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No Writer
Apr 16
Meghan says she was 'the most trolled person in the entire world'

She made her comments while speaking to students during her Australia tour with the Duke of Sussex. He said in a separate speech that he had felt "lost, betrayed or completely powerless" during his life. The pair are on the third day of their four-day visit to the country. At a discussion with young people associated with the Australian mental health organisation Batyr at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology on Thursday, Meghan said social media companies were "not incentivised to stop". "And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way," she said. "For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world." The duchess added: "Now, I'm still here. And when I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks - that's not going to change. "So you have to be stronger than that." Harry said that social media had "led to so much loneliness for so many people". He praised Australia's social media ban for under-16s, saying it was "epic" from a "responsibility and leadership standpoint" because so many countries had followed suit. But, he said, "it should have never, ever got to a ban" as young people shouldn't be "punished by being banned from something that should be safe to use" in the first place. Read more: Harry needed to deal with 'stuff from the past' before becoming a dad The duke and duchess have long campaigned to raise awareness about the harms of social media. Talking about the benefits of therapy, Harry told the students: "I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor. Until I was like, ok maybe this therapy thing - maybe I should try it." 'I felt completely powerless' In a separate speech at a summit on leadership in the workplace, the duke told attendees - who paid between £535 and £1250 for tickets to the summit or £260 for virtual access to Harry's speech - there was a "lot in the world right now leaving us feeling anxious, stressed, helpless, powerless and completely overwhelmed". It is understood that Harry was not paid a fee for his speech, and neither was Meghan for her appearance on MasterChef Australia, which she filmed on Wednesday in Melbourne. He said: "There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed. "Times when I've felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless. Times when the pressure - externally and internally - felt constant. And times when, despite everything going on, I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down. "For many years I was numb to it, and perhaps that was easier then, but I also didn't yet have the tools to deal with it." Read more from Sky News:UK economy grows by surprising amountMan jailed for trying to smuggle ants He also spoke about loss being "disorienting at any age" and grief not disappearing "because we ignore it". "Experiencing that as a kid while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance, yes, that will have its challenges. And without purpose, it can break you," he added.

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Gemma Peplow, culture and entertainment reporter
Apr 16
Live Nation and Ticketmaster ran a monopoly over big US venues, jury finds

The ruling that could cost the company - which also has a significant share of the UK festival and concert market - hundreds of millions of dollars and have a big impact on the industry. The verdict in New York came after four days of deliberations at the end of a high-stakes trial, following several years of scrutiny over the company's prices and practices. Live Nation has denied it is a monopoly and said in a statement that the verdict "is not the last word on this matter". Its dominance in the industry was picked up by US politicians in 2022, when Ticketmaster was forced to cancel its general sale of tickets to Taylor Swift's much-anticipated Eras tour due to "extraordinarily high demands". The American civil case was initially brought by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and dozens of individual US states in 2024, with the claim that Live Nation monopolised the industry by controlling ticketing, concert booking, venues and promotions. In March this year, Live Nation Entertainment settled with the DoJ for $280m, subject to a judge's approval. Some states joined the settlement - a deal that included a cap on service fees at some venues, plus some new ticket-selling options for promoters and venues. However, more than 30 states continued with the trial. Among other things, jurors found Ticketmaster's anticompetitive practices led to people in 22 states paying an extra $1.72 per ticket, which the judge could order the companies to pay back. Penalties are yet to be determined. Live Nation Entertainment owns, operates, controls booking for or has an equity interest in hundreds of venues, and Ticketmaster is widely considered to be the world's largest ticket-seller for live events. Ticketmaster was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010. The company now controls of 86% of the market for concerts and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included, according to an attorney for the states, Jeffrey Kessler. Read more from Sky News:Teens staying silent on politics for fear of being 'cancelled'Woman given 14 shots on cruise awarded £220k in damages Live Nation said in a statement following the verdict: "The jury's verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand." It said it plans to renew a motion for judgment "as a matter of law, which the Court deferred until after the jury returned its verdict". "That motion addresses all liability theories," the company continued. "The Court previously noted that Live Nation's motion raises serious issues". What about the UK? The company also came under scrutiny in the UK over the ticket sale for the highly anticipated Oasis reunion. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) carried out an investigation and announced in September that it had secured a number of commitments from Ticketmaster, after finding it did not offer fans enough clarity on pricing. CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said the changes would give fans more information about prices and clear descriptions on what they are paying for. "If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won't hesitate to take further action," she said.

