Sam Hall

Jenna Lennon, Tommy Robinson’s former wife and a former sole director of Hope & Pride Limited, pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to three alleged company accounting and record-keeping offences. The charges concern failing to surrender records to a liquidator and failing to maintain and preserve adequate financial records. Lennon was granted bail, with a case management hearing scheduled for October 1, 2026, and a trial set for July 31, 2028. The report also covers Robinson’s recent apology to Oxford student Aisha Khan-Aziz after comments from an Oxford Union debate were taken out of context and followed by online abuse.

A teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker during three nights of anti-immigration unrest in Thetford, where police officers were reportedly hit with a rock, bitten and spat at. A man in his 20s was also arrested over alleged assault and drug offences, while Norfolk Police said further arrests were likely as officers reviewed footage. Separately, Thomas Brown pleaded guilty to cannabis possession, driving without insurance and failing to provide a breath test, receiving a fine and 10 penalty points.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two Metropolitan Police officers over alleged failures in managing Simon Levy after his release from prison in February 2023. Levy was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, as well as raping two women and committing other violent sexual offences. The Met, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have admitted failings, including decisions that left Levy on bail while his attacks escalated. The IOPC has served a gross misconduct notice on a police constable and a misconduct notice on a detective sergeant, while stressing that the notices do not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.

Two nights of disorder in Thetford followed reports that asylum seekers had been housed in local residential properties, though the Home Office and police did not confirm the reports. During the second night, a police officer was seriously bitten, another was struck by a rock and a third was spat at. Several people were arrested, including Brian Thompson, who was charged with possessing a wooden bat. Police introduced temporary powers to remove face coverings and direct people suspected of anti-social behaviour away from the area. Local officials and MP Terry Jermy condemned reports of residents being forced from homes, property damage and racial hostility. Separate protests have also opposed proposals to house up to 3,750 migrants at RAF Barnham.

Two men were arrested after a second night of disorder in Thetford, Norfolk, linked to fears that properties could be used to house asylum seekers. Two police officers were hospitalised after one was struck by a rock and another was seriously bitten while intervening near a residential property. Brian Thompson was charged with possessing an offensive weapon and released on bail, while another man remained in custody. Local MP Terry Jermy condemned the violence, while acknowledging that residents may have legitimate concerns about Home Office plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham.

Former pop star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court facing four alleged sexual offences involving a girl aged eight to 11 between 1978 and 1981. The allegations concern unlawful sexual intercourse and three counts of indecent assault at his home in west London. Glitter was remanded into custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 2 September. The Metropolitan Police said the allegations were reported in January 2025 and that Glitter was interviewed in July.

Former pop star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court facing one charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three charges of indecent assault on a girl under 14. Prosecutors allege the offences took place between 1978 and 1981 at his home in Kensington and Chelsea when the complainant was aged eight to 11. Glitter was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 2 September.

A 14-year-old boy died after entering the River Thames near Millwall Outer Dock on London’s Isle of Dogs. Emergency services recovered his body several hours later and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police said the death was unexpected but not suspicious, with a report being prepared for the coroner. Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter warned of the dangers of open water and urged people to swim only in designated areas and discuss water safety with children.

Jack Tweed, the widower of Jade Goody, was disqualified from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court to driving with cannabis above the legal limit. A blood test found 5.6 micrograms of THC per litre, against the two-microgram limit, following a police stop near Chelmsford. He was also fined £692, ordered to pay a £277 surcharge and £85 in costs, and told the court he had used cannabis to cope with trauma, depression and anxiety.

Jack Tweed pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court to driving his Volkswagen Golf with 5.6 micrograms of cannabis’s active ingredient in his blood, above the legal limit of two micrograms. He was fined £692, ordered to pay a £277 surcharge and £85 in costs, and disqualified from driving for 12 months. Tweed told the court that depression, anxiety and sleep problems contributed to his cannabis use, but said he regretted driving the following morning. The court also heard he had seven previous convictions for 14 offences, including a 2007 conviction for driving with excess alcohol.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he made an inadvertent mistake by sharing an Instagram image showing a guillotine and a T-shirt referencing Nigel Farage. He removed the post and said he was horrified by its dangerous message, but declined to apologise directly to Farage. Reform UK reported him to police, while Zia Yusuf accused him of inciting murder and Farage called for his arrest. The Metropolitan Police said it was conducting inquiries, and Pat McFadden urged politicians to exercise care with social media posts.

