News 14/09/25

Officers investigating a racially motivated rape in the West Midlands have arrested a man.

Police were called just before half past eight on Tuesday morning after a Sikh woman in her twenties reported being attacked by two white men near Tame Road in Oldbury. A man in his thirties was detained on Sunday evening and remains in custody on suspicion of rape. Chief Superintendent Kim Madill of Sandwell Police described it as a significant development and thanked the community for its support.

A yellow wind warning comes into force tonight across most of England and all of Wales, with the Met Office warning of travel disruption and power cuts.

Gusts of up to 55 miles per hour are expected inland, with exposed coasts and hills facing winds of up to 70. The warning runs from 8 o’clock this evening until 6pm tomorrow and covers almost the entire country, with Manchester, Leeds, Hull, York and the whole of Wales included. Only the far north of England escapes the alert.

Police are appealing for help to find a man who attacked a Labrador and shouted homophobic abuse at a couple in Windsor.

The incident happened at around half past three on the afternoon of August 14 in Peascod Place. Officers say the man punched and kicked the black Labrador before directing abuse at a woman in her twenties and her partner. Thames Valley Police are urging anyone who recognises the man to come forward, saying he may hold vital information about what they are treating as a hate-related public order offence.

The final stage of Spain’s Vuelta cycling race has been abandoned after clashes between police and pro-Palestinian protesters in Madrid.

The 104-kilometre closing leg was halted when demonstrators blocked the route with barriers and banners condemning Israel. Police attempted to disperse the crowds, allowing a short restart, but riders were eventually told the race could not continue. The finale is usually a ceremonial ride into the Spanish capital, similar to the Tour de France finish in Paris.

Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.

The Press Association confirmed his death earlier today. Hatton’s career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which he won world titles at light welterweight and welterweight. In July, he announced plans to come out of retirement, 13 years after his last professional fight, to face Eisa Al Dah in Dubai this December.

Romania says one of its fighter jets came close to shooting down a drone that entered its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine.

The defence minister Ionut Mosteanu confirmed the aircraft was flying at low altitude on Saturday before leaving Romanian airspace and returning to Ukraine. It follows a series of similar incidents involving NATO members. Poland deployed military aircraft and temporarily closed an airport in Lublin, just days after shooting down Russian drones in its territory. Those strikes marked the first known instance of NATO forces opening fire during the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio has arrived in Israel amid renewed Middle East tensions.

It follows an Israeli strike on Hamas inside Qatar which disrupted attempts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking before his visit, Rubio said the president was “not happy” with Israel’s decision, although Washington’s support for the country remains firm. He said he would press Israeli leaders on how they see a way forward following the escalation. Rubio travelled with his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio and is expected to meet officials in Jerusalem.

Designers and models in Slough have been showcasing recycled clothing in a bid to challenge fast fashion.

The event in Town Square was organised by Slough Business Improvement District and the local Anti-Litter Society, aiming to highlight the impact of discarded clothing on the environment. Creators were tasked with turning old fabrics into evening outfits under the theme “creativity meets sustainability.” Tirza Meinema, who chairs the society, said more people are realising that throwing something away does not mean it disappears.

Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of lying to the country about what he knew of Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador to the US on Thursday after questions resurfaced about his years-long friendship with the convicted paedophile. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir strongly defended the Labour peer, but changed course within 24 hours after emails revealed Mandelson had expressed support for Epstein following his 2008 conviction, even questioning whether it was justified.

The government has announced more than £1.25 billion in private US investment into Britain’s financial services sector ahead of President Donald Trump’s second state visit.

Ministers say the deals will create around 1,800 jobs and improve services for millions of customers. The agreement secures £20 billion in trade between the two countries, with BlackRock committing £7 billion. In total, more than £8 billion in new capital is coming to the UK, while over £12 billion will flow to the US, creating opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Twenty-six police officers have been injured during a protest led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in London.

Up to 150,000 people marched through the capital at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some throwing bottles and projectiles at officers. Four were left seriously injured. The Met Police confirmed 25 arrests for various offences, describing the violence as “wholly unacceptable.” Tech billionaire Elon Musk addressed protesters via videolink, while around 5,000 people joined a counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism nearby.