National News

Tom Banton underlined his World Cup credentials by firing England to a series-clinching six-wicket DLS victory in the second T20 against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

Lord Peter Mandelson has said he does not remember receiving payments from paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein which totalled 75,000 US dollars and were made when he was a Labour MP.

The next round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky has announced.

The Government is heaping pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to reveal all he knows about Jeffrey Epstein so the disgraced paedophile financier’s victims are given all they “deserve and need”.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “should be prepared” to testify before the US Congress about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, after he featured in the latest disclosure of files related to the disgraced paedophile financier, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested.

The British military has completed a demanding training exercise involving the three armed services ahead of taking responsibility for Nato’s special operations forces.

Elena Rybakina won her power battle with Aryna Sabalenka to claim a first Australian Open title.

The King has paid a surprise visit to joggers at a local Sandringham parkrun organised in partnership with the Move Against Cancer charity.

Neal Skupski continued Britain’s impressive recent record in men’s doubles by winning the Australian Open title alongside American Christian Harrison.

A major British film studio has backed a scheme aimed at getting young people into work.

People in Northern Ireland face a political choice between “Stormont or Starmer”, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.

Wine and spirits bosses have warned that firms “have no choice but to increase prices” to stay afloat as an increase to alcohol duty comes into force.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein about a “beautiful” Russian woman and invited him to Buckingham Palace, documents appear to show.

Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star, dies at 71 By Associated Press Reporters Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for comedic roles across the decades, from Kevin’s beleaguered mother in Home Alone to Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, has died aged 71.

Federal prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson, a judge has ruled.

Millions of families will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade, the Government has announced.

Two Army officers have been charged over their conduct in the case of Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was sexually assaulted and then took her own life.

Train passengers are missing out on more than £80 million per year in compensation for delayed journeys because of “unacceptable” claims processes, according to new analysis.

The Government and NHS England have failed to take “any meaningful steps” to slash the rising costs of clinical negligence in England despite 20 years worth of warnings, according to MPs.

Tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to China are to be halved as a result of a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer – with the Prime Minister insisting the agreement showed how his Government’s “hard-headed international engagement brings benefits at home”.

Some 94 patients suffered harm at the hands of a Great Ormond Street orthopaedic surgeon, a report has concluded.

Nearly one in two (47%) parents are worried their child with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) could see support reduced as they await details on Government reforms, a survey has found.

Santander is to shut 44 of its bank branches in a move putting 291 jobs at risk

Late actor Sir Laurence Olivier, a Second World War military strategist and a Victorian-era photographer are among the people being honoured as nine blue plaques are installed in London.

A boy who was one of the first children to be given a £1.65 million treatment has returned to the hospital where he received his care to thank his nurse for his new-found freedom.

Sir Keir Starmer has met Xi Jinping in Beijing, telling the president he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.

Test captain Ben Stokes will join the England Lions coaching team in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Bundee Aki looks set to miss Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France after being withdrawn from Andy Farrell’s squad for disciplinary reasons.

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years.

The first female Archbishop of Canterbury has vowed to speak out on misogyny, as she was confirmed in her new role as the Church of England’s top bishop.

An estimated 16 million people – or 29% of UK adults – experienced post delays with Royal Mail over Christmas, Citizens Advice has said.

The number of 18-year-olds from the poorest areas applying for university has increased in every part of the UK, the latest figures from Ucas show.

The decline in the mental health of children and young people is “one of the biggest challenges of our time”, leading charities have warned.

EasyJet’s claim that the cost of adding large cabin bags to flight bookings was “from £5.99” was “misleading”, a regulator has found.

The Princess of Wales praised a “gold dust” rugby league club for the support given to its community of fans when she braved Storm Chandra at a stadium in West Yorkshire.

Newcastle striker Anthony Gordon admits he is a victim of his own success as he attempts to replicate the blistering form which won him England recognition.

Former Labour MP Conor McGinn has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in 2022.

Pubs and music venues will get 15% off their business rates bills from April as part of a major support package, the Treasury has announced.

The King and Queen met Holocaust survivors and lit candles of remembrance to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley has continued her awards season streak with a Bafta nomination for her role in Hamnet.

Heavy rain and strong winds are hitting the UK as Storm Chandra brought weather warnings, flooding, travel disruption and school closures.

Four temporary courts set up during the Covid-19 pandemic will be made permanent in an effort to cut court backlogs.

