News 31/08/25

Rudy Giuliani is in hospital after a car crash in New Hampshire.

The former New York mayor suffered a fractured vertebra, cuts and bruises, and injuries to his arm and leg after his rental car was struck from behind near Manchester on Saturday evening. His head of security, Michael Ragusa, said Giuliani is in good spirits and recovering well, insisting the incident was not a targeted attack and that nobody knew he was in the vehicle.

A group of masked protesters turned aggressive at Canary Wharf shopping centre yesterday afternoon.

Police say the group entered around 4.30, with some protesters becoming hostile towards the public and officers. A dispersal order was issued, along with powers to prevent people concealing their identity. Footage on social media showed children among the demonstrators, some carrying England flags.

A 12-year-old boy who died after an incident at a playground in Cheshire has been named as Logan Carter.

He was found with serious injuries at Wharton Recreation Ground in Winsford on Friday evening. Police believe he fell from playground equipment. Despite efforts from paramedics, Logan died at the scene. His family have paid tribute, saying he will be deeply missed.

The UK has secured a landmark £10 billion deal to supply the Norwegian navy with at least five new Type 26 frigates.

The Ministry of Defence says it is Britain’s biggest ever warship export deal, supporting around 4,000 jobs, including 2,000 at Glasgow shipyards. Norway has called it its largest defence investment to date. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the deal will drive economic growth while strengthening national security.

Israel says it has killed Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, in an air strike in Gaza City.

Defence Minister Israel Katz praised the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet for what he called a flawless operation. Reports suggest the strike targeted the al-Rimal neighbourhood on Saturday. Hamas has not confirmed Obeida’s death, but says dozens of civilians were killed in Israeli attacks on the area.

Bridget Phillipson has accused Reform UK of stoking anger over migration rather than finding solutions.

The Education Secretary said Nigel Farage and his party are more interested in provoking division than addressing challenges. She stressed the system must remain fair and humane to maintain public confidence, highlighting Britain’s tradition of supporting people fleeing persecution.

But she added those with no right to remain will be removed, saying that is what people expect and what the government will deliver.

British Transport Police are investigating two stabbings at Oxford Circus underground station in less than 24 hours.

Officers were first called at 3.40am on Saturday, where a 23-year-old man was found with knife wounds. Then at 1.30am on Sunday, another man, aged 41, was stabbed at the same station. Both victims were taken to hospital, but their conditions have not been confirmed.

Detectives say inquiries are continuing.

With summer heatwaves breaking records, more people in the UK are buying air conditioning to cope.

Research shows extreme heat makes working, studying and even sleeping more difficult. But higher electricity prices and environmental concerns about cooling gases are weighing on the debate.

Campaigners warn against widespread use, while some worry air-con units spread viruses. Despite this, sales of home devices have risen sharply this year.

Tennis player Kamil Majchrzak has tracked down a young fan whose cap was snatched at the US Open.

The 29-year-old from Poland was signing balls and towels for supporters after beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov on Thursday. Footage showed him handing his cap to a boy in the crowd, only for it to be grabbed by a man beside him.

After pulling out of the tournament with injury on Saturday, Majchrzak appealed on Instagram to find the fan so he could give him a replacement.

A baby has died from whooping cough after the mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy.

The UK Health Security Agency says it is the first fatal case recorded in the UK this year, occurring between January and June. Health officials have warned about falling vaccination rates, both among children and expectant mothers, and an increase in vaccine hesitancy.

Data shows none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached the government’s 95 percent uptake target last year.

The Education Secretary says everyone must play a part in improving school attendance and behaviour.

Bridget Phillipson said progress had been made, with five million more school days recorded this year, but added parents and carers must also step up. It comes as the government rolls out new measures under its Plan for Change.

Twenty-one schools will serve as hubs to share strategies already proven to boost attendance and behaviour.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to scrap all net zero requirements for oil and gas companies drilling in the North Sea if elected.

She will confirm the plan in a speech in Aberdeen on Tuesday, insisting her party will focus solely on maximising extraction. Reform UK has also backed further fossil fuel use, while Labour has committed to banning new licences, arguing a fair transition away from oil and gas will help drive economic growth.