News 24/07/25

The Football Association says it’s prepared to consider boycotting social media over the continued abuse of players online.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham says tech giants have failed to engage, after England defender Jess Carter revealed the scale of racist abuse she’s faced during the Women’s Euros. Bullingham said platforms like Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram have avoided responsibility. The FA reported the abuse to police five days ago. Since then, there’s been no contact from either company.

France is set to officially recognise Palestine as a state later this year.

President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement in a letter to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, which was also published online. The formal declaration is expected at the United Nations General Assembly in September. France will become the first member of the G7 to make the move, which Macron says is aimed at helping to restore peace and balance in the region.

Sir Keir Starmer is urging resident doctors not to go ahead with a five-day strike starting Friday morning.

Writing in the Times, the prime minister warned the action would bring huge disruption to the NHS and the country. He accused the British Medical Association of rushing into the walkout without exhausting negotiations. The BMA insists it’s very sorry strikes have become necessary, but says pay and conditions must be addressed. The industrial action is due to begin at 7am across England.

Jeffrey Epstein’s former associate Ghislaine Maxwell is set to meet with a senior US justice official as pressure mounts on the Trump administration to release files linked to Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.

The meeting is due to take place in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence. According to CBS News, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche intends to speak with her about any knowledge she may have of others involved in the abuse of underage girls. Maxwell’s legal team say she’s looking forward to the meeting, which may pave the way for a potential testimony before Congress.

Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognisable figures in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71.

Emergency responders were called to his home in Clearwater, Florida, after he suffered cardiac arrest. He was taken to hospital but could not be saved. Known off-stage as Terry Bollea, Hogan was the face of WWE through the 1980s and 90s, helping to propel wrestling into mainstream popularity with his larger-than-life persona, trademark moustache and signature catchphrases.

A father has been convicted of murdering his two-week-old son in hospital.

Daniel Gunter, 27, was found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of killing baby Brendon Staddon while he was being treated in a special care baby unit at Yeovil District Hospital. The court heard the infant suffered catastrophic injuries to his head, neck, legs and jaw in the attack on 5 March last year. The boy’s mother, 23-year-old Sophie Staddon, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Jeremy Corbyn is launching a new political party promising to take on what he describes as the rich, powerful and controlling forces dominating Westminster.

The former Labour leader, now an Independent MP, says the new group will focus on wealth redistribution and grassroots democracy. Speaking alongside fellow Independent MP Zarah Sultana, Corbyn said it’s time for a party “that belongs to you”. Labour has responded by pointing to previous election defeats under Corbyn’s leadership.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveal that more than 6,500 gambling-related transactions were attempted using Aspen cards over the past year.

The cards are issued to asylum seekers to help them buy food and basic supplies while awaiting a decision on their case. The Home Office says it is reviewing the data, and if any misuse is confirmed, action will be taken immediately.

The two pilots who died when a plane crashed at London Southend Airport earlier this month have been named.

They were captain Danny Marco Franken and first officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, both believed to be from the Netherlands. The aircraft had been chartered for a medical transfer flight, carrying a patient for treatment in the UK. It crashed shortly after take-off on the 13th of July. Flight operator Zeusch Aviation confirmed the identities of the crew and paid tribute to their colleagues.

A man who stabbed his partner 27 times has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 18 years.

Corey Dryden murdered 31-year-old Megan Hughes at their home in Chirnside in the Scottish Borders earlier this year. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Dryden broke down in tears during his police interview, telling officers, “I did really love her, you know.” Prosecutors described the killing as monstrous. Megan Hughes was a mother of two.

A major new study suggests walking 7,000 steps a day could be enough to boost brainpower and lower the risk of serious illness.

Researchers found that hitting the 7,000-step mark was linked to a reduced chance of developing conditions such as cancer, dementia and heart disease.

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, also suggests this goal may be more achievable than the commonly cited target of 10,000 steps.

Scientists say the findings could encourage more people to use step counting as a simple and effective way to improve their overall health.

A Russian passenger plane has crashed in the eastern Amur region, with all 49 people on board confirmed dead.

The aircraft was flying from Blagoveshchensk, near the Russian-Chinese border, to the town of Tynda. On board were 43 passengers, including five children, along with six crew members.

According to Russian state media, the crash was caused by a landing error in poor visibility. Regional governor Vasily Orlov has confirmed the tragedy, while emergency services remain at the scene.

A new study has found that many off-the-shelf medical tests, sold to diagnose everything from vitamin deficiencies to cancer, lack proper evidence to support their accuracy.

A new study has found that many off-the-shelf medical tests, sold to diagnose everything from vitamin deficiencies to cancer, lack proper evidence to support their accuracy.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham bought 30 self-testing kits from supermarkets, pharmacies and wellness shops last year. The kits included tests for cholesterol, menopause, bowel cancer and vitamin levels.

While 24 of them claimed to be accurate – with more than half boasting a 98% success rate – researchers found little or no evidence to back those claims. The findings have been published in the British Medical Journal.

A Slough councillor is calling for a crackdown on crime after a man in his 20s was stabbed near the Queensmere Shopping Centre.

Labour councillor Christine Hulme told the Observer the town needs stronger action to tackle violence, following the attack on July 15.

Thames Valley Police say the man was taken to hospital after being assaulted by a group of men on Slough High Street. He suffered wounds to his upper back and face.

It’s the latest in a series of violent incidents reported in the area so far this year.