A report from the office of Dame Rachel de Souza has found while the number of police strip searches of children has fallen by more than half in four years, there remain concerns about the use of force in some cases and persistent disparities in how white and black youths are treated. Dame Rachel has said there should be a "much higher threshold" before a child is subjected to a "humiliating and traumatising" strip search. Using data from the first half of 2024, her office estimated a total of 377 strip searches took place that year – down from 854 searches in 2020. That was the year Child Q, a black teenager, was strip-searched in east London while on her period after police wrongly suspected her of carrying cannabis. It did not come to light until a safeguarding report was published in March 2022, sparking protests. The two Metropolitan Police officers involved in searching the 15-year-old were dismissed without notice after a disciplinary panel last summer found they had committed gross misconduct during the "disproportionate" incident. 'Too many still unnecessary' Dame Rachel said the "promising signs of progress" since then in terms of the number of strip searches and how they are carried out have only masked the fact "that too many are still unnecessary, unsafe and underreported". She described strip searching as "an intrusive and traumatic experience" that should "only ever be used as a last resort when there is an immediate risk of serious harm". Her report found some searches between July 2023 and June 2024 were still being carried out in public view (26) and without an appropriate adult present (22). Three in 10 (30%) involved children who had already been searched at least once before, which the commissioner said risked "significant and repeated damage to their mental wellbeing, their relationship with the police, and showing clear failure to successfully intervene with children". Black children more likely to be subjected to force Force, such as handcuffs or firearms and Tasers, was used in almost a fifth (17%) of all stop and searches of children between April 2024 and March 2025, but in 43% of instances where force was used, no further action was taken, raising the question why it was used at all. Black children were almost five times as likely to have force used during a search than white children. In cases where force was used against a white child to be searched, officers were more likely to note them as having a mental health need, but for black children the reason identified was more often their size or build, the report said. Read more from Sky News:Weinstein facing new rape retrialHundreds of gang members in mass trial The National Police Chiefs' Council said it understood that the "disproportionate use of stop and search" could "undermine trust between policing and communities". But it said updates to official guidance on stop and search – including on the use of force and handcuffs – were out for public consultation and would help ensure all officers take a "child-centred approach". A Home Office spokesperson said: "We're introducing extensive safeguards for children and young people for strip searching and bringing in reforms to drive up standards in policing, improve vetting and tackle misconduct."

Weinstein, 74, was once one of the most powerful people in the industry, producing films such as the Oscar-winning Shakespeare In Love, Pulp Fiction, and The Crying Game. Since becoming a focus of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct nearly a decade ago, he has been convicted of some sexual assault charges and acquitted of others in trials on two US coasts. The retrial that began on Tuesday concerns a rape charge over a 2013 encounter in a Manhattan hotel. It has already been the subject of an overturned conviction, followed by a jury deadlock. The disgraced filmmaker has again pleaded not guilty and denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. Prosecutor Candace White began the new trial telling jurors that Weinstein raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in the hotel room while she resisted and repeatedly said "No". "This case will come down to power, to control and to manipulation," Ms White said, accusing Weinstein of preying upon "fragile and sheltered" young women who dream of becoming Hollywood stars. Jacob Kaplan, defending, accused Ms Mann of making up the rape allegation after regretting that her relationship with Weinstein failed to advance her acting career. He told the jury in his opening statement that emails would show Ms Mann's romance with Epstein was consensual, adding: "In the end, this case will be her word against her word." Ms White said that Weinstein "was used to getting his way". "He did what he wanted, when he wanted and with whom he wanted," she added. "Behind closed doors, power meant him taking what he wanted from the victim in this case." Weinstein shook his head slightly at one point as the prosecutor claimed he "silenced" Ms Mann by letting her know that crossing him could be professional quicksand. His defence emphasised that after the alleged rape Ms Mann kept seeing Weinstein, accepting invitations, asking him for career help and sending warm messages to him. Weinstein was convicted of raping Ms Mann in 2013 and assaulting onetime production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006, but New York's highest court overturned the conviction and Weinstein's 23-year prison sentence after ruling he didn't get a fair trial. In June 2025, a jury then convicted Weinstein of sexually abusing Ms Haley, but found him not guilty of assaulting former model Kaja Sokola. That jury was unable to reach a verdict on the third-degree rape charge relating to Ms Mann, leading to the judge declaring a mistrial on that count. The latest trial, before Justice Curtis Farber, is expected to last about a month. Weinstein will face a prison sentence of up to 25 years when he is sentenced for abusing Ms Haley. Read more from Sky News:The Osmonds singer dies aged 76Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder Weinstein is also serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape in California ​in 2022. He is appealing that conviction and sentence. Weinstein's lawyers ​say his health has deteriorated rapidly while he has been imprisoned in ​New York's notorious Rikers Island jail.

