Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and their larvae were found at residential properties in east London, leading to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stepping up surveillance and trapping. The discovery was made through the UKHSA Mosquito Watch scheme, and control measures have been put in place to destroy the larvae. While the species has been detected on three other occasions in the UK in recent years, it has never been found breeding before. Health officials said the risk to the public remains low and, despite recent heatwaves, the overall UK climate is too cold for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to survive long-term. Usually found in tropical and subtropical countries, the insects are known to "hitchhike" in vehicles, baggage and imported plants and can survive in suitable climates. The species is a transmitter of viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology and zoonoses ecology at UKHSA, warned the UK would continue to see cases of invasive mosquitoes and increased reports of them being able to survive in a warming climate. He added: "There is no evidence that these mosquitoes have caused human infections [in the UK] and, importantly, to date, there is no evidence of the mosquitoes or larvae being detected in nearby public areas. "We believe these mosquitoes are accidental importations." The UKHSA said people could reduce opportunities for all mosquito species to breed by removing standing water from gardens, including water collected in buckets, containers and plant pots. Read more from Sky News:Pupil who stabbed teacher in the head sentencedWoman who died in crash following police pursuit named The only places these mosquitoes currently survive in Europe are in some parts of the Mediterranean. Speaking about the discovery, Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow and lead of the Mosquito Scotland project, described it as "significant". "To make sure these diseases do not pose a risk to the UK public in the future, it is important that this mosquito species does not establish in the UK," she added. The UKHSA warns that incursions of other types of invasive mosquitoes - including the tiger mosquito and Aedes albopictus mosquito- will also continue, with the insects able to survive for longer periods as the climate warms.

Right Before I Go, written by Stan Zimmerman - known for The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls - addresses suicide awareness using real notes and personal stories, and opens at the Soho Theatre in London on Saturday. At the weekend, actor Gerard McCarthy, known for TV shows including Hollyoaks and The Fall, shared a statement saying he had withdrawn from the production following Dame Maureen's arrival, "because of views she has publicly and repeatedly expressed regarding Israel and Palestine". The Jewish actress responded in an interview with The Times, calling McCarthy a "coward" for not addressing the issue with her directly and describing their actions as "virtue-signalling". Now, the creative team behind the show, which has just completed a run in Edinburgh, has issued a statement, saying it keeps "political affiliation separate from artistic collaboration" and "does not vet performers" on the basis of their personal or political views. "We understand that our cast and collaborators hold a wide range of perspectives, including on deeply personal and difficult subjects, and we respect the sincerity behind their decisions," the statement said."Right Before I Go will go on. Suicide and mental health affect people across every background and every political divide, and we believe the urgent work of raising awareness and saving lives is more important than our differences. "If anything, we believe that the ability to stand together - even alongside people we may not agree with - for a cause bigger than any one of us is itself an expression of the common humanity this play is about." The show is not-for-profit, the statement added, with cast, crew and collaborators "donating their time and talent because they believe in what this play can do". Read more from Sky News:Sewage dumped for more than 43,000 hours over summerPistol in lake could be linked to unsolved killings of British family Zimmerman, who is also a performer in the show, said Right Before I Go had "never been about one actor", but rather saving lives through raising awareness about suicide. "It already has and I'm so proud of that," he continued. "That's why we all must stay laser-focused on that goal." He also clarified that the play uses a revolving cast and said McCarthy was "never asked to appear on the same performance date" as Dame Maureen. In the post announcing his departure, McCarthy said he did not ask for the casting of Dame Maureen to be reconsidered, and "simply chose not to use my own platform to promote someone whose political views are at odds with my own". Dame Maureen, known for roles in Coronation Street and The Pianist, told Sky News in 2024 that there was "nowhere safe to be Jewish". In her interview with The Times, she said McCarthy needed to "grow up", saying it is "fair enough" if he did not want to work with her, but that he is going to "limit himself" in his career.

