York Outer Labour MP Luke Charters has been made a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

In an announcement made today, it was revealed that he is set to join fellow northern MPs Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam) and Kirith Entwistle (Bolton North East), who are set to serve under former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

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As reported by The Press in May, Luke was previously a PPS for Business Secretary Peter Kyle until he resigned from the position in the lead-up to Andy Burnham’s bid to become an MP – calling for the Labour Party to be ‘bolder with our ideas and more confident in our approach’.

On his appointment, Luke said: “I’m really pleased to be taking on the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with Angela Rayner and the team. Over the past week or so, there’s been a real sense of optimism around some of the changes being announced, from building more council homes to taking action on rough sleeping.

“Hopefully it’s the start of showing people that government can make a positive difference to everyday life.

“For me, though, of course, York Outer comes first. It’s where I was born, where I grew up and where I’m now raising my family.

“At the end of the day, that’s who I work for. I’ll keep getting out across the constituency, listening to people, helping where I can, and making sure York Outer has a strong voice in Government.”

A PPS is the first kind of job on the ministerial ladder an MP is likely to get and are bound by the collective responsibility principle to support the government’s agenda in public.

They serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the department – helping to advise Minsters, aid communication between the Minster and backbench MPs (who do not hold a role), and help promote their department’s policies.

They do not get a ministerial salary on top of their Parliamentary pay.

According to a letter sent to Labour MPs by Anneliese Midgley, the Government Chief Whip, new Prime Minister Burnham is seeking to “strengthen and elevate” the role as part of a ‘wider culture change’ that they hope to create.

PPSs could soon be able to make more media appearances and carry out more work in Parliament on behalf of the Government.

In her letter, Ms Midgley said: “Serving as a PPS is one of the most important roles for parliamentarians and they are vitally important to the functioning of effective Government.

“The Prime Minister and I have therefore reviewed how we can strengthen and elevate the role so that it better reflects the way we want the Government to operate.

“We want to better recognise the contributions PPSs make to their departments. To the Parliamentary Labour Party, and to the success of the Government as a whole.”

Burke’s arraignment is scheduled for 31 August. The trial is to start within 90 days of that date.

Prosecutors have alleged Burke stabbed the teen before dismembering her body after years of alleged sexual abuse.

They allege he killed her because the teen had threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor and destroy his multi-million dollar music career.

Evidence read in court on Monday showed threats Celeste made to Burke on 22 April 2025, stemming from arguments about his friendship with another girl.

“I swear to GOD I will kill u”, one expletive-laden text said, followed by a threat to strangle him and tell her dad lies about him. “i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything”, one text said.

The following day, Hernandez went to Burke’s Hollywood home in an Uber he had sent to pick her up.

Prosecutors alleged that Burke stabbed her once she arrived.

By CLAIRE ELLICOTT WHITEHALL EDITOR

Published: 22:00 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 23:52 BST, 27 July 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — In a deal that ends a criminal investigation, a prestigious New York City medical institution agreed to boost its sexual abuse prevention program after one of its star doctors was convicted of abusing patients during a decade-long span and was sentenced to life behind bars, authorities said Monday.

Weill Cornell Medicine, whose faculty treats patients at several New York-area hospitals, reached a voluntary compliance agreement with the federal government that calls for it to spend $30 million to create the Institute for Safe Patient Care and Patient Empowerment.

Weill Cornell Medicine had previously agreed to pay victims over $1 billion to settle civil claims.

The deal comes after Darius Paduch, 59, was sentenced in 2024 to life in prison for sexually abusing patients from at least 2009 to 2019, including boys as young as 13. His victims, authorities said, suffered from certain genetic conditions, along with sexual and erectile dysfunction.

The doctor had claimed some of his methods of touching patients were medically necessary, though the indictment said they were intended for his own sexual gratification. The sentencing judge said his crimes were so horrific that it was the first time she’d ever sentenced someone to life in prison when it was not required.

