Clara Margotin

Madalin Ilinca, 34, pleaded not guilty at Norwich Crown Court to rape and sexual assault charges relating to an alleged incident involving two teenage girls on Great Yarmouth’s South Beach Parade. He was remanded in custody, with a provisional trial date set for 7 December. Dawid Wlach, 35, faces separate rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault charges connected to the incident; he did not enter a plea and was released on conditional bail pending a further hearing.

Four men aged 23, 23, 24 and 26 died after a black SEAT Cupra crashed into a lamppost on Liverpool Road in Huyton, Merseyside, shortly before 2am. A 27-year-old passenger remains in hospital in stable condition. Merseyside Police have launched an investigation, imposed road closures and a temporary drone restriction zone, and are appealing for witnesses and doorbell footage.

Four men in their 20s died after a black SEAT Cupra crashed into a lamppost on Liverpool Road in Huyton shortly after 2am. A 27-year-old passenger survived and remains in stable condition in hospital. Merseyside Police have notified the victims’ next of kin and are seeking witnesses and relevant doorbell footage.

Police figures show a sharp rise in football-related incidents during the World Cup, including 384 domestic-abuse reports, 391 arrests and 293 online hate-crime incidents across England and Wales. Chief Constable Mark Roberts attributed much of the violence to alcohol and drugs and said late extensions to pub licensing hours, including permission to serve until 5am before England’s match against Mexico, exacerbated the problem by leaving police and local authorities little time to prepare. He called for earlier consultation and better-balanced public-safety planning at future tournaments. Incidents involving young supporters also rose substantially during the following football season, while England fans travelling to the tournament venues were described as largely well behaved.

Two men from Wimbledon were charged after police discovered a body in woodland in Borstal, Kent. Joshua Miller was charged with murder and preventing an unlawful burial, while Jamie Cooper was charged with preventing an unlawful burial. Police began investigating after receiving a report of a potential murder at a Wandsworth address. The victim, who was known to the suspects, was later found, and next of kin were informed. Both men were remanded to appear in court, and a third man previously arrested for assisting an offender was bailed.

The UK heatwave is expected to continue into at least next week, with temperatures remaining above 30°C in parts of England and Wales. The year has already broken records for the number of days reaching 35°C and 34°C. Emergency services have warned of an extreme wildfire risk, especially in London, while the UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat-health alerts. Water-related deaths and pressure on supplies have prompted hosepipe bans for millions of customers served by Southern Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water and South East Water.

The UK Health Security Agency has extended amber heat health alerts for the West Midlands and South West and yellow alerts for other parts of England, warning of increased pressure on health and social care services, heat-related deaths and water-related incidents. Temperatures reached 35.2C in Derbyshire, making 2026 the first year to record 35C on six separate days. Forecasters expect continued temperatures above 30C across central and southern England and Wales, with possible thunderstorms in the south. Dry, hot and windy conditions have also increased wildfire risks, with fires reported in Derbyshire and at Stratford station in London.

An 18‑year‑old man died after being pulled unresponsive from Dovestone Reservoir in Greater Manchester, prompting police to warn the public about the dangers of open water during ongoing high temperatures. Authorities said inquiries are underway as heatwave conditions continue across England and Wales, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C through the weekend. The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency issued heat‑health alerts and urged caution around water, noting risks such as cold water shock and the possibility of thunderstorms early next week.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, thanked the public for its generosity after completing the Three Peaks Challenge for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. She climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours despite severe weather, and discussed the experience with Tim Henman and Deborah Jevans at Wimbledon. Kensington Palace said she was the first member of the Royal Family to complete the challenge.

A new UK heatwave is expected to bring temperatures of up to 35C, prompting warnings about rail disruption and health risks. East Midlands Railway advised passengers to travel only if essential, preferably before midday, and announced service suspensions and reduced speeds on some routes. Great Western Railway and Network Rail said most customers could travel normally but should carry water, allow extra time and check for updates. Amber heat-health alerts cover the Midlands and southern England, while yellow alerts apply to Yorkshire and northern England.

