Today's briefing

"Historic Crooked House pub demolished after fire"

The iconic Crooked House pub in Himley, West Midlands, has been demolished following a devastating fire. Speculation surrounds the identity of the new owner, with rumors suggesting a neighboring waste firm or developers. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

"UK government forms task force to tackle immigration lawyer fraud"

The UK government has established a task force to crack down on immigration lawyers assisting in false asylum claims. Home Secretary Suella Braverman aims to root out these lawyers, although legal experts argue that the focus should be on the significant backlog of asylum claims.

"12-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run incident on M62 motorway"

Tragedy struck on the M62 motorway near Bradford as a 12-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run incident. Police believe the boy was walking on the motorway with a man after an earlier collision. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

"Man stabbed to death in Gloucester, suspect in custody"

A fatal stabbing in Gloucester has led to the arrest of a suspect. The victim, believed to be in his 50s, died from his injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing for information. No other individuals are currently being sought in connection with the murder.

"Asylum seekers face support withdrawal if they refuse barge housing"

Asylum seekers in the UK may lose government support if they refuse to board the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Port. The government claims this is a cost-effective housing solution, but critics argue it is cruel. Experts suggest focusing on clearing the asylum backlog and addressing labor shortages instead.