The United Kingdom is witnessing a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, with reports suggesting that one mosque is attacked every five days. According to the British Muslim Trust, incidents including vandalism, intimidation, violence, hate speech, and online abuse have increased significantly across England and Wales. London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands remain among the worst-affected regions. The report also raises concerns over delays in government security funding for mosques, prompting calls for urgent reforms and stronger protection for places of worship.

Anti-Muslim attacks soar in Britain | UK mosques under increasing threat, says New Report

Two boats were trapped in deep mud after a massive sinkhole developed in a canal in the English county of Shropshire, England. Following the incident, emergency services were declared, labelling it as a &nbsp;“major incident.”&nbsp;A video shared by the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service on social media platform X shows that the two canal boats trapped in the sinkhole, measuring nearly 50 by 50 meters (approximately 164 square feet), while a third boat is inclined over the slope of the sinkhole.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Update from Whitchurch: A message from Scott Hurford at the scene this evening Following a breach in the canal wall, over 50 firefighters responded swiftly. Thankfully, there are no casualties, and the incident has now moved out of the emergency phase. <a href="https://t.co/ONtGji89Ve">pic.twitter.com/ONtGji89Ve</a>&mdash; Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (@shropsfire) <a href="https://twitter.com/shropsfire/status/2003140205268918621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said Monday that soon after the incident, rescue teams responded to a “significant breach” of the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch, which is a historic market town near the Welsh border, according to a report in CNN.&nbsp;Scott Hurford, Area Manager at the service, said a “major incident” was declared at 5.17 am, though the situation was later assessed as “stable,” adding that search and rescue operations have now concluded. He also added that no injuries have been reported, as no individuals were believed to be on board the affected boats.<h3>Rescue operations launched</h3>Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews carried out rescue operations in difficult conditions, citing unstable ground and “rapidly moving water,” but successfully brought more than 10 members of the public to safety. However, no further details about those rescued were released.&nbsp;Emergency services have urged the public to stay away from the area as response teams continue to manage the incident. Canal boats are long vessels built for Britain’s narrow canal network and were traditionally used to carry cargo, but are now commonly used as floating homes and for leisure activities.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the largest canal charity in the United Kingdom, the Canal and River Trust, said on Monday that it was launching an initial probe into the possible cause of the breach and will provide further details. “Our teams are on site and have dammed off the affected section of the canal. The priority is the safety of boaters and those in the immediate area,” the charity said in a statement.

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said Monday that soon after the incident, rescue teams responded to a “significant breach” of the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch, which is a historic market town near the Welsh border.

Two boats were trapped in deep mud after a massive sinkhole developed in a canal in the English county of Shropshire, England. Following the incident, emergency services were declared, labelling it as a “major incident.” A video shared by the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service on social media platform X shows that the two canal boats trapped in the sinkhole, measuring nearly 50 by 50 meters (approximately 164 square feet), while a third boat is inclined over the slope of the sinkhole.

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said Monday that soon after the incident, rescue teams responded to a “significant breach” of the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch, which is a historic market town near the Welsh border.

WATCH: Giant sinkhole in England's canal swallows boats, rescue operation launched

Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages. They registered their opposition to the move, and the Archbishop taking a dominant position in the Anglican Communion, after questioning Welby's “fitness to lead” the global church.

Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, who registered the opposition, also insisted that the Church of England (C of E) was "disqualified" as their historic "Mother Church", BBC reported. Leaders from South Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were among those who voiced opposition. This is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches. The controversy is linked to the permission by the Church of England's governing body - the General Synod - earlier this month to clergy to bless couples in same-sex marriages.

