Knighton warns of most dangerous post-Cold War moment as Iran-ordered stabbing conviction and Farage fallout mark a fractious week for Britain
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton warned on June 5 that Britain faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War, with Russia probing airspace and conducting cyber and sabotage operations, and said the Defence Investment Plan -- delayed by internal budget rows -- has left a 28 billion pound shortfall over four years. Two Romanians were simultaneously convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of stabbing Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in an operation prosecutors said was ordered by Tehran. And Prime Minister Starmer called Reform UK leader Nigel Farage 'unforgivable' after Farage's Southampton address on the Nowak murder verdict triggered a semi-riot that injured 11 police officers.
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gb95Starmer calls Farage "unforgivable" after Reform leader's Southampton address triggers violent protest
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage sparked a cross-party backlash and a semi-riot in Southampton after delivering an "emergency address" Tuesday following the murder conviction of Vickrum Digwa, who killed 18-year-old Henry Nowak and then falsely accused Nowak of racism to police, who handcuffed the dying student. Farage described Hampshire police as operating "a two-tier culture in this country, where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities" and called for "pure, cold rage" -- triggering street violence that injured 11 officers and a police dog, with far-right agitator Tommy Robinson present in the crowd. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer said Nowak's father had explicitly asked that his death not be exploited to create division and that Farage had ignored him -- "It shows exactly who he is" -- while polling analyst Luke Tryl of More in Common warned the rhetoric risked alienating moderate voters and that even a 3-4 percent share for Rupert Lowe's rival Restore Britain party could cost Reform around 80 seats.
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Starmer calls Farage "unforgivable" after Reform leader's Southampton address triggers violent protest
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage sparked a cross-party backlash and a semi-riot in Southampton after delivering an "emergency address" Tuesday following the murder conviction of Vickrum Digwa, who killed 18-year-old Henry Nowak and then falsely accused Nowak of racism to police, who handcuffed the dying student. Farage described Hampshire police as operating "a two-tier culture in this country, where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities" and called for "pure, cold rage" -- triggering street violence that injured 11 officers and a police dog, with far-right agitator Tommy Robinson present in the crowd. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer said Nowak's father had explicitly asked that his death not be exploited to create division and that Farage had ignored him -- "It shows exactly who he is" -- while polling analyst Luke Tryl of More in Common warned the rhetoric risked alienating moderate voters and that even a 3-4 percent share for Rupert Lowe's rival Restore Britain party could cost Reform around 80 seats.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage sparked a cross-party backlash and a semi-riot in Southampton after delivering an "emergency address" Tuesday following the murder conviction of Vickrum Digwa, who killed 18-year-old Henry Nowak and then falsely accused Nowak of racism to police, who handcuffed the dying student. Farage described Hampshire police as operating "a two-tier culture in this country, where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities" and called for "pure, cold rage" -- triggering street violence that injured 11 officers and a police dog, with far-right agitator Tommy Robinson present in the crowd. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer said Nowak's father had explicitly asked that his death not be exploited to create division and that Farage had ignored him -- "It shows exactly who he is" -- while polling analyst Luke Tryl of More in Common warned the rhetoric risked alienating moderate voters and that even a 3-4 percent share for Rupert Lowe's rival Restore Britain party could cost Reform around 80 seats.
gb90UK military chief warns of most dangerous period since Cold War, urges faster defence spending
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said on Friday that the UK faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War, with Russia probing defences and raising the stakes. He called for faster defence spending ahead of the delayed Defence Investment Plan, which the prime minister said would be published before a July 7 NATO summit. Knighton noted that Russia has increased long-range aviation incursions into UK-associated airspace in 2026.
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UK military chief warns of most dangerous period since Cold War, urges faster defence spending
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said on Friday that the UK faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War, with Russia probing defences and raising the stakes. He called for faster defence spending ahead of the delayed Defence Investment Plan, which the prime minister said would be published before a July 7 NATO summit. Knighton noted that Russia has increased long-range aviation incursions into UK-associated airspace in 2026.
