don’t believe that you can.”

The One Show is available to watch weekdays on BBC One from 7pm

Darlington Borough Council has published a draft Cultural Strategy for 2026 to 2030, setting out how culture could improve residents’ lives while supporting tourism, investment and economic growth.

Its proposed vision is for Darlington to be a place where, by 2030, “culture enriches lives, involves people and is central to identity and prosperity”.

The strategy identifies five priorities for the next four years, including celebrating Darlington’s contribution to the birth of the modern passenger railway, developing a more accessible and diverse cultural offer, and encouraging children and young people to engage with culture.

Council officials also want culture to thrive across the borough and attract more visitors to the town centre, while developing a thriving theatre offering that involves people of all ages.

A council report said the strategy was “extremely important” and that a strong cultural offer could provide both “economic and social benefits” to Darlington.

“Culture should be viewed not only as the commissioning of arts and events but also as a way of building on the area’s heritage, creating a shared identity, supporting tourism and creative industries, improving quality of life and encouraging community engagement,” it added. 

Building on railway heritage

Darlington has several historic buildings and cultural attractions which the council says provide a strong foundation for the strategy.

The Grade II-listed Darlington Library reopened in September 2023 following a multi-million-pound restoration. Forum Music Studios has also secured capital investment from Arts Council England to upgrade its facilities and improve accessibility and sustainability.

Hopetown Darlington opened in July 2024, featuring new attractions and restored heritage railway buildings celebrating the town’s role in railway history.

The strategy follows the S&DR200 year-long international festival, which marked the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The new strategy aims to build on that increased profile through further programmes at Hopetown and other railway heritage attractions.

Focus on children and young people

Encouraging children and young people to participate in culture is another central part of the proposed strategy.

Going forward, the council will work to decide where resources should be focused to benefit residents, visitors and potential investors, while supporting the development of Darlington’s cultural sector.

The strategy is intended to support the council’s wider ambition for Darlington to be one of the best places to live, learn, work and invest in the UK. It said culture could contribute to a “strong and sustainable economy” while helping create healthy communities and opportunities for all.

Tomasz Schafernaker, Louise Lear and Darren Bett are understood to be considering voluntary redundancy as the BBC prepares to cut £80 million from its budget over the next two years.

Louise has been a regular on the show for nearly 30 years, while Tomasz joined the BBC back in 2000.

Darren has also had a lengthy run at the broadcaster as one of the original members at BBC News 24 in 1997.

The potential departures come as part of wider changes announced by new director general Matt Brittin, with the cuts contributing to some of the 2,000 job losses expected to come over the next three years.

An insider told The Times: “It’s the end of an era for our weather presenting.

“The audience wants a bit of digital and TV – including a good old fashioned forecast.”

The source suggested the traditional weather bulletin is becoming “less relevant,” with a growing focus on digital formats.

What other changes are the BBC planning for its weather coverage?

Last week, bosses revealed they were planning to shake up the local weather presenters, with insiders saying roles were being cut from 11 to around four.

The BBC have said that “across the wider Weather team the proposals would result in a net reduction of three posts in all.”

The broadcaster aims to increase digital output across its app, website, and social channels to reflect changing audience habits.

A new BBC weather centre is also planned at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter.

Mr Brittin told staff that the savings would result in programme cancellations and job losses.

In news and nations divisions alone, around 550 positions are set to be cut, generating £160 million in savings.

A further 700 roles will be lost from the BBC’s corporate departments.

Newsquest has contacted the BBC for comment.

Would you be sad to see the BBC’s veteran weather presenters leave? Let us know in the comments.