News 30/10/25

Police are at the scene of a helicopter crash near Doncaster.

South Yorkshire Police say officers were called to reports of a helicopter coming down in a field off Ings Lane in Bentley earlier today. Pictures from the scene show the aircraft lying on its side, surrounded by emergency vehicles. In a statement, police said the call came in at 10:14 this morning, confirming that a helicopter had crashed in the field.

There’s no official word yet on casualties, but emergency services remain at the scene and an investigation is underway.

The Prime Minister says he continues to have confidence in the Chancellor, despite what’s being described as an “inadvertent” breach of housing law.

Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman told reporters that Rachel Reeves acted quickly to correct her failure to obtain a licence to rent out her London property. He said the Chancellor took immediate steps to resolve the matter, including applying for the licence and consulting the adviser on ministerial standards.

However, when pressed, he repeatedly declined to say whether Reeves’ actions had breached the ministerial code.

Virgin Trains has moved a step closer to running services through the Channel Tunnel after the rail regulator approved its request to share a depot with Eurostar.

The Office of Rail and Road’s decision could end Eurostar’s monopoly on cross-Channel passenger services — in place since 1994. The Temple Mills depot in east London is the only UK site that can house the larger European trains.

Virgin says it aims to launch services by 2030, while Eurostar says it’s reviewing the ruling and considering its next steps.

A man has appeared in court charged with killing one man and injuring two others following a triple stabbing in west London.

Twenty-two-year-old Safi Dawood faced Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of an offensive weapon. He’s been remanded in custody and is due before the Old Bailey within the next two days.

Ukraine has introduced nationwide power restrictions after what officials describe as a massive Russian missile and drone attack on its energy network.

The country’s energy minister, Svitlana Hrynchuk, says the strikes caused fresh damage overnight, disrupting supply across multiple regions. Analysts say Moscow’s campaign against Ukraine’s infrastructure is intended to weaken morale and pressure Kyiv as winter sets in.

Hundreds of homeowners say faulty insulation installed under government-backed schemes has left their properties damp and uninhabitable.

One woman says her bedroom has been too mouldy to sleep in for more than a decade. Between 2013 and 2025, around 280,000 homes were given free wall insulation — but a government review this month found that more than 90 percent of recent installations had at least one major defect.

Calls are growing for the investigation into the scheme to be widened.

Five more people have been arrested in connection with the jewellery heist at the Louvre in Paris.

The city’s prosecutor confirmed the latest arrests, which were first reported by French radio station RTL. It follows news that two suspects already in custody have partially admitted their involvement in the robbery.

The investigation into the high-profile theft is ongoing, with prosecutors continuing to track those believed to be linked to the crime.

Donald Trump says talks with China’s President Xi Jinping have been “amazing”.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, the US president said several key decisions were made, including an agreement to reduce tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States. He also confirmed plans to visit China in April and said Beijing had committed to work “hard” to stop the flow of fentanyl into America, which has fuelled a major health crisis.

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out an investigation into his chancellor after she apologised for renting out her family home without the correct licence.

Rachel Reeves wrote to the prime minister offering what she called a “sincere apology” for the oversight. The Daily Mail reported that she rented her property in Dulwich after moving into 11 Downing Street, but was unaware a “selective licence” was required under Southwark Council’s rules.

Sir Keir said the matter had been dealt with appropriately.

Slough’s main post office will reopen next month at a new location in the town centre.

It’s been closed since May last year when the WHSmith branch on the High Street shut down. The new post office will open on Thursday, November 13, at 1pm inside Unit 39 at the Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre.

It’ll operate Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5.30pm, offering a total of 51 hours of service a week.

Nearly 200,000 people on benefits could have their energy debts wiped if they make an effort to pay what they owe.

Energy arrears have reached a record £4.4 billion as bills have soared in recent years. Under Ofgem’s proposed plan, up to £500 million could be written off early next year, but the shortfall would be covered by an extra £5 charge added to all household energy bills.

Homes on the price cap tariff already pay £52 a year to cover historic debt.