News 17/07/25

England are through to the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros after a dramatic comeback win over Sweden in Zurich.

The Lionesses were 2-0 down at half-time following goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius. But Lucy Bronze pulled one back in the 79th minute, set up by Chloe Kelly, before Michelle Agyemang equalised just two minutes later. The game went to penalties, and England triumphed 3-2 in the shootout to keep their title defence alive.

Emergency services were called to the scene of a serious coach crash near Minehead in Somerset earlier this afternoon.

The vehicle, carrying around 60 to 70 schoolchildren, crashed just before 3pm. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington from Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed that one child has died. Two others were airlifted to hospital, while a further 21 people were taken in by land and air ambulances. An investigation into the cause of the crash is now underway.

The UK is bracing for thunderstorms and heavy rain, with yellow weather warnings issued across much of England.

The Met Office says the risk of sudden flooding, power cuts and travel disruption is expected from Friday into Saturday. The first alert is in place from 9pm on Friday until 6pm Saturday, while a second warning covers the East Midlands, North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber from midday until 8pm Friday. Despite the storms, temperatures are forecast to remain high.

Labour MP Diane Abbott has once again been suspended by the party following controversial remarks about racism.

She claimed it was “silly” to compare racism based on skin colour to other forms of prejudice. The comments refer back to a previous incident in 2023 which saw her suspended for a year. Labour has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, and Abbott will continue to sit as an independent MP.

Slush ice drinks may pose serious health risks to young children, according to a new warning from the Food Standards Agency.

The concern is over glycerol, an ingredient that can cause shock, dangerously low blood sugar, and even loss of consciousness if consumed in high amounts. The FSA says under-sevens should not have any slushies containing glycerol, while children aged seven to ten should be limited to one can-sized serving a day. The danger is greatest when kids drink multiple slushies quickly — especially when free refills are offered.

Details of MI6 operatives and British special forces have been exposed in a major data breach linked to the Afghan relocations scheme.

Defence sources confirmed information on over 100 British personnel — including those who helped relocate Afghans — was included in a spreadsheet leaked by a defence official in 2022. It follows the earlier exposure of nearly 19,000 people who applied under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. The Ministry of Defence has not commented on the latest revelations.

A direct rail link between London and Berlin is set to become a reality, following a new agreement between the UK and Germany.

The Kensington Treaty, signed during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to London, will also introduce fast-track e-gates for frequent travellers and boost school exchanges. The deal includes new joint laws targeting people smuggling gangs and closer defence cooperation. The UK says it will also help German authorities crack down on storage hubs for small boats used in illegal Channel crossings.

Windsor Road in Slough could be transformed with two new housing blocks under fresh plans submitted to the council.

A six-storey building would feature five commercial units and 23 flats, while a separate three-storey development would include six more homes. The proposals, drawn up by architects from West Wycombe, were submitted on July 9 and would involve demolishing the current buildings between numbers 12 and 34.

The last remaining member of the Stockwell Six has been cleared more than 50 years after he was wrongly convicted of trying to rob a police officer on the London Underground.

Ronald De’Souza was one of six young black men accused of targeting British Transport Police officer Sergeant Derek Ridgewell during a night out in 1972. De’Souza’s conviction has been overturned on the same day as Errol Campbell, another man investigated by Ridgewell in 1977. Ridgewell, later jailed for corruption, was involved in several controversial cases in the early 1970s.

Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds will be able to vote in a UK general election for the first time, under new plans announced today.

The government has confirmed it intends to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 ahead of the next nationwide vote.

The move delivers on a key Labour manifesto pledge, and will give younger voters the right to take part in all UK elections.

At the moment, 16 and 17-year-olds can only vote in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

More than half of the UK’s busiest airports have increased their “kiss-and-fly” charges for drivers dropping passengers off near terminal doors.

Research by the RAC shows that 11 out of the 20 largest airports have raised fees since last summer. Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton now join Stansted in charging £7 for just a few minutes’ parking.

By contrast, most major airports across the EU don’t charge at all for drop-offs, with nine of the ten busiest offering free access.

Airports UK, which represents the industry, says all UK airports still provide free drop-off options further from the terminal, including park-and-ride services.

The UK’s unemployment rate has climbed to its highest level in four years, strengthening the case for a cut in interest rates.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show joblessness rose to 4.7% in the three months to May — up from 4.6% the month before.

Analysts had expected no change, making the latest increase a surprise shift in the labour market.

The ONS also reported a slight slowdown in wage growth. Average weekly earnings were up 5% over the same period, compared to 5.2% in the previous report.

The data comes with a note of caution though, as participation rates remain low, affecting the reliability of the figures.

Slough Borough Council is preparing to vote on a major boost to its bus funding for next year.

Cabinet members are being asked to approve an extra £917,000 in support for public transport in 2025-26.

That would bring the total bus grant spend to more than £2.2 million — up from the £1.3 million already budgeted.

The extra funding would support a range of improvements, including traffic signal upgrades, priority for buses at junctions, real-time passenger information systems, and better bus stops and shelters across the borough.

The number of acid attacks in the UK has risen by 10% in the past year, according to new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

Charity Acid Survivors Trust International says police forces recorded 498 assaults involving corrosive substances in 2024 — up from 454 the year before.

Campaigners warn the real number is likely to be even higher due to under-reporting, with some victims too afraid to come forward.

Northumbria Police and the Metropolitan Police recorded the highest proportion of incidents last year, accounting for more than a third of all physical acid attacks.