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A new simple urine and fluid test could transform womb cancer diagnosis.

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A new simple urine and fluid test could transform womb cancer diagnosis.

New Urine Test for Womb Cancer Offers Hope for Easier Diagnosis

A new urine test for womb cancer, alongside tests using vaginal fluid, could eventually make diagnosing the disease simpler and less invasive for thousands of patients.

Researchers are investigating whether biological signs of endometrial cancer — the most common form of womb cancer — can be detected in urine and cervico-vaginal fluid.

The idea is relatively simple: tumours can release cells, DNA, proteins and other biological material. Some of these cancer-related signals can make their way into urine or vaginal fluid, where researchers may be able to identify them without taking tissue directly from the womb.

Recent scientific reviews have found encouraging results from several types of urinary biomarkers, including DNA methylation markers, mutations and cytology. Researchers have also identified promising protein signatures in cervicovaginal fluid.

The potential benefit is significant.

Instead of immediately putting many patients through invasive investigations, doctors could eventually use a simple sample to identify who is at higher or lower risk and determine who most urgently needs further testing.

However, researchers stress that these approaches are still being developed and validated. They are not currently a replacement for established diagnostic investigations such as ultrasound, hysteroscopy and biopsy.

Why Womb Cancer Diagnosis Needs to Improve

Womb cancer, also known as uterine cancer, usually develops in the lining of the uterus.

This lining is called the endometrium, which is why the most common form of womb cancer is known as endometrial cancer.

One of the biggest advantages doctors have when diagnosing the disease is that it frequently produces symptoms relatively early.

The most important warning sign is unusual vaginal bleeding.

This can include bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, unusually heavy periods or pink or watery blood-stained vaginal discharge.

But abnormal bleeding does not automatically mean someone has cancer.

Many benign conditions can produce similar symptoms.

The challenge for doctors is therefore identifying the relatively small proportion of symptomatic patients who have cancer without subjecting everyone to unnecessary invasive investigations.

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IMAGE PLACEMENT: Add a simple medical illustration of the uterus here.

Suggested alt text: Diagram showing the uterus and endometrium where most womb cancers begin.

How Womb Cancer Is Currently Diagnosed

Someone experiencing symptoms of womb cancer will normally begin by speaking to their GP.

Depending on their symptoms and circumstances, investigations may include an examination and a transvaginal ultrasound.

A transvaginal ultrasound involves inserting a small ultrasound probe into the vagina to produce images of the womb and measure the thickness of its lining.

If doctors remain concerned, further investigation may be required.

This can include a hysteroscopy, in which a narrow instrument containing a camera is passed through the cervix to examine the inside of the uterus.

Doctors may also perform an endometrial biopsy, taking a small sample of tissue from the womb lining for laboratory examination.

These investigations are critical because they allow doctors to diagnose or rule out cancer.

But they can also be uncomfortable, painful or distressing for some patients.

That is why scientists are interested in finding a reliable, less invasive first-line test.

How Could a Urine Test Detect Womb Cancer?

Urine might seem an unusual place to search for womb cancer.

The biology, however, makes the idea plausible.

Cancer can produce molecular changes that may be detectable elsewhere in the body.

Researchers studying urine have looked for several different types of biomarkers, including:

DNA mutations associated with tumour cells, changes in DNA methylation, proteins and peptides, microRNAs, metabolites and cancer cells shed from the reproductive tract.

Research published in the British Journal of Cancer in August 2026 reviewed the rapidly developing evidence in this field.

It concluded that urine is particularly attractive because samples are non-invasive, inexpensive, easy to collect and suitable for repeated testing.

Some studies of DNA methylation and mutation-based urine tests have reported sensitivity and specificity above 80% or 90% in symptomatic populations.

Those results are encouraging, although performance varies between techniques and studies.

The review concluded that urine biomarkers are not yet ready for general population screening but could eventually become useful for deciding which symptomatic patients need more invasive investigations.

Vaginal Fluid Could Provide Another Clue

Urine is not the only easily collected sample attracting attention.

Scientists are also studying cervico-vaginal fluid.

This fluid may contain biological material shed directly from the female reproductive tract.

Researchers from the University of Manchester and collaborating institutions recently reviewed protein biomarkers found in cervico-vaginal fluid.

Several combinations of proteins showed promising ability to distinguish endometrial cancer from non-cancer samples.

One five-protein panel achieved an area-under-the-curve, or AUC, measurement of around 0.95 in the evidence reviewed.

AUC is a statistical measure researchers use to evaluate how well a diagnostic test separates people with a condition from those without it.

An AUC close to 1 represents stronger discrimination.

But even promising results like these do not mean a test is ready to enter everyday healthcare.

Researchers say the biomarkers need rigorous validation in large, prospective, multicentre studies before they can be used routinely in clinical practice.

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IMAGE PLACEMENT: Add an illustration showing a simple urine sample and vaginal swab here.

Suggested alt text: Urine and vaginal fluid samples being investigated for less-invasive womb cancer diagnosis.

Vaginal Swab Research Is Also Showing Promise

Another promising approach involves detecting abnormal DNA in a vaginal swab.

A multicentre study presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting evaluated DNA methylation markers in vaginal samples.

Researchers analysed valid samples from 670 participants in the study.

A four-marker DNA panel showed an AUC of 0.97 for endometrial cancer.

At a specificity threshold of 85%, the model achieved approximately 96% sensitivity for endometrial cancer across all stages in the study population.

Sensitivity describes how effectively a test identifies people who actually have the disease.

The researchers concluded that the findings support the potential development of a non-invasive vaginal swab test that could help rule out endometrial cancer.

But they also stressed that researchers need to conduct further studies to finalise the marker panel and algorithm before validating the test.

That distinction matters.

These results are promising research findings — not proof that a new diagnostic test can immediately replace a biopsy.

Could Patients Eventually Collect Samples at Home?

One of the most attractive possibilities is that some samples could eventually be collected at home.

Urine is particularly suited to this approach.

Instead of attending hospital immediately for an invasive procedure, a patient could potentially provide a urine sample that is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

A similar approach might eventually become possible with some vaginal sampling methods.

That could make testing more accessible and potentially reduce barriers for people who are reluctant to undergo invasive gynaecological examinations.

Home sampling could be particularly valuable for people who require repeated monitoring because they have a higher inherited risk of womb cancer.

However, exactly how such services would operate would depend on the final tests, their accuracy and approval by healthcare regulators.

UK Researchers Are Already Testing New Approaches

The UK is playing an important role in this research.

A five-year research programme recruiting participants from 2026 is evaluating new approaches to identifying endometrial cancer.

One tool, known as PREDICT-EC, combines information such as patient characteristics, symptoms and scan results with a simple urine test for blood to produce a risk score.

Participants are providing urine, blood and vaginal samples so researchers can investigate how accurately different tools identify womb cancer and precancerous disease.

The objective is not simply to invent another laboratory test.

Researchers want to build a better pathway that determines who really needs invasive investigation.

Could It Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies and Hysteroscopies?

This is potentially where the biggest benefit lies.

Imagine 100 patients arrive at a clinic with symptoms that could indicate womb cancer.

Doctors cannot simply assume that most do not have cancer.

They need a reliable method of identifying the people who require urgent investigation.

If a highly accurate urine or vaginal-fluid test could identify very-low-risk patients, some could potentially avoid unnecessary hysteroscopies or biopsies.

Higher-risk patients could meanwhile be prioritised for further investigation.

That could make the diagnostic system both more comfortable for patients and more efficient for healthcare services.

But the accuracy would need to be extremely reliable.

A test designed to rule out cancer must minimise the risk of falsely reassuring someone who actually has the disease.

Could the Test Detect Womb Cancer Earlier?

Earlier diagnosis is another potential advantage.

Womb cancer often causes abnormal bleeding before the disease becomes advanced.

That creates an opportunity for early detection.

If a simple urine or vaginal test makes it easier for patients to be investigated promptly, cancers might be identified earlier.

Researchers are particularly interested in developing tests that are simple enough to repeat.

This could eventually prove useful for people with conditions such as Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that increases the risk of several cancers, including womb and bowel cancer.

Scientists have discussed the possibility that non-invasive testing could eventually help monitor higher-risk groups.

Again, this remains an area of research rather than established routine screening.

Symptoms of Womb Cancer Should Never Be Ignored

The excitement surrounding new tests should not distract from something that already saves lives: recognising symptoms and seeking medical advice.

According to NHS guidance, unusual vaginal bleeding is usually the first sign of womb cancer.

Warning signs can include:

  • bleeding after menopause;
  • bleeding between periods;
  • periods that become unusually heavy;
  • pink, bloody or watery vaginal discharge.

Pelvic discomfort and pain during sex can occur less commonly.

These symptoms have many possible causes and most people experiencing abnormal bleeding will not necessarily have cancer.

But they should still be investigated.

Anyone experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding should contact their GP rather than waiting for new diagnostic technology to become available.

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IMAGE PLACEMENT: Add an easy-to-read womb cancer symptoms graphic here.

Suggested alt text: Common womb cancer symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding and discharge.

The Test Is Not Yet a Replacement for Biopsy

This is the most important limitation to understand.

Headlines describing a revolutionary urine test can make it sound as though patients can already provide a sample and receive a definitive womb cancer diagnosis.

That is not yet the case.

Different research groups are developing different technologies involving urine, vaginal swabs, DNA, proteins and other biomarkers.

Some have produced impressive early results.

But promising diagnostic accuracy in research does not automatically translate into reliable performance across millions of patients.

Researchers still need larger prospective studies involving people of different ages, ethnic backgrounds and risk groups, as well as people with different types and stages of womb cancer.

Scientists must also establish how these tests should fit into existing NHS diagnostic pathways.

What Happens Next?

The next stage is validation.

Researchers need to demonstrate that these tests continue to perform well when used in large and diverse patient populations.

They will need to determine how samples should be collected and stored, which biomarkers provide the strongest results and what thresholds should trigger further investigation.

Cost will matter too.

A test may be scientifically accurate but still difficult to introduce widely if specialist laboratory equipment makes it expensive or slow.

