News 17/09/25

The Home Office is set to appeal a High Court decision that temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean man to France under the government’s “one in, one out” scheme.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said last-minute attempts to frustrate removals are “intolerable” and vowed to fight them at every step. The High Court yesterday granted the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, interim relief just hours before he was due to be deported on a 9am flight.

An air traffic controller was forced to repeatedly warn a Spirit Airlines flight to turn away from Air Force One’s path as it flew over New York on Tuesday.

Donald Trump and his wife Melania were aboard the presidential aircraft, bound for London. The pilot of the other plane was eventually told to “pay attention” and “get off the iPad” after failing to respond promptly to instructions.

Scientists say artificial intelligence can now predict health problems more than a decade ahead.

The model, trained on medical records, calculates the risk of over a thousand diseases. Researchers liken it to a weather forecast that predicts the chance of rain, but for human health. The system could allow hospitals to anticipate demand years in advance and help doctors prevent illness in high-risk patients.

MSPs have voted to abolish Scotland’s centuries-old “not proven” verdict.

The decision came as part of the Scottish government’s Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill, passed after a debate running through more than 160 amendments. The bill introduces a range of measures, including the creation of a specialist sexual offences court, a victims and witnesses commissioner, and a requirement for juries to reach a two-thirds majority for conviction. It also brings in Suzanne’s Law, meaning parole boards must consider whether a killer continues to withhold the location of their victim’s body.

Once given Royal Assent, the changes will be phased in.

Manchester United have revealed record revenues of more than six hundred and sixty-six million pounds for last season, yet still reported a loss of thirty-three million.

The club endured their lowest league finish in more than half a century, ending the Premier League campaign in fifteenth place without European football. But commercial strength, led by a five-year shirt sponsorship with Snapdragon, has kept finances buoyant. Executives have described the deal, with four years still to run, as the most valuable of its kind in global sport.

A man accused of sending WhatsApp messages to five people within Westminster circles, including MPs, has been charged with blackmail and communications offences.

The Crown Prosecution Service says 28-year-old Oliver Steadman faces one count of blackmail linked to alleged demands for the phone numbers of up to 12 people.

He is also charged with improper use of a public electronic communications network in relation to the same victim, and four further counts of the same offence relating to four other people.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges, just hours after returning to London for a Champions League fixture with his new club Villarreal.

The Ghanaian international appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he confirmed his name and date of birth before entering pleas to the charges.

He is accused of five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third, alleged to have taken place between April 2021 and June 2022.

Partey’s lawyer has previously said he denies all the allegations.

The convicted sex offender known as Christian B has been released from prison in Germany.

He remains the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, but prosecutors say there isn’t enough evidence to bring charges. The 49-year-old drifter, whose full name cannot be published under German privacy laws, left Sehnde prison near Hannover after serving a sentence for rape.

Under strict release conditions, he must wear an electronic ankle tag, surrender his passport, and register his address with probation officers.

UK inflation has stayed higher than expected, according to the latest official figures.

The rate of price rises held at 3.8 percent in August, unchanged from July. The Office for National Statistics says the cost of food, fuel, and services all remain under pressure.

The Bank of England is predicting inflation could climb to 4 percent this month before easing later in the year.

The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been hit with strict release conditions.

Christian B, who cannot be fully identified under privacy laws, is being freed this morning after serving a seven-year sentence for rape. The 49-year-old German drifter will have to wear an electronic tag, surrender his passport, and register his address with probation officers.

He remains the only suspect in the abduction of Madeleine McCann, who vanished on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Some of America’s biggest tech giants have pledged billions of pounds to boost Britain’s artificial intelligence sector.

Nvidia, Microsoft, OpenAI and Google all made investment announcements to coincide with President Trump’s state visit. The plans include new data centres and major funding for AI research and development.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the US-UK technology deal as a “generational step change” in the partnership between the two countries.

A consultation has opened on controversial plans to introduce charges at some currently free car parks in Slough.

The borough council is considering fees of up to £20 a day, with time limits designed to stop commuters and commercial operators misusing the sites. At Cippenham Recreation Ground, Harvey Park and Manor Park Recreation Ground, parking would be capped at a free two or three hours, with no paid option to extend. Six other council-owned car parks could allow longer stays, but only if drivers pay the proposed charges.

The consultation runs until Friday October 3.