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Alix Culbertson, political reporter
Apr 16
Residents living on London's new Chinese embassy site fear they have unknowingly been living 'in China' since 2018

People living in the 100 flats in Royal Mint Court estate said they were "shocked" when the government failed to disagree during a judicial review hearing brought by the residents that the land has been diplomatic - with access rights therefore subject to Chinese approval - since 2018. Their flats, built in 1978, are on the land belonging to Beijing after it bought the old Royal Mint site in 2018, but they say they have never been told if their homes are on diplomatic land, which would mean, if they are, the land is inviolable. Under international diplomatic laws, inviolability means UK authorities, including ambulances, police and fire engines, cannot enter inviolable land unless the head of an embassy consents. The residents have brought the judicial review over concerns about their safety and whether planning conditions attached to the government's planning permission, granted in January, can realistically be enforced. At a review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice at the end of March, the government failed to deny diplomatic immunity applies across the entire site. Resident Mark Nyegate told Sky News the revelation was a "shock" and said they are concerned the Chinese could oust them from their flats. There are also concerns the conditions placed on the planning permission will not be enforceable due to the site being diplomatic land. Last October, a letter from then foreign secretary Boris Johnson to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was leaked, revealing he had granted the site diplomatic consent in 2018. He also gave Beijing assurances planning permission would be granted. The current government has refused to release the letter but a minister confirmed it is factual in parliament. In a copy obtained by Sky News, Mr Johnson makes no mention of whether the flats and any planning permission requirements and conditions are included in this diplomatic consent. Under UK law, as soon as diplomatic consent is granted, the land is inviolable. Luke de Pulford, co-founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which is helping the residents with the judicial review, told Sky News: "It is absolutely outrageous that the government failed to inform residents that they are living on Chinese diplomatic land. "Quite apart from possible safety implications, there are obvious consequences for the value of their properties. It's about time that this shady deal was fully dragged into the light." Read more:Everything we know about China's new super embassyProtesters march against new embassy The residents had been left wondering if their homes were on diplomatic land since the Johnson letter was revealed, but nothing was mentioned in the planning application for the new site, where much was made of a fence placed between their homes and flats to be built for Chinese embassy staff. Mr Nyegate, treasurer of the Royal Mint Court Residents Association, told Sky News: "It came as a bit of a shock to us. "I've always half joked about living in China since 2018, but that's a reality now. "That hearing shows we are definitely on diplomatic land, and if we had any issues then Tower Hamlets Council wouldn't be able to be involved, and police couldn't come onto the land. "We've always thought we would be covered by UK law and what we're trying to find out is have we lost our rights? "The planning application has a fence dividing us from the embassy flats, but that obviously isn't the case in terms of our rights." Mr Nyegate added: "What's to say tomorrow morning they just say 'you're moving off'? "And will any of us be able to sell our homes now that they're essentially owned by China?" Hong Kong dissident Chloe Cheung, advocacy manager at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said she and other Hong Kongers had protested against the embassy from the flats' car park. "It is outrageous that Hong Kong activists could step into what we believed was safe ground, only to later discover it was effectively treated as Chinese territory," she told Sky News. "People took those risks without informed consent. When governments strike arrangements with Beijing, the absolute minimum they owe the public is transparency. Instead, Hong Kong activists were left in the dark and exposed to danger." The residents' concerns about the planning conditions being unenforceable have previously been dismissed by the government, which says there are ways of enforcing planning conditions through diplomatic laws. The residents believe this is unlikely to happen because, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it would mean the British government having to declare Chinese diplomats persona non grata or terminating diplomatic relations entirely and expelling the entire mission. This would cause a major diplomatic row with a country the government is trying to stay on the right side of. The government said it does not comment on ongoing legal action. The Chinese embassy in London did not respond to requests for a comment.

