In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, 720 faith leaders warned that restrictions on family reunion will push desperate people towards the smuggling gangs the Government is trying to dismantle

Hundreds of faith leaders have called on Shabana Mahmood to shelve plans they warn risk tearing families apart.

In a letter to the Home Secretary, 720 bishops, rabbis, ministers and rabbis say restrictions on family reunion rules will “push desperate people toward the very smuggling networks we all wish to dismantle”. They called on Ms Mahmood to rethink plans to end the automatic right of reunion for settled refugees.

Doing so, they argue, would be at odds with British values and every major faith tradition. The Home Office has suspended the right for newly recognised refugees to bring their families – a move critics said would result in more women and children making dangerous small boats instead. And Ms Mahmood has said rules will be tightened.

Rev Lord Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “There ought to be no debate about the scandal of leaving unaccompanied children to fend for themselves in situations of great risk. Not for the first time, we are being challenged as to whether we as a society really believe in the right of children to be nurtured and protected, at a time when casualties among children are seemingly taken so much for granted in war across the globe.”

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The letter, coordinated by the Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, said having family nearby and knowing they are safe is essential for wellbeing and integration. It goes on: “For people of faith, family is foundational to human belonging, resilience, and hope. To further restrict safe routes for family reunion is to push desperate people toward the very smuggling networks we all wish to dismantle.”

The suspension of family reunions was brought in last year by former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Her successor, Ms Mahmood, has announced a raft of measures to clamp down on illegal migration, including making refugee status temporary.

The Labour frontbencher warned that failure to get a grip on the asylum system would open the door to right wing populists to destroy it. And she said her measures will make the rules fairer.

In an update to MPs this month she said: “Family reunion remains paused while new rules are designed that bring financial and integration requirements in line with those expected of British citizens.”

Rabbi David Mason said: “There is nothing fair or compassionate about keeping families divided. The Jewish community understands this well: the Kindertransport (which saved children from the Nazis) saved thousands of lives, but it also left many children separated from their families.

“We need to learn the lessons of that lasting pain. At a time of deepening division, the Government must bring humanity and responsibility back into refugee policy. Reinstating family reunion rights would be a vital step and make a huge difference to people rebuilding their lives here.”

Jo Cobley, chief executive at charity Safe Passage International, said: “Abandoning children and families, who have already been torn apart by the chaos of war and persecution, to a life of separation is chilling. Every day, we see the devastating impact separation has on children and the people who care for them most, and we also see the precious moments when mums and dads can finally hug their children again after years without each other.”

Rescuers who have been trying to free a whale stranded in shallow water off the north German coast have said “every minute counts” as they battle to release the animal.

Sven Biertumpfel, of the Sea Shepherd marine conservation group, told Sky News if they cannot get it off the shore “it will probably die there, because it’s exhausting for the whale”.

Asked how long the 10m (33ft) humpback whale, thought to be a male, has left to live if it stays stuck, he said it can take “up to one week or even longer” for an animal that size to suffocate.

The whale is marooned off the Timmendorfer Strand beach on the Baltic Sea coastline of the Schleswig-Holstein region, where rescue efforts began on Monday.

As for how the whale came to be in the area, Mr Biertumpfel said the Baltic Sea is not a humpback’s natural habitat, adding “maybe he followed some fish or some food”.

The water has less salt than the North Sea or the Atlantic Ocean, meaning it’s “bad for the skin”, which could lead to a potentially fatal infection, he said.

“So every minute counts,” added Mr Biertumpfel.

The whale, which weighs several tonnes, got entangled in nets, the conservationist said, adding that even though they had removed some of it, a biologist who entered the water to check the whale told them there was still some net in its mouth.

On Thursday, an underwater earth mover was used to try to dig a channel for the beast to escape, while police vessels, inflatable boats and drones have also been deployed, but, by Thursday afternoon, all attempts have been unsuccessful.

At one point, the animal, which is still alive, was turned so its head was pointing towards deeper water, as rescuers hoped it could find its own way back to sea, but it merely returned to its previous position.

Boats from the coastguard and the fire department passed by, creating large waves in the hope of freeing the animal – but also without success.

Rescuers are unwilling to try to pull the animal, which weighs several tons, out to deeper water for fear of injuring it, experts said.

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Fences have been put up to keep a large crowd of onlookers off the beach to make sure the whale “does not become even more stressed”, police spokesperson Ulli Fritz Gerlach said.

Stefan Stauch, who had come with his wife from the nearby village of Scharbeutz after hearing the whale’s sounds during the night, said: “Poor thing. I hope he can still be saved.”

Police recovered a ‘severely deformed’ saucepan with dog hair on it which Wheeler had used to ‘bludgeon her dog to death’

A woman who was handed a suspended prison sentence for beating her dog to death with a saucepan has been jailed for failing to comply with the court order.