Regulators and health services will ultimately need evidence that a new test is safe, accurate and clinically useful.

If those hurdles can be overcome, urine and vaginal-fluid testing could become an important part of future womb cancer diagnosis.

Why This Research Matters

Cancer diagnosis is not only about accuracy.

The patient’s experience matters as well.

A diagnostic pathway that achieves the same or better accuracy while reducing invasive procedures could provide a major improvement.

Simple sample collection could also potentially increase accessibility.

Urine testing is already familiar to patients and healthcare professionals.

It does not require specialist equipment at the moment the sample is collected.

Vaginal swabs are also considerably simpler than taking tissue directly from the womb.

The long-term ambition is therefore compelling: to detect cancer accurately while putting patients through fewer invasive procedures.

Whether current technologies can fully achieve that goal remains under investigation.

Conclusion

A new generation of urine tests for womb cancer and vaginal-fluid tests could eventually change how researchers investigate endometrial cancer.

Scientists have discovered that urine can contain tumour-associated DNA, proteins, cells and other biological signals that may help identify the disease.

Cervico-vaginal fluid and vaginal swabs are producing similarly promising results.

Some studies have reported diagnostic performance above 90%, demonstrating why researchers are excited about the technology.

But these tests are still developing.

They are not currently a substitute for established diagnostic procedures, and larger clinical studies are necessary before they can be routinely relied upon to rule out womb cancer.

The potential, however, is considerable.

A simple urine sample or swab could one day help doctors determine which patients require invasive investigations and which can safely avoid them.

That could mean fewer unnecessary biopsies and hysteroscopies, a more comfortable experience for patients and potentially faster diagnosis for people who do have cancer.

For now, anyone experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding — particularly bleeding after menopause — should contact a healthcare professional rather than waiting for new testing methods to become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new urine test for womb cancer?

Researchers are developing several approaches that analyse urine for biological markers associated with endometrial cancer, including abnormal DNA, proteins, cells and other molecules.

Can a urine test currently diagnose womb cancer?

No, it is not a routine stand-alone NHS diagnostic test. Current urine-based approaches are still being researched and validated. Patients with suspected womb cancer may still need ultrasound, hysteroscopy and biopsy.

What is endometrial cancer?

Endometrial cancer develops in the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium. It is the most common type of womb cancer.

What is the most common symptom of womb cancer?

Unusual vaginal bleeding is the most common warning sign, particularly bleeding after menopause.

How could vaginal fluid detect womb cancer?

Cancer and precancerous cells can release proteins, DNA and other biological material that may enter vaginal fluid. Researchers are developing tests designed to identify these molecular signals.

Could the new test replace hysteroscopy?

Potentially, a validated test could help some lower-risk patients avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. However, current research does not justify replacing hysteroscopy or biopsy when those investigations are clinically required.

Is the new test available on the NHS?

Research and pilot programmes are underway, but the emerging urine and biomarker tests discussed here are not yet established as replacements for standard NHS diagnostic pathways.

Diana Gym Photos Timeline: Piers Morgan Earl Spencer Apology Explained

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Diana Gym Photos Timeline: Piers Morgan Earl Spencer Apology Explained

Earl Spencer has issued a public apology to Piers Morgan after his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, incorrectly linked the broadcaster to the publication of secretly taken photographs of Princess Diana exercising at a London gym in 1993. The controversy erupted in a single day: Morgan threatened legal action on September 21, 2026, calling the claim in the book “very, effortless bullshit for me to prove,” and Spencer’s representatives issued an apology on September 22, the book’s official publication date.

The core dispute centres on a simple factual error. Spencer wrote in his memoir that Morgan, as editor of the Daily Mirror, bore responsibility for publishing the invasive 1993 gym photos. Morgan pointed out that the photos were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7, 1993, nearly two full years before he joined the Daily Mirror as editor in October 1995. At the time of the photographs, Morgan was working as a showbiz columnist at The Sun, the Mirror’s direct competitor.

The Piers Morgan Diana gym photos dispute has attracted widespread attention not only because of the participants involved but also because Spencer is positioning himself as a historian and guardian of his sister’s legacy. Morgan’s argument is straightforward: if the book gets this fact wrong, what else might it get wrong?

Piers Morgan addressing Earl Spencer’s memoir claims on his YouTube show in September 2026

What the 1993 Princess Diana Gym Photos Actually Were

In 1993, Bryce Taylor, the New Zealand-born owner of the LA Fitness gym in west London, secretly photographed Princess Diana while she exercised at his facility. Taylor hid a camera in a ceiling panel above the workout area. Diana was photographed in a leotard and cycling shorts while using exercise equipment.

Taylor had previously given Diana a written guarantee that the gym would respect her privacy.

He sold the photographs to Mirror Group Newspapers for a sum reported to be in excess of £100,000 (approximately $155,000 at the time). The Sunday Mirror first published the images on November 7, 1993, followed by the Daily Mirror.

Sales of both newspapers rose by more than 100,000 copies on the days the photos ran, demonstrating the commercial appetite for images of Diana, even those obtained under ethically questionable circumstances.

The publication of the gym photos triggered one of the most significant privacy lawsuits involving a member of the Royal Family.

On November 8, 1993, one day after the Sunday Mirror published the images, Diana’s legal team secured an emergency injunction during an 80-minute closed court hearing, preventing further publication. Her solicitor, Anthony Julius of Mishcon de Reya, filed writs against Mirror Group Newspapers, LA Fitness, and Bryce Taylor.

Diana sued Taylor for breach of confidence and Mirror Group Newspapers for inducement to breach of contract. The lawsuit sought a permanent ban on future publication and required the handover of all negatives and copies of the photographs.

The Press Complaints Commission criticised the use of the photographs, and the case became a landmark moment in the debate over newspaper self-regulation and the right to privacy in the United Kingdom.

The dispute was settled out of court on February 8, 1995, less than a week before Diana would have been required to give evidence in the High Court, which would have been the first royal court appearance in more than a century.

The settlement terms included:

  • A formal apology from both Bryce Taylor and Mirror Group Newspapers
  • Destruction of all copies and negatives of the photographs
  • A permanent ban on reprints
  • Mirror Group reportedly paid approximately £1 million (around $1.3 million) toward Diana’s legal costs
  • A charitable donation of approximately £200,000 (around $267,000) to a charity of Diana’s choosing
  • Taylor surrendered the profits he had made from selling the images, estimated at £300,000

Diana’s office released a statement saying, “Her Royal Highness is pleased that her determined stance in defence of her right to privacy has been so completely vindicated.”

The emotional toll of the controversy was significant. In December 1993, one month after the photos were published, Diana delivered what became known as her “Time and Space” speech at a charity luncheon, announcing that she was withdrawing from most of her public duties.

What Earl Spencer Wrote in Swan Song

In his memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, published by Penguin on September 22, 2026, Earl Spencer revisits the period surrounding Diana’s death in August 1997 and the preparations for her funeral.

Piers Morgan Diana Gym Photos Timeline: Earl Spencer Apology Explained
Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, in a recent interview.

In the disputed passage, Spencer recalls calling senior newspaper editors to inform them that they were not welcome at the funeral. He describes reaching “Piers Morgan of The Mirror” and says Morgan “sounded surly, rather than merely confused or embarrassed” and “snarled with annoyance before he hung up.”

Spencer then wrote: “I assumed Morgan must be feeling particular guilt because, four years earlier, he and his Sunday Mirror counterpart had published photographs taken with hidden cameras by a gym owner. They showed Diana working out in a leotard.

He continued by referencing the privacy controversy: “This was such an intolerable invasion of her privacy that Diana instructed lawyers to sue the Mirror Group and to block further use of the images.”

The passage links two events: the phone call (which took place in 1997) and the gym photo controversy (which took place in 1993). Spencer assumed that Morgan’s hostile reaction to being disinvited from the funeral was driven by guilt over the gym photographs.

Piers Morgan’s Response: “Very, Very Easy Bullshit to Prove”

On September 21, 2026, the day before the book’s official publication, Morgan addressed the claim during an episode of his YouTube show Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Morgan read the disputed passage aloud and then dismantled it with a simple timeline.

“The Sunday Mirror printed the photographs, which he says I published, on November 7, 1993,” Morgan said. “I joined The Daily Mirror in October 1995. In fact, at the time of the gym pictures, I was doing a showbiz column on The Mirror’s arch rival, The Sun.”

He called the passage “very, very easy bullshit for me to prove” and described the claims as “fabricated inaccuracies” that undermine his credibility.

Morgan then directed his comments at Spencer: “If Earl Spencer can be so incredibly defamatorily wrong about such basic facts involving me, well, why should we believe anything else that he puts in this book?”

He also addressed Spencer’s broader credibility. Morgan claimed that by the time of Diana’s death, Spencer was “living in South Africa and was estranged from his sister”, while Morgan himself had developed a professional relationship with the Princess. “After that, it wasn’t uncommon for her to call my office or for me to run stories by her,” he said. “Ironically, by that time in her life, I think I was probably talking to her more often than he was.”

Morgan demanded the book remove the disputed passage and called for a donation to the King’s Trust. He also announced that he was pursuing legal action against Spencer and the book’s publisher.

On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “I am taking legal action against Earl Spencer and his publishers over demonstrable lies he has written about me in his new book, which calls into question his credibility as a supposed ‘historian’.”

Earl Spencer’s Apology: What It Covers and What It Does Not

On September 22, 2026, Spencer’s representatives issued a statement that was carefully worded to acknowledge the factual error while maintaining other aspects of the book’s account.

The statement said, “Earl Spencer’s account of his conversation with Piers Morgan is accurate. Mr Morgan was surly and annoyed when Earl Spencer called personally to tell him that he was not welcome at his sister’s funeral.”

It continued: “The book then records Earl Spencer’s assumption that Mr Morgan’s response was because he was editor of the Daily Mirror when the Mirror Group had published highly intrusive photographs of Princess Diana at the gym.”

It then acknowledged the error: “The photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on 7 November 1993. Mr Morgan has pointed out that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995.”