Wildfire risk across the UK remains high after more than 200 fires were recorded in two weeks. A fourth heatwave is expected to bring temperatures of up to 35°C to south-east England, while the Met Office warns that fires in London, the South East and eastern England could become exceptionally severe. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert, and the National Fire Chiefs Council is urging the public to exercise caution as dry, hot conditions allow fires to spread rapidly.

Fire chiefs have warned that wildfire risk remains elevated across the UK, with 208 incidents recorded in England and Wales between 16 and 28 July and 706 recorded so far in 2026. A coming heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 35C in south-east England, could make fires exceptionally severe in London, the South East and eastern England. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for several regions, while firefighters continue tackling major incidents including one at Tintwistle Moor. Officials attribute the heightened risk to prolonged hot, dry weather, harvesting activity and climate change, and urge the public to avoid activities such as disposable barbecues and unsafe cigarette disposal.

Reform UK reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to police after he shared and later removed an Instagram post showing a guillotine-themed T-shirt bearing the slogan “We’re only making plans for Nigel,” a reference to XTC’s song. Nigel Farage and Reform spokesperson Zia Yusuf accused Polanski of inciting violence, while the Green Party said he had accepted a tagged post without seeing all of its images, condemned the shirt and urged less divisive public discourse. The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received a third-party report and was making inquiries. The controversy comes amid wider concerns about threats against politicians and calls from Andy Burnham for a serious review of MPs’ security.

Police are investigating a social-media image shared and later removed by Green Party leader Zack Polanski after Reform UK filed a report. The image showed a man wearing a guillotine T-shirt bearing the phrase “We’re only making plans for Nigel.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and spokesperson Zia Yusuf accused Polanski of inciting murder, while the Green Party said he condemned the image and had accepted a tag in a multi-image post without realizing the controversial content was included. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that inquiries were underway following a third-party report.

Armed, plain-clothed and specialist police officers will patrol Brighton & Hove Pride following a fatal van and machete attack at a Pride event in Berlin that left one person dead and at least 29 injured. Sussex Police said extensive security planning with the council, event organisers and other partners was already in place. Council leader Bella Sankey expressed solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community, while Wes Streeting condemned the attack and said the need for Pride events remained clear despite the heightened security concerns.

Prince William described devastating wildfires in France, Spain and the UK as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by an increasingly extreme climate. Firefighters are battling unprecedented blazes ahead of another heatwave, while a major fire has affected 25 square kilometres of Cairngorms National Park. UK authorities, including the London Fire Brigade and Met Office, have warned of heightened fire and heat risks, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in parts of Europe and 35°C in south-eastern England.

Prince William expressed sympathy for people affected by severe wildfires in France, Spain and the UK and thanked firefighters, emergency workers and volunteers. Fires had consumed large areas in France and threatened Bordeaux, while several fronts burned in central Spain and a large blaze affected Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park. The UK Government offered military assistance to Scotland, but First Minister John Swinney said the offer was unnecessary and that requested aerial water-dropping support was unavailable. Hot, dry conditions and another heatwave were expected to increase wildfire risks across Europe and the UK, highlighting the connection between extreme weather and human-caused climate change.

R&B singer Chris Brown pleaded guilty to affray at Southwark Crown Court over a 2023 confrontation at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, during which he struck a former friend twice with a bottle. More serious charges were dropped, and the other defendant, Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty to affray. Both are due to be sentenced on 26 October, while Brown remains on bail under stringent conditions including a £5 million security fee and passport surrender.

R&B singer Chris Brown and his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, pleaded guilty to affray at Southwark Crown Court over a 2023 confrontation at Tape nightclub in Mayfair. Prosecutors said Brown struck Abraham Diaw twice with a glass bottle, after which Akinlolu punched him and the victim was kicked while on the floor. Assault and weapons charges were dropped, and both men are due to be sentenced on 26 October. Brown was released on bail after previously agreeing to a £5 million security fee and tour-related passport conditions.

