Chay Quinn

Six-year-old Saja El-Khawas died in hospital three days after being rescued from the sea near Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Her father Hossam Al-Khawas, her mother Zeina Alyan and her 14-year-old sister Sarah El-Khawas died after getting into difficulty while swimming on 18 August. Fishermen alerted emergency services, prompting a major response involving Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, coastguard rescue teams, the RNLI and air ambulances. Police said the family entered the water from land and expressed condolences to their relatives and the local community.

Three members of one family—a man, a woman and a teenage girl—died after getting into difficulty while swimming off Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. A younger girl was rescued and remained in hospital in critical condition. Fishermen alerted emergency services, prompting a large response involving Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, air ambulances and road ambulances. Police said the family’s next of kin had been informed and urged people to avoid the area near Shoreham Fort.

Meta is facing a six- to eight-week federal trial in California after 29 U.S. states accused it of violating child privacy laws and deliberately designing Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to be addictive. Former Facebook safety engineer Arturo Béjar testified that Meta failed to act effectively on research identifying significant harms to young people, including sexual solicitation of minors on Instagram. Meta acknowledges that some users struggle with social media use and points to tools intended to address the problem, but strongly rejects the states' allegations and disputes the concept of social media addiction. Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify as the company faces billions of dollars in claims and thousands of related lawsuits.

Russia has warned Britain of unspecified consequences after reports that Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies in strikes on targets in mainland Russia. Russia’s embassy in the UK accused London of deliberately escalating the war and supporting Ukraine by proxy. The UK Ministry of Defence defended continued military assistance to Ukraine and said Britain would stand against Russian aggression. The reports come amid an intensifying Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian military, energy and commercial infrastructure.

The US Supreme Court declined, for a second time, Donald Trump's attempt to challenge the $5 million civil verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The unsigned order gave no explanation, making the 2023 jury verdict final; Carroll has already collected nearly $5.63 million including interest. The justices are still considering Trump's separate appeal of an $83.3 million defamation award, which raises arguments about presidential immunity.

FIFA has ended the employment of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour after he publicly criticised Gianni Infantino’s reported plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Lamour, a former Infantino ally, said FIFA staff felt deceived and argued that loyalty to his values and colleagues outweighed loyalty to his employer. FIFA confirmed the end of their working relationship on 17 August 2026 but did not explicitly link the decision to his comments.

Former Cambridge sociology of education professor Jason Arday was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea on 14 August and pronounced dead at the scene at age 41. Police said the death was unexpected but not believed to be suspicious, with a file to be prepared for the coroner. Arday had resigned from Cambridge on 5 August following press reports of plagiarism, while the university was preparing an independent review of the processes surrounding his appointment. His family, through publisher Simon & Schuster UK, said he had endured sustained abuse and harassment and asked the press to leave them alone. Cambridge, former university colleagues and political figures offered condolences, although James Cleverly also issued sharply critical comments about Arday’s appointment and qualifications.

Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss will reunite on stage in Benedict Andrews’s world-premiere production Electra/Persona at London’s National Theatre. The play combines Sophocles’ myth of Electra with Ingmar Bergman’s Persona and explores grief, identity, performance and the breakdown of speech. Blanchett and Hoss will alternate roles during the run, joined by Ella Lily Hyland and Patrick Robinson. The production is scheduled for the Lyttelton Theatre from August 19 to October 10.

Andy Burnham says asylum seekers should not be housed only in poorer communities and argues that all parts of the UK must share responsibility for refugee dispersal. Chris Philp opposes housing asylum seekers anywhere and calls for rapid deportations, including to safe third countries, alongside withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government is considering former military sites in Oxfordshire and Suffolk while responding to protests and unrest near existing or proposed accommodation. It has also committed to ending the use of hotels for asylum housing.

Fifty UK police chiefs have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to prevent Jesse Cole and Albert Bowers from being released early. The pair were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter after PC Andrew Harper was dragged to his death by a car during a 2019 quad-bike theft. The government is seeking a legal solution before Parliament returns in September, despite previously saying that individual manslaughter offenders could not simply be excluded from the early-release scheme. More than 880,000 people have signed a petition opposing the release, which is currently expected to take place halfway through the men’s sentences.