The apology concluded: “As a historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer. He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error.”

Notably, the apology covers only the factual claim linking Morgan to the gym photos. Spencer’s account of the phone conversation, in which he described Morgan as surly and annoyed, was not retracted. Spencer’s team explicitly stated that his recollection of the phone call itself “is accurate”.

The Broader Context: Swan Song and Its Other Controversies

The Piers Morgan Diana gym photos dispute is only one of several controversies surrounding Swan Song. The book has generated significant public discussion for other claims Spencer makes about famous people.

The most widely reported allegation involves King Charles. According to excerpts published in advance by the Daily Mail, Spencer claims that Charles told him, regarding Diana’s death, “We’ll forget her soon enough.” Buckingham Palace has not issued a formal public response to this claim.

Royal historian Hugo Vickers reportedly characterised the memoir as “tawdry”, and reports emerged that Prince William was unhappy with his uncle’s decision to publish it. The memoir has been framed by Spencer as a deeply personal account of growing up with Diana and witnessing her treatment by the press and the Royal Family.

Piers Morgan’s Career Timeline: Where He Actually Was

The entire dispute turns on a verifiable timeline. Here is where Piers Morgan was working during the key dates:

PeriodMorgan’s Position
1989 to 1994Reporter and showbiz columnist at The Sun
November 7, 1993Working at The Sun (Diana gym photos published by Sunday Mirror)
January 1994Became editor of the News of the World at age 28
October 1995Joined the Daily Mirror as editor
1995 to 2004Editor of the Daily Mirror
2011 to 2014CNN host (Piers Morgan Live)
2015 to 2021Good Morning Britain co-host and MailOnline editor-at-large
2022 to 2024TalkTV host
2024 to presentHost of Piers Morgan Uncensored (YouTube and The Sun)

The timeline is unambiguous. Morgan was not at the Daily Mirror when the gym photos were published. He was nearly two years away from joining the paper. The Sunday Mirror, which first published the images, was a separate title within Mirror Group Newspapers, and Morgan never edited it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the Princess Diana gym photos?

In 1993, Bryce Taylor, the owner of the LA Fitness gym in west London, secretly photographed Princess Diana exercising in a leotard and cycling shorts using a camera hidden in the ceiling. He sold the images to Mirror Group Newspapers for over £100,000. The photos were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7, 1993. Diana sued and the case was settled in February 1995, with an apology, destruction of all copies, and reported payments totalling approximately £1.2 million.

Why did Earl Spencer apologise to Piers Morgan?

Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, incorrectly stated that Morgan was editor of the Daily Mirror when the gym photos were published. Morgan pointed out that the photos appeared in November 1993 and that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995. Spencer acknowledged the factual error and apologised.

Did Earl Spencer retract everything he wrote about Piers Morgan?

No. Spencer’s apology was specifically about the incorrect claim linking Morgan to the gym photos. He maintained that his account of calling Morgan to disinvite him from Diana’s funeral was accurate and that Morgan was “surly and annoyed” during the conversation.

Was Piers Morgan editor of the Daily Mirror when Diana’s gym photos were published?

No. The photos were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7, 1993. Nearly two years later, in October 1995, Morgan became editor of the Daily Mirror. At the time of the photos, he was a showbiz columnist at The Sun.

What is Swan Song: Diana, My Sister?

Swan Song is a memoir by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, published by Penguin on September 22, 2026. It covers his relationship with his sister Princess Diana, his memories of her treatment by the press and the Royal Family, and the period surrounding her death and funeral in 1997.

Is Piers Morgan suing Earl Spencer?

Morgan announced on September 21, 2026, that he was pursuing legal action against Spencer and the book’s publisher. He demanded that the book remove the disputed passage and that the King’s Trust receive a donation. Spencer apologised the following day, but it is not yet clear whether Morgan will still proceed with legal action.

Most British voters support taxing private jets to help fill budget black hole

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Most British voters support taxing private jets to help fill budget black hole

The majority of British voters support a private jet tax to help fill the budget gap created by Chancellor John Healey, exclusive new polling has revealed.

More in Common polling seen by The Independent has shown that 79 per cent back the move, which has previously been mooted by some backbench Labour MPs and is now supported by the new energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh.

The survey of 3,039 adults taken in September comes ahead of the budget next month, where the chancellor will be forced to make some tough choices on tax and spending as he tries to fund Andy Burnham’s commitments.

These include a £2 cap on bus tickets, ending rough sleeping, and removing VAT from energy bills, as well as finding at least £5bn to fund defence spending.

UK voters want a private jet tax on billionaires
UK voters want a private jet tax on billionaires (AFP/Getty)

The private jet tax, which could involve an increase to fuel duty and hikes to air passenger duty,

would mostly hit billionaires because the super-rich account for most private aircraft usage. The poll also indicated that 56 per cent of those surveyed believe the rich do not pay enough tax.

Support for the move and other taxes on the wealthy, including equalising capital gains tax with income tax, is being pushed by a number of MPs on Labour’s backbenches as they seek to influence Mr Healey’s thinking ahead of the budget.

Chris Hinchcliffe, Labour MP for North East Herts, said, “Our constituents are clear on what they want: a tax on private jets to fund essential services is common sense for both our economy and our environment. Those at the top of society should pay their fair share to ensure that those suffering most from the cost of living do not bear the brunt.

With a majority of the public supporting the proposal, there is no better time for the government to introduce taxes on private jet fuel and on extreme wealth.

It is believed that a private jet tax could raise as much as £2.7bn if fuel duty on private-jet kerosene is set at 10 times the road-fuel rate (£5.295 per litre), bringing in an extra £1.5 billion a year, and if air passenger duty is hiked by 30 times its current rate, adding £1.2bn.

Myles Cummins, aviation campaign manager at a climate charity “Possible,” he said, “as this polling shows, a majority of Britons support a tax on private jets so that the richest in society can pay their fair share.”

Private jet passengers currently pay almost nothing in tax compared to ordinary people for their flights, while also producing an astronomical amount of pollution on journeys that only the obscenely wealthy can afford. In the cost-of-living and climate crises, that simply isn’t acceptable. The numbers are clear: people want a private jet tax, so why aren’t we doing something about it?”

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey departs after a weekly government cabinet meeting at Downing Street
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey departs after a weekly government cabinet meeting at Downing Street (Getty)

Katie Thompson, a former private jet pilot and member of Safe Landing, added, “Our industry as it stands is unsustainable. Transitioning aviation away from fossil fuels requires significant investment, but the costs should not fall on everyone. The fairest and most effective approach is to tax those who fly the most polluting aircraft: private jets.

The polling shows that the private jet tax is most popular among Labour (68 per cent) and Green (75 per cent) voters but even almost half of Tory (46 per cent) and Reform (49 per cent) voters back the move.

Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has previously pushed for changing air passenger taxes and raising duties on empty flights as well as looking at private jets.

Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli’s ‘good mix’ as new boss looks for Nations League win kick-off

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Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli’s ‘good mix’ as new boss looks for Nations League win kick-off

Sebastien Pocognoli, the new Scotland head coach, told Sky Sports he felt

“We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and the spirit needs to stay.

The Belgian are training in the La Manga sunshine for the first time this week as they prepare for their Nations League opener against Slovenia, with the game kicking off at 7.45pm on Friday.

His first squad saw five players handed their first full Scotland call-ups, with Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery called up after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean withdrew.

Image:
The Scotland players are training in La Manga ahead of their Nations League opener

The longer international break – with four Nations League matches – gives the new boss more time with his squad as he looks to make an impact as Steve Clarke’s successor.

“We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix,” Pocognoli told Sky Sports News.

Kristi Montgomery has been added to the Scotland squad
Image:
Kristi Montgomery has been added to the Scotland squad

“The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch.

It’s also about performance in your club and injury, and at the same time you need to make the change.

“What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future.

“It’s to find the right balance, like I said, so the experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and from the coaching staff perspective, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together.

“I want to see a team who are just really together; it’s quite basic – attack together, defend together – but that’s part of the Scotland mentality.”

Oli McBurnie is included in the Scotland squad for the first time since 2021
Image:
Oli McBurnie is included in the Scotland squad for the first time since 2021

The Pocognoli era officially gets underway in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a game against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.

The squad then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6.

Scotland were demoted from Nations League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year’s competition.

“There are many ways to be successful,” the 39-year-old added.

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For me, in the Nations League, it’s about staying competitive and trying to be as high as possible in the ranking to go to League A.

“But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who are the leaders on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch.

“Also, to get the supporters excited. If we can combine with the result, and that’s why we do this job, I would be really happy.”

Scotland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)

Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)

Scotland’s Nations League fixtures

Slovenia vs Scotland – September 26, kick-off 2pm

Scotland vs Switzerland – September 29, kick-off 7.45pm

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EU Ends Russia Sanctions Deadlock Ahead of Key Talks on Ukraine and Greenland.

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EU Ends Russia Sanctions Deadlock Ahead of Key Talks on Ukraine and Greenland.

EU-Russia Sanctions Deal Reached After Last-Minute Deadlock

The EU-Russia sanctions regime has survived a last-minute political deadlock after European Union countries reached a compromise over demands to remove two prominent billionaires from the bloc’s sanctions list.

EU ambassadors agreed on Tuesday, 22 September, to delist Russian-Uzbek metals billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman.

In exchange, EU countries will renew restrictions covering roughly 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years rather than the usual six-month period.

The breakthrough came only hours before the sanctions were due to expire.

The dispute had become an uncomfortable test of EU unity over Russia at a particularly sensitive diplomatic moment, with Ukraine’s future and Arctic security also dominating meetings around the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The agreement prevents the broader sanctions list from lapsing while highlighting increasingly complicated negotiations among the EU’s 27 member states over how restrictions against Russia should be maintained.

What Caused the EU Sanctions Deadlock?

The disagreement centred on whether Usmanov and Fridman should remain subject to EU sanctions.

France pushed to remove Usmanov from the list, while Luxembourg sought to remove Fridman.

