Author: News Desk

Sexual violence victims face rape myths and misogyny in cross-examination, report finds Sexual violence victims are being re-traumatised by the court process, with three-quarters asked questions founded on rape myths while cross-examined, according to a damning new report. Research by Victim Support found survivors have experienced suicidal thoughts and tried to take their own lives while going through the court process. Some have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Two victims – whose attackers were found guilty – told of the struggles they faced while going through the criminal justice system. Researchers looked at the experiences of sexual violence victims…

Starmer bolsters anti-Russian sanctions ahead of welcoming Zelensky to Downing Street Sir Keir Starmer has set up a team of experts to ensure British firms are complying with anti-Russian sanctions ahead of a visit by Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street. The prime minister will welcome his Ukrainian counterpart and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on Thursday. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022, Britain rolled out its most comprehensive set of sanctions against any major economy, with over £20bn worth of trade with Russia targeted. The sanctions have deprived Russia of more than £300bn of funds since February 2022,…

From flexible working to paternity leave: What you need to know about the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill The Government will today announce details of new rights for workers. Ministers described the Employment Rights Bill as the biggest boost to pay and productivity in the workplace in a generation. The new rules include plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices which it said will benefit millions of workers. Unions warmly welcomed the measures as a “seismic shift” from the low pay, low productivity economy they accused the previous Conservative government of presiding over. There are…

House prices are rising across the UK for the first time in two years House prices are rising across the UK generally for the first time in two years, surveyors have reported. A balance of 16% of professionals reported prices increasing in September, up from a flat 0% result in August and the first positive reading since October 2022. Demand, sales, and new listings all grew in September, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said. A net balance of 14% of property professionals saw demand from buyers rise rather than fall in September. An overall balance of 5% saw…

Tory MPs pivot to the right as centrist James Cleverly knocked out of leadership race Conservative MPs stunned Westminster by pivoting to the right and ditching centrist candidate James Cleverly in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak. In a shock result, the former home secretary was knocked out of the contest on Wednesday afternoon, leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch – both candidates favoured by the right of the party – to face a vote of the membership. Tory MPs appear to have calculated that they need to move to the right to win back votes from Nigel Farage’s Reform…

Charles to miss key summit days after ‘pause’ in cancer treatment – Royal family news today King Charles won’t let cancer stop him’, says former royal butlerGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailThe King will miss next month’s COP29 climate summit, it has been reported.Charles, 75, has allegedly not been invited to this year’s event after government officials concluded that it would be in the best interests of his health and schedule. “The King will not be going to COP. He has not been asked by…

Strictly Come Dancing opening credits might actually predict the winner A Strictly Come Dancing fan has come to the conclusion the BBC show’s opening moments could give away the winner. After crunching some serious numbers, Reddit user MorningMist13 believes the celebrity’s position in the title credits determines their success. Using data pulled from all 21 complete seasons of the ballroom competition, they have worked out that the star most likely to win will be placed in sixth place at the start of the show. That’s because it boasts the most Glitterball Trophy holders with three previous celebrities winning the show…

Strictly Come Dancing announces huge new addition to BBC show after 20 years Strictly Come Dancing will be getting a shake-up with a brand-new themed week being introduced to the long-running series. This year marks 20 years on screen for the BBC dancing show, which first launched in 2004. Over the years the themes in special weeks have been movies, Musicals and Blackpool. Now another will be added to the mix. The news was announced on tonight’s episode of It Takes Two, with host Janette Manrara sharing the update. Want to be the first to get all the latest news…

Harrison Ford actually cut part of his finger off minutes into first job Harrison Ford is one of the biggest action legends in Hollywood, but he found himself needing medical attention just minutes into starting his first job. He has been a staple of our screens for decades, thanks to roles in the Indiana Jones franchise, as well as Han Solo in Star Wars. Unpacking the beginning of his career during a new interview, the 82-year-old revealed that he actually started out as a chef, before cutting ‘part of his finger off’ within moments. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday,…

Megan McKenna announces birth of baby and reveals adorable name Megan McKenna and her fiancé Oliver Burke have become first-time parents. The Towie star, 32, and the footballer, 27, announced they had welcomed a baby boy on Instagram. Megan gave birth in Germany, where she is living with Oliver as he plays for the football team SV Werder Bremen. The X Factor: Celebrity winner shared a clip confirming her son was born on Monday weighing 9.2 pounds and was named Landon Henry Burke. The video featured moments after the baby was delivered and the couple cradling the newborn in the hospital,…