Forest CityCommunity luncheon: Christ Episcopal Church, 700 Delaware and Dundaff streets, community luncheon, April 12, noon-1 p.m., all are welcome to join in fellowship. Also, the club’s Easter egg hunt will be April 12 at noon at the football field. RegionalFederation meets: Northeastern Pennsylvania Volunteer Firemen’s Federation meeting, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., as guests of the Crystal Fire Company 1, 201 Bacon St., Jermyn. Program: “Modern Railroading in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” presented by Eli Close, Alex Ferik, Robert DiMattio and C.J. Building at 5 p.m., with pizza, soda and dessert following at the firehouse; information: Joe Kasulaitis, 570-842-6524.

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man following an investigation by detectives. It is alleged that –In 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth areaIn 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of LondonIn 2004 a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of LondonBetween 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of LondonRussell Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, 2 May. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan Police who is leading the investigation said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers. “Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”We urge responsible reporting in line with guidance from the Attorney General’s Office. The charges relate to four separate women.

By JILL LAWLESS, Associated PressLONDON (AP) — British police on Friday charged Russell Brand with rape and sexual assault following an 18-month investigation sparked when four women alleged they had been assaulted by the controversial comedian. London’s Metropolitan Police force said Brand, 50, faces one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault. In September 2023, British media outlets Channel 4 and the Sunday Times published claims by four women of being sexually assaulted or raped by Brand. “We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault,” Narwal said. Brand had two weekly radio shows on the BBC from 2006 to 2008 and worked periodically on a number of short-term projects.

Prosecutors in Britain have charged Russell Brand, the comedian and actor, with multiple counts of sexual assault, including two counts of rape. The country’s Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on Friday. Jaswant Narwal, a prosecutor, said in the statement that Mr. Brand, 50, would appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London for a first hearing on May 2. Ms. Narwal added that the charges “relate to reported non-recent offenses between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.”The British police began investigating Mr. Brand’s past behavior in September 2023, after The Sunday Times, The Times of London and the TV network Channel 4 published a joint investigation into allegations against him.

A minke whale, one of which swims near the Channel Islands above, has been swimming for days in Long Beach Harbor. Marine wildlife experts on Thursday attempted to help direct a young minke whale out of Long Beach Harbor where it has been swimming for the last few days, according to authorities. “Usually they find their way out on their own.”In 2017, a 20-foot gray whale made its way to the shallow waters of Belmont Shore. That sighting occurred a day after an 18-foot gray whale swam in the shallow waters from 1st Place to 72nd Place. Helicopters with local news stations hovered over the Catalina Express Landing in downtown Long Beach, where the whale could be seen swimming as a small crowd gathered to take photos and record videos with their cellphones.

British comedian Russell Brand has been charged with rape and assault by authorities in the U.K. The 49-year-old actor, known for his work in R-rated comedies including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek,” was charged with single counts of rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police Service announced in a statement. The charges are connected to alleged attacks on multiple women between 1999 and 2005. He is scheduled to face charges before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2. A month later, Brand was interviewed “under caution by detectives in relation to a further six, non-recent, sexual offenses,” the Associated Press reported.

De Bruyne shared the heart-breaking news through an Instagram post, leaving all fans shocked. The departure comes after de Bruyne shared a decade-long successful stint with Manchester City. De Bruyne was straight in his approach, as he wrote that he is playing his final few months with the team now. His tenure with Manchester City began in 2015 when he joined the club for £54 million, setting up a record at the time. With the career he had with the club, it is safe to call him one of the greatest teammates for Manchester City.In a press release announcing the news, the club shared the long illustrious career that Kevin de Bruyne had with the side.

THE SUNUdinese striker Lorenzo Lucca is rising to the top of the Manchester United shortlist as the new Old Trafford regime seeks a substantial rebuild. Manchester United will have to hand Sunday's derby rivals Manchester City a windfall of around £5m if they land Ipswich forward Liam Delap this summer. Kyle Walker admits he was almost in tears after his "sad" Manchester City exit. Manchester City star Erling Haaland has been pictured free from his protective boot but still using a crutch as he attempts to recover from his ankle injury. US Soccer is forging new relationships with the Trump administration to ensure preparations for the 2026 World Cup run smoothly, its chief executive has said.

