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No Writer
Apr 12
Police appeal after woman raped by several men outside church in Epsom

A woman in her 20s reported she was attacked by several men after she was followed leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub, Surrey Police said. The incident is believed to have taken place outside the nearby Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road, between 2am and 4am. Detective Inspector Aine Matthews said: "We understand this is an extremely distressing incident and the victim is being supported by specialist officers. "Our investigation is in its early stages and a team of officers have been conducting extensive enquiries today to identify and locate the suspects. "We are working at pace to develop our picture of the suspects and we will share details as soon we are able to. "Officers remain in the area and I encourage you to speak with them if you have any concerns. "As part of our investigation, we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area between 2am and 4am and may have been seen or spoken to a woman in her 20s in distress."

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No Writer
Apr 12
Legendary Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle dies aged 92

Bhosle died on Sunday of multiple organ failure at a private hospital in Mumbai, a doctor at the facility said. In a social media post on Saturday, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle had said the singer had been suffering from exhaustion and a chest infection. The singer's death sparked tributes from the worlds of politics and showbiz, with India's prime minister Narendra Modi writing on X that Bhosle's voice "carried timeless brilliance". "Her extraordinary ‌musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world," he said. Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman wrote on Instagram: "She lives forever with her voice and aura. What an artist." Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said Bhosle's death marked "a deeply sad day for India, and for music lovers across the world". "Words feel too small for the loss we feel," he continued. "One moment the heart falls silent, and the next, it drifts through the countless melodies she gifted all of us. "It feels as though time itself has paused. Yet through her eternal songs, she will remain timeless forever." "She always had a personality in the songs she sang," Indian actress Kajol said. "We as actors were always coming up short trying to give to the camera what she could express in her voice. "The only word that comes to mind to describe her is magnificent. Now and forever." India's president Droupadi Murmu said Bhosle's death had "created a huge void in the world of music". She continued: "Her legendary career as an iconic singer has defined an era of music in India. "I have fond memories of having interacted with her personally. "She led her life on her own terms as an artist and as an individual." Read more from Sky News:The Scottish rappers who fooled the music industryHip-hop pioneer dies Bhosle - the younger sister of another iconic singer, Lata Mangeshkar, who died in 2022 - enjoyed a decades-spanning career, embracing cabaret and Western-influenced melodies to forge a distinct musical identity. She recorded around 12,000 songs which featured in hundreds of films, including 1966's Teesri Manzil and the 1971 blockbuster Caravan. Bhosle was nominated for two Grammys and awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award - India's top arts award and second-highest civilian honour. The star influenced the UK charts too, as she was the inspiration for Britpop band Cornershop's hit 1997 single Brimful of Asha.

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Lucy McDaid, political correspondent
Apr 11
Student loans: The government's political dilemma

The Department for Education this week intervened on the student loan crisis with a 6% cap on interest. But it's a measure unlikely to silence the growing dissatisfaction with a system that's been described as "a dog's dinner". And now the conflict in Iran makes reform look much harder, with ministers prioritising even more financial support to ease the cost of living, should it be needed. What has the government announced and will it make any difference? From September, interest on plan 2 and plan 3 loans will be capped at 6% to mitigate the likely inflationary impact of the war in Iran. Plan 2 loans were given to students who went to university between 2012 and 2023. Plan 3 loans cover postgraduate loans and doctorates for borrowers in England and Wales. Currently, graduates pay back 9% of their income when they earn above a salary threshold. Interest is also added to the debt. For students in university, it's RPI+3%. For graduates, it's RPI+ up to 3%, depending on income. The RPI rate currently used is 3.2%, so the highest-earning graduates will be charged interest at 6.2%. A 6% cap will therefore save a limited amount, but it will prevent any larger-than-usual debt increases. What it will not do is make any fundamental difference to a system that has and continues to see the debt of many young people increase, despite them repaying a chunk from their wages every month. 'This is a group of people we really need to look after' Unfortunately for ministers, the noise is only going to get louder as MPs prepare to investigate the system for themselves. Meg Hillier is the chair of the influential Treasury Select Committee, and she told me that more than 40,000 people have already contacted them with their experiences of having a student loan, with more expected ahead of the closure of the call for evidence on Tuesday at 5pm. The senior Labour MP acknowledged that global volatility may now "restrict some of the government's choices" but stressed, "this is a group of people we really need to look after". She said: "We're talking about people in their 20s and 30s, who should be the engine room of Britain, who are focusing on getting their career established, possibly getting a family, looking at their housing situation, and it just feels an extra weight upon people at a time in their life when they should be motoring forward." "And remember the deal was always: you pay off your student loan because you're getting a benefit from being a graduate. We're seeing that that's not always the case now." The row over the fairness of the loan system was reignited when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in last year's budget that the salary threshold will be frozen for three years from 2027, at its new level of £29,385. It's seen as a tax rise in all but name, a Treasury tactic designed to drag more people into repaying their loans because of higher inflation pushing up wages. The Good Growth Foundation, a left-leaning thinktank, argues the threshold should be more like £33,000. This cross-party inquiry is just one of the several directions from which the calls for change are coming. Several Labour MPs, some repaying loans themselves, are willing to keep applying the pressure. Danny Beales described this week's announcement as a "welcome step" but stressed a "meaningful, complete overhaul" is needed beyond it. On the list of proposed changes are a cut to the 9% repayment rate, extending the loan term and reversing next year's threshold freeze. It all leaves the government with a student loan dilemma. While the interest cap is a sign of willingness to help, it's been widely received as the first step of many, and not enough on its own. And given the government is consistently in crisis management mode, it begs the question of whether wholesale reform is even affordable. But it's an issue ministers know they must address - and have said they will - not least to avoid the possible political cost of inaction.

