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Jun 9
Girl, 14, arrested after three injured in school knife attack

The Co-op Academy in Plant Hill Road, Blackley, placed itself in lockdown following the incident on Tuesday morning. Three people were injured during the incident - a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy and a 27-year-old male member of staff, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said in a statement. All were taken to hospital but their injuries are not thought to be serious at this time, the force added. A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and remains in custody, police said. "Staff were quick to detain a girl to ensure no further harm came to pupils or staff, and officers arrived shortly afterwards," GMP said. Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Read more from Sky News:Six arrested over Epsom Derby day fightBen Stokes faces investigation over 'nightclub incident' Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: "We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community. "The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attending to arrest the girl. "There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this. "Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance."

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Jun 8
Singer-songwriter to the stars Talay Riley stabbed to death in London

Artist Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Orabiyi, died after he was found with stab wounds in Silvertown on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said. The Grammy award-winning songwriter was pronounced dead at the scene. The musician worked with Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding and numerous other artists. He has almost 77,000 listeners on Spotify and had toured with Usher and other artists. In a tribute on social media, his brother, artist Scribz Riley, whose real name is Michael Orabiyi, said: "My heart is shattered! This doesn't feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation." He added his brother was a "friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people's lives". "He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit," he said. Rapper Stormzy commented on the post: "I'm sorry bro", while singer Kehlani wrote "Big hugs Scribs I'm so sorry" and British rapper Wretch 32 said: "Sending love to you & your family bro. Your brother was a gem & will be missed & never forgotten, Never! RIP." Craig David, Paloma Faith and Oritse Williams also joined in the social media tributes. "Omg I am in shock. I had no idea I worked with him quite a few times and he was such and amazing talent and fun person to be around," Paloma Faith said. In a statement, Orabiyi's family said: "Mark was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend. He brought love, light and joy to our family and to all who knew him. "We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit and remarkable talent. His presence touched many lives, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever. "May his soul rest in perfect peace." A second man in his 20s, who suffered stab wounds in the incident on Friday, remains in hospital, police said. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, the Metropolitan Police said. A 27-year-old man has been released on bail pending further inquiries. A 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were released with no further action after police questioning. The artist received a writing credit for the song Lights On on R&B artists H.E.R's self-titled album, which won a Grammy in 2019.

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Jun 9
AI to be used in crown courts to reduce time victims have to wait

These include AI legal assistants to support legal professionals and staff, and streamlined case management processes to get cases moving quicker. The new AI legal assistants will be developed in partnership with UK legal experts and leading AI developers to support legal professionals with routine casework, including research and case analysis, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said. The government's plans aim to drive productivity, boost efficiency in the crown court, and reduce the time victims have to wait for their day in court. The technology will first be trialled in a sandbox – an isolated environment that allows for the safe and controlled testing of AI. This will ensure any new software meets the high standard required by judges and lawyers before being considered for use across UK courts. Read more:Magistrates and judges to use more AI Judges are already planning to use a new AI tool to help identify trial-ready cases and group similar hearings together, the MoJ said. This will help to maximise judicial, prosecutorial and court resources to resolve cases faster and deliver swifter justice for victims. The announcement will be made by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy at London Tech Week on Tuesday, where he will discuss how AI can drive criminal justice system modernisation. Mr Lammy said: "Artificial intelligence has the power to transform how we live, work and govern for the better. "This impact for good can be seen in our justice system – with thousands of days of admin work saved for our probation staff, and the advent of new tools which aim to cut court backlogs and deliver swifter justice for victims." Mr Lammy will also announce that every probation officer in England and Wales will now be able to use Justice Transcribe – an AI tool that automatically records and transcribes conversations with offenders. This will reduce the hours that probation officers spend between these meetings manually transferring handwritten notes into digital systems. 'Reservations' about AI's use in justice system Concerns have been raised about the dangers of increasing the use of AI to bring about changes in society. A review into the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans from attending a football match against Aston Villa in November found an "AI hallucination" produced by Microsoft Copilot had helped police justify the decision. A non-existent game between Tel Aviv and West Ham was referenced in a report produced by the force ahead of the game due to the error. The Law Society of England and Wales has previously expressed "reservations" about AI being implemented in the court system. The number of cases waiting to be dealt with by crown courts in England and Wales reached a record high of more than 80,000 earlier this year. This is more than double the level seen in 2019 (38,108), before the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to the UK government's announcement that the use of AI will be piloted in the Crown Court, Law Society of England and Wales chief executive, Ian Jeffery, said: "We welcome the MoJ's acknowledgement of the importance of ensuring safe and ethical use of any new tools, including AI. "However, for the use of AI in the Crown Court to be effective, the pilot must be thoroughly evaluated. The outcomes of these evaluations, along with the impact of AI on the justice system, should be made public. "While new technology should enhance access to justice, it cannot replace vital funding and additional court staff. Robust safeguards are needed to protect us all and preserve the integrity of the justice system."