Southern Water has applied to impose a non-essential use ban covering its 2.7 million customers across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. If approved by Defra, the restrictions would go beyond the existing hosepipe ban and prohibit activities including filling non-domestic swimming pools, operating mechanical car washes, cleaning vehicles and watering commercial plants. The application comes as 71.3% of England has entered drought status following low rainfall and high temperatures, with further heatwave conditions expected.

FIFA reportedly distributed pre-written letters praising President Gianni Infantino to member associations before the World Cup, with the letters allegedly including recipients' names and signatures for use as endorsements ahead of the presidential election. The effort reportedly began when Infantino expected to run unopposed, but his position has weakened following the shelving of plans to sell a stake in the World Cup. UEFA is reportedly considering supporting a challenger, while FIFA has not commented. The allegations could raise questions about whether FIFA resources were used for Infantino's re-election campaign and whether the conduct breached the organization’s governance rules.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says reopening the Strait of Hormuz is essential to easing rising food and fuel costs in Britain. Ahead of talks in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he is expected to discuss the Gulf shipping route, the Ukraine war, Gaza's humanitarian crisis and prospects for lasting peace. The meeting will be closely watched because of Miliband's past criticism of Donald Trump and disagreements over climate and energy policy. Miliband will also meet World Bank President Ajay Banga to discuss development, climate change and global resilience.

Donald Trump criticized Jeanine Pirro after the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia dropped the vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors said Interior Department records pointed to a rushed, flawed installation in the $14.7 million renovation, including repeated lining failures and extensive peeling. Trump rejected that conclusion, insisting vandals caused the major damage and citing Park Police video, while acknowledging only possible contractor difficulties.

Football federations from Europe, North America and Asia are reportedly forming an alliance to remove FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his plan to sell a $20 billion stake in the World Cup to private investors collapsed amid widespread opposition. The groups may boycott FIFA meetings to paralyse the organisation, while UEFA is reportedly prepared to create rival World Cup-style competitions. Infantino is seeking a fourth term but has secured public support from only 15 of FIFA’s 211 member nations. The English and Welsh football associations have withdrawn their backing, while Infantino says the investment proposal was abandoned because it created divisions and that he wants to reunite the football community.

US President Donald Trump described the UK as a “bankrupt country” and urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to open the North Sea to oil and gas development, arguing that energy resources could reduce prices and restore wealth. Burnham has indicated he will take a pragmatic approach, potentially allowing projects under existing licences, while the Labour government faces pressure over the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oilfield. The decisions could test Labour’s pledge not to issue new North Sea licences, as well as its climate commitments. Trump also criticised European immigration and wind power while saying he expects a good relationship with Burnham.

The article reports that approximately 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, with at least 57 people dying during the crossings and tens of thousands later returning to Morocco. Priti Patel and Chris Philp urged the UK government to strengthen controls at the Channel and Gibraltar, warning that migrants reaching mainland Spain could travel onward to Calais. The Spanish government deployed military units, Italy suspended border-free arrangements with Spain temporarily, and Ursula von der Leyen called for an end to dangerous crossings, the dismantling of smuggling networks and swift returns. The UK government offered support to Spain and said Channel crossings were down and removals had increased, while acknowledging that further action was needed.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, will attend the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, meet Team Wales athletes and families, and spend time with athletes supported by SportsAid and the Team England Futures project. The games feature a range of sports and have undergone major changes after Victoria withdrew as host in 2023 because of rising costs, leaving Glasgow to step in with a reduced-format event. The opening ceremony featured King Charles III and Queen Camilla, while the future of the financially troubled tournament had previously been uncertain.

Labour candidate Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley in the second round with 309,525 votes to Astley's 157,178. Craig received 66.3% of the final vote and will succeed Andy Burnham, who left the mayoralty after winning a parliamentary by-election. Labour secured 47.15% in the first round, while turnout was just under 25% despite more than two million eligible voters.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing growing opposition to a proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise and sell minority stakes in the World Cup’s commercial rights and tournament operations to private investors. UEFA has threatened to withdraw its members from FIFA competitions, while Concacaf members have criticized the proposal’s lack of due process, short approval timeline and unclear financial rationale. The backlash could damage Infantino’s bid to remain in office. FIFA says the plan would increase development funding to more than $10 billion over four years, with Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, leading the proposed investor group.