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No Writer
Apr 16
Declan Rice: Arsenal ready for 'ultimate test' at Man City in huge Premier League title race showdown

The Gunners made sure of their second successive last-four spot in the Champions League for the first time in their history with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates a week after Kai Havertz's stoppage-time opening-leg winner in Portugal and will now face Atletico Madrid for a place in the final. But first, Arsenal are targeting Premier League victory over Manchester City, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, as they look to strengthen their bid for a first Premier League title in 22 years. Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺Live Premier League table | Premier League fixtures And after defeat to City in the Carabao Cup at Wembley last month, Rice insists his side are ready for the crunch showdown against Pep Guardiola's side. "It's beautiful," Rice said on Sunday's clash at the Etihad. "I can't wait. It's why we play the game. "When you're a kid watching games and when you're watching the Premier League as a kid, you see these big matches, these title-defining moments. It comes down to if you're going to be ready and how much do you want it. Should Rice be Arsenal captain? Have your say... "They've obviously been in really good form recently. No-one's going to hand you anything in this league. There's been a lot of noise, but, ultimately, it's down to us as players. It's why we're professionals. It's why we play this game and yes, to go there and win will be a massive statement. "The boys are ready. We spoke as a group and we know what's required. Bring it on." On the pain of seeing Man City lift the Carabao Cup final and wanting to reverse that result, Rice added: "It hurts losing every final "We had to show them respect. We shared the pitch for 90 minutes and, ultimately, on the day, they were the better team. It would have been wrong for us to walk inside and not show that respect. "To see them lift that, it did hurt. There is that fire in the stomach to eradicate that on the weekend. "With six games to go in the Premier League, we know how big it is. It's the ultimate test, but it's why we play this game. Let's bring it on." Analysis: How does Arteta stop Arsenal's 'bottle'?Neville: Arsenal need to balance their emotionsRice fully fit ahead of City clash Rice was a big doubt to face Sporting but recovered enough from an illness to play the full game. The England midfielder, who was named captain for the game, allayed any fears about his fitness ahead of the game against City. "I'm fully fit," Rice said. Yes, I've been ill the last two days. I've been in bed, not well. To get out against Sporting, obviously, I perked up in the morning enough to be able to play. "I wasn't at 100 per cent, but to help this team out, no way I was missing a quarter-final to try and get to a semi-final. I was well enough to be able to go out there and play." "But, yes, it's just a little illness and I'm over it now and on to Sunday." Mikel Arteta revealed after the game that the players had picked Rice to be captain in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, who missed the game alongside Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori. When asked if he sees himself as a big leader for the team, Rice said: "Yes, definitely. We want those players back. We need them back. "They are three of our biggest and best players and we've missed them a lot this year in big games. But if the game was yesterday, I probably wouldn't have been able to have played or the day before. "But the fact that I perked up enough to be able to play, I knew myself and in my head that I was ready to go out there and play. That's what it's about, to play for this club under any conditions. I'm happy I've done that tonight and we're through." Neville: Rice needs to step up against City Meanwhile, Gary Neville believes Rice will have to have a big impact against City on Sunday if Arsenal are to have success at the Etihad, but Roy Keane is not convinced the 27-yeart-old has that in him. "I do think Declan Rice is someone… When he went to Arsenal for £100 million, I was gutted. I think he's a Manchester United player," Neville told the Stick to Football podcast. "He's the player, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, that Manchester United would have always signed back in the day. You don't let Declan Rice go to any other club. He is a player that can win you the league. "To me, on Sunday, he is the player I am looking at. This is not me putting pressure on him. This is me expecting that this is the Roy Keane moment, the Gerrard moment. "He's a force on the pitch and he is the one player on the pitch that I think can get a grip of a game from an attacking and a defensive point of view and be the difference maker. "That's what I would like to see from him on Sunday." However, Keane responded: "He's a good player but I don't think he gets a grip of people. "I mean falling out with people and challenging people in the dressing room. "I want him to challenge people. Against Bournemouth, and there have been other games where things haven't gone right, I don't see him challenging people. "His performances are fine, but that's not enough." 'Rice continues to be Arsenal's real leader' Sky Sports' Oliver Yew: Martin Odegaard is still captain in name, but Rice is now undoubtedly Arsenal's leader. It was epitomised this week as he got out of his sickbed to lead the Gunners to a second straight Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history. It was clear to see he wasn't 100 per cent and he was far from his best against Sporting, but he never stopped running for the cause, cutting an exhausted figure at full time. That effort and willingness to push his body to the limit has not been lost on his team-mates either as Arteta revealed the players had voted for Rice to have the captain's armband against Bournemouth and Sporting. And with Gabriel Magalhaes normally the next in line in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, Rice's promotion suggestions a firm change in the leadership hierarchy at Arsenal. There is an argument that Rice does not need the captaincy to show his leadership for the Gunners, but with Odegaard's fitness struggles not appearing to go away, Rice continues to show he would be the ideal replacement should a change of captain comeabout. Watch Man City vs Arsenal on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports from 4pm; kick off 4.30pm