Other EU members were uncomfortable with the proposed changes.

Latvia emerged as the final major obstacle to an agreement.

Because EU foreign-policy sanctions require unanimity, one member state can prevent a renewal.

That created an urgent problem.

The existing restrictions were scheduled to expire at midnight on 22 September.

Without agreement, sanctions affecting nearly 3,000 individuals and organisations linked by the EU to Russia’s actions against Ukraine could have expired.

Those targeted include senior Russian political figures, as well as companies and organisations.

After several rounds of negotiations, Latvia agreed not to block the compromise

EU Russia sanctions negotiations in Brussels as member states reach a last-minute compromise.
EU Russia sanctions negotiations in Brussels as member states reach a last-minute compromise.

Usmanov and Fridman Removed From Sanctions List

The most controversial part of the agreement is the removal of Usmanov and Fridman.

Usmanov is a Russian-Uzbek businessman whose interests have included metals, mining and telecommunications.

He was placed under EU sanctions following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

France had pushed for his removal, citing national-security considerations.

Fridman, meanwhile, is a co-founder of Alfa Group and has challenged sanctions imposed against him.

Luxembourg supported removing him from the list while facing a multibillion-dollar legal claim connected with the sanctions.

Their removal became the price of securing a wider agreement.

The EU did not abandon its broader sanctions regime.

Instead, member states agreed to continue restrictions against the thousands of other listed people and entities.

Sanctions Extended for Three Years

One of the most significant elements of the compromise is its length.

Rather than renewing the individual sanctions for another six months, EU governments agreed to a three-year extension for the remaining listings.

That is important because sanctions renewals have repeatedly created opportunities for individual member states to demand concessions.

A longer renewal period reduces the frequency with which the entire list must return to the negotiating table.

The EU says it intends its Russia sanctions to increase pressure on Moscow and to target people, businesses and sectors connected with Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Measures can include asset freezes and travel restrictions.

The broader EU sanctions architecture also includes extensive restrictions affecting finance, trade, energy and technology.

Why Latvia Initially Objected

Latvia has traditionally supported a tough European approach to Russia.

Its geographical position and history make Russian security policy particularly important in Latvian politics.

Latvia was therefore reluctant to support removing two wealthy businessmen from the sanctions list while Russia’s war against Ukraine continued.

The dispute was ultimately resolved through a wider diplomatic compromise.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said France had agreed to begin discussions with Latvia about joining a French nuclear-deterrence initiative.

He also said France had committed to strengthening its military presence in Latvia, especially in air defence.

Latvia ultimately abstained rather than blocking the sanctions agreement.

That allowed the wider package to proceed

Latvia played a central role in negotiations over the EU Russia sanctions renewal.
Latvia played a central role in negotiations over the EU Russia sanctions renewal.

Ukraine Criticises the Delisting Decision

Not everyone has welcomed the compromise.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has criticised the removal of Usmanov and Fridman.

Kyiv has consistently argued that it should maintain economic pressure on people and businesses it considers connected with the Russian system while the war continues.

From Ukraine’s perspective, sanctions are not simply symbolic.

Kyiv sees economic restrictions as part of a wider strategy designed to limit Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations.

The dispute therefore exposes a difficult question for Europe.

EU governments broadly continue to support sanctions against Russia, but disagreements can arise over individual listings, legal challenges and the evidence required to maintain restrictions.

Why EU Sanctions Require Compromise

EU sanctions policy can appear complicated because decisions must balance political objectives with legal requirements.

The European Commission describes restrictive measures as a foreign-policy tool intended to influence policies or activities while targeting responsible governments, organisations, companies or individuals.

The Council takes decisions on adopting, renewing or lifting sanctions.

Unanimity makes maintaining unity important.

That gives every EU member considerable influence.

It also explains why a disagreement involving only two names threatened a sanctions list covering thousands of people and entities.

The September negotiations provide a striking example of how that system works in practice.

EU Sanctions Have Expanded Since Russia Invaded Ukraine

The European Union has progressively expanded sanctions against Russia since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Those measures grew dramatically after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

By September 2026, the EU had adopted 21 sanctions packages targeting Russia.

Individuals, companies, and sectors of the Russian economy are covered by the restrictions.

The EU says the objective is to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain its war while increasing economic and political pressure on Moscow.

Russia has repeatedly criticised Western sanctions, arguing that they harm both European economies and Russia.

The effectiveness and economic consequences of sanctions continue to be debated, but they remain one of the EU’s principal non-military tools in responding to the war.

Sanctions Drama Comes as Zelenskyy Meets Trump

The timing of the Brussels dispute was particularly important because major Ukraine diplomacy was simultaneously taking place in New York.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the United Nations General Assembly for talks with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy’s priorities included strengthening Ukraine’s air defences and discussing a possible agreement to reduce attacks on its energy infrastructure.

Ukraine is particularly concerned about Russian strikes on its energy system as another winter approaches.

Kyiv has also sought additional Patriot air-defence systems.

The diplomatic push comes as Russia and Ukraine continue exchanging long-range drone and missile attacks.

The sanctions debate in Brussels therefore had consequences far beyond an administrative deadline.

A failure to renew the measures would have sent an entirely unique political signal at the same moment Ukraine was seeking continued international pressure on Moscow.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends Ukraine talks in New York as the EU renews Russia sanctions.

Greenland Security Talks Add Another Geopolitical Dimension

Ukraine was not the only major security issue on the agenda.

Trump also met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in New York.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a new security agreement allowing an expanded US military presence on Greenland.

The agreement follows months of tension over Trump’s demands concerning the strategically important Arctic territory.

Crucially, the deal does not transfer Greenland to the United States.

Instead, it expands American security access while Denmark and Greenland retain sovereignty.

The agreement reflects growing concern about military competition in the Arctic, including the activities of Russia and China.

Greenland’s geographical position between North America and Europe makes it strategically important for missile warning, Arctic surveillance and North Atlantic defence.

Why Greenland Matters to European Security

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Although geographically part of North America, it has deep political and economic links with Europe.

The Arctic is becoming increasingly important because of security competition, shipping routes, critical minerals and climate change.

Russia possesses an extensive Arctic coastline and substantial military infrastructure across its northern territories.

China has also shown growing economic and strategic interest in the region.

Those factors have increased Greenland’s importance to NATO and the United States.

Earlier in September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Nuuk and announced a €200 million EU investment package for Greenland.

The package covers areas including connectivity, hydropower, critical raw materials, housing, tourism and small businesses.

The EU described Greenland as a strategic ally and trusted partner.

Ukraine and Greenland Highlight Europe’s Security Challenge

At first glance, the stories of Russia’s sanctions, Ukraine, and Greenland may seem separate.

But they increasingly connect through the same broader question: how Europe responds to a changing security environment.

In Eastern Europe, Russia’s war against Ukraine remains the most immediate military threat.

In the Arctic, competition involving Russia, the United States, China and European states is increasing Greenland’s strategic importance.

Meanwhile, European governments are trying to strengthen their defence capabilities while managing sometimes difficult relationships with Washington.

The sanctions dispute demonstrates another challenge.

Even when EU countries agree on the broad objective of pressuring Russia, it can be politically difficult to reach agreement on specific measures.

What Happens to the Russia Sanctions Now?

The immediate crisis has been resolved.

Usmanov and Fridman will be removed from the sanctions list, while restrictions against roughly 3,000 other individuals and entities will continue for three years.

That longer renewal provides more stability than the previous six-month cycle.

But the controversy is unlikely to disappear.

Questions will continue over whether individual sanctions are legally sustainable, whether additional people should be listed and whether existing measures are effectively limiting Russia’s ability to finance its war.

There will also be debate over whether removing prominent individuals weakens the political message behind the sanctions.

Supporters of the compromise can point to the preservation of restrictions against thousands of other targets.

Critics can argue that individual delistings risk creating pressure for further exceptions.

Both issues are likely to remain part of European foreign-policy discussions.

What to Watch Next

Several developments will determine where the story goes from here.

Ukraine will closely monitor the results of Zelenskyy’s talks in New York, particularly regarding air defence and possible efforts to reduce attacks on energy infrastructure.

EU governments will continue assessing sanctions enforcement and possible future measures against Russia.

Latvia and France are expected to discuss deeper defence cooperation.

Meanwhile, implementation of the Greenland security agreement will show how far the United States expands its military presence on the island.

These developments all form part of a rapidly changing European security picture.

Conclusion

The EU-Russia sanctions dispute came dangerously close to the deadline before European governments finally reached a compromise.

France had pushed to remove Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, while Luxembourg sought to remove Mikhail Fridman.

Latvia initially resisted the plan.

The eventual agreement removes both billionaires but preserves sanctions against roughly 3,000 other individuals and entities for another three years.

The decision avoids what would have been a significant breakdown in EU sanctions policy.

But it also demonstrates how difficult maintaining unanimity among 27 countries can become.

The timing makes the episode even more significant.

As EU diplomats negotiated in Brussels, Zelenskyy was in New York pursuing further international support for Ukraine, while Trump, Denmark and Greenland signed a major new Arctic security agreement.

Together, the developments underline how European security now stretches from the battlefields of Ukraine to the Arctic.

The sanctions crisis may have been resolved for now, but the larger questions surrounding Russia, Ukraine and Europe’s future security are nowhere near settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the EU-Russia sanctions expire?

No. On 22 September 2026, EU ambassadors reached a compromise that renewed the wider sanctions regime covering roughly 3,000 listed individuals and entities.

Which Russian billionaires were removed from EU sanctions?

The EU agreed to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.

How long were the remaining sanctions extended?

The remaining individual sanctions were extended for three years, rather than the usual six-month renewal period.

Why was the EU deadlocked?

France wanted Usmanov removed, while Luxembourg pushed for Fridman’s delisting. Latvia initially objected to the compromise, creating a deadlock because EU sanctions decisions require unanimity.

What are the EU sanctions against Russia designed to do?

The EU says its sanctions aim to increase pressure on Russia and limit its ability to sustain its war against Ukraine.

What is happening with Ukraine talks?