The topic of violence against women and girls dominated First Minister's Questions on Thursday. It comes following a pledge by Mr Swinney during his programme for government to tackle the serious issue - which includes plans to bring forward a misogyny bill and launch a public health campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes in boys and young men. The recent murder cases of Vikki Soloman and Stacy Hunter were highlighted at Holyrood by Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton. Mr Cole-Hamilton previously worked closely with aesthetician Ms Soloman as new laws governing the beauty sector passed through the parliament in March. He said to Mr Swinney: "In our last exchange before the summer recess, I asked the first minister about protecting women and girls from male violence. "In the following month, three Scottish women died at the hands of men. "I went to the funeral of one of them. Vikki Soloman was 44. She was a mum, a passionate advocate for the beauty industry, and she was known to several of us here in this chamber. "She called the police asking for help following an assault by the man who hours later would go on to kill her. "The police did not attend. "Stacy Hunter was murdered by an ex-partner out on bail, who should have been nowhere near her. "Can the first minister see that there is a pattern here of women being let down by the system, horrifically let down, and with fatal consequences?" In response, Mr Swinney said "women must be given the ability to raise their concerns, make their complaints, and to have those taken seriously by the police and by the Crown". Lee Greenan, 46, is believed to have murdered mum-of-two Ms Soloman, 44, at a house in Edinburgh's Craigievar Square on 20 July. Greenan was facing charges of assault to injury, murder and assault when he was found dead at HMP Edinburgh on 26 July. Police Scotland's actions in the lead-up to the murder are currently under investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) following instruction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). Ms Hunter, 35, was found dead at a cottage in Houston, Renfrewshire, on 27 July. Her husband, Jim Mair, 43, was also found dead at the property. Police Scotland said it was treating Ms Hunter's death as murder, while Mair's was classified as "unexplained". The force said there was "nothing to suggest" anyone else was involved. It later emerged Mair had been granted bail after appearing in court on 6 July charged with assaulting his wife. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay highlighted the case of Samantha Lee, 54, who was murdered by partner Joseph Greer, 40, in a violent claw hammer attack in Aberdeen in January. Greer - who last month received a life sentence with at least 22 years behind bars - had earlier been accused of assaulting Ms Lee and was out on bail at the time of the fatal attack with an order not to approach her. Mr Findlay called on Mr Swinney to roll back on bail laws that were changed in 2023. The Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 made holding people in jail before trial a last resort. Acting Scottish Labour leader Dame Jackie Baillie also highlighted the murder of Claire Inglis. Christopher McGowan beat and strangled Ms Inglis, 28, at her flat in Stirling in November 2021. The mother-of-one suffered 76 injuries in the attack, which included being burned with a lighter and having a wet wipe pushed down her throat. Serial offender McGowan - who received a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years behind bars in October 2023 - had been bailed multiple times to Ms Inglis' home in the months leading up to her death. Ms Baillie said Ms Hunter's family are calling for GPS tracking for violent offenders to be implemented. She said: "Women are being failed even after abusers are known to the justice system. "Stacy's family has demanded that the SNP government catch up with other countries and roll out GPS tracking of violent offenders on bail, but the justice secretary has been unable to say when this will be in place." Mr Swinney said pilot work is under way to eventually roll out GPS tracking of criminals on bail. He said: "I don't think I could have been more open about the sense of shock I feel about what we've experienced in Scotland over the summer about the violence against women and girls. "And for all the involvement I've had in areas of policy in the past, I am determined to make sure this has got the strongest possible and emphatic leadership from the first minister. "I am a male first minister. At the heart of all of this is the behaviour of men and boys, and there has to be a cultural effort." Mr Swinney added: "The government's communication is important. "These exchanges are important as well, because it gives me an opportunity to say to parliament - and to the country - that male violence against women is absolutely and completely unacceptable, and every aspect of the state is going to be deployed to root it out."

The 34-year-old's agreement was due to expire this summer but she has committed to another 12 months as Sonia Bompastor shapes her squad following a difficult season - the first time since 2019 that Chelsea failed to win the WSL. Bronze arrived at Stamford Bridge from Spanish giants Barcelona in 2024, going on to win a domestic treble in her first campaign, but endured an injury-hit second year. In total, she had made 56 appearances, scoring five times. Bronze said: "I feel like this is the right thing for me at this time. I've really enjoyed the last two years being at Chelsea and back in England, and I feel like we're in a place now where we're moving forward as a club." Transfer Centre LIVE! | Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 The club's official statement read: "Her experience and never-say-die attitude are invaluable to the Chelsea side, and we are delighted that she has committed to remain with us." The full-back, a five-time Champions League winner, has also played an integral role in England's success over the past decade, a key part of the European Championship-winning squads of 2022 and 2025. News about the situations of out-of-contract goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and forward Aggie Beever-Jones is yet to be confirmed. Bronze a stabilising figure at changeable Chelsea Sky Sports' Laura Hunter: Lucy Bronze has been a vital part of Chelsea's post-Emma Hayes era. She was seen as a staple signing when first recruited by Sonia Bompastor and remains as important now as the club navigates choppier waters. Everyone connected with Chelsea has spoken of the difficulties of last season. Finishing six points adrift of eventual champions Manchester City is not good enough by their lofty standards. And as a consequence, change was inevitable. Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Guro Reiten's respective exits were a part of that evolution. But Bronze is viewed in a different camp. Her leadership is highly valued by Bompastor and her experience is stabilising for a side that, at times last term, were in freefall. Additional incomings must surely now be the club's focus, as well as concluding negotiations with other members of the squad. No news on Hampton or Beever-Jones, nor are there many murmurings of further approaches for a much-needed striker after missing out on Man City's Khadija Shaw and Salma Paralluelo, who remains without a club after leaving Barcelona. Plenty of work to be done, then, but this is a positive step and one that should aid what looks to be an arduous rebuild process.