In a statement, Weill Cornell Medicine called the institute “the first-of-its kind” for the early identification and prevention of sexual misconduct.

“This resolution is a significant step forward for us in addressing our former faculty member’s misconduct. Today, Weill Cornell Medicine is a safer organization,” it said. “Under new executive leadership, we have enacted significant reforms in patient safety and reporting protocols to ensure we provide the very best care to all those who place their trust in us.”

It added: “There is no place in our community — or in any medical institution — for the type of misconduct that occurred.”

In a release, Criminal Division Chief Amanda Houle from the Southern District of New York prosecutor’s office said Weill Cornell Medicine under the agreement will maintain an industry-leading sexual-abuse prevention program and will self-report future federal crimes involving sexual misconduct.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the agreement sends a “strong, clear message to all healthcare institutions” that patients should never be sexually abused and that they must devote the necessary resources to build and maintain programs that detect, report and prevent sexual abuse.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty dunked his head under the water, looked up at the scoreboard and smiled. His time, 26.94 seconds, was only enough for bronze but he did not beat himself up about it.

Throughout his career, Ramsay-Peaty has swum with the spirit of the giant lion tattooed on his bulging bicep. These Glaswegian waters will duly confess that age can tame the most vicious of animals.

‘My superpower looks very different now,’ said the 31-year-old, who was slow off the blocks and needed every dose of muscle memory to pull his way back into third.

‘Juggling babies with milk and having a toddler around is a different superpower. As a professional athlete, yeah, I’m still committed. I’ve been that person that wins all the time and it costs you pretty much everything. I wouldn’t say it’s worth it now.’

The killer instinct has been replaced by parenthood.

Peaty remains Britain’s best breaststroker but he does not fill international opponents with fear like he used to. The sands of time catch up with everyone.

Most swimmers peak in their early 20s. Even the great Michael Phelps, with his 6ft7in wingspan and size 14 feet, did not win another Olympic medal after the age of 31.

His wife Holly was seen watching on as Ramsay-Peaty secured his second medal of the Games

Ramsay-Peaty, pictured with wife Holly, had earlier labelled sport ‘cruel’ in an emotional statement

Ariane Titmus won four Olympic golds and here, aged 25, she is standing poolside with a microphone, carrying out post-race interviews for Australia’s national broadcaster.

Ramsay-Peaty’s finish time was almost a whole second off his world record. He accepted his bronze medal with grace, waving to his adoring Glaswegian audience, and he was more interested in taking home the cuddly unicorn for his son.

‘For me, that period of time when I was undefeated for eight years, or whatever it was, it was athlete first and then human,’ he said. ‘Now it’s human first and then athlete. That’s a good gamble. We don’t really know what the outcome’s going to be. We obviously need to switch up what we’re doing in training to a certain extent. I’ve been in my new training base 12 weeks so let’s keep it in perspective.’

Two lanes to his right, Scoland’s Archie Goodburn was swimming with terminal cancer. Doctors found three inoperable brain tumours two years ago and his presence offered a dose of perspective for the man whose life has turned into a swimming pool soap opera.

There is nothing glamourous about competing in Glasgow. Events finish late and start early in what feels like a tarted-up leisure centre. Sleep is a luxury. Ramsay-Peaty has been catching the double decker bus to Tollcross with his fellow swimmers. Single fares on the local First Bus service normally cost £2.45. No VIP shuttles here. With no road closures, the traffic tends to bottleneck at the turning off Wellcross Road, allowing plenty of thinking time

After missing out on gold over 100m on Saturday night, Ramsey-Peaty questioned the sacrifices required for this life. “What’s the point of all the 5.30ams? What’s the point of all the metres every day? What’s the point of feeling exhausted all the time? What’s the point of saying, “No” to all the family events because of training?” Time will tell how strong his appetite remains for mouthfuls of chlorine.

