UK

In what was a full cardiac ward just eight weeks ago, a phone rings constantly, a red-light flashes – but there is no-one there to answer. The nurses’ station is abandoned, dozens of beds are empty and heart monitors remain plugged in but covered by sheets. This is the reality of the RAAC concrete crisis

The risk of contracting long COVID may have been exaggerated due to flawed research, leading to unnecessarily high levels of anxiety about suffering from it, a new study has suggested. “Major flaws” in the literature on the condition likely exaggerated the true threat of contracting it, the new research argues. For most people with COVID-19,

The Metropolitan Police says it has received a number of sexual offence allegations against Russell Brand in London and elsewhere in the country. It says the alleged offences are all non-recent. A Met statement said: “Following an investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times, the Met has received a number of allegations of

The Ministry of Defence has placed the army on standby to support the Metropolitan Police after “more than 100” armed officers handed in their weapons. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has launched a review after a growing number of Scotland Yard officers turned in their firearms following a force marksman being charged with the murder of

A man has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a dog, believed to be an XL bully. The man, who is in his 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park in Southwark, southeast London, on Friday. He was taken to hospital with injuries to his arm. The owner of the dog, believe to be

A man was taken to hospital after being bitten by a dog – believed to be an XL bully – just hours before demonstrators gathered in London today to protest against a proposed ban. The victim, who is in his 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park in Southwark, southeast London, on Friday. He suffered injuries

A woman has told Sky News that Russell Brand made her feel “vulnerable and intimidated” – and alleges he refused to call her a taxi until she performed a sex act. It comes as new allegations continue to emerge about the comedian’s behaviour, as another organisation cut ties with him. Sarah, whose name has been

The last Westminster parliament to run for a full five-year term ended in 2015. After that we had general elections every two years, in 2017 and 2019, followed by the election now expected by January 2025 at the latest, when this full term will expire. Not that there has been political stability since 2019. Rather

Nish Kumar says young women have been advised to steer clear of dressing rooms used by ‘predators’ still working on the comedy scene. The comedian also said the knowledge of Russell Brand‘s alleged abuse against young women was “a well-known open secret on the comedy circuit” and he thinks it’s likely “there’s more allegations to

An eight-year-old girl has become the first person in the UK to have a transplant – and not need to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of her life. Aditi Shankar, who has a rare genetic condition, has received both a new kidney and bone marrow from her mother, Divya. Because she had a stem

It is arguably the most exciting non-event in recent economic history. For 14 successive monetary policy meetings, the Bank of England raised its official interest rate – all the way from 0.1% up to 5.25%. Today, for the first time since late 2021, it voted to leave borrowing costs unchanged. Reaction to BoE’s decision –

Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will be easing a series of green policies under a “new approach” designed to protect “hard-pressed British families” from “unacceptable costs”. Delivering a speech from Downing Street, he said he is still committed to reaching net zero by 2020, but the transition can be done in a “fairer and better

Three out of every four rape and sexual assault victims say their mental health was harmed during the police investigation, according to new research. In a significant survey of victims, 75% said they were negatively impacted by what police did or didn’t do in their case. The survey was based on 2,000 rape and sexual

Rishi Sunak looks set to weaken key climate pledges in a move that has drawn heavy criticism from Tory MPs and environmental groups. The prime minister said he remains committed to the net zero target by 2050 but will achieve it “in a better, more proportionate way”. It comes after a report in the BBC

Sara Sharif’s father will face trial for her murder next year after a court heard the 10-year-old suffered a “constellation” of injuries culminating in her death. Urfan Sharif allegedly fled the UK to Pakistan with Sara’s stepmother Beinash Batool and his brother Faisal Malik the day before her body was found in Woking, Surrey, on

It will take at least two years – possibly more – to rid the Metropolitan Police of corrupt officers – with some of those facing criminal charges not set to go to trial before 2025, the force has said. Over the same period it is planning to hold 60 hearings a month relating to misconduct

The Met Police has said it has received an allegation of sexual assault against Russell Brand dating back to 2003. It comes after four women made sexual abuse allegations against the comedian between 2006 and 2013 as part of an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Since publication, The Times

The Metropolitan Police has responded to allegations against Russell Brand, saying it encourages victims of sexual assault to contact the force. Four women have accused Brand of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013 while the comedian was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

Russell Brand has appeared live on stage in London hours after being publicly accused of rape and sexual assault. The comedian performed a show at the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre, which began just after 8pm on Saturday – roughly an hour after its scheduled start time, the PA news agency reported. A video of him

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse in a Sunday Times and Dispatches investigation – allegations he denies. Four women have made allegations of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013 while he was at the height of his fame, according to the newspaper. The Sunday Times reports