Some 128 people were reported to have previously been on the vessel when emergency responders were called out on Wednesday. The rescuers reached the boat - which had left The Gambia 27 days earlier - about midnight, and brought survivors on shore. Helena Maleno, founder of NGO Walking Borders, said on social media that survivors reported ​three women and a baby were among those who died during the crossing. Maritime Rescue told Reuters news agency that five ⁠bodies were on board the vessel when rescuers reached it. A statement from Maritime Rescue to Sky News said: "Yesterday afternoon we located a migrants boat departed from Gambia on 7 August that was in high difficulty off the southern coast of Gran Canaria. "We immediately sent assistance and rescuers, which reached the boat around midnight. "At dawn this morning, we confirmed approximately 80 deaths, out of a total of 128 passengers. The survivors were taken to the Arguineguín pier and are being cared for by local authorities." The bodies of many of those who died could not be recovered because of adverse ‌weather conditions, Maritime Rescue said. Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional leader, said the tragedy underscored the need for a state policy on migration, especially after a deadly ‌migrant surge in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in July. He said on X: "It is intolerable that lives continue to be lost. The Canaries cannot get used to or accept as normal the fact that the Atlantic continues to ⁠be a death trap." Spain's government has set itself apart on migration from other European countries, urging a more humanitarian approach and registering undocumented migrants to allow them to work and support its fast-growing economy. It has led to criticism from countries like Morocco, which is paid by the EU to help reduce the level of migration from Africa to the bloc. The Atlantic ​route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one ⁠of the world's deadliest migration crossings. The journey is attempted by thousands of migrants each year, who try to reach the Spanish territory in overcrowded boats, despite the risks ⁠posed by rough seas, strong currents and ​long distances.

The 82-year-old former pop star, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday via video link from HMP Channing Wood to enter his pleas. He denied four charges of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and two charges of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13. The alleged offences occurred when the complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was aged eight to 11. The offences allegedly took place at Glitter's home address in Kensington and Chelsea, west London. Glitter is accused of committing the offences against the girl between 1978 and 1981, after allegedly giving her chocolate and inviting her to his home. According to the charges, Glitter is accused of at least 20 incidents of sexual abuse against the girl. Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, remanded Glitter into custody and adjourned the case for a three-week trial starting on 27 November 2027. Read more from Sky News:Four charged with murder after death of newborn baby girl21 killed in bus crash in Egyptian area popular with tourists The Metropolitan Police previously said the allegations were first reported to the force in January last year and Glitter was interviewed in July 2025 in relation to the investigation. Glitter was one of the biggest stars of his time, selling 18 million records in five years in the early 1970s and enjoyed transatlantic success with hits including Rock And Roll (Parts One And Two), I'm The Leader Of The Gang (I Am), and Do You Wanna Touch Me. The glam era was short and, despite a series of comebacks, his final UK top 40 hit was in 1984 with Another Rock And Roll Christmas.

