NEWS_KF17THMAY20240930

French police have shot and killed an armed man who was attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Rouen. The attacker's identity and motive are unknown. The battle for the upcoming general election in the UK is intensifying, with the Chancellor promising tax cuts if the Conservatives win. Labour warns that the Tory plan to reduce national insurance could result in higher borrowing, higher taxes on pensioners, or the end of the state pension. The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been attacked, with at least five drone strikes reported. The region has been on high alert due to increased military activity. A funeral will be held for a 14-year-old boy who was killed in a sword attack in East London. Scottish singer Katie Tunstall will receive the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection. A demo of her hit track will be released to commemorate the honor. With the latest, I'm Kyle Fraser. French police have shot dead an armed man who was trying to set fire to a synagogue in the northern city of Rouen, the country's interior minister has confirmed. It happened early this morning in the city centre, which is 130km northwest of Paris. The attacker's identity and motive are unclear. France has the third largest Jewish community after Israel and the United States, as well as Europe's largest Muslim community. The battle ahead of this year's general election is heating up, with the Chancellor promising further tax cuts if the Conservatives win. Jeremy Hunt accuses Labour shadow Rachel Reeves of playground politics over her criticism of high tax levels at a Labour event yesterday in Essex. Meanwhile, Labour's warning that the Tory plan to slash national insurance could lead to higher borrowing, higher taxes on pensioners, or the end of the state pension. The Chancellor is currently making a speech on his economic vision, whilst new Scottish First Minister John Swinney will also make an address on his economic vision for Scotland as the leader of the SNP's minority government in Edinburgh. The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been attacked overnight, with the region's governor reporting at least five drone strikes. It was under an air-raid alert for more than 16 hours, that's the longest since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. Keir Giles is a specialist in Russian politics at Chatham House, and says there's been a recent increase in military activity in the Kharkiv region. That of course is deeply uncomfortable for the Russian leadership, but of course it's only part of the offensive operations that Russia is undertaking all the way along that front line, and Ukraine is also watching for where it may come under pressure next. A funeral will be held later for the 14-year-old boy who died in a sword attack in East London two weeks ago. Daniel Angerin was killed as he walked to school in Hainault in an attack which left four others injured, including two police officers. A GoFundMe page set up in his honour has received more than £150,000. And in showbiz, Scottish singer Katie Tunstall is set to receive the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection. To commemorate the honour, a demo of her hit track Suddenly I See, which she recorded in her basement flat 20 years ago, will be released on Amazon Music. The 48-year-old will accept the trophy at the awards ceremony in London next week. There's more news online at gado.co.uk