Last week was Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A day of prayer and staying away from news. As people made their way to Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester, they saw a small car being driven erratically before it crashed into the gates. In seconds, Jihad al-Shamie had jumped from the vehicle and started stabbing those nearby. Within six minutes three people had been killed, including the attacker, who was shot by armed police.
For our cover story, Chris Osuh and Geneva Abdul speak to members of the Jewish community about how they feared such an assault was likely, as well as their hopes for unity in the face of hatred. Our reporting team pieces together what is known about Shamie, and Jonathan Freedland says the terror attack was no surprise amid rising antisemitism, but must be a turning point.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
Spotlight | A chilling message
David Smith reports on how Donald Trump is stepping up attacks on Democratic donors little more than a year before the midterm elections for Congress
Science | Catching Zs
If you’ve ever found yourself awake in the small hours, mind whirring, you’re not alone. Jillian Pretzel asks experts about what causes maintenance insomnia – inability to stay asleep – and which treatments can help to tackle it
Feature | Broken connection
A volcanic eruption in the South Pacific in 2022 ripped apart the underwater cables that connect Tonga to the world. Samanth Subramanian examines how losing the internet catapulted the archipelago back in time
Opinion | Man without a plan?
Latin American governments are fretfully watching a big US military buildup around Venezuela as Donald Trump steps up action against drug cartels. The president’s efforts to act as a neighbourhood policeman, writes Simon Tisdall, are regressive, dangerous and almost certain to backfire
Culture | Boss mode
New biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere captures the musician at a pivotal point in his career. Alexis Petridis speaks to the film’s cast and crew about bringing the musical icon to life
What else we’ve been readingEvan Dando of the Lemonheads performs during the 2025 Newport Folk Festival in July. Photograph: Douglas Mason/Getty Images
The Lemonheads’ Evan Dando always looked to be on course to become another of the 1990s’ rock casualties, notorious for his drug use and some erratic live performances. But now 58 and clean, he’s written a memoir and is set to release a new album. In this entertaining interview, he tells Fiona Sturges how he came back from the brink, and why he thinks “I was always in service to entertain people”. Clare Horton, assistant editor
It’s only October but the launch of new beauty Advent calendars seems to be earlier and earlier every year. If you’re a confused beauty lover like me, you might find this collection of the best calendars this year helpful. Daya Page, CRM executive
Other highlights from the Guardian website
Audio | ‘We’ve done it before’: how not to lose hope in the fight against ecological disaster
Video | You don’t think it will happen to you: a deep friendship forged on Ukraine’s frontline
Gallery | In the moment: 40 years of Reuters photojournalism
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