Jordanna Wheeler repeatedly broke the curfew which was part of her suspended sentence, failed to turn up for multiple appointments, and didn’t engage with any help being offered by various agencies.

Activating the suspended sentence, a judge at Swansea Crown Court said custody was the “best place” for the defendant at the present time, especially given “the state” she turned up at court in.

The court heard that in December last year Wheeler was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison suspended for 18 months and was ordered to do a rehabilitation course, complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement, and abide by a three-month nightly curfew after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The defendant was also disqualified from owning any animal for the next 10 years.

The original sentencing hearing was told that on August 19 last year Wheeler attended Neath Port Talbot Hospital “demanding to be sectioned” due to her mental health issues.

While talking to staff Wheeler disclosed that she had attended a party the previous day and consumed a large amount of alcohol before going home.

She said she then “woke up on the sofa covered in spew” and when she went to look for her dog “I discovered I had battered him to death”.

Hospital staff reported the matter to police and when officers went to the defendant’s flat in the Penlan area of Swansea they found a large brown Mastiff dog lying unresponsive and clearly dead on its bed in the living room.

The court heard that officers also found a “severely deformed” saucepan with dog hair on it which Wheeler had used to “bludgeon her dog to death”. For the latest court stories sign up to our crime newsletter

Wheeler, 28, now of Beili Glas, Loughor, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of her suspended sentence when she appeared in the dock via videolink. She had been due to be dealt with on Monday but turned up late to court and was remanded into custody.

The court heard the defendant broke her curfew on six occasions during January and February, failed to attend any of her rehabilitation sessions, missed numerous probation appointments without an acceptable reason, and failed to engage with outside agencies offering help.

Alexandra Wilson, on behalf of the Probation Service, said the defendant had shown a “complete disregard” for the order and that the recommendation to the court was that the original custodial sentence be activated. She added that Wheeler had been candid with probation staff that she had left her flat on multiple occasions to go to the pub or the park and take cocaine.

Sarah John, for Wheeler, said it had to be conceded that activation of the original sentence was the likely outcome, and said the defendant’s reasons for breaching the curfew – namely that she needed to go outside for a walk – was “not one which would hold much weight with the court”.

She said Wheeler had started to engage with probation after breach proceedings were started and she invited the court to reduce the sentence in light of her client’s compliance with the alcohol abstinence requirement.

Judge Geraint Walters said where a defendant breached a suspended sentence the court was expected to activate the sentence unless it would be unjust to do so. He said not only would it be not unjust to activate it in the circumstances but it could be said it would be unjust not to activate it.

He added: “Quite frankly, I think you are better off at the moment where you are, not least given the state you arrived in at court on Monday.”

Judge Walters activated 12 months of the suspended sentence. The defendant will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Police in the UK have reopened an investigation into sex abuse allegations made against influencer Andrew Tate.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed the move on Thursday.

The force first launched its investigation in 2015 after three women alleged that the controversial influencer had abused them.

However, it closed the case in 2019.

More follows…

Shanice Roderick, 21, also used a woman’s bank card in various shops A court heard she was a ‘young and vulnerable’ woman who was addicted to class A drugs

A young woman burgled the same house twice in one day and stole £2,500 worth of items in order to fund her addiction to class A drugs. She was also stopped from stealing a handbag and boxer shorts from John Lewis.

Shanice Roderick, 21, went to John Lewis in Cardiff on October 31 last year and was seen by security staff attempting to leave the store in possession of a handbag and boxer shorts worth £233 in total. She was detained by a member of staff and taken to a hold room, but released due to a delay in the police arriving.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard Roderick committed two burglaries at the same property in Fitzhamon Embankment, Riverside, on November 11. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

She first entered the house at 12.35pm before returning with an unknown man at 4.15pm.

The victim of the burglary returned to find a number of items had been taken, including keys, a MacBook, PlayStation 4, a watch, a pocket knife, clothes, food and wine.

Prosecutor Charles Archer said the stolen items were valued at £2,500 in total.

The defendant was identified after her DNA was found on a drinks carton and a headband left at the scene, and she was caught on CCTV footage.

On November 15, Roderick used bank cards belonging to a woman whose car had been broken into at the NCP car park in Westgate Street, Cardiff.

The defendant had used the victim’s cards to purchase items worth £273, with transactions made at a bakery, a convenience store, a nail salon, charity shop and a petrol station.

She was later identified after she was caught on CCTV at the petrol station, purchasing cigarettes.

When interviewed, the defendant admitted the thefts which she said she carried out to fund her cocaine and heroin addiction.

Roderick, of Grand Avenue, Ely, later pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, theft from a shop and fraud by false representation.

The court heard she had five previous convictions, including three offences of theft.

