News 19/10/26

Police in Northern Ireland and Scotland are investigating after threatening emails, deemed to be a hoax, were sent to hundreds of schools. 

Up to three hundred schools in Northern Ireland reported receiving the message containing a generalised threat originating from outside the UK. Stormont’s education minister confirmed the bomb threats were not being treated as viable, while police confirmed similar messages were received across the UK.

A man accused of a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire last year has pleaded guilty to twelve counts of wounding with intent.

35 year old Anthony Williams, of Peterborough, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court following the incident on a London-bound service last November that forced an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon. He denies 14  counts of attempted murder and stands trial next week.

Australian Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after being struck by an SUV outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the sixty-five-year-old mother of three was unloading her car on Monday afternoon when she was hit. She was airlifted to hospital following the incident, which occurred northeast of Melbourne.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has promised full transparency following weekend riots, blaming the ultra-left and criminal elements for the violence.

Speaking after a crisis meeting, he highlighted specific issues in Marseille, where public gatherings were banned from midday.

Four people have been arrested following a shooting in Nottingham city centre that left a police officer with a foot injury.

The officer was shot after approaching suspects on Angel Row on Sunday morning. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed he remains in a stable condition as inquiries continue.

A Berkshire construction company registered in Slough has entered liquidation after eight years in operation.

Records show 11:11 Design and Build Limited entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation on October twelfth, with liquidators formally appointed via a London Gazette notice.

The NHS Alliance has warned that maternity care in England is no longer fit for purpose, warning smaller units delivering between 1,500 and 2,000 babies annually may have to close.

The group, representing health managers, said safety is at risk and services must be consolidated. It urged a government taskforce to tackle specialist staff shortages and rising C-section rates, with the Health Department promising necessary reforms.

The World Food Programme has announced drastic reductions to its lifesaving food aid in Gaza due to a severe funding shortfall.

The United Nations agency confirmed the number of people receiving assistance will drop from 1.6 million to 1.1 million as winter approaches. Daily hot meals served by community kitchens will also be cut from 250,000 to 150,000.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned the UK faces an economic catastrophe and moral failure with nearly one million young people out of education, employment or training.

Writing in the Times, Mr Burnham urged the government to invest in youth success rather than fund failure through benefits, as ministers prepare to announce new job opportunities this week. The Conservative Party has labelled the upcoming youth strategy a disaster.

Passengers playing loud music on buses in England could face fines of up to one hundred pounds under government plans to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The measures target littering, vaping and threatening conduct to improve public transport journeys, alongside a national rail campaign. While campaigners have welcomed the crackdown, some have questioned how local authorities will enforce the new penalties.