Hackers took over the PA system at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania, broadcasting a pro-Palestine message and insults against the leaders of the US and Israel. Similar incidents were reported at three Canadian airports on the same day.
Model Katie Price publicly named the British celebrity she says allegedly raped her over 20 years ago during her ongoing UK theatre tour with Kerry Katona.
On stage at her An Evening with Katie Price and Kerry Katona show in Stockport earlier this week, the mum-of-five, 47, is said to have “blurted out” the identity of the famous man who allegedly attacked her two decades ago.
But while this is the first time Katie has named her alleged rapist, she has previously discussed the attack and shared why she never reported the man to the police.
In 2009, Katie wrote about being attacked by a “famous celebrity” in her column for a national magazine. Katie, who was 31 at the time, said she had no plans to make a formal complaint and would “absolutely never” name the man.
Following the column gaining national attention, Surrey Police released a statement. The force confirmed that they had recorded an incident but no allegation had been made and they did not plan to investigate unless Katie voluntarily came forward.
A spokesman said at the time: “Surrey Police treats all reports of sexual offences very seriously and investigates them thoroughly, encouraging anyone who may have been a victim to come forward and providing specialist officers to support them.
“Based on our enquiries and the lack of substantiated information – particularly around locations and dates of any allegations – we have recorded an incident, but due to its very historic nature we are dependent on Miss Price’s co-operation to formally record a crime and continue any investigation.”
Katie discussed the rape again in 2017, saying: “I was raped by a celebrity but no, I’ll never name him, I just don’t want the drama. I don’t even know if he knows that I’ve spoken about him, I doubt he does.”
In 2019, 55,259 rapes were reported across the country, but during the same period, there were just 1,659 rape prosecutions and 702 convictions.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2023, Jayne Butler, CEO for Rape Crisis, explained to the Mirror why many women don’t have faith in the police and current legal system when it comes to reporting cases of rape and sexual abuse.
“5 in 6 women who are raped don’t report it to the police, citing embarrassment, not thinking the police will be able to help, and feeling humiliated as reasons why,” she told us.
But it’s not just a lack of hope that reporting your assault will result in a conviction that puts some victims off speaking to authorities. RASA Merseyside, who work with victims of sexual violence to give them back the life they had, told us how “shame, guilt, fear of friends and family finding out and blaming them, losing friends, not being believed, losing phone, fear of medical exam, and so much more” also plays a part when decided not to report rape to the police.
“Imagine telling a complete stranger about the worst and most intimate thing that has ever happened to you. Imagine knowing that this complete stranger will not be there to believe you or to support you, but to ascertain if you are telling the truth. Imagine that first contact,” the organisation based in Bootle, Liverpool tells us when discussing why some rape victims don’t feel comfortable speaking to the police.
“None of us know how we would react until it happens to us but it is unlikely and unrealistic to expect that the first thing we would want to do is tell a stranger – and one who may simply see it as yet another case that day.”
*If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Autumn is that awkward time of year when the wind carries a biting chill, but temperatures haven’t dropped low enough for us to whip out our favourite winter knits. That said, a warm cardigan that can easily be layered or worn alone is the wardrobe staple needed through this transitional time of year.
Boden is currently offering a massive sale that’s seen some cosy knits plummet in price, including this Edie Fair Isle Cardigan, which is now a mega 40% off. And, according to Boden, this cardi is selling like hotcakes, so you may want to get a move on to secure yours before it’s gone.
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The Edie Fair Isle Cardigan, available in a variety of plain colours or playful patterns that are sure to spruce up any autumn ensemble, is currently reduced by £47.60.
Touted as a Boden bestseller, this cardigan is spun from a soft blend of wool and cotton, creating a sumptuously warm and cosy feel that’s a must-have for comfortable styling this season.
The knit features Boden’s playful take on Fair Isle patterns, boasting unique designs inspired by vintage knits in soft shades. This piece, in particular, has adopted a colourful fruit motif that adds a fun and contemporary twist to a timeless style.
Shoppers have been quick to praise this piece, as it has amassed numerous 5-star reviews. One buyer beams: “Absolutely beautiful. The green colour is stunning and the colours in the diamond pattern complement it perfectly. Looking forward to wearing this as the months begin to get colder.”
Another shopper says: “So glad I managed to get hold of one of these – it’s simply gorgeous! I get so many compliments.”
Further praise comes from this customer, who raves: “This sweater is perfection. Beautiful floral design and I will be saving it for spring chilly weather here in Texas. True to my US size 8 I ordered a medium. It’s not too cropped and the quality is up to Boden standards.”
And a fourth chimes in: “This beautiful cardigan is making my January. I ordered the vintage mauve color way and it did not disappoint. I’m 6’0″ tall and though that means this cardigan is a bit on the shorter side, it’s not too short at all. Even with low rise jeans, the front hem of the cardi can be barely tucked in, which is a look I love. It will also be perfect with higher waisted trousers. I can imagine wearing this over spring dresses, with my collection of full midi skirts from Boden, and with jeans. Looking excellent with everything. Thank you for another perfect sweater!”
The European Commission is in discussions to adopt a new counter-drone initiative to protect European Union airspace from Russian violations, as it seeks to strengthen border security with its own advanced drone technology after a string of drone incursions were reported in a host of EU and NATO member countries over the past month.
The proposal, which was included in a defence policy “roadmap” presented on Thursday, will aim for the new anti-drone capabilities to reach initial capacity by the end of next year and become fully operational by the end of 2027, according to a draft of the document.
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It will then be presented to EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, European Commission Executive Vice President for Security Henna Virkkunen, and European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last month that it was time for Europe to build a “drone wall” to protect its eastern flank, hours after some 20 Russian drones reportedly entered the airspace of EU and NATO member Poland.
The concept has since morphed into a broader “European Drone Defence Initiative” including a continent-wide web of anti-drone systems in an effort to win support from EU capitals.
The drone initiative is one of several flagship EU projects aiming to prepare the bloc for a potential attack from Russia as its more than three-year-long war in Ukraine grinds on.
In the meantime, as a counterpoint, Russia’s federal security chief said on Thursday that Moscow has no doubt about NATO’s security services’ involvement in incidents with alleged Russian drones over EU territory, Russian news agency RIA Novosti cited him as saying.
Following the drone incursion into Poland, other incidents were reported at airports and military installations in several other countries further west, including Denmark, Estonia and Germany, although there has not been confirmation that the drones were sent by the Kremlin.
For its part, NATO has launched a new mission and beefed up forces on its eastern border, but it is playing catch-up as it tries to tap Ukraine’s experience and get to grips with the drone threat from Moscow.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that NATO was now “testing integrated systems that will help us detect, track and neutralise aerial threats” for use on the bloc’s eastern flank.
Ukrainian officials say Russia’s incursions into other countries’ airspace are deliberate.
“Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West,” Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said last month after the drones were spotted in Poland.
Other NATO allies have also claimed the incursions were deliberate.
However, experts in drone warfare say it is still possible that the incursions were not deliberate.
Russia has denied deliberately attacking any of the European countries, instead accusing them of making false allegations to cause tensions.
While Brussels wants to have the drone project fully up and running by the end of 2027, there is scepticism from some EU countries and fears that the bloc is treading on NATO’s toes.
The Senate on Thursday screened President Bola Tinubu’s nominee as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.
READ ALSO: CSOs Demand Transparent Senate Screening Of INEC Chair Nominee Amupitan
Tinubu had formally written to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of the professor of Law as the new INEC.
The request was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday.
Akpabio also read other communications from the President regarding appointments that require legislative approval.
According to the letter, the nomination is in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, which mandates Senate confirmation for such appointments.
At the screening on Thursday, Amupitan fielded questions from different senators on various issues affecting Nigeria’s electoral systems and how he would address them if confirmed as the new INEC chairman.
Watch the screening below:
Last Thursday, the President presented Amupitan’s name as his preferred nominee to fill the leadership vacancy at the electoral commission.
The Council of State unanimously approved the nomination of Amupitan, as the next INEC Chairman, following the exit of Mahmood Yakubu.
Tinubu told the council that Amupitan, an indigene of Kogi state in the north-central geopolitical zone, is the first person from the state to be nominated for the role of INEC chairman.
According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Tinubu described the nominee as an “apolitical” figure.
Council members, including former heads of state, gave unanimous backing to the nomination. Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi state, also described Amupitan as a “man of integrity”.
Sheffield Wednesday will “imminently” be served with a winding-up petition over money owed to HMRC.
After an investigation conducted by BBC Radio Sheffield alongside the Sheffield Star, it is understood the Championship club owes £1m.
A winding-up petition would increase the pressure on the club’s owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell.
They are already under five separate EFL embargoes after failing to pay wages on time in five of the past seven months.
Wednesday are second bottom of the Championship with six points from nine games after a torrid period off the field, which has left them with a threadbare squad.
The severity of the situation became apparent when May’s wages were not paid on time, in the wake of the same thing happening in March.
With uncertainty ongoing and the club placed under various registration embargoes, highly-rated manager Danny Rohl departed in July and his assistant Henrik Pedersen took charge 10 days before the season started.
The team did not play a single pre-season friendly in front of fans and players pulled out of a training match against Burnley after July’s wages were not paid.
Fans have organised protests before and during games so far this season and they boycotted the home EFL Cup ties with Leeds and Grimsby, while the supporters’ trust also encouraged fans not to buy drinks or snacks in the stadium.
Analysis – Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield reporter
For the last week we’ve been working on this story alongside the Sheffield Star. It isn’t a surprise and has been on the cards.
So what does it mean? A winding-up petition is a formal court application, filed by a creditor, to force an insolvent company into compulsory liquidation. With HMRC owed £1m they are believed to be ready to take that step.
It could mean administration for the club, although that is not guaranteed, but it also means a distinct possibility that Chansiri’s time at Sheffield Wednesday is close to coming to an end.
What the future holds is unclear and no fan will rejoice at the words “liquidation” being brought up. But it could mean the opportunity for a fresh start.