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said on Friday that the UK faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War, with Russia probing defences and raising the stakes. He called for faster defence spending ahead of the delayed Defence Investment Plan, which the prime minister said would be published before a July 7 NATO summit. Knighton noted that Russia has increased long-range aviation incursions into UK-associated airspace in 2026.
gb82Two Romanians convicted of stabbing Iranian opposition journalist in London on behalf of Iran
Two Romanian nationals were found guilty on June 5, 2026, of stabbing Iranian opposition journalist Pouria Zeraati near his home in Wimbledon in March 2024, in an attack prosecutors said was ordered by the Iranian regime to silence him. Nandito Badea, 21, wielded the knife, and George Stana, 25, drove the getaway car; both were convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Woolwich Crown Court. Counter terrorism police said the attackers were paid proxies, with more than £80,000 traced through a construction company linked to a British-Iranian dual national who has not been charged.
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Two Romanians convicted of stabbing Iranian opposition journalist in London on behalf of Iran
Two Romanian nationals were found guilty on June 5, 2026, of stabbing Iranian opposition journalist Pouria Zeraati near his home in Wimbledon in March 2024, in an attack prosecutors said was ordered by the Iranian regime to silence him. Nandito Badea, 21, wielded the knife, and George Stana, 25, drove the getaway car; both were convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Woolwich Crown Court. Counter terrorism police said the attackers were paid proxies, with more than £80,000 traced through a construction company linked to a British-Iranian dual national who has not been charged.
Two Romanian nationals were found guilty on June 5, 2026, of stabbing Iranian opposition journalist Pouria Zeraati near his home in Wimbledon in March 2024, in an attack prosecutors said was ordered by the Iranian regime to silence him. Nandito Badea, 21, wielded the knife, and George Stana, 25, drove the getaway car; both were convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Woolwich Crown Court. Counter terrorism police said the attackers were paid proxies, with more than £80,000 traced through a construction company linked to a British-Iranian dual national who has not been charged.
gb78Paul Quinn sentenced to minimum 14 years for 2003 Salford rape that wrongly imprisoned Andrew Malkinson
Paul Quinn, 52, was sentenced on Friday to a minimum of 14 years in prison for a 2003 rape in Salford for which Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years wrongly imprisoned. The judge, Mr Justice Bright, described the attack as an act of “direct physical evil” and said the victim survived by a “minor miracle.” Malkinson, 60, whose conviction was quashed in 2023, said he was “insulted and appalled” that Quinn had “got off so lightly.”
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Paul Quinn sentenced to minimum 14 years for 2003 Salford rape that wrongly imprisoned Andrew Malkinson
Paul Quinn, 52, was sentenced on Friday to a minimum of 14 years in prison for a 2003 rape in Salford for which Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years wrongly imprisoned. The judge, Mr Justice Bright, described the attack as an act of “direct physical evil” and said the victim survived by a “minor miracle.” Malkinson, 60, whose conviction was quashed in 2023, said he was “insulted and appalled” that Quinn had “got off so lightly.”
Paul Quinn, 52, was sentenced on Friday to a minimum of 14 years in prison for a 2003 rape in Salford for which Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years wrongly imprisoned. The judge, Mr Justice Bright, described the attack as an act of “direct physical evil” and said the victim survived by a “minor miracle.” Malkinson, 60, whose conviction was quashed in 2023, said he was “insulted and appalled” that Quinn had “got off so lightly.”
gb36Burnham proposes business rate cuts for pubs and small businesses in policy initiative
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has proposed a 20% cut to business rates for pubs and raising the threshold for small businesses, funded by higher levies on online warehouse operators and empty property owners. The policy, released during the Makerfield byelection campaign, criticizes Labour's current approach under Keir Starmer. Burnham confirmed his intention to return to Westminster and challenge Starmer for the party leadership.