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is holding high-level talks in New York, including discussions with US President Donald Trump, with air defence and a possible energy-related truce among the issues on the agenda.

What is the Greenland agreement?

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed an agreement allowing a larger US military presence on Greenland. The agreement does not transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States.

Cindy Crawford’s Son Presley Gerber Dies at 27 as Police Investigate Suspected Overdose

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Cindy Crawford’s Son Presley Gerber Dies at 27 as Police Investigate Suspected Overdose
Cindy Crawford’s Son Presley Gerber Dies at 27 as Police Investigate Suspected Overdose

Presley Gerber’s Death Being Investigated as Suspected Overdose

The Presley Gerber death is being investigated as a suspected overdose after Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son died at the age of 27.

Gerber died on Sunday, 20 September 2026, at a rehabilitation facility in California.

Santa Monica Police said officers responded at approximately 9:35am to a report of a possible overdose.

When officers arrived, they found an adult man who had died. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner subsequently identified him as Presley Gerber.

Police have said detectives are investigating the death as a suspected overdose and that there is currently no indication of foul play.

However, an important distinction remains: an overdose has not yet been officially confirmed as Gerber’s cause of death.

That determination will be made by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner following its investigation and testing.

What Police Have Said About Presley Gerber’s Death

According to Santa Monica Police, emergency services were called on Sunday morning following a report of a possible overdose.

Gerber was pronounced dead at approximately 9:45am.

The investigation remained ongoing on Monday as authorities worked to establish exactly what happened.

Police said there was no indication of foul play at this stage.

The medical examiner is responsible for officially determining both the cause and manner of death.

Until that process is complete, reports describing Gerber’s death as an overdose should make clear that the case remains the working line of investigation rather than a final medical conclusion.

Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who died aged 27.

Medical Examiner Has Not Confirmed Cause of Death

Initial reports about a suspected overdose quickly circulated following Gerber’s death.

But the official medical investigation remains crucial.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the investigation was continuing and that limited information was initially available.

Further examination, including toxicology testing where appropriate, can be required before a definitive cause of death is established.

That process can take time.

It means headlines saying Gerber “died from an overdose” would currently go further than the confirmed evidence.

The accurate description is that police are investigating his death as a suspected overdose.

Family Asks for Privacy

Gerber’s family confirmed his death through a representative.

His parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, have asked for privacy as they deal with the loss.

The family’s statement described it as a very difficult and painful time.

The family has not released any detailed public statement about the circumstances surrounding Gerber’s death.

Their request for privacy comes as international attention focuses on the tragedy because of the family’s prominence in the fashion and entertainment industries.

Cindy Crawford with Rande Gerber and their children Presley and Kaia Gerber.
Cindy Crawford with Rande Gerber and their children Presley and Kaia Gerber.

Who Was Presley Gerber?

Presley Walker Gerber was born in California in 1999.

He was the eldest child and only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber.

His younger sister, Kaia Gerber, also became a successful model and actress.

Growing up with one of the world’s most recognisable supermodels as his mother meant that Presley was familiar with the fashion industry from an early age.

He eventually followed his mother into modelling, too.

Gerber made his runway debut as a teenager and went on to work with several internationally recognised fashion houses.

His modelling credits included major brands such as Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana.

He also appeared alongside his mother in a Pepsi advertisement connected with the 2018 Super Bowl.

Following Cindy Crawford Into Modelling

Crawford became one of the defining supermodels of the 1980s and 1990s.

Both of her children eventually entered the fashion industry.

While Kaia developed a particularly high-profile international modelling career, Presley also appeared on major runways and in fashion campaigns.

His distinctive appearance and family connection meant attention followed him from the beginning of his career.

But Gerber also became increasingly open about aspects of his private life that were considerably more difficult.

In later years, he publicly discussed mental health and substance-use struggles.

Presley Spoke Openly About Mental Health

One of the most important parts of Gerber’s public life recently was his willingness to discuss mental health.

He created a social media series called Mental Health Mondays, using the platform to encourage more open conversations about emotional wellbeing.

Gerber discussed some of his difficulties and the tools he had used to manage them.

Rather than presenting himself as someone who had everything figured out, he talked about struggling and trying to learn from his experiences.

He expressed hope that speaking publicly about his mistakes and difficulties might help other people going through similar situations.

That openness became an increasingly significant part of his public identity.

Presley Gerber previously spoke publicly about mental health and personal struggles.
Presley Gerber previously spoke publicly about mental health and personal struggles.

Remembering Presley Beyond the Circumstances of His Death

The intense interest surrounding Gerber’s death is understandable, particularly because he was part of such a famous family.

But his life should not be reduced solely to the circumstances in which he died.

He was a son, brother and model who also attempted to use his public platform to encourage conversations about mental health.

His Mental Health Mondays project reflected a willingness to discuss subjects many people find difficult to address publicly.

Gerber spoke about personal difficulties because he hoped other people might feel less alone.

That part of his story deserves recognition alongside the continuing investigation into his death.

Conclusion

The Presley Gerber death remains under investigation following the 27-year-old model’s death at a rehabilitation facility on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

Santa Monica Police say officers responded to a report of a possible overdose at approximately 9:35am.

Detectives are now investigating Gerber’s death as a suspected overdose, and police say there is currently no indication of foul play.

However, the official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.

That responsibility rests with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Gerber was the only son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber and the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber.

He followed his mother into modelling while also becoming increasingly open about his mental health and personal struggles.

His family has requested privacy during what their representative described as a very difficult and painful time.

Until the medical examiner completes its investigation, the precise cause of Presley Gerber’s death remains unconfirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old was Presley Gerber when he died?

Presley Gerber was 27 years old.

When did Presley Gerber die?

He died on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

Where did Presley Gerber die?

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and media reports, Gerber died at a rehabilitation facility in California.

Was Presley Gerber’s death caused by an overdose?

That has not yet been officially confirmed. Santa Monica Police say they are investigating the death as a suspected overdose. The medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.

Is foul play suspected?

Police said there is currently no indication of foul play.

Who are Presley Gerber’s parents?

His parents are supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber.

Who is Presley Gerber’s sister?

His younger sister is model and actress Kaia Gerber.

David Grey Hibernian: Painful Endgame as Stale Hibs Slump

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David Grey Hibernian: Painful Endgame as Stale Hibs Slump
David Grey Hibernian: Painful Endgame as Stale Hibs Slump

Pressure Builds Around David Grey at Hibernian

The situation surrounding David Grey and Hibernian is becoming increasingly uncomfortable as a poor run of results leaves the Easter Road club searching for answers.

Hibs’ latest setback — a 1-0 defeat away to St Mirren on Sunday — extended their winless run to six matches in all competitions. It was another frustrating afternoon in which Grey’s side struggled to turn possession and attacking opportunities into the result they desperately needed.

For a manager who holds legendary status at Easter Road because of his playing career, particularly his unforgettable 2016 Scottish Cup-winning goal, the current situation is painful.

Grey’s connection with Hibernian is unquestionable. But football management is ultimately judged on results, and those results are creating increasing scrutiny around his position.

St Mirren Defeat Deepens Hibs’ Problems

Hibernian travelled to Paisley knowing a victory could ease some of the pressure building around the team.

Instead, St Mirren took all three points.

Jonah Ayunga scored the only goal of the match in the second half, leaving Hibs without the response they needed. The defeat continued a difficult sequence and added to concerns that the team has become predictable and short of confidence.

The result was particularly damaging because Hibs had opportunities to influence the match but again failed to make enough of them.

That has become one of the recurring frustrations surrounding the team.

David Grey watches Hibernian during their Scottish Premiership defeat to St Mirren.

Why Has Hibernian Become Stale?

Calling a football team “stale” can mean several things.

For Hibs, the concern is not simply one bad performance. It is the sense that familiar problems are appearing repeatedly without an obvious solution.

Grey’s team have struggled to create enough decisive moments in attack, while mistakes and lapses at the other end have proved expensive.

When confidence drops, players can become more cautious. Passes that would normally be played quickly become delayed, attacking runs become less frequent, and teams start looking predictable.

That appears to be part of the challenge facing Hibernian.

Opponents know what to expect, while Hibs have not consistently found alternative ways to hurt them.

Six Games Without a Win Raises Serious Questions

The statistic that matters most is straightforward: Hibernian are now six matches without a victory in all competitions.

A short winless run can happen to almost any team.

But when poor results continue, the conversation inevitably shifts from individual performances towards bigger questions about tactics, confidence, recruitment and management.

For Grey, that means scrutiny over whether he can find a way to reverse the decline.

Football can change quickly. Two or three victories can completely alter the atmosphere around a club.

The difficulty lies in finding that first victory when confidence is already low.

David Grey’s Special Relationship With Hibernian

What makes the situation especially difficult is Grey’s history with the club.

He is not simply another Hibernian manager.

Grey became permanently associated with one of the greatest moments in the club’s modern history when he scored the winning goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final.

His stoppage-time header secured a 3-2 victory and ended Hibernian’s 114-year wait to win the Scottish Cup.

For supporters who experienced that afternoon at Hampden Park, Grey will always occupy a special place in the club’s history.

But legendary status as a player cannot protect any manager indefinitely from the pressures created by poor results.

Management presents an entirely different challenge.

Has Grey Reached the Endgame?

That is now the uncomfortable question hanging over Easter Road.

It would be premature to state that Grey’s departure is inevitable unless the club itself makes that decision. However, the combination of disappointing performances and a prolonged winless run inevitably increases speculation about his future.

The next few fixtures could therefore become critical.

Grey needs more than improved performances. Hibernian needs victories.

Managers often discuss fine margins, and there is truth in that. One goal, one defensive mistake or one refereeing decision can transform a match.

But over a longer period, results create their own story.

If Hibs cannot reverse their current trajectory, pressure on the manager will continue to increase.

Hibs Needs More Cutting Edge

One obvious problem is attacking effectiveness.

Possession is useful only when a team turns it into meaningful chances and goals.

Hibernian have talented attacking players, but the team needs greater movement, quicker decision-making and more composure around the penalty area.

There also needs to be greater variety.

If opponents can comfortably anticipate how Hibs intend to attack, defending against them becomes much easier.

Grey must find ways of making his side less predictable, whether through changes in formation, personnel or attacking patterns.

Hibernian struggle to find a breakthrough during their latest Scottish Premiership defeat.
Hibernian struggle to find a breakthrough during their latest Scottish Premiership defeat.

Confidence May Be as Important as Tactics

Football problems are not always purely tactical.

Confidence can have an enormous influence on performance.

When a team is winning, players attempt difficult passes, take shots earlier and make aggressive runs because they expect something positive to happen.

During a losing run, the opposite can occur.

Players hesitate. Supporters become anxious. Every mistake feels more significant.

That psychological pressure can create a cycle in which poor results lead to nervous performances, which then lead to further poor results.

Breaking that cycle is one of Grey’s biggest immediate challenges.

Supporters Want Signs of Progress

Hibernian supporters have ambitious expectations for their club.

They want to see Hibs competing strongly in the Scottish Premiership, challenging for European qualification and making serious runs in domestic cup competitions.

Those expectations are reasonable for a club with Hibernian’s history and support.

The current frustration is therefore not simply about losing individual matches.

Supporters want evidence that the team is progressing.

If performances begin improving and results follow, the mood around Easter Road can change quickly.

But continued stagnation would inevitably make questions about the manager increasingly difficult for the club’s hierarchy to ignore.

The Players Also Carry Responsibility

It would be too simplistic to place everything on David Grey.

Managers select the team and determine tactics, but players must deliver on the pitch.

Experienced members of the Hibernian squad now have an important responsibility.

They need to provide leadership when confidence is low, maintain standards in training and help younger teammates through a difficult period.

The technical area cannot always solve individual mistakes, missed opportunities and poor decisions.

If Hibernian are going to recover, it will require a collective response from the manager and his squad.

What Does David Grey Need to Change?

Grey’s immediate priority must be finding a formula that makes Hibs more dangerous while maintaining defensive stability.

That may require tactical changes.

It could mean altering the formation, introducing different players or simplifying the team’s approach until confidence returns.

Most importantly, Hibs need energy.

A team described as stale must rediscover intensity — pressing opponents, moving the ball faster and attacking with greater conviction.

Occasionally one victory is enough to trigger that transformation.

The challenge for Grey is ensuring it arrives soon.

A Painful Situation for a Hibs Legend

There is something particularly uncomfortable about watching a club legend struggle as manager.

Grey’s contribution to Hibernian history cannot be erased by what happens during his managerial career.

His 2016 Scottish Cup winner will remain one of the most celebrated goals in the club’s history regardless of future results.

But professional football rarely allows sentiment to override performance indefinitely.

The board must ultimately judge Grey on whether he can deliver the results and progress expected from the current Hibernian team.

That makes the coming period potentially decisive.

Conclusion

The pressure surrounding David Grey and Hibernian has intensified after the 1-0 defeat to St Mirren extended the club’s winless sequence to six matches in all competitions.

The biggest concern is not simply the number of defeats. It is the growing feeling that Hibs have become stale, predictable and short of confidence.

Grey remains one of the most important figures in Hibernian’s modern history, but his achievements as a player cannot answer the questions he now faces as manager.

The situation is not necessarily beyond recovery. Football changes rapidly, and a couple of victories could transform the atmosphere around Easter Road.

But the next step is clear: Hibernian need a response, and they need it quickly.

For Grey, the coming matches could determine whether this difficult period becomes the beginning of a revival — or the painful endgame of his time in charge

Vermont Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Murder in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students

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Vermont Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Murder in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students
Vermont Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Murder in Shooting of Three Palestinian Students

Jury Convicts Jason Eaton in Vermont Palestinian Students Shooting

A Vermont jury has convicted Jason Eaton of three counts of attempted second-degree murder for shooting and seriously injuring three Palestinian college students in Burlington in November 2023.

The verdict was delivered on Monday, 21 September 2026, in Chittenden Superior Criminal Court. Jurors deliberated for a little under two hours following a six-day trial before finding Eaton guilty on all three counts.

The three victims — Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Aliahmad — were long-time friends who were visiting Burlington over the Thanksgiving holiday when they were shot while walking near Eaton’s home on 25 November 2023.

The Vermont Palestinian students shooting attracted international attention, particularly because it occurred weeks after the Israel-Hamas war began and amid heightened concerns about anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim violence in the United States.

However, authorities did not bring hate-crime charges, and investigators have not established a clear bias motive for the attack.

Three Palestinian students were wounded in a 2023 shooting in Burlington, Vermont.

What Happened to the Three Palestinian Students?

The three young men were walking in Burlington when Eaton opened fire.

All three survived but suffered gunshot injuries. The consequences were particularly severe for Awartani, who became paralysed from the waist down.

The victims were university students studying at different institutions in the United States and had travelled to Vermont to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family.

The case immediately generated widespread concern because of their Palestinian identity and the timing of the shooting.

Questions about motive consequently became an important part of public discussion surrounding the case.

But it is important to distinguish that discussion from what prosecutors proved in court: Eaton was prosecuted for attempted second-degree murder, rather than a hate crime.

Three Palestinian students were wounded in a 2023 shooting in Burlington, Vermont.
Three Palestinian students were wounded in a 2023 shooting in Burlington, Vermont.

Jason Eaton Did Not Deny Carrying Out the Shooting

A central feature of the trial was that Eaton did not deny shooting the three students.

Instead, the dispute concerned whether he should be held criminally responsible for what he had done.

His lawyers presented an insanity defence, arguing that Eaton was suffering from serious delusions at the time of the attack.

During the trial, jurors heard evidence that Eaton claimed he believed he was receiving instructions from intelligence agencies, including the CIA and Israel’s Mossad, as well as what he regarded as divine commands.

There is no evidence that those agencies instructed him to carry out the shooting.

The defence argued that his claimed beliefs demonstrated he was legally insane at the time of the attack.

Prosecutors disputed that conclusion.

Jury Rejects Insanity Defence

The central question facing the jury was therefore not simply whether Eaton fired the shots, but whether he was legally responsible for his actions.

Mental-health experts offered differing assessments during the proceedings.

A defence expert testified that Eaton was legally insane at the time of the shooting. The prosecution presented expert evidence reaching a different conclusion and arguing that Eaton did not meet the legal standard for insanity.

After hearing the competing testimony and other evidence presented during the six-day trial, the jury rejected Eaton’s insanity defence.

Jurors found him guilty of all three attempted second-degree murder charges.

That verdict means the jury concluded he could be held criminally responsible for the shootings.

Eaton Had Previously Been Ruled Competent to Stand Trial

The question of Eaton’s mental condition had been examined well before the trial began.

In April 2026, Judge John Pacht ruled that Eaton was competent to stand trial following conflicting expert testimony about his mental state.

That issue was legally distinct from the insanity defence that was eventually presented to the jury.

Competency concerns whether a defendant is capable of understanding the legal proceedings and participating rationally in their defence at the time of the trial.

An insanity defence, by contrast, concerns the defendant’s legal responsibility for their actions at the time the alleged crime occurred.

Judge Pacht subsequently allowed Eaton to pursue an insanity defence, setting the stage for the competing psychiatric testimony heard by jurors.

What Evidence Did the Jury Hear?

The trial included testimony from the three students and psychiatric experts, as well as evidence related to the weapon used in the shooting.

According to the Associated Press, investigators linked the .380-calibre Ruger handgun to the attack.

Jurors were also played portions of a recording in which Eaton described the alleged voices and instructions he said he had experienced before the shooting.

The defence relied heavily on this material to argue that Eaton’s actions were the result of a serious psychiatric condition.

Prosecutors challenged that interpretation.

Ultimately, the jury accepted the prosecution’s case that Eaton remained criminally responsible.

Jason Eaton appears in court during the Vermont Palestinian students shooting trial.
Jason Eaton appears in court during the Vermont Palestinian students shooting trial.

Why Were Hate-Crime Questions Raised?

The identities of the victims and the timing of the attack prompted immediate questions about whether the students had been deliberately targeted because they were Palestinian.

The shooting happened on 25 November 2023, during an intense period of international tension following the start of the Israel-Hamas war the previous month.

The case consequently generated calls for authorities to investigate whether bias had played a role.

But despite those concerns, Eaton was not charged with a hate crime, and reporting on the case has said that no clear motive for the shooting was established.

That distinction matters. Describing the attack as definitively motivated by anti-Palestinian hatred would go beyond what has been established in the criminal case.

Victims Testified During the Trial

The students themselves played an important role in the proceedings.

During the trial, they provided evidence about the attack and its consequences.

Nearly three years had passed between the November 2023 shooting and the September 2026 verdict, drawing the conclusion of the trial a significant moment in a case that had moved through competency hearings, disputes over Eaton’s defence and several scheduling changes.

Awartani continues to live with particularly serious injuries after the shooting left him paralysed.

The physical and emotional consequences for all three victims remain an important part of the story beyond the courtroom verdict.

What Sentence Could Jason Eaton Receive?

Eaton has now been convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Each charge carries the possibility of a severe sentence, and reporting from before the verdict indicated that Eaton could face up to life imprisonment.

His exact punishment has not yet been determined.

A sentencing hearing will therefore be the next major stage of the case.

Until the judge formally imposes a sentence, reports should avoid stating precisely how long Eaton will spend in prison.

A Case That Drew International Attention

The Vermont Palestinian students shooting became much more than a local criminal case.

It occurred during a period of heightened fear among Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities in the United States as the war in Gaza intensified political and social tensions.

The Palestinian identities of the victims brought international attention to the shooting almost immediately.

At the same time, the eventual trial focused heavily on a different legal question: whether Eaton’s claimed psychiatric condition meant he could be held criminally responsible for opening fire.

After hearing evidence from both sides, the Vermont jury answered that question by returning guilty verdicts on all three attempted-murder counts.

Conclusion

A Vermont jury has convicted Jason Eaton in the Vermont Palestinian students shooting, nearly three years after Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Aliahmad were shot while walking in Burlington.

