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BBC Cuts 100 Jobs as BBC Three and BBC Scotland End Broadcasts

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The BBC is set to shut three of its major linear broadcast services and eliminate more than 100 jobs under a new round of cost-cutting measures.

The corporation announced on Tuesday afternoon that BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra will close in spring 2027.

About 100 BBC News employees are expected to lose their jobs as the corporation faces pressure to deliver approximately £500 million in savings by 2028. Further positions will also be affected by the broadcast closures, including 10 roles in Scotland.

In a statement, the BBC described the move as a “tough decision” driven by the “sustained financial pressures facing the organisation”.

Staff were informed of the plans on Tuesday morning, the corporation said.

BBC Director-General Mark Brittin said: “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices.

“Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy it on iPlayer and Sounds. While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues.”

BBC Scotland will continue to be available on iPlayer, but it will no longer operate as a traditional television broadcast channel. Scottish audiences will still be able to watch content on BBC One and BBC Two.

The BBC will close three of its main linear broadcast services next year as part of its latest cost-cutting measures

The BBC will shut three of its main linear broadcast services next year as part of its latest drive to reduce costs

BBC Director-General Matt Brittin (pictured) said previously that he 'could not guarantee any programme will exist forever'

BBC Director-General Matt Brittin (pictured) previously said he “could not guarantee any programme will exist forever”

BBC Three’s programming, aimed primarily at younger viewers, will remain available through BBC iPlayer and other platforms, including YouTube.

This is not the first time BBC Three has been removed from linear television. The channel returned as a full-time TV service in January 2022, six years after moving online.

Radio 4 Extra programmes will continue on BBC Sounds, while The Daily Service will be offered through BBC Sounds and local radio.

The BBC News employees facing redundancy were told about the plans in an email from Rachel Jupp, the newly appointed director of BBC News.

She wrote: “We’re now announcing further saving proposals, with a total value of around £5.5 million which represents the net closure of just over 100 roles.

“I know this will be very difficult news for those affected. We will continue to work closely with colleagues and trade unions throughout the consultation process and will do everything we can to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies.

“Colleagues affected by today’s proposals have already been informed.”

Ms Jupp said she would review whether additional savings were needed “over the next few weeks”, although plans are understood to be in place to deliver further reductions next year.

The latest cost-cutting announcement comes just over a week after the BBC confirmed the cancellation of several Radio 4 programmes.

You and Yours, Thinking Allowed, Free Thinking and The Artificial Human are among the shows being axed in a move the corporation said would produce “significant savings”. Open Country, a long-running programme focused on rural affairs, has also been cancelled.

BBC 5 Live will too see a reduction in its commissioning budget on schedule and sports podcasts from 2027.

Jonathan Wall, director of BBC Sounds, said when the move was announced on October 8: ‘We are reshaping BBC speech audio to build a strong future for trusted journalism, distinctive storytelling and programmes that bring people together.  

‘By commissioning fewer programmes overall, we can focus our investment and make our best shows work across broadcast, on demand and different formats.

‘That means accelerating growth on our own digital platforms and reaching more people beyond the BBC, while maintaining the strength of Radio 4 and 5 Live, the country’s two biggest speech radio stations.

‘These are difficult decisions, and they are not based on cost alone. We need to make significant savings while investing for the future. I am extremely grateful to the teams behind the programmes affected, and we will support colleagues and work closely with unions throughout consultation.’

Previous reports suggest the BBC planned to cut some 2,000 jobs on its quest to save £500million over the next three years. 

Speaking in September, Matt Brittin – who has fronted the broadcaster since May – said he ‘could not guarantee any programme will exist forever’.

The former Google executive said during an appearance on Sunday with Laura Kuessenberg: ‘If you see changes that we make in the future as we work out how best to deal with this challenge, by the way hopefully with a new charter in 18 months’ time, we will be in a position where we can make longer term decisions about funding.

‘The tight financial situation means that we are having to look at some of those decisions a bit sooner than we might like but, if most of an audience is getting things on demand, we have to look at the cost and the value of all of those different services.’

20-Year Friendship Unravels During Dinner at Exclusive Sydney Restaurant

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Prince Harry Says He Wants to Reconcile With Brother William

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Prince Harry has said he wants to repair relations with his family, while appearing to direct a pointed message at Prince William: “Some people don’t want it to work out.”

The Duke of Sussex has not spoken to his brother for four years. He acknowledged that he continues to grieve the “complicated” and broken relationships he has with William and his father.

Harry said there was “enough drama in the world” without prolonging family disputes. He suggested there were parts of the past they might “all like to leave behind us” in order to “work for the greater good.”

In comments that seemed to refer to his brother, the future king, Harry said: “Some people don’t want it to work out. I want it to work out.”