Not whether Sir Keir Starmer should stay or go, or who is telling the truth over the Mandelson vetting saga - but about how we grow the economy in a way everybody benefits. The National Growth Debate - an event organised by the Good Growth Foundation - brought together cabinet ministers, backbench MPs, senior opposition figures, business leaders, unions and think tanks to answer that question. The discussions were not about abstract GDP numbers - but something more tangible - about how you build an economy that lets everyone have a stake, so that if you work hard, you will be rewarded. It's the social contract that people all over the country feel is broken, and why they are increasingly turning against mainstream politicians. To quote Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary who made the first intervention of the day: "For well over a decade, voters have been sending the same message, 'the system isn't working, the economy feels rigged, their lives aren't getting better'. "Our tax system is on the side of billionaire owners while people who work for them are abandoned and squeezed." Haigh, who resigned from cabinet 18 months ago after a past criminal offence came to light, now leads the Tribune group of soft left MPs. She was speaking alongside Chris Curtis, who chairs the moderate Labour Growth Group. They came together to outline an economic agenda they believe can unite the party and Labour's fragmented voter base. The policies they are calling for include reforms to stamp duty and council tax - described by Haigh as "regressive property taxes" - as well as reforms to business rates, VAT thresholds and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The fiscal watchdog's five-year forecasts are holding the country back, Haigh argued, by prioritising short term costs over long term gains from investment. For her, the "obsession" with fiscal headroom to meet "shaky" OBR forecasts is one of this government's "original sins". For Curtis, it was the manifesto pledge not to raise VAT, Income Tax or NI: "It didn't win us a single vote, you shouldn't make commitments you don't believe you can stick to." That, and the "ming vase" election campaign strategy which meant "we couldn't talk about a vision, who we were for or against", the former YouGov pollster said. Read More from Faye Brown:Louise Haigh to set out economic policies that can 'unite Labour' Government looking at decoupling electricity and gas prices to bring down bills Haigh and Curtis will both publish more work on these ideas after May's local elections - which are expected to be disastrous for Starmer and could lead to fresh calls for him to go. The groups they lead represent 200 Labour MPs - almost half the Parliamentary Labour Party. Are they putting the PM on notice, or is this a signal to whoever might replace him to back this plan if they want their support? If it's the latter then Angela Rayner is certainly paying attention. Often tipped to succeed Starmer, the former deputy PM was not originally scheduled to speak at Tuesday's event but is said to have taken an interest in what her backbench colleagues had to say. During a short speech at the evening reception she thanked them for their contribution as she urged the government to be bolder: "Let's take bold action, let's tell a bold story about how we are building an economy for the one interest we should all serve and that's the British people" she said. It was not as critical as her previous intervention, when she warned Labour's "very survival" is at stake as she shot down the Home Secretary's immigration reforms. But this time it comes as the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador rears its head again - casting further doubt on whether the prime minister can survive. It's unfortunate for the Good Growth Foundation (GGF) organisers that Tuesday's long-planned event coincided with Olly Robbins' Commons testimony - just the kind of Westminster psychodrama this Labour government pledged to stop. It also risks overshadowing a significant announcement from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on decoupling gas from electricity prices - which could massively bring down household bills. Having absolved himself of anything to do with Mandelson in a punchy Sky News interview this morning, the former Labour leader was in good spirits as he told the GGF event that the impact of his policies were being felt "straight away". Miliband added: "Hope is the commodity that we have to offer as a government - people haven't felt it since 2008." It struck a different tone to Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, who when asked about the earlier interventions of his colleagues, said there were "no easy answers". That's exactly the narrative Tuesday's event tried to push back on. Ideas put forward included a bespoke customs union with the EU, championed by Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper. For the Conservatives, shadow chancellor Mel Stride talked about slashing the benefits bill and getting people into work while Green MP Adrian Ramsey called for a bigger windfall tax on oil and gas profits. Chancellor Rachel Reeves was among those listening. As Praful Nargund, the GGF's director said in his opening remarks: "When the stakes are high people show up." But whether government is listening is another matter.

