British police have brought additional criminal charges against broadcaster and actor Russell Brand, including a further allegation of rape, the Metropolitan Police announced.
According to investigators, the Crown Prosecution Service has approved two new charges: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. These new allegations involve two different women and are separate from the charges already facing the comedian.
Brand, who is 50, has previously pleaded not guilty to five offences. Those original charges include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, all linked to alleged incidents involving four women.
He is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2026 to answer the two newly authorised charges.
The investigation into Brand began after allegations were made public in September 2023 through joint reporting by the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
Police say the additional rape allegation relates to an incident alleged to have occurred between 7 February and 1 March 2009. The sexual assault charge concerns a separate woman and is alleged to have taken place between 31 August and 1 December 2009.
A trial for the five original charges is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on 16 June 2026.
About the author
Gunfire Panic at Washington Political Dinner
During a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, panic broke out after gunfire was heard inside the venue, disrupting what had been a major political and media gathering. The incident caused immediate chaos among guests, many of whom had previously experienced or witnessed politically motivated violence. Security teams quickly moved attendees out of the ballroom, while federal agents secured the building. Among those present were high-profile political figures, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was previously the victim of a serious shooting attack during a congressional baseball practice in 2017, as well as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who comes from a family long affected by political assassinations. Journalist attendees also included individuals who had covered earlier attacks involving former President Donald Trump, reinforcing the sense of déjà vu in the room. This latest scare marks the […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
UK envoy questions “special relationship” with US
"They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government's position." The United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, has sparked debate after suggesting that the only country with a true “special relationship” with Washington is Israel. Speaking in February to a group of students during a private discussion, Turner said the phrase traditionally used to describe UK-US ties is outdated and carries historical baggage. He indicated that while the United Kingdom and the US share deep cooperation, particularly in defence and security, the notion of a unique “special relationship” may no longer fully apply. The remarks, revealed this week by the Financial Times, come at a sensitive moment, coinciding with a state visit by King Charles III to the United States. The visit aims to reinforce diplomatic ties amid broader geopolitical tensions, including those linked to […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Sanctioned-linked yacht crosses Hormuz tensions
A luxury superyacht linked to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing tensions and restrictions in the region. The 142-metre vessel, Nord, is associated with Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, who is under Western sanctions. The yacht sailed from Dubai to Muscat over the weekend, making it one of the few private vessels to pass through the strategic waterway in recent months. Although Mordashov is not officially listed as the owner, records indicate the yacht is registered to a company linked to his family. Estimated to be worth over $500 million, the vessel features high-end amenities including a helipad, swimming pool and onboard submarine. The crossing comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Iran has imposed strict controls over maritime traffic in the strait following its standoff with the United States, […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
UAE to exit OPEC after nearly 60 years
The United Arab Emirates has announced it will withdraw from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ next month, ending nearly six decades of membership. Authorities say the move is intended to give the country greater flexibility in managing its oil production, following significant investments aimed at expanding capacity. By operating outside the group’s quota system, the UAE will be able to respond more freely to global energy demand. The decision is widely viewed as a major development for the oil market. Some analysts consider it a significant setback for OPEC, which could lose influence as one of its key and historically compliant members exits. The UAE currently contributes a notable share of the group’s production capacity. Founded in 1960, OPEC was created to coordinate oil output among major exporting countries to stabilise prices and ensure steady revenues. The UAE joined in […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Michel Galley prend la tête des régulateurs ouest-africains
Le Togo renforce sa présence dans la gouvernance numérique régionale avec l’élection de Michel Yaovi Galley à la tête de l’Association des régulateurs des télécommunications de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ARTAO). Directeur général de l’Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes du Togo (ARCEP), il a été désigné lors de la 23ᵉ Assemblée générale annuelle de l’organisation, tenue à Lomé. Il succède au Bissau-Guinéen Herri Mané. À la tête de l’ARTAO, Michel Yaovi Galley hérite d’un agenda centré sur le renforcement de l’harmonisation réglementaire et de la coopération entre pays de la sous-région. Le mandat précédent a permis des avancées notables, notamment dans la collaboration entre régulateurs de la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), de l’Alliance des États du Sahel et de la Mauritanie. Plusieurs chantiers structurants ont également été engagés dans des domaines clés […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Kara : un parc industriel en projet au nord