“With everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile. That’s the key point,” he added.

He said his “attitude has changed” since he and Meghan left Britain six years ago and stepped away from their roles as working royals.

Harry’s appeal for his family to move beyond old grievances came as King Charles, Queen Camilla, William and Catherine attended the State Visit of the Sultan of Oman in Windsor.

The Duke remains in contact with the King but has not seen him since returning to live in Britain. Harry admitted that being back in the UK had brought the painful family rift into sharper focus.

Although he said that “scars stick around forever,” Harry urged people to reconsider how they view past conflicts and make an effort to release old resentments.

Asked whether he was mourning the damaged relationships with his father and brother, Harry replied: “Yes, of course. I think from a family perspective, again, another massively relatable issue for so many people, sibling disagreements, broken relationships between kids and their parents, kids and one parent.”

He continued: “That continues to come up with me the whole time with people that I speak to, so I know how relatable it is. People maybe look at us and go, ‘How are you gonna work it out? Maybe that will help me work my stuff out.’”

“As a 42-year-old man with two kids, a boy and a girl… you start to look back at your past and your parents as to what you have carried from them, what they’ve handed over to you, what you want to take on and what you don’t,” he said.

In the wide-ranging interview, which largely explored mental health and his grief following the death of his mother, Harry also said he did not believe he deserved sympathy merely because he is a member of the royal family.

“I certainly don’t want any sympathy. That’s where we’re way past that. Why? Because I’m a prince. I’ve got a support network around me, I’ve done different forms of therapy, and I put in the work. I wonder where I would be if I didn’t. It could be a very different situation,” he said.

Prince Harry says he 'wants it to work out' with his family now he is back in the UK

Prince Harry says he now wants to repair relations with his family after returning to the UK

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the State Visit of the Sultan Of Oman in Windsor today

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the Sultan of Oman’s State Visit in Windsor

The King, pictured with the Queen and Kate, has not seen the Sussexes since their return in August

King Charles, pictured with Queen Camilla and Catherine, has not seen the Sussexes since their return in August

Harry appeared as the latest guest in GQ’s One More Question interview series.

The Sussexes stepped down from royal duties in 2020, citing personal and financial reasons.

Not long afterwards, the couple gave their explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, accusing members of Harry’s family of racism and of showing little concern when Meghan said she had experienced suicidal thoughts.

William was famously forced to respond publicly to the racism allegations, declaring: ‘We’re very much not a racist family.’

Relations deteriorated further following accusations Harry publicly levelled at his brother in two tell-alls: his memoir Spare and his Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan.

In his autobiography, released months after Queen Elizabeth II died, Harry described his ‘archnemesis’ brother ‘Willy’ allegedly physically attacking him and knocking him to the floor during a row over Meghan.

Harry and Meghan also claimed in their Netflix series that Kensington Palace had lied to protect William when it issued a statement denying a report that he had bullied the Sussexes out of the Royal Family.

But Harry has now said he wants to reconcile with his family.

He told GQ: ‘For me, there’s enough drama in the world and enough drama in people’s lives to continue with issues with family.’

The Duke was speaking about grief, a subject on which he has also released an online MasterClass, which may have earned him up to $100,000.

Harry claimed that he and Meghan were ready to return to Britain after fighting ‘battles’ in the country over the past six years.

Their ‘attitude has changed’ and it was now ‘slightly easier’ to come back, he said.

‘I think once you’ve been through it, once you’ve been able to talk about it, and raise awareness to it, then people see it for what it is, it makes the environment slightly easier. It’s not going to necessarily stop the behaviour, but I think the behaviour might, my hope that it will, change,’ Harry said.

He added: ‘What happened back then was then. What’s happened over the last six years has been a continuation of that. Some battles that had been fought, and necessarily so.

‘With everything else that’s going on in the world, there’s aspects of the past that I’m sure all of us, me, my family, and some of the British press, that we’d all like to leave behind us and work for the greater good.’

Harry also said he was no longer the same person he had been in his hard-partying younger years.

‘If the world around you is changing, then you can’t stay the same,’ he said.

‘So many people over the years have said, “Oh, he’s changed.” It’s like, also, I’m no longer falling out of nightclubs drunk. Is that what you wanted for me?’

Harry spoke at length about the loss of his mother in 1997.

He said: ‘I don’t sit there – and I probably should – but I don’t sit there and go really deep into how I’m feeling. It’s just a quick, “Well, I miss you. I wonder what the world would be like if you were still here. I wonder what my family would be like if you were still here”.’

‘So there are questions that I ask myself, and sometimes there are questions that I ask her, looking for some kind of response. And sometimes, I do get a response. Having done the work that I’ve done, there is a connection still with my mum that I do feel her energy at certain times, in certain parts of my life.’

