Hosepipe ban map: Legal restrictions in place for 27 million as Wessex Water becomes latest supplier to crack down
Every southern county is now subject to a hosepipe ban Over 27 million people will have their hosepipe use restricted as back-to-back heatwaves and exceptionally dry weather have prompted drought…
Cannabis gummies sold on social media are laced with spice, scientists warn
Scientists from the University of Bristol tested illegal cannabis gummies that had been seized by police Illegal cannabis gummies laced with spice are being sold to Britons on social media,…
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…
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…
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,…
Trump says the BBC is trying to harass his family after broadcaster tries to subpoena his children
Trump legal team claims the BBC is ‘abusing the deposition process’ as broadcaster fights a $10 billion lawsuit Donald Trump has accused the BBC of trying to harass his family…
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…