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Burnham proposes business rate cuts for pubs and small businesses in policy initiative
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has proposed a 20% cut to business rates for pubs and raising the threshold for small businesses, funded by higher levies on online warehouse operators and empty property owners. The policy, released during the Makerfield byelection campaign, criticizes Labour's current approach under Keir Starmer. Burnham confirmed his intention to return to Westminster and challenge Starmer for the party leadership.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has proposed a 20% cut to business rates for pubs and raising the threshold for small businesses, funded by higher levies on online warehouse operators and empty property owners. The policy, released during the Makerfield byelection campaign, criticizes Labour's current approach under Keir Starmer. Burnham confirmed his intention to return to Westminster and challenge Starmer for the party leadership.
gb34UK musicians lose EU work post-Brexit, report finds
A report by European Movement UK reveals that over a quarter of British musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, with average tour earnings down 45% and 59% saying touring Europe is no longer viable. Barriers include different visa systems, work permits, the Schengen 90-day rule, ATA carnets costing over £400, cabotage rules, and loss of Creative Europe funding. UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl warns the crisis affects the wider creative economy, as music contributed £8bn in 2024 including nearly £5bn in exports.
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UK musicians lose EU work post-Brexit, report finds
A report by European Movement UK reveals that over a quarter of British musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, with average tour earnings down 45% and 59% saying touring Europe is no longer viable. Barriers include different visa systems, work permits, the Schengen 90-day rule, ATA carnets costing over £400, cabotage rules, and loss of Creative Europe funding. UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl warns the crisis affects the wider creative economy, as music contributed £8bn in 2024 including nearly £5bn in exports.
A report by European Movement UK reveals that over a quarter of British musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, with average tour earnings down 45% and 59% saying touring Europe is no longer viable. Barriers include different visa systems, work permits, the Schengen 90-day rule, ATA carnets costing over £400, cabotage rules, and loss of Creative Europe funding. UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl warns the crisis affects the wider creative economy, as music contributed £8bn in 2024 including nearly £5bn in exports.
gb33UK cross-party MPs warn asylum system is 'on the brink'
A cross-party committee of UK MPs published a report warning that the asylum system is failing under severe pressure, citing short-term fixes, lack of tracking for failed asylum seekers, and high costs (£4.9bn in 2024-25). The Home Office defends ongoing reforms, while opposition parties criticize both Labour and Conservative handling of the system.
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UK cross-party MPs warn asylum system is 'on the brink'
A cross-party committee of UK MPs published a report warning that the asylum system is failing under severe pressure, citing short-term fixes, lack of tracking for failed asylum seekers, and high costs (£4.9bn in 2024-25). The Home Office defends ongoing reforms, while opposition parties criticize both Labour and Conservative handling of the system.
A cross-party committee of UK MPs published a report warning that the asylum system is failing under severe pressure, citing short-term fixes, lack of tracking for failed asylum seekers, and high costs (£4.9bn in 2024-25). The Home Office defends ongoing reforms, while opposition parties criticize both Labour and Conservative handling of the system.
gb30UK-EU reset summit may still happen in July despite youth mobility deadlock
The EU has indicated that the UK-EU reset summit, originally planned for May and then June, may still take place in July despite deadlocked negotiations over a youth mobility scheme. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed hope for a July summit, while UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described talks as positive but acknowledged the need to address migration concerns. Key sticking points include EU demands for home tuition fees for its citizens under the scheme and UK caps on arrivals. The summit aims to advance post-Brexit relations, covering youth mobility, veterinary standards, and carbon emissions.
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UK-EU reset summit may still happen in July despite youth mobility deadlock
The EU has indicated that the UK-EU reset summit, originally planned for May and then June, may still take place in July despite deadlocked negotiations over a youth mobility scheme. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed hope for a July summit, while UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described talks as positive but acknowledged the need to address migration concerns. Key sticking points include EU demands for home tuition fees for its citizens under the scheme and UK caps on arrivals. The summit aims to advance post-Brexit relations, covering youth mobility, veterinary standards, and carbon emissions.
The EU has indicated that the UK-EU reset summit, originally planned for May and then June, may still take place in July despite deadlocked negotiations over a youth mobility scheme. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed hope for a July summit, while UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described talks as positive but acknowledged the need to address migration concerns. Key sticking points include EU demands for home tuition fees for its citizens under the scheme and UK caps on arrivals. The summit aims to advance post-Brexit relations, covering youth mobility, veterinary standards, and carbon emissions.