Every crown court will have at least one courtroom dedicated to such cases within the next two years. There will also be a private entrance and waiting room to shield victims from the defendant. People can already request this, but it depends on availability. Court staff will get "trauma-informed training", a single person of contact will be provided, and trials will be assigned a fixed date rather than put on a floating list. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the move - estimated to cost £23m - would "rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first" and was "long overdue". "For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt let down by our justice system," he said. "Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice." The government praised Labour MP Charlotte Nichols' "immense strength and bravery" in speaking about being raped and calling for changes to cut the backlog of cases. Ms Nichols spoke in the Commons in March about having to wait more than 1,000 days for her case to be heard. She thanked the prime minister and justice secretary and said the changes were a "hugely important milestone" that would make things easier for victims. "I'm proud that substantive meaningful change has come from waiving my anonymity to speak about my own experiences," she added. The courts pledge is one of a series of government announcements to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), something Labour has promised to halve within a decade. The charity Rape Crisis said it was a "significant step forward" and the package of reforms would ensure courts "properly meet the needs of victims and survivors". More from Sky News:National taskforce to tackle misogyny launchedSecond arrest after remains of missing woman found Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy also welcomed the move but criticised the government's wider plan to reduce the number of jury trials. "The fact that victims have been withdrawing their cases because they have taken too long has been a disgrace," he said. "Labour need to get courts sitting throughout the year, end the delays and clear the backlog - not undermine our right to a trial by jury."

All of Sheeran's support acts - including his backing band - have quit the current Loop tour after the US rapper Macklemore was dropped following comments he made in support of Palestine during a show in New Jersey. Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft barred the rapper from performing at the Massachusetts venue later this month, saying he would not "provide a platform for hate speech". And following the decision of the support acts to pull out of the tour, Sheeran was forced to play a solo set at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium in Philadelphia on Saturday, beginning the concert by addressing the week's events. He said: "I've had to take, and make, difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry for them. "I don't want to disappoint fans, and I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet." Sheeran insisted that he has tried to avoid becoming a "political commentator" during his career, and that he wants his music to be "about unity, not division". He added: "This is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore. "What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. "What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians' lives, children's lives." Sheeran went on to thank fans for coming to the show, adding: "I am honestly so grateful that you're here tonight with me. "This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views, and everyone can stand beside people that they don't agree with on everything, but they can all agree on singing these songs." Becoming emotional at the end of the gig, Sheeran reflected on feeling "abandoned" in the wake of the controversy. The singer told the crowd he felt "so much love" from the audience, adding: "Everyone is telling me to cancel, and I'm feeling all of my friends and family and people I know abandon me, and I look at the end of the week, and I see 50,000 people who haven't abandoned. "The world is a scary place right now. America is a scary place right now. This gives hope." Pro-Palestine protest near stadium A small but vocal pro-Palestine demonstration was held several hundred metres from the venue, near the train station that serves the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium. One woman told the Associated Press she was attending the protest after receiving a refund for her tickets to the concert. Hillary Steinberg said: "I think all art is political, and all music is political, and so this choice - even though he was saying that he wasn't complicit - is a political choice." Sheeran's ongoing tour began in Auckland, New Zealand, in January. It will finish in Mexico City in December, with 16 other shows still scheduled across North and South America. More from Sky News:Earl Spencer accuses King of gaslighting him Girl, 13, missing for eight days found safe and well The other acts who dropped out include Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy Award-winning musician Finneas, who is Billie Eilish's brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham. The start time for Saturday's show was pushed back from 5.30pm local time to 8pm and a small pro-Palestine protest was also held outside the subway station closest to the stadium.

