News 22/06/26

A thirty-six year old man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by a terrorist connection after a series of attacks in Edinburgh.

Lewis Hawkes appeared at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court for a private hearing on Monday but did not enter a plea. Hawkes also faces multiple other charges carrying the same terrorist aggravation, following investigations by the Crown Office.

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday after admitting embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.

The sixty-one year old used the funds to buy cars, a motorhome, kitchenware and toiletries. His estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon has denied any knowledge of the fraud.

Over one hundred people have received hospital treatment following Friday’s fatal train crash near Bedford, with fifty-three remaining in hospital, including eight in a critical condition.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander urged people to avoid speculation while investigators establish why the two London-bound services collided. She paid tribute to the driver, Shaun Burton, who died in the accident.

Sir Keir Starmer will resign, triggering a contest to replace him as Labour leader and prime minister.

Andy Burnham, who became an MP on 19 June after winning the Makerfield by-election, looks likely to be crowned leader without any other contenders. Labour’s ruling body has yet to confirm the timetable, but Sir Keir wants nominations to open on 9 July, a day after the NATO summit.

A man in his 20s was injured in a suspected shooting in Slough late on Friday night.

He arrived at hospital around 11.45pm with an arm injury believed to have been caused by a firearm. The incident occurred on Pennine Road, and both the victim and suspect were seen near Pentland Road. The injured man remains in hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by a terrorist connection after attacks in Edinburgh.

Lewis Hawkes faces multiple other charges carrying the same aggravation. Counter-terrorism officers investigated Friday’s attacks, which left five people injured with a suspected anti-Muslim motivation. Hawkes did not submit a plea at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of England and Wales as temperatures could reach 40C.

The Met Office warning covers London, the Midlands, south-east Wales and southern England from Wednesday morning. Forecasters warn of high humidity and significant disruption to daily life. Some schools plan to close early due to danger to life.

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of multiple sexual offences including rape.

The sixty-three year old committed the crimes between 1985 and 2008, when the two women were children. He denied all the charges, but the jury convicted him of rape, thirteen indecent assaults, and four counts of gross indecency. The former MP showed no reaction.

A three-year-old boy seriously hurt after ending up in a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo is in a stable condition in hospital.

The toddler is at Addenbrooke’s Hospital following Thursday’s incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon. It is understood the boy was attacked by at least one crocodile after he was allegedly thrown into the enclosure.

The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, indicating there is a risk to life.

This will cover parts of central and southern England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday. Until then, an amber warning covers a smaller part of the UK until midnight tomorrow, before a new amber warning covers a larger area until the end of Thursday.

A fourteen year old boy from Wandsworth has been charged with the murder of a teenager who was stabbed to death in south London.

Seventeen year old Jamal Coombes was found with serious injuries and died at the scene on Glycena Road in Battersea on Saturday morning. The accused boy will appear at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday.

Wes Streeting has backed Andy Burnham for Labour leader.

The former health secretary confirmed he will not run against Burnham for the party leadership, despite previously saying he would stand as a candidate. Referring to Burnham’s victory in Makerfield last week, Streeting said Andy has shown what Labour can be when we are inclusive, united, and in touch with the lives of the people.

A ticket inspector who helped injured passengers after a fatal crash between two trains near Bedford has been described as a hero.

A train driver was killed and about one hundred people were injured when two East Midlands Railway services collided on Friday. Disruption is expected to last a week, and over six hundred metres of track will need to be replaced.

A four-day amber weather warning for extreme heat has taken effect, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could reach 38 degrees in parts of England.

The Met Office alert will remain in place until midnight on Thursday, reflecting growing certainty that exceptionally hot and humid conditions will continue. Large swathes of England and Wales are covered, bringing serious health risks and infrastructure disruption.

Reports suggest the prime minister is on the brink of resigning today, as Andy Burnham returns to Westminster to be sworn in as an MP.

Yesterday, Donald Trump claimed Sir Keir Starmer would quit after failing on immigration and energy. Despite the speculation, Downing Street has dismissed the suggestions, pointing to the prime minister’s remarks that he will fight any leadership challenge.

A man has been found dead in the water at Dorney Lake, just outside Windsor.

Police were called to the Buckinghamshire site at around fourteen minutes past four today. A police spokesperson confirmed that the man’s body was discovered in the water, adding that his next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers.

Experts describe the incoming heatwave as unprecedented, with UK temperature records set to be annihilated for two months in a row.

The Royal Meteorological Society says a high pressure system is driving the warming, but chief executive Professor Liz Bentley warned that fossil fuel emissions changing our climate are causing these frequent and dangerous extremes.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war have concluded with encouraging progress in Switzerland.

Mediators Qatar and Pakistan confirmed a roadmap has been agreed towards reaching a final deal within sixty days. A US diplomat stated discussions focused on clarifying confusing messaging from Iran regarding the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz.