PM travels to Brussels to boost EU-UK cooperation.

This is Sir Keir Starmer’s first trip to Brussels as prime minister.

His primary objective was to mend fences and regain confidence with the EU and Strengthening EU-UK Ties following the acrimonious Brexit talks.

The moment was predictably rain-soaked but not inconsequential.

On press podiums, Union flags were positioned next to EU flags. Before Sir Keir arrived, the red carpet at the European Parliament was cleaned and swept.

Warm words were spoken for him by the formidable president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

He carried a lengthy wish list with him.

To help make Brexit work to the UK’s benefit, he advocated for stronger cooperation on defense and security, especially energy security, as well as on climate change, irregular migration—which was labeled “illegal migration” under the previous Conservative government—and delivering economic growth.

It indicated today that it is not interested in continuing long-drawn discussions if there is a significant chance of reaching a dead end.

The easiest and least controversial way to foster reconciliation is to cooperate more on defense and security issues.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on a large scale, relations have gradually improved. Both parties put sanctions on Moscow and strengthened Kyiv’s defenses by working quickly and closely together. The UK is spearheading the latter.

Human rights organizations have strongly criticized EU agreements such as Italy’s, claiming they frequently lead to the mistreatment of refugees.

Of all the things on the prime minister’s wish list, however, the EU is most concerned about Labour’s enthusiasm to remove “unnecessary trade barriers.”

According to Brussels, the UK’s decision to exit the customs union and single market caused those obstacles. The prime minister reiterated today that renegotiation was not an option.

According to a former British prime minister, Queen Elizabeth II was dying from “bone cancer.”

By disclosing in his upcoming memoir that Queen Elizabeth II was suffering from bone cancer before her death, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have violated royal protocol. The Daily Mail has begun serializing the memoir, Unleashed, which is scheduled for release on October 10.

Johnson presents the queen as mentally tough but physically weak in an account of their most recent encounter on September 6, 2022. He noted that despite her illness, she was determined to carry out her royal duties, writing, “But her mind… was completely unimpaired… she still flashed that great white smile in its sudden mood-lifting beauty.”

She was conscious of her imminent demise, but Johnson said she remained resolute in her position, determined to supervise a “peaceful and orderly transition” of power to his successor.

Isla Bryson, a female double rapist, was contemplated by Police Scotland to be registered as a sex offender.

The chief constable of Police Scotland declared last week that no guy would ever be reported as a female rapist. That may not have always been the case, though, as revealed by a document that Sky News was able to get through leaks.

Known as Adam Graham, Bryson raped two women in Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire this year. He changed his gender while awaiting trial. I

Following the guidelines of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) at the time, Bryson was first detained in segregation at the women’s prison Cornton Vale, located near Stirling, until her sentencing.

A public outcry led to Bryson’s swift transfer to the male estate, and the controversy dogged Nicola Sturgeon’s last weeks as first minister.

The dispute started about the same time as the Scottish parliament decided to ease the process by which transgender individuals could alter their officially recognized sex.

According to Scottish law, rape is defined as the penetration of the penis without consent.

“You can only commit that crime as a man,” Sky News was informed by Chief Constable Jo Farrell.

A spokesman for Police Scotland stated: “From a data analysis standpoint, this study from 2023 gave recommendations on possible future recording techniques and standards in respect to sex and gender.

In September 2024, the chief constable discussed gender self-identification with the Scottish Police Authority board. During the discussion, Police Scotland promised to conduct a more thorough study.