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U.K. Police Say, Car Ramming and Stabbing Attack at Manchester Synagogue; White House Says, Firings Imminent With No End in Sight to Shutdown; Investigation Underway After Two Regional Jets Collide on New York City Taxiway. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired October 02, 2025 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning, an attack at a synagogue in Manchester, England, on the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith. Police say a suspect drove into a crowd then started stabbing people. We are live with new details from London.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking overnight, two jets collide on the ground at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The wing of one plane slams into the cockpit of the other, what went wrong.

And then something that's never been done before, probably for a good reason. A daredevil climbs all over a plane as it flies 8,000 feet in the air. Go figure.

All right, Kate's out. I'm John Berman with Sara Sidner. This is CNN News Central.

SIDNER: Breaking this morning, a horrific attack at a UK synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish faith. Police say at least four people have been injured when a suspect rammed his car into a crowd and then stabbed at least one person. It happened outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Cong Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, England.

CNN's Clare Sebastian is in London for us with the very latest. What are you learning this morning?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Sara. This seems to have unfolded very quickly according to the information that we've been getting from Greater Manchester Police. The first call came in at about 9:31 this morning, that's about two and a half hours ago. They were told by the person who made the call that a member of the public had driven their car towards people and then started stabbing them. One man was stabbed.

This happened in a neighborhood just in the north of Manchester, a neighborhood called Crumpsall, outside a synagogue. And within ten minutes of that call, police say firearms officers were on the scene, shots were fired, one person was shot, they believe to be the offender. We don't know the condition of that person. And paramedics are treating four injured people. Those injuries, the police say, come from both the vehicle and stab wounds. So, this has been declared a major incident. They declared Plato, which is a U.K. police code word for an incident where terrorism is suspected though not confirmed. So, it is an extremely serious incident according to police, so serious that the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who was in Denmark for a big European summit, has cut short that trip. He is coming back to the U.K. to chair what's called a COBRA meeting. This is a meeting of top government, ministers and agencies, they're brought together when there is a national emergency.

This is what he had to say on X about the incident. He said that he was appalled by the incident at the synagogue in Crumpsall, noting the fact this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific. His thoughts, he said are with those affected. He has also said that additional police assets are now being deployed to synagogues across the country. So, Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, according to the website of the synagogue, the call came in about half an hour after a morning prayer service was set to start.

Now, we don't have any information on the suspect or motive as of yet, but, of course, concerns are running high in the U.K. and, of course, across Europe and beyond about the security of Jewish institutions, particularly after the October 7th attacks and the Israeli war on Gaza. So, as I said, the prime minister has said that additional security resources will be deployed to synagogues around the country.

SIDNER: Clare Sebastian, I know you'll be keeping an eye on this there in London, and what a horrific attack to happen on this particular day, especially. Thank you. I appreciate your time this morning. John?

BERMAN: All right. New this morning, the White House warning that mass firings of federal workers are imminent. In a statement overnight, the president advised, quote, to use the shutdown to clear out deadwood waste and fraud. Sources say his budget director signaled that layoffs could begin within days.

Republicans blame the deadlock and the shutdown on Democrats and their healthcare demands. Democrats say the Republicans need to come to the table to negotiate. Either way, it seems like this will last at least until Friday when Congress returns and possibly a lot longer than that.

The White House announced it is freezing $18 billion in critical infrastructure projects for New York City, the state that the two top Democrats in Congress represent.

[07:05:04]

Let's get to CNN's Kevin Liptak live at the White House for the latest there this morning. What are you hearing, Kevin?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and we are starting to get a much better picture of what the consequences of a prolonged stalemate would be, but also how President Trump plans to leverage this shutdown to advance his political agenda. In practice, that means slashing billions of dollars in federal funds, preparing for these massive layoffs in the civil workforce.

The president has been pretty explicit about what he's doing here, writing on social media last night, Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat-forced closure to clear out deadwood waste and fraud. Billions of dollars can be saved. Make America great again.

And we saw all of this begin to play out yesterday, the president's budget chief, Russell Vought, announcing that he was pausing or canceling tens of billions of dollars in already appropriated funds, one for clean energy initiatives mostly in blue states, but also for two major infrastructure projects in New York City. In both instances, he's saying that the money is either wasteful or subject to further review, and that the people in charge of reviewing it were not at work because of the shutdown.

He's also laying the groundwork to oust more government employees in a call with Republican lawmakers yesterday, suggesting that this shutdown could be an opportunity to get rid of federal workers who are working on programs that are not aligned with President Trump's political agenda. Those firings, which are known as reductions in force, could begin in the next few days as what Vought told those lawmakers.

