News 26/09/25

Donald Trump says a breakthrough on Gaza could be close.

Speaking before boarding Marine One at the White House, the president told reporters he believes a deal is within reach. He said it could secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the conflict, describing it as “a deal that will end the war.”

Elon Musk’s name has surfaced in documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Files released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee include a reference to Musk as a potential visitor to Epstein’s private island in December 2014, six years after the financier was listed as a sex offender. The entry appeared on what looks like Epstein’s daily schedule, reading: “Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 – is this still happening?” The Duke of York was also named as a passenger on Epstein’s private jet.

The FA is to review safety measures at non-league football grounds after the death of Chichester City striker Billy Vigar.

The 21-year-old, a former Arsenal academy player, died after sustaining a severe brain injury in a match at Wingate and Finchley last weekend. It’s been reported he collided with a concrete wall near the pitch. The FA says it will carry out an immediate review into the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries across the National League system.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has died at the age of 84.

Widely known as Ming, he led the party from 2006 to 2007 and represented North East Fife at Westminster for 28 years. Sir Menzies first stood as a candidate in 1976 but did not win his seat for 11 years. Before his political career, he was a sprinter, holding the UK 100-metre record from 1967 to 1974 and competing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, earning the nickname The Flying Scotsman.

Terror charges against a member of the rap group Kneecap have been thrown out by the courts.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last year. But a judge has ruled the case was unlawfully brought and declared the proceedings null.

The 27-year-old had appeared before the court three times on the charges.

Two people have been charged with the murder of a three-year-old girl in west London.

Emergency services were called to a home in Hayes in December 2023, where they found the body of Penelope Chandrie. Her death has remained under investigation until this week when police confirmed two suspects were arrested and charged.

They are due to appear in court.

A man has been arrested in Slough in connection with a shooting in London.

Armed police were seen on Slough High Street just after midday on Wednesday. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed the man was detained on suspicion of attempted murder.

It follows reports of gunfire in Kettering Road, Enfield, on July 4.

The UK population has seen its second-largest rise in 75 years, growing by more than 750,000 people.

The Office for National Statistics says the increase, taking the total to a record 69.3 million, is mainly due to international migration. More than 1.2 million people are estimated to have moved to the UK in the year to June 2024, while just under half a million left.

Natural change, the difference between births and deaths, accounted for only a small part of the growth.

Two people have been fined after being caught fly-tipping from their cars during a roadside row.

CCTV in Iver Heath filmed one driver throwing rubbish at another vehicle on August 8. Moments later, the second driver was seen tossing an empty bottle back. Neither object hit the cars, but both were left on the road.

The pair have been ordered to pay hefty fines for littering.

A man has been arrested in Slough in connection with a shooting in London.

Armed police were seen on Slough High Street just after midday on Wednesday. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed the man was detained on suspicion of attempted murder.

It follows reports of gunfire in Kettering Road, Enfield, on July 4.

We understand that former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has been involved in talks about leading a transitional authority in Gaza if a ceasefire is agreed.

Sir Tony, who took Britain into the Iraq War in 2003, is reported to have held high-level discussions with international leaders on both ending the conflict and shaping Gaza’s post-war future. One proposal being considered at the United Nations this week by President Trump and Arab leaders is for Gaza to be overseen by a UN-backed body with Gulf support, before eventually being returned to Palestinian control.

While reports suggest Sir Tony could lead that transitional authority, his office has stressed he would not back any plan that displaced the people of Gaza.

 

A new YouGov poll suggests Nigel Farage is on course to become prime minister, with Reform UK projected to win the largest number of seats at the next election.

The seat-by-seat analysis, based on a survey of 13,000 people over the last three weeks, indicates Reform would take 311 of the 650 seats in the Commons — just 15 short of an overall majority. With the Speaker and Sinn Fein MPs excluded from voting, the pollsters say it would be almost impossible for anyone else to command the support needed to form a government.

The figures represent a dramatic rise from the last YouGov projection in June, when Reform was forecast to fall 55 seats short. If correct, it would see the party increase its representation from just five MPs to more than 300 — the biggest gain in British electoral history.

Police Scotland says more than 70 complaints have been received as investigations continue into allegations of mismanagement of human remains and funeral funds at a former funeral firm.

Operation Koine was launched in April 2024 into A Milne Independent Funeral Directors, which had offices in Glasgow and Dumbarton.

Three people — two women aged 37 and 55, and a 56-year-old man — were arrested last year in connection with the probe. All were later released pending further inquiries.

Hundreds of Samaritans volunteers have warned they will quit if controversial plans to close more than 100 branches are approved this weekend.

The charity says the changes, which would see at least half its UK and Ireland branches close, would improve efficiency by moving volunteers into larger centres or allowing them to work from home. Opponents fear the shake-up could damage morale and make it harder to answer calls from people in crisis.

In a statement, the Samaritans said the proposals would help reduce waiting times and make volunteering more accessible.

A leading tech investor is playing a key role in Reform UK’s attempts to identify savings at one of its councils.

Harriet Green, founder of Basis Capital, is advising the party’s Department of Government Efficiency on cost-cutting at West Northamptonshire Council. Her company invests in businesses that work with, or compete against, local government.

Some councillors have raised concerns about her access to sensitive data and whether firms backed by Basis could gain an unfair advantage.