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Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say

BBC News

Ann Widdecombe died after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her Devon home as she ate lunch, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates' Court. Prosecutor Kashif Malik said the man accused of her murder, Joshua Kerry, arrived at her house on 8 July in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry, who prosecutors say was only in the property for two minutes and was wearing black gloves, then allegedly hit Widdecombe repeatedly with a hammer, tipped her from her chair and took her wallet before driving off, the court heard. The 28-year-old from South Yorkshire, who is charged with murder, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday. Malik told the court that Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show that had been scheduled for just before 13:00 BST on 8 July.


Greens leader renews call for extra security after Ann Widdecombe death

BBC News

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Figure caption, Green Party leader says he hasn't been offered state security Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for the government to provide him with extra security, warning I am worried about it both for myself and for all party leaders. The politician said he hadn't been offered anything at all after being asked for his thoughts following Ann Widdecombe's death. I am worried and I have been worried for a long time. I would encourage the government to provide me with extra security, but that is a choice for them, he told BBC Breakfast.


The SpaceX IPO made history. Is the excitement still there?

BBC News

The SpaceX IPO made history. Is the excitement still there? SpaceX investors have swung from celebration to apparent concern in its first month as a publicly traded company. When shares in the firm, co-founded and led by Elon Musk, first became available for individuals to buy on the public stock market on 12 June, there was an investor frenzy . Although the company had decided to price its shares at $135 each, the price immediately shot up to $150 that first day, climbing to $176, before closing at $160.95.


Extra 250m to boost Jewish community safety

BBC News

Police forces across England are to get a £251m funding boost to help protect Jewish communities following a rise in antisemitic attacks, the government has announced. The Metropolitan Police will receive £86m to recruit about 300 extra officers to help increase police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods, and around synagogues, schools and community centres. It comes after a series of antisemitic attacks in London, including the stabbing of two men in Golders Green in April, and the raising of the national terror threat level from substantial to severe. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the fund would deliver a step change in protection for Jewish communities. Met deputy commissioner Matt Jukes said the investment would allow the force to bolster its existing Community Protection Teams and establish further teams across three sites in London, as well as recruiting up to 300 officers and creating a Golders Green community hub.


The Papers: Burnham's 'bumper Budget' and Widdecombe murder 'not political'

BBC News

Image caption, Andy Burnham is exploring holding an expanded Budget this autumn to set out strategic priorities, reports the Financial Times. New strikes on Iran by the US pose biggest test for interim deal, it headlines. Image caption, As part of Burnham's Budget, the Telegraph reports he has a plan for £38bn tax raid. The paper leads with the latest in the murder of Ann Widdecombe, saying that the suspect drove 300 miles to her house. Image caption, The Metro also leads with the Widdecombe murder, leading on police comments that the killing was not political.


British couple return to village at heart of deadly Spanish wildfire

BBC News

As we climbed the winding road to Bédar, we emerged into a charred and desolate landscape. Molten car parts littered our path and out of the window we saw the whole hillside now coated in a dusty black. At least 13 people, including five believed to be Britons, were killed by Thursday's wildfire in Spain's Almeria province, one of the country's deadliest ever. The toll rose on Sunday after a 93-year-old woman, believed to be British, died of her injuries in hospital. The identities of those killed have not yet been officially confirmed.


Starting uni? What to know about having the free NHS meningitis B jab

BBC News

High street pharmacies across England are now offering a free meningitis B vaccine for many young people. It comes after concerns over the UK's largest and fastest growing outbreak that happened in Kent earlier this year. So who needs the vaccine and what's in it? What's the vaccine and is it safe? The vaccine offers protection against a dangerous strain of meningitits called meningitis B (MenB) that caused the outbreak in Kent. The vaccine does not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.


US Senator Mitch McConnell says absence due to fall and pneumonia

BBC News

Image caption, McConnell released a photo of himself with his wife alongside Sunday's statement US Senator Mitch McConnell says he will not be returning to the Senate quite yet after suffering from a fall and a mild case of pneumonia. It is the first statement from the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican after weeks of speculation about his health, following his admission to hospital in mid-June. A photo was released by his office, in addition to the statement, which shows McConnell with his wife holding what appeared to be Sunday's Washington Post newspaper. He said he was briefly unconscious after his fall and taken to hospital, where he had submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. My doctors have confirmed that I didn't break any bones or suffer a concussion.


New era for Gibraltar with removal of 118-year-old border controls with Spain

BBC News

It's a short journey but it means crossing an international border. A British Overseas Territory of around 40,000 inhabitants, Gibraltar has a border control for those entering and leaving. That means that during the morning and afternoon rush hours, when around 15,000 Spaniards who work in the territory cross the frontier, there can be long, time-consuming queues. The fact that there is a border between us is ridiculous, says Chotrani, who has a job in human resources in a Gibraltarian shipping and tourism company. I don't think a fence should separate people from one place and another.


Why switching to save money is easier than you might think

BBC News

Seeking out a better deal from your broadband, pay TV and energy suppliers? While you know it could save hundreds of pounds, you might be wondering if it's worth the hassle. But often it only needs one call or a couple of clicks - and banks even pay an incentive to people who switch their main current accounts. Regulators have made the switching process easier in recent years, encouraging people to shop around when cost of living pressures have intensified. Which deals are the best for you still depends on your circumstances, but here are some of the ways that switching works.