Any doubts about the Dutchman's future appear to be subsiding rapidly as a seven-point gap has opened up between Liverpool in fifth place and Chelsea in sixth. Fifth place will secure Champions League football next season after Arsenal's progression to the semi-finals - and Liverpool's form has picked up while Chelsea are slipping. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Liverpool news & transfers🔴Liverpool fixtures & scores | FREE Liverpool PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Liverpool games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, has come under pressure during his second campaign, with the Reds set to end the season without a trophy and well off the pace set by Arsenal and Manchester City. But speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher said: "Arne Slot's job has been spoken about all season. We've spoken about it a lot on Monday Night Football. "There's probably a split in the Liverpool supporters over whether he should stay or go, but the noises I am hearing is Slot will be the Liverpool manager next season if they can secure Champions League qualification, which they look like doing right now." Sky Sports News understands that is the case after a season of increasing speculation over Slot's future, as a transitional season at Anfield has borne frustrations on and off the pitch. Slot is set to retain the support of the hierarchy ahead of a summer in which more work is expected to be done to the squad following the announcement Mo Salah will be leaving. RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande is among their top targets for a new forward while several other positions are also being looked at. Van Dijk offers honest assessment of 'below-standard' Liverpool season after derby win Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool still have to do better despite their Merseyside derby win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson. The Liverpool captain scored late as the Reds put themselves in a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League. Liverpool still have to play two of the top five in their hunt for Champions League and also face sixth-placed Chelsea. "We've got five more games left against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots," Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the derby win. "Every game is a big one. We are very disappointed as a whole for the season that we're having, because of the quality we have. It's below standard. "But we have to keep fighting, keep going, and make the best out of this poor season we're having. That's the reality, on to the next. Everton was a good three points, and next up is Crystal Palace at home, who we couldn't beat for many, many games before. "[The situation] is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality, and it was important we got the win. I'm glad we did."

The case against the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition technology (LFT) in London was brought by two people over concerns it could be used arbitrarily or in a discriminatory way. The cameras are usually mounted on vans in busy high streets and designed to identify people on police watchlists if they pass by. Youth worker Shaun Thompson, one of the claimants, said he was misidentified by the technology. The other person bringing the claim was Silkie Carlo, from the group Big Brother Watch. Their lawyer told the High Court that LFT would also make it "impossible" for Londoners to travel without their biometric data being taken. But judges ruled on Tuesday that the claimants' human rights had not been breached and the force's policy gave "adequate indication of the circumstances in which LFR will be used". They also said the argument the technology risked discriminating against people due to their race had not been convincing. "We are not able to accept, on the thin submissions advanced before us, that concerns about discrimination infect the legality of the policy," said Lord Justice Holgate and Mrs Justice Farbey. The Met's lawyer told the court at least 801 arrests had been made last year "specifically as a result of LFR" and the privacy risk was "only minimal". Sir Mark Rowley, the Met commissioner, welcomed the decision and said the tech "helps us catch more criminals quickly and precisely, saves officer time, and ultimately saves money". He said there had only been about a dozen misidentifications "out of three million people walking past the cameras" and no one had been wrongly arrested as a result. Policing Minister, Sarah Jones said: "I welcome today's ruling because there can be no true liberty when people live in fear of crime in their communities. "Live facial recognition only locates specifically wanted people - law abiding citizens have nothing to fear. "This technology puts dangerous rapists and murderers behind bars - and I question any group who call that uncivil. "We are rolling out facial recognition across the country with record investment to keep communities safe." 'Stop and search on steroids' But Mr Thompson said he hoped to appeal and insisted he had been "misidentified, detained and threatened with arrest" due to LFT. "No one should be treated like a criminal due to a computer error," he said. "I was compliant with the police, but my bank cards and passport weren't enough to convince the police the facial recognition tech was wrong. "It's like stop and search on steroids." The Home Office has previously defended the use of LFR. It said a person's image is "immediately and automatically" deleted if it does not match the watchlist and all deployments are "targeted, intelligence-led, time-bound, and geographically limited". Thirteen forces were using it by the end of last year and the home secretary said in January that the number of LFR vans would increase from 10 to 50. However, Essex Police paused its use of the technology earlier this year after a study found it was "statistically significantly more likely" to correctly identify black people than other ethnicities. While it was "extremely rare" for someone to be flagged up if they weren't on the list, the force said they was a "potential bias in the positive identification rate". The force said in March it believed the issue had been fixed by updating the algorithm and the system was ready for the streets again.