Rising oil prices as a result of renewed hostilities in the Iran war, and fears of further escalation in the conflict, have sustained pressure on bond yields, which are effectively the interest rate in the markets. In the UK, the yield on 10-year gilts stretched to 5.24% from 5.22% on Tuesday, while the 30-year hit 5.87%, up from 5.85%. And the trend could quickly trickle down into Britain's mortgage market, reports the Sky News Money blog, thrusting more pressure upon household finances. Politics Hub: Follow the latest Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, painted a grim picture of the country's fiscal position, describing it as "deeply uncomfortable". She said: "Added to this, the interest rate futures market is pricing in more than three rate hikes between now and July, which could add significant pain to households. "The first hike could be in November, with UK interest rates expected to reach 4.26% by February next year." A 'major challenge' for PM The surge in borrowing costs comes just weeks before Chancellor John Healey is due to deliver his first budget and could have implications on Andy Burnham's spending plans. The prime minister has made clear his intentions to spend big on priorities such as the cost of living and defence; however, Ms Brooks said the rise in bond yields poses a "major challenge" for the government. "Every basis point increase in the cost of borrowing in the UK adds to debt servicing costs, which need to be paid by the public purse," she said. "Since the spring, the UK's interest-only bill has risen by up to £6bn by the end of this parliament. This is a large hole for the chancellor to fill next month." The budget is due to be delivered on 28 October. Burnham won't rule out tax rises At his first PMQs as prime minister on Wednesday, Mr Burnham refused to rule out future tax rises to help fund his pledges. Pushed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on his plans, he said: "I've already indicated my first moves were to cut tax, but I'm not going to do what any prime minister has done and write the budget here. "I can also say to her that he [Chancellor John Healey] and I took a deliberate decision to set an early date for the budget so that we reduce the period for prolonged speculation of the kind that she is wanting us to indulge in today." The PM did, however, commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying: "I've made that commitment, made it very clear, and I have done for a considerable period of time." Read more from Sky News:British woman stabbed to death in PortugalSix police officers sacked after racism complaint 👉Listen to Politics At Sam And Anne's on your podcast app👈 Fiscal responsibility 'essential' Speaking to Sky's Cathy Newman Show on Wednesday, Bridget Phillipson, the Labour Party chair and minister for women and equalities, admitted that "global factors" were causing "significant economic headwinds". She insisted it was the government's responsibility to ensure the UK has a "strong economy from which we can invest in our public services". Ms Phillipson said: "John Healey has made very clear that our approach on fiscal discipline and having a budget that allows us to invest in our country's future, but does maintain credibility where it comes to investors, is critical for any government." She said that, ahead of the budget, she would not be "engaging in speculation" over possible tax rises, adding that the chancellor had been "clear that fiscal responsibility is essential" amid current "challenges".

The deal, which is a fixed fee and includes a sell-on clause, surpasses the £40m Arsenal sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for to Liverpool in the summer of 2017. Martinelli joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old from Brazilian club Ituano, which means his sale goes down as pure profit on the accounting books. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Latest on YOUR PL club!Premier League fixtures & scores | FREE PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 Martinelli's move to Saudi Arabia comes after he had turned down the chance to join Galatasaray earlier this summer. The Turkish side had made an offer of around £38.9 for Martinelli, but he was not keen on a move to Turkey at this stage. The 25-year-old's Al Hilal exit takes Arsenal's money received from player sales this summer to over £120m. Martinelli's move to the Saudi Pro League comes after fellow left-sided forward Leandro Trossard was sold to Besiktas in July. Arsenal strengthened their left-hand side with the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, who started in the opening two Premier League victories, with Martinelli absent for both games. After the opening-day win over Coventry, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told Sky Sports the treatment of Martinelli left him feeling "uncomfortable" and claimed the 25-year-old deserved "more respect". Martinelli joined the Gunners in 2019 and made 191 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals and providing 24 assists. He made 30 league appearances last season as Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, but only 11 of those were starts, his lowest since the 2020/21 season. Saka last player left from Arteta's first squad Following Gabriel Martinelli's departure, Bukayo Saka is the last player remaining from the squad Mikel Arteta inherited. The Spaniard joined Arsenal on December 20, 2019 as Unai Emery's permanent successor after Freddie Ljungberg's brief period in interim charge. Arteta has since drastically changed the squad, which included the likes of David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette, to take the Gunners from 15th to Premier League champions. Although William Saliba was an Arsenal player when Arteta joined, he was on loan at Saint-Etienne for the 2019/20 season and didn't make his Premier League debut for the Gunners until the first game of the 2022/23 season in a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. Martinelli suffered an injury-ridden start under Arteta, but excelled in the 2022/23 season, scoring 15 goals as Arsenal pushed for their first Premier League title in 19 years, however recent form saw him move to third in the left-wing pecking order behind new signing Christos Tzolis and Eberechi Eze. Arsenal departures this summer Out Gabriel Martinelli - Al Hilal, £60m Fabio Vieira - Porto, £7.7m Jakub Kiwior - Porto, £19m Leandro Trossard - Besiktas, £17m Gabriel Jesus - Barcelona, £8.6m Christian Norgaard - Everton, £7m Ethan Nwaneri - Borussia Dortmund, loan Karl Hein - Werder Bremen, £2.6m