Online sales in Great Britain reached a five-year high in June, rising 1% month-on-month, driven by a heatwave boosting demand for air conditioners and outdoor products, and World Cup spending, according to the ONS.
The 2026 World Cup saw a record 23.6% of players representing nations other than their birthplace, significantly impacting goals and assists. Michael Olise, born in France but eligible for four countries, exemplified this trend, breaking Pelé’s assist record for France.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) faces accusations of a cover-up regarding power system strain during summer heatwaves. Whistleblowers allege managers ordered staff to forgo note-keeping and pressured operators to protect Neso's reputation, prompting an independent investigation.
Sean McCann, younger brother of Madeleine McCann, has been selected to represent Scotland in swimming at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, aiming for a strong performance to aid his 2028 Olympic bid.
Intercity rail travellers in Great Britain may face disruptions this summer due to potential strikes on two mainlines (LNER and Avanti West Coast) and reduced timetables on the Midland mainline (East Midlands Railway) because of malfunctioning Hitachi trains.
Japan's Tokito Oda secured his third Wimbledon men's wheelchair singles title, defeating Great Britain's Alfie Hewett 6-1, 6-1 in the final. This marks Oda's sixth consecutive Grand Slam singles title.
Alfie Hewett won two matches on Thursday to reach the men's wheelchair singles semi-finals and the doubles final. He will face Gustavo Fernandez in singles and pair with Gordon Reid against Tokito Oda and Fernandez in the doubles final.
Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara have reached their second Wimbledon men's doubles final in three years, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic and Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (10-8). They will face Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in Saturday's final.
The UK's energy system operator warned of potential strain on power supplies Thursday night due to extreme temperatures and high demand from cooling systems. France's EDF also noted heatwave impacts on its nuclear reactors, which export power to the UK.
Great Britain's most-decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, has retired from international competition at age 48. The 19-time Paralympic champion cyclist will focus on improving Para-sport, which she feels has stalled since London 2012.
Great Britain's most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, has retired from international competition with immediate effect. The 48-year-old cyclist will focus on improving Para-sport, stating it has "stalled somewhat" since the London 2012 Games.
Energy bills in Great Britain are set to increase by over £220 annually under the new price cap, pushing millions more households into fuel poverty. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition warns that 5.5 million homes will spend 20% of their income on energy.
The cost of upgrading Great Britain's electricity networks through the 2030s has increased by 50% to almost £90bn, according to the National Energy System Operator (Neso). This investment is crucial for connecting low-carbon energy and meeting rising demand, aligning with the UK government's 2030 clean power targets.
UK families, including those with newborn babies, are booking air-conditioned hotel rooms to escape the ongoing heatwave, leading to a significant surge in demand. The UK hotel industry saw a 34% revenue increase in late June, with many establishments operating at or near capacity.
Great Britain's energy regulator has provisionally approved three new major hydropower projects, the first in over 40 years, to be built in Scotland. These projects, alongside other energy storage solutions, aim to reduce reliance on energy imports and volatile fossil fuel markets.
Former world champion Lizzie Deignan has been appointed as a sporting director for Great Britain's cycling team, focusing on supporting the road squad through to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Deignan, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2015 world champion, expressed excitement about working with the team and helping riders achieve maximum performance.
Ofgem has provisionally approved 16 long-duration electricity storage projects, including three new pumped storage hydropower facilities in Northern Scotland, marking the first such projects in Great Britain in over 40 years, aiming to reduce reliance on energy imports.
Great Britain's National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a second electricity supply alert this week, asking generators for extra power on Friday evening due to high demand from air conditioning and reduced generation capacity caused by Europe's heatwave.
Britain's grid operator, Neso, is expected to pay millions to secure extra electricity on Wednesday evening due to extreme heat straining the energy system. High demand from air conditioning and low wind generation prompted the payment to avoid a rare summer power supply crunch.
Record heatwaves across Europe are driving up electricity prices to multi-year highs due to increased demand for cooling and power plant outages. Great Britain is importing electricity at significantly higher costs, while Germany and France also face soaring market prices.
UK retail sales volumes rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, driven by record hot weather boosting sales of fans and paddling pools, alongside strong online purchases and promotions. Supermarkets saw a slight decline.
UK retail sales volume rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, due to record hot weather boosting sales of fans and pools, strong online performance, and promotions. Supermarkets were the only sector to decline.
A national passenger survey reveals less than half of Great Britain's rail commuters believe their train fare offers value for money. CrossCountry passengers reported the lowest satisfaction, particularly regarding delay management, despite overall journey numbers reaching a record high.
The UK government is continuing its nationalisation of major rail operators, with Govia Thameslink becoming the eleventh to return to public ownership. This move aims to make railways more reliable and affordable, ending a privatised system criticized for fragmentation and profit focus. A new state-controlled company, Great British Railways, is set to manage infrastructure and services.