Ramsay-Peaty spoke of the importance of fatherhood as he and Holly expect their first child

The legendary British swimmer took to social media with a lengthy statement on Monday

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, at least, offer a more glamorous proposition. The swimming meets will be staged at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which most recently hosted the World Cup quarter-final between Spain and Belgium. The 100,000-square-foot NFL field will be transformed into the largest swimming venue in Olympic history. Perhaps the idea of a family trip to the West Coast to watch dad’s final race will make it all worthwhile.

‘There’s been a lot of learning this week,’ he said. ‘

‘I said it in Birmingham but this is absolutely my last Commonwealths. I just went out there and enjoyed it – really enjoyed it – but we just weren’t fast enough, weren’t good enough. We have to look at why, because the data this season has been tracking on an upward trend.

‘I can’t really put my finger on it, where I just lost that power to the stroke. Something’s not kicking but I’ve got to learn from it. To get two bronzes, with a relay to go, I’d say that’s success. I’m not going to be too hard on myself, not anymore.’

Earlier, on TNT Sports, he admitted: ‘I don’t even know what tomorrow looks like really, there’s a lot of learning. I’ve felt ‘off’ this week and I don’t know why. We are trying new things.’

This is not the fastest pool on the swimming circuit. Most modern elite Olympic swimming pools are three metres deep but the waves in this shallower, two-metre basin can add a few tenths of a second to finish times.

Ramsay-Peaty’s comments after his 100m race on Saturday night raised eyebrows among some of his peers. He claimed he deserved more. He felt his input – physical and mental – warranted more than a third-place finish. Several athletes accused him of arrogance and entitlement. They wake up just as early and train just as hard, but last night it felt like he had been away for a reality check.

When the adrenaline is still pumping through his body after races, Ramsay-Peaty sometimes says things he regrets. He can be unfiltered. His post on Instagram before the race was perhaps more measured. ‘I know this story won’t be filled with glory, victory and gold,’ he wrote. ‘However I’ll keep fighting, learning, adapting and striving for excellence until I can no longer give anymore. Sport isn’t a fairytale if your happiness and self-worth are only validated by medals. But it can be, if you find value in the hardship, the struggle and the tough times which might ultimately lead you to what you seek.’

He spent Sunday morning scribbling notes in his hotel room in Glasgow. ‘Am I good enough? Am I not good enough?’ asked the monkey in the back of his mind. He is now chasing the pack – as well as his younger self – yet he remains one of sport’s greatest showman. When the Chinese, American, Dutch join him in the pool, the chase will not get any easier.

The vehicle has been lying in the river for years

The Green Party has stated the lack of action by a council regarding a dumped car in the River Lagan is “unacceptable.”

The party said Lisburn and Castlereagh Council “must stop passing the buck” on the dumped car, which lies in a part of the River Lagan covered by that council. It lies just minutes from the Lisburn and Castlereagh Council building, and has been there for a number of years.

The environmental impact of abandoned cars in waterways is significant, and lasts as long as the vehicle is in the water, causing a slow poison to the surrounding ecosystem. Just one litre of leaked motor oil can contaminate up to one million litres of water, creating films that cut off oxygen for fish and plants.

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Long after the internal fluid of the car has gone, iron, copper, and zinc from the frame and brakes continue to slowly dissolve into the water, disrupting the natural chemistry of the riverbed. Rubber tires, dashboard plastics, and interior fabrics slowly degrade into microplastics and release dangerous organic compounds into the current.

The physical bulk of the vehicle can alter water flow, cause localized erosion, and trap other organic debris.

Local group Lagan Valley Greens are running a petition calling for its removal. Richard Gill of Lagan Valley Greens said the case “shows how historic neglect is allowed to become normal.”

He said: “It’s appalling to see the Lagan treated like this. If the Council and Stormont can’t deal with an obvious long-term pollution problem, how can people trust them to protect the river from bigger environmental threats?”

“We are calling for the car to be removed, responsibility to be agreed, and a proper clean-up plan for the Lagan.”

Belfast Councillor Anthony Flynn said the response so far has been “unacceptable.”

