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Climate adviser warns of record-breaking heat in 2025

According to the Met Office, 2025 is expected to be the warmest year on record for the UK, based on available data.

A top climate adviser to the UK government has sounded the alarm on rising temperatures, stating that they will soon become the norm, and emphasized the need for increased preparedness to mitigate the effects of climate change.

A woman, wearing a sunhat and sunglasses, holds an umbrella to shade herself as she walks along a street in London. There is a red telephone box behind her as well as a few other pedestrians.

This warning comes as the Met Office announced that 2025 is poised to be the UK's hottest year on record, with climate change being the primary driver of the rising temperatures.

With only a short time left in the year, the average air temperature in the UK for 2025 is projected to reach approximately 10.05C, narrowly surpassing the previous record of 10.03C set in 2022.

According to Professor Rachel Kyte, "the data encapsulates our future," as she spoke to the BBC about the implications of the rising temperatures.

The key question now, Professor Kyte said, is "how we will prepare and build our resilience to this new reality."

The combination of low rainfall and persistent warmth during the spring and summer months left the country vulnerable to droughts and wildfires.

While yearly temperatures naturally fluctuate, scientists are clear that human-induced climate change is the primary factor driving the UK's rapid warming trend.

Professor Kyte, the UK's special representative for climate, noted that the carbon dioxide emissions from the last 20-30 years are now driving the current warmth, and that failing to curb emissions will lead to continued severe impacts.

To address the inevitability of higher temperatures, Professor Kyte emphasized the need for the UK to become more resilient through investments in nature and infrastructure.

She cautioned that failing to invest in adaptation measures now will result in significantly higher costs in the future.

By the end of 2025, the UK's 10 warmest years on record will all have occurred within the last two decades, based on measurements dating back to the late 1800s.

Amy Doherty, a climate scientist at the Met Office, stated that human-caused climate change is the primary driver of the warming trend in the UK, as it is globally.

Doherty warned that the UK will continue to experience more record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather events, making what was once considered normal now seem relatively cool by comparison.

The Met Office's projection for 2025 is based on observed temperatures up to December 21 and assumes the remaining days of the year will be 2C below the long-term December average.

Although the Met Office cannot confirm with certainty that 2025 will be the hottest year, it is the most likely outcome.

If 2025 sets a new record, it will be the sixth time this century that the UK has experienced a new annual temperature record, following previous records in 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014, and 2022.

Mike Kendon, a climate scientist at the Met Office, noted that the changes observed in the UK are unprecedented in records dating back to the 19th century.

The expected new record for 2025 is attributed to the persistent heat experienced during the spring and summer months.

Bar chart showing average annual UK temperatures since 1884. Bars are shaded red according to the temperature. The bars get progressively higher, and darker red over time. The year 2022, currently the hottest on record at 10.03C, is labelled.

The UK's spring and summer were the warmest on record, with long, hot, and sunny days characterizing the periods.

Each month from March to August saw temperatures more than 2C above the long-term average between 1961 and 1990.

Temperatures peaked at 35.8C, and although this is below the 40C highs seen in July 2022, the UK experienced repeated hot spells throughout the year.

Four separate heatwaves were declared across the country, albeit relatively short-lived.

The UK Health Security Agency issued several heat-health alerts during the summer months.

Mr. Kendon warned that prolonged periods of hotter days and nights pose an increased risk to elderly and vulnerable individuals.

He also noted that the changing climate will impact the agriculture sector, influencing the types of crops that can be grown in the UK.

The spring season was particularly dry, with the UK experiencing its sixth driest spring since 1836.

The combination of warm weather and low rainfall led to drought conditions in large parts of the country.

Official droughts were declared in several regions of England and Wales by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, respectively.

Parts of eastern Scotland also experienced significant water scarcity, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Recent rainfall has alleviated the drought conditions in most areas, but water levels remain below average in some regions.

Map showing UK rainfall in spring 2025. Almost all of the UK is shaded brown, showing below average rainfall.

Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, warned that the significant rainfall deficit has major implications for farming, river levels, and drinking water availability.

The repeated shifts between drought and flooding are making it challenging for communities to adapt to the increasing weather extremes.

The prolonged dry and warm weather created ideal conditions for wildfires, which have become increasingly common.

By late April, the area burned by wildfires in the UK had already surpassed the previous annual record, according to data from the Global Wildfires Information System.

More than 47,100 hectares have been burned throughout 2025, exceeding the previous high of 28,100 hectares in 2019.

Andy Cole, chief fire officer at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, reported that firefighters in his region responded to over 1,000 wildfires this year, an unprecedented number.

Cole, who has over 20 years of experience, noted a marked increase in the number of wildfires in recent years.

As the UK continues to warm due to greenhouse gas emissions, scientists expect the country to experience more extreme weather events.

Dr. Doherty warned that the conditions people will experience in the future will continue to change, with more wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves.

She also noted that the UK will experience more intense rainfall during the winter months, leading to increased flooding, as the climate continues to change.

Global temperatures are expected to make this year one of the hottest on record, with the European Copernicus climate service predicting it will be either the second or third warmest year ever documented, echoing the UK's own experience with extreme heat.

Meanwhile, the global effort to address climate change is facing challenges, as countries such as the US, a major fossil fuel producer, are reassessing their commitments to achieving net zero emissions, potentially undermining international cooperation.

This report was supplemented by contributions from Justin Rowlatt, Kate Stephens, and Zahra Fatima.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter; international readers can subscribe via an alternative link.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.