Anthony Durkan, 36, of Islington, pleaded guilty to 19 further voyeurism charges, bringing the total to 26. Police footage shows him approaching homes at night in disguise and filming women through windows. Investigators found a hidden folder on his phone containing 162 videos and 99 photographs, most apparently showing women who were unaware they were being recorded. The Metropolitan Police is appealing for additional victims in Islington and north London, including women who noticed suspicious activity between January 2020 and March 2026. Durkan was released on conditional bail and will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Anthony Durkan, a 36-year-old Islington man, pleaded guilty to 26 voyeurism charges after filming women through their windows at night while dressed in black. Police found 162 videos and 99 photos, most showing unaware women, on a hidden folder on his phone. The Metropolitan Police released footage of the incidents and his arrest and are appealing for additional victims in Islington and north London to come forward.

Ofcom said it could take no further legal action against a US-based suicide forum linked by the Molly Rose Foundation to at least 164 UK deaths. The watchdog said the forum had been fined £950,000 for illegal suicide content and had introduced a geoblock that prevents access for most UK users, but that the Online Safety Act does not provide sufficient grounds for a court-ordered block, criminal proceedings or a conditional order if the block is removed. Campaigners, bereaved families and the Samaritans condemned the decision, arguing that vulnerable people remain at risk and that the Act is not fit for purpose. Ofcom said it would pursue the unpaid fine and monitor the geoblock.

Wes Streeting has urged the Health and Social Care Select Committee to summon NHS executives and regional leaders who refused to provide evidence to Donna Ockenden’s review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The review found that more than 500 mothers and babies experienced potentially avoidable harm or died amid deeply embedded systemic failures. Streeting said the refusals denied Nottingham families accountability and reflected a wider NHS cover-up culture. The government plans to appoint a national maternity commissioner following a separate rapid review, but bereaved and affected families and the Maternity Safety Alliance argue that the proposals lack independence and sufficient scrutiny of regulators, calling instead for a statutory public inquiry.

Pubs in England and Wales have been permitted to remain open until 5am for England’s 1am World Cup last-16 match against Mexico. Many venues, particularly smaller local pubs, are expected to stay closed because of staffing difficulties, noise concerns and the mismatch with their usual business model. Wetherspoons plans to open only five of its roughly 800 pubs, while Greene King says more than 600 venues will open late.

Andy Burnham cautions against early speculation about a potential bank holiday should England win the World Cup, noting the team’s need for improvement ahead of their match against Mexico. He emphasises hope but warns against getting ahead of expectations. The UK Government has extended pub opening hours until 5am for the upcoming match following calls from MPs for longer hours.

The UK experienced its hottest June day for three consecutive days, reaching a provisional 37.3°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk. Scientists said the intensity and frequency of such extreme heat would be virtually impossible without human-driven climate change. Temperatures are expected to fall as thunderstorms move in, although an amber extreme-heat warning remains active across parts of south-east England and East Anglia until Saturday evening. The heatwave caused hospital incidents, school closures, a hosepipe ban in Kent and advice against non-essential train travel.

Adina Mihai and Madalin Dumitru pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to the manslaughter of Malcolm King, 80, and Gary Mouat, 37, after drugging men with GBL while posing as a sex worker and then stealing from them. They also admitted administering poison to two surviving men. The investigation by Thames Valley Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary linked the deaths through forensic evidence, and the pair were remanded in custody pending substantial prison sentences expected in late July or early August. Police said no other deaths, poisonings or thefts are currently linked to the case but are continuing to consider whether there may be additional victims.

Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the UK and Japan are entering a new era of cooperation, including closer defence and security ties ahead of the G7 summit. Agreements and proposals cover frontier technology, semiconductors, offshore wind investment and the Gcap fighter-jet programme, with Japan expected to support up to £9 billion in UK offshore wind investment. A new partnership linking the UK Semiconductor Centre with Japan’s Rapidus facility aims to improve access to advanced chip manufacturing. The discussions also addressed conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Indo-Pacific stability, resilient supply chains and free trade, while Starmer faced domestic pressure following the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey and other ministers.

Dame Kelly Holmes joined a large crowd at Bushy Park in west London to celebrate parkrun’s one millionth 5km event. Founded there in 2004 with just 13 runners and five volunteers, parkrun has grown to more than 2,800 locations across 23 countries, attracting about half a million participants each weekend. Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt credited its simplicity, inclusivity and free entry, while global chief executive Elizabeth Duggan outlined ambitions to expand to 30 countries and reach 750,000 weekly participants by 2030. The event also highlighted the contributions of volunteers and regular participants, including Darren Wood, the first person to complete 1,000 parkruns.

