Boy, 12, drowns in river in north-east London
The boy was seen entering the River Lea at 6pm on Saturday A 12-year-old boy has drowned in a river in north-east London in a “deeply tragic incident”. Emergency services…
Viral vodka brand set to sell for £500m to BuzzBallz owner
Wales business correspondentPublished17 August 2026, 12:49 BSTUpdated Just nowThe viral Welsh vodka firm Au Vodka is nearing a £500m sale to Southern Comfort and BuzzBallz owner Sazerac. Sazerac told BBC…
Edinburgh Fringe venue admits unlawful discrimination against Jewish comedian after cancelling show
Philip Simon’s show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe was cancelled in 2025 An Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue has accepted that it unlawfully discriminated against a Jewish stand-up comedian after cancelling…
Support for Jason Arday’s family shows ‘Britain still cares’, says Windrush campaigner
A Windrush campaigner who launched a fundraiser for Jason Arday’s family has said the outpouring of support shows “Britain still cares”. Arday, who was found dead on Friday, resigned from…
Lawyer who suggested colleague be placed in ‘mental asylum’ disbarred
Mariam El-Sobky also made illicit recordings of Family Court hearings A barrister who suggested that a former colleague should be placed in a “mental asylum” has been disbarred. Mariam El-Sobky,…
Teacher who repeatedly played with pupils’ hair and said to one he would be their prom date banned
Anthony Hook had called another pupil ‘beautiful’ and wrote ‘I love Mr Hook’ in another’s planner A teacher who told a pupil he would be their prom date and played…
Will Andy Burnham allow North Sea oil and gas drilling as Rosebank decision looms?
Andy Burnham has previously said he will be ‘pragmatic’ about North Sea oil Andy Burnham is preparing to decide whether to approve North Sea oil drilling amid growing pressure from…
Water misery continues for about 1,200 properties
About 1,200 properties have no water or low pressure in different parts of Kent due to various factors affecting the South East Water (SEW) supply. The firm has apologised to…
Rain is on the way – but is it enough to end the drought?
The wet weather comes after five back-to-back heatwaves Rain and cooler temperatures are on their way following five back-to-back heatwaves. It comes after months of dry weather which plunged more…
Double murderer Simon Levy accused of stabbing and trying to strangle prison guard
The 41-year-old has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation Simon Levy, who is serving a whole life sentence for murdering two women, is accused of…