The world reactsBest social media memes and jokesAs predicted before, US President Donald Trump celebrated Liberation Day on April 2nd, 2025 by announcing a series of reciprocal tariffs against trade partners of the US. About 60 countries will be facing individual tariffs, supposedly half the tariffs and barriers that they charge the US. "The Trump administration have put a 10 percent tariff on the Island of Svalbard which has a higher polar bear population than human," wrote an X user. Also Trump: slaps tariffs on everything, including imported toothpicks. “the only two countries on earth exempt from Trump’s tariffs are, no joke, Russia and North Korea” wrote a social media user.

"Donald Slump" is the Metro, external's headline as it reports on the falls on global stock markets in response to the new US import taxes. It says the market turmoil has lead to a "calamity" - including for the investments and pensions of millions of British savers. The i Paper splashes on the retaliatory measures being considered by the government here - including possible tariffs on American cars, alcohol and clothing, external. The Sun says there's "no lav lost" with Britain considering targeting US toilet seats, external - among eight thousand possible American products. "Britain must copy Singapore" is the Daily Telegraph's headline, quoting an editorial written for the paper by the former chancellor, external, Jeremy Hunt.

Interest can change among coin collectors so it's worth keeping up to date with the latest scarcity index. The 2023 Salmon 50p is the rarest 50p in circulation, with just 200,000 minted. The rare coin was struck to highlight the plight of the salmon, whose population is in decline. It is considered the second rarest Olympic 50p coin after the Football one. Remember, though, a rare coin is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, The government expresses relief that UK exports are to be the subject of “only” 10 per cent US tariffs (“Trump piles on the tariffs”, Apr 3). But like most statistics, the proposal can be interpreted in more than one way. President Trump says that the new tariffs will be half what individual countries impose on the US, with a minimum level of 10 per cent. As he claims that the UK imposes an average of 10 per cent tariffs on US exports, rather than being the recipient of his beneficence, we are actually being discriminated against. Isn’t the obvious response to double all tariffs on

Poll Should luxury hotels focus more on unique historical experiences? No, modern amenities are more important Yes, it's a major attractionNEW DELHI: Bird Group , the promoter and operator of Roseate Hotels & Resorts, has acquired Beechfield House , Wiltshire in the UK. This will be Bird Group’s eighth hotel and a part of the luxury collection of Roseate Hotels & Resorts.Bird Group executive director Gaurav Bhatia said: “We are beyond delighted to welcome Beechfield House and its exceptionally talented team into the Bird family. Keeping aligned with the vision behind our existing portfolio of distinguished hotels & resorts, we look forward to delivering immaculate hospitality and exemplary guest experiences at Beechfield House.”Set in eight acres, the 24-room Beechfield House was built in 1878 and it remained a family home for 90 years until it was converted into a hotel in the late 1960s.Bird Group is a conglomerate in diverse businesses including IT, travel & aviation services, hospitality, luxury retail and education, across India, UK and the Middle East.

The penalties are set to include a fine and demands for product changes, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing an ongoing investigation. These are expected to be announced this summer and would be the first issued under a new E.U. European authorities have been weighing how large a fine to issue X as they consider the risks of further antagonizing Mr. Trump amid wider trans-Atlantic disputes over trade, tariffs and the war in Ukraine. officials said their investigation into X was progressing independently from tariff negotiations after Mr. Trump announced major new levies this week. The investigation began in 2023, and regulators last year issued a preliminary ruling that X had violated the law.

She ruled that the lawsuit had no real prospect of success, partly because of the significant delay in bringing the case. Steyn’s ruling did not address the veracity of the allegations themselves but concluded that the case was “bound to fail.”Trump had argued that Orbis breached U.K. data protection laws and that the contents of the Steele dossier were fictitious. His legal team described the allegations as “shocking and scandalous claims” that had caused significant harm to his reputation.Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Trump was initially required to pay an instalment of 290,000 pounds toward Orbis’s legal expenses. After failing to make that payment, a separate hearing was held to determine the full costs.On Thursday, Judge Jason Rowley concluded that Trump must pay 626,058.98 pounds, with interest on the amount accruing daily at a rate of 12%. Trump's legal team had earlier criticized the legal fee demand, claiming it had been set “absolutely outrageously high.”