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No Writer
Apr 16
Church warden serving life for murder of university lecturer has conviction quashed

Benjamin Field had been accused of seducing, defrauding and trying to drive 69-year-old Peter Farquhar to suicide. Farquhar was found dead in his home in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, in October 2015. Field was jailed for at least 36 years in 2019. An inquest concluded that Mr Farquhar's death was alcohol-related, with police not treating it as murder until March 2017. At the murder trial at Oxford Crown Court in 2019, prosecutors claimed Field had driven Mr Farquhar to believe he was losing his mind to inherit his house and money, lacing his food and whisky with tranquilliser drugs to confuse him in the hope that his eventual death would look like suicide or an accident. Field, the son of a Baptist minister, was a student when he met Mr Farquhar in April 2011 and realised that the university lecturer was conflicted about his homosexuality. The pair eventually started a relationship and got engaged, the trial heard. Before his murder trial, Field admitted two counts of burglary and three of fraud after fraudulently being in relationships with both Mr Farquhar and his neighbour, fellow pensioner Ann Moore-Martin, as part of a plan to get them to change their wills. Field was cleared of conspiring or attempting to murder Miss Moore-Martin. After Mr Farquhar's death, Field inherited half his home and bought a flat in Towcester, which he was forced to sell in 2023 to pay compensation to the families of Mr Farquhar and Ms Moore-Martin, who died from natural causes in May 2017. The Criminal Cases Review Commission referred Mr Field's conviction to the Court of Appeal last year. Field's lawyer argued at a hearing in March that there was "no evidence" that Mr Farquhar was "forced or deceived" into taking the whisky or medication. In a ruling on Thursday, three senior judges quashed Field's conviction and ordered a retrial, saying the jurors at trial had "not been properly directed" and the directions given to them on how to reach a verdict were "defective". Lord Justice Edis said: "The fact that the appellant secretly intended that Mr Farquhar should die did not change the act or, in law, mean that Mr Farquhar's decision to drink whisky was not free, deliberate and informed. "There was no evidence that the appellant had 'administered' the alcohol." He continued: "The directions effectively withdrew from the jury the question of whether Mr Farquhar's decision to drink the whisky had been voluntary." Read more from Sky News:UK economy grows by surprising amountPolice say Epsom rape suspects can't be identified The judge said that the Crown Prosecution Service should take the "unusual case" to the Supreme Court before any retrial. Field will remain in prison "for so long as the appeal [to the Supreme Court] is pending", Lord Justice Edis said. Alongside the life sentence for Mr Farquhar's murder, Field was handed a concurrent 16-year jail sentence for fraud and burglary offences. The case was the topic of a BBC drama, called The Sixth Commandment, starring Timothy Spall and Eanna Hardwicke.

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No Writer
Apr 15
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

Staff were told of the news of redundancies during an all-staff call at 3pm on Wednesday but were not given details of who would be affected. The cuts would mark the biggest round of job cuts at the BBC in almost 15 years. They come as the broadcaster attempts to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years. In February, it was revealed it aimed to reduce spending by hundreds of millions of pounds within this timeframe as it continues to face "substantial financial pressures". The latest cuts, initially reported by the Financial Times, come as former Google boss, Matt Brittin, prepares to take over as director-general next month. The BBC also recently revealed plans to drastically reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions such as royal and state events. Interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led the all-staff meeting and will head the corporation until Mr Brittin takes over on 18 May, told staff the corporation needs to save an additional £500m over the next two years. He said: "All of this needs to be done with real care - for our audiences and, of course, for all of you. "I know this is challenging news, and we'll need to work closely together to build our plans. "My commitment to you is that we'll do everything possible to try to reduce the strain and uncertainty that change of this kind brings." Read more:Mandelson's firm collapsedTrump: UK 'can't succeed' Previously, the BBC has said: "Over the last three years we have delivered more than a half a billion pounds worth of savings, much of which we've been able to reinvest into our output across the BBC." The BBC is predominantly funded through the annual licence fee, which rose to £180 per year on 1 April. Philippa Childs, head of broadcasting union Bectu, said: "Cuts of this magnitude will be devastating for the workforce and to the BBC as a whole. "BBC staff are already under significant pressure after previous redundancies. This will also inevitably impact the wider creative industries ecosystem, given the BBC's crucial anchor role in commissioning content and nurturing talent. "At a time of fake news and an industry that is becoming more concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, the UK needs a confident, ambitious and sustainably-funded BBC more than ever. "The government must ensure that Charter Renewal puts the BBC's funding on a more secure, long-term pathway and prevent our national broadcaster facing death by a thousand cuts." Sky News has approached the BBC for a response.