Every crown court will have at least one courtroom dedicated to such cases within the next two years. There will also be a private entrance and waiting room to shield victims from the defendant. People can already request this, but it depends on availability. Court staff will get "trauma-informed training", a single person of contact will be provided, and trials will be assigned a fixed date rather than put on a floating list. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the move - estimated to cost £23m - would "rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first" and was "long overdue". "For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt let down by our justice system," he said. "Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice." The government praised Labour MP Charlotte Nichols' "immense strength and bravery" in speaking about being raped and calling for changes to cut the backlog of cases. Ms Nichols spoke in the Commons in March about having to wait more than 1,000 days for her case to be heard. She thanked the prime minister and justice secretary and said the changes were a "hugely important milestone" that would make things easier for victims. "I'm proud that substantive meaningful change has come from waiving my anonymity to speak about my own experiences," she added. The courts pledge is one of a series of government announcements to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), something Labour has promised to halve within a decade. The charity Rape Crisis said it was a "significant step forward" and the package of reforms would ensure courts "properly meet the needs of victims and survivors". More from Sky News:National taskforce to tackle misogyny launchedSecond arrest after remains of missing woman found Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy also welcomed the move but criticised the government's wider plan to reduce the number of jury trials. "The fact that victims have been withdrawing their cases because they have taken too long has been a disgrace," he said. "Labour need to get courts sitting throughout the year, end the delays and clear the backlog - not undermine our right to a trial by jury."

United rescued a 1-1 draw after Matheus Cunha scored a deflected 89th-minute equaliser - but Fulham head coach Arbeloa was furious that, 35 seconds before the goal, United were given a free-kick for a foul on Harry Maguire on the halfway line. Fulham 1-1 Man Utd - report & highlightsAs it happened | Teams | StatsLive Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlights Arbeloa felt the free-kick for Cesar Palacios' foul on Maguire was soft and claimed referee Michael Oliver and his team of officials gave "all fouls" to United - because of the "error in judgement" by the officials who incorrectly awarded Erling Haaland's Manchester derby winner at Old Trafford last weekend. "All fouls for them," Arbeloa told Sky Sports. "You can see before they scored, the foul against Maguire, he's a guy who is 100 kilos. Every decision was for them. "And I knew. I knew after the game against Man City that they [would not] let Manchester United lose here. We deserved a little bit more. "We were so close. So, so close. We were a little bit unlucky again. We knew it would be difficult against this big team. "Also we knew what happened last week. We have seen what the referees have been doing all the match so it was a difficult game. And we were unlucky." In his press conference, Arbeloa appeared to row back on his comments a little bit - but still said he "was not really happy". "My English is not so good," he said. "Maybe I explain myself so bad and I prefer not to say anything about the referees because you never know. "When you say something that you don't have to say, it's better to stay calm, focus on the performance of my team and focus on the next game. "I'm not really happy. Like I said, I need to be focused and put my energy in all the things that I have to improve. "[Maguire] is a very big guy and maybe it wasn't a foul. But it's ok. Like I said, I prefer to analyse the game - players, systems and it's the best for win. "You know when you draw a game like that, maybe you're a little bit frustrated." Is it a foul? Young and Saha analyse the decision Analysing the Maguire foul on Super Sunday, former Manchester United defender Ashley Young told Sky Sports: "It's definitely a foul. Palacios isn't looking at the ball, he's straight into Maguire's back. "I know he [Arbeola] says Maguire is 100kg, but he's smart, he's waiting for the foul to be committed." Asked if it was a foul, former Fulham and Manchester United forward Louis Saha added: "It is. "It might be soft, but that's where some players have experience, they use their body in the right way. In his position, he [Maguire] felt like he couldn't take the control so it was a clever piece of work from Maguire." Should Man Utd have been given penalty for Bassey handball? Another talking point came just before United's equaliser - when Fulham defender Calvin Bassey was accused of handball after Lisandro Martinez's ball forward into the penalty area. VAR looked at the decision but agreed with the assistant referee's view that Bassey had his arm close to his body - even though it struck his hand. "He did put his hand up," said Gary Neville on co-commentary. "The fact that the hand is close to the body might save him." Analysing the decision, Saha said: "Its kind of a 50:50, you don't know now with the rules. It hits his hand. The natural instinct you have is to protect your face because you know you're going to be hit. "It's different rules every weekend, we don't understand it. Some will blow, some will go on."