Former Football Association leaders David Bernstein and Mark Palios are urging England and other European nations to boycott FIFA competitions in response to Gianni Infantino's proposed £15 billion sell-off of stakes in major tournaments. FIFA says member associations could receive a share of a $10 billion funding package, but those rejecting the plan would receive substantially less. UEFA, the FA, CONCACAF and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham have criticised the proposal's lack of transparency, consultation and governance, while UEFA is considering a formal rebuke and possible boycott.

Two children, aged six and 11, were bitten on their legs and thighs by a dog near Newfoundpool in Leicester on April 19 and later treated in hospital. Leicestershire Police released CCTV images of a woman who was walking the dog and appealed for information to help identify her.

Kwasi Kwarteng criticises Andy Burnham’s plan to abolish VAT on energy bills as a socialist measure that suppresses prices and burdens taxpayers. He argues the policy aims at short-term popularity rather than economic growth and warns that higher taxes on wealthy earners risk driving them out of the country, drawing parallels with the 1970s. The measure is expected to save households about £45 annually at a cost of £850 million to the Exchequer, prompting further political backlash.

Andy Burnham forms a new Labour government cabinet featuring a mix of experienced ministers and close allies. Key roles include John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood remaining as Home Secretary. Louise Haigh takes on the role of First Secretary of State, while Yvette Cooper moves to Health. Other appointments span work and pensions, housing, business, education, justice, energy, transport, and devolved administrations. The selections highlight internal party dynamics, loyalty, and Burnham’s policy priorities, including devolution, social care reform, and cost-of-living measures.

Andy Burnham named his first cabinet, appointing John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, Shabana Mahmood to remain at the Home Office, and Louise Haigh to lead the Cabinet Office as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and First Secretary of State. Healey’s background in Treasury roles and housing policy was highlighted, while Burnham outlined priorities including ending rough sleeping, expanding public ownership, and launching a ten‑year plan for national reform after succeeding Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Former West Midlands Police chief Craig Guildford received a £57,800 payout upon retiring after pressure over incorrect AI‑influenced information that led to banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match at Aston Villa. The force faced criticism for misleading statements and inadequate consultation with the Jewish community. Government leaders lost confidence in Guildford, and the payout represented his contractual notice period. Political figures, including shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy, condemned the payment as a reward for failure, while the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office maintained it was the minimum he was legally entitled to.

JD Vance faced widespread mockery after claiming on a podcast that Joe Biden ate ice cream in a suggestive way, prompting social media ridicule and renewed attention to past allegations of eccentric behavior. Commentators highlighted that the interpretation appeared to reflect Vance's own perspective rather than Biden’s actions.

Meghan Markle was reportedly saddened that she could not join Prince Harry and their children at public engagements during their recent UK visit, largely due to ongoing issues over taxpayer-funded security. The trip included a significant visit to King Charles at Highgrove, marking the first time in four years that he saw his grandchildren, which was viewed as a sign of improving relations within the Royal Family. The article recounts past tensions, including Harry and Meghan’s 2020 departure from royal duties and revelations from Harry’s memoir, while noting continued efforts to strengthen family ties amid the King’s cancer diagnosis.

Argentina’s players displayed a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falklands after defeating England in the World Cup semi-final, prompting a diplomatic response from the UK government. Donald Trump’s World Cup chief Andrew Giuliani defended the team’s action on free speech grounds, while FIFA prepares to consider possible sanctions for violating its ban on political statements at stadiums.

Donald Trump claimed to declassify documents that he said prove Chinese interference in the 2020 US election, despite previous intelligence assessments finding no evidence that foreign actors altered the vote. He used the claims to push for stricter voter ID and citizenship requirements ahead of the midterms. Intelligence officials and the Chinese embassy rejected the allegations, and some of the released documents appeared unrelated to US election infrastructure. Concerns were raised within the White House that the disclosures could be misleading and strain US–China relations as Trump seeks a meeting with Xi Jinping.

