Calls for 'swift and decisive action' over complaints of sexual abuse in schools

Ministers are facing calls to take "swift and decisive action" on allegations of sexual abuse in schools.

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  • Nikki Grahame death: Big Brother winner Pete Bennett opens up about reality star’s death in tearful interview

    Reality star rushed to see Grahame weeks before her death

  • ‘They do not work’: COVID expert’s warning over face shields as pubs and salons reopen

    A coronavirus expert has warned face shields do not work on their own as pubs, shops and hairdressers reopen in England.

  • Counter protests shut down California ‘White Lives Matter’ rally

    ‘White Lives Matter’ rallies were planned to be held nationwide on 11 April, marking it as a national day of solidarity for the event

  • Midnight beer gardens and beauty treatments as people brave snow for England’s relaxed COVID lockdown

    England's COVID-19 lockdown was eased on Monday.

  • Coronavirus deaths fall to single figures for first time in seven months

    Deaths from coronavirus in Britain fell to just seven on Sunday, the first time the UK has reported single figures for nearly seven months, and the lowest number since mid-September. The low figure came ahead of non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality opening on Monday and demonstrates that lifting restrictions has, so far, not led to a rise in cases. Britain has not seen such a low figure since five cases were reported on Sept 13, which was also a Sunday. It is the first time the UK has recorded single figures since Sept 14. The death figure is likely to be artificially low because of the weekend effect, and is expected to rise early next week. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus has also fallen by more than 30 per cent in a week, with just 1,730 lab-confirmed cases reported on Sunday, the lowest figure since August. The total number of deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate is now 149,968, while those who died within 28 days of a test is 127,087. The Government said that, as of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 1,730 lab-confirmed cases in the UK. It brings the total to 4,369,775. It was also another record day for second vaccine doses, with 475,230 receiving their booster jab on Saturday. Government data up to April 10 shows that of the 39,587,893 jabs have been given in the UK so far, of which 32,121,353 were first doses.

  • Quiz! Can you remember all these retro children’s TV shows?

    Do you remember these classic television shows from your childhood?

  • Prince William pens moving tribute as he shares new picture of Prince Philip with Prince George

    William said he was pleased his wife was able to know his grandfather for so long.

  • Police officer fired for pepper-spraying Black army officer in ‘horrifying’ traffic stop captured on film

    Army lieutenant has filed a federal lawsuit against two officers

  • Over-40s set for COVID vaccines from this week – but many could face longer wait

    Coronavirus vaccines could be offered to over-40s from Tuesday – though supply constraints mean many will have to wait longer.

  • Dillian Whyte questions ‘joker’ Tyson Fury’s heavyweight credentials

    Brixton boxer is still after a fight with the ‘Gypsy King’

  • Parisian police cordon off scene outside hospital as hunt for gunman starts

    Police forces in Paris have cordoned off the scene outside a hospital where a gunman fatally shot one and injured another today (April 12). A cordon has been sent up around the Henry Dunant hospital in the 16th arrondissement of the French capital. According to reports, the attacker fled on a motorcycle and police are currently hunting for the assailant.

  • Moby says there’s ‘no good way to answer’ questions about Natalie Portman scandal

    Musician claimed he dated the actor in his 2019 memoir

  • Bristling tensions with Prince Harry remain, but Royal family will wear the mask of unity at Duke’s funeral

    The subtle briefings were designed to give Prince Harry the softest possible landing on his arrival back in the UK ahead of his beloved grandfather’s funeral on Saturday. From sources suggesting he was “united in grief” with the rest of the Royal family following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, to the couple’s unofficial spokesman Omid Scobie insisting – should anyone be in doubt – that “Harry was incredibly close to Philip”, the Sussex spin machine was in evidence as the displaced Prince prepared for his first transatlantic flight in 13 months. Members of the Royal family also sought to calm serves ahead of what is feared could be a difficult reunion for the House of Windsor, with a palace source suggesting that the Prince of Wales was particularly looking forward to seeing his youngest son. “It’s been more than a year,” they pointed out.