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Jun 9
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson: ECB investigating a 'breach of team protocols' involving England internationals

In January, ECB chief executive Richard Gould said England players would be subjected to a midnight curfew, among other restrictions, following incidents in New Zealand and during the Ashes last winter. An ECB statement read: "The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men's Test against New Zealand. Reset or repeat? Have England really changed since Ashes?England player ratings: Returning Ollie Robinson stands outGot Sky? Watch England vs NZ live on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Get instant access with NOW - no contract "Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place. "We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course. "The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible." According to The Telegraph, Saracens rugby players were also present. "We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening," Saracens told Sky Sports News. "The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately. "We will make no further comment at this time." England wrapped up a 115-run win over the Black Caps at Lord's on Sunday in their first Test since their Ashes humiliation. England captain Stokes steered his side to victory, despite expressing frustration over the standard of the Lord's pitch, while Atkinson did much of the damage with second-innings figures of 5-30. 'It is a surprise that Stokes is involved' Geraint Hughes, Sky Sports News correspondent: There will be disappointment because there's a huge amount of scrutiny on the England men's cricket team and the women's team as well because they represent so much to so many as well. A happy medium has to be struck, but there will be disappointment because there have been breeches of acceptable behaviour before and in recent times. Ben Stokes has led England on and off the field, ever since he became captain and before. He actually became captain in April 2022 so it's well over four years. He has been the captain under head coach Brendon McCullum quite a long time as well. He also vowed to turn his life around after he was acquitted in the crown court system in 2018 of affray after a fight near a Bristol nightclub. He was a major, integral part of England winning the World Cup at Lord's in 2019. Who can forget that final against New Zealand? He then became Test captain when Joe Root left that role and for well over four years now he's been in charge and he's set exacting standards on the pitch, but also off the pitch as well. He's been very open about his mental health but also his expected high standards, so 'yes' it is a surprise that Ben Stokes is involved in this breach of team protocols. Is there a drinking culture in the England men's cricket team? In March, ECB managing director Rob Key insisted the England men's team "does not have a drinking problem" following an incident involving Harry Brook in New Zealand and a mid-Ashes trip to Noosa. Brook admitted he was fortunate to keep his England ODI captaincy position after describing his altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international against New Zealand last winter as a "terrible mistake". The 26-year-old was issued with a final warning and fined approximately £30,000. He is the current vice captain of the Test side and would be in line to replace Stokes as captain should he miss any upcoming matches. "I don't think they have a drinking problem," Key said. I don't think it's fair to put everyone into that bracket. I think the majority of those players are unbelievably diligent and will do whatever they can to try and maximise their potential and play as well as they can for England. "Like a lot of teams, there's two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity. What we're trying to do is try and find that happy medium. "It's not about drinking so they can get away from the game. Cricket is different to a lot of other sports, especially international cricket when you are away for the entire year, almost. Even if you're playing at home, you're away." Key continued: "The stress, the scrutiny on these multi-format players is tough. So, can we be better? Do we need to keep evolving? I think the game does, to be honest, and that's not a problem I'm going to be able to solve on my own. We need to be able to create opportunities and situations where these players can make the right decisions. "We can take away the temptation, but as I said, it's finding that sweet spot in the middle. Because you go too hard on them, like your kids, then they rebel one way. For the most part, this team, we try to trust them as much as we can and they've made good decisions. "The Harry Brook-Wellington incident clearly hit us hard and no more so than Harry in particular. He's not the first person, he probably won't be the last either to do that, but I'm hoping that will be the making of him. Going back to that decision, a lot of the stuff that I've read and seen, we've spoken about, we debated all of those things. "We believe that Harry Brook made a horrendous mistake, but he came to us - and Harry up to that point had a pretty clean slate. Before any of this Wellington business came about, Harry Brook had committed to English cricket. He had said 'no I don't want to go to the IPL, I'll get banned for three years because I want to do what's best for England cricket and my England cricket career', and I believe that deserves some credit and that's why we made the decision we did." The second Test against New Zealand is not until June 17 at the Oval, live on Sky Sports. England vs New Zealand - results and schedule All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports First Test (Lord's) - England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) - June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) - June 25-29 (11am)

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Jun 9
Man who stabbed partner to death after she told him relationship was over jailed for minimum 23 years

Clifton George, 45, killed Annabel Rook, 46, in a fit of rage at their home in Stoke Newington, north London on the night of 16 June last year after she told him she was ending their 10-year relationship. He punched and throttled her before arming himself with a kitchen knife and stabbing her repeatedly. After the killing, George started a fire in the basement, causing a gas canister explosion which ripped through the house. At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Constable KC sentenced George to life in prison and ordered that he serve at least 23 years in prison before becoming eligible for release. He said George, who had worked as an electrician on major projects such as Crossrail and the Northern line extension, could be friendly and fun, but he had "another troubling side to your character". "An overwhelming picture has emerged of your rage, anger and volatility", said the judge, noting that George had a "pronounced temper" which could be sparked by trivial matters and "perceived slights". Of Ms Rook, the judge said a picture of her "shone brightly" through the testimonies of friends and family as someone who was "kind, attentive, funny and altruistically motivated, and someone whose instinct was to support, to listen, and to improve the lives of others". Read more from Sky News:Girl, 14, arrested after three injured in school knife attackSix arrested over Epsom Derby day fight He rejected George's claim at trial that he had been provoked by Ms Rook pushing him, which the judge said would have been "completely out of character". "She feared you, she feared your wrath," he said. "In your rage and fury, you brutally stabbed Annabel to death." He added that even after the murder and explosion, George "remained fixated on your self-absorbed belief that Annabel had betrayed you". Ms Rook's father, retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook, described George as "utterly selfish" while her mother Susanna Rook called him "a wicked, totally narcissistic, damaged person". Delivering a victim impact statement in court, Mrs Rook held back tears as she paid tribute to her "optimistic, inclusive, and full of fun" daughter. She added: "We do feel Clifton betrayed the trust we placed in him. We welcomed him into the family in every way we could. "Bearing in mind his short fuse, particularly when in drink, we realise his inability to understand and address his own problems means he is, was, and will continue to be a dangerous man." Ms Rook's sister Sophie told the court: "Without Annabel, there is less joy and less hope." She said the murder has left the family dealing with the "painful question of whether we could have done more to help her escape".

