Pope to be discharged from hospital on Sunday after 88-year-old pontiff spent weeks battling pneumonia – as Vatican warns he will still needs two months of rest to recover

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act refers specifically to "a biological woman and biological sex," allowing an appeal from the gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland. This ruling may affirm the current interpretation of the law while also recommending that Parliament consider amending the Equality Act to address unforeseen consequences. The live blog covering this story is now closed, but further information...

SummaryA new crime and policing bill in England establishes a legal duty for professionals, including teachers and health workers, to report suspicions of child sexual abuse to authorities. However, a "Romeo and Juliet" exemption allows teachers to refrain from reporting sexually active teenagers in all instances, receiving cross-party support. This approach aims to prevent cover-ups while balancing protections for minors engaged in consensual relationships. Full Article

Ancient and culturally significant trees in England may receive enhanced legal protections according to a new UK government-commissioned report. Proposed changes include tougher penalties for those who destroy such trees and the creation of a database for these trees, alongside strengthened preservation orders. Recent incidents, such as the felling of the 300-year-old Hunningham Oak and the Happy Man tree, highlight the urgent need for these measures to protect England's natural heritage. Full Article

Summary Dr. Johannes M., a 40-year-old palliative care physician in Berlin, has been charged with murdering 15 patients over three years, with fears that the actual number of victims could be higher. Initially arrested in August 2024 for four murders, investigations revealed he allegedly administered lethal injections without consent, leading to the deaths of patients aged 25 to 94. Police are also examining 75 additional deaths linked to him, with allegations of arson to conceal...

Aftab Baig, 47, from Glasgow, has been sentenced to four years in prison for fraudulently claiming over £710,000 in Covid-19 business grants by posing as a manager at Greggs. In May 2020, he contacted Leeds City Council with a fake corporate email, requesting business rates numbers for the city’s 32 branches to apply for grants intended to support small businesses during the pandemic. Although most of the funds were recovered, over £90,000 remains outstanding, and...

A 15-year-old boy from Sweden has been arrested in Sydney for allegedly using an encrypted application to facilitate international contract killings on behalf of a transnational crime syndicate, linked to gang conflicts in the Nordic region. He faces charges for conspiracy to murder, which could result in life imprisonment, and has been formally refused bail, with a court appearance scheduled for June 11, 2025. The investigation, initiated following a tip-off from Danish police, highlights the...