A new law is soon to be introduced in the UK, and it will make the act known as ‘cyberflashing’ a criminal offence.
Not sure what ‘cyberflashing’ is? Well, the practice typically involves offenders sending an unsolicited sexual image to people via social media or dating apps, but it can also be done over data sharing services such as Bluetooth and Airdrop too, and in some instances, a preview of the photo can appear on a person’s device – which means that even if the transfer is rejected, victims are still forced into seeing the image.
It’s a practice that’s sadly on the rise too, as new research conduced by Professor Jessica Ringrose from 2020 found that 76% of girls aged 12-18 had been sent unsolicited nude images of boys or men.
This is why government ministers have confirmed their plans to ban the act, which is set to be included in the landmark Online Safety Bill, alongside wide-ranging reforms to keep people safe on the internet.
Under this new law, perpetrators could face up to two years behind bars.
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“Cyberflashing” will be illegal.
Those who send photos or films of a person’s genitals for specific purposes, including for their own sexual gratification, could face up to 2 years in jail.
The Government says the new offence will ensure ‘cyberflashing’ is captured clearly by the criminal law, giving the police and Crown Prosecution Service “greater ability to bring more perpetrators to justice”, and it follows similar recent action to criminalise upskirting and breastfeeding voyeurism.
The Government says it is “determined” to protect people, particularly women and girls, from these emerging crimes.
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The introduction of the new law means that anyone who sends a photo or film of a person’s genitals, for the purpose of their own sexual gratification or to cause the victim humiliation, alarm or distress may face up to two years in prison.
Speaking on the introduction of the new law, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said: “Protecting women and girls is my top priority which is why we’re keeping sexual and violent offenders behind bars for longer, giving domestic abuse victims more time to report assaults and boosting funding for support services to £185 million per year.
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“Making cyberflashing a specific crime is the latest step – sending a clear message to perpetrators that they will face jail time.”
“Tech has the power to bring people together and make our lives better, but it can also enable heinous behaviour from those who wish to abuse, harm and harass,” added Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries.
“The forthcoming Online Safety Bill will force tech companies to stop their platforms being used to commit vile acts of cyberflashing.
“We are bringing the full weight on individuals who perpetrate this awful behaviour.”
According to the government, the Online Safety Bill will put more legal responsibility on social media platforms, search engines and other websites or apps which host user-generated content to tackle a range of illegal and harmful content on their services, and the new cyberflashing offence comes after three other new criminal offences were introduced through this Bill, tackling a wide range of “harmful private and public online communication”.
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These include sending abusive emails, social media posts and WhatsApp messages, as well as ‘pile-on’ harassment – where many people target abuse at an individual such as in website comment sections.
Police issue statement after triple stabbing at Manchester high school
Emily Sergeant
A formal update and police statement has now been issued following a stabbing at a high school in Manchester earlier this morning.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a school on Plant Hill Road in Blackley – confirmed to be Co-op Academy Manchester – earlier this morning (Tuesday 9 June 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that two students and a teacher had been injured.
Staff were quick to detain a girl to ensure no further harm came to pupils or staff, before police arrived shortly afterwards.
A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, and remains in custody for questioning.
At this time, officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and have stated that there is no wider threat to the public.
The police have issued a statement after a triple stabbing at a Manchester high school / Credit: GMP
As mentioned, three people were injured during the incident – a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy, and a 27-year-old male member of staff. All were taken to hospital, however thankfully, their injuries are not believed to be serious, and they are stable at this time.
Giving a statement following the shocking incident earlier this morning, Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: “We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community.
“The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attended to arrest the girl. There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this.
“We are not looking anyone further in connection this with this incident.
“Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance.”
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The Weeknd at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
The Weeknd’s enormous After Hours Til Dawn world tour will touch down in Manchester this week for two huge stadium shows.
The Blinding Lights singer had previously skipped our city in favour of London, but added two gigs at the Etihad Stadium last autumn, along with new dates in Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Copenhagem, Munich and Lille.
The 2026 After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour has taken the Canadian diamond-certified global star across the globe.
The Weeknd’s seventh concert tour has been going since 2022, but has evolved over the years ahead of its return to Manchester.
Last time he performed in Manchester back in 2023, some fans were upset with his giant view-blocking moon balloon – but thankfully, The Weeknd is leaving that at home this time.
Instead, you can expect more pyrotechnics and lasers than the Etihad Stadium has ever seen, and a setlist packed with hits.
Here’s everything you need to know for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
What dates is The Weeknd performing in Manchester?
The Weeknd is heading to Manchester this week. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
Thursday 11 June
Friday 12 June
Tickets for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium
If you’re hoping to go along to The Weeknd in Manchester, but haven’t sorted tickets yet, worry not.
There’s still really good availability on tickets at the time of writing, especially for Thursday 11 June.
You can see the latest ticket availability for Thursday 11 June HERE and Friday 12 June HERE.
Remaining tickets are priced like so:
Limited view seats – £84.20
Seated tickets – £123.10, £155.75, £204.50
General admission pitch standing – £144.70
East or West pitch standing – £177.50
Expected setlist for The Weeknd
The incredible staging that The Weeknd will bring to Manchester. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
This is the most recent setlist The Weeknd has been using for his South American leg – but it has been changing as the tour has progressed.
This looks like a long setlist, but he does shorten a lot of these right down into one huge mash-up of his hits.
Baptized in Fear
Open Hearts
Wake Me Up
After Hours
Starboy
Heartless
Faith
Cry for Me
São Paulo
Rio
Take My Breath
Sacrifice (Swedish House Mafia remix)
How Do I Make You Love Me?
Can’t Feel My Face
Lost in the Fire (Gesaffelstein cover)
Timeless
Often
I Was Never There
Given Up on Me
The Hills
Creepin’ (Metro Boomin cover)
Niagara Falls
One of the Girls
Stargirl Interlude
Out of Time
I Feel It Coming
Die for You
Is There Someone Else?
Wicked Games
Call Out My Name
The Abyss
Save Your Tears
Less Than Zero
Blinding Lights
Encore
Without a Warning
House of Balloons
Moth to a Flame (Swedish House Mafia cover)
Stage times
VIP Early Access – 4.30pm
Turnstiles open – 5pm
Prince 85 – 6.15pm
Playboi Carti – 7pm
The Weeknd – 8.10pm
Curfew – 10.30pm
Who is supporting The Weeknd in Manchester?
The first support act for The Weeknd in Manchester is Prince 85, a frequent collaborator and mysterious music producer and artist.
Up next will be rap sensation Playboi Carti, another of The Weeknd’s collaborators, who’s known for hits like Magnolia, Sky, and Shoota, as well as his fashion-forward aesthetic and high-energy live shows.