The developing El Niño is expected to increase the likelihood of a milder, wetter and windier UK autumn and early winter, although the Met Office stresses that the connection is uncertain and depends on other climate drivers. Meteorologists warn that the event could become one of the strongest in decades, temporarily raising global temperatures and potentially making the following year the hottest in records dating to 1850. El Niño may also bring severe weather impacts internationally and threaten food supplies, as heat stress and drought affect farmers producing imports such as rice, coffee, tea and chocolate. Climate and agricultural experts call for sharper emissions cuts and more direct climate finance to help small-scale producers adapt.

John Healey resigned as defence secretary on 11 June 2026, accusing Keir Starmer and HM Treasury of failing to provide adequate funding for the Defence Investment Plan during a period of rising threats. He became the 21st politician appointed by Starmer to leave government since Labour’s July 2024 election victory and the sixth Labour minister to resign in the preceding month. The departures include resignations over personal conduct, ministerial standards, policy disputes, health, and growing concern about Starmer’s leadership following Labour’s poor local and Scottish election results.

Two men, Matt Styler and Daniel Frost, have been charged over violent disorder in Southampton following protests after the sentencing of Henry Nowak’s murderer. Styler faces a charge of assaulting an emergency worker, while Frost is charged with violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon; both are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court. The unrest injured 11 police officers and a police dog. Labour MP Darren Paffey condemned the violence, stressed the importance of the rule of law, and called for action following an independent watchdog investigation into Hampshire Police’s handling of the events.

Matt Styler, 50, and Daniel Frost, 44, have been charged following violent disorder in Southampton after the sentencing of Henry Nowak’s murderer. Styler faces a charge of assaulting a police officer, while Frost is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Both are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

Comcast NBCUniversal will invest more than £5 billion to build the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, with a further £1 billion planned during its first decade of operation. The UK government will provide £1.3 billion for local and regional infrastructure, including grants for community facilities and upgrades to the A421 and Wixams rail station. Construction is expected to create nearly 20,000 jobs, with another 8,000 positions when the resort opens in 2031. Universal projects nearly £50 billion in economic benefits by 2055 and expects the park to attract millions of visitors, including more than one million additional overseas tourists.

At least 15 people, including several children and teenagers, died in rivers, lakes and coastal waters across the UK during a recent heatwave. The Royal Life Saving Society urged people to consider the risks before entering open water, while the UK Health Security Agency highlighted cold water shock as a potentially fatal danger regardless of swimming ability. Reported victims included a 13-year-old girl in the River Wharfe, a 15-year-old boy in Lincoln and a 17-year-old boy recovered from Pickmere Lake.

At least 15 people, most of them children, have died in water-related incidents across the UK during a period of hot weather. The deaths occurred at beaches, lakes, rivers and other open-water locations in England, Wales and Scotland. Public-health and emergency-services organizations warned that cold water shock can cause an immediate physical reaction, increasing the risk of drowning regardless of swimming ability, and urged people to assess the dangers before entering open water.

The UK is expected to experience cooler temperatures after a record-breaking heatwave, although parts of south-west England, London and the East Midlands could still reach 30–33C later in the week. Kew Gardens recorded a provisional 35.1C and Cardiff Bute Park 32.9C, while at least six people died in open-water incidents, prompting safety warnings. Met Office scientists said human greenhouse gas emissions are increasing the likelihood of such exceptional heat.

The UK is expected to get some relief from an exceptional May heatwave as cloud cover and easterly winds lower temperatures from Wednesday, although parts of southern England may remain above 30C through Friday. Record highs included 35.1C at Kew Gardens and 32.9C in Cardiff, while a tropical night set a new May record for minimum temperatures. At least six people in the UK and one teenager in Ireland died after getting into difficulty in open water, prompting warnings from the RNLI and fire authorities about cold-water shock and unsupervised swimming. Rail speed restrictions and amber heat-health alerts remain in place, and Met Office scientists said climate change has made the likelihood of breaking May temperature records about three times higher.