In mitigation, Erin Morgan said her client was a “young and vulnerable” woman who was addicted to class A drugs.

The barrister said the defendant was “sofa surfing” and had little to no stability in her life, but during her time on remand she has been abstinent from drugs.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said he had little confidence the defendant would be able to abide by a court order made in conjunction with a suspended sentence, due to her previous refusal to abide by such orders.

Roderick was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment.

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Whitby Swing Bridge is set to be open to pedestrians and buses only for the next three weekends.

The closures will coincide with the first school Easter holiday (Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29) the Easter weekend (Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6) and final weekend of the school holidays (Saturday, April 11 to Sunday, April 12).

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A spokesperson for the council said the move aims to improve pedestrian safety and to support the town’s economy.

After these closures, there will be multiple others taking part throughout the year to coincide with major events including bank holidays, school holidays, the Whitby Regatta, and both Whitby Goth Weekends in May and October/November.

The closure will take place between 10.30am and 4pm on the respective days. 

The fish and chip brand has earned multiple awards since it first opened in 1923

A family-owned fish and chip shop is expanding its brand further across Cambridgeshire by opening a new store in Cambourne. Churchill’s Fish and Chips opened its third store in the county on Monday, March 23.

The fish and chip brand first opened over 100 years ago in 1923 when Harold Lipscombe, a coal miner and cricketer from Accrington, managed to raise enough money to open Churchill’s Fish and Chips in Essex. The family has expanded its business across the south east including in Cambridgeshire.

Churchill’s Fish and Chips has won many awards since its first opened including winning the Best Multiple Operator at the National Fish and Chip awards. More recently, the Bar Hill location was named in the list of the top 50 best fish and chip shops in the UK by Fry Magazine.

At the store, people will be able to enjoy meals made using “premium-quality sustainably sourced fish, locally grown potatoes, and top quality chicken”. The menu features a range of fish options such as plaice, cod, and haddock, as well as choices for those who don’t like fish including fried chicken and pies.

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Churchill’s Fish and Chips also offers a £5 lunch menu that is available every day until 4pm.

The store’s new manager Libby said: “I’m excited to bring a new fish and chip experience to Cambourne. I can’t wait to introduce everyone to the fantastic new shop and everything Churchill’s has to offer.

“A great new addition is our gluten-free menu, which will be available every Monday and Tuesday after 4pm from 13 April. I know how hard it can be for people who are gluten intolerant, so I’m really pleased we can offer fish and chips that more people can enjoy.

“We also have a fantastic loyalty, rewards and ordering app, My Chippy. Customers can collect stamps and points, receive exclusive member-only offers, and order online all in one place.

“I’d encourage everyone to come down and give us a try. We’ve got lunchtime fish and chips from £5, a fish and chip dinner with mushy peas from £10, and our Chicken Lover menu too – so there really is something for everyone.”

Churchill’s Fish and Chips in Cambourne will be offering 50 percent off all in-store orders on Tuesday, March 31, to celebrate its opening. The Cambourne location can be found on Broad Street

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Summer is fast approaching, and if you’re already counting down the days to your holiday, make sure you’re well prepared with enough sunscreen to avoid any painful sunburn.

As Brits, as soon as it’s hot, we all go a bit mad, especially when we’re on holiday, lounging around a pool or sunbathing on the beach, but that doesn’t mean your skin has to suffer for it. 

This year, that half-empty bottle rattling around the bottom of your suitcase isn’t going to cut it. Your skin deserves proper sun protection, without the faff of a sticky, greasy, thick cream that makes a mess. 

That’s why I’ve curated a shopping guide to the beauty editor-approved body suncreams that feel luxurious, take seconds to rub in or leave your skin looking tinged with a chalky grey residue. 

Whether you’re after a budget-friendly SPF that won’t drain your bank balance, a spray formula that requires minimal effort or a luxury option that doubles up as a moisturiser, there is something in it for everyone. 

These are the best body suncreams your skin needs this summer – all you have to do is pack them. 

The best body suncreams 2026

Ultrasun Sports Spray 50SPF Sun Protection

You cannot go wrong with Ultrasun.

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This clear spray leaves no white cast, absorbs in just seconds, and protects against UVA and UVB rays.

Reapplying it is a doddle thanks to the lightweight mist, making it perfect for an activity-filled beach day or a chilled one around the pool.

There’s no mess, stress or greasy film left on the skin. It’s worth every penny.

Buy now for £24 (was £30)

Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Everyday Lotion Value Pump Pack

This is an excellent budget option, and this giant 500ml bottle will last you ages.

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While it may look like a traditional white sunscreen, it has none of the thick, heavy texture you remember from when you were a kid.

Instead, it’s easy to see where you’ve applied or might have missed, and it works great for all skin types, including sensitive and eczema-prone.

