Izzie Addison

A pilot was seriously injured when a light aircraft crashed during an air show at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in Maldon, Essex. The aircraft was participating in a display by the Turbulent Team, and the incident brought the sold-out event to an early halt. The injured pilot was taken to a London hospital, the aerodrome was closed to visitors, and the venue said it was cooperating with emergency services and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

More than £5,000 was raised through a GoFundMe campaign established by Windrush activist Patrick Vernon to help Jason Arday’s family with funeral, memorial and related costs. A memorial vigil was planned in London by Stand Up To Racism. Arday, formerly a professor of sociology of education at Cambridge and its youngest Black professor, died after a period of intense public scrutiny following plagiarism allegations and questions about other claims; Liverpool John Moores University had cleared him of wrongdoing. Supporters characterized the scrutiny as racist, while Andy Burnham called for sympathy and reflection. Simon Baron-Cohen said Arday had expressed that he could not go on shortly before his death.

A domestic violence survivor said she was attacked in her London Travelodge room after reception staff gave her abuser a key and directed him to the room without verifying her permission. She described being assaulted, threatened and left traumatised after staff failed to call police or provide meaningful assistance. The account emerged after Kyran Smith was jailed for seven and a half years for a similar 2022 attack at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Travelodge apologised, acknowledged that its room-access policies were not followed, and said it had strengthened key-issuance and incident-escalation procedures, including requiring explicit guest permission before additional or replacement keys are issued.

Major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Co-op are temporarily withdrawing disposable barbecues from sale amid hot, dry weather and rising wildfire risk. The moves follow voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council, while several other retailers have not sold the products since 2022. Labour MP Jon Pearce welcomed the retailers’ action but called for mandatory guidance, a ban on disposable barbecues in public spaces and stronger government planning to address worsening climate-related wildfire risks. Fire services have responded to more than 700 wildfires in England and Wales this year.

PlayStation users experienced an outage that disrupted sign-ins, account management, game streaming, online gaming and the PlayStation Store. Downdetector reports preceded PlayStation’s confirmation of the disruption, while the company said it was working to restore services without providing a cause or recovery estimate. The outage was reported shortly after the pro-Iranian hacking group 313 Team claimed responsibility for an alleged attack on Microsoft 365, though no connection between the incidents was established.

Adeel Khan was found guilty of assisting escaped prisoner and convicted spy Daniel Khalife after helping to facilitate cash withdrawals and maintaining contact following Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth. Co-defendant Imran Chowdhury was acquitted after the jury accepted he was unaware he was aiding an escapee. Evidence included phone records, CCTV, and financial transfers. Khan was remanded for sentencing, while Khalife is already serving a 14‑year sentence for breaches of the Official Secrets and Terrorism Acts.

Wimbledon officials introduced extensive safety measures as temperatures in London were forecast to reach 34C, including free water points, sun protection guidance and expanded shade options. A heat rule allows players a 10‑minute break if temperatures exceed a specific threshold, while staff receive shorter shifts and longer rest periods. Military stewards are on hand to assist visitors and distribute sun cream. The precautions follow similar heat-related disruptions last year and come amid an active yellow heat health alert for the region.

Around 280 young people are rigorously selected and trained each year to serve as Wimbledon ball boys and girls, undergoing months of preparation to master ball handling and court responsibilities. Fifteen-year-old Affan Naseer and captain Summer Reid describe the intensity of training, the responsibility of the role, and the pride associated with participating in an international tournament.

Paul Elliott, one of the Chuckle Brothers, received an MBE from King Charles for his charitable work and refrained from using the duo’s well‑known catchphrase during the ceremony. Elliott discussed his role as a Marie Curie ambassador and highlighted the charity’s importance to him following the support it provided to his late brother Barry during his illness.

Idris Elba receives a knighthood for his work with young people through the Elba Hope Foundation and his collaboration with the Prince’s Trust. Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are honoured for their contributions to ice skating and voluntary service. Additional recipients include Meera Syal for her work in the arts and Paul Elliott for charitable service.

The UK plans to make unauthorised resale of tickets for major events, including Euro 2028, a criminal offence as part of a broader effort to attract major international sporting events. The policy aims to curb exploitative ticket touting and ensure fans can buy tickets at face value. The move aligns with similar action taken in Scotland and comes alongside government ambitions to bid for future Olympic and Paralympic Games. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasised the economic and social benefits of hosting major events.

The UK plans to criminalize the unauthorized resale of tickets for major sporting events, including Euro 2028, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen bids for hosting international competitions. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is developing a framework to meet requirements for future events such as potential Olympic bids and the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The move aims to curb exploitative touting and ensure tickets are sold at face value, aligning with similar legislation passed in Scotland for the European Championship. Government officials, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, emphasize the economic and social benefits of hosting major events, while concerns remain about whether the proposed ban will appear in the upcoming King’s Speech.

An inquest heard that Surrey County Council failed to complete recommended ivy removal on a beech tree that later broke and killed 12‑year‑old Brooke Wiggins in Banstead. The tree had a concealed crack not visible from ground level, and the required work had been classified as a priority but was never carried out. After the incident, the council removed the rope swing and later reduced the tree to a trunk without consulting the community or the family. A review group was formed following the death, and no advisory signage was placed in the area despite council policy.