“This is a test of whether local agencies and Lisburn and Castlereagh Council will take responsibility for long-standing pollution in plain sight.

“This car has been left in the river for years, right in the heart of the community, and the public deserves better than excuses and buck-passing. If something like this can be ignored for so long, what message does that send about other fly-tipping sites?”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Argentine President Javier Milei’s austerity policies and reform agenda Monday, saying they have restored market confidence in a country long regarded as a serial defaulter on its sovereign debt.

Georgieva, the first IMF head to visit Buenos Aires in eight years, expressed confidence that Argentina could meet its debt obligations. As the fund’s largest debtor with about $58 billion in outstanding IMF loans, Argentina faces a key repayment period beginning next year, when Milei is expected to seek reelection.

“Argentina is in a much stronger position, and this is the result of the government’s hard work and the perseverance and sacrifice of the Argentine people,” Georgieva said at a news conference alongside Economy Minister Luis Caputo.

Georgieva recalled that Argentina’s debt was among the first issues discussed when she took over as IMF managing director in 2019.

“We were debating whether the country would be able to keep up with servicing its debt obligations to everyone. That is not the question we should be asking today,” she said.

Georgieva’s visit comes as Argentina’s economic outlook has improved, with bond prices rising, central bank reserves increasing and inflation falling. Annual inflation has slowed to 33%, down sharply from 210% when Milei took office in late 2023. Last week, Moody’s upgraded Argentina’s sovereign credit rating, months after similar upgrades by S&P and Fitch.

“What we have today is a much healthier picture,” Georgieva said. “Market confidence has returned.”

Georgieva is scheduled to visit Vaca Muerta on Tuesday, one of the world’s largest reserves of unconventional oil and natural gas. Its development is expected to become one of Argentina’s main sources of foreign-currency earnings in the coming years.

Georgieva also said she sees no need for additional IMF disbursements before the 2027 presidential election.

“We may be on a good track for Argentina to join the club of emerging markets that have borrowed from the Fund, reformed their economies and borrowed no more,” Georgieva said.

Investors are closely watching Argentina’s ability to meet its upcoming debt payments. The country will begin repaying principal on its IMF loans in September, adding to its interest payments, while its broader foreign-currency debt obligations are set to rise sharply in 2027.

By CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, TV CRITIC

Published: 22:16 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 27 July 2026

A federal judge tossed out a lawsuit Monday from an interfaith group that challenged the legitimacy of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, dismissing claims that its overwhelmingly conservative Christian makeup lacked a legally required balance of viewpoints.

Judge John P. Cronan said that although a federal law requires that advisory commissions have a balance of viewpoints, it didn’t specify how this should be done. The New York judge said Trump has wide discretion in picking members.

The lawsuit was filed by several plaintiffs, including the progressive Interfaith Alliance as well as Hindu, Muslim and Sikh groups. They argued that the commission was imbalanced because it consisted almost entirely of conservative Christians, along with one Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and that several commissioners were on record questioning church-state separation and supporting the idea of America as a Judeo-Christian country.

Critics of the the commission said such fears were borne out when it issued a draft report in June that challenged the understanding of a separation of church and state in recent generations, calling instead for “bridges” between the two.

But Cronan said the lawsuit, which sought a more ideologically and religious diverse commission, failed to meet legal criteria to proceed.

He also wrote that the commission is diverse in other ways, such as including both clergy and lay people. And he said the commission has “adherents of at least five different religions” — by citing the one Jewish member and then members of various Christian denominations and identities.

The Interfaith Alliance argued that the commission lacked balance because members believed “the law should protect the exercise of religious beliefs over the civil rights of minority groups.” But Cronan wrote that because Trump’s executive order creating the commission rejected the idea of “religious liberty as inconsistent with civil rights,” he wasn’t obligated to appoint someone who disagreed with that founding premise.

The Interfaith Alliance has been vocal in criticizing the commission, saying its recent draft report failed to address crucial issues such as anti-Muslim attacks and saying it supports policies privileging some religious groups over others.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.