News 28/08/25

Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel has been named as one of the children killed in Wednesday’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

His father described the attacker as a “coward.” Eighteen others were injured, including children aged six to 15 and three adults in their eighties. Police say Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, opened fire with a rifle through the windows of the church while children sat in pews.

A warehouse worker dismissed over allegations he impersonated Michael Jackson has been ruled unfairly dismissed by an employment tribunal.

Lucasz Zawadzki was accused by a colleague of making high-pitched “hee hee” noises and, separately, of making monkey noises, claims he denied were racist. The tribunal in Manchester found he had been unfairly sacked, although he admitted to making “embarrassing and juvenile” sounds at work.

Police in Minneapolis have revealed new details about the gunman behind Wednesday’s Catholic school shooting.

They say Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, idolised mass murderers and wanted to watch children suffer. Two pupils, aged eight and ten, were killed when Westman fired a rifle through the windows of Annunciation Catholic School’s church as children sat in pews.

Eighteen others were injured, including youngsters aged between six and 15, and three adults in their eighties.

A British couple detained in Iran have been suddenly taken to court in Tehran, according to their family.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman from East Sussex were arrested in January while travelling on a round-the-world motorbike trip and later charged with espionage, which they deny. Their son, Joe Bennett, says the pair appeared with a state-appointed lawyer they had only just met, describing the process as anything but a fair trial.

Tennis star Jelena Ostapenko has denied accusations of racism after a heated row with American player Taylor Townsend at the US Open.

Ostapenko, from Latvia, was caught on camera jabbing her finger at Townsend after losing in straight sets. The crowd booed loudly as the exchange unfolded.

While much of the argument was inaudible, Townsend could be seen telling her rival to learn how to take a loss better before walking away.

The UK, France and Germany are preparing to reimpose UN-backed sanctions on Iran over concerns it is developing nuclear weapons.

The three nations, known as the E3, are triggering the “snapback” mechanism after diplomatic efforts to restart talks with Tehran stalled. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but has enriched uranium to levels exceeding what is required for civil power, breaching the 2015 deal that led to sanctions being suspended.

British cycling star Chris Froome has been seriously injured in a training crash.

The four-time Tour de France winner was airlifted to hospital, where scans revealed a fractured lower back, a collapsed lung and five broken ribs.

Froome, who is 40, did not suffer any head injuries and is described as being in a stable condition. He is due to undergo surgery on his back later today, with an update expected once the operation is complete.

A former Metropolitan Police volunteer has been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a child.

James Bubb, who now identifies as a woman named Gwyn Samuels, abused the victim multiple times between the ages of 12 and 18. The court heard Bubb first met the girl online in 2018 when she was 12, before meeting her in person at a Christian festival later that year.

Jurors were told Bubb, who identified as male at the time of the offences, would be referred to by his biological sex during proceedings.

Slough’s Wexham Park Hospital has been awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission.

The inspection focused on emergency departments, urgent care and medical inpatient wards, all of which were rated good or outstanding. Inspectors highlighted the compassion shown by staff, a strong culture of learning and safety, and leadership that encourages innovation.

They also praised the trust’s improvement work, including its Care Quality Programme and Frimley Excellence scheme.

Russia’s ambassador to the UK has been summoned to the Foreign Office after Moscow’s latest missile strike on Kyiv.

The attack damaged the British Council building and killed at least 17 people, including a two-year-old child. As Andrey Kelin arrived at the Foreign Office in his car, he briefly lowered the window in front of waiting reporters but did not speak.

The Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the killing and destruction must stop, confirming Kelin had been formally summoned.

Police investigating racist and abusive messages sent to England defender Jess Carter have arrested a man.

Officers say a 59-year-old from Great Harwood in Lancashire has been detained on suspicion of malicious communications. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Carter, aged 27, revealed she received racist abuse online during last month’s UEFA Women’s Euros, which England went on to win.

Sir Keir Starmer is replacing his top civil servant at Downing Street.

Principal private secretary Nin Pandit, who has been in the post for just ten months, is leaving her role running the prime minister’s team at Number 10.

She’s the third senior staff member to go since Sir Keir took office, following the departures of chief of staff Sue Gray last October and communications director Matthew Doyle in March.

Pandit’s appointment had originally been announced in the same statement that confirmed Gray’s exit.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un will join Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at a major military parade in Beijing next week.

The event marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with 26 foreign leaders expected to attend. None will be from the US or Western Europe.

China remains Pyongyang’s main trading partner, while Kim has also supplied Russian troops for the war in Ukraine.

The maker of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro has paused shipments to the UK ahead of a steep price increase.

US company Eli Lilly says the pause will manage supply and stop inappropriate stockpiling before prices rise in September.

The cost of the highest dose will jump from £122 to £330, an increase of 170%. Orders will resume on the 1st of September.

Apple has warned that UK plans for new competition rules could harm users and developers.

It says similar laws in the EU have delayed features and upgrades for European customers.

The Competition and Markets Authority is considering measures to reduce the power of big tech firms, but rejects Apple’s criticism, saying the rules will support innovation and growth.