Deepak Sandhu, a 24-year-old failed IT student from Southampton, has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering 39-year-old Chinese national Xiaoqing Ke in a planned knife attack at an Airbnb in London. Sandhu had become obsessed with the victim, whom he met at a Southampton brothel, and killed her after she cut ties following a theft. He was also convicted of perverting the course of justice and is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.
Summary headline: Failed Southampton IT student guilty of revenge attack murder
A 45-year-old Mexican firefighter was stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany after attempting to smuggle over 90 lizards and venomous snakes hidden in shampoo bottles, cream containers, and socks. Customs officials found the animals after the man tested positive for cocaine. Some of the reptiles had died during the journey from Mexico City via Istanbul, while the surviving animals were taken to a German snake farm. The man was denied entry and flown back to Istanbul.
Summary headline: Mexican man stopped at German airport with suitcase containing over 90 venomous snakes and lizards
Dozens of campaigners from the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) demonstrated at Portland Port against Powerfuel Portland's planned waste-to-energy facility. The protest formed part of a global week of action co-ordinated by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA). While campaigners raised concerns over pollution and health impacts, Powerfuel Portland defended the project as a safe and environmentally responsible facility that will manage Dorset's residual waste and create jobs.
Building materials supplier Travis Perkins has reported a drop in sales due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty within the construction industry, particularly affecting the new build residential sector. The Northampton-based company saw like-for-like revenue fall by 1.3% in the three months to 30 September, prompting a focus on cost discipline and protecting profitability.
The Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB) campaign group has submitted a formal complaint alleging that Natural England withdrew an "ancient" woodland designation for land near the proposed Oxford United football stadium due to political interference and reputational concerns. While Oxford United was granted planning permission for the 16,000-seater stadium at The Triangle near Kidlington, the project faces ongoing legal challenges. FoSB released emails obtained via freedom of information requests, including correspondence involving local MP Anneliese Dodds' office. Natural England stated it is currently reviewing new evidence regarding the site.
Summary headline: Campaign group files formal complaint over ancient woodland status near Oxford United stadium site
North Wales Police have named a newborn baby girl found dead on the Menai Strait shoreline in Bangor as Ceri, as they continue to appeal for information and for the mother to come forward. The body was discovered by a member of the public on 27 September, and a post-mortem examination indicated she may have been in the water for up to a few weeks. Authorities are urging anyone with photos, videos, or relevant information from the area between 30 August and 27 September to contact them.
Summary headline: Police name baby girl found dead on Bangor shoreline as Ceri and appeal for mother
The chair of the Charity Commission, Dame Julia Unwin, has strongly condemned the abuse, threats, and intimidation directed at RNLI volunteers following their involvement in rescuing migrants. Volunteers have faced online abuse, had their personal details shared, and experienced threats over radio communications during rescue operations, prompting police investigations and concern from charity officials.
Summary headline: Charity Commission condemns thuggery and intimidation directed at RNLI volunteers
Residents in the Warwickshire village of Fillongley have placed knitted roadside characters around the area to encourage motorists to slow down amid ongoing road safety concerns. The 'Fillongley Knit and Natter' group created figures including children with safety messages and an RAF character holding a knitted speed gun, which successfully tricked drivers into braking. However, the popular RAF mannequin has since been reported stolen.
Summary headline: Fillongley villagers create knitted speed trap to slow down drivers
Bundeswirtschaftsministerin Katherina Reiche muss ein umstrittenes Instagram-Video entfernen, in dem sie der Partei Die Linke Antisemitismus vorwarf. Dies entschied das Bundesverfassungsgericht in einem Eilverfahren nach einem Antrag der Linkspartei, die eine Verletzung des staatlichen Neutralitätsgebots geltend gemacht hatte.
Summary headline: Bundesverfassungsgericht: Ministerin Reiche muss Instagram-Video mit Antisemitismusvorwurf gegen die Linke löschen
A paramedic named Ollie Zorab successfully guided another paramedic through an out-of-hospital baby delivery over the phone just hours after finishing a pioneering newborn delivery training course at Great Western Hospital in Swindon. The training programme, designed by neonatal consultant Sarah Bates, has now been rolled out nationally to equip healthcare professionals with essential skills for handling unexpected home births and out-of-hospital environments.