On growing up with the grief of losing his mother he said: ‘When I was young, was I going out and having a good time with friends? Yes. Was I sometimes doing that to suppress the sadness of losing my mum? Yes. Was I aware of it at the time? Absolutely not.

‘I love the fact that I’m able to now sort of carry the memory of my mother with me, with my work, rather than it hold me down, pull me back, or wallowing in that grief.’

He said that his time in the British Army ‘grounded’ him – but it was also an ‘escape’ from his problems.

‘Ten years in the military really grounded me and it gave me a set of specifics of skills, and it gave me a certain set of values that I will live by for the rest of my life. It was an escape for me, and I didn’t realise what it was doing for me then, or what I was using it to get away from.

‘I was running from something. And being in the military gave me the perfect distraction. And I was also a perfect candidate: A highly adrenalized 20-something year old. Strip away the title and who I am and everything else, it’s like, “You’re coming from a broken home. And so many people come from broken homes, and actually, when it comes to recruiting, we are very good at recruiting from broken homes”.’

Meghan (pictured with Harry in Nottingham) is said to be keen to return to acting, both on screen and even on stage and is said to insist she does not see herself as a working royal, more an entrepreneur and 'full time mum'

Meghan (pictured with Harry in Nottingham) is said to be keen to return to acting, both on screen and even on stage and is said to insist she does not see herself as a working royal, more an entrepreneur and ‘full time mum’

Rumours remain rife as to why they unexpectedly relocated to the UK from California, where they had created a life away from the institution of the monarchy.

Speculation ranges from the couple wanting their children to develop a closer relationship with their grandfather the King, Meghan seeking a return to acting and the Sussexes wanting to increase their profile.

In the run-up to their return on August 26, Charles was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family but remained adamant they would not be working royals, and there was no half-in, half-out option.

Within two weeks of arriving, there was reported pushback from Harry and Meghan after a letter, authorised by the King, was circulated by the Lord Chamberlain to senior stakeholders in the Government and military reiterating the couple were ‘private citizens’ and setting out guidance on how they should be treated.

The duke and duchess were said to be ‘surprised’ by the formal letter and the couple, who are waiting to hear whether they will be given taxpayer-funded security, were reported to prefer the term ‘public figures’ instead.

Schooling has also been an issue for the Sussexes, with Archie and Lilibet moved to a new undisclosed institution after reportedly just two days in class.

The decision came after heavy traffic and the lengthy journey to the school reportedly put their security team under strain.

Harry famously revealed how Charles pleaded with his two sons during a tense meeting at Windsor just after the funeral of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, saying: ‘Please, boys. Don’t make my final years a misery’. 

But they do not appear any closer to reconciliation.

There was also a rift between Meghan and Kate, who was like a sister to Harry. 

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan described how Kate made her cry ahead of the wedding – the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the nuptials that Meghan had left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting.

Reports of a fractious friendship between the two women were furthered in Spare, when he claimed Kate, pregnant at the time with Prince Louis, said she was owed an apology from Meghan for comments she was suffering from ‘baby brain’ due to her ‘hormones’.

Harry also shed further light on the row over Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress, claiming in his book the incident left Meghan ‘sobbing on the floor’.

William and Harry leave church at the Sandringham royal estate in Norfolk in December 2003

William and Harry leave church at the Sandringham royal estate in Norfolk in December 2003

The brothers, pictured in 2021, were once incredibly close but no more

The brothers, pictured in 2021, were once incredibly close but no more

Following Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK, there will be no change to their role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family.

The King has called them ‘private citizens’ but is understood to welcome the opportunity to see more of the family both in a personal capacity.

In January 2020, the duke and duchess announced they intended to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America.

The late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out.

A source this week claimed this was ‘foisted upon them’ as Harry and Meghan carried out their own pseudo-royal duties at three charities in Nottingham.

Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020.

Individual decisions on protective security for key public figures – including members of the royal family – are made by experts at the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec).

Meghan was able to travel to the UK in July with Archie and Lilibet to join Harry when he came to the end of a week-long series of events promoting the games.

During the visit, the duke and duchess took their children to see the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home, but are not thought to have raised the prospect of a return to the UK at that meeting.

Boy Suffers Burns to 70% of His Body in Viral Fire Challenge

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A 9-year-old boy suffered burns covering more than 70% of his body after taking part in a dangerous viral social media trend called the “fire challenge,” officials said.

The boy, whose identity has not been released, is in “unbearable pain” and “lucky to be alive,” New Orleans Fire Department Chief Roman Nelson said in a video warning families about the trend. Participants deliberately set themselves on fire to test how quickly they can extinguish the flames.

“It’s very dangerous. It is not fun, and it is not funny,” New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said alongside Nelson.

New Orleans fire and police leaders are warning parents about a dangerous social media trend. New Orleans Fire Department

The boy suffered serious burns and is in "unbearable pain" fire officials said.

The boy suffered serious burns and is in “unbearable pain” fire officials said. New Orleans Fire Department

Nelson urged parents to speak with their children about the risks of the fire challenge and other “extreme behaviors” promoted on social media.

“Kids, don’t fall for this gimmick and don’t feel peer pressure to take part in it. Your life is not worth it,” she added.

The National Library of Medicine defines the fire challenge as a stunt in which a participant “douses his or herself in a household accelerant such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone, sets him or herself ablaze, and attempts to extinguish the flames before serious burns are incurred.”

The New Orleans Fire Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Dashcam Captures Small Plane Crash on San Jose Highway; 3 Hurt

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Dashcam video captured the tense moment a Cessna 177 slammed into an overpass above Capitol Expressway in San Jose, California, on Saturday.

The footage shows the single-engine aircraft veering into the arched overpass as it came down over the roadway.

Three people aboard the plane—including a child—were injured, the San Jose Fire Department (SJFD) said in a post on X.

The injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the department.

San Jose firefighters

San Jose firefighters examine the wreckage of a single-engine Cessna that crashed onto the city’s Capitol Expressway on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (KNTV via Associated Press)

“SJFD is on scene of a plane crash in the area of Capitol Expressway and Excalibur Dr.,” the department said in its Saturday post on X.

The post described the aircraft as a “small prop plane” and said no vehicles were involved. Two adults and one child were taken for medical treatment with non-life-threatening injuries “out of an abundance of caution.” Officials urged the public to avoid the area.

Fire officials also reported a minor fuel spill, which was absorbed at the scene.

The wreckage of a single-engine Cessna

Wreckage from a single-engine Cessna rests after crashing into San Jose’s Capitol Expressway on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (KNTV via Associated Press)

The SJFD, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating what caused the crash. No possible cause had been released publicly, Fox2 KTVU reported.

A San Jose Police Department spokesperson told KTVU that drugs and alcohol were not believed to have contributed to the incident.

Wreckage of a single-engine Cessna plane

A San Jose police officer stands near the wreckage of a single-engine Cessna that crashed into Capitol Expressway on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (KNTV via Associated Press)

News Media has contacted the SJFD, SJPD, FAA and NTSB for additional comment.

Paris Curfews Ease Unrest as France Cracks Down on Rioters

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PARIS – Paris experienced a largely peaceful night on Monday, offering a brief respite after a weekend of France’s most severe unrest in years. Authorities introduced overnight curfews in several cities as they worked to prevent further rioting, vandalism and looting.

At least 2,400 people were arrested after clashes erupted across France on Saturday. Protesters confronted police, torched vehicles, broke into public buildings and set fire to a historic city hall during nationwide demonstrations fueled by the rising cost of living and deteriorating conditions in schools.

The unrest continued in smaller pockets Sunday evening, when groups burned trash containers, bicycles and other street objects and ransacked shops in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and several other cities.

In Paris, the curfew lasted from 11 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. A police helicopter circled above Place de la République, a key site during the weekend violence, using its searchlight to monitor the square and ensure the restrictions were followed.

Before dawn Tuesday, a crane lifted a huge fluorescent yellow vest from the statue in the center of the plaza. The display evoked France’s “yellow vest” movement, which began with protests over fuel prices in 2018 and posed a major challenge during President Emmanuel Macron’s first term.

Crews also cleaned the monument, using pressure washers to remove graffiti left during the unrest.

“The targeted curfews helped keep last night calm,” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Tuesday in a post on X. He added that additional restrictions would be introduced that evening “wherever the situation requires,” with decisions made locally by prefects, the state’s regional representatives, in coordination with mayors.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said in Lille that 149 people had been jailed nationwide by Tuesday afternoon. The Justice Ministry reported that roughly 2,500 people had been arrested since Saturday, with more than 800 brought before prosecutors. Most were either placed on immediate trial or ordered to return for a later hearing.

In Paris, prosecutors said approximately 300 people had been referred to their office following the Oct. 17 protests.

Darmanin said he had instructed prosecutors to challenge sentences they believed were excessively lenient. He described imprisonment for property offenses involving people without prior convictions as “extremely rare, if not unheard of,” but said the justice system would respond with “extreme firmness.”

He cited the case of three men from Lille, ages 20 to 25, who had no criminal records. Each received a 10-month prison sentence and was taken into custody immediately after being convicted of looting a video game shop in the city’s historic district.