Adam Bedoui and Abdelkader Amir Bousloub received six-week prison sentences suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to religiously aggravated intentional harassment of a Jewish man in Clapton Common, Hackney. The pair filmed the abuse for TikTok, with Bousloub saying he wanted to provoke a reaction and attract views. They were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and pay £85 in prosecution costs.

Two men who travelled to a predominantly Jewish area of Hackney to film antisemitic abuse for TikTok received suspended six-week prison sentences after pleading guilty to religiously aggravated harassment. Police apprehended them shortly after the incident, and prosecutors secured convictions within 48 hours. Authorities condemned the deliberate targeting of the victim and emphasized that hate crimes would be pursued robustly. The offenders were also ordered to complete unpaid work, rehabilitation activity, and pay prosecution costs.

Prince William helped furnish a housing association tenant’s flat in Aberdeen as part of his Homewards initiative to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated across six UK locations. The project has reportedly helped more than 73 people into stable housing, supported over 250 people into employment, invested £1.9 million, attracted £3.5 million in additional grants and philanthropy, and used £2.3 million worth of surplus goods to furnish homes.

Prince William marked the third anniversary of his Homewards initiative by helping furnish a one-bedroom housing association flat in Aberdeen. The five-year project aims to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated across six locations in the UK. Homewards says it has helped more than 73 people into stable housing, supported over 250 into employment and invested £1.9 million, alongside additional grants, philanthropy and donated household goods. William also highlighted the importance of early intervention and coordinated services, while meeting homelessness charities, businesses and people with lived experience.

Keir Starmer announced a £3,000 youth jobs grant for businesses hiring 18- to 24-year-olds who have been receiving Universal Credit for at least six months. The scheme is intended to address the more than one million young people not in employment, education or training and will operate alongside a jobs guarantee offering six months of part-time work to people unemployed for at least 18 months. The broader strategy includes free breakfast clubs, expanded childcare and greater emphasis on apprenticeships and non-university routes. Resolution Foundation estimates suggest the grant would create about 2,800 additional jobs at a cost of roughly £36,700 per job, while the jobs guarantee would cost around £38,000 per additional job.

A coroner has warned that online delivery services make large quantities of alcohol too readily available, including to people who are already visibly intoxicated. The warning followed the death of 28-year-old Joseph William Cooper, who had alcohol dependence and depression and sustained fatal injuries after falling from a third-floor window while profoundly intoxicated. The coroner also highlighted inadequate services for people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems. Research by Alcohol Change UK found widespread use of rapid alcohol delivery, including orders placed while customers were already drunk. The charity is urging the UK Government to introduce stronger age and intoxication checks, restrict ordering hours and frequency, and allow people to block access to alcohol services.

The UK government has announced £97 million to strengthen wildfire response, including specialist firefighter teams in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales. The funding will support training, tactical-burning expertise, and the largest upgrade to National Resilience fire vehicles and equipment in two decades. Wildfires are placing growing pressure on services amid hotter and drier conditions linked to climate change; English fire services dealt with nearly 27,000 grassland, woodland and crop fires last spring and summer. A separate £3 million programme will restore moorland affected by major fires, including the North York Moors blaze that burned for more than six weeks.

Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury Cameron Thomas was arrested by Gloucestershire Police on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. He was released on police bail after questioning while the investigation continues. The Liberal Democrats suspended his party membership and whip pending the outcome.

Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas, who represents Tewkesbury, was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. Gloucestershire Police interviewed him before releasing him on bail, and said inquiries remain ongoing. The Liberal Democrats suspended the parliamentary whip and reportedly his party membership pending the investigation. Thomas, a former RAF officer, was elected in the 2024 general election.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed the UK government’s planned ban on social media use by under-16s, but warned that it will not solve the underlying risks children face online. They called for safer platform design, stronger corporate accountability and greater emphasis on children’s wellbeing over engagement and profit. The proposed rules, expected to take effect by spring next year, would make technology companies responsible for enforcement and include protections against children chatting with adults on gaming and livestreaming platforms.

