Tanya Gupta

Hassan El-Khawas, Zeina Alayn and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas died after getting into difficulty in the sea near Shoreham Fort. A younger girl from the family remains critically ill in hospital, while two other children were on shore. Sussex Police believe the incident was a tragic accident with no third-party involvement. Emergency services mounted a major response, and the local community and Palestinian organizations expressed condolences. Authorities are continuing inquiries and preparing a file for the coroner, while officials renewed warnings about the dangers of open-water swimming.

Hassan El-Khawas, Zeina Alayn and their 14-year-old daughter Sara have been identified as the three members of a London-based Palestinian British family who died after getting into difficulty in the sea near Shoreham Fort. A younger girl remains critically ill in hospital, while two other children were on shore. Sussex Police believe the incident was a tragic accident with no third-party involvement. Emergency services mounted a major response, and the local community, churches and Palestinian organizations have offered support and condolences. Police inquiries are continuing and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Emma Burton says she will continue operating the Capel Cake Shed in Capel-le-Ferne after youths stole cakes from the honesty-box business. Footage of the incident was viewed more than nine million times, prompting widespread support from local customers and people overseas. The youths later returned money and an apology, but Burton questioned whether social-media attention motivated their actions. Despite several thefts since the shed opened in December, she says community support and customer loyalty outweigh the losses.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy visited the site of the Lewes derailment, where 20 people were injured, including two seriously. Lewes MP James MacCleary called for greater transport investment in the South East, arguing that the region had been overlooked, while Lord Hendy said funding was distributed nationally and rejected the suggestion that the area was disadvantaged. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is examining track condition and is expected to issue initial findings this week. Recovery work has begun, with cranes due to remove the carriages, while the line between Lewes and Haywards Heath is closed until at least 26 August and disruption may continue afterward.

Crowds across Kent, Surrey and Sussex gathered at beaches, parks, hilltops and beauty spots to watch a near-total solar eclipse between 18:20 and 20:10 BST. Viewers used solar glasses, pinhole cameras and colanders, while many marked the event with picnics and celebrations. Witnesses described the eerie darkness, falling temperatures and crescent-shaped Sun as an incredible and unforgettable experience, giving people in the UK their best opportunity to see such an eclipse since 1999.

People across Kent, Surrey and Sussex gathered at beaches, parks, commons and observatories to watch a partial solar eclipse, during which about 90% of the Sun was obscured across southern England. Crowds used solar glasses and improvised viewing methods, including colanders, while attending picnics, talks and workshops. The next UK-visible partial eclipse is expected in 2027, while the next total eclipse will not occur until 2090.

Bathing advice at Sandwich Bay in Kent has been removed after a burst Southern Water sewer pipe caused wastewater to enter a stream near the River Stour. Southern Water rerouted wastewater, carried out repairs and commissioned independent water-quality monitoring. The latest results indicated that the initial environmental impact had passed, prompting the Environment Agency to lift its warning against entering the water.

CAF Bank continues working to restore online services more than a week after suspending access following reports of suspected cyber fraud. The West Malling-based bank says a previously unknown vulnerability in third-party software was identified, while its core banking systems and customers’ money remain safe. Payments, including payroll, are being processed through temporary arrangements, but charities and other non-profit customers face delays and difficulty contacting the bank. Regulators and law enforcement agencies have been informed.

Kent County Council is consulting on a draft minerals plan that identifies land near Hermitage Quarry, south and west of Aylesford, for future Kentish Ragstone extraction. The proposed extension includes part of a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site in Oaken Wood. Conservation groups including the Woodland Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, CPRE Kent and Friends of Oaken Wood warn that quarrying could cause major, irreversible woodland and biodiversity losses, while Maidstone Borough Council has formally objected. Quarry operator Gallagher Aggregates argues that the plan would protect jobs, support the local economy and reduce reliance on imported building materials, with mitigation including soil translocation and native woodland planting. Kent expects to need 19.9 million tonnes of hard rock by 2039, but existing reserves may run out by 2033; public comments are open until 10 September.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee approved an £65m replacement for Hove’s King Alfred Leisure Centre by eight votes to one. The scheme includes swimming pools, a sports hall, a larger gym, soft play area and café, with the main pool expanding from six to eight lanes but the children’s pool becoming smaller. More than 600 consultation comments were submitted, including 534 objections, with campaigners arguing that the existing centre should be refurbished instead. The wider regeneration plans also support at least 400 new homes on the site, prompting concerns about the loss of local facilities and additional development.