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No Writer
Apr 12
Jannik Sinner reclaims world No 1 from Carlos Alcaraz after beating rival in Monte-Carlo Masters final

Sinner handled the gusty conditions in Monaco better than his rival Alcaraz to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to take the coveted spot at the top of the ATP rankings from Alcaraz for the first time since November 2025. The match did not hit some of the dizzying heights produced by tennis' two best players last year but it was full of twists as Sinner turned around a second set deficit and will look to hold onto his world No 1 status in the build-up to next month's French Open. Latest tennis scores, results and upcoming matchesDownload Sky Sports app for analysis, news and videoNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free It was the first time Sinner has beaten Alcaraz on clay since 2022 and he also continues his incredible 22-match unbeaten run at Masters tournaments - the level below Grand Slams. "The result is amazing. Getting back to No 1 means a lot to me," said Sinner, who joins Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win four consecutive ATP 1000 titles. "At the same time, the ranking is secondary. I'm very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface. I haven't done it before, so it means a lot to me." Alcaraz said to Sinner: "It's impressive what you are achieving right now. To win the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and the Miami Open) and Monte-Carlo, it's incredible. Congratulations for the work you're doing with your team." How Sinner got the better of Alcaraz The 17th professional meeting between tennis' two current superstars will not be remembered as a classic as both players struggled in the windy, overcast conditions. Alcaraz came flying out of the blocks by breaking Sinner immediately but the latter got back to 2-2. Neither player was able to raise their level to break each other over the remainder of a close first set, despite break point chances for Sinner in the fifth and ninth game. At 6-5 up, Alcaraz came within two points of the set but some big serving from Sinner got him out of trouble and he made the crucial first break in the tie-break. He squandered his first set point opportunity but a double fault from Alcaraz handed the opening set to Sinner after 74 minutes. It looked like Alcaraz was going to mount a comeback when he broke early in the second set. However, the Australian Open champion was struggling to hold serve and, inevitably, Sinner capitalised on several errors from Alcaraz to get back to 3-3. He went on to win the next three games too as Alcaraz became frustrated and Sinner finally got on top of the variability in his opponent's play to seal a first Monte-Carlo Masters title. Alcaraz and Sinner will now decide if they play again this week in Barcelona, where Britain's Jack Draper will be in action, before ATP 1000 events in Madrid and Rome follow in the run up to the French Open at the end of May. Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.

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No Writer
Apr 12
Man charged with murder after student stabbed to death in Primrose Hill

Student filmmaker Finbar Sullivan, 21, died at the popular north London viewpoint on Tuesday evening.Detectives have now charged a man over the fatal stabbing. Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27, of Enfield, north London, was arrested on Friday and charged with murder on Sunday. He will appear at Stratford Magistrates' Court on Monday. A 25-year-man, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released with no further action, the Met Police said. Scotland Yard said the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information or footage has been asked to contact the force.