Eaton admitted carrying out the November 2023 shooting. Instead, his defence argued that he was legally insane and therefore should not be held criminally responsible.

After a six-day trial and less than two hours of deliberation, jurors rejected that defence and convicted the 51-year-old of three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

The verdict resolves the central question of Eaton’s criminal responsibility, but the legal process is not finished. His sentence has yet to be imposed.

The case also leaves an important distinction in place: although the shooting prompted widespread concern that the Palestinian students may have been targeted because of their identity, Eaton was not charged with a hate crime and a clear bias motive has not been established in court.

Ozempic and Wegovy May Have an Unexpected Mental Health Benefit

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Ozempic and Wegovy May Have an Unexpected Mental Health Benefit
Ozempic and Wegovy May Have an Unexpected Mental Health Benefit

Ozempic and Wegovy Mental Health Benefits Attract Researchers’ Attention

Ozempic and Wegovy mental health benefits are attracting increasing scientific interest after new research linked semaglutide—the active ingredient in both medicines—to better outcomes among people with certain psychiatric conditions.

Ozempic is best known as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is prescribed for weight management. Both contain semaglutide, a drug belonging to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

However, researchers are increasingly investigating whether semaglutide could have effects extending beyond blood sugar control, appetite and body weight.

A large Swedish study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found semaglutide use was associated with a lower risk of worsening mental-health outcomes among people who already had depression, anxiety or substance-use disorders.

Importantly, this finding does not mean Ozempic or Wegovy has been proven to treat depression, anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. The findings show an association, and researchers say further clinical trials are required.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers examined Swedish health data involving tens of thousands of people with diabetes who also had existing mental-health conditions.

Among the most striking findings, semaglutide use was associated with a 44% lower risk of worsening depression and a 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety. Researchers also reported a 47% lower risk of worsening substance-use disorder.

The broader research found fewer psychiatric hospital visits and less sickness absence related to mental health problems during periods when some patients were receiving GLP-1 medicines, particularly semaglutide.

These are substantial associations, but they need to be interpreted carefully. Observational research can identify patterns between medication use and health outcomes, but it cannot by itself prove that semaglutide directly caused the improvements

Ozempic and Wegovy mental health benefits investigated in new semaglutide research.

Another Study Looked Specifically at Bipolar Disorder

The research has become even more interesting following a separate large Swedish study involving people with bipolar disorder.

According to Griffith University, researchers analysed data from nearly 15,000 people with bipolar disorder and found semaglutide was associated with a 21% lower risk of psychiatric hospitalisation.

This finding is particularly noteworthy because bipolar disorder can involve episodes of depression and mania that sometimes require hospital treatment.

But again, the result should not be interpreted as evidence that semaglutide is a treatment for bipolar disorder.

Researchers are investigating the association and possible biological mechanisms, but dedicated randomised clinical trials would be needed before doctors could determine whether the drug has a direct psychiatric benefit.

How Could Semaglutide Affect the Brain?

The obvious question is why a medicine associated with diabetes and weight loss might have anything to do with mental health.

GLP-1 is involved in more than appetite.

Researchers believe GLP-1 signalling may influence biological processes in the brain, including inflammation and cellular stress. Scientists are therefore studying whether these pathways could partly explain the associations seen in mental-health research.

There may also be indirect explanations.

For some patients, losing excess weight or achieving better blood-sugar control could improve physical health, mobility, sleep or quality of life. Those changes could potentially influence psychological wellbeing.

Separating these indirect benefits from a possible direct effect of semaglutide on the brain will require considerably more research.

What Are Ozempic and Wegovy?

Ozempic and Wegovy are different branded medicines, although both contain semaglutide.

Ozempic is primarily used to help manage blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is designed for chronic weight management in eligible patients.

Semaglutide mimics the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1. Among other effects, it can reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, helping people feel fuller for longer.

The extraordinary popularity of these medicines has made semaglutide one of the world’s most closely studied drugs.

Researchers are now exploring potential effects well beyond weight loss—including cardiovascular disease, addiction, neurological conditions and mental health.

Could Ozempic Treat Depression or Anxiety?

At present, patients should not view Ozempic or Wegovy as substitutes for established mental health treatment.

Neither medicine is approved specifically as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety treatment. Current research does not establish that someone without an appropriate metabolic indication should take semaglutide to improve their mental health.

That distinction is especially important when headlines describe the findings as a mental-health “benefit.”

The studies suggest an association worth investigating. They do not establish a new approved use for the medications.

Anyone taking medication for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or another psychiatric condition should not stop or change their existing treatment because of these findings without discussing it with their healthcare professional.

What About Previous Concerns Over Mental Health?

The findings are interesting partly because researchers and regulators have previously investigated whether GLP-1 weight-loss medicines could negatively affect mental health.

Earlier studies did not find evidence that these medicines were associated with an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalisation or new mental illness.

The newer research goes further by asking whether certain GLP-1 medicines might actually be associated with better outcomes in some patient groups.

Scientists still need to determine exactly which patients might benefit and whether the associations represent a genuine drug effect.

Not All GLP-1 Medicines Produced the Same Results

Another important detail is that GLP-1 medicines should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.

In the bipolar-disorder research, the association with reduced psychiatric hospitalisation was seen with semaglutide, while researchers reported that other GLP-1 drugs did not show the same association.

That makes the results particularly interesting because it raises the possibility that semaglutide itself—or differences in how individual GLP-1 medicines work—could matter.

Researchers will need more evidence to understand why.

Why Scientists Are Excited but Cautious

There is a potentially important clinical question behind the Ozempic and Wegovy mental health benefits research.

Physical and mental-health conditions frequently overlap. Someone living with diabetes or obesity may also experience depression or anxiety.

If a medicine prescribed for an existing metabolic condition were eventually shown to provide an additional mental-health benefit, that could have meaningful implications for patient care.

But researchers have stressed the need for stronger evidence.

Reviews of GLP-1 medicines and psychiatric conditions have described the evidence as promising but preliminary, with well-designed randomised controlled trials needed to establish effectiveness and long-term safety

The Dual Pathways of GLP-1 Brain Signalling

   ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │             GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS                    │
   └───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                               │
            ┌──────────────────┴──────────────────┐
            ▼                                     ▼
   ┌─────────────────┐                  ┌───────────────────┐
   │ DIRECT PATHWAY  │                  │ INDIRECT PATHWAY  │
   │ (Neurobiology)  │                  │   (Metabolism)    │
   └────────┬────────┘                  └─────────┬─────────┘
            │                                     │
            ├─► Dopamine/Glutamate modulation     ├─► Significant weight loss
            │   (Reduces reward/cravings)         │   (Reduces weight stigma)
            │                                     │
            ├─► Neuroinflammation reduction       ├─► Improved glycemic control
            │   (Mitigates cell damage)           │   (Stabilizes brain energy)
            │                                     │
            └─► Neurogenesis in Hippocampus       └─► Systemic inflammation drop
                (Enhances synaptic plasticity)        (Alleviates somatic stress)
            │                                     │
            └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘
                               │
                               ▼
   ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │           IMPROVED PSYCHIATRIC OUTCOMES                │
   │     (Reduced risk of worsening depression/anxiety)     │
   └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Researchers investigate how semaglutide and GLP-1 medicines could influence mental health.
Researchers investigate how semaglutide and GLP-1 medicines could influence mental health.

What Should Patients Know?

The research is encouraging, but it should not change someone’s treatment plan by itself.

Ozempic and Wegovy are prescription medicines that have recognised side effects and risks. They should be used under appropriate medical supervision and for clinically appropriate indications.

The latest findings therefore do not mean people should start taking semaglutide specifically for depression or anxiety.

Instead, they provide scientists with another reason to investigate how GLP-1 signalling affects the brain and whether semaglutide might eventually have applications beyond its established metabolic uses.

Conclusion

The emerging evidence around Ozempic and Wegovy mental health benefits adds another intriguing chapter to the story of semaglutide.

Large observational studies have linked semaglutide to lower risks of worsening depression and anxiety, while separate research involving people with bipolar disorder has found an association with fewer psychiatric hospitalisations.

Those findings are promising, but they do not prove that Ozempic or Wegovy directly treat mental illness.

The next major step will be controlled clinical research capable of determining whether semaglutide genuinely produces psychiatric benefits, which patients might benefit and how those effects occur.

For now, the safest conclusion is also the most interesting one: a medicine famous for diabetes and weight

Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman Divorce Timeline: Wedding to Final Split

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Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman Divorce Timeline: Wedding to Final Split

Few Hollywood love stories have been as intertwined with the movies as the relationship between Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman.

They met on the set of a vampire action film, fell in love while both were in other relationships, married within a year of going public as a couple, and continued working together across multiple blockbuster projects.

Then, after 11 years of marriage, it all unravelled over the course of a slow, quiet separation that stretched across four more years before the paperwork was finally complete.

The Kate Beckinsale/Len Wiseman divorce timeline spans from their November 2015 separation to the finalisation in November 2019, but the full story of their relationship begins more than a decade earlier on a Budapest film set. is the complete chronological account of how they came together, the years they spent as one of Hollywood’s most visually striking power couples, and the events that brought their marriage to its end.

Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman together at a premiere during their marriage

How Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman Met on the Underworld Set

In 2002, Len Wiseman was preparing to direct his first feature film, a vampire-versus-werewolf action movie called Underworld. He cast British actress Kate Beckinsale in the lead role of Selene, a vampire warrior.

By Beckinsale’s own account, she initially turned the role down, believing a film about vampires and werewolves was not the type of project she was looking for. Wiseman called her back, and when she saw character drawings he had made that were clearly based on her likeness, she accepted.

At the time, both were in committed relationships. Beckinsale had been with Welsh actor Michael Sheen since 1995. The couple shared a daughter, Lily Mo Sheen, born on January 31, 1999. Wiseman had been married to his first wife, Dana, a kindergarten teacher, since 1994.

Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman Divorce Timeline: From Marriage to Final Split
Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman share a loving gaze during happier times before their 2015 split and 2019 divorce.