Watch: Gravitas: Church of England considers gender-neutrality

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"Path of false teaching" &nbsp; 
“The GSFA (Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches) is no longer able to recognise the present archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Hon &amp; Most Revd Justin Welby, as the ‘first among equals’ leader of the global communion," the statement by the primates read, according to British news platform The Guardian. It further referred to similar moves by the church of Scotland, Wales and the US, saying: "This breaks our hearts.” The churches have taken "the path of false teaching", the group further underlined. The group - opposing the blessing to same-sex couples - claims to represent 75 per cent of Anglicans around world, particularly across Asia and Africa. "The Church of England has chosen to break communion with those provinces who remain faithful to the historic biblical faith," the statement read.

How Archbishop of Canterbury reacted

Meanwhile, Welby has welcomed the new position, stressing that he would not offer blessings personally to same-sex couples. He also tweeted a statement by Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, which read: “I will be in touch with the primates from the Global South, as part of my regular conversations with all primates, as we seek to strengthen the unity of the Anglican Communion and work through those things that divide us."

 
Also read: <a href="http://wionews.com/world/explained-the-ugly-face-of-child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-562722">EXPLAINED: The ugly face of Child sexual abuse in Catholic church</a>

The Anglican Communion is a global fellowship of 42 Anglican churches.While Welby has no formal powers, he is viewed as the "first among equals" with a moral authority.&nbsp; In response to the anger, Lambeth Palace - the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence - has said a formal change to the Anglican Communion's structure can't be made without approval from its four governing "instruments".

"We must find ways to continue walking and working together as followers of Jesus Christ to serve a world in need. That remains the Archbishop’s prayer and his call to Anglicans around the Communion," it stated.

&nbsp;

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Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages.

Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages. They registered their opposition to the move, and the Archbishop taking a dominant position in the Anglican Communion, after questioning Welby's “fitness to lead” the global church. Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, who registered the opposition, also insisted that the Church of England (C of E) was "disqualified" as their historic "Mother Church", BBC reported. Leaders from South Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were among those who voiced opposition. This is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches. The controversy is linked to the permission by the Church of England's governing body - the General Synod - earlier this month to clergy to bless couples in same-sex marriages. Watch: Gravitas: Church of England considers gender-neutrality × "Path of false teaching" “The GSFA (Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches) is no longer able to recognise the present archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Hon & Most Revd Justin Welby, as the ‘first among equals’ leader of the global communion," the statement by the primates read, according to British news platform The Guardian. It further referred to similar moves by the church of Scotland, Wales and the US, saying: "This breaks our hearts.” The churches have taken "the path of false teaching", the group further underlined. The group - opposing the blessing to same-sex couples - claims to represent 75 per cent of Anglicans around world, particularly across Asia and Africa. "The Church of England has chosen to break communion with those provinces who remain faithful to the historic biblical faith," the statement read. How Archbishop of Canterbury reacted Meanwhile, Welby has welcomed the new position, stressing that he would not offer blessings personally to same-sex couples. He also tweeted a statement by Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, which read: “I will be in touch with the primates from the Global South, as part of my regular conversations with all primates, as we seek to strengthen the unity of the Anglican Communion and work through those things that divide us." Also read: EXPLAINED: The ugly face of Child sexual abuse in Catholic church The Anglican Communion is a global fellowship of 42 Anglican churches.While Welby has no formal powers, he is viewed as the "first among equals" with a moral authority. In response to the anger, Lambeth Palace - the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence - has said a formal change to the Anglican Communion's structure can't be made without approval from its four governing "instruments". "We must find ways to continue walking and working together as followers of Jesus Christ to serve a world in need. That remains the Archbishop’s prayer and his call to Anglicans around the Communion," it stated. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Same-sex blessing row: In a first, a move against Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

The 'world's first female jetpack pilot' says she hopes to inspire other women to make their dreams come true.

'World's first female jet suit pilot' hopes to inspire other women

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Anti-Muslim attacks soar in Britain | UK mosques under increasing threat, says New Report

WATCH: Giant sinkhole in England's canal swallows boats, rescue operation on

Same-sex blessing row: In a first, a move against Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

'World's first female jet suit pilot' hopes to inspire other women