The Bank of England defended its plan to feature native wildlife rather than historical figures on the next series of £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes. Dolphins, foxes, butterflies, owls, bumblebees and sharks are among the animals under consideration after nature received the most support in a consultation that attracted 44,000 responses and positive feedback from focus groups. The decision followed reports that figures including Winston Churchill, Alan Turing and Jane Austen were viewed by researchers as elitist, contentious and insufficiently representative, though the Bank said the theme was chosen through the public consultation. Governor Andrew Bailey said historical figures remain important, and the final design decision will be made after further public feedback, with an announcement expected by the end of 2026.

Four men admitted charges of violent disorder following protests in Southampton over the death of student Henry Nowak and criticism of police handling of the incident. Eleven Hampshire police officers and a police dog were injured after protesters threw objects including wheelie bins and chairs. The four men, along with two others who entered no plea, were remanded in custody pending proceedings at Southampton Crown Court.

Four men—Harry Varney, Taylor Grundy, Dillon Crawford and Andrew Summerhayes—pleaded guilty to violent disorder following Southampton protests over the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, in which eleven Hampshire police officers and a police dog were injured by thrown objects. Summerhayes also admitted two offensive-weapons charges. All four were remanded to Southampton Crown Court, while Kevin Reeves and Andrew Riddett entered no pleas to separate violent-disorder allegations and were likewise remanded.

Six people—Kevin Reeves, Andrew Riddett, Harry Varney, Taylor Grundy, Dillon Crawford and Andrew Summerhayes—have been charged with violent disorder following protests in Southampton after Vickrum Digwa’s sentencing for Henry Nowak’s murder. Summerhayes also faces two offensive-weapon charges. The new cases bring the total number charged over the unrest to 11, with all six due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

Six more people have been charged in connection with violent protests in Southampton, bringing the total charged to 11. The unrest followed the life sentence given to Vickrum Digwa for murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak and intensified after footage appeared to show police handcuffing Nowak while he said he could not breathe. The case has prompted political controversy, with the Prime Minister urging politicians not to use the family’s calls for accountability to provoke disturbances.

HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s largest warship, has experienced another technical problem while docked in Stavanger, Norway. The Ministry of Defence described the issue as minor and said the aircraft carrier should sail within days. The vessel is deployed with HMS Duncan and RFA Tidespring in the North Atlantic and Arctic to support security cooperation with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force. The latest incident follows a more serious breakdown in 2022, prompting a reported warning that it was damaging Navy morale.

Davina McCall described a conversation with Catherine, Princess of Wales, about their cancer experiences as liberating and helpful in coping publicly with illness. The discussion took place at a Cancer Research UK reception hosted by King Charles III at St James’s Palace, where the royal family met researchers, clinicians and supporters and viewed demonstrations of AI-assisted cancer research. Charles, Kate and broadcaster Hannah Fry emphasized the importance of sharing personal experiences and participating in screening programmes. Cancer Research UK said it plans to invest more than £1 billion in research over the next three years.

Keir Starmer faces intensifying pressure to resign after Labour suffered major defeats in English local elections and Wales. At least 82 of Labour’s 403 MPs reportedly want him to leave, while more than 100 MPs have backed him and no challenger has united the opposition. Four ministers and several parliamentary aides resigned, citing lost authority, weak leadership and declining public trust. Starmer told Cabinet that the formal process to challenge his leadership had not been triggered and vowed to continue governing.

The Metropolitan Police is preparing a significant presence in London for two demonstrations planned for 16 May: a Nakba Day pro-Palestine march organized by the Palestine Coalition and Stand Up To Racism, and a Tommy Robinson-backed Unite the Kingdom, Unite the West rally. The force will impose Public Order Act conditions on gathering points, routes and post-march assemblies, with the events coinciding with the FA Cup final at Wembley. The plans come amid calls from Jonathan Hall and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis for tougher action against alleged antisemitism at pro-Palestine marches, while minister Alex Davies-Jones condemned antisemitic conduct but said not all protesters are antisemitic and maintained the right to criticize Israel. Police cannot generally ban marches, and Commissioner Mark Rowley said any moratorium would be a matter for Parliament.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has warned that the UK is experiencing a “pandemic” of antisemitism and requested funding for 300 additional London officers. The proposed resources would support dedicated neighbourhood policing in Jewish communities and additional specialist capabilities, including firearms officers. The request follows the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, for which Essa Suleiman was charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. Rowley also confirmed that the UK terrorism threat level had been raised to severe, defended police use of force during the suspect’s arrest, and raised concerns about the scale of forthcoming protests in London.

