News 23/08/25

Human remains discovered by builders in Lancashire may belong to children, police have confirmed.

Officers were called to Cleveland Road in Lytham on 15 August after bones were found during building work. Forensic tests later established they were human and could be those of children. Detectives say the find is not being treated as suspicious, and believe it may be linked to an isolated historical burial.

The UK could see a burst of late summer heat for the bank holiday, with forecasters predicting temperatures could climb back towards 30 degrees.

Crowds heading to Notting Hill Carnival, Reading and Leeds Festival and Creamfields in Cheshire are expected to enjoy warm and sunny conditions. But unsettled weather is likely to follow as the remnants of Hurricane Erin sweep in from Tuesday, bringing wind and rain. This summer has already seen four heatwaves, making it one of the hottest on record.

Protesters have gathered across the UK in demonstrations against asylum seeker housing, facing counter-protests from anti-racism groups.

Rallies under the banner Abolish Asylum System took place in cities including Bristol, Exeter, Aberdeen, Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as smaller towns. Stand Up to Racism organised counter-demonstrations, with tensions running high in Bristol where mounted police separated groups in Castle Park and officers clashed with protesters.

Three people are in a life-threatening condition after a suspected arson attack at a restaurant in Ilford.

The blaze broke out just after nine o’clock on Friday evening at the Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue. Five people in total were injured, three women and two men. Police say no arrests have been made. Local resident Edward Thawe, a hospital porter, described rushing to help with his son after hearing screams from inside the building.

Plans for a major new Chinese embassy in London have been delayed by the government.

The move comes after large parts of the planning application were redacted without explanation. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had pressed Beijing for clarification earlier this month but has yet to receive answers. A decision originally due on 9 September will now be made in late October. The Chinese embassy has expressed “serious concern” over the delay, insisting the UK has an international duty to support the construction of diplomatic premises.

The Coca-Cola Company is preparing to sell Costa Coffee, Britain’s biggest high street coffee chain, six years after buying it as part of a strategy to move away from sugary soft drinks.

Sky News has learned that Coca-Cola has begun exploratory talks with potential buyers, including private equity firms. Lazard, the investment bank, has been brought in to review options and test interest in the business.

More than a million people are expected in west London this week for the annual Notting Hill Carnival.

It is a vibrant celebration of culture and heritage, but it has become overshadowed by tragedy for some. The family of Cher Maximen say they can no longer look forward to the event. The 32-year-old was killed in front of her young daughter during last year’s family day in what police described as an unprovoked attack.

Protests and counter-protests over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers are set to continue across the UK this weekend.

Demonstrations under the Abolish Asylum System banner will take place in more than 30 towns and cities, including Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Aberdeen. Counter-demonstrations, organised by Stand Up To Racism, are also planned in many of the same locations. Police forces say they are preparing for a busy and challenging few days.

A parking company has been ordered to pay over £10,000 to charity for a second time after losing a legal battle against a motorist.

Excel Parking, heavily criticised for enforcing a five-minute payment rule, pursued Hannah Robinson for thousands of pounds after she was caught out at a car park in Darlington. The company appealed after initially losing, but judges rejected the challenge and upheld the costs. MPs have condemned the rule, which has since been banned by the private parking industry.

Residents of Mosaic Apartments in Slough say they are still traumatised one year on from a fire that forced hundreds from their homes.

Nearly 300 people had to evacuate in the middle of the night last August after a balcony light fitting ignited, with flammable cladding and strong winds fuelling the blaze. Many residents spent months in temporary housing before returning once safety work was completed.