The film was shot in Budapest, and in a detail that has been widely noted in the years since, Beckinsale personally asked Wiseman to cast Sheen in the film so that her family could join her on location. Wiseman agreed. Sheen auditioned and impressed the director enough to land a major role as the Lycan leader Lucian.

Both Beckinsale’s relationship with Sheen and Wiseman’s marriage to Dana ended in 2002 during or shortly after the production. By January 2003, Beckinsale and Wiseman were publicly seen together as a couple. They were engaged by June of that year.

Beckinsale has repeatedly pushed back against the narrative that she left Sheen for Wiseman. In a 2012 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she said the popular version of the story, in which she was on set and simply ran off with the director, was “just not true”.

She said that if it had happened that way, it would have been very difficult to maintain a positive relationship with Sheen afterward, which they demonstrably did.

For his part, Sheen said in interviews that while the situation was “obviously not easy”, he never felt anything had happened behind his back. He praised Wiseman as a good man and a wonderful stepfather to Lily.

The 2004 Wedding and a Decade of Professional Collaboration

Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman married on May 9, 2004, in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. It was Beckinsale’s first marriage and Wiseman’s second.

The couple had no children together, though Wiseman took on a stepfather role with Beckinsale’s daughter Lily, who was five years old at the time of the wedding.

Their marriage was defined in part by an unusually close professional collaboration. They worked together across multiple high-profile films during the course of their relationship:

  • Underworld (2003): Where they met. Wiseman directed; Beckinsale starred.
  • Underworld: Evolution (2006): The sequel, again directed by Wiseman with Beckinsale reprising her role as Selene.
  • Total Recall (2012): Wiseman directed this remake of the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, with Beckinsale playing the antagonist opposite Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel.
  • Underworld: Blood Wars (2016): The fifth instalment in the franchise. While Wiseman did not direct this entry, he contributed to writing and production, and Beckinsale returned as Selene.

In a 2012 interview with Parade, Beckinsale spoke positively about their working relationship. She said one of the things they liked least about their careers was the forced separation that different projects could create and that working together allowed them to avoid that.

She also joked during a Tonight Show appearance around the same period that her secret to working with her husband was to “always argue over text so other people aren’t embarrassed,” adding, “You’d be amazed how fast you can type ‘douchebag’.”

Early Signs of Trouble: The Wedding Ring and the Hesitation of Children

Looking back, there were subtle public signals that the marriage was not entirely smooth, even during its seemingly stable middle years.

In July 2012, Beckinsale told Glamour UK that she was going “back and forth” on whether to have a child with Wiseman. She was 39 at the time and already the mother of a teenager. The remark was not explosive on its own, but it suggested a lack of settled agreement on a major life decision.

By July 2015, Beckinsale was photographed without her wedding ring at the ITV Summer Party in London. The couple had not been spotted together in public since Memorial Day 2015, when they were seen leaving Joel Silver’s annual party hand in hand. That May appearance turned out to be their last public outing as a couple.

In October 2015, a source told Entertainment Tonight that Wiseman had been staying at the Sunset Marquis hotel in Los Angeles. His last social media mention of Beckinsale had come in May, when he retweeted a photo from a group celebration of the upcoming Underworld 5.

Also Read: Judy Markey, Chicago Radio Legend, Dies at 82, Her Marriage and Career

The CJ Franco Sightings and the November 2015 Separation

The separation between Beckinsale and Wiseman became a public story not through an official announcement, but through a series of paparazzi photographs.

Len Wiseman drives while CJ Franco smiles in her black fedora during a low-key night out.
Len Wiseman drives while CJ Franco smiles in her black fedora during a low-key night out.

Beginning in early October 2015, Wiseman was spotted out in Los Angeles with CJ Franco, a 24-year-old model. They were photographed together on October 6, again on October 19, and once more on November 17, when they were seen leaving The Nice Guy, a popular West Hollywood restaurant, together at 2 AM. In all of these outings, Wiseman was not wearing his wedding ring.

Meanwhile, Beckinsale was in Prague filming “Underworld: Blood Wars”, the fifth instalment in the franchise she and Wiseman had built together.

On November 20, 2015, the separation was officially confirmed. A source told People at the time, “They are still friendly and spend time together in L.A. when Kate is there. There has been no drama. It’s just not Kate’s style. They have both had complicated schedules and have grown apart.”

Another source confirmed that neither Beckinsale nor Wiseman had been wearing their wedding rings for months by the time the separation was announced. Their last appearance together at a public event was the January 2015 Golden Globe Awards, where Beckinsale was already ringless.

The 2016 Divorce Filing and Three Years of Waiting

Despite the separation becoming public in November 2015, no divorce papers were filed for nearly a year. It was not until October 2016 that Wiseman officially filed for dissolution of the marriage in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences.

The filing included several notable details:

  • The couple’s date of separation was listed as “to be determined”
  • Wiseman requested that the court terminate its ability to award spousal support to either party
  • He asked that both sides pay their own legal fees

Reports at the time indicated that neither party was seeking spousal support, which initially led some outlets to speculate that a prenuptial agreement existed. However, when the divorce was later finalised, it was revealed that the couple had no prenup.

Beckinsale retained the services of Laura Wasser, one of Hollywood’s most prominent divorce attorneys, whose previous clients have included Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian.

In the settlement, Beckinsale asked to keep her personal effects and jewellery, as well as all earnings she had accumulated after the date of separation. She also deeded a home in the Hollywood Hills to Wiseman as part of the asset division.

The divorce was finalised in November 2019, almost exactly four years after the separation was first announced. The lengthy timeline was not unusual by Hollywood standards but reflected the lack of urgency on either side to formalise an ending that had already taken effect in practice years earlier.

Life After Divorce: Kate Beckinsale’s Relationships and Career

Following the separation, Beckinsale entered a series of high-profile relationships that attracted significant media attention, partly because of the age gaps involved.

  • Matt Rife (2017): The comedian was 21 at the time, while Beckinsale was 43. The relationship lasted approximately one year.
  • Pete Davidson (January to April 2019): The Saturday Night Live cast member was 25. Their brief romance generated substantial tabloid coverage, particularly given that Davidson had recently ended his engagement to Ariana Grande.
  • Various other links: Beckinsale has also been linked to comedian Jack Whitehall and, in later years, to other younger men, though she has been characteristically private about the specifics of her personal life.

Professionally, Beckinsale continued working steadily in film and television. Notable projects include her role in the Amazon series “The Widow” (2019) and the action thriller “Wildcat” (originally titled “Lioness”), released in 2025.

She has also been remarkably open on social media about topics ranging from her sense of humour to her health. In recent years, she revealed a hospitalisation that sparked public concern, but she later addressed it directly on Instagram. Her relationship with daughter Lily, now 27, and her continued friendship with Michael Sheen have remained visible parts of her public life.

Life After Divorce: Len Wiseman’s New Chapter

Wiseman’s post-divorce life has been defined by both a new relationship and a career resurgence.

His relationship with CJ Franco, the model he was first photographed with in October 2015, developed into a long-term partnership. On July 4, 2023, Wiseman proposed to Franco during a dinner at their favourite restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Franco, then 32, described the moment to People, saying Wiseman got down on one knee just as fireworks began. They have remained engaged since, with Franco noting that the couple has chosen to maintain separate professional lives rather than the collaborative working relationship Wiseman had with Beckinsale.

Professionally, Wiseman directed “Ballerina” (2025), a spinoff of the John Wick franchise starring Ana de Armas and featuring Keanu Reeves. The film earned $140.2 million at the global box office against a $90 million budget and represented a significant comeback for Wiseman in the action genre.

The Complete Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman Relationship Timeline

YearEvent
1994Len Wiseman marries his first wife, Dana.
1995Kate Beckinsale begins a relationship with Michael Sheen.
1999Daughter Lily Mo Sheen, born to Kate and Michael
2002Kate casts in Underworld; she suggests Michael Sheen for a role.
2002Both Kate’s relationship with Sheen and Len’s marriage to Dana end.
January 2003Kate and Len first appear publicly as a couple.
June 2003Kate and Len become engaged.
May 9, 2004Wedding in Bel-Air, Los Angeles
2006Collaborate on Underworld: Evolution
2012Collaborate on Total Recall.
July 2012Kate says she is “back and forth” on having a child with Len.
January 2015Last public event together (Golden Globes); Kate ringless
May 2015Last sighting together at Joel Silver’s Memorial Day party
July 2015Kate spotted without a wedding ring in London.
October 2015Len is spotted with model CJ Franco and is also ringless.
November 17, 2015Len and CJ Franco photographed leaving The Nice Guy at 2 AM.
November 20, 2015Separation officially announced
October 2016Len files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
2017Kate dates comedian Matt Rife.
January to April 2019Kate dates Pete Davidson.
October 2019Divorce settled; Kate deeds Hollywood Hills home to Len.
November 2019Divorce finalised after nearly four years
July 4, 2023Len proposes to CJ Franco in Cabo San Lucas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman get married?

Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman married on May 9, 2004, in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California. It was Beckinsale’s first marriage and Wiseman’s second.

When was the Kate Beckinsale-Len Wiseman divorce finalised?

Their divorce was finalised in November 2019, approximately four years after their separation was first announced in November 2015 and three years after Wiseman filed the paperwork in October 2016.

Did Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman have children together?

No. The couple had no children together. Beckinsale has one daughter, Lily Mo Sheen (born 1999), from her previous relationship with actor Michael Sheen.

Why did Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman split?

Wiseman cited irreconcilable differences in his divorce filing. A source close to the couple told People that they had “complicated schedules and have grown apart.” The separation became public after Wiseman was spotted with model CJ Franco while Beckinsale was filming in Prague.

Did Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman have a prenup?

No. According to TMZ, the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement. In the settlement, Beckinsale kept her jewellery, personal effects, and post-separation earnings, while she deeded a Hollywood Hills home to Wiseman.

Is Len Wiseman engaged to CJ Franco?

Yes. Wiseman proposed to CJ Franco on July 4, 2023, during a dinner in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple has been together since approximately 2015.

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