News 28/07/25

The England women’s football team have returned home to a hero’s welcome after their Euro 2025 triumph over Spain.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside Southend Airport on Monday, waving flags and cheering as the Lionesses landed just after half past three. Many were dressed in England kits, holding banners to celebrate the team’s historic win. The squad then travelled to a reception at 10 Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock.

Celebrations continue today with an open-top bus parade through central London. The procession will head along The Mall and finish with a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Two men have died after a stabbing in Southwark, central London.

Police were called to a business address on Long Lane around 1pm on Monday. Four men had been stabbed. A 58-year-old man died at the scene. Three others were taken to hospital, including a 27-year-old man who later died from his injuries.

A third victim, in his thirties, remains in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A murder investigation is underway.

Sir Keir Starmer has presented a new peace proposal for Gaza to President Donald Trump during talks in Scotland.

Downing Street said the plan was developed with European allies after US-led negotiations stalled last week. Starmer also held calls with leaders of France and Germany over the weekend. An emergency cabinet meeting is expected later this week to discuss the proposal and UK aid efforts in the region, amid growing concerns over famine in Gaza.

The prime minister is also facing renewed calls at home and abroad to formally recognise Palestinian statehood.

An elderly woman is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a van in a Maidenhead supermarket car park.

Emergency services were called to Tesco Express on Furze Platt Road shortly after 5pm last Wednesday. A silver Mercedes van had collided with a pedestrian.

The woman, believed to be in her 70s and from Maidenhead, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A woman has admitted killing her two-year-old daughter who was found unresponsive in a pond in Hampshire.

Alice Mackey, aged 42, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Annabel Mackey, who went missing from her home in Kingsley on 10 September last year.

The toddler was found a short time later in Kingsley Pond. Despite emergency efforts, she could not be saved. Mackey will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court at a later date.

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The incident happened on Sunday morning at around 8.20am. Police Scotland said officers were called to the flight after reports of a disruptive passenger.

The man was arrested and later charged. Officers confirmed no one else was involved and the flight continued as scheduled.

Virtual private network apps have surged to the top of the UK’s App Store charts following the introduction of new age verification rules.

Platforms like PornHub, Reddit and X are now required to check users’ ages under the Online Safety Act. In response, VPNs — which can disguise a user’s location — have become a popular workaround. As of this morning, five of the top ten free apps on Apple’s UK store are VPN services, suggesting thousands of users are attempting to bypass the new restrictions.

Windsor has hosted its first ever pride parade, with hundreds marching along the iconic Long Walk in front of the castle.

The Windsor and Eton Pride event also included celebrations in the town centre and Alexandra Gardens. Organiser Steve Harris described the day as a “safe space for everyone to mingle,” following two years of planning. The Crown Estate granted special permission for the parade to take place on the 2.5 mile route leading to Windsor Castle.

A man has been arrested after a serious incident on board an easyJet flight from London to Glasgow.

The suspect was detained after the plane landed at around 8.20am on Sunday. Footage circulating online appears to show a man shouting “death to America, death to Trump” and “Allahu Akbar” — an Arabic phrase meaning “God is greater.” He also mentioned a bomb before being tackled to the floor by two passengers. Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating the incident, which caused alarm among those on board.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire following weeks of deadly clashes along their shared border.

The breakthrough came after talks hosted by Malaysia, with both countries pledging to end hostilities immediately and without conditions. The violence has left dozens dead and forced families from their homes. It follows diplomatic pressure from Donald Trump, who warned both nations that ongoing conflict could jeopardise trade negotiations with the United States.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has warned it will need additional government funding despite planned council tax increases.

The council approved its medium-term financial strategy on Tuesday, setting out forecasts and budget plans for the next five years. However, the strategy highlights that without significant new funding from central government, the council will continue to rely on exceptional financial support to remain viable.

Homes have been evacuated in West Bromwich as firefighters continue to battle a large blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres.

West Midlands Fire Service says four factory units on Great Bridge Street are affected, but there are no reports of any injuries. Crews were called just after 10.40 on Sunday morning to what was initially reported as a single-storey factory fire covering an area around 100 metres by 100 metres.

Images from the scene show thick black smoke rising high above the area, with firefighters using aerial ladder platforms to tackle the flames.

Tasers are being introduced in prisons for the first time as part of a new trial aimed at tackling what the government calls “unacceptably high” levels of violence.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the move is about protecting staff and ensuring safety inside jails. Specialist officers based in Oxfordshire and Doncaster will now be able to respond to incidents in adult male prisons across England and Wales, armed with Tasers.

The devices are expected to be used in extreme cases, such as hostage situations, riots, or incidents involving large-scale disorder. Reporters were shown demonstrations of how the stun weapons could be deployed safely.

The prime minister is facing calls to declare a bank holiday after England’s dramatic win over Spain in the Women’s Euros final.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says an extra day off would be a fitting way to mark what he called a “stunning achievement” by the Lionesses. But with estimates suggesting a bank holiday could cost the economy around £2.4 billion, it’s understood there are no plans for one at this stage.

Fans were left celebrating in style after Sarina Wiegman’s side secured back-to-back titles in a tense and emotional final.

Gaza and transatlantic trade are expected to top the agenda when President Donald Trump meets Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland later today.

Downing Street says the prime minister will use the talks at Mr Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire to push for urgent action towards securing a ceasefire in the Middle East. Ceasefire negotiations in Qatar collapsed on Thursday after both the US and Israel withdrew their teams.

Speaking before flying to Scotland, President Trump blamed Hamas for the breakdown, claiming the group “didn’t want to make a deal… they want to die.”

A murder investigation is under way in West Yorkshire after police discovered the body of a young woman inside a house.

It follows the arrest of a 37-year-old man on suspicion of armed robbery at an Asda store in Dewsbury on Saturday night. Officers were called to the scene just after 9.20pm and recovered a knife before detaining the suspect.

West Yorkshire Police say they are now also searching for a man and woman who may have come to harm in connection with the case.

Nurses in England are expected to overwhelmingly reject their 3.6 percent pay offer this week, raising the prospect of strike action later in the year.

The Royal College of Nursing has been holding a consultative vote on the pay award and has previously described the offer as “grotesque” — pointing out that it falls below rises given to doctors, teachers, prison officers and armed forces personnel. The government accepted the recommendation from the independent pay review body back in May.

Any formal decision on strike action is not expected until later in the year.