The American singer, 76, who was a creative backbone of the group, co-writing hits including Crazy Horses, and singing on Love Me For A Reason, died on Monday, according to a statement from his brother Merrill. "I was grateful to be with him shortly before he passed and to share a final meaningful moment together," the statement said. "Alan was a gifted creator, a man of faith, and a deeply loving soul whose life blessed many." Donny Osmond also paid tribute, sharing a photo of the pair together when they were young. "Even back then, you can see that he had his arm around me, watching over me," he wrote. "That's who he was. My protector. My guide. The one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine." Osmond had battled progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1987, a disease of the central nervous system which affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, causing symptoms like fatigue, numbness, visual issues and walking difficulties, according to the NHS. His career began in 1958 when he formed a barbershop quartet with his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy to form The Osmonds. Read more from Sky News:Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old girlAmy Winehouse's father loses court challenge The group was eventually discovered by Jay Emerson Williams, father of American singer Andy Williams, and in 1962 they became regular performers on his variety programme The Andy Williams Show, one of the most popular programmes at the time. The Osmonds regularly featured on the show over a seven-year period, bringing them national fame in the US In the 1970s, with the arrival of Donny, they became teen idols and shot to fame globally, selling more than 77 million records worldwide, registering five UK top 10 singles, including a number one with Love Me For A Reason, as well as four UK top 10 albums. Alan then took charge of the group as its songwriter and composer, producing some of their most popular songs, including One Bad Apple and Down By The Lazy River. A weekly Saturday-morning cartoon series titled The Osmonds launched on US TV network ABC in 1972, which followed the family around and featured their most popular songs. The family performed together up until their 50th anniversary in 2007, when Alan and his younger brother Wayne retired due to health issues. Wayne died aged 73 last year. Alan published his memoir One Way Ticket in 2024. The book follows his journey to international stardom as the leader of The Osmonds and his battle with MS. He and his wife Suzanne had eight children together, who followed in the family's footsteps to form The Osmond Boys, also known as the Second Generation.

The Cathy Newman Show, launching on 27 April at 7pm, combines agenda-setting interviews, exclusive investigations and spirited debate from Sky News' Westminster studio. The show, airing Monday to Thursday on Sky News and YouTube, is designed to cut through the noise and make sense of the stories that matter. 'The perfect time to get started' Newman, who joins Sky News after two decades at Channel 4, will lead a show featuring uninterrupted conversations that challenge perspectives – with a warm but rigorous approach. The show will include interviews with leading political, public and cultural figures, original reporting and investigations, and analysis of the biggest UK, US and European stories. "With the local elections coming up, it feels like the perfect time to get started," said Cathy Newman. "I'm looking forward to welcoming guests on to the orange velvet sofa for big interviews, exclusives and real conversations that help make sense of it all. Join me from next week for a friendly but forensic chat." There will also be longer-form investigations and documentaries that sit alongside the show, with a new podcast launching this autumn. The programme is part of Sky News' 2030 strategy for premium, video-first journalism, designed to bring personality-led reporting to audiences wherever they are. "Cathy's journalism is forensic, fearless and engaging, and this new format brings that to life in a way that truly connects with audiences," said Jonathan Levy, executive editor and managing director. Join us from 27 April at 7pm for interviews that probe, investigations that reveal, and conversations that matter.

