News 20/07/25

Parts of the UK could be hit with half a month’s worth of rain over the next 24 hours, as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings.

Much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, western England and all of Wales are under alerts until 10pm tonight, with lightning, hail and gusty winds also forecast. More yellow warnings for thunderstorms will come into effect on Monday, covering southeast England, the Midlands, the north and most of Scotland. Those will remain in place until 9pm tomorrow.

Scottie Scheffler has won his first Open Championship in dominant fashion at Royal Portrush.

The world number one never looked troubled after taking a four-shot lead into Sunday’s final round, and quickly stretched that to seven within just four holes. He carded a three-under 68 to finish on 17 under par, four clear of fellow American Harris English. The 29-year-old came up short of Tiger Woods’ eight-shot winning margin record from 2000, but still secured a commanding victory.

Tensions have flared in Epping, Essex, during a protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Bottles and smoke flares were thrown at police vehicles outside the Bell Hotel, where over 1,000 people had gathered. Essex Police confirmed one person has been arrested. The unrest follows charges brought last week against an asylum seeker accused of sexual assaults in the area. A section 60AA order, which allows officers to require face coverings be removed, has been extended until Monday.

England defender Jess Carter has revealed she’s been the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025.

The Lionesses have since announced they’ll stop taking the knee before matches, saying it’s clear football must find new ways to tackle racism. Carter says she’s stepping away from social media, while the Football Association confirms it’s working with police to identify and prosecute those responsible for what it calls a hate crime.

Four people remain in hospital after a school coach crashed on its way back from a trip to the zoo.

A major incident was declared on Thursday when a coach carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School left the road near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid 20 feet down a slope. A 10-year-old boy died in the crash. Avon and Somerset Police say two children are still being treated in Bristol and two adults remain in hospital in Somerset. The wreckage of the coach was recovered over the weekend.

Nigel Farage claims some local councils are deliberately obstructing the work of Reform UK councillors.

The party gained control of 10 councils in May’s local elections, but Farage says Reform members are being “hamstrung” by entrenched bureaucracies. The party has promised to cut waste and improve efficiency, but some of its early spending decisions have drawn criticism. Opponents argue there’s been little visible action to deliver on cost-cutting pledges so far.

Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into a defence site in Edinburgh.

The incident happened on Tuesday at the Leonardo facility on Crewe Road North. The women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were arrested shortly after and will appear in court on Monday. Police Scotland’s Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation, which remains ongoing.

England defender Jess Carter says she’s received racial abuse online during the Women’s Euros.

The Lionesses star, who has 49 caps, posted on Instagram that she’s stepping back from social media after being targeted over her appearance and race. Carter said while fans are entitled to opinions on performance, abuse has no place. England face Italy in Tuesday night’s semi-final. Germany play Spain on Wednesday for the other spot in the final.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died in a house fire in St Helens.

Peter Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze early on Tuesday. Mr Greener died the following day, and Ms Jackson passed away on Thursday. Merseyside Police say an accelerant was used to start the fire, and a 31-year-old man is now in custody as investigations continue.

At least 67 Palestinians have died and more than 150 others have been injured while waiting for aid in northern Gaza.

Hospital officials say the casualties happened in al Sudaniya, near the Zikim crossing with Israel, where aid was being distributed. The director of al Shifa hospital confirmed dozens were critically injured. It’s the latest in a series of deadly incidents as thousands continue to queue daily for food and essential supplies.

Oleksandr Usyk has cemented his place in boxing history once again, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion after a dominant win over Daniel Dubois.

Fighting in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium, the 38-year-old Ukrainian floored Dubois with a right hook in round five, then sealed victory with a thunderous left moments later. Dubois had been hoping to become the UK’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, but now joins Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on the list of Britons defeated by the unbeaten Usyk.

The home secretary says a new criminal offence will ensure that suspects preparing mass killings are treated with the same seriousness as terrorists.

Yvette Cooper says the law will target individuals fixated on violence but not driven by ideology — like the attacker in last year’s Southport incident. Currently, terror suspects planning an attack can face life sentences, even if their plans aren’t fully formed. Cooper says the new offence will help police intervene earlier and close the gap in existing laws.

The number of sewage discharges by water companies in England will be cut in half by the end of the decade, according to the environment secretary.

Steve Reed made the pledge following widespread anger over pollution in rivers and coastal waters. The Environment Agency revealed last week that serious pollution incidents rose by 60 percent in 2024 — the worst on record. Reed accused the previous government of letting families watch their local waters suffer. The Conservatives responded by accusing Labour of failing to act on rising water bills despite promising change.