CATEGORIES

Depardieu's sexual assault trial postponed after French star fails to appear in court

The trial of G érard Depardieu on sexual assault charges has been postponed until next year after the actor failed to appear in court yesterday, saying he was unwell.

Lithuanian election winners pledge big defence spending

Lithuania's opposition Social Democratic party has promised to spend \"as much money as is needed\" on security and defence to counter a potential threat from Russia after finishing a comfortable first in Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Georgians rally in Tbilisi and accuse ruling party of ballot rigging

Thousands of Georgians took to the streets in the capital, Tbilisi, last night to rally against the results of a contested weekend parliamentary election in which the increasingly anti-western governing party was declared victorious amid reports of irregularities and voter intimidation.

Therapy dogs and prize vouchers help to lure 'anxious avoiders' back into schools

Schools are turning to innovative techniques to entice children back into the classroom, as school leaders warn that high levels of absence will become \"generational\" unless urgently tackled.

Cheese firm hails 'overwhelming' response after £300,000 theft

The owners of Neal's Yard Dairy said they had received an \"overwhelming\" response after it emerged that more than 22 tonnes of cheddar had been stolen from the London cheese specialist.

Skripal and daughter 'at home when novichok was put on front door'

A deadly nerve agent was applied to the front door of the former spy Sergei Skripal while he and his daughter, Yulia, were at home, a counter-terrorism chief has revealed.

Members of 'cult' jailed after attempt to kidnap Essex coroner

Members of a \"cult\" who believed they could overrule the judicial system have been jailed after storming a court armed with a pair of handcuffs in a failed attempt to kidnap and falsely imprison a senior coroner.

'Christmas creep' Data shows yuletide really does arrive earlier every year

Halloween might not yet be upon us, but the creepy thing is, Christmas is coming—and fast.

Animals get less social as they age in similar way to humans

While Victor Meldrew was a cantankerous caricature, humans are known to become less social as they get older. Now researchers say we are not alone, with many animals behaving in the same way.

From the Bear to the Boss: first photo of White as Springsteen

The first photo of The Bear star Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in a forthcoming biopic has been released as shooting begins on the project, titled Deliver Me from Nowhere.

Officers viewed sensitive Sarah Everard files 'out of curiosity'

Police viewed confidential information about the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard, such as her X-rays, out of \"curiosity,\" a disciplinary hearing has heard.

Prisoners handed six-month terms still in jail after 16 years

Prisoners serving controversial indeterminate sentences were given minimum terms of less than six months but remained in jail for at least 16 years, newly released data shows.

‘Staggering array’ of curses and witches’ marks found at manor in Lincolnshire

English Heritage will welcome thousands of visitors over the Halloween period, but a new discovery has made Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire a contender for the spookiest site of them all.

North Carolina Helene-hit state could decide the race

ric \"Rocky\" Farmer is stoking a bonfire of what's left of his life. Billows of smoke rise from a mound of debris burning in front of what he once called his home - a large two-storey house that is now a contorted mass of twisted metal and broken beams.

'Fanning fuel of hate': Harris says Trump is focused on dividing US

Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of \"fanning the fuel of division and hate\" in the US after the Republican presidential candidate held a rally at New York's Madison Square Garden marked by racist comments, coarse insults and dangerous threats about immigrants.

Hedgehogs 'near threatened' after 30% decline in numbers

Hedgehogs are now listed as \"near threatened\" after a fall in numbers of at least 30% in Europe over the past decade across much of their range.

Shrigley calls for the arts to be given greater priority in schools

The artist David Shrigley has said Stem subjects should be expanded to include the arts and children's creativity is being stymied by the narrow focus on maths and the sciences.

Lack of social mobility is costing UK £19bn a year, report finds

A lack of social mobility is costing the UK £19bn a year, a report produced by the cross-party thinktank Demos and the Co-op has found.

Digital avatars may help people with psychosis confront voices

Digital characters, or avatars, could help people with psychosis hear voices less often and reduce the distress caused, research suggests.

Man who used AI on real photos to create child abuse images is jailed for 18 years

A man who used AI to create child abuse images using photographs of real children has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

as Amorim closes in on Old Trafford hot seat

Labour MP who hit a constituent amid bridge row urged to resign

The Labour MP who punched a constituent in the early hours of Saturday morning has been urged to resign, as it was reported they had argued over the closure of a local bridge.

VAT row Call to exempt international schools in UK

Imposing VAT on international schools in the UK could lead to hundreds of pupils leaving, European diplomats have said, as they called for the institutions to retain the exemption from the 20% duty that private schools are expected to lose.

Budgets that made a mark From sweeping tax cuts to breaking the UK economy

AIl budgets matter, but some matter more than most. In the 100 years since Sir Winston Churchill used his debut as chancellor in 1925 to put Britain back on the gold standard, the first budget of a parliament has often been one that lives in the memory.

Bus fares England's cap will rise from £2 to £3 - PM

The bus fare cap in England will rise from £2 to £3 at the end of this year, Keir Starmer has said, as Rachel Reeves prepares to raid transport funding in this week's budget.

Somerset pier with links to Dambusters bomb raid gets £10m lottery lifeline

A unique pier that used to be a boarding point for paddle steamers plying their trade in the Bristol Channel and in the second world war played a part in the development of the Dambusters' bouncing bomb is a step closer to being saved, thanks to a £10m lifeline.

Escaped parrots returned to London zoo after six-day adventure

Israel bans Unrwa relief agency in defiance of US

Israel's parliament has voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency from the country within 90 days, in defiance of US and other international pressure to maintainthe largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the country's Palestinian population.

Budget vow to rebuild 'broken not beaten' NHS

The budget will revive a \"broken but not beaten\" NHS, with billions of pounds to be unveiled in an attempt to cut record waiting lists, the chancellor said yesterday.

Tommy Robinson jailed for contempt of court

The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been jailed for 18 months for contempt of court after repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee, in breach of an injunction.