The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, Prince William and Princess Catherine, have underscored the importance of community and conservation during their visit to the Isle of Mull. Their engagement with the Mull and Iona Ranger Service highlighted the critical role rangers play in preserving the island's natural environment, cultural heritage, and fostering connections between communities and their landscapes. The Royal Foundation's announcement to fund two ranger roles underlines the couple's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support.

During their visit to the Ardura Community Forest, the royal couple interacted with local families and children, emphasizing the value of outdoor learning and community cohesion. Prince William reflected on the loss of community ties in urban settings, while Princess Catherine engaged with children in activities that connect them with nature. The visit not only celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary but also spotlighted the ancient woodland's significance to the island's way of life and its role in combating loneliness and enhancing wellbeing.

The funding from the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife's Nature Protectors initiative will support the conservation efforts led by the Mull and Iona Ranger Service. This initiative aims to address the global challenges facing natural habitats by empowering those at the forefront of conservation. The rangers' multifaceted roles as educators, community supporters, and scientists are vital in safeguarding the sustainable use of natural resources and protecting the environment upon which rural communities depend.

The Prince and Princess of Wales' visit to the Isle of Mull not only brought attention to the island's natural beauty and community spirit but also reinforced the importance of conservation efforts. Their support for the Mull and Iona Ranger Service and the Ardura Community Forest exemplifies a shared vision for a sustainable future where communities and nature thrive together. The royal couple's engagement serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect and cherish our natural world for generations to come.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."