Exit polls indicated that Mr Merz's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) came in with just 4.9% in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. If confirmed when officials results are released it would be the CDU's lowest result in any state since the Second World and below the 5% threshold the party needs to enter the state parliament. Heavy losses are also expected in Berlin, where the CDU is projected to come in second with 20%, behind the Left party at 24.5%, according to the exit poll. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is predicted to have made significant gains in both elections - 37% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and 15.7% in Berlin. Despite predicted gains, it is unlikely to be able to form a regional government. The votes came two weeks after AfD won the regional election in the small eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, increasing pressure further on the German chancellor. Mr Merz struck a defiant note in a statement shortly after the exit polls were announced, rejecting any retreat from his government's reform agenda. He argued that Germany's economic and political problems made difficult and potentially unpopular reforms more urgent, not less, and pledged to press ahead. "What needs to be done now requires backbone, steadfastness, and patience," he said, adding that "I will demonstrate these qualities as chairman of the CDU and, above all, as chancellor of our country". A chancellor under fire Mr Merz, 70, only became Germany's leader 16 months ago - with promises to turn around an economy that has barely grown in years - but has failed to lift a sullen national mood and has himself become deeply unpopular. The strong showing of AfD in the Saxony-Anhalt election has further weakened the chancellor's national standing. In the past two weeks there have been calls even from within his own party to replace him as chancellor, although no top-level allies have called publicly for his departure, and many have warned against "personnel debates". Apparently anticipating a tough post-election period, the chancellor has abandoned a planned trip to New York next week to attend the UN General Assembly. More from Sky News:Second murder arrest after remains of missing woman found'I'm so, so sorry': Ed Sheeran addresses crowd after Palestine row Philipp Amthor, a prominent CDU figure from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania who now manages relations between the federal and state governments at the chancellery, said on Sunday night that one problem in the campaign had been "the difficult personnel discussions" of recent weeks - an apparent reference to the speculation about Mr Merz's future. "It is good and right for these personnel discussions not to be continued now," he said. However, speaking after the exit polls, AfD's national co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, told ZDF television that "the chancellor's statement today really was more than feeble. He announced that he'd carry on as before, instead of finally drawing the consequences and resigning".

He first gained public attention when he beat established US stars 50 Cent and The Game to the MOBO prize, going on to appear in TV shows including Top Boy and The Chase. His death was announced by the MOBO Awards, who shared a video on social media of Sway accepting best hip-hop act in 2005, calling his win "a huge moment for UK hip hop" They wrote: "We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sway. In 2005, he made MOBO history, beating global heavyweights including 50 Cent and The Game to win Best Hip-Hop Act - a huge moment for Sway and UK Hip Hop. Proud to have him as part of our history. Our love goes out to his family, loved ones and fans." So far, no cause of death has officially been given, but he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010. Influencer KSI paid tribute, writing on social media: "Ah man, this is a lot. Sway, Derek, thank you for everything you've done for me. "You believed in me when many didn't. You gave me a chance when many didn't." Crediting Sway as helping him grow as an artist, he added: "You were one of a kind man. I wish you were still here." Top Boy star Kadeem Ramsay paid tribute, writing: "Rest Up Legend." Singer Lemar wrote: "Your talent knew no bounds. Blessed to have shared the stage with you. Wish we'd have been able to have one more sit down. One more life discussion. But hey… we will one day. Until then. Rest in peace my friend. Love, love and more love." Kidulthood and Adulthood actor Adam Deacon also wrote: "We never did get to have that linkup. But I know he's looking down, giving me guidance in his own way." Collaborations with stars including Ed Sheeran and Riz Ahmed Born