Ground rents will be capped at £250-a-year in England and Wales as part of sweeping changes to the leasehold system announced by the Government.

Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett is one of a host of acclaimed actresses who will be performing at the National Theatre this year.

Former Love Island stars Dani Dyer-Bowen and Gabby Allen and retired Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm have passed the course in the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Football must do more to protect players, the family of ex-Scotland defender Gordon McQueen said after an inquest found that heading the ball was “likely” to have contributed to a brain injury which was a factor in his death.

Nigella Lawson will replace Dame Prue Leith as a judge on the Great British Bake Off, it has been announced.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said she felt she had “come home” as she confirmed her defection to Reform UK.

Warrington, Bristol, Barnsley and Brighton buck the national trend of slow growth in living standards since 2013

NHS England changes bowel screening in bid to pick up more cases early

Home Secretary pledges faster police response and less red tape in major reforms

Gunners lead stays at four points as new boss Carrick wins again

Key Labour committee bars him from standing in by-election

The Labour First Minister of Wales has not ruled out the possibility that Sir Keir Starmer could be ejected from Downing Street before the end of the year.

The King has spoken of his pride in the charity he founded 50 years ago which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Counter-terror, fraud and criminal gang investigations are set to be taken over by a new national police force dubbed the “British FBI” under major policing reforms.

Donald Trump has said UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan were “among the greatest of all warriors” after previously drawing criticism for his claims Nato troops stayed away from the front lines during the conflict.

Andy Burnham has announced that he intends to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, setting up a potential return to Westminster for the Greater Manchester mayor.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Donald Trump’s remarks about British troops in Afghanistan were “insulting and frankly appalling” and signalled the US President should apologise.

A husband has admitted drugging and raping his now ex-wife over a 13-year period.

Wes Streeting vows to end the postcode lottery of cancer care with more training and technology

More than 50 organisations employing over 1,400 workers moved to a four-day working week in 2025, according to new figures.

An acclaimed artist, known for her depictions of Second World War heroines, is to design a sculpture “portraying the strong and complex personality” of Queen Elizabeth II as part of the national memorial to the late monarch.

The first asylum seekers have been moved into a former military barracks in East Sussex as ministers face pressure to end the use of hotels.

A former Labour minister has announced he will stand down as an MP for medical reasons, paving the way for a potential Westminster return for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley has been nominated for an Oscar, while vampire drama Sinners has made history as the first film to score 16 nods.

Sir Keir Starmer said he will discuss how to “take the vital steps” towards strengthened security in the Arctic with Denmark’s prime minister, who thanked him for the UK’s support during “quite a difficult time” for the country amid Donald Trump’s demands to annex its semi-autonomous territory Greenland.

The Duke of Sussex has returned to a court in London for the fourth day of the trial of his legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

Around one in four children who started reception in 2025 were not toilet trained, a survey of teachers has found, amid warnings more children are struggling with basic life skills.

Hollywood star Sean Bean is to host an award-winning podcast for birdwatchers.

There has been a “substantial increase” in the proportion of people using medicines for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the UK, driven by a rise in prescription rates among adults, in particular women.

Next has bought Russell and Bromley after the footwear and handbag retailer fell into administration.

A teenage girl was forced to work as a “house slave” for a woman and her 10 children for more than 25 years, a court heard.

UK inflation bounced back in December as tobacco duty hikes and Christmas getaways helped push up the cost of living, official figures show.

Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to annex Greenland, saying only the US could secure the Arctic territory, but ruled out using force.

The UK will not be pushed around by Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Rachel Reeves said as she defended Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to cool tensions over Greenland.

NHS pre-diabetes clinics for children are to be set up after a “landmark” study confirmed the feasibility of using finger-prick blood test as a screening tool to spot the disease before symptoms arise.

Adverts for five tanning companies have been banned for making misleading and irresponsible claims about the safety of sunbeds.

A new set of stamps and coordinated nose drop events will mark the 50th anniversary of the first commercial Concorde flights.

Police have hit out at the decision not to bring further charges against child killer nurse Lucy Letby.

Overnight curfews and breaks to prevent “doomscrolling” will form part of the Government’s consultation on social media for children, which will also consider an Australian-style ban for under-16s.

China has been given permission to build a vast new embassy in the heart of London despite criticism from MPs and campaigners that it will be used as a base for spying and security crackdowns.