Charlotte Tilbury has been appointed a global ambassador for The King’s Trust as the youth charity marks its 50th anniversary. She will promote youth skills, confidence and entrepreneurship internationally and co-chair the organisation’s fundraising gala in New York. Tilbury has supported the charity for five years as its UK enterprise ambassador, while the Trust works with disadvantaged people aged 11 to 30 across 20 countries.

A coroner found that Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust failed to inform Gemma Lomas of the risks of attempting a vaginal birth after Caesarean at home and supported a delivery deemed unsafe and contrary to medical advice. Her daughter, Poppy Hope Lomas, died at seven days old on 26 October 2022 after complications during the birth. The coroner recommended measures including consent forms for patients declining medical advice and multidisciplinary reviews of unsafe home-birth cases.

A coroner found that the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust failed to warn Gemma Lomas adequately about the risks of a planned home vaginal birth after Caesarean and failed to respond appropriately to multiple warning signs, including prolonged rupture of membranes, fetal heart-rate decelerations, slow delivery and Poppy’s poor condition at birth. Poppy Hope Lomas suffered a severe lack-of-oxygen brain injury shortly before being born at home and died seven days later. The coroner said emergency services should have been called about 90 minutes before delivery and issued recommendations including clearer consent forms, multidisciplinary discussions for births outside medical advice, improved terminology and adding maternal pulse oximeters to home-birth equipment. The Royal Free expressed sympathy, said it had introduced measures to improve transfer guidance and communication, and agreed to review the findings.

Two suspects allegedly threw petrol-filled bottles and a brick at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London shortly after midnight on Wednesday. The bottles did not ignite, and there were no injuries or damage. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident as an attempted antisemitic hate crime with support from Counter Terrorism Policing London; no arrests have been made.

Two suspects wearing dark clothing and balaclavas allegedly threw two petrol-filled bottles and a brick at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London shortly after midnight. The bottles did not ignite, and no injuries or significant damage were reported. The Metropolitan Police is treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime and is investigating with support from Counter Terrorism Policing London; no arrests have been made. Local MP Sarah Sackman and the Community Security Trust condemned the attack and supported heightened security and efforts to protect the Jewish community.

Walker Smith, a 54-year-old Waitrose employee with 17 years of service, was dismissed after confronting a shoplifter stealing Easter eggs at the chain's Clapham Junction store. Iceland executive chairman Lord Richard Walker offered him a job, while shadow home secretary Chris Philp condemned the dismissal and urged Waitrose to reinstate Smith with a bonus. Waitrose defended its decision, saying staff safety rules prohibit direct intervention and that the correct process had been followed, despite concerns about rising shoplifting.

Waitrose dismissed 54-year-old employee Walker Smith after he intervened when a shoplifter tried to steal Easter eggs at its Clapham Junction store, where he had worked for 17 years. Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker offered Smith a job, while Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp condemned the dismissal and urged Waitrose to reinstate him and pay a bonus. Waitrose said media reports did not reflect the full facts, reaffirmed that staff and customer safety policies discourage direct intervention, and confirmed that the proper disciplinary and appeals processes had been followed. The dispute comes amid a reported rise in shoplifting in the UK.

Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker has called for UK shop security guards to be allowed to carry pepper spray and truncheons, citing violence against retail staff and the more heavily equipped guards he has seen in Spain. His comments followed disorder at a Marks & Spencer store in Clapham and criticism from M&S retail director Thinus Keeve of the government and London mayor Sadiq Khan. Survey data indicate that abuse and threats are widespread among customer-facing workers, while proposed legislation would make assaulting a retail worker a specific offence. Shoplifting offences in England and Wales rose 5% year on year to 519,381 in the 12 months to September 2025, remaining just below the record recorded in the year to March 2025.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Travelodge chief executive Jo Boydell to engage directly with MPs and the government after cancelling a meeting about a sexual assault at a Maidenhead hotel. Kyran Smith was sentenced to seven and a half years for the December 2022 attack after obtaining a key card by falsely claiming to be the victim’s boyfriend. Starmer called for faster action on staff training, prevention measures and room-security reforms. Travelodge has apologized, changed its door-key policy and launched an independent investigation, while the government’s strategy aims to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

UK Border Force seized approximately one tonne of cocaine worth an estimated £80 million at London Gateway port in Essex. The drugs were hidden among ceramics and kitchenware in a container shipped from Panama and destined for Norway. The National Crime Agency is investigating the shipment with international partners, while officials say the seizure deprived organized criminals of millions in potential profits.

