UK

The proportion of top A-level grades is down on last year but still remains above pre-pandemic levels. A* and A grades were awarded to 27.2% of students, compared to 36.4% last year, 44.7% in 2021 and 38.5% in 2020. But the number is up by 1.8% compared to pre-pandemic levels, when 25.4% of A-level entries

England’s Lionesses have reached the final of the Women’s World Cup after beating Australia 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final. The European champions took on the Matildas at Sydney’s sold-out Stadium Australia, where the majority of the 75,000 in attendance were backing the tournament co-hosts. England v Australia – live updates: Lionesses’ stunning win breaks Aussie

The rate of price rises has fallen sharply, according to official figures. The key, consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation fell to 6.8% in the year to July, down from a rate of 7.9% in June, Office of National Statistics (ONS) data showed. It means prices are still rising but at a slower rate

Private sector wages and total pay, including bonuses, surpassed inflation despite a surprise rise in the rate of UK unemployment. Economists thought the unemployment rate would remain at the 4% level recorded last month but it has now gone up to 4.2%. Wages have also risen again with private sector wage growth increasing to 8.2%

An asylum seeker taken off the Bibby Stockholm barge following the discovery of Legionella bacteria says the government is “endangering” migrants and treating them like “less than animals”. The man, who we are not naming, spoke to Sky News outside the hotel he was moved to following the evacuation by the Home Office on Friday

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Official Secrets Act, the Metropolitan Police has said. Three of the five arrested back in February were then charged with possession of false identity documents with improper intention, under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010. The five arrested include: • A

Asylum seekers should still be put back on the Bibby Stockholm barge despite the row caused by the discovery of Legionella, the health secretary has said. Legionella bacteria can cause a potentially deadly lung infection known as Legionnaires’ disease. It is contracted by people breathing in droplets of water containing the bacteria. None of the

A baby was inside the tent that was struck by a car after it veered off the road and crashed into campsite – leaving two people in a serious condition and seven others injured. Clare Harris, who runs the Newgale campsite in Pembrokeshire, has said the baby is “okay” after the ordeal. It is not

The deaths of six people after a migrant boat capsized in the English Channel has been described as an “appalling and preventable tragedy”. Campaigners are urging the government to create more safe routes to the UK, with the Refugee Council warning “more people will die” unless urgent action is taken. Meanwhile, MPs from across the

At least one person has died and dozens of others have been rescued after a migrant boat crossing the English Channel capsized. Five other people were recovered in “serious condition” and taken to a hospital in Calais by helicopter and 50 people have been rescued, French authorities said. A search and rescue operation involving five

The home secretary is facing fresh pressure to scrap plans to house asylum seekers on barges after Legionella bacteria was discovered in the water supply of the Bibby Stockholm. The Home Office removed all 39 migrants from the vessel in Dorset on Friday, in the latest embarrassing setback to a policy which has been beset

Asylum seekers are being removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset after Legionella bacteria was found in the water. All of those on board are likely to be taken to new accommodation as a precautionary measure. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is understood to be chairing meetings about the situation. Legionella bacteria, which is commonly

Dangerous carbon monoxide alarms are being sold online, Which? has warned. The consumer watchdog says devices that fail to detect high levels of the potentially lethal gas were found on eBay, Amazon, AliExpress and Wish. Which? claims the government is failing to take “urgent action” to hold these marketplaces to account – and it first

A murder investigation is under way after a 10-year-old girl was found dead inside a property in Woking, Surrey. Officers were called to an address in Hammond Road earlier on Thursday following a concern for safety. The girl’s family have been informed, Surrey Police said. They are being supported by specially trained officers. The senior

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating a second data breach – this time relating to stolen documents and a laptop. Documents, including a spreadsheet containing the names of more than 200 serving officers and staff, are believed to have been taken from a private vehicle on 6 July. A police issue laptop and

Five people have been arrested after an incident on London’s Oxford Street following posts that circulated on social media appearing to encourage mass disorder. Police also issued 24 dispersal orders as crowds gathered on the busy street. Two young men were led away from an area near a McDonald’s fast food restaurant in handcuffs, close

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has reportedly been involved in a major data breach affecting officers and civilian staff. The breach involves the names, ranks and other personal data, but does not involve the officers’ and civilians’ private addresses, the Press Association reports. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been notified about the

Details of tens of millions of voters could have been accessed by hackers who targeted the elections watchdog. The Electoral Commission revealed on Tuesday it was targeted by a cyber attack which allowed “hostile actors” to access electoral registers. They apologised for the breach but said there was little risk it could influence the outcome

Obese and overweight people brains have different appetite control centres in their brains to those of normal weight, a new study suggests. Researchers say their findings add further evidence to the relevance of brain structure to weight and food consumption. According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, almost two-thirds of adults in the

Tyres on at least 60 vehicles at a Land Rover dealership in Exeter have been ruined in retaliation over a crash in Wimbledon that killed two eight-year-old girls. The group, known as the Tyre Extinguishers, posted a video online appearing to show someone with a drill at the Devon garage. It comes after Nuria Sajjad