News 03/10/25

The man accidentally shot dead during the Manchester synagogue attack has been praised for his bravery.

Rabbi Daniel Walker says he was holding the doors shut to stop a knifeman forcing his way inside during Yom Kippur morning prayers. Police confirmed the victim was killed by a stray bullet when armed officers opened fire on attacker Jihad al Shamie, who was shot dead. Another worshipper was fatally stabbed outside as he arrived for the service.

David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, was met with boos and shouts of “shame on you” as he took to the stage.

One heckler called for him to “go to Palestine but leave us alone,” before being cut off by Adlestone, who had spoken earlier. He urged the crowd to let Lammy speak, saying everyone should now give time for the deputy prime minister to address them.

A couple who murdered their two-year-old grandson have been jailed for life. Michael Ives, aged 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, were convicted in July of murder and cruelty to a child.

Today at Mold Crown Court they were sentenced to minimum terms of 23 years and 17 years. Their grandson, Ethan Ives-Griffiths, was found dangerously dehydrated, underweight and covered in bruises before suffering a catastrophic head injury at their Flintshire home in August 2021.

President Donald Trump has issued Hamas a deadline to accept a Middle East peace deal.

He warned on Truth Social that if Hamas does not agree by six o’clock Sunday evening Washington time, “all hell” would break out. The 20-point plan, drawn up with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promises an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, Hamas disarming, and no forced removals from Gaza. A peace panel including Sir Tony Blair would oversee governance. Hamas has said it needs more time to review the terms.

Actress Dame Patricia Routledge, best known for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in the hit comedy Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 96.

Her agent confirmed she passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loved ones. Tributes are being paid to a career that spanned theatre, television and film, with fans around the world remembering her wit, warmth and unforgettable screen presence.

Renault UK has confirmed it has been hit by a cyber attack, with some customer details accessed through a third-party provider.

The company says no financial information or passwords were taken, but data including names, addresses, dates of birth and vehicle registration details may have been compromised. It follows a major cyber incident at Jaguar Land Rover last month, which forced the suspension of production at several plants.

Police have named the two men killed in the Manchester synagogue terror attack as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Greater Manchester Police revealed one of the victims may have been mistakenly shot by officers trying to stop the attacker from entering the building. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson described the death as a “tragic and unforeseen consequence” of the urgent action taken to end the assault.

Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally has been named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s history.

Her appointment comes almost a year after Justin Welby resigned amid criticism of the church’s handling of a sexual abuse scandal. In her first statement, Dame Sarah described the role as a “huge responsibility” but said she feels a sense of “peace and trust in God to carry me.”

Weather warnings are in place across the UK as Storm Amy approaches.

The first named storm of the season is expected to cause travel disruption well into the weekend. Amy is forming over the North Atlantic as the remnants of hurricanes Humberto and Imelda interact with a strong jet stream, creating a deep low-pressure system undergoing explosive cyclogenesis, where pressure drops rapidly, heightening wind and rainfall risks.

The Metropolitan Police has warned that a planned protest in central London this Saturday against the banning of Palestine Action will divert officers from “where they are needed most.”

Organised by Defend Our Juries, the demonstration is expected to draw more than a thousand people to Trafalgar Square. The force cited the recent terrorist attack in Manchester, saying it has left communities across the UK on edge. Officers say they would prefer to focus resources on ensuring public safety rather than policing a protest in support of what they describe as a terrorist organisation.

A man from Slough has been jailed for refusing to provide police with a personal identification number to access a digital device linked to potential terrorism.

Wasim Younus, 47, of Gloucester Road, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court to 30 weeks in prison. Counter Terrorism Policing South East said Younus failed to disclose the six-digit passcode to an iPad 12 and any identifiers for messaging accounts, obstructing an investigation into alleged support for a proscribed organisation.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned the synagogue attack as “devastating” and “horrifying,” paying tribute to those who stopped the attacker from entering.

She confirmed policing around Jewish communities is being stepped up, with officers on high alert. The suspect, Jihad al Shamie, is a British citizen of Syrian descent who came to the UK as a child in the mid-2000s. She said an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of society.

The head of NHS England has defended allowing a doctor linked to several patient deaths to continue her career as a heart surgeon.

Sir Jim Mackey told the family of one man who died after surgery by consultant Karen Booth that she should be supported to return to work at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital following retraining. An NHS probe found she had performed operations beyond her expertise, made serious clinical errors, and failed to seek help when needed. A BBC recording of the meeting reveals his insistence she would resume surgical duties.

Britain’s top space commander has warned that Russian satellites are stalking UK military assets.

Major General Paul Tedman said Moscow has repeatedly shadowed British satellites and is attempting to jam signals with ground-based systems on a weekly basis. The warning comes after Germany accused Russia of tracking their own defence satellites last month, raising fears of growing space warfare tactics.

A leading think tank has warned that supporting children with special educational needs in England could cost an additional £3bn a year by 2029 unless the system is reformed.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the government already spends £12bn annually, a rise of two-thirds in the last decade. With more than 220,000 extra young people expected to need education, health and care plans within five years, ministers are under pressure to publish long-promised reforms.

Prince William has given his most personal insight yet into how he views his future as king, saying “change is on my agenda.”

Speaking with Hollywood actor Eugene Levy during filming at Windsor Castle for Levy’s travel series, The Reluctant Traveller, the prince said he embraces the idea of bringing change, describing it as something that excites rather than frightens him. He made clear he is not seeking “overly radical” reforms, but said there are changes that “need to happen” for the monarchy to move forward.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has apologised and taken “full responsibility” for the pain he has caused in a letter to the court, less than a day before sentencing.

The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was convicted in July on two prostitution-related charges after an eight-week trial but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. In his letter, Combs admitted “past wrongs” and said he is no longer running from his mistakes. It is the first time he has addressed the judge directly.

Royal Borough councillors have reaffirmed their opposition to Heathrow’s proposed third runway but conceded the decision is largely beyond their control.

The council previously spent £150,000 supporting a legal challenge in 2020, but with new proposals advancing under the Labour government, leaders now say their focus is on minimising negative impacts. At a cabinet meeting, councillors stressed the borough continues to oppose expansion “in principle.”

And a human rights group claims TikTok’s algorithm is promoting pornography to children.

Researchers who created fake child accounts with safety settings enabled were still shown sexually explicit search suggestions, leading to videos of penetrative sex. TikTok said it is committed to safety and acted immediately once alerted.