News 14/09/26

Prince Harry and Meghan have moved their children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet, to a new school just days into term following security concerns.

Their move comes after returning from the United States last month. A spokesperson said the decision was made after discussions with their security team regarding practical arrangements, while expressing immense gratitude to staff at their previous school.

US rapper Macklemore claims he has been removed as Ed Sheeran’s tour opener after saying “Free Palestine” during a New Jersey concert.

The forty-three-year-old told crowds he wanted those in Gaza and the West Bank to know they were not forgotten. His comments sparked widespread backlash, including online criticism from singer Pink and a petition calling for his removal from the tour.

Donald Trump has once again slammed suggestions that AI needs more regulation.

Downplaying risks over the weekend, the US president claimed calls for a development slowdown were part of a “sick conspiracy” against the technology. Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump also criticised Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei—whose online essay sparked fresh safety debates—accusing him of “pretending to be a perfect little angel”.

An artificial intelligence “kill switch” checked by a third party may need to be mandatory for companies, according to a co-founder of AI firm Anthropic.

Jack Clark suggested a way of completely shutting off AI software if it becomes too dangerous is something society may eventually pass rules around. Mr Clark noted most labs already have methods to pull the plug, but argued policymakers might need to enforce having one amid growing fears from industry experts that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity.

A former top civil servant received a record pay-off of nearly eight hundred and sixty thousand pounds after being forced out of his job by Sir Keir Starmer, just fourteen months after the then-prime minister appointed him.

Lord Wormald left his role as cabinet secretary and head of the Civil Service in February by mutual agreement following reports of Downing Street dissatisfaction with his performance. Official accounts show the payment included contractual compensation and additional severance, partly covering pension contributions.

A man in his sixties from Stockport has admitted drugging his wife to rape and sexually abuse her over more than two decades.

Appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to sixty charges dating between 2004 and his arrest last October. Sky News and other media organisations are not naming the couple to protect the victim’s identity. She watched from the public gallery, supported by family members, as her husband entered his guilty pleas over eighteen minutes.

Oasis have ended days of speculation by announcing a major tour for 2027 following their comeback success last year.

The dates include eleven shows at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, concerts in Glasgow, Rome, Munich, Las Vegas, Boston, and Slane Castle, alongside four nights at Knebworth. To prevent previous ticketing issues, where fans faced long online queues and unexpectedly high prices, Oasis have introduced a new sales process this time around.

A British servicemember has died in Ukraine following a road traffic incident on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The MoD confirmed the death was not a result of hostile action. Further details will be released after a period of grace requested by the bereaved family.

Two twenty-five-year-old men have died while taking part in the Great North Run, race organisers have confirmed.

Both runners, who were from the North East, collapsed during the thirteen-point-one-mile event, which saw sixty-three thousand people take part. The Great Run Company said both men passed away despite the very best efforts of medical teams on the scene.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled his engagements for Monday and Tuesday following the death of his father, Roy.

Mr Burnham has previously spoken about his father, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, when explaining his determination to reform adult social care in England. He had also revealed that due to his condition, his father did not know he had become Prime Minister in July.

A person has died following an incident at Twyford railway station this morning.

British Transport Police confirmed officers were called to reports of a casualty on the tracks at six thirty-nine. Paramedics also attended, but the person was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has been jailed for twenty months, with a further four years on extended licence, after violently assaulting his girlfriend.

The thirty-eight-year-old admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damaging property at Isleworth Crown Court. Shepherd, who previously served time for manslaughter following the death of Charlotte Brown in a two thousand and eighteen speedboat crash, carried out the attacks last year.

The First Ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have declared that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.

The leaders of Plaid Cymru, Sinn Féin and the SNP signed a joint agreement stating no United Kingdom government had the right to block democracy. While John Swinney and Michelle O’Neill called for referendums, Rhun ap Iorwerth declined to set a timetable for Wales. Labour accused Plaid Cymru of wanting to break up Britain.

A twenty-seven-year-old man has denied aiding and abetting dangerous driving after his brother and three other men died when a car struck a lamppost in Merseyside.

James Diggle pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to aiding and abetting Benjamin Dooley to cause the deaths in Huyton. He was remanded in custody ahead of a trial set for next February.

The deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, has accused the government of trying to protect itself from competition by changing political donation laws.

Insisting his party has acted fully in accordance with existing rules, Mr Tice claimed that retrospectively introducing legislation to disadvantage rivals shows how terrified ministers are of Reform UK. His comments follow proposed changes aimed at restricting party funding.

A cross-party committee of MPs and peers has warned that artificial intelligence poses significant human rights risks that existing laws cannot handle.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights called for new legislation to address the scale of threats, with chair Alex Sobel MP stating no country currently has regulatory framework fit for purpose. It follows proposals by US firm Anthropic’s head Dario Amodei for global AI regulation.

The government has announced the biggest overhaul of school meals in England for over a decade, banning deep-fried food and boosting fresh produce, wholegrains, and fibre.

Coming into force in 2027 using existing school funds, the standards will apply to breakfast clubs for the first time. The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the changes but warned they must not become an extra burden for headteachers.

The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has called for a culture shift in UK business, urging government to back entrepreneurs and grant local leaders powers to collaborate with industry.

Ahead of meeting chief executives from major firms including BP, Shell, and HSBC at Downing Street, Burnham faces ongoing business criticism following previous employer National Insurance and minimum wage increases introduced under Sir Keir Starmer.

The House of Lords is set to debate political donation laws after Reform UK received seventy-two million pounds from two expat billionaires within twenty-four hours.

Peers will consider government plans to introduce a backdated one-hundred-thousand-pound cap on overseas British donors. Trade union leaders have backed limits on individual contributions, prompting Nigel Farage’s party to accuse the government of attempting to rig the system.