UK Border Force seized approximately one tonne of cocaine, estimated to have a street value of £80 million, from a shipping container at London Gateway port in Essex. The container had arrived from Panama, was covered by a legitimate load of ceramics and kitchenware, and was destined for Norway. The National Crime Agency is investigating the international routing and the organized criminals involved, while officials say the UK was not believed to be the shipment’s final destination. The seizure follows wider enforcement action against county lines drug gangs, including more than 2,000 arrests and the closure of 335 suspected drug lines. Cocaine seizures in the UK reached a record 23,706 in the year to March 2025.

Davina McCall apologised to Comic Relief viewers after Nick Mohammed swore during a stressful live Rubik’s Cube challenge involving Joe Marler. Mohammed used the cubes to spell “sorry,” referring to Marler’s earlier banishment on The Celebrity Traitors. The Red Nose Day broadcast featured sketches and appearances from several comedians, and McCall announced that more than £30 million had been raised for Comic Relief.

More than 100 students were turned away from a meningitis vaccination clinic at the University of Kent after officials closed the queue because staff could not vaccinate everyone before the 5pm closing time and complete the required observation period. The clinic was scheduled to reopen on Friday, while authorities expanded vaccination eligibility to people linked to Club Chemistry, students previously offered prophylactic antibiotics, and pupils at four affected schools. The outbreak had reached 27 confirmed or suspected cases, including two deaths, with nine confirmed cases caused by MenB. More than 8,500 antibiotic courses and 1,600 vaccines had been administered in Kent, but health officials said the outbreak had not yet definitively been contained.

More than 100 students were turned away from a meningitis vaccination clinic at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus because of capacity constraints. The clinic was scheduled to reopen the next day, with students advised to join the queue by 2pm. Health Secretary Wes Streeting expanded vaccination eligibility to people who attended Club Chemistry between 5 and 15 March, sixth-form students at four schools and other Canterbury university students. The UK Health Security Agency reported 27 confirmed or suspected cases, up from 20, with two student deaths linked to the outbreak. Experts described it as unusually transmissible and are investigating whether behavioural factors or bacterial evolution contributed.

A senior coroner has ordered a report examining the design, height and placement of barriers on level five of Wembley Stadium after Oasis fan Lee Claydon, 45, fell to his death during a concert on 2 August. The review followed concerns raised by a former Wembley employee. The Metropolitan Police concluded that Claydon’s death was a tragic accident, with no evidence of suicide or third-party involvement.

Senior coroner Andrew Walker has ordered a report examining the design, height, placement and risk assessment of barriers on level five of Wembley Stadium, where Oasis fan Lee Claydon fell to his death during a concert on 2 August 2025. The report will assess whether the barriers and stadium safety regulations provide a safe environment and whether modifications have been made. The order followed a letter from a former Wembley employee raising concerns about safety measures. Police ruled out suicide and third-party involvement, classifying the death as a tragic accident. The inquest will continue at a pre-inquest review hearing on 29 April.

Prince William visited London’s Francis Crick Institute, where researchers demonstrated electron microscopy and showed him how to prepare a mouse kidney cell sample. He met scientists studying tuberculosis, sensory processing and mental health, and spoke with A-level biology students taking part in a genetic engineering workshop. The visit came as the royal family faced scrutiny following the arrest of William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The institute, founded in 2015, conducts research into the biology of health and disease, including cancer, heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Olympian and newly appointed life peer Sharron Davies is due to stand trial at Bath Magistrates’ Court on 11 August over an alleged speeding offence on the M4. Her Mini was recorded travelling at about 65–67mph near junction 19 in South Gloucestershire when a temporarily reduced 50mph limit was in force. Davies has pleaded not guilty, arguing that inadequate signage made the reduced limit easy to miss and that she would have slowed down had she seen it.