Water supply returned to most of Gatwick Airport after a power failure at SES Water’s Bough Beech treatment works caused widespread disruption in both terminals. Toilets, restaurants and bars were closed or operating with restrictions, creating long queues, poor hygiene conditions and frustration among passengers. Gatwick distributed bottled water, deployed additional staff and said no flight cancellations had resulted from the outage, while easyJet temporarily reduced the time available for bag drop and advised passengers not to arrive early. SES Water said the network would take time to fully stabilize and confirmed low pressure or outages in parts of Kent, Surrey and south London.

A man and two children were airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea at Margate. Emergency services, including lifeboat crews, an air ambulance and a coastguard helicopter, responded after reports that swimmers had been overwhelmed by sea conditions. Kent Police attended to manage traffic and facilitate helicopter landings, while all three casualties received medical treatment before being taken to hospital.

Personal letters exchanged between former House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd and actress Patricia Routledge will be auctioned in Chichester alongside Routledge’s CBE, royal correspondence, photographs, scripts, books, jewellery and clothing. The letters span their long friendship and include reflections on performances, parliamentary and social events, security checks, royal engagements and Boothroyd’s paragliding. Routledge, who died aged 96, was best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances and was praised for her extensive stage and screen career, philanthropy and enduring popularity.

Personal letters exchanged between former House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd and actress Dame Patricia Routledge will be auctioned by Stride & Son in Chichester alongside Routledge’s awards, scripts, photographs, jewellery, clothing and other belongings. The correspondence reveals a long friendship, combining political and royal observations with personal jokes and everyday concerns. The collection also includes letters from Theresa May and signed correspondence from Charles. Routledge, who died aged 96, is remembered for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances and for her stage career, philanthropy and national popularity.

The former Hundred of Manhood and Selsey Tramway, later called the West Sussex Railway, connected Chichester and Selsey from 1897 to 1935. Known as the “Sidlesham Snail” because of its slow, unreliable service, the eight-mile line carried passengers, farm produce and fish across the Manhood Peninsula. Its eccentric reputation was reinforced by frequent stops, flooding, local jokes and several nicknames. Volunteers from the Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group now maintain walking routes and interpretation boards along parts of the former railway, helping visitors understand its role in the area's social, economic and environmental history.

The Grade II-listed Haslemere signal box in Surrey is reopening as a working railway museum after volunteers from the Haslemere Signal Box Trust spent five years securing and restoring it. The 1895 box, which controlled trains on the Portsmouth Direct Line until modern signalling was introduced, will open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month with demonstrations of its mechanical signalling system. A station museum is also planned, along with a memorial garden commemorating 636 Southern Railway workers who died during World War Two.

An underwater chamber beneath a lake at Witley Park near Godalming was built around the turn of the 20th Century by financier James Whitaker Wright to entertain wealthy guests and display his extravagance. The room, constructed with thick glass panes and an iron frame before the artificial lake was filled, was accessed through a tunnel and allowed visitors to watch fish swim overhead. Although Whitaker Wright was later convicted of fraud and died by suicide after sentencing in 1904, the mansion was destroyed by fire, and the underwater room remains.

A neglected gravestone in Dover commemorates Lieutenant James Hart, a 23-year-old soldier from the 33rd Regiment who was killed at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. Local historian Phil Eyden says Hart helped save his regiment’s colours during the Battle of Quatre Bras and was later killed by a cannon shot during a cavalry and artillery assault at Waterloo. Eyden believes Dover should better recognize Hart and the memorial’s historical significance.

WWT Arundel in West Sussex is hosting a Dragonfly Festival until 31 August, featuring boat safaris, pond dipping and wildlife walks. Around 20 dragonfly species can be seen at the reserve during warmer months, while about 47 dragonfly and damselfly species breed across the UK. The festival highlights dragonflies’ ecological importance and the need to protect healthy wetland habitats.