  • China considers mixing its Covid-19 vaccines to make them more effective

    Chinese vaccines ‘don’t have very high rates of protection’ its top official admits

  • Michelle Heaton apologises for being too scared to visit Nikki Grahame in her final days

    The 'Big Brother' star died last week after a long battle with anorexia.

  • 12ft alligator caught in South Carolina had five dog tags inside that were almost 25-years-old

    The 445lb alligator was trapped by a hunter from Ravenel, outside Charleston, and had five dog tags inside

  • Philippines, U.S. launch military drills amid South China Sea tensions

    Philippine and U.S. soldiers started two weeks of military exercises on Monday against a backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea, though the drills were reduced in scale due to the coronavirus pandemic. The countries are proceeding with the exercises, which were postponed last year due to the pandemic, after Manila recently accused China of territorial incursions by hundreds of its vessels manned by militias in the South China Sea. Philippine military officials said the "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games that end on April 23 will involve drills in tabletop and simulation form rather than field training.

  • Youngest royals give the Queen reason to smile as she faces life as a widow

    They are the two great-grandchildren that Prince Philip never got to meet. Born just 40 days apart, Princess Eugenie and her cousin Zara Tindall paid special tribute to their grandfather before his death by naming their newborn sons after him. Eugenie’s firstborn, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born on February 9, and Zara’s third child, Lucas Philip Tindall, born on March 21, will forever bear the hallmark of their royal heritage. For the Queen, as she faces life as a widow at nearly 95, the babies will bring welcome joy at a time of great sorrow. Having not been able to see much of her elder grandchildren when they were growing up because she spent so much time overseas when the likes of William and Harry were young, the sovereign now relishes family time. Over recent years, she has grown especially close to her youngest grandchildren, the Earl and Countess of Wessexes’ children, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn, who are regular visitors to Windsor Castle, living just 10 miles away at Bagshot Park. Royal aides used to speak of stepping over tricycles and roller skates as the youngsters would spend precious weekends with “Granny and Grandpa”. The arrival of no less than 10 great-grandchildren over the past decade has delighted the Queen – not least when many are already showing signs of sharing her passion for dogs and horses. Her eldest grandchild Peter Phillips’s daughters, Savannah, 10, and Isla, eight, are already keen amateur riders, along with his sister Zara Tindall’s eldest daughter, Mia, seven.

  • Young NI rioters would have benefitted from Duke of Edinburgh Award, former Irish president says

    Northern Ireland riots would not have turned violent if the children involved had participated in the Duke of Edinburgh award, the former Irish president has said. Mary McAleese made her comments after it was revealed children had taken part in some of the riots last week and three male teenagers, who were all aged 14, were arrested on Friday night. Ms McAleese said the unrest involved young people “who are still being taught to hate and who are bringing that hatred and expressing it out on the streets”. Ms McAleese said the recent death of Prince Philip reminded her how the Duke of Edinburgh Award galvanised “the curiosity and the wonder and the energy of youth”, as she questioned what “experience” of life children rioting in Belfast had. She added: "These are young people, I guarantee you, none of them will ever have done a Duke of Edinburgh Award, unfortunately." The award was established in 1956 to encourage young people to discover volunteering and the outdoors. Since it was launched around eight million have taken part, where they learnt self-sufficiency, teamwork and leadership. Many have credited the award as being a formative turning point in their lives. Levison Wood, former military officer and now a professional explorer, tweeted: "The DoE Award gave me an insight into life beyond my own village as a teenager. It inspired me to travel, taught me the beauty of the outdoors, saved me from getting into serious trouble and got me into the British Army as an Officer.” Ms McAleese added that the recent unrest was a result of “a vacuum of the leadership” in Northern Ireland and cautioned that "there is bound to be the consequences of Brexit”. “If we go back to Brexit, we realise how little consideration was given in the planning of Brexit and the referendum, of the impact that would have in Northern Ireland,” she said.

  • Andrew Yang slammed after admitting he gave away his dog in bizarre post to mark National Pet Day

    ‘Maybe just sit this one out if this is the only pet story you have’