Thomas Tuchel attributed England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina to long-standing issues in the country’s footballing DNA rather than his substitutions, which were widely criticised after England surrendered a 1–0 lead. He argued the team became passive, lost control of possession, and failed to stop Argentina’s late pressure. Tuchel affirmed he will remain as England manager through Euro 2028, expressing confidence that the squad can improve its ability to control matches and reach a higher competitive level.

Andy Burnham will use his first speech as Labour leader to outline a left‑leaning direction for his incoming premiership, emphasizing economic growth across all regions and a major push for devolution. He plans to criticise the Thatcher era as a period of harmful centralisation and pledge a new political course after four decades of similar approaches. Burnham will position himself as a leader for all UK nations and regions and pay tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leading Labour from a major electoral defeat to a landslide victory and for policy achievements including stronger workers’ rights, NHS improvements, public service investment and the passage of the Hillsborough Law.

Ahmet Hilal pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates Court to harassing Labour MP Chris Webb through threatening and abusive emails sent between June and July. He was released on bail ahead of sentencing in August. The case comes amid heightened concern over threats and violence toward MPs following the killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe, believed to have been the target of a political attack.

Thomas Tuchel dismissed rumours of tension with Jude Bellingham, stressing that the pair remain close ahead of England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina. He said media exaggeration inflated Bellingham’s reaction to his critical post-match comments after the win over Norway, explaining that compliments were omitted when the player was questioned. Tuchel clarified that he addressed the matter with the squad and described team morale as strong. Bellingham’s frustration included remarks about Tuchel’s modest playing career, which the coach acknowledged without believing it affects his coaching ability.

King Charles visited the Isle of Man for the first time as monarch, addressing Tynwald in Manx during a special sitting and speaking French with a member of the public. He highlighted the island’s linguistic heritage and the long relationship between the Crown and the territory. The visit included a tram ride marking the 150th anniversary of the service, meetings with residents including long‑serving staff and a 104‑year‑old war veteran, and public engagements celebrating local culture and history.

A phase III trial will test trontinemab, a monthly treatment aimed at preventing Alzheimer's in high‑risk individuals before symptoms develop. The drug, produced by Roche, targets amyloid plaques and could become a routine mid‑life preventative therapy if successful. Researchers will use blood tests to identify suitable candidates, building on earlier drugs such as lecanemab and donanemab, which slow progression but are not approved for NHS use. Alzheimer’s Research UK highlighted rapid advances toward earlier detection and intervention.

Donald Trump rejected reports that a renovation he ordered caused damage to Washington DC’s Reflecting Pool, insisting vandalism was responsible for the issues that forced it to be drained. In posts on Truth Social, he accused ABC News of misreporting the situation and described the damage as extensive vandalism that required the Parks Department to empty the pool for repairs. The renovation, completed in June for the July 4 celebrations, had already faced problems including algae growth and peeling liner.

Counterterrorism police have taken over the investigation into the killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe after new evidence prompted authorities to treat the case as potentially politically motivated. A 28‑year‑old suspect, initially arrested for murder, has been re-arrested on terrorism-related charges following the discovery of material at his home. Officials, including the Home Secretary, emphasised that multiple lines of inquiry are underway to determine the motive, while police maintain that the investigation remains at an early stage.

US forces conducted a third consecutive night of strikes on Iran after Donald Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports and vowed further retaliation following a ceasefire collapse. The UAE confirmed an Indian crew member was killed and others injured when Iranian missiles struck two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said the strikes aim to degrade Iran’s capacity to threaten civilians and commercial shipping amid reports of explosions in Bandar Abbas, Kish Island and Qeshm Island. Trump declared the US the ‘Guardian of the Hormuz Strait’ and proposed a 20% toll on all cargo passing through the waterway, though details of implementation remain unclear.

Andy Burnham secured 322 nominations from Labour MPs, leaving him one short of guaranteeing an uncontested leadership race and positioning him to become Prime Minister on July 20. With no other MPs nominated and outgoing leader Keir Starmer unlikely to stand due to convention, any challenger would need unanimous support from remaining MPs. Burnham thanked supporters and outlined his vision for shifting political power away from Westminster, boosting economic fairness and empowering MPs to represent constituents more directly. MPs queued early to nominate him, and Burnham publicly submitted his own nomination during the morning.