Le Togo franchit une nouvelle étape dans son ambition industrielle avec l’avancée du projet de parc industriel à Kara, dans le nord du pays. Un accord a été signé récemment entre les autorités togolaises et l’Association des entreprises et de la culture de Hebei, en Hebei, ouvrant la voie à la mise en œuvre progressive de cette infrastructure. Cet engagement fait suite à plusieurs cycles de discussions et marque le début d’une collaboration opérationnelle en vue de l’installation d’unités industrielles dans la région. Les secteurs ciblés incluent la transformation agroalimentaire, les énergies renouvelables, ainsi que l’assemblage d’équipements et de matériels électriques. Soutenu par des investissements chinois, le projet vise à accélérer l’industrialisation du pays, à renforcer la transformation locale des matières premières et à générer des emplois qualifiés. Il devrait également contribuer au développement agricole régional, en complément des initiatives […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Related
Gunfire Panic at Washington Political Dinner
During a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, panic broke out after gunfire was heard inside the venue, disrupting what had been a major political and media gathering. The incident caused immediate chaos among guests, many of whom had previously experienced or witnessed politically motivated violence. Security teams quickly moved attendees out of the ballroom, while federal agents secured the building. Among those present were high-profile political figures, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was previously the victim of a serious shooting attack during a congressional baseball practice in 2017, as well as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who comes from a family long affected by political assassinations. Journalist attendees also included individuals who had covered earlier attacks involving former President Donald Trump, reinforcing the sense of déjà vu in the room. This latest scare marks the […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
UK envoy questions “special relationship” with US
"They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government's position." The United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, has sparked debate after suggesting that the only country with a true “special relationship” with Washington is Israel. Speaking in February to a group of students during a private discussion, Turner said the phrase traditionally used to describe UK-US ties is outdated and carries historical baggage. He indicated that while the United Kingdom and the US share deep cooperation, particularly in defence and security, the notion of a unique “special relationship” may no longer fully apply. The remarks, revealed this week by the Financial Times, come at a sensitive moment, coinciding with a state visit by King Charles III to the United States. The visit aims to reinforce diplomatic ties amid broader geopolitical tensions, including those linked to […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Sanctioned-linked yacht crosses Hormuz tensions
A luxury superyacht linked to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing tensions and restrictions in the region. The 142-metre vessel, Nord, is associated with Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, who is under Western sanctions. The yacht sailed from Dubai to Muscat over the weekend, making it one of the few private vessels to pass through the strategic waterway in recent months. Although Mordashov is not officially listed as the owner, records indicate the yacht is registered to a company linked to his family. Estimated to be worth over $500 million, the vessel features high-end amenities including a helipad, swimming pool and onboard submarine. The crossing comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Iran has imposed strict controls over maritime traffic in the strait following its standoff with the United States, […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
UAE to exit OPEC after nearly 60 years
The United Arab Emirates has announced it will withdraw from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ next month, ending nearly six decades of membership. Authorities say the move is intended to give the country greater flexibility in managing its oil production, following significant investments aimed at expanding capacity. By operating outside the group’s quota system, the UAE will be able to respond more freely to global energy demand. The decision is widely viewed as a major development for the oil market. Some analysts consider it a significant setback for OPEC, which could lose influence as one of its key and historically compliant members exits. The UAE currently contributes a notable share of the group’s production capacity. Founded in 1960, OPEC was created to coordinate oil output among major exporting countries to stabilise prices and ensure steady revenues. The UAE joined in […]
Abubakar April 28, 2026
Ukraine blasts Israel over grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
Ukraine has sharply criticised Israel over shipments of grain that Kyiv says were stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories and delivered to Israeli ports. Ukrainian officials accuse Israel of ignoring repeated warnings and allowing vessels carrying the disputed cargo to dock and unload. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Ukraine had summoned the Israeli ambassador to Kyiv to deliver a formal protest note. He warned that Israel’s actions risk damaging bilateral ties and could trigger diplomatic and legal steps if the latest ship is allowed to offload its cargo. According to Ukrainian and international media reports, at least one Russian bulk carrier previously docked in the Israeli port of Haifa with nearly 44,000 tonnes of wheat that Ukraine says was taken from Russian occupied regions. Investigations by journalists have suggested that several shipments of grain from occupied areas have already […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA April 28, 2026
US reviewing latest Iran proposal, says talks continue
The United States says it is carefully examining a new proposal from Iran aimed at breaking the deadlock over the ongoing war and tensions in the Gulf. Officials in Washington say they are still reviewing the details and will consult allies before taking a position. Iranian officials have outlined an offer that focuses first on ending the conflict and easing restrictions on vital shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. Under the proposal, discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme would come later, after a ceasefire and security guarantees are in place. This approach does not fully match the public stance of the United States, which insists that nuclear issues must be addressed from the start of any broader agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that Tehran may be trying to gain time, saying Washington will not allow Iran […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA April 28, 2026