In a significant ruling handed down on 22 August 2025, the UK High Court dismissed Noel Clarke’s libel action against Guardian News & Media concerning reporting of alleged sexual misconduct. Clarke, best known for his roles in Kidulthood and Doctor Who, had sought damages of up to £70 million, arguing that the accusations published in a series of articles and a podcast were false and part of a broader conspiracy targeting him.

Campaigners are renewing a plea for a UK-wide prohibition of smacking after new polling reveals a striking shift in public opinion, notably among younger generations. Just 24 hours ago, charity voices and health experts urged ministers to abolish the “reasonable punishment” defence. With Gen Z overwhelmingly opposed, momentum is building for legislative reform.

A woman from Texas, who was reported missing by her family, has resurfaced deep in the woods near Jedburgh, Scotland, where she lives under the name Asnat, Lady Safi. She has become the handmaiden of a self-styled “African” tribe that claims descent from Hebrew ancestors and rejects UK laws, pursuing what they call a spiritual pilgrimage.

The City Hall Conservative group argues that the Greater London Authority must take over the organisation of the two-million-strong Notting Hill Carnival this Bank Holiday to secure safety, structure and funding. They propose ticketing linked to billing addresses, capacity limits, alternative funding, and even relocation to ensure the future viability of this iconic community celebration.

In a move as unexpected as it is delightful, Burberry has cast TikTok’s beloved Bus Auntie, Bemi Orojuogun, as the face of its “Back to the City” campaign, offering a playful yet elegant homage to London’s spirit and heritage, guided by creative director Daniel Lee, complete with castmates, original soundtrack and a moving double-decker bus setting.

As Channel crossings approach 50,000, Kemi Badenoch has suggested housing asylum seekers in purpose-built, policed camps modelled on the temporary Nightingale hospitals, instead of placing them in local hotels, saying this would safeguard both migrants and host communities while easing pressure on residential areas amid rising public concern.