Derek Safo, Sway was born in Hornsey, north London, to Ghanaian parents, later becoming known professionally as Sway Dasafo. He broke the UK Top 40 in 2006 with songs from his debut album This Is My Demo, which was met with critical acclaim. The album was also nominated for the Mercury Prize, but lost out to the Arctic Monkeys' debut. He later signed with Akon's label, Konvict Music, alongside the likes of Lady Gaga and T-Pain, collaborating with stars including Ed Sheeran, Riz Ahmed, Tinchy Stryder and Kaiser Chiefs. Read more:British woman 'rescued' in Malawi'Bail granted' to Briton held in India In 2010, Sway was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma after discovering a lump on his neck. He described his feelings on receiving the diagnosis as like being "dropped in the middle of the sea with no lifejacket, no boat - no equipment to help me." He wrote about his experience for charity Lymphoma Action, and later recorded a song about it called The Sea. In 2011, he appeared in the first two episodes of Top Boy as the character Ross Rosten, and went on to take small roles in films The Grind and The Chase. He created his own record label, Dcypha Productions, in 2013, nurturing new artists at the start of their careers. Marrying his wife Helen in the same year, they had four children - Jalil, AJ, Inaya and Imara. In a recent social media post, sharing images of him with his children, he described himself as a single father. His most recent album, Verses From The Vault 2, was released in 2018. The rapper celebrated his 44th birthday earlier this month, sharing a picture of himself on Instagram standing alone in the sunshine, and captioned: "Chapter 44".

The group will seek to root out harmful attitudes online, in workplaces and within communities, bringing together representatives from women's organisations, academia, local leaders and ministers. Women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Kamal Ahmed that the taskforce "will tackle some of the attitudes that we've seen develop, particularly in recent years, that I thought were a thing of the past". She continued: "And I want women to live lives of opportunity, of freedom, and not to have to worry about whether they feel safe on the street, whether they're safe in their own home, about whether they'll face harassment on public transport, attitudes in our schools that young girls will experience. "This is about all of us, across government, coming together to tackle these attitudes, this underlying problem that, sadly, does lead to women losing their lives. It leads to terrible, terrible consequences." Further announcements will be made this week to move forward with Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade, officials said. Those working alongside Ms Phillipson on the taskforce include Girlguiding chief executive officer Felicity Oswald, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and End Violence Against Women Coalition interim director Janaya Walker. The first meeting is expected to take place shortly after conference recess (12 October) and will focus on young people. Ms Phillipson, who previously worked at a women's refuge before entering parliament, said: "I've seen first-hand the devastating impact on women and girls when harmful attitudes are tolerated and left unchallenged. "No woman should have to make her world smaller or curb her ambitions out of fear - and making that a reality is everyone's business. "As a whole society, we can and must be better." Ms Oswald said girls were telling Girlguiding they are facing rising levels of sexism and misogyny online, in public and in schools. "That's why we are calling for more education around healthy relationships, gender stereotypes, early warning signs and consent," she said. "We welcome the opportunity to bring girls' experiences and perspectives directly into discussions with government. "Girls are experts in their own lives and it is vital that their voices are heard when decisions are made that impact them." More from Sky News:Girl missing for eight days found 'safe and well'Teenagers jailed for killing 17-year-old outside McDonald's Deniz Ugur, deputy director at the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said "meaningful commitment and engagement" by ministers across all government departments would be needed to ensure the group was effective. On Thursday, campaigners told Sky News' Mornings With Ridge And Frost how urgent action was needed to tackle abuse. One of the guests was Nour Norris, whose 22-year-old niece Raneem Oudeh was murdered along with Nour's sister Khaola Saleem at the hands of Ms Oudeh's ex-partner Janbaz Tarin in 2018. She told the programme that even survivors "don't get heard" and that more voices were important to make changes.

