Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes A manhunt is underway for former soldier Travis Decker, 32, suspected of kidnapping and murdering his three daughters, aged nine, eight, and five, in Washington state. Police found Decker’s white pick-up truck near a campground, with the girls’ bodies discovered in close proximity, raising concerns over Decker’s significant military training and potential danger to the public. Authorities are investigating the delayed issuance of alerts for the missing girls, noting that the situation escalated…

Elon Musk has broken publicly with Donald Trump, slamming the president’s flagship tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination.” The legislation—dubbed the “big beautiful bill” by Trump—includes massive tax breaks, soaring defence spending, and a controversial hike in the debt ceiling. It passed the House last month and is now being debated in the Senate.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £15.6bn transport investment package aimed at boosting infrastructure across the North, Midlands and West Country. The cash will fund tram, train and bus improvements, including major projects in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the West Midlands.

The UK has been temporarily spared from a steep hike in US steel and aluminium tariffs, following a new executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. While tariffs on other countries doubled from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday, the UK will remain at 25%—for now.

Elon Musk condemned Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination,” criticising its multi-trillion-dollar tax breaks.

King George Hospital currently has two ‘ligature light’ mental health rooms, falling short of the demand, with an increase of 15 to 20 mental health presentations daily in the emergency department.

A four-year-old girl, Sofia, diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, has been granted a year’s reprieve from deportation due to the risk of death if her treatment is interrupted.

Mohamed Soliman, accused of attacking a pro-Israel group in Colorado, is being held for using Molotov cocktails in a planned attack that left twelve injured.

Police have stated there is no evidence linking the double shooting in Fuengirola, Spain, to recent criminal activities in Scotland, despite ongoing investigations in both countries.

The Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung has won South Korea’s snap presidential election – six months after the country was briefly thrown into martial law.

Cliff Notes – Madeleine McCann: New search brings fresh hope Madeleine McCann: New search brings fresh hope – but there are big unanswered questions | UK News Dense shrubs, empty barns, disused wells and dirt tracks – the police here have got their work cut out if they’re to find evidence relating to Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. At 6am, before police cordons were put up, we spoke with an officer – a balaclava covering his face…

Cliff Notes – Euthanasia advocate dies Dr Florian Willet: Euthanasia advocate dies after being arrested over woman’s ‘suicide capsule’ death A euthanasia advocate has died after being detained following a woman’s “suicide capsule” death in Switzerland. Dr Florian Willet, who was arrested over the first reported use of the Sarco pod, died on 5 May, months after falling from the third floor of his building, according to an obituary written by Australian-born doctor Philip Nitschke,…

Cliff Notes Dmitry Medvedev’s remarks indicate a firm commitment to retaliate for the recent drone attack, highlighting the Kremlin’s hawkish stance. The delayed response of nearly 48 hours suggests Moscow’s reluctance to publicly address what they perceive as a humiliating incident. Medvedev’s threats, while intense, reflect an uncertain strategy from Russia regarding their next steps in response to Ukraine. Ukraine war latest: Kyiv claims underwater strike on Kerch Bridge; Putin ally warns of Russian ‘retribution’…

The London business newspaper CITY AM reports economists are warning the PM’s defence spending boost will come at a heavy price – and asks who’s going to pay.

The Sun leads with the new search for missing Maddie McCann as well as the latest in the Beckham family feud. The PM gets some space at the top of the page as the paper reacts to the defence review.

The i newspaper reacts to suggestions of over-18s school leavers being offered placements in the armed forces in a bid to boost recruitment.

The Guardian reports on Starmer’s plans to prepare Britain for future battles whilst tourists fleeing Mount Etna’s eruption take the lead image on the front page.

The Independent reacts to the government’s defence review with positivity – the front page features a picture of Mount Etna.

The Express reacts to the PM’s defense review and the new search for missing Maddie McCann.

A 20-year-old man, Aaron Strachan, has been charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Edinburgh, following an attack on 25 May.

Most of the newspapers react to the government’s Defence Secretary Review plans, announced by the prime minister yesterday. The UK is set to spend an extra £2bn on drones and AI in a bid to make the country “battle ready” – but some papers (right-leaning Conservatives) warn that a tax rise will likely be on the way to pay for it. New submarines are set to be built in what some papers suggest is a warning to Russia, and the review lays out plans to recruit more people for the army, with a paid stint in the military for school leavers being considered.

German and Portuguese police are to begin a new search for the missing Madeleine McCann – who disappeared on holiday in Portugal when she was three years old in 2007. The search will cover the municipality of Lagos, which sits next to Praia da Luz, the town in the Algarve where she went missing nearly two decades ago. Portuguese police confirmed on Monday that they were carrying out the search between 2-6 June on warrants issued by German prosecutors.

AI is dominating the UK newspaper front pages this morning after the prime minister announced his defence strategy yesterday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has laid out plans to grow the British Army as he vows to put the country on a war footing and be prepared for Russian threats. 

KKR, previously the preferred bidder to rescue Thames Water, has withdrawn, complicating the company’s financial stability amid a £22.8bn debt crisis.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Tuesday, 3rd June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, the grey skies have returned. A touch of morning rain is on the way – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out.

Leading the news in Britain is news that the UK government’s AI bill has been defeated in the House of Lords again (for the fourth time) as peers back an amendment to the bill that would require AI companies to reveal which copyrighted material they have used.