The Blues were well beaten from start to finish in a woeful display, falling behind to Ferdi Kadioglu's third-minute opener from a corner, before second-half goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed the win for the Seagulls. Brighton 3-0 Chelsea - report & highlightsLive Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlightsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 Chelsea failed to register a shot on target and did not even muster a tackle until the 32nd minute as their season hit a new low and led to head coach Liam Rosenior facing chants from the away end to be sacked. An annoyed and unimpressed Rosenior did not hold back in his post-match interview with Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips and then doubled down on the criticism of his players in his post-match presser. Read every word below... Was it the worst result of the lot? "By far. By far. Was unacceptable in every aspect of the game. I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now." Why did it happen? "Why? We need to look in the mirror. I need to look in the mirror. But I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we're seeing. Manchester United, genuinely result wasn't there but I felt we turned a corner. "But the general attitude, spirit was lacking - determination from three or four of the starting eleven. That's nowhere near enough for this club. I can't come out and lie. I tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance at every level." Was it coming from the start? "The first goal was terrible. We had an easy header and missed the header. The passage before the first goal upset me even more. We had four or five moments to show moral courage, and take the ball down and play. We just kicked the ball back to Brighton. "You can speak about a lack of confidence, or results not going our way. That doesn't represent anything that I want to see, and I won't ever see it again. "The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there. It was a really, really difficult night, the most difficult night - not even here at this magnificent football club - but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I don't want to ever see again." Did the players throw the towel in? "You have to ask the players. If you're playing at this elite football club, or any football club, to be even accused of throwing the towel in is unacceptable. That's all I'm going to say. I'm hurting, I'm feeling numb. That doesn't represent me. That doesn't represent the football club in any way. That has to change, starting with the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday." On Chelsea being out-run in every single league game this season... "I don't want to go into that right now. I have my own thoughts, my own feelings. I have discussed in depth about this football club -regardless of who is the manager - about what needs to happen at this football club for it to be where it needs to be. "It's about this football club, Chelsea represents fight, spirit and determination. That was lacking in every department this evening." On if injuries are part of it... "We've had injuries. It's not an excuse, it's a reality. That team we put out today was far better than its engagement in the game. I will pick a team that will represent the club in the correct manner." On if Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Leeds is massive... "This was a huge game and we didn't hit anywhere near the mark. Every game between now and the end of the season is a huge game, and it needs to look like that in the way we play." On if the players are bereft of confidence... "That's your opinion, I have to see it with the staff. We have to make sure we get it right for Sunday." On the fans chanting for him to leave the club... "I understand their frustration and it's my job as the head coach and the manager of the football club. The buck stops with me. "I have thick skin and I understand why the fans are frustrated. I'm frustrated with the performances we're putting in. I've just got to keep working hard with the staff, with the players, but what I do need to do is really look at how we go about games, how the personnel of the team, who I can trust and rely on in difficult moments because not enough players showed that today in the game. "I'm an emotional person. That's just unacceptable. The word is unacceptable. "We lost 80 per cent of duels. We didn't win a header. Two of the goals come when we can head the ball, the basics of football. At any level, if you make those errors and lack of engagement to the game, you're not going to win games of football." On whether he has lost the Chelsea dressing room... "Whether it's playing for me, it's not about playing for me. "It's about playing for the club. It's about playing for the shirt. It's about playing to win games of football. I can only speak on what I saw tonight. You can read anything into it that you want, whether they're playing for me or not. That performance in itself was damning. "It stood everything against what I believe in. "We'll find out [if the players will react]. I haven't criticised them up to now. "I've defended them. They've deserved that. "I always come out here and tell the truth and I blame myself as well. It's not just blaming the players. I'm part of that process. "I always said I will be honest and I've been honest with the players and I'm honest with you as honest as I can. I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. "We're playing for Chelsea and I'm managing Chelsea. The criticism and pressure comes with the football club. So if you can't handle that, then you shouldn't be here. It's as simple as that. And that's something that needs to be addressed this week. But it also needs to be addressed in the long term."