News 17/10/25

Prince Andrew has confirmed he will relinquish his titles, including the Duke of York, in a move agreed with King Charles.

However, he will retain the title of Prince as he was born the son of Queen Elizabeth II. His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer use the title of Duchess of York. In a statement, Andrew said discussions with the King and other family members concluded that ongoing accusations against him distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.

It’s the latest step in efforts to distance the monarchy from the controversy that’s surrounded him since his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.

The government says it’s exploring what additional resources and support may be needed to allow all fans to attend Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League match against Aston Villa next month.

Supporters of the Israeli club were told they would not be permitted at the Birmingham fixture after a decision by the city’s Safety Advisory Group, which includes representatives from police, the council and event organisers. The group cited a high risk of disorder, based on current intelligence and past incidents. The ruling has faced fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it the wrong decision, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled it a national disgrace.

Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi has denied attempting to murder prison officers during an alleged ambush at a maximum-security jail.

The 28-year-old is accused of attacking four officers with hot oil and makeshift weapons at HMP Frankland in County Durham in April. Appearing at the Old Bailey via video-link from Belmarsh Prison, Abedi wore a grey tracksuit and was handcuffed, flanked by five prison guards in body armour and helmets.

Two men have pleaded not guilty to arson attacks on properties and a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer.

Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, along with Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from Belmarsh. The charges relate to fires in Kentish Town, north London, including one at Sir Keir’s former home and another involving a Toyota RAV4 he once owned. The attacks happened in May, just weeks before he became Prime Minister.

China has warned the UK of “consequences” amid a growing row over its delayed plans for a mega-embassy near the Tower of London.

Beijing says the postponement “goes entirely against” Britain’s commitment to improving relations. The government has pushed the decision back for a second time to December 10, citing the complexity of the plans. Downing Street insists it does not recognise any suggestion of broken promises.

Downing Street says it’s working to overturn a decision banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their team’s Europa League game in Birmingham.

A spokesperson said the Prime Minister was “angered” by the move and is pushing to change it. Police had classified the match as high risk and restricted away supporters, citing security concerns. Officials now say the government is liaising with partners to ensure the decision can be reviewed as soon as possible.

Three neo-Nazis who plotted terrorist attacks on mosques and synagogues have been jailed for a total of 29 years.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Brogan Stewart, Marco Pitzettu and Christopher Ringrose stockpiled body armour and more than 200 weapons, including machetes, swords and a 3D-printed assault rifle. The weapon was nearly complete, missing only a barrel and firing pin. Prosecutors said the men were close to being able to use it with “devastating consequences.”

The King will become the first British monarch in 500 years to pray publicly with the Pope.

During next week’s state visit to the Holy See, the King and Queen will meet Pope Leo the Fourteenth at the Apostolic Palace. They’ll then attend a special service in the Sistine Chapel — marking a major moment in relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The event will celebrate unity and cooperation among Christian denominations.

Palestine Action has won the right to challenge its ban under anti-terror laws.

The government’s appeal was rejected after judges ruled the group’s proscription disproportionately restricted freedom of speech and assembly. The court also found ministers should have consulted the organisation before outlawing it.

Senior ministers are meeting to discuss the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their side’s Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham.

Science and Technology Minister Ian Murray called the move “completely and utterly unacceptable,” saying Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is meeting Home Office officials to see if there’s “a way through.” The ban was issued by the West Midlands Safety Advisory Group on police advice, with officers citing safety concerns following incidents involving Israeli fans abroad. Murray added that it remains an operational matter for police.

Holland & Barrett, British Gas owner Centrica, and Starbucks franchisee EG Group are among nearly 500 companies named and shamed for failing to pay the minimum wage.

The Department for Business and Trade says 42,000 workers were underpaid over several years, leaving them millions of pounds short. The firms have been fined more than £10 million. EG Group was the biggest offender, underpaying staff between 2018 and 2023. The government says there’s “no excuse” for not paying people fairly.

The BBC has been found guilty of a “serious breach” of broadcasting rules after failing to tell viewers that the narrator of a Gaza documentary was the son of a Hamas official.

Media regulator Ofcom ruled that Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was “materially misleading,” saying audiences were denied key context that could have shaped their understanding of the programme. The BBC says it’s reviewing the findings and will cooperate fully with Ofcom.

Donald Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today, as the US continues efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Thursday, hoping to persuade President Trump to allow Ukraine the use of long-range Tomahawk missiles, capable of reaching Moscow. The Kremlin has warned against the move, while Mr Zelenskyy has suggested Vladimir Putin was “rushing to resume dialogue” following a surprise phone call with Mr Trump.

The US president has also revealed plans for another Trump-Putin summit to take place in Hungary, though no date has yet been confirmed.

From today, digital veteran cards are being rolled out to former members of the armed forces — marking the first stage of a plan to digitise almost all forms of government-issued ID.

The scheme aims to make documents such as passports, driving licences and National Insurance cards available virtually on smartphones by the end of 2027. The launch took place at the Tower of London, where Beefeaters demonstrated their new digital ID cards and joked about using them to get food discounts.

The digital IDs are separate from the government’s new “right to work” checks, though both are part of the wider programme to modernise identification in the UK.

An injection to prevent HIV is being introduced on the NHS in England and Wales for the first time, bringing both nations in line with Scotland.

The long-acting jab, called cabotegravir, is given every two months and provides an alternative to daily pills used to protect against the virus. Health experts say it could be key to meeting the government’s goal of ending new HIV cases in the UK by 2030.

Trials are also underway on a new drug called lenacapavir, which could eventually make annual HIV prevention injections possible.