A government-commissioned interim review led by Stephen Timms concludes that the UK’s Personal Independence Payment system is failing claimants and requires fundamental reform. The number of recipients has surpassed four million, driven by significant rises in mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, especially among younger adults. Feedback from tens of thousands of respondents indicated overwhelmingly negative experiences with the assessment process. Ministers have tasked the review panel with delivering ambitious recommendations later in the year, while charities and disability advocates urge meaningful change, reduced reassessments and a renewed focus on fairness, trust and support for people with long‑term conditions.

Keir Starmer indicated he is prepared to approve a national bank holiday if England win the World Cup, with preparations reportedly underway in Downing Street. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, he suggested he would confirm the decision should England reach the final. The team would be crowned champions on June 19, with a celebratory London parade planned for July 24. The move would likely be Starmer’s final act as prime minister before handing over to Andy Burnham, while England must first defeat Norway and potentially Argentina to reach the final.

A new technique that preserves donor livers inside the body for two hours after circulatory death is expected to increase UK liver transplants by enabling organs to recover and undergo better assessment. NICE draft guidance supports using in‑situ normothermic regional perfusion and external liver preservation machines, citing improved safety and effectiveness compared with current cold‑storage methods. NHS Blood and Transplant estimates the approach could allow 150 additional transplants annually, while the British Liver Trust highlights the potential to reduce deaths among patients waiting for donor organs.

A man admitted attempting to murder his ex-partner by repeatedly stabbing her on a street in Edinburgh while she was taking their daughter to a medical appointment. The attack caused serious injuries, including a collapsed lung, before bystanders restrained him. The court heard the couple’s relationship had previously broken down, leading to the victim relocating with their child. A judge described the assault as a sustained and serious offence, with sentencing scheduled for August. Police Scotland highlighted the severity of the incident and emphasised its focus on tackling violence against women.

Senior Republicans call for confirmation of Mitch McConnell’s condition after weeks without public appearances during his hospitalization, prompting speculation intensified by claims from activist Laura Loomer that he is brain dead. His office maintains he is improving, while conservative commentator Scott Jennings says he spoke with McConnell for nearly 20 minutes. The uncertainty comes as Senate Republicans face a narrow majority ahead of midterms, with potential implications for a special election in Kentucky if the seat becomes vacant.

The Court of Appeal increased Robert Rhodes’s minimum life sentence from 29 and a half to 33 and a half years after ruling it unduly lenient. Rhodes murdered his wife Dawn in 2016 following months of planning and falsely claimed self-defence, leading to an initial acquittal before later convictions for murder and perjury. Judges described the killing as exceptionally serious and the plot as heinous, rejecting arguments that the original sentence should stand. The revised minimum term means Rhodes will remain in prison until at least 2057.

The US carried out new strikes on targets in southern Iran, responding to what it says were Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in several port areas, though details were limited. The White House reimposed oil sanctions on Iran, shortening the wind‑down period previously authorised under a fragile agreement. The escalation followed mass mourning for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and occurred amid stalled indirect negotiations in Qatar over a permanent peace deal. President Donald Trump warned the US could resume full‑scale bombing, while Iran’s foreign minister said talks would not advance under continued threats.

The government confirmed that Reform UK cannot legally pay for the Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation, stating election costs must be covered by public funds. Farage had offered to fund the vote amid investigations into undeclared donations linked to Christopher Harborne and George Cottrell. Labour and the Conservatives declined to contest the by-election, while critics accused Farage of staging a political stunt. A second by-election may follow if he is found to have breached parliamentary standards.

England considers appealing Jarell Quansah’s red card as controversy grows over FIFA’s suspension of Folarin Balogun’s ban following reported intervention by President Trump. The use of Article 27, unprecedented at a World Cup, has triggered criticism and raised concerns over political influence on disciplinary decisions. The FA’s potential appeal comes amid wider frustration from teams including France, while England faces defensive challenges ahead of its quarter‑final against Norway. Eni Aluko warned that the situation undermines the integrity of the game.