A 20-year-old man, Edward Pearce, died in a crash on the A27 near Pevensey, and his family said his organ donations saved seven lives. They described his generosity, noting he had previously donated bone marrow for his late brother. Police reported the collision involved two vans and that a 31-year-old man was arrested and bailed on suspicion of dangerous and drug driving, with officers seeking witnesses and footage.

A three-vehicle collision on the A27 near Angmering in West Sussex caused the road to close in both directions after one vehicle overturned. Emergency services and contractors remain on-site while police investigations continue, with no reopening time confirmed. Traffic is being diverted via the A259, and drivers are urged to follow diversion signs, allow extra travel time, or consider alternative routes.

A cat named Tosca lived for a decade in the tunnels beneath Dover Castle after arriving in 1948 as a mouser but becoming a cherished presence among staff. Curators describe how he avoided seagulls, caused playful mischief, and frequently stole food while the tunnels operated as a round-the-clock communications centre run by the General Post Office. Staff and military personnel supplemented his diet, and he was eventually adopted when the site changed to daytime operations, later living a happy life until age 17.

Testimony at Lewes Crown Court described events surrounding the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Joshua Ingram at Seaford railway station, allegedly linked to an unpaid drug debt. Witnesses recounted the distressed behavior of two teenagers immediately after the incident, while CCTV evidence was shown to jurors depicting the suspected attacker approaching and stabbing the victim. Three teenagers face charges including murder, manslaughter, and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, with none named due to age. Paramedics and bystanders attempted to save the victim, who died from heart and lung injuries. The trial continues.

Bonnie Tyler had been recording new music in Surrey in the months before her death and left several unreleased songs, according to her longtime producer David Mackay. The two had recently resumed working together after first collaborating in the 1970s. Mackay described her as genuine and dedicated in the studio, often spending days recording between tours. Tyler, who died aged 75 after becoming ill in Portugal, is remembered fondly by her collaborators for her personality, work ethic and long career beginning with her 1976 hit Lost in France.

A pedestrian suffered life‑threatening injuries after being struck by a car in Hastings. A 48‑year‑old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm. Police appealed for witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward.

Warnings of possible 12‑hour delays at Channel ports linked to the EU’s Entry/Exit System prompted Roger Gale to call for renewed talks with France to secure greater flexibility ahead of the summer season. The UK government said it was working with France and the EU to minimise disruption and had provided funding to ports to support preparations. Port of Dover officials warned of potentially severe congestion without further adjustments to the scheme.

A 43-year-old man from Frimley Green, Joel Hanby, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with an additional year on licence for sexually abusing a young girl over several years. He was convicted of two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13 after the victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher in 2023. Police said Hanby attempted to deflect responsibility during interviews. Investigators highlighted the victim’s courage and the impact of the abuse described by her mother. Hanby was also given indefinite notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim and her family.

A second wildfire within days has broken out at Whitmoor Common near Guildford, prompting a response involving multiple fire engines, a water carrier and specialist vehicles. The blaze covered roughly 50 by 60 metres, following a previous larger incident at the same nature reserve last week. Firefighters remain on site, while nearby residents have been advised to keep windows closed and the public urged to avoid the area due to ongoing risks.

A Brockham resident secured an affordable home after a five-year search thanks to a development by The Poland Trust, highlighting a shortage of rural affordable housing. Housing groups warn demand is rising and potential changes to Section 106 rules could reduce future supply. The government says it is investing £39bn in social and affordable housing and aims to simplify planning while retaining Section 106 as an essential tool. Representatives from rural housing organisations emphasize that collaborative local partnerships yield the best results.

South East Coast Ambulance Service lifted its critical incident status as the heatwave eased, though demand remained high after a sharp rise in emergency and NHS 111 calls. Staff and volunteers were commended for their resilience during one of the trust’s busiest periods, and the public was urged to continue reserving 999 for life-threatening emergencies and to use NHS 111 or GP services when appropriate.

Emergency teams and members of the public rescued a man and a woman from the sea near Brighton’s Palace Pier after concerns were raised for the man’s welfare. The man was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital, while the woman also received assistance from rescuers.