In June, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were suspended from the second Test of the 2-1 series loss to New Zealand due to a nightclub incident that occurred in the wake of their opening win at Lord's. Last month, Brydon Carse was handcuffed outside a nightclub in Derby and missed the second and third Tests of England's series whitewash of Pakistan, prompting Test captain Joe Root to describe himself as "hacked off" by the growing list of alcohol-related incidents involving England players. Carse did not face any charges after police closed their investigation. No charges against Brydon Carse as police close investigationSteve Smith 'doesn't know' if he will play in 2027 AshesLatest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOWListen to latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast "It's disappointing," Fleming said. "The way that players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me." He added: "I watched Joe in the press conference, and when he voices his displeasure at the behaviour, I think that said it all. "If you want a great example of how to behave as an international cricketer, Joe Root is it. "There's work to be done, and that comes back to making sure we're tying into something a bit bigger than oneself." As well as having "a lot of contact" with Root since accepting the Test job on July 30 and throughout the Pakistan series - which Fleming was not yet in post for, due to family and commercial commitments - the new coach said he had also been in touch with Stokes, who retired from international cricket in June. Amid suggestions of a possible return for the home Ashes series next summer, Fleming said of the 35-year-old: "He's really happy and seemed to be really at peace with his decision. "My view is that when a player decides to retire, it's a big decision, and I have the utmost respect for that decision." Fleming excited for Ashes and keen to take England to top Fleming admitted he is already excited about coaching England in next summer's Ashes, calling it "an absolute highlight", while he also talked up the potential of the team he is about to take over. "I would love to be in charge of the number one Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration," Fleming said. "My honest appraisal is it's a great time to be the head coach. I think it's a real opportunity with the players that are coming through. "The fast bowlers as an example, I loved watching them operate in the [Pakistan] Test series recently. "Also, the introduction of [Jordan] Cox and [Dan] Lawrence was nice, when you've got someone like [Jacob] Bethell [to come back]. "There's talent there competing for places, and that's always the barometer. If you're leaving very good players out, then you're going to be in a healthy situation." Fleming added on the World Test Championship, in which England sit sixth in the 2025-2027 cycle - having failed to reach the final of any of the previous three editions: "I think England could do much better in that. "If that's one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it, along with every other marquee event that comes our way? "That opportunity is real, but there's a huge amount of work to do." Fleming rejects 'Flemball' in pursuit of 'cricket sense' As for the playing style Fleming will look for his team to adopt, he was keen to praise the prior work of Stokes and former New Zealand team-mate - England's current white-ball coach - Brendon McCullum, but said he is looking to "combine a little bit of cricket sense around some key moments". There will be no 'Bazball' style moniker to accompany his team's style, however, as per his predecessor. "That's a medical condition," Fleming joked when presented with the prospect of 'Flemball'. "The way they [Stokes and McCullum] changed the nature of Test cricket was quite remarkable, and I have a huge amount of respect for the courage that that took. "Obviously, the last 12 months it hasn't evolved as they would have liked and the fans would have liked, but I still acknowledge that period of two years [prior]." He added: "I really loved the positive play and the freeing up of the England players, so if I could take that and combine a little bit of cricket sense around some key moments. "There are key times in a match that you have to be really smart, and maybe we can just work a bit harder on that - but still combine positive nature of the players that are in there." Root is 'greatness' and 'the best guy to captain Test team' Talking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Fleming elaborated further on the respect he has for Root and how delighted he is to have him as captain of the Test team. Root had previously captained England from 2017-2022 before being replaced by Stokes following a barren run of one win in his last 17 Tests. Upon Stokes' resignation, white-ball skipper Harry Brook could have been an all-format option, but Fleming is thrilled that Root accepted the role again. "I am a really big fan of Root," Fleming said. "I think he is a wonderful player and ambassador for the game, so to work with him was really appealing. "I just knew that he is the best guy to captain this side. He epitomises everything that is great about an international player. He is greatness, but a wonderful human being in the way that he conducts himself and can go about being great. "He is such a great role model and such a perfect person for a young group of players. It was a no-brainer, for me, for him to be captain. "Root is in charge. If he is going out and making key decisions, he is in charge. My role is very closely linked to provide him with what he needs. That can be criticism, constructively, so it's not just a yes position. "I want him to be the best he can be and I think there is still room to grow in his captaincy with this group. I don't necessarily know what that looks like but I know there is growth and that's exciting."