A 12-year-old girl, Brooke Wiggins, died after being struck by a falling tree branch while on a rope swing in Banstead, Surrey. An inquest heard that the tree, maintained by Surrey County Council, had missed a scheduled 2024 inspection that could have resulted in the removal of the swing under council policy. Her parents gave emotional statements describing her personality, potential, and their grief, with her father expressing frustration that proper inspections were not carried out. The coroner acknowledged the tragedy as the hearing continues.

A University of Kent law student, Annabelle Mackay, described losing her ability to see and speak after contracting meningitis, initially mistaking the illness for Covid-19. She experienced severe symptoms including delirium and sensitivity to light before being rushed to hospital. More than 100 students seeking meningitis vaccines at the university were turned away as public health officials warned of possible additional household clusters. The UK Health Security Agency reported 29 linked cases, including confirmed and probable infections associated with Kent.

A bone discovered during a private search for the remains of Muriel McKay was confirmed not to be human, prompting her family to continue the investigation in an east London garden. Muriel McKay, abducted and murdered in 1969 in a case brought without a body, remains missing despite renewed efforts based on new witness information. Her grandson, Mark Dyer, said the family will proceed with further excavation after forensic officers ruled out the bone’s human origin, while police acknowledged the ongoing independent search.

Davina McCall reflects on being frequently mistaken for Claudia Winkleman and jokes about dressing as the BBC presenter for Comic Relief. She prepares to co-host Comic Relief: Funny For Money alongside Catherine Tate’s character Nan, while additional comedians and presenters will feature across various sketches and special segments. BBC programming leading up to the event will offer previews and compilations, supporting the annual Red Nose Day fundraising effort for projects backed by Comic Relief.

Reform UK proposed limiting postal voting to specific groups and removing voting rights from Commonwealth citizens, arguing these changes would strengthen electoral integrity. Nigel Farage linked postal voting to fraud and claimed non-British voters undermine national sovereignty, while government and Conservative figures dismissed the proposals as disproportionate. Previous complaints from Farage and other Reform UK figures about postal voting in by-elections have never resulted in proven fraud. Electoral Commission data indicates no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud in the UK.

A man pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to stealing a handbag in Soho that contained a valuable Faberge egg, a watch, and bank cards. The Faberge egg, valued at over £2 million and owned by the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, remains missing. The thief also used the victim’s stolen bank cards and is being held in custody ahead of his next court appearance in March.

A man identified as Enzo Conticello pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to stealing a handbag in Soho containing a Faberge egg, a watch valued with it at a minimum of $2.8 million, and using stolen bank cards for purchases. The high‑value egg has not been recovered. The judge sought further confirmation of the jewellery's value before sentencing. Conticello was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again in March.

Storm Goretti triggered widespread power outages, school closures and severe travel disruption across the UK, with winds approaching 100mph and heavy snowfall affecting multiple regions. Airports experienced closures and cancellations, rail services were disrupted and damage was reported in coastal areas. The Met Office issued additional yellow warnings for snow and ice extending into the weekend, highlighting risks from further snowfall and potential flooding caused by melting snow and rain. Government support for affected households was confirmed while calls were made for an emergency Cobra meeting to address conditions in the South West.

The City of London Corporation will replace four long-standing independent cafes on Hampstead Heath with the Daisy Green group in spring 2026, requiring current operators to vacate by January. The decision has sparked strong community opposition, including a large petition and celebrity backing, over concerns about affordability, job losses, and the loss of community spaces. Daisy Green says it plans to upgrade the sites while maintaining affordability and local partnerships.

A German man, Lejunae Wood, was arrested at Heathrow Airport and charged with the murder of Leajunne Wood, who died in 2021 from complications linked to a severe head injury sustained as an infant in 2007. Pathology findings in 2023 led the Metropolitan Police to open a murder investigation. The suspect is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

Keir Starmer reflected on the death of his brother Nick, describing his private visits to intensive care during an 18‑month battle with lung cancer and the emotional impact of his loss. He discussed balancing personal grief with the responsibilities of serving as Prime Minister and spoke about the pressures facing young men in finding role models. Starmer also said that fatherhood has made him strive to be more present and loving than his own distant father.

Keir Starmer described the emotional impact of his brother Nick’s death, explaining how the loss affected him deeply despite knowing it was coming. He discussed the challenges of managing personal tragedy while serving as prime minister and reflected on masculinity, role models for young men, and the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate. Starmer also spoke about fatherhood, his upbringing, and what he hopes his children will remember about him. The interview coincided with the release of the government’s men’s health strategy addressing issues including suicide, alcohol abuse and gambling.

Storm Claudia caused heavy rain across England and Wales, prompting the Environment Agency to issue numerous flood alerts and warnings, with some properties already affected. Roadside assistance callouts increased due to hazardous conditions. While the storm is expected to subside over the weekend, a yellow cold weather alert has been issued for parts of the Midlands and northern England as Arctic air brings freezing temperatures, frost and possible snow early next week.