
Two people were killed and three others seriously injured in an attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday morning. The incident occurred in the Crumpsall area, approximately four miles from Manchester city center, during Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the fatalities following what they described as a "major incident" involving both a vehicle and knife attack.
The suspect, a male, was shot by armed police officers at 9:38 AM and is believed to be deceased, though authorities noted his death "cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues" after discovering "suspicious items on his person." Police were initially called to the scene at 9:30 AM following reports of a car being driven toward members of the public and a stabbing. Among the injured was a man believed to be a security guard at the synagogue.
Authorities have deployed multiple specialized units to the scene, including anti-terrorism personnel, military representatives, and bomb disposal teams. Greater Manchester Police activated the "Plato" protocol, which is used for large-scale attacks including "mobile terrorist attacks." A large number of worshippers who were inside the synagogue at the time of the incident were initially held inside while the immediate area was secured, but have since been evacuated.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed being "shocked" by the incident and is cutting short his visit to Denmark, where he was attending a European Political Community meeting, to chair a government Cobra committee meeting in London. The Prime Minister's office confirmed that "additional police assets" will be deployed at synagogues across the country following the attack. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stated that the attacker is believed to have died in the incident.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.
The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.
Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.
Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.