Summary headline: Paramedic successfully delivers baby over the phone hours after completing training course
Alan Feeney, a Reform UK councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull who worked as a custodial manager at HMP Birmingham, has been suspended from his prison job following an ITV News undercover investigation. The documentary captured Feeney making racist comments, including referring to Asian homeowners as "parasites" and claiming that non-white people should make up no more than 1% of the UK population. The Ministry of Justice condemned the remarks as despicable, and investigations have been launched by both the prison service and local authorities.
Summary headline: Reform UK councillor suspended from prison job following racist remarks in undercover documentary
Devon and Cornwall Police and the family of 57-year-old Abdellah "Abby" Saber are appealing for information to piece together his final days after his body was found near a river in Tuckingmill on 29 September. Police believe he may have been assaulted over the weekend of 25-27 September while attending a food festival and camping in Truro. Two men previously arrested on suspicion of murder remain on police bail.
Summary headline: Police appeal for information following the unexplained death of Abdellah Saber in Cornwall
Two serving murderers, Shawn Spence and Kai Howitt, along with another inmate, James Morton, attacked a fellow prisoner at HMP Deerbolt in April 2025 using improvised weapons. The victim sustained ten knife wounds, including a punctured lung. Spence was sentenced to an additional four years, Howitt to three years and seven months, and Morton to four months, with all sentences to be served consecutively to their existing prison terms.
Summary headline: Two murderers left Deerbolt inmate with punctured lung
Musa Salih, 19, has been convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of murdering 19-year-old Harley Purdue during an attempted robbery in Chatham. Salih stabbed the victim eight times after attempting to lock him in a basement toilet to steal money on 2 December 2025. Following his arrest the same day, police discovered he had searched an AI app for legal advice. He will be sentenced on 4 November.
Summary headline: London man found guilty of murdering teenager in Chatham robbery attempt
Two men have been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for the abduction and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl who had run away from home. Hamza Sharif, 36, was jailed for five years for child abduction, while Sadak Ali, 28, was sentenced to seven years after being found guilty of detaining a child and assault by touching a child under 13. A member of the public eventually intervened and rescued the victim.
Summary headline: Men jailed for Birmingham abduction and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl
Belfast Harbour is set to become a live testing environment for zero-emission transport and energy systems following a £15m investment from UK Research and Innovation's Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. Led by Artemis Technologies, the project will integrate electric vessels, marine charging, autonomous transport, and energy systems using digital twin technology to reduce barriers to commercial adoption and optimise energy use.
Summary headline: Belfast Harbour receives £15m for zero-emission transport and energy testing project
New NHS England guidance dictates that trans patients should be cared for on single-sex hospital wards or bays aligning with their biological sex rather than their gender identity, following a Supreme Court ruling. Alternative arrangements should be made if not clinically appropriate, and gender-neutral spaces should be offered to avoid discrimination. Similar rules apply to staff facilities such as changing rooms and toilets. While sex-based rights charities welcomed the shift, trans rights groups and hospital staff unions raised operational and safety concerns.
Summary headline: NHS England issues new guidance stating trans people should use hospital spaces according to biological sex
Scientists studying a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal shoulder blade found in Shanidar Cave, Iraqi Kurdistan, have identified a 15mm circular hole likely caused by a sharpened wooden spear. Researchers suggest this could represent the earliest evidence of lethal interpersonal violence involving such a weapon, although a hunting accident remains a possibility. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that human-on-human violence has deep roots in prehistory, predating the advent of farming and permanent settlements.
Summary headline: Neanderthal shoulder bone hole linked to ancient wooden spear
The U.S. military has developed new strike options—including the potential use of the 'mother of all bombs' (MOAB)—to target Iranian nuclear and energy sites as the conflict with Iran continues. Cargo ships have recently been sunk in the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting domestic political pressure on President Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. midterms, while figures like Joe Rogan and voters express frustration over the ongoing war.
Summary headline: US considers using 'mother of all bombs' as Iran war persists and shipping attacks escalate
A government best-value inspection of Bedford Borough Council has revealed evidence of a bullying and misogynistic culture across political groups, alongside a blame culture and weak leadership from Conservative Mayor Tom Wootton. Commissioners could work at the authority for the next three years, and the council has 10 working days to respond to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Summary headline: Government inspection finds 'misogyny and bullying' culture at Bedford Borough Council