UK wage growth has fallen back once again while the unemployment rate has remained at the highest level for nearly five years as official figures reveal deepening jobs woes in the retail and hospitality sectors.

A child’s weight should not be the main focus when it comes to whether they qualify for help for an eating disorder, according to new NHS guidelines.

Water companies will be required to carry out to infrastructure “MOTs” to prevent major failures under plans for a new industry watchdog, the Government has said.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, according to a new analysis.

Scottish singer Jacob Alon has been named the Critics’ Choice prize winner ahead of next month’s Brit Awards

Sir Keir Starmer will seek to steady the ship amid a tumultuous rift between Donald Trump and European countries over Greenland as the US President marks one year in the White House.

Donald Trump said he was 100% committed to hitting the UK and European allies with tariffs in protest at opposition to his plan to annex Greenland.

He was 93.

As the Duke of Sussex’s trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail is set to get underway at the High Court in London today, here are some of the key questions:

Sir Keir Starmer urged the whole country to unite in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to invade Greenland and slap tariffs on the UK and other European allies.

Pharmacists are demanding millions of pounds in compensation following an NHS error which saw patients booking Covid vaccinations only to find they were no longer eligible.

Construction work has been completed on HS2’s longest tunnel, including extensions designed to prevent sonic booms.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said 50,000 of its members at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be balloted in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.

Sir Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong” in a telephone call, Downing Street said.

The security services will not be “exempt” from the Hillsborough Law, the Culture Secretary has said amid fears from campaigners and backbench Labour MPs that the duty of candour is being watered down.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called for sweeping reforms of the policing system, which he says needs to change “quite dramatically”.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A and E in Scotland has soared by more than 7000% in a decade, according to an analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Actor Adeel Akhtar says he was asked if he was linked to terrorist organisations by airport security when he travelled with his girlfriend to an audition in New York.

The US President says a 10% tariff will be applied to all goods sent to the US from next month

The Green Party is calling for free bus travel in England for those under the age of 22.

The Government is moving at a “glacial pace” to ratify a landmark UN pact to protect delicate ecosystems in international waters, a coalition of green groups has said.

Jess’s Rule, a system which calls for family doctors to think again if a patient has had three appointments for their symptoms with no diagnosis, will be advertised in all GP practices across England from this week.

Concerns have been raised over the “ridiculous” compensation payment proposed for people who were the victims of unethical research, including boys who were infected with HIV and hepatitis as schoolchildren.

A would-be Southport copycat killer who wanted to attack a dance school and an Oasis reunion concert has been locked up for 14 months.

A husband who killed his wife and manipulated his own child in a “wicked” plot to get away with murder has been jailed for life.

One of a group of nurses who complained about sharing single-sex changing rooms with a trans colleague said “this is a victory for common sense and for every woman who simply wants to feel safe at work” after an employment tribunal ruled they had suffered harassment.

The drugs crisis inside Scotland’s prisons is a manifestation of systemic health system failure, a Holyrood committee has said.

Paedophiles and other criminals used AI to generate thousands more child sexual abuse videos last year, contributing to record levels of the harrowing material found online, campaigners have warned.

Convicted killers detained in hospitals under court order could lose thousands of pounds a year in benefit payments under new Government plans.

The Education Secretary has said she will not rule out further action following claims a Bristol school “may have been intimidated into cancelling a visit” from their local MP who is Jewish.

Robert Jenrick has accused the Tories for lacking the “stomach for the radical change this country needs” as he defected to Reform UK after being sacked from Kemi Badenoch’s frontbench.

The NHS waiting list for hospital treatment has fallen to its lowest level since early 2023, figures show.

Kemi Badenoch said she has sacked Robert Jenrick as shadow justice secretary and kicked him out of the party due to “irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible” to his Conservative colleagues.

Elon Musk’s pledge to stop X’s AI chatbot Grok making sexualised images of people is a “vindication for Keir Starmer”, Downing Street sources have said.

A “pervasive” culture of mistreatment at work is leading to women losing their jobs if they are pregnant or become a parent, according to a report.

More than one in three (35%) undergraduate students say Reform UK should be banned from speaking at events at UK universities, according to a poll.

South East Water is under investigation by the industry watchdog after repeated outages since November have left tens of thousands of households and businesses without supply across Kent and Sussex.

