Category: News Story

STORY

A whisky investment company has been wound up after customers paid almost £100,000 for casks that many of them did not legally own. Cask Spirits Global Limited was closed by the High Court in London on 25 August following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Investigators identified 17 customers who had paid the company a combined £97,249, but found that only four possessed valid ownership documentation. Some customers received certificates for casks that did not exist, while other casks were registered to the company or supposedly held at warehouses which had no connection with it. One investor was reportedly promised returns of between 120% and 150%.

The company attracted customers through social media advertising and cold calls, using what the Insolvency Service described as high pressure sales techniques. It also traded as “Cask Spirits Ltd”, although no company with that name was registered at Companies House, and failed to provide 27 of the 29 accounting documents requested by investigators. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator, while the Insolvency Service said the full extent of customers’ losses could be higher than the amount currently identified.

STORY

King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89 after a reign lasting more than 35 years. The Norwegian Royal Palace said the King died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am local time on Friday 28 August, where he had been receiving treatment after developing haemolytic anaemia and a bacterial blood infection.

Harald became King in 1991 and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. His reign was associated with the modernisation of Norway’s monarchy, support for greater tolerance and his response to national tragedies, particularly the terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya in 2011. A keen sailor, he also represented Norway at three Olympic Games before becoming King.

His son succeeded him immediately as King Haakon VIII under Norway’s constitutional arrangements. Several days of national mourning are expected before Harald’s funeral at Oslo Cathedral, after which he will be buried in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress. Norway does not hold coronations, although the new King will attend an extraordinary Council of State and later swear an oath before the Storting.

STORY

Confidence among British businesses increased to its highest level since March during August, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer. The survey’s headline confidence measure rose by four percentage points to 53%, above its average of 47% over the preceding year.

Companies reported greater optimism about both their own prospects and the wider economy, with economic confidence rising by seven points. Lloyds said stronger customer demand and signs of economic resilience had encouraged more businesses to move from managing immediate costs towards considering investment and growth.

The findings are based upon a monthly survey of 1,200 businesses and measure sentiment rather than completed investment or economic output. Continued uncertainty surrounding international energy prices and the Government’s first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham could still affect confidence during the autumn.

STORY

Norwich Airport has closed to all air traffic for 24 hours after air traffic control staff began strike action on Friday 28 August. The airport confirmed that no flights would arrive or depart during the closure, affecting passengers travelling at the beginning of the bank holiday weekend.

The action is being taken by members of the Prospect union in a dispute concerning pay, terms and conditions. Prospect said an improved offer from the airport had been put to members but was rejected by a substantial margin. Earlier industrial action had already caused disruption, including a five hour closure on 21 August.

Passengers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for alternative arrangements before travelling to the airport. The airport apologised for the disruption and said it remained committed to reaching an agreement through further discussions with the union.

STORY

Derby builder Michael Haslam has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting fraudulent trading that caused losses of approximately £210,000 to seven customers. Haslam, of Littleover, operated M&J Builders Limited while knowing that the company was insolvent, accepting advance payments for building projects between November 2020 and 2022.

Customers were left with unfinished and potentially dangerous homes, including inadequate structural steelwork, exposed sewage and properties without running water. One customer paid more than £150,000 but received work valued at only £40,000, while another family was warned that its incomplete extension might have to be demolished. Insolvency Service investigators also found substantial cash withdrawals, online purchases and payments to Haslam’s relatives.

Haslam pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent trading in May and was originally sentenced at Derby Crown Court to 28 months in prison. On 26 August, the Court of Appeal suspended that sentence for two years and imposed a rehabilitation requirement and 160 hours of unpaid work. He remains disqualified from acting as a company director for 15 years.

STORY

The number of reported giardiasis cases in England increased by 11.4% during 2025, reaching its highest level for nine years. UK Health Security Agency figures show that 6,069 laboratory confirmed cases were recorded, compared with 5,450 during 2024.

London recorded the largest number of cases with 1,568, followed by the North West with 1,029. Infections peaked during the autumn, with 599 cases reported in October. The UKHSA is investigating the increase and said possible factors include improved testing, greater international travel and environmental or climatic changes.

Giardiasis is caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis and commonly produces diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, bloating and weight loss. It can spread through contact with infected people or animals and through contaminated food or water. The UKHSA advises people with the infection to remain hydrated, contact their GP and avoid swimming until two weeks after diarrhoea has stopped.

STORY

Serious sexual and violent offenders could be confined to tightly defined areas following their release from prison under a new scheme announced by the Government. The restriction zones will be introduced in England and Wales from October 2026 and will apply to selected offenders who remain subject to licence conditions.

Unlike existing exclusion zones, which prevent an offender from entering specified locations, the new measure will limit an offender to an approved area that could be only a few miles wide. Victims will be consulted when boundaries are drawn, while probation officers will ensure that offenders can still attend appointments and access services intended to reduce the risk of reoffending.

Offenders covered by the scheme will be monitored through GPS tags and could be recalled to prison if they leave their designated area. Restrictions may remain in place for as long as probation services consider them necessary, although each case must be reviewed at least every three months. The Government has not yet published detailed eligibility criteria but describes the scheme as the first of its kind internationally.

STORY

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has announced four appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Orla Drummond, Gavin Gray, Ben Warwick and Jacqueline Witherow will take up their positions on 1 September 2026, while Alyson Kilpatrick has been reappointed as Chief Commissioner.

Kilpatrick’s full time reappointment is for five years and carries annual remuneration of £114,845. The four new Commissioners have been appointed on a part time basis for three years, receiving £7,500 annually. The Government said all five appointees had declared that they had undertaken no political activity during the preceding five years.

The Commission is an independent public body established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 following the Belfast Agreement. Its responsibilities include reviewing the effectiveness of laws and practices protecting human rights in Northern Ireland and promoting public understanding of those rights. It also contributes to the mechanism monitoring human rights and equality commitments under the post Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland.

STORY

People across the UK can now register for alerts warning them when air pollution in a chosen area is high or forecast to become high. The free service can provide notifications by text message or email covering places such as a person’s home, workplace or local park.

The Government said the scheme would give the public access to current local pollution information and help people decide when to alter their activities. It is expected to be particularly useful for those with asthma and other respiratory or cardiovascular conditions that can be aggravated by poor air quality.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said the service would help people understand the air quality in their area and take practical steps to protect their health.

STORY

A British man has become the first patient to undergo brain tumour removal using live artificial intelligence to guide surgeons during the operation. Rhys Hibbert, 48, was treated at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The technology analysed live images from inside Mr Hibbert’s brain and used colour coding to identify small but important anatomical structures. Surgeons could then distinguish more clearly between the tumour and areas associated with functions such as eyesight, reducing the risk of accidental damage while removing the growth.

The operation took place in May and Mr Hibbert has since returned to work. He said the procedure had saved his sight, while the hospital described the operation as the first use of live AI assistance during brain tumour surgery anywhere in the world.