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No Writer
Apr 16
Teens staying silent on politics for fear of being 'cancelled'

A survey by the Economist Educational Foundation found that 22% of 15 to 17-year-olds had stopped themselves sharing political opinions because they were worried about criticism, along with 20% of 10 to 14-year-olds. Nearly one in four of the 4,000 students aged between 10 and 17 who took part in the survey said they have been asked to stop voicing their political views at school. The results also showed that 44% of 15 to 17-year-olds said they would not feel ready to vote in the next election. It comes after the government introduced plans last year to lower the voting age to 16, enabling up to 9.5 million more people to have their say at the next general election. The Economist Educational Foundation's chief growth officer, Tiffany Smyly, said the fear of being cancelled could push teenagers to online "fringe" communities where their views could become more extreme. She warned: "If teenagers are worried about being cancelled, then they are not going to be sharing their viewpoints at school or with friends. "Instead, they are likely to go into chat rooms or forums that do allow them to share a fringe opinion, and that might be where their views become more extreme. "We need to channel young people's political curiosity in more positive ways." Read more from Sky News:Social media bosses ordered to No 10BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs The survey found the cost of living crisis and healthcare are the main concerns for younger people. Those who took part were more likely to say they were curious about politics than uninterested in it - and more than two-thirds of 15 to 17-year-olds admitted they would feel more confident voting if they knew more about different political policies. Flora Letanka, chief executive of the Economist Educational Foundation, called for more opportunities for young people to openly discuss the topics that matter to them. She added: "We need to ensure young people are given the chance to think critically about what's going on in the world, to explore different perspectives, and see the real impact of political decisions on the people around them."

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No Writer
Apr 16
Arsenal's attacking issues remain a big problem despite Mikel Arteta's side reaching Champions League semi-finals again

The Gunners held on for a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, meaning Kai Havertz's lone goal in Lisbon was enough to book them a place in the last four. It is the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semi-finals in the competition, but on Wednesday night they were far from their best, managing just one shot on target. Match report: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (1-0 agg)As it happened | Teams | StatsChampions League results and fixturesArsenal news & transfers🔴⚪ | Arsenal fixtures & scores Asked if progressing in the Champions League would positively impact their potentially Premier League-deciding game against Man City this Sunday, live on Sky Sports, Arteta said: "100 per cent, it's a massive boost. "To be in the semi-finals of the Champions League is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it because we deserve it." Arsenal's recent dip in form has led to questions around the team's ability to hold their nerve as they enter the run-in. A Super Sunday defeat to City would open the door for Pep Guardiola's side to go level on points with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win their game in hand. However, Arteta insists he is not concerned by the mental strength of his squad. "I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary now," he said. "You can think of the last 48 hours. Everything that has been said. We are watching the series in July, and then we have to ask ourselves a question. Where are Arsenal placed? All of us would say, 'They are in the bottom three.' "What are we talking about? Enjoy where we are as a club. If someone doesn't want to, I think it's so weird." Arteta added: "There is a reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you. "We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that's for sure and we recognise that. But there's value in what these players have done." Arsenal face problem in attack ahead of trip to Man City Despite reaching a second consecutive Champions League semi-final, Arsenal are still clearly struggling in front of goal. The Gunners 0.64 xG across the whole game on Wednesday. That lingering inability to create could still help City close the gap in the race for the Premier League. Got Sky? Watch Man City vs Arsenal on the Sky Sports app��Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contract📺 "It was always going to be [difficult]," Arteta told TNT Sports after the second leg against Sporting. "We had moments in the first half where we probably should have scored. There are moments with the ball where we have to improve a lot, to have more control, dominance, and finish many more actions." Viktor Gyokeres was removed before the hour mark on a difficult night against his former club. The striker has scored two in his last four but had just 14 touches across the game. Asked by a Portuguese journalist why he substituted Gyokeres early, Arteta said: "With Viktor [Gyokeres], I thought the game required something else. Another type of number nine that would link up and create more. There was no space to run and we fell for that."

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