The UK economy returned to growth in November after a boost from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) factories restarting production following a cyber attack, according to official figures.

Emma Willis has told how she was “floored” by a hole in the heart diagnosis as she met another mother with the same condition.

Former Lionesses captain Millie Bright skipped training for possibly the first time in her career to be honoured by the Prince of Wales.

One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti is among the actors nominated for the Bafta 2026 EE Rising Star Award.

Competitions are set to be given a choice over whether to use VAR to check corner kicks, with some concerned it is a further step towards re-refereeing the game.

Ministers are holding emergency daily meetings as 17,000 properties remain without drinking water across Kent and Sussex, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted there “will be checks” on the right to work in the UK, and “they will be digital, and they will be mandatory”, as he faced fire in the Commons over a U-turn on the Government’s flagship digital ID plans.

Rachel Reeves said she wants people in northern England to “feel the benefits” of a major scheme to boost connections by “the early 2030s”.

The Home Secretary has said she has lost confidence in the head of West Midlands Police following a “damning” review into the force’s decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s bid to overturn the decision to throw out the terrorism case against rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh has begun at the High Court.

West Midlands Police’s chief constable has apologised to MPs for giving them an error in evidence over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, as the Home Secretary is set to address Parliament.

Brisk walking for an extra five minutes a day can help reduce a person’s risk of death, a new study has found.

Last year was globally the third warmest year on record, scientists confirmed as human activity drives the “unmistakable trend” towards a hotter climate.

Nearly one in five people have an additional job or side hustle, research indicates.

Vulnerable areas face “catastrophic flooding and economic devastation” without further Government funding for protections, councils have warned.

Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Manchester United head coach on a deal until the end of the season.

Yvette Cooper has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the crackdown on protests in the country, as the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions on the regime.

A new Home Office TikTok account posting footage of deportations and arrests by immigration enforcement has been criticised as turning raids into “click-bait online entertainment”.

Up to 640 jobs are being created at discount retailer Lidl under plans to open 19 stores over the next eight weeks as it continues to ramp up expansion plans.

The water watchdog says it is “concerned” as 25,000 properties remain affected by outages across Kent and Sussex.

The BBC will take legal steps to have Donald Trump’s 10 billion dollar defamation lawsuit over a Panorama programme edit dismissed

Lord Peter Mandelson has offered an “unequivocal” apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Medical graduates from the UK and Ireland will be prioritised for training places under new legislation to be proposed by the Government.

A new 50p coin celebrating the speed and elegance of Concorde has been launched by the Royal Mint, marking 50 years since the aircraft’s first commercial flight.

Aldi has unveiled plans to give its staff a pay rise in less than two months, ahead of an increase to the national minimum wage in April.

Macclesfield must upstage another Premier League side if they are to continue their fairytale FA Cup run after drawing Brentford in the fourth round.

Irish star Jessie Buckley was named best actress in a drama and Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty continued Adolescence’s winning streak through awards season as they all secured gongs at the Golden Globes.

Heathrow airport’s annual passenger numbers exceeded 84 million for the first time last year.

The Princess of Wales is hosting a special reception for the Red Roses at Windsor Castle this week to celebrate their Rugby World Cup win.

A formal investigation has been launched into whether Elon Musk’s social media platform X has complied with UK laws after reports its AI chatbot Grok created and shared sexualised images of children, the regulator Ofcom has said.

A major incident has been declared as 30,000 properties in Kent and Sussex are without a proper water supply.

Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has joined Reform UK, the party has announced.

Staff at a Stirling charity shop have said they are “thrilled” after an extremely rare edition of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit fetched a record £3,000.

The Prime Minister has hailed upcoming changes to parental leave as putting “dignity back at the heart of work”.

A flagship rewilding project has seen an explosion in wildlife since it began, with bird numbers increasing tenfold in the past two decades, monitoring shows.

Managerless Manchester United’s hopes of ending a topsy-turvy season with silverware went up in smoke as Danny Welbeck once again scored against his former club and Brighton finally secured a first FA Cup victory against the Red Devils.

Succession showrunner Jesse Armstrong has said a writers’ room can feel like “walking on the moon” when it is working well – but that he also experiences imposter syndrome.

Openreach is marking its 20th anniversary by announcing a big increase in broadband usage last year.

Drivers across England are able to see how well their local authority is tackling potholes with the launch of a new traffic light rating system.

