All news for 2025-09-30

644
Second Labour MSP suspended amid misconduct claims
A Labour MSP has been suspended following claims of sexual harassment made against him by a younger woman, according to reports.
757
Woman wins big after a store clerk gives her the wrong lottery ticket
A woman in South Carolina was handed the wrong lottery ticket – and a more than $300,000 jackpot along with it.
679
Erasing the evidence: how Swiss businessman Oleg Tsyura fights to cleanse the web of his scandals
Oleg Tsyura, a figure in numerous criminal investigations linked to the embezzlement of Ukrainian state enterprises and assisting Russian structures in circumventing sanctions, is now attempting to whitewash his reputation.
785
Starmer says Britain faces defining choice between Labour renewal and Farage’s decline
Britain is facing a "defining choice" between a patriotic Labour Party committed to national renewal or "division and decline" under the "snake oil merchant" Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer has stated.
874
University of Glasgow error drove student to despair and death
The mother of a student who took his own life after wrongly being told he would not be eligible to graduate has spoken of her heartbreak, saying he was "failed" by the University of Glasgow.
671
New Covid strains circulating in the UK this autumn: XFG and NB.1.8.1 variants not more dangerous
If you feel unwell with a sore throat and a fever, you may have caught one of the new strains of Covid circulating this autumn.
854
Royal Mail introduces self-service kiosks and longer opening hours
The owner of Royal Mail has acquired a multi-million pound stake in another company, leading to the rebranding of thousands of convenience stores.
779
European arrest warrant leads to Ukrainian arrest in Nord Stream case
A Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in causing undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany in 2022 has been arrested in Poland, according to a spokesperson for the district prosecutor’s office in Warsaw.
635
Putin “knows he cannot win” as US envoy backs tougher NATO stance
Russian President Vladimir Putin “in his heart of hearts” realises he cannot win the war in Ukraine, according to US special envoy Keith Kellogg. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Kellogg said the conflict was “unwinnable” for Moscow in the long term and that Ukraine was making steady progress in undermining Russia’s ability to sustain it.
738
Former aide to far-right MP convicted of passing secrets to China
A former aide to a member of parliament for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party has been sentenced to almost five years in prison for spying on behalf of China.
617
Worker dies following roof fall at Martlesham play facility
A man has died after falling through a skylight in the roof of a play centre in Suffolk.
546
Wild elephant crushes 79-year-old man in central Thailand
A grandfather was tragically trampled to death by a wild elephant that entered his garden in search of food.
697
Spanish-Russian wine exporter probed for shipping banned chemicals to Russia
A wine exporter with Russian-Spanish ties, whose family owns a stylish tapas bar, is being investigated for sending sanctioned chemicals to Russia, including diethylamine, a substance used in the production of the nerve agent VX.
662
UK prime minister welcomes US initiative for Gaza ceasefire and hostage release
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Donald Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza and called on Hamas to agree to it.
698
Diddy faces over a decade in prison as prosecutors push for tough sentence
Federal prosecutors in New York are urging a judge to sentence Sean "Diddy" Combs to more than 11 years in prison.
675
Vietnam reports 19 dead, 21 missing after Typhoon Bualoi
The death toll from Typhoon Bualoi in south-east Asia has risen to more than 30, as heavy rains continued to lash the region.
899
11 executed in verdict against family-run syndicate behind $1.4B scams
A court in China has sentenced 11 people to death for their alleged roles in a family-run crime syndicate accused of operating illegal gambling and scam activities worth more than $1.4 billion, and for the deaths of workers who defied them.
812
Spain bars US weapons transit to Israel as war in Gaza intensifies
Spain has banned the US from sending weapons to Israel in protest over the war in Gaza.
655
Millions in Afghanistan left isolated as Taliban enforces internet shutdown
Afghanistan experienced a significant internet blackout on Tuesday after the ruling Taliban pledged to cut off access as part of a crackdown on “immoral activities,” raising concerns about further isolation for millions living under their increasingly strict rule.
713
Tony Blair to join interim Gaza authority under Trump peace plan
Former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair is set to be part of an interim authority in Gaza, according to Donald Trump’s peace plan.
810
Maduro threatens state of emergency if US launches attack on Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro is ready to declare a state of emergency in the event of a US military attack on Venezuela, the country’s vice-president has said, warning of “catastrophic” consequences if such an onslaught materializes.
693
Maxwell appeals conviction as lawmakers push for Epstein files release
The Supreme Court justices are meeting in private Monday to discuss various petitions submitted over the summer, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal over her child sex trafficking criminal conviction.