News 21/09/26

Specialist courtrooms to deal with rape and sexual offences will be introduced across England and Wales within two years, the Prime Minister has announced.

Every crown court will have at least one dedicated courtroom. Measures include trauma-informed training for staff, a single point of contact, fixed trial dates, and private entrances and waiting rooms to shield victims from defendants.

Iran has warned that any resumed US military action will trigger sustained strikes on American bases and regional interests.

Iran’s central military command said it received information that the US plans to resume military action with regional backing. Tehran added that any regional countries supporting aggression will be considered parties to the conflict, while insisting the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions are met.

Health leaders have warned of a sharp decline in organ donations, calling for urgent action to help eight thousand seven hundred people awaiting transplants. 

NHS Blood and Transplant said deceased donation rates have fallen nine per cent year-on-year, while family consent rates dropped to fifty-seven per cent last year. An urgent response plan is under way to address what leaders describe as one of the most challenging periods in over a decade.

England’s largest school leaders’ union has called for an immediate halt to graded Ofsted inspections, claiming they pose a risk to life for school staff.

The National Association of Head Teachers says changes introduced nationwide a year ago have severely harmed leaders’ welfare, advocating instead for short narrative reports. Ofsted stated it worked closely with unions to develop its inspection system and will continue grading schools.