France’s lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, will investigate the Oct. 17 violence as well as the authorities’ policing approach. Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet said the inquiry’s conclusions are expected “by the end of the year.”

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Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Storm Austen Set to Bring a Washout to October Half-Term

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Families travelling to Britain’s south coast during the October half-term could face a washout, with the first named storm of the season set to bring disruptive weather.

Storm Austen, officially named by the Met Office on Tuesday morning, is forecast to reach Britain on Thursday night, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for severe winds across large parts of the south-east, south-west and Wales. Rain is expected across the whole of the country.

Gusts of up to 70mph could strike the worst-hit areas, particularly exposed coastal locations. The forecaster has urged people to prepare for unsettled conditions.

Families planning half-term trips to the coast have been advised to keep a close eye on the forecast. The AA warned that the conditions could make driving much more difficult.

The coming week is expected to be the wettest and windiest period of the autumn so far.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “While the exact track and position of Storm Austen is still being determined, what’s clear is that we have an impactful period of weather on the way and the potential for disruption in places, which has resulted in the system being named.

“Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50-60mph are likely more widely within the warning area. Weather warnings are under constant review and could be updated as confidence increases, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in the coming days.”

Storm Austen is set to batter Britain this weekend as families prepare to travel away for half-term

Storm Austen is set to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Britain as families prepare to travel for half-term

Three friends walk across Westminster Bridge with umbrellas held up on a wet and windy day in London

Three friends cross Westminster Bridge with umbrellas during a wet and windy day in London

The Met Office warned that travel could be disrupted, buildings could be damaged and some areas may be affected by power cuts.

Storm Austen is expected to reach its peak on Friday morning before weakening later in the day. The Met Office said many areas could receive between 20mm and 30mm of rain.

Tony Rich, a spokesperson for the AA, urged drivers travelling towards the coast this weekend to plan their journeys carefully.

He said: “With half-term approaching, many families will be looking forward to getting away, so we’d encourage anyone travelling towards areas affected by the forecast to keep a close eye on weather and travel updates before setting off.

“Strong winds and heavy rain can make driving much more challenging, particularly on exposed roads and for those towing caravans or trailers. Allow extra time, reduce your speed to suit the conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead.”

The forecast rain could nevertheless be welcomed in some parts of the country after Britain experienced its hottest summer on record.

Only last week, the Environment Agency declared a severe drought in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex.

Water companies were told to strengthen their drought planning as concerns grew over supplies, with millions of people still covered by hosepipe bans.

Overall water storage in Devon and Cornwall has fallen to just 31 per cent, while levels at some individual reservoirs have dropped sharply.

Sithians reservoir, Cornwall’s main water source, is currently at just 21 per cent capacity, compared with 44 per cent at the same point last year.

And drone images from Wimbleball, in Exmoor, show how an area previously filled with water has been left bare and dry in the aftermath of a scorching British summer. 

Drone images from Wimbleball reservoir in Exmoor show how the site has been left bare and dry following a record-breaking British summer

Drone images from Wimbleball reservoir in Exmoor show how the site has been left bare and dry following a record-breaking British summer

Water supplies at the site in Devon have been left at just 21 per cent, compared to 44 per cent a year ago

Water supplies at the site in Devon have been left at just 21 per cent, compared to 44 per cent a year ago

An abandoned tire is seen at Wimbleball on Monday

An abandoned tire is seen at Wimbleball on Monday 

The site’s water supplies are said to be at just 21 per cent capacity, compared to the 44 per cent it held a year ago. 

Elsewhere, Roadford reservoir has slipped to 35 per cent, down from 60 per cent a year ago, and Colliford is down eight per cent.   

South West Water (SWW) introduced a hosepipe ban in August and is also considering further restrictions that could impact businesses like car washes and window cleaners.

The company said that reservoir storage levels have been ‘significantly impacted’ by higher demand after the hottest summer on record.

Rachel Gilmore, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: ‘If you’ve got reservoirs that are running dry, there is obviously a problem.

‘After the summer we’ve had, it was obvious that water (supply) was going to be an issue. I have said repeatedly that SWW does not invest in its assets.

‘Climate change is something that is with us now and we have to act very, very swiftly.’

This weekend’s wet weather is expected to follow a period of ‘low pressure’ which is forecast to cross the UK on Thursday night.  

Britain’s storm season reset at the beginning of September – which marked the start of meteorological autumn – with a fresh list of names agreed by the three cooperating weather authorities.

Among the names on this year’s list, chosen by members of the public, are Finn, Killian and Phelim, with the first three storms set to be named Austen, Boelo and Chloe.

More than 40,000 names were submitted after the weather authorities invited suggestions last year.

The unsettled weather came after an extended period of summer heat which saw five heatwaves.