A teaching union is calling for the Government to ban social media for under-16s to improve concentration at school and stem damage to mental health.

The Love Island: All Stars villa has been evacuated with filming postponed due to “ongoing wildfires”, ITV has said.

A protester has climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London.

Nutrition labels on the front of food packaging should be made mandatory in the UK, according to a consumer champion.

Non-league Macclesfield pulled off one of the biggest-ever FA Cup upsets as they knocked out holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 win at the third-round stage.

Holyrood ministers must use their upcoming Budget to signal a “clear intent” to introduce a tax on private jets, campaigners have insisted.

A mother who donated umbilical cord blood after giving birth has described how her daughter’s life was saved by a similar donation just a few years later.

A man has been found dead after a tree fell on to a caravan as weather warnings remain in place after Storm Goretti hit the UK.

Warnings for snow and ice are in force across much of the UK as tens of thousands of people are still without power after Storm Goretti.

Shabana Mahmood will end the Government’s duty to support all destitute asylum seekers as she seeks to shut more asylum hotels, sources have said.

More snow, ice and freezing fog will hit the UK after thousands of people were left with no power after Storm Goretti.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the killing of protesters in Iran and urged Tehran to “exercise restraint” amid a crackdown on demonstrations against the regime.

Coronation Street is to air a special “flashforward” episode which will offer viewers a glimpse into the drama that is set to unfold in 2026.

Storm Goretti continues to batter the UK with tens of thousands of Britons across the country facing widespread power cuts, travel disruption and school closures.

Some people are waiting more than a year to have their disability benefit claims processed amid “unacceptably poor service levels”, the Commons spending watchdog has found.

The Government is launching a recruitment drive for jobs in the prison and probation service.

Thousands of homes are without power as Storm Goretti hits the UK with a rare red warning issued for “dangerous, stormy” winds.

A rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” winds has been issued by the Met Office for south-west England, with Storm Goretti set to bring 100mph gusts.

Ministers are to U-turn on increasing business rates for pubs in the face of mounting pressure from landlords and backbench MPs, the Press Association understands.

The Princess of Wales has made a surprise appearance the day before her birthday by joining the Prince of Wales on a visit to show support for NHS staff in London.

Christmas and new year gatherings may have caused a “bounce back” in winter viruses, with the number of people in hospital with flu up slightly, according to NHS England.

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been spared jail after he was found to have a sexual video of a 15-year-old boy in school uniform on his laptop.

A man who threw a six-year-old boy off the Tate Modern’s 10th-storey balcony has been jailed for 16 weeks after attacking two nurses at Broadmoor hospital.

Former Leeds and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness, his family have said in a statement.

Some NHS hospitals are adapting corridors and other spaces to provide care by installing plug sockets and emergency call bells in a bid to minimise patient safety risks, an investigation has found.

The average UK house price dipped to its lowest level in six months in December, according to an index.

Exercise may be just as good at treating depression as psychological therapies and possibly even antidepressants, a study suggests.

The Queen has described her charity’s mission to get people reading as “more urgent than ever”, saying “books do make life better” as she marked the fifth anniversary of her Reading Room book club.

The US military has thanked the UK for its “unwavering support” in the seizing of a Russian-flagged oil tanker.

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes will portray disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards in a new drama.

Former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer.

The UK is braced for heavy snowfall and strong winds from Storm Goretti with amber weather warnings issued across the country.

British armed forces provided support to the US’s seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

A man who assisted suicide by selling a substance online for £100 to vulnerable people has been jailed for 14 years after what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.

Two buses full of school children have crashed on icy roads as a deep freeze continues to grip the UK ahead of more heavy snowfall expected from Storm Goretti.

The US has seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker which is travelling off British waters, an official has said.

Many adults are not aware of the scale of the UK’s primary school reading gap, a survey has found.

Rightmove recorded its busiest ever Boxing Day for website visits in December 2025, in signs of a bigger-than-usual housing market bounce.

A number of apps that can be downloaded onto smartphones and tablets have been recommended to help people with asthma manage their condition.

Donald Trump has been discussing a “range of options” to acquire Greenland, the White House has said, after Sir Keir Starmer joined European leaders in insisting the US president must climb down from threats to take over the territory.

Nearly half of adult pornography users have accessed sites without age checks since new verification rules came into force, research suggests.