Robert Bush was jailed for 20 years for defrauding families and failing to bury or cremate bodies. Victims' families, including Tristan Essex, are campaigning for statutory regulation of the UK's funeral industry, prompting a government pledge for urgent action.
A UK High Court judge dismissed a legal challenge, allowing King's College London's 'Pathways' trial for puberty blockers on 11-16 year olds to proceed from August 1. Campaigners, including detransitioner Keira Bell, argued potential harm, but the court found no realistic chance of success, citing careful participant assessment and regulatory approval.
The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge, allowing King's College London's Pathways trial for puberty blockers in gender-questioning children to proceed. The study, commissioned after a review found weak evidence for the drugs, will recruit over 220 children aged 11-16 from August 1st to assess benefits and risks.
CT Group, a lobbying firm co-founded by Lynton Crosby, faces widespread condemnation and calls for transparency after a Guardian investigation revealed it secretly paid journalists for articles favorable to its clients. MPs and transparency campaigners denounce the practice as an "attack on democracy" and demand an overhaul of lobbying regulations.
Campaigners in Oradea, Romania, plan to proceed with a Pride march despite local authorities denying permission for the fourth consecutive year, citing "technical excuses." The repeated bans have drawn international attention, with organizers comparing the situation to democratic backsliding in other EU states.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister, with nationwide protests continuing after Fedorov reportedly rejected a new government role. This comes amidst a radical reshuffle of Ukraine's top military command, including the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the armed forces.
The High Court heard arguments regarding the Home Office's decision to house up to 540 asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex. Community group Crowborough Shield claims the Home Office acted without openness and wrongly invoked emergency planning powers, a claim the Home Office disputes.
Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency system on Monday, emitting a siren from most phones. The federal government proceeds despite state concerns over landline reach and warnings from domestic violence campaigners for "safe phone" users to power off devices to avoid exposure.
Bristol Airport plans to expand from 12M to 15M passengers annually, aiming for net-zero by 2030, excluding flight emissions. Climate campaigners oppose the expansion, arguing increased flights will negate efficiency gains from new aircraft and heat pumps, urging council leaders to reject the plans.
Abderrahim Fakir, 42, died in Bologna, Italy, under police restraint, sparking protests and an investigation. A video shows Fakir calling for help as officers sat on him. Opposition parties and human rights groups demand answers, while government officials defend the police, drawing comparisons to George Floyd's death.
The UK government announced an overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, defaulting apps like Instagram and TikTok to be unavailable from midnight to 6 AM, alongside disabling 'addictive' features. However, the measures face criticism for allowing teens to opt out, with campaigners and opposition figures calling them insufficient.
Campaigners warn the UK government's plan to boost intensive poultry farming for food security is a national security risk due to resource intensity, pollution, and reliance on imported feed, advocating for plant-based proteins instead.
The Bank of England will no longer accept thermal coal-linked bonds as collateral for loans to commercial banks starting October, citing financial risks from the shift to net zero. Climate campaigners hail the move as a victory, hoping it pressures banks to divest from polluting assets.
The UK's National Audit Office (NAO) will investigate the controversial Lower Thames Crossing project amid concerns over rising costs and public funds being used for a privately run asset. Campaigners are urging for the investigation to be fast-tracked before more money is wasted.
Meta's new AI tool, Muse Image, allows users to generate images using others' profile pictures without consent, drawing criticism from privacy advocates and raising concerns about potential misuse and exploitation of personal data.
Britons are expected to buy nearly 8 million mini fans this year due to a heatwave, but almost half are predicted to be low-quality and end up in landfill within a year. Concerns are rising over e-waste and fire risks from discarded lithium-ion batteries.
The Timms review, established to reform the Pip benefit system in England and Wales, releases an interim report this week. Aiming for fairness and future fitness, the review addresses long-standing criticisms of complex assessments and inconsistent awards, following a controversial attempt to cut benefits.
Campaigners in east London's Brick Lane oppose a proposed 5,200 sq metre datacentre, arguing it will worsen the severe housing crisis, drive up costs, and displace long-term residents. The project, intended for high-frequency trading, was rejected by Tower Hamlets council but is now under government review.
Sir Paul Marshall's hedge fund, Marshall Wace, nearly tripled its fossil fuel investments to $2.8bn in Q1 2026, while cutting clean energy investments. Critics accuse Marshall of "cashing in on climate chaos" and using GB News to promote his financial interests.
A woman's death after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift has highlighted concerns over the UK's largely unregulated aesthetics industry. Despite warnings for over a decade, cosmetic injectables are widely available, leading to patient harm and calls for stricter regulation.
Alice Webb's death after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift highlights dangers in the UK's unregulated aesthetics industry. Experts and regulators are pushing for stricter controls on cosmetic injectables, but enforcement and implementation remain challenges.
China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, effective Wednesday, aims to forge a shared national identity but faces criticism from Taiwan, the UN, and rights groups for potentially threatening freedoms, especially for minorities like Uyghurs and Tibetans. Critics also point to a clause allowing liability for violations outside China, raising concerns about transnational repression.
Energy bills in Great Britain are set to increase by over £220 annually under the new price cap, pushing millions more households into fuel poverty. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition warns that 5.5 million homes will spend 20% of their income on energy.
An Australian parliamentary inquiry has recommended new laws to police behaviour at polling booths after last year's federal election, citing "assaults on democracy" by third parties like the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance. The Coalition dismissed the findings as a "hyper-partisan witch hunt."
