News 15/07/25

Donald Trump says he’ll “refine the trade deal” with the UK when he visits Scotland later this month.

The US president is expected to meet Sir Keir Starmer, likely in Aberdeen, during what’s described as a private trip to his golf courses. An official state visit is scheduled for September. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Mr Trump said the meeting with the prime minister would be “very respectful” and that a range of issues would be discussed.

For the first time, the UK has published data on the immigration status of people claiming Universal Credit.

In June, nearly 8 million people received the benefit — 83.6% of them were British or Irish nationals. Just over a million claimants were born overseas, including around 700,000 EU citizens with the right to live and work in the UK. Around 1.5% were refugees and less than 1% had arrived via official resettlement schemes, such as those for Ukrainians and Afghans.

Thames Water has admitted it is “extremely stressed” and says it could take over a decade to fix the problems it’s facing.

The warning came as the utility reported losses of £1.65 billion for the year to March, while debt rose to £16.8 billion. Pollution incidents increased by more than a third, with the firm blaming heavy rainfall and high groundwater. The results were released as bosses faced tough questions from MPs about the company’s future, which remains uncertain.

Travellers who set up an unauthorised camp in Burnham Park have now left, according to a local councillor.

Around 20 caravans and campervans were seen in the Buckinghamshire village on Monday. Cllr Cole Caeser thanked Burnham Parish Council for what he described as “swift action,” confirming the group had moved on by Wednesday afternoon.

The Chancellor says she’s considering reforms to ISAs, amid concerns that public investment has become too focused on avoiding risk.

In her Mansion House speech, Rachel Reeves said she recognised differing views over the £20,000 tax-free allowance. Reports suggested ministers had looked at reducing the annual cap to £4,000 to encourage more people into stocks and shares. However, those plans have now been paused after a strong backlash from financial institutions and consumer groups.

Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into a defence company fence in Edinburgh.

Police Scotland say the women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were held following the incident on Crewe Road North on Tuesday. Officers say the van was deliberately driven into the outer fence of a business premises. The force’s Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation, which they describe as targeted, adding there’s no wider threat to the public.

The UK’s counter-terror police say hostile states like Russia, Iran and China are posing a growing threat on British soil.

Investigators warn foreign powers are using proxies for sabotage and targeted violence, with such cases now making up one fifth of their national workload. They also warned that teenagers and petty criminals may be more vulnerable to recruitment, urging parents and teachers to stay alert to signs of manipulation or grooming.

MasterChef presenter John Torode will no longer appear on the show after a BBC report upheld an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term.”

The claim emerged during an investigation into Gregg Wallace, Torode’s former co-host. Torode says he has “no recollection” of the incident and called racist language “wholly unacceptable.”

Almost 7,000 Afghan nationals are being relocated to the UK after a major Ministry of Defence data breach exposed the details of around 20,000 people.

The MoD only notified those affected this week — more than three years after the breach. The relocation is expected to cost at least £850 million, though internal documents suggest the final bill could run into the billions.

The two men who felled the iconic Sycamore Gap tree have each been jailed for four years and three months.

Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham drove through a storm from Cumbria to Northumberland last September and cut down the historic tree in under three minutes.

Prosecutors said their “moronic mission” caused more than £620,000 of damage, including to Hadrian’s Wall.

The pair took a wedge of the tree as a trophy and appeared to revel in the media attention, sending each other messages about the story going viral.

The felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was an act of “drunken stupidity”, a court has heard, as the two men responsible await sentencing.

Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham travelled through a storm from Cumbria to Northumberland in September last year, before cutting down the landmark tree in under three minutes.

Prosecutors say their “moronic mission” caused over £620,000 in damage, including to Hadrian’s Wall.
The pair took a piece of the tree as a trophy and exchanged messages celebrating the media coverage.

A man has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder outside Langley Grammar School in Slough.

The 20-year-old from Langley was detained this morning on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody. It follows the stabbing of a 19-year-old man on Saturday in Reddington Drive. He was stabbed twice in the arm and taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Detective Inspector Ryan Powell from Slough CID says the investigation is ongoing and police are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

The grandparents of a two-year-old boy have been found guilty of his murder in North Wales.

