Zahra Khaliq

A helicopter operated by Bellavia Aviation Services crashed near homes in the Tholos neighbourhood of Sifnos, Greece, shortly before landing on August 17, killing three people. Local reports identified two victims as a British couple on their honeymoon, while the third was believed to be an experienced pilot and married father of three with a military background. Witnesses reported hearing an unusual noise before the helicopter fell and erupted into flames; the cause of the crash had not been established.

Two wildfires on the Greek island of Salamina are spreading toward residential areas and a popular British tourist village amid strong winds. Around 260 firefighters and 10 aerial assets are responding, while 502 people have been rescued from coastal areas by sea. Several people suffered burns, including three seriously injured, and two unidentified bodies were reportedly found. Authorities are investigating whether one fire began in a garbage-filled plot, and ferry boats have been requested to support further evacuations. A separate wildfire on Skyros is also entering its second day.

Whitbread plans to close all 106 Beefeater restaurants in the UK by 10 September 2026 and is also shutting numerous Brewers Fayre sites as part of a £250 million restructuring. Around 3,800 jobs are at risk, including positions at several West Midlands locations. Whitbread attributed the decision to significant cost increases and said it expects to retain or redeploy a substantial proportion of affected employees. Closure dates for Brewers Fayre and Bar + Block sites have not yet been confirmed.

A 17-year-old Hampton School pupil, Eugene Enoch Kwon, died after disappearing while snorkelling in Lake Malawi during a school trip. Divers recovered him following an intensive search, but he later died at Monkey Bay Community Hospital. Malawi Police confirmed an investigation is underway. Hampton School expressed condolences and support for the family and school community. The incident follows a separate recent student death during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Wales.

Seven children became ill with vomiting and stomach cramps after swimming in the River Dart in Devon following a 16‑hour discharge of untreated sewage by South West Water. Parents expressed anger over the incident as the Environment Agency began investigating. The event renewed scrutiny of South West Water and parent company Pennon, which recently faced criticism over bonuses awarded to former chief executive Susan Davy despite previous water contamination issues. Local MP Ian Roome condemned the repeated sewage spills, while Pennon stated its testing had shown no evidence of pollution and emphasised ongoing investment in reducing overflow incidents.

Two Hampshire police officers are under investigation for possible gross misconduct after restraining and handcuffing 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak as he lay dying from a stabbing in Southampton. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining whether the officers ignored his pleas for help, failed to recognise he was critically injured, and whether race or religion influenced their actions. The killing by Vickrum Digwa, who has since received a life sentence, sparked protests in Southampton after bodycam footage was released. The inquiry will determine whether disciplinary proceedings should follow.