The National Lottery’s Wednesday Lotto draw is expected to offer a £12.1 million “Must Be Won” jackpot after no player won Saturday’s top prize. The winning Lotto numbers were 07, 25, 27, 46, 52 and 59, with 40 as the bonus ball; 51 players won £1,750 each for matching five numbers. Lotto HotPicks and Thunderball also produced major winners. Players have nearly six months to claim prizes, after which unclaimed money is transferred to National Lottery community funding.

Barnsley has been designated the UK’s first Tech Town, with government-backed plans to expand artificial intelligence and digital skills across education, healthcare, local businesses and the wider community. Measures include testing AI tutoring tools in schools, providing free training, and trialling AI-assisted NHS hospital check-ins and triage. Microsoft and Cisco executives are expected to support the initiative, while lessons from Barnsley will inform future AI policy and programmes across the UK. Local leaders Stephen Houghton and Oliver Coppard welcomed the investment as important to the region’s economic and technology prospects.

Barnsley has been designated the UK’s first “Tech Town,” with government backing to expand artificial intelligence opportunities in schools, colleges, businesses and the NHS. Planned initiatives include testing AI tutoring tools, providing free AI and digital training, and trialling AI-assisted hospital check-ins and triage. Microsoft and Cisco have pledged support, while residents will help shape the programme through Tech Town Halls. The government hopes lessons from Barnsley will inform wider AI adoption across the UK.

Mohammad Danyaal Asghar-Ali, 19, died in a head-on collision on Wigan Road in Bolton, alongside Seat Leon driver Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, passenger Farhan Patel and taxi driver Masrob Ali. His family described him as loving, funny and the “best big brother.” Five other passengers were injured and remained in hospital, including three with serious or potentially life-threatening injuries. Greater Manchester Police released the names and casualty details.

Taxi driver Masrob Ali, 54, and three teenagers—Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, Farhan Patel and Mohammed Danyaal—died in a head-on collision between a Citroen taxi and a Seat Leon on Wigan Road in Bolton. Ali’s daughter described him as exceptionally kind, generous and hardworking. Five other passengers remain in hospital with injuries ranging from minor to potentially life-threatening. Greater Manchester Police is investigating the crash, supported by emergency services and specially trained officers, and has appealed for witnesses and video footage.

Three teenagers—Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, Farhan Patel and Mohammed Danyaal—and 54-year-old taxi driver Masrob Ali were killed when a SEAT Leon collided head-on with a Citroën C4 Picasso on Wigan Road in Bolton. Five other passengers were injured, including one woman with potentially life-threatening injuries. Greater Manchester Police is investigating the crash, while specialist officers and local emergency services are supporting the victims' families and the wider community.

Police identified three teenagers—Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, Farhan Patel and Mohammed Danyaal—and taxi driver Masrob Ali as the four people killed in a head-on collision on Wigan Road in Bolton. Five others were injured, including a 29-year-old woman with potentially life-threatening injuries. Greater Manchester Police and the Bolton Council of Mosques are supporting the victims' families.

Twitch streamer Krimoe was arrested alongside 10 other men near Westminster Bridge after a livestream showed a toy-like pistol being passed around outside the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police said officers responded to reports of men with a firearm at 10:50 p.m. on January 3 and arrested all 11 on suspicion of possessing imitation firearms in a public place. All those arrested were later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Only 65,450 businesses were created across the UK in the final quarter of the previous year, an 8.5% annual decline and the lowest quarterly total since records began in 2017. Business births fell in 13 of 16 major industrial groups, especially transport and storage and business administration services. The Institute of Directors attributed the decline to weaker confidence, higher employer national insurance contributions, increased minimum wages and employment-law reforms, while the Institute for Public Policy Research called for stronger support for new firms and investment. Although 69,435 businesses also closed during the quarter, active businesses reached a record 5.6 million by the end of 2024. The Government said its measures on late payments and business rates would support companies and promised a further small-business growth plan.