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No Writer
Apr 12
Eamonn Holmes 'doing okay' after stroke, says son

Holmes, a former Sky News presenter, suffered a stroke last week and was recovering in hospital, GB News, where the 66-year-old co-hosts a breakfast show, said on Saturday. Declan Holmes said in a statement on Sunday his father's medical emergency "came as a real shock, but dad is doing okay given the circumstances and we're taking it one step at a time". He thanked those who sent messages of support, saying: "It means a lot to us as a family." "For now, we're focused on him and keeping things steady around him," he added. "We'd really value a bit of privacy as we navigate it, and what lies ahead, but thank you again for the support as it means so much to dad and the rest of the family." A spokesperson for GB News said yesterday that Holmes was "responding well to treatment". "His colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the people's channel when he is ready to return," they added. Holmes presents GB News Breakfast with his co-host Ellie Costello. Alex Armstrong will present in his absence this week, the broadcaster said. Read more from Sky News:Woman raped by several men outside churchMan arrested after vandalism of James Bulger's grave Holmes, from Northern Ireland, is Britain's longest-serving breakfast news presenter, with a career spanning more than 40 years. Before joining GB News in 2022, he anchored GMTV between 1993 and 2005, Sky News Sunrise between 2005 and 2016, and co-presented ITV's This Morning from 2006 to 2021. The presenter has previously spoken about his health issues, saying that dislodging discs in his back had impinged on his sciatic nerve and affected the mobility of his right leg. He underwent spinal surgery and a double hip replacement. Holmes had two falls last May, including one from his chair live on-air.

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No Writer
Apr 12
Police review complaint about Reform UK's free energy bills competition

Reform leader Nigel Farage said on Friday that he is "not the least bit worried" about claims that his party broke electoral rules when it offered voters the chance to win free energy bills for themselves and their street for a year. Mr Farage and his party's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick handed the winning couple - described as "staunch branch members" of the party by a local Reform UK page - a large cheque for £1,758 in a video posted to X on Thursday. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said in a statement on Friday it had received a report about the competition and that officers "are currently reviewing the matter", but did not disclose what the potential offence is. Karl Turner MP, who had his Labour whip removed in March, said Reform's competition "might be considered 'treating'" if it happened inside the pre-election period for local authorities, which started on 30 March. Reform's free energy bills competition ran from 17 March to 31 March, and the winners were announced on 9 April. The Electoral Commission said in a statement: "Some activity designed to incentivise voter behaviour may be considered an offence, including bribery and treating. "It would be for the police to consider the facts of any allegations made to them, in order to determine if an offence has been committed. Any allegations should be reported directly to the police." Zia Yusuf, Reform's spokesperson for home affairs, said those who reported the competition to police "should be embarrassed". "Look, I know for a fact we had some outstanding lawyers, multiple lawyers, look at all of this. We're extremely comfortable with our position," Mr Yusuf told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. Phillips, reiterating that GMP said it was reviewing the report, told him that an MP was forced to resign for treating in 1911 after offering voters coal. "Or, to put it another way, he offered to pay their energy bills. Doesn't that worry you at all?" Phillips asked, with Mr Yusuf replying: "This is a non-story". Concerns over handling of personal data To enter the competition, people had to submit their name, email, phone number, who they voted for in the previous election and their voting preference for the upcoming local election on 7 May. Concerns have been raised about Reform's handling of the collected personal data. A Reform spokesman said: "We've had the raffle checked by our party barrister and an independent KC. "We have two legal written opinions on it, and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has come back to us and said everything is fine." A spokesperson for the ICO said: "All political parties collecting personal information, including information for political campaigning, need to comply with data protection law. "We're in regular contact with political parties about how they use people's data. We have spoken with Reform about this competition and improving transparency in how they handle people's personal information. "People who are concerned about how their information is being used by any political party can raise those concerns with the party, and if they remain dissatisfied can make a complaint to the ICO." Read more from Sky News:British man dead in Canary Islands bus crashChagos Islands deal pulled by government It is understood that the ICO provided Reform with some recommendations around improving transparency around how personal data was collected, used and safeguarded for the competition.