From June 11 until this month, temperatures of at least 20C (68F) were recorded every day at least somewhere in Britain.

And last month was the fourth-warmest September since records began in 1864, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.

Cidermakers have said they are set for the worst harvest since their records began in 1984 as apples ripened prematurely in the heat.

Torrential rain and strong winds are on the way to parts of England and Wales this week

Torrential rain and strong winds are on the way to parts of England and Wales this week 

At Burrow Hill Cider in Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset, where cider has been produced for over 300 years from its 200 acres of orchards, the crop is down about 50 per cent on last year.

The ‘extremely long and hot summer and lack of rainfall has meant the apples have ripened prematurely, are smaller than usual and have dropped to the ground by the stressed trees,’ the company said.

Another effect of the hot summer could be a vibrant landscape of trees and encourage some flowers to bloom out of season, the National Trust said.

Despite signs of a ‘false autumn’, in which drought-stressed tree leaves have turned brown and dropped early, the ingredients are still there for a colourful season – particularly if the coming weeks bring cooler, settled weather.

The summer sunshine should produce strong colour in the healthy foliage that remains but it is likely to be more varied than usual, the trust adds.

Some plants have responded to recent rain with fresh growth or a second flowering out of season – meaning there could be spots where maples are in autumn colour alongside rhododendrons in bloom.

Heart Disease Named Cause of Death for Three Men at Burning Man

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Three men who died at this year’s Burning Man festival in Nevada had cardiovascular disease listed among the causes or contributing factors in their deaths, according to a medical examiner.

Tshombe Sampson, 62, Armando Ramirez, 51, and Craig Mann, 60, all died while attending the renowned festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Sampson, from Santa Monica, collapsed at the event. Emergency responders performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner determined that Sampson died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, SF Gate reported.

Sampson was reportedly well known among Burning Man attendees and returned each year to provide free legal services at the festival.

The following day, Ramirez, of Truckee, California, developed severe chest pain and died in an ambulance while being taken to hospital.

The medical examiner ruled his death accidental, citing a combination of methamphetamine and MDMA toxicity, diabetes and heart disease. Long-term methamphetamine use was also identified as a contributing factor.

On September 5, Mann, who was from Yuma, Arizona, was found unresponsive inside his trailer at the festival.

Tshombe Sampson collapsed at the festival and emergency responders tried to save his life using CPR but he died at the scene

Tshombe Sampson collapsed at the festival, and emergency responders performed CPR before he died at the scene

Craig Mann, pictured with his partner Anya, was found unresponsive in his trailer

Craig Mann, pictured with his partner Anya, was found unresponsive in his trailer

Armando Ramirez, from Truckee, California, began suffering severe chest pains and died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital

Armando Ramirez, from Truckee, California, suffered severe chest pain and died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital

Mann’s death was also ruled accidental, with cocaine and methamphetamine toxicity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease listed as contributing factors.

Following news of Mann’s death, friends and family shared emotional tributes. Many said he died surrounded by people he loved while doing something that brought him joy.

His partner, Anya, posted photos of the pair at the festival wearing matching all-white outfits, cowboy hats and visors. Her caption read: “My Mann.”

One friend wrote: “I’m so happy you were with the people you loved and who loved you. I’m thankful you were doing something you wanted to do when you left this world.”

“It’s been amazing to see how many people you touched throughout your life. There are SO SOOOO MANY people who loved you deeply. You def lived life to the fullest! A true inspiration of how I hope to be at 60!”

Burning Man averages about one death each year. In 2025, 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov was stabbed to death in a case that remains unsolved.

In September, Kruglov’s father, Igor, appealed for “justice” as investigators pursued several leads after the Russian native was found lifeless in a pool of blood near his camp.

In an emotional video statement provided to the Daily Mail, Igor said he was proud of his son, who became known worldwide for the art he created at the festival shortly before his death.

“He felt injustice deeply and fought for fairness always,” Igor said of his son. “I believe a similar situation occurred here.”

Vadim Kruglov took several pictures in front of the massive art installation he designed and help construct during the Burning Man festival

Vadim Kruglov took several pictures in front of the massive art installation he designed and help construct during the Burning Man festival

Investigators said other festival participants discovered Kruglov's bloodied body around the time when the 'Man' was being burned in the center of the Black Rock camp

Investigators said other festival participants discovered Kruglov’s bloodied body around the time when the ‘Man’ was being burned in the center of the Black Rock camp

Other festival goers flagged officials down after Kruglov’s bloodied body was found in the outer area of the festival campsite.

Investigators said Kruglov was found sometime during the festival’s climax when the wooden ‘Man’ effigy began to burn in the northwestern Nevada desert.

