Mirror's Daily Digest - top five stories you need to read tonight

Welcome to the Mirror's Daily Digest, where we'll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Friday we're featuring everything from famine declared in Gaza, to the Beckhams enjoying a bit of PDA on their yacht.

Our Royal writers share an expert's warning over William’s plans for a slimmed-down monarchy, while we also bring you the extraordinary story of a traveller family's extravagant send-off for their father - complete with a solid gold coffin which went on a week-long tour.

Finally, our Showbiz scribes detail exactly why Sir Tom Jones had to stop a gig to address a booing crowd.

Famine declared in Gaza in 'deep stain on our collective humanity'

Famine has been declared in war-torn Gaza in what has been branded a “deep stain on our collective humanity”.

Children are among hundreds already said to have perished from malnutrition-related deaths as the stricken enclave stands in ruins after nearly two years of bombardment by Israel. But the official declaration of famine marks a significant step in the humanitarian crisis. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) made the formal declaration today that famine is occurring in Gaza City – warning it is expected to spread south. The grim milestone is only the fifth time it has declared famine, after Somalia in 2011, South Sudan in both 2017 and 2020 and Sudan last year.

The IPC said today: "As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate. After 22 months of relentless conflict, over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterised by starvation, destitution and death. Another 1.07 million people (54 percent) are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 396,000people (20 percent) are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).

Read the full story here.

David Beckham grabs Victoria's bum on family yacht break as Nicola makes a dig

The Beckham family are enjoying a lavish break in the sun as their feud with eldest son Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz rumbles on.

As Brooklyn and Nicola enjoyed a "family dinner" for two over in America, David and Victoria Beckham lived it up in the Italian sunshine with their three other children amid the heartache of recent months.

Making the most of the sweltering heat of the Amalfi Coast, David, 50, showed off his toned body by going shirtless on a yacht as proud wife Victoria, 51, snapped some pictures and indulged in a bit of PDA with her man.

Read the full story here.

Head of traveller family's extravagant funeral as solid gold coffin goes on tour

A travellerfamilyhave given their father the perfect send off by sending his solid gold coffin on a week-long tour to some of his favourite locations.

Frank Thompson, 69, sadly died from a chest infection on July 2, leaving behind his beloved wife and children. The businessman, who ran companies in Nottingham and Manchester, will also be honoured with a huge marble tomb, which will be built around his coffin in South London.

The shiny coffin, which is said to cost six figures, was commissioned overseas by his son. His loved ones described him as the "king of the family", and wanted to give him the send-off he deserves. As part of their farewells, the extravagant casket stopped off at his businesses and cemeteries where his friends and family were laid to rest.

Read the full story here.

Royal expert shares warning over William’s plans for slimmed-down monarchy

Prince William is reportedly planning to slim down the monarchy when he ascends to the throne, which a royal expert has claimed could be a dire decision.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be relocating from their humble Adelaide Cottage to their “forever home” of Forest Lodge in Windsor, as reports claim that William will reside in the residence full time when he becomes King.

Despite the excitement of the big move for the Wales’ to have a “fresh start” after a difficult few years, royal expert Robert Jobson believes the move could change the public’s perception of the monarchy as a whole. It comes as King Charles invites rarely-seen royal family member to summer holiday in Balmoral.

Read the full story here.

Sir Tom Jones stops gig as he addresses boos from crowd

Finally, Sir Tom Jones was booed as he addressed the controversy surrounding one of his signature songs on Wednesday night. The singer, 85, headlined the Cardiff Castle for two nights from 20 August, and worked his way through classics like What's New Pussycat, I'm Growing Old and Sex Bomb for the crowd.

But things became heated when it came to Delilah, which was adopted as the Welsh rugby national anthem for many years until it was banned by the Welsh Rugby Union in 2023. The banning came as a result of the song's lyrical content, which describe a man murdering the titular Delilah after he discovers she has been unfaithful.

One line reads: “I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door; she stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more", and it was decided three years ago that the songshould not be heard at major sporting events in Wales anymore as was thought to glorify violence against women.

Read the full story here.

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