Race to be warmest-ever summer is ‘wide open’
Summer 2018 has a chance of ending up the warmest on record for the UK, with the race for the top spot “wide open”, according to the Met Office.
UK
Father of murdered schoolgirl Lucy McHugh speaks of ‘distressing time’
The father of murdered schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has spoken of the “most difficult and distressing time” following her death.
Government could restrict sale of fuels for domestic fires
Ministers are considering proposals to restrict the sale of wet wood and phase out the sale of coal in a bid to cut pollution.
Manchester party shooting: Police appeal for video or dashcam footage
Police are seeking any video or dashcam footage from around the time a shotgun was fired into a crowd of partygoers, injuring 12 people.
Arlene Foster declines invitation to Pope’s speech in Dublin
Arlene Foster has declined an invitation to an address by Pope Francis in Dublin later this month.
UUP councillor Jim Rodgers faces Commissioner for Standards investigation
An Ulster Unionist representative on Belfast City Council is set to be summoned to a hearing with the Local Government Commissioner for Standards in Northern Ireland.
Twelve arrested over brawl at Goodwood races
Police have made 12 arrests after tracking down suspects involved in a large brawl at Goodwood races from video footage.
Sixteenth group of Syrian refugees arrives in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has welcomed its 16th group of Syrian refugees.
Artists hope Shoreham crash memorial will help people ‘acknowledge’ their grief
The artists behind a permanent tribute for the victims of the Shoreham Airshow crash have spoken of their memories of being nearby at the time of the disaster.
Witnesses saw foot-long knife in street where four teenagers were stabbed
Horrified witnesses have described seeing a boy carrying a “massive” carving knife after four teenagers were stabbed on a south London housing estate.
First year university students urged to get meningitis vaccination
New university students are being urged to protect themselves against potentially deadly meningitis before the start of term.
Ben Stokes to play for England in third Test
England captain Joe Root has announced Ben Stokes will return for the third Specsavers Test after being cleared of affray at Bristol Crown Court.
Government consider restricting sale of fuels for domestic burning
Ministers are considering proposals to restrict the sale of wet wood and phase out the sale of coal for domestic burning in a bid to cut pollution.
Police officer who admitted indecent child image charges granted bail
A police inspector who admitted making or distributing more than 300 indecent images of children, including a film of a six-year-old boy, has been granted bail by a Crown Court judge.
Record numbers snap up Clearing places
A record number of students have found degree courses through Clearing this year, figures show.
Margaret Hodge faces online backlash over Corbyn clash comparison
Dame Margaret Hodge is facing an online backlash over her latest comments in Labour’s anti-Semitism row.
Moorland blaze started by camp fire, probe finds
A 200-acre moorland blaze was caused by a camp fire which spread outside a small circle of rocks, an investigation has found.
Man charged with murdering nurse who performed on BGT appears in court
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a nurse who performed on Britain’s Got Talent in an NHS choir.
More rail disruption as workers strike again in guards’ dispute
Rail passengers face fresh travel disruption on Saturday because of another strike in the bitter dispute over the role of guards on trains.
Sadiq Khan to ask crisis planners to examine risks of no-deal Brexit
Sadiq Khan is set to instruct crisis planners to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, it has been reported.
UK can survive and prosper after no-deal Brexit – Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt has insisted that Britain would “survive and prosper” after a no-deal Brexit, the day after describing such an exit from the EU as a “mistake we would regret for generations”.
Prisons minister: I’ll quit if safety drive fails
The prisons minister has pledged to resign if his campaign to tackle violence and drugs in struggling jails fails.
Time running out to strike Brexit deal, warns Danish minister
The Danish finance minister has echoed warnings that there is a 50% chance of the UK crashing out of the European Union without a deal.
Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson arrested in UVF criminality probe
Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson has confirmed he was arrested.
Five teenagers arrested after quadruple stabbing in Camberwell
One boy is in a critical condition and another is seriously ill after four teenagers were stabbed on a south London housing estate.
Dual carriageway closed after stray cows struck by vehicles
A dual carriageway was closed during the rush hour after several cows strayed onto the road and were hit by vehicles.
What the papers say – August 17
Aretha Franklin appears across Friday’s front pages after the ‘Queen of Soul’ died aged 76.
Lennon’s aunt dismissed Beatles’ fascination with Indian guru
The Beatles’ fascination with Indian guru and “spiritual adviser” Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was dismissed by John Lennon’s aunt in a revealing letter to a fan of the group.
E-cigarettes can be key weapon in battle against smoking, insist MPs
Rules around e-cigarettes should be relaxed to help accelerate already declining smoking rates, MPs have said.
Campaigners hope Pope will focus spotlight on homeless during visit
A homeless advocacy group says it hopes Pope Francis uses his global clout to force Ireland’s government to tackle the crisis.
Presbyterian moderator hopes to meet Pope in Dublin
The leader of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has said he hopes to meet the Pope when he travels to Dublin next week.
Widespread confusion about cancer symptoms, poll shows
Widespread confusion about cancer symptoms is leading to delayed diagnoses and irregular self-examinations, according to new research.