The Daily Mail contacted the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office and Burning Man press for further comment on the overall safety of the event.

Christina Applegate Tearfully Says She Does Not Have MS

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Christina Applegate says a doctor has told her she does not have multiple sclerosis (MS), despite enduring debilitating symptoms since early 2021.

The 54-year-old actor, who publicly revealed her MS diagnosis in the summer of 2021, shared the startling update during a new episode of her Messy podcast. Applegate discussed the development with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has also spoken openly about living with MS.

Recalling the moment her doctor delivered the news, a tearful Applegate, who was recently hospitalized, said: ‘She came into my room and said, “Congratulations, you don’t have MS”.

‘I was, like, not happy at all. Everybody else was so happy.

‘You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I’m better. I haven’t gotten better, Jamie! If anything, I’ve gotten worse. So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me.

‘And that’s going to be an online investigation that my doctors are going to be getting into just to find out what has been going on since 2021, why did this happen?’

Christina Applegate has revealed her doctor told her she does not have multiple sclerosis (MS) - despite battling debilitating symptoms since early 2021; Pictured in 2023

Christina Applegate says her doctor told her she does not have multiple sclerosis (MS), despite years of debilitating symptoms; pictured in 2023

Applegate, who has relied on a wheelchair and cane for years, and been forced to step away from her stellar acting career, said, 'I’ve gone through a great depression because of it; Pictured in 2022

Applegate, who has used a wheelchair and cane for years and has had to step away from her successful acting career, said, ‘I’ve gone through a great depression because of it’; pictured in 2022

MS is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body, causing damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

It is an incurable, lifelong illness. While some people experience relatively mild symptoms, others can develop severe disability.

Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, vision problems, bladder problems, numbness or tingling, muscle stiffness and spasms, balance and coordination difficulties, and problems with thinking, learning and planning.

Applegate, who has depended on a wheelchair and cane for years and was forced to put her acting career on hold, said, ‘I’ve gone through a great depression because of it.

‘But I lost everything. I lost my job. I lost – I’m sorry. What do you say to someone who’s been living with this for six years – God, I’m so sorry – because it stopped my life.

‘I still have to use wheelchairs when I go to the doctor’s office. I can’t walk from the car to the room. I’m still in this. Nothing magical happened when she said, “You don’t have MS.” Nothing magical happened.

‘It’s weird because I feel like I let everybody down. It’s this weird feeling because I became this – you and I, the poster children for MS.

‘And everything I was doing. I had a reason. I had a f*****g reason as to why my day sucked every day.

‘And now I don’t have a reason and it’s very unnerving and it’s very confusing for me.’

Applegate described the possible misdiagnosis as a ‘mindf**k’ and said she remains ‘in a state of shock’ while doctors work to determine the true cause of her illness.

The Daily Mail has contacted Applegate’s representatives for comment but has not yet received a response.

Speaking of the moment her doctor told her, a tearful Applegate, who was recently hospitalized, said: 'She came into my room and said, "Congratulations, you don’t have MS”. 'I was, like, not happy at all. Everybody else was so happy.'; pictured in January 2024 in LA

Applegate, who was recently hospitalized, became tearful as she recalled her doctor telling her, ‘Congratulations, you don’t have MS.’ She said, ‘I was, like, not happy at all. Everybody else was so happy’; pictured in January 2024 in Los Angeles

'You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I’m better. I haven’t gotten better, Jamie! If anything, I’ve gotten worse. So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me' Applegate said; seen in April 2025 in LA

‘You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I’m better. I haven’t gotten better, Jamie! If anything, I’ve gotten worse. So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me’ Applegate said; seen in April 2025 in LA

She said, 'But I lost everything. I lost my job. I lost - I’m sorry. What do you say to someone who’s been living with this for six years - God, I’m so sorry - because it stopped my life' - pictured as Amy Greene on Friends in 2002 with Courteney Cox and Matt Le Blanc

She said, ‘But I lost everything. I lost my job. I lost – I’m sorry. What do you say to someone who’s been living with this for six years – God, I’m so sorry – because it stopped my life’ – pictured as Amy Greene on Friends in 2002 with Courteney Cox and Matt Le Blanc

Applegate is pictured with daughter Sadie, 15, in 2023

Applegate is pictured with daughter Sadie, 15, in 2023

Applegate is pictured with her daughter, husband Martyn LeNoble and actress Nancy Priddy in 2022

Applegate is pictured with her daughter, husband Martyn LeNoble and actress Nancy Priddy in 2022

Applegate was reported to have gone back home in August after being hospitalized in Los Angeles since late March, TMZ reported. 

Sources told the publication that the actress, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, was doing well since making the transition back to home life.

There have been few details about why exactly she has been in the hospital for months on end.