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Jun 5
Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow reveals Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. "Veteran news anchor Jon Snow has shared that he's living with dementia, speaking publicly for the first time to raise awareness of a condition affecting around one million people across the UK," the Alzheimer's Society said. The charity said the 78-year-old has decided to speak out in a new documentary which will air on Channel 4 later this month. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Mr Snow as a "true giant in journalism" and said his decision to go public with his diagnosis is "helping others feel less alone and raising awareness of a condition that affects so many families". Michelle Dyson, CEO of Alzheimer's Society, said: "Jon's decision to talk publicly about his dementia diagnosis is a real act of courage and his story will resonate with so many. "His support for Alzheimer's Society will help spark a national conversation about dementia that we so desperately need. "Despite being the UK's biggest killer, dementia is still not treated with the same urgency as other major health conditions like cancer. "Alongside his wife Precious, Jon is shining a light on the need for faster, fairer access to diagnosis. "I would encourage anyone needing help or information to call our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk." Read more from Sky News:Anthony Head dies aged 72Two men found guilty of stabbing TV presenter Mr Snow, who gave an exclusive interview to the Daily Mail, revealed he has had the disease since 2023 and that before his diagnosis he was reluctant to see a doctor and had insisted there was nothing wrong. The journalist also revealed he was part of a clinical trial for the condition and has previously spoken about how his mother, Joan, struggled with Alzheimer's in the years leading up to her death. Alzheimer's is the ongoing decline of brain functioning and can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities, according to the NHS. Louisa Compton, head of news, current affairs, specialist factual and sport at Channel 4, said: "It is a profound privilege that we are able to document his last big investigation, in a sensitively made film that frames Jon's current affairs nous alongside a new life lived with Alzheimer's. "We hope this film will go a long way to raise awareness of how to live whilst facing a life-changing diagnosis."

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Jun 9
Retail chiefs urge PM to act on youth unemployment crisis | Mark Kleinman blog

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Jun 9
NBA Finals: Victor Wembanyama carries San Antonio Spurs to 115-111 win that cuts New York Knicks' lead to 2-1

Wembanyama had 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists on the night, leaving the Knicks still with a lot of work to do if they're to end their 53-year championship drought. The Spurs - looking to become the first team to win the NBA Finals from 2-0 down - handed the Knicks their first loss in 46 days in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd that included President Donald Trump. NBA Finals - all you need to knowSky Sports to show 70+ WNBA games in 2026Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contractChoose the Sky Sports push notifications you want Trump was booed loudly when he was shown during the national anthem, before the Spurs got off to an ideal start as Wembanyama dunked for their first two baskets, the visitors building a double-digit lead only four-and-a-half minutes into the game. San Antonio made nine of their first 11 shots and led 33-22 after one quarter, with the Knicks and their fans left frustrated by the referees and their own sloppy play. The Garden crowd didn't really start to rock until OG Anunoby's three-pointer capped an 11-2 surge that cut the score to 40-38. The Knicks then earned their first lead of the night on Jalen Brunson's 26-footer as part of a big burst to finish the half. New York were 64-57 up at the break. But the Spurs went back ahead in the third quarter and led 111-104 on Stephon Castle's three-pointer with 1:53 to play. Castle then closed the scoring with two free throws with 6.8 seconds left after Anunoby's three-pointer cut it to two. Wembanyama, whose turnover late in Game 2 cost the Spurs dearly, didn't make many any mistakes on Monday night. The 7-foot-4 phenom had 10 points in the final quarter, helping San Antonio build just enough of a cushion to withstand Brunson's latest comeback attempt. It means the Knicks had their 13-game winning streak - the second-longest in NBA postseason history - snapped as they missed the chance to move to the brink of their first title since 1973. Their previous loss occurred on April 23 in a one-point defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. They won the next three against Atlanta, swept Philadelphia and Cleveland in the play-offs and took the first two games against the Spurs. "At home, it really feels like playing six against five. Here, it feels like five against six," Wembanyama said. "It really shows what teams are made of." Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "I'm sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation. I don't think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than a strong performance." 2026 NBA Finals schedule All dates and times UK and Ireland Game 1Knicks 105-95 Spurs Game 2Knicks 105-104 Spurs Game 3Spurs 115-111 Knicks Game 4June 11 - Spurs @ Knicks - 1.30am Game 5June 14 - Knicks @ Spurs - 1.30am Game 6June 17 - Spurs @ Knicks - 1.30am Game 7June 20 - Knicks @ Spurs - 1.30am Watch the NBA live on Sky Sports. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

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