Now, ordinarily, a shutdown is not an opportunity to make permanent changes to the federal workforce, which I think just underscores some of the unprecedented nature of how the president is going about this, really using this shutdown to extract political pain from Democrats, but also to sort of make political gain for himself.

Now, listen to how the president and the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, all sort of described this process yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Well, there could be firings and that's their fault. And it could also be other things. I mean, we could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects and that they'd be permanently cut.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We believe that layoffs are imminent. They are unfortunately a consequence of this government shutdown.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIPTAK: Now, as of this morning, many hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed, meaning they aren't going to work and they aren't getting paid, many more like TSA agents, like military service members are reporting to work, but also not getting paid. And the politics we're seeing are also turning very sour, the president continuing to post these videos that depict an A.I. image of Hakeem Jeffries, the Senate or house minority leader wearing a sombrero and a mustache. He has called those -- Hakeem Jeffries has called those bigoted and racist. But yesterday we heard from the vice president, J.D. Vance, who said that the president's joking and that, quote, we're having a good time.

BERMAN: Kevin Liptak at the White House. Not sure the thousands of furloughed federal workers are having a good time this morning.

All right, breaking overnight, two planes collide on an airport runway. We're getting new pictures of the damage and we now have air traffic control audio during the moments it all happened.

And then new overnight, collapsing into the ocean home after home, the latest destruction from dangerous Atlantic storms.

And the Prince of Wales finds himself up Schitt's Creek, William like you have never seen him before with the hilarious Eugene Levy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

SIDNER: All right. We've got some more breaking news for you that happened overnight. An investigation now underway after two Delta jets collided on the taxiway at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Officials say the wing of one plane slammed into the cockpit window of another. A pilot described the incident to air traffic control. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ground, Endeavor, 5047. We need trucks on Mike.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 5047, say again?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need trucks on Alpha.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency trucks, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have two CRJs on Mike that collided.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you guys did clip, correct?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we did. They're right wing clipped our nose and cockpit. We have damage to our windscreen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Endeavor, 5155, we have one injury onboard.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: Onboard. They were very calm about that. But CNN has learned that one person was injured and that person was a flight attendant.

In response to the incident, Delta said, quote, Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred as the safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologize to our customers for the experience.

Joining me now, Mary Schiavo, CNN transportation analyst and former inspector general for the Department of Transportation.

Look, you see these incidents, we've seen some of these before. This one could have been really terrible. What do you make of what you have just heard from the pilot and what you know about what happened here?

MARY SCHIAVO, CNN TRANSPORTATION ANALYST: Well, you know, this is a scenario that could happen literally four times a day on average. We have -- these are called runway incursions or taxiway incursions, and, you know, it's a situation where we have a lot of planes in very small places.

And so, here, you know, the runways have and the taxiways have markings and you're supposed to stay right on these lines on the taxiways. And it appears that one was turning and one was proceeding ahead. And it will sort out as to where one was supposed to hold or stop and where the other one was supposed to proceed.

[07:15:07]

And that's what the investigation will entail.

And, sadly, this happens a lot, but, fortunately, here, you know, the key in any kind of a collision, whether it's a taxiway collision or a runway or a midair, is fire. And here it was, you know, a clip. Both planes are significantly damaged, but they're all fortunate and they'll be able to explain what happened.

SIDNER: Yes. I mean, it's just disturbing to see the picture there. And most people think once you land, all is well, and that is not always the case.

SCHIAVO: Oh, that's right. And, you know, here, because both were moving and from eyewitness and ear witness reports, they said that both planes were moving at a decent clip for taxing. Obviously, they weren't flying. And that suggests that obviously they were not being towed by a tug, but the pilots were, you know, commanding their aircraft on the ground, taxiing at a pretty good rate of speed.

So, they will be looking at what the ground control had told them, where they were supposed to turn, on what taxiway they were supposed to be and where they were positioned. There's cameras all over that airport and they'll see who were on the lines, who were not. They'll figure it out quickly.

SIDNER: Yes. There is no shortage of cameras in a place like that within the airport.

Thank you so much, Mary Schiavo. We'll be talking to you again soon.

SCHIAVO: Thank you.

SIDNER: All right. Top Justice Department prosecutors fired after being targeted online by right wing influencers. New CNN reporting on a purge at the Department of Justice.