Applegate’s first words to reassure her followers after her March hospitalization came in April, when she said on Instagram that she was getting ‘stronger and better every day.’

She posted a snap of her memoir You With The Sad Eyes, sharing she would be ‘taking a moment to focus on her health.’

Her post was captioned: ‘Thank you for the outpouring of love and well wishes. Health issues are a constant for me, but I’m a strong chick and I’m getting stronger and better every day. I’m taking a moment to focus on my health, but I’ll be back with more to say soon enough.’

Sources previously told TMZ that the actress was admitted into a hospital late in March, but a reason hadn’t been revealed.

Applegate’s representative told the Daily Mail: ‘I have no comment on whether she is in the hospital or what her medical treatments are.’

‘She’s had a long history of complicated medical conditions that she has been refreshingly open about, as evidenced in her memoir and on her podcast.’

Earlier in February, Applegate shared that she is mainly confined to her bed due to her MS battle.

During an interview with People at the time, the star explained how the pain has largely kept her in bed.

However, she will make the effort to leave her bedroom for her teenage daughter Sadie, such as taking her to school.

‘I want to take her; it’s my favorite thing to do. It’s the only time we have together by ourselves,’ the actress told the outlet.

‘I tell myself, “Just get her there safely and get home so you can get back into bed.” And that’s what I do.’

Applegate further expressed: ‘My life isn’t wrapped up with a bow. People’s lives, sorry for lack of a better term, f***ing suck sometimes. So I’m being as honest and raw as I possibly can.’

The Dead To Me actress also reflected on her MS battle in an excerpt of her 2026 memoir You With The Sad Eyes that was published in The Guardian in March.

‘One of the worst side-effects of the illness is the exhaustion,’ Applegate candidly wrote.

‘It feels as though I’ve been on a three‑day sleepless bender – and that’s how I feel after a good night’s sleep. Hence all the time I spend on and in bed, snuggled up against my heating pad.’

She continued: ‘On the back of that diagnosis and the symptoms I face, I no longer care what I say or how I come across or how it makes anyone feel.

Applegate rose to prominence as a child actress at the age of 15, while starring as Kelly Bundy in the Fox sitcom Married with Children, which ran from 1987¿1997; Pictured with Katey Sagal, Ed O'Neill, and David Faustino

Applegate rose to prominence as a child actress at the age of 15, while starring as Kelly Bundy in the Fox sitcom Married with Children, which ran from 1987–1997; Pictured with Katey Sagal, Ed O’Neill, and David Faustino

Applegate posted a photo of her canes back in 2022, and said needing help with walking is her 'new normal'

Applegate posted a photo of her canes back in 2022, and said needing help with walking is her ‘new normal’

‘I don’t have patience for bulls*** any more, for things that are meaningless or merely “extra.”‘

Applegate shared the news of her MS diagnosis on social media in August 2021.

And in 2022 she posted a photo of her canes, and said needing help with walking is her ‘new normal.’

During an episode of her MeSsy podcast last year, the actress revealed that she had been hospitalized multiple times amid her MS battle. 

‘For three years since I was diagnosed, I’ve been in the hospital upwards of 30 times,’ she told her co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler – who is also battling the same disease.

‘That is unimaginable, okay? They’ve done every test known to man on me, put so much radiation into my body from CT scans to everything else.’

When it came to penning her memoir, which was released on March 3, Applegate previously shared that she made the decision to pen the book when she was ‘forced to slow down.’

State Department: Over 300,000 Visas Revoked Under Trump 2.0

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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has canceled more than 300,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, according to information obtained by The Post.

A State Department official said the visa cancellations were tied to criminal conduct, threats to public safety and immigration-related violations, including fraud and false representations.

The official said at least 4,000 of the revoked visas belonged to foreign nationals involved in or assisting with “birth tourism,” in which visitors travel to the United States to give birth.

The Trump administration has revoked over 300,000 visas since he began his second term as president. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

“With over 300,000 revocations, the Trump administration has revoked more visas at a faster pace than any administration in history,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

“The message is clear: We have zero tolerance for foreigners in the United States on visas who break the law, commit fraud or threaten our national security. We are taking action — and will continue to do so — to protect our borders and keep the nation secure,” Pigott added.

Officials did not immediately disclose the nationalities of the people whose visas were revoked.

The State Department said last month that as many as 250,000 visas had already been canceled since January 2025.

The number of revocations has risen sharply in 2026, following the review of just 23,000 cases by the Bureau of Consular Affairs during the previous year.

Among the visas revoked in 2025, roughly one-quarter involved assault or related offenses. Driving under the influence accounted for another 22%, while theft made up 7% and drug possession, abuse or distribution represented an additional 7%.