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No Writer
Apr 12
Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham: Jamie Carragher believes Spurs are going down to Championship and does not think they can even beat Wolves

Spurs' 1-0 defeat at Sunderland means the club sit in the relegation zone with six games remaining and two-points off West Ham in 17th place. Despite being one of the Premier League's so-called 'Big Six', their survival status in the top-flight is out of their hands. Sunderland 1-0 Spurs - report & highlightsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 The result is damning but the performance was even worse. They created just 0.15 worth of Expected Goals in the second half against Sunderland, while a wasteful first half saw them miss 0.91 worth of xG overall - but failed to score. "I can't believe it. Tottenham look like they're going to go down," said Carragher. "The other [relegation threatened] teams have something going for them." Spurs now have six games to save their season in the midst of a long winless run. By the time they face Brighton next Saturday, live on Sky Sports, it will have been 111 days since they last tasted victory in the Premier League. Spurs' remaining games include matches against fellow relegation rivals Wolves and Leeds - but Carragher believes they have "no chance" of beating even the Premier League's bottom club away from home. "You look at fixtures, you think that's a good game for Tottenham. But they're awful. Tottenham's a good game for them. "Wolves are bottom of the league. Do you think Tottenham will go there, and win? No chance." O'Hara's explosive assessment of Spurs If Carragher's assessment of Spurs' fate is damning, then former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara's take is explosive. "Absolutely shocking. Spurs didn't deserve anything from the game. It sums up Spurs this season. They did absolutely nothing, offered nothing. "Non-existent performances all over the park. Connor Gallagher, shocking. Randal Kolo Muani, shocking. Dominic Solanke, shocking. Richarlison, shocking. Destiny Udogie, shocking. "You can't carry six players when you are fighting relegation! You have to fight and put in a performance. "Absolutely woeful again. I can't believe how bad this team have got. De Zerbi is a good manager but he can't produce miracles; the players have to produce for him. "Nowhere near good enough. The quality on the pitch is non-existent. These players have fallen so far off from where they think they are as footballers. "I am not seeing anything from this team that warrants staying in the Premier League. There is nothing that says they can stay up. There isn't enough fight, quality or passion. "For the majority of the game, I couldn't believe what I was watching. These players are nowhere near it." O'Hara has ranked Spurs' chances of Premier League survival at just "10 per cent" and believes De Zerbi is not able to work "miracles". "They have not won this year," he added. "It will be April 18 next weekend and Spurs haven't won in the Premier League. "Where are the points coming from? They need seven or eight points. Where are they coming from? I can't see it. "The players are not good enough and are not producing. Pumped by Nottingham Forest and beaten by Sunderland. West Ham have got fight. Forest picked up another point. Leeds have fight and have energy at home. "I don't see anything from Spurs to say they can get out of this. I cannot believe how bad this team have got. "De Zerbi hasn't got the players. I think you could see a style of play from Tottenham; he knows what he is doing in terms of how he wants them to play. "A slower build-up and possession-based. You could see what he is trying to do but you have to rely on the players to put in a performance. "What can you do as a manager? You are waiting to get beaten as they are not producing quality on the pitch. There is not enough quality. The players, it's remarkable, the performances they are putting in at this stage of the season and what is on the line. "Solanke, £60m Spurs paid for him! He was meant to be Harry Kane's replacement but it looks like he's forgotten how to play football. "Solanke's performance today needs to be studied. It's one of the worst performances I've seen. It's remarkable some of the football I've seen. De Zerbi must be scratching his head. "We don't deserve anything from the game - Kinsky was the best player! I couldn't believe what I was working. De Zerbi is not a miracle worker." De Zerbi: One win changes everything Reacting after the game, De Zerbi says Spurs have to be stronger as they are in a "bad moment" - but one win would change their season. "We have to be stronger. I spoke to the players five minutes ago, and I said the same," De Zerbi told Sky Sports. "I understand everything, I can understand it's been a tough season. We are going through a tough moment for everyone. But we have to react, we have to react with enthusiasm, the right spirit. They showed that today. I can't say anything about that. "What we have to do is just work, just transfer what I think. I'm an honest man, I'm telling you what I think, what my opinion is. We have big players, now they are in a bad moment. There's results, the part of the season. But we have to work on one win. With one win, we can change everything this season. "I have 24 hours in a day. It's not a problem of time. I want to find the right way to reach the heads of my players. I'm honest. When I say we created two or three chance in the first half with Udogie, Richarlison, Solanke - we did the same what we've done in the week. For that, the qualities of the players are great, but not enough. "Now we have to believe more in ourselves and our team-mates. The crucial part is to win one game. One game, one game, one game. "In terms of style of play, we can play much better than today. But after five or six training sessions, it's difficult. The problem is not a style of play, the problem is the mental part. Together we have to stay focused to win one game."

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