Also, Prince William giving a rare look into his personal life. He's opening up about missing his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BERMAN: All right. This morning, a lot of people like me running out of fingernails to bite three out of the four Wild Card Series going to deciding games today and tonight, yikes.

Let's get right to CNN's Andy Scholes. A lot of really intense baseball.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, yes. It's going to be a stressful night for you tonight, Berman, because it all comes down to game three for your Red Sox. This Yankees-Red Sox series, so much drama edge of your seat stuff. I would expect nothing different tonight with both of their seasons on the line.

Now, Trevor Story, he had a great game two for Boston last night, homered in the sixth inning to tie the game at three. Story knocked in all three runs for the Red Sox. In the bottom of the ace Jazz Chisholm at first, he was not happy after not starting game one. He's running on this pitch. Austin Wells singles to write, and Chisholm hustles all the way around from first to score.

Yankees take the lead four to three. They would hold on to win by that score. Chisholm the hero and afterwards he was asked about turning the page from not starting game one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAZZ CHISHOLM JR., NEW YORK YANKEES SECOND BASEMAN: All that was cleared before I came to the field today. After I left the field yesterday, it's win the next game. It's win or go home for us, so it's all about winning.

REPORTER: How did you get over that though? Was there -- was it home last night or what helped you get through that?

CHISHOLM: I played MLB, the show and I mercy-ruled someone. That's how I get my stress off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Video games always help.

All right, the Guardians, meanwhile also staying alive, but wasn't looking great through seven innings. They were tied with the Tigers 1- 1 in the eighth, but then the bats woke up, the Guardians exploding for five runs in the inning. They would go on to win 6-1 game. Game three of that series is going to be at 3:00 Eastern this afternoon.

The Padres meanwhile lived to fight another day thanks to a stellar performance from their pitching staff. And no one was more impressive than flame throwing closer Mason Miller. He was throwing 104 miles per hour. And Miller hit one batter. But other than that, he's been unhittable. He struck out the other five Cubs he faced in this game. He's now struck out eight of the nine batters he's facing the series. Padres shut out the Cubs 3-0 to force that winner-take-all game three today.

So, the Dodgers is the only team to complete the sweep yesterday. Mookie Betts, four hits, three RBIs in game two. And Yamamoto, he pitched six and two thirds innings of good baseball, striking out nine. They beat the Reds 8-4. They now move on with the Phillies in the divisional round.

Now, Ohtani is going to be pitching game one on Saturday, Berman. It's going to be his first postseason start of his career. That Phillies- Dodgers series, it's the best out of five. I really wish it was the best out of seven because that's looking like a really good one.

BERMAN: I got to say, this is just how Major League Baseball would've wanted it to shape out here and it is pitch by pitch in all of these series, really, really good stuff.

All right, thank you very much.

SCHOLES: Good luck for good luck.

SIDNER: Do you think you're going to get away with this? Do you think you're going to get away with this? You're going to have your big Boston thing on and just celebrate and not say great things about the Dodgers? You see this outfit that I --

BERMAN: Go Dodgers. Mookie Betts, man, former Boston Red Sox, I'm all in.

SIDNER: Okay, Mookie Betts.

BERMAN: Yes.

SIDNER: I just want to talk about it really quickly. You were telling me something about him I did not know.

BERMAN: He's a great bowler. He bowls very -- he competes in professional bowling tournaments. He's not just a great baseball player, hall of fame quality, but also a strong bowler.

SIDNER: I cannot believe that. But you know what I would like? I would like you and I and Kate to have a bowling tournament. So, I'm ready. Let's go. Because that's my thing, I love to bowl.

BERMAN: All right, throwing down.

SIDNER: So, let's go. Let's go.

BERMAN: All right. What you say may be advertised against you. The new moves from Meta and Facebook with their A.I. chat bots.

And new details about the sentencing for Sean Combs and what it will look like tomorrow.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:00]

SIDNER: We've got more details on that breaking news that we first brought you this morning about that ramming and knife attack at a synagogue in Manchester, England. Police are now saying that two people have now died. They had initially reported one. Three other people are now in serious condition. The attack happened on the holiest day in the Jewish faith, the Yom Kippur.

Police say a suspect rammed a car into a crowd at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue then stabbed at least one person. The attacker shot dead by police.

All right, now back here in the United States this morning, a new day of the government shutdown now guaranteed to last at least until tomorrow when lawmakers return from the Jewish holiday.

[07:30:04]

Republicans are pushing a seven-week funding extension with no extras. Democrats are insisting healthcare provisions be.