A body was recovered from the River Ribble near Ribchester after a large-scale search for a 12-year-old boy who got into difficulty while swimming with friends. Lancashire Police believe the body is that of the missing boy, although formal identification has not yet taken place. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the boy’s family is receiving support from specially trained liaison officers.

A motorist was shot in the arm by a Greater Manchester Police firearms officer in Whitefield, Bury, after police said he drove directly at officers while attempting to evade arrest. The man, a 20-year-old white British national, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the supply of class A drugs and taken to hospital with an injury that was neither life-threatening nor life-changing. No officers or members of the public were injured, and the incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The UK Government is consulting on mandatory ID checks at sunbed salons to prevent under-18s from bypassing existing restrictions, including through contactless payment systems. Proposed rules would require staff verification, prominent health warnings and a ban on misleading claims that sunbeds aid weight loss or prevent sunburn. Health officials and cancer charities support the measures, citing skin cancer risks and the vulnerability of young people. The consultation could lead to rules being introduced as early as next year, alongside a later review of whether tougher action is necessary.

A Woolwich Crown Court trial heard that Romanian nationals Nandito Badea and George Stana allegedly smiled and laughed after stabbing British-based Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in Wimbledon on 29 March 2024. Prosecutors say the attack was planned, carried out with an alleged accomplice, and ordered by a third party acting for the Iranian state. Witnesses described the attackers fleeing in a car while Zeraati lay bleeding, and the court heard that the defendants traveled to Heathrow and then Geneva after the incident. Both men deny wounding and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Twenty-two British passengers and crew from the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius cruise ship are being repatriated to the UK after testing in Tenerife. Those who are negative and asymptomatic will travel on a dedicated medical flight to Arrowe Park Hospital for up to 72 hours of clinical assessment and testing, followed by 45 days of self-isolation. The World Health Organization has confirmed six cases linked to the ship and three deaths globally, while saying the risk to Tenerife residents remains low.

Twenty-two British passengers and crew members from the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius are due to be repatriated from Tenerife to the UK after testing. They will initially be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital for clinical assessment in a managed setting for up to 72 hours, followed by up to 45 days of self-isolation without using public transport. The WHO reported six confirmed cases linked to the ship, eight cases overall and three deaths, while stressing that the public-health risk remains low and that the outbreak is not another Covid-19 pandemic.

Police are searching for a suspected hit-and-run driver after a red Vauxhall Astra struck multiple pedestrians in Market Place, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, at 1:12 a.m. on Saturday. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, while one man suffered life-threatening injuries. Nottinghamshire Police have identified a suspected white male and are appealing for witnesses or relevant footage; road closures remain in place during the investigation.

A red Vauxhall Astra struck multiple pedestrians in Market Place, Arnold, at around 1:12am on Saturday, leaving one man with life-threatening injuries. The vehicle was abandoned and its driver fled on foot. Nottinghamshire Police have identified a suspected white male and are searching for him, while road closures remain in place as officers gather witness, CCTV, dashcam and other footage.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham withdrew from a keynote speech scheduled for the morning after the UK local elections. Caroline Simpson, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, will replace him at the Festival of Childhood event. The decision has intensified speculation that Burnham may seek a return to Westminster and challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, although he faces logistical hurdles in securing a parliamentary seat.

Andy Burnham withdrew from a keynote speech in Manchester as speculation grew that Labour MPs could seek to remove Keir Starmer after the local and devolved elections. Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner are all discussed as potential successors, although neither Streeting nor Rayner is reportedly willing to initiate a challenge. Burnham is said to be exploring a return to Westminster through a by-election and preparing a progressive policy platform, but the Labour National Executive Committee previously blocked his candidacy in Gorton and Denton because of concerns over the cost of a new mayoral election and the risk of a Reform victory.

Meghan Markle marked Prince Archie’s seventh birthday by sharing rare photographs on Instagram, including an image of Prince Harry holding Archie as a baby and another of Archie with his younger sister, Princess Lilibet, on a beach. The family lives in California after moving from the UK in 2020 and recently returned from a four-day trip to Australia.

