Karan Kaushik

Kelly Higgins describes the violence and intimidation she experienced as a child while living with her mother, Bernadette McNeilly, who was convicted of murdering 16-year-old Suzanne Capper in 1992. After being placed in foster care, Higgins found stability with Sue and Pete but was still required to maintain contact with her imprisoned mother, who retained parental responsibility. Now a mother and campaigner, Higgins is seeking automatic removal of parental responsibility from parents convicted of abuse and greater authority for foster carers. Her petition has passed 10,000 signatures and remains open while seeking 100,000 signatures for parliamentary consideration.

Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial has begun in Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege that the rapper financed and helped organize a 2022 shooting targeting Quando Rondo as retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von; Rondo survived, but his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed. Durk, who was arrested near Miami in October 2024, has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody. Prosecutors are seeking to use portions of his music and the video for “Pissed Me Off” as evidence, while his defense disputes the interpretation of his lyrics, communications and alleged connections to the attackers. A conviction on the most serious charges could result in a mandatory life sentence.

A man was arrested on suspicion of burglary after reportedly being seen inside Kim Kardashian's Hidden Hills, California, property on 9 August. Kardashian and her children were elsewhere while the home was being renovated. Authorities have not identified the suspect, disclosed whether anything was stolen, or determined whether additional charges or accomplices are involved. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's investigation remains ongoing.

Former Syrian security official Atef Najib was sentenced to death by a Syrian court on 11 August 2026 for crimes including premeditated murder, torture and crimes against humanity. As head of the Political Security Directorate in Daraa, Najib was accused of involvement in the detention and abuse of schoolchildren whose graffiti helped trigger the 2011 uprising, as well as the violent suppression of subsequent protests. Captured in January 2025 and tried in person in Damascus, he became one of the most prominent former regime officials to face domestic prosecution as Syria’s transitional authorities pursue accountability for abuses committed during the former government’s rule.

Amy Childs said her Essex home was extensively ransacked while she, her fiancé Billy Delbosq and their children were on holiday. She described returning to the damaged property as heartbreaking and a violation, while the family assessed what may have been stolen and worked to restore a sense of safety. Essex Police are investigating, with no arrests reported, and Childs thanked neighbours, friends and fans for their support.

The Metropolitan Police released images of several men they want to identify in connection with alleged assaults, thefts and public disorder during Arsenal’s Premier League victory parade in London. Police have made 29 arrests and charged 12 people with offences including attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, assault, theft and sexual assault. Detectives are reviewing CCTV, body-worn camera footage, mobile-phone videos and witness statements, and are asking the public to provide information while stressing that being sought for questioning does not imply guilt.

A nine-year-old girl died after a serious incident at the Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath, while five relatives—four children and one adult—were taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening or life-changing. Police Scotland arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of murder and said the incident appeared to be isolated, with no wider public threat. Detectives are examining the scene, gathering forensic evidence and witness accounts, and awaiting a post-mortem examination as they establish what happened.