I like to bring this on group trips where someone will inevitably forget to bring SPF – it’s so massive, it’s lasted me almost a year.

Buy Now for £16 (was £20)

E45 Sun Body Lotion SPF50

If you have very sensitive skin, finding a body suncream that ticks all your boxes can be a minefield.

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This E45 tube is a favourite of mine, because I can always rely on it not to irritate my eczema.

There’s no fragrance, it doesn’t pill no matter how many times you reapply, and it leaves my skin gently moisturised.

I’ve use it for years and it’s never let me down.

Buy now for £11.19 (was £13.99)

Lancaster Sun Beauty Protective Water SPF50

I love the lightweight texture of this; it’s something in between an oil and a watery fluid – either way, I could apply it with my eyes closed.

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There’s no stickiness or tacky feel, and it can be reapplied over and over again without leaving you feeling slick with oil.

It’s pricey but absolutely worth it if you like a low-maintenance sun care product.

Buy Now for £34

Coola Daily Protect Scalpmist SPF50

It’s easy to forget about applying suncream to your scalp until it’s sunburnt and brushing your hair becomes agony.

It can also cause your hair colour to fade, so if you’ve just spent a fortune at the hairdresser’s changing your highlights, you need to know about this.

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This Coola product has a thin nozzle that can apply product down your parting without getting the rest of your hair wet, while the formula won’t make it greasy either.

Buy Now for £23.20 (was £29)

Supergoop! Glow Stick™ SPF 50

Love a glowy skin moment? This protective stick is the quickest and easiest way to achieve dewy shoulders, collarbones and decolletage.

Formulated with a blend of lightweight oils, it leaves skin looking sun-kissed without sun damage.

You can use it all over the face too, as it’s great for reaching those smaller nooks, like behind your ears, your eyelids, and your lips.

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Buy Now for £22

Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist Sun Spray

A sunscreen mist is an easy way to top up your UV protection, especially if you’re on a city break and wandering around in the sun all day.

Spray it as liberally as you like, and lightly rub in – you barely need to touch your skin.

This is a great one for all skin types, including young kids, and it doesn’t take up much room in your suitcase or beach bag.

Buy Now for £16

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Sunscreen for Body Lotion SPF50+

If you love being in the water on holiday, you’ll want a water-resistant option like this from La Roche-Posay.

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It won’t slide off your skin, but will provide UVA and UVB protection from the sun’s rays, while allowing you to still enjoy sunbathing on a lilo.

It has a milky lotion texture and leakproof packaging that has never let me down.

Buy Now for £24

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Israel’s prime minister warned his military would ‘break boundaries in every sense of the word’ as he threatened to extend a ‘buffer zone’ in Lebanon as war with Hezbollah and Iran continues

Benjamin Netanyahu has made a chilling vow to extend Israel’s “buffer zone” into southern Lebanon and threatens to continue his war against Hezbollah.

A terrifying new map could show what this “larger buffer zone” might look like after the Israeli prime minister threatened to seize land in the neighbouring nation. Tensions between Israel and its neighbour intensified after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in retaliation to Netanyahu and Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran – which killed the supreme leader on February 28. Netanyahu warned he and his military were “breaking boundaries in every sense of the word”.

The leader claims his latest plans are in response to Israel’s conflict with Iran, saying: “We are simply creating a larger buffer zone. Now, dismantling Hezbollah is our focus.

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“This is related to the overall campaign with Iran, which is still ongoing contrary to what has been reported in the media but it is our intention to do everything to fundamentally change the situation in Lebanon.”

In a meeting with Israel’s military chief of staff, the country’s defence minister Israel Katz said the forces would “control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani” – a river in Lebanon around 20 miles north of the border with Israel.

Katz also said the bridges over this river “have been blown up and the IDF will control the remaining bridges” after the defence minister claimed Hezbollah were using the bridged to move weapons over into southern Lebanon.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said: “We have created a genuine security zone preventing any infiltration toward the Galilee and the northern border. We are expanding this zone to push the threat from anti-tank missiles further away and to establish a broader buffer zone.”

On Monday, Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said his country should “apply sovereignty” to parts of southern Lebanon in a shocking call.

This comes as Israel continues to wage war against Iran and Hezbollah, despite Trump dishing out mixed messages on whether he wants to end the conflict or continue.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon ordered US ground troops to the Middle East but negotiators also sent Iran a 15-point peace plan. Despite this, the US President said: “They [Iran] are begging to work out a deal. I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that. They should have done that four weeks ago. They should have done it two years ago.”

Trump and Netanyahu have also appeared to clash after the Israeli leaders suggestion for the US to encourage a street uprising to challenge the Iranian regime. the US President told the Israeli Prime Minister during a telephone conversation last week: “Why the hell should we tell people to take to the streets when they’ll just get mowed down.”