Sir Gareth Southgate warns that the cost of football boots, trainers and other sports kit is preventing some children from taking part in physical education and sport. He is supporting The Multibank, which redistributes surplus goods donated by businesses to families in need. YouGov research found that 15% of parents said their children had abandoned sporting ambitions because they could not afford equipment, while 72% believed unequal access reduced opportunities for children from lower-income families. Amazon is backing the campaign with a sports-product donation-matching initiative.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attended a 90-minute interview at the Her Best Life retreat at Sydney’s five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel, where tickets cost up to £1,670. She reportedly received no appearance fee and also filmed an episode of MasterChef Australia without payment. During the Australia visit, she announced an investment in AI fashion platform OneOff and plans to create exclusive edits of her looks, while Harry delivered a workplace leadership keynote in Melbourne.

Meghan Markle appeared as the VIP guest at the Her Best Life women’s retreat in Sydney, where standard tickets cost £1,400 and VIP access cost £1,670. She spoke to about 100 women for roughly 90 minutes at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel. The event included coaching, yoga, sound healing, meals and entertainment, while tight security limited media access. Neither Meghan nor Prince Harry was reportedly paid for their Australian engagements. During the visit, Meghan also invested in the AI-powered fashion platform OneOff and filmed an episode of MasterChef Australia, while Harry delivered a keynote speech at a Melbourne workplace-leadership summit.

Prince Harry and Meghan visited Sydney’s Bondi Beach Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club and met survivors and emergency workers of the previous year’s attack, including Jessica Chapnik Khan and Elon Zizer. They also visited the Sydney Jewish Museum to view artefacts planned for an exhibition about the attack, walked along Bondi Beach and met members of the Invictus Games community. Survivors and responders welcomed the visit as recognition of the community’s trauma.

Meghan Markle has invested in OneOff, an AI-powered fashion platform that lets users identify and shop clothing from her wardrobe while promoting designers. During her visit to Australia, she also filmed an appearance as a guest judge and mentor on MasterChef Australia. Prince Harry separately attended a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and spoke about the Invictus Games to veterans and their families.

Prince Harry visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where he delivered a speech, made an Acknowledgement of Country, laid a wreath and attended a ceremony honouring Lieutenant Irene Ada Singleton. He praised Australia's contribution to the Invictus movement, announced an Invictus Australia Sports Festival in Perth and discussed potential host bids for the 2029 and 2031 Invictus Games. Separately, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was announced as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and joined the fashion discovery platform OneOff as a participant and investor.

Prince Harry visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where he addressed veterans and their families, attempted an Australian accent, attended the Last Post Ceremony, laid a wreath and viewed museum exhibits. He praised the Invictus Games’ expansion and its support for Australian veterans, announced an inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival in Perth, and discussed bids for future Games in 2029 and 2031. The visit also coincided with announcements that Meghan would appear as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and had joined fashion platform OneOff as an investor and participant.

During a Movember event in Melbourne, Prince Harry discussed undergoing therapy to address past issues before becoming a father and described feeling disconnected during the early stages of fatherhood. He said children should be an “upgrade” on their parents and shared advice from his therapist about recognizing fathers’ emotions after a baby is born. His Australia visit also included an Australian rules football activity and a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Prince Harry and Meghan are undertaking a four-day privately funded visit to Australia focused on mental health, community resilience and veterans. More than 45,000 people have signed a petition calling for no taxpayer funding or official support, while police in New South Wales and Victoria have confirmed security arrangements. The itinerary includes paid speaking engagements, visits supporting young people, vulnerable women, children’s hospitals, homeless services and the Invictus community, ending with a rugby fixture in Sydney.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are undertaking a privately funded four-day visit to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney focused on mental health, community resilience, young people, vulnerable women and veterans. Meghan will speak at a Sydney retreat costing up to £1,670 for VIP access, while Harry will address Melbourne's InterEdge Summit, where tickets cost up to £1,250. The visit includes engagements with Invictus Australia, the Australian War Memorial, Movember and Batyr, but no public walkabouts. More than 45,000 people have signed a petition opposing taxpayer funding or official support, while police forces are preparing additional security measures. The trip is also framed against the couple's successful 2018 Australia tour and Harry's later memoir accounts of that visit and his earlier time working on a Queensland cattle ranch.