Ethan Ives-Griffiths died in August 2021 after collapsing at his grandparents’ home in Flintshire. He was dangerously dehydrated, underweight and had more than 40 visible bruises when he was rushed to hospital with a severe head injury. Michael and Kerry Ives, both in their 40s, were convicted of murder and child cruelty. Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, was also found guilty of causing or allowing his death, as well as cruelty to a child under 16.

A major data breach at the Ministry of Defence has put around 20,000 Afghan nationals and their families at risk of serious violence.

The information can now be reported after a judge lifted a government-requested super injunction. Barings Law, which is representing those affected, accused the MoD of trying to hide the truth. As well as the potential human cost, the UK government is likely to face significant compensation claims — potentially leaving taxpayers liable for large payouts in support and damages.

The Sycamore Gap tree, cut down in a deliberate act of vandalism last year, “can never be replaced”, but the stump is beginning to show signs of life.

That’s according to the National Trust, ahead of sentencing for the two men responsible. Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham drove 30 miles through a storm before cutting down the iconic Northumberland landmark in under three minutes. Prosecutors say they caused over £620,000 of damage, including to Hadrian’s Wall. The pair took a piece of the tree as a trophy and reportedly bragged about the story going viral.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s had a “very good conversation” with Donald Trump about ending the war with Russia.

Speaking late on Monday, Mr Zelenskyy said he welcomed Trump’s willingness to support Ukraine and work together to stop the killings. Weapons including Patriot surface-to-air missile systems are being sent to boost Ukraine’s defence against Russian airstrikes. Mr Trump warned of “severe tariffs” — as high as 100 percent — if no peace deal is reached within 50 days. Meanwhile, the White House says countries still buying oil from Russia could face secondary sanctions.

An inquiry into the crimes of hospital worker David Fuller has warned that similar abuse could happen again.

Fuller sexually abused dozens of corpses over 15 years while working in NHS mortuaries. The latest phase of the inquiry found that national regulation and oversight of post-death care is patchy, ineffective, and in some cases non-existent. Serious failings at the hospitals where he worked allowed him to go undetected for years. The report examined whether other hospital and non-hospital settings across England offer proper safeguards for the security and dignity of the deceased.

The East and West Midlands have now officially been declared in drought, following extended hot and dry conditions.

They join the North West and Yorkshire, where hosepipe bans are already in effect. The Environment Agency says it’s the driest start to a year since 1976, with river levels across the Midlands reaching critical lows. While droughts are caused by natural weather patterns, climate change and rising water use are making shortages more likely. Water companies may now bring in restrictions unless conditions improve.

Several homes were evacuated in east London on Monday evening after a wildfire broke out in Dagenham.

The London Fire Brigade says 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters were called to the scene behind Clemence Road at around 6.30pm.

Eight hectares of grass, shrubland and trees were destroyed in the blaze, and nearby residents were asked to leave their homes as a safety precaution.

Drone footage posted on social media showed the scale of the damage, with large areas of scorched land turned to ash.

Donald Trump has confirmed the United States will send “top of the line weapons” to NATO in support of Ukraine — and warned Russia it faces “severe” tariffs unless it agrees to end the war.

Speaking alongside NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte at the White House, the US president said billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment would be delivered to NATO allies and quickly moved to the front line.

He added the weapons would be paid for by NATO countries.

Among the equipment heading to Ukraine are Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, which Kyiv has repeatedly requested to help defend against Russian air strikes.

The UK is set to resume processing asylum claims from Syrian nationals, more than seven months after decisions were paused following the fall of the Assad regime.

Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle says the Home Office has now gathered enough information to make what she called “accurate and well-evidenced” decisions.

She confirmed that claims can once again be processed, and returns to Syria carried out where appropriate.

It’s understood that more than 20 Syrians have already voluntarily returned from the UK this year — and thousands more could now be eligible for removal.

Unreleased music by Beyoncé has been stolen from a car in Atlanta, according to local police.

The tracks were among several items taken after thieves smashed the window of a rented SUV used by the singer’s choreographer and a dancer last week.

It happened on 8 July, just before Beyoncé began a four-day run of shows in the city.

Five USB drives containing unreleased songs were taken, along with two MacBook laptops, Apple headphones and high-end clothing. The investigation is ongoing.