Eighteen-year-old Marwan Khadir was sentenced to three years in prison after threatening a south London chicken shop worker with a realistic imitation firearm and assaulting him over an incorrect garlic sauce order. Police identified and arrested Khadir using CCTV, financial tracking and local checks, recovering the replica gun and fake ammunition. He pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear, making threats to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a 21-year-old man was fatally stabbed at Primrose Hill in north London. A second man in his 20s was found nearby with stab wounds and taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening or life-changing. No arrests had been made, and police maintained a crime scene and increased presence while appealing for witnesses. The report also references the 2023 Primrose Hill murder of 16-year-old Harry Pitman, for which Areece Lloyd-Hall was sentenced to at least 16 years in prison.

The UK Home Office is considering whether Kanye West should be allowed to enter the country to headline London’s Wireless Festival, following his history of antisemitic remarks, admiration for Adolf Hitler and release of the song “Heil Hitler.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting declined to comment, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other government figures have expressed concern. West has apologized for earlier comments and offered to meet members of the British Jewish community to demonstrate that he has changed. Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn defended the booking, arguing that West has a legal right to perform and that the festival is not endorsing his views. The Board of Deputies of British Jews called for the invitation to be withdrawn, while Pepsi, Diageo, AB InBev and PayPal have distanced themselves from the festival.

Kanye West has offered to meet with the British Jewish community ahead of his scheduled performance at London's Wireless Festival, promising a “show of change” focused on unity, peace and love. The offer follows his apology for antisemitic comments, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other government figures have raised concerns about the appearance. Festival organisers have defended allowing him to perform.

Kanye West is scheduled to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival in London, prompting calls for him to be barred from the UK because of past antisemitic remarks and praise for Adolf Hitler. Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn defended West’s legal right to perform, while arguing that the booking does not give him a platform for his political views and calling for forgiveness after West’s January apology. Keir Starmer, Ed Davey and other politicians have raised concerns, with ministers reviewing West’s permission to enter the country. Sponsors including Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn their support, while PayPal will be omitted from future promotional materials.

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office is urging parents to teach children aged four to 11 about online privacy as they would stranger danger or road safety. Research found that children share sensitive information with AI tools and online services, while many parents feel unprepared to protect them and rarely discuss privacy. The ICO has launched a campaign promoting simple, regular conversations about digital footprints and privacy settings. England’s children’s commissioner and Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts backed greater parental guidance, while Rachel de Souza also called for technology companies to be held accountable and required to prioritize children’s safety and privacy by design.

A man died after being stabbed during a disturbance outside a nightclub on Ruby Street in Peckham at 3:54am on Monday. Two other men were fighting for their lives in hospital, and four men—one aged 18 and three aged 24—were arrested on suspicion of murder. The Metropolitan Police is seeking witnesses, dashcam footage and mobile phone video as the investigation continues.

Daniel Jones, 38, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court to 18 months in prison after admitting 33 thefts and breaching a criminal behaviour order 31 times. His offences involved stealing Easter eggs, food, coffee pots, pet supplies and detergents worth £2,926.73 from Co-op and Marks & Spencer stores in Essex and Ipswich. Police arrested him at home after finding him hiding inside the base of a divan bed as part of Operation Valuable, an initiative targeting prolific shoplifters. He was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge and serve six months of a previously suspended sentence.

The UK Government is consulting on an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, alongside restrictions on addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, overnight curfews, time limits and children’s access to AI chatbots. Ministers plan to run trials, hold a national conversation on online safety and respond to the consultation in summer. The Government is also preparing broad powers to change restrictions quickly, prompting concerns about reduced parliamentary scrutiny. The House of Lords has twice backed an under-16 ban, while the Commons has supported more flexible ministerial powers. A US jury’s finding that Google and Meta designed platforms to hook young users could strengthen calls for tougher regulation and influence similar legal cases.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to his late mother, Josephine, on Mother’s Day, describing her as an extraordinary example who continued to put others first despite suffering from Still’s disease. The NHS nurse died in 2015 after severe illness that eventually led to the amputation of her leg and limited communication. Starmer recalled growing up with her hospitalisations and buying his parents a field in 1996 so his mother could see the donkeys she loved. The account also highlights how her illness influenced his understanding of acute care and shaped his admiration for her courage and determination.

Former actor John Alford, 54, died at HMP Bure in Norfolk two months after beginning an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for sexual offences against two teenage girls. He was convicted of sexual activity with a 14-year-old and sexual assault and assault by penetration involving a 15-year-old following incidents in Hertfordshire in April 2022. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate his death, in line with standard procedures for deaths in custody.