National News

A £20,000 reward is being offered to help find the killer of a grandmother found dead in her home.

Three men have been jailed for life after an an innocent grandfather was shot through his living room window in a murder which was caught on a doorbell camera.

A city council says it is “deeply saddened” by the theft of more than 600 artefacts from its museum collection.

The number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at a record level for this time of year and has jumped by 55% in a week, NHS figures show.

Liverpool is the most generous city in the UK this year, according to figures from a fundraising platform.

At least 18 million people could be offered extra help with their investments and pensions over the next decade with the “game changing” introduction of targeted support, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela amid mounting tensions with the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Social media platforms must do more to stop explicit images of children being shared online, a police chief has said.

The Health Secretary has warned that a resident doctors’ strike over Christmas would have a “much different degree of risk” than previous walkouts, adding that he “cannot think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way”.

English actor Ray Winstone has said he is “very proud to be a Londoner” after receiving the Freedom of the City of London.

Iceland’s national broadcaster RUV has confirmed it will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

Bestselling author Sophie Kinsella has died after being diagnosed with a form of aggressive brain cancer.

Sir Keir Starmer said improving prospects for young people is “our generation’s greatest responsibility” as the Government launches its 10-year youth plan.

Contacts to the NSPCC from worried neighbours and community members concerned about child neglect rose by almost a third in a year as the charity warned that young people in danger must not “keep slipping through the cracks”.

Electric flying taxis may become available to London airport passengers from 2028, a UK company has announced.

Train services have been disrupted and ferries cancelled in Scotland as Storm Bram sweeps in with gusts of up to 90mph forecast.

Members of British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have filed defamation proceedings against Irish national broadcaster RTE.

The biggest police force in the country is turning to facial recognition technology to stamp out the use of illegal e-bikes.

England’s hopes of launching an Ashes comeback in Adelaide have been hit by a series-ending injury to pace bowler Mark Wood.

Hollywood star James McAvoy has said he is “delighted” the UK premiere of his directorial debut will close the film festival in his home city next year.

Pre-Budget “jitters” among shoppers dampened a much-needed Black Friday boost for retailers, figures show.

Balloons containing up to six times the legal limit of carcinogens are available to UK consumers through leading online marketplaces, according to an investigation.

Trains will be given a Union flag-inspired red, white and blue paint job as part of the Government’s rail-nationalisation plans.

Victims of NHS maternity failings received “unacceptable care” leading to “tragic consequences”, the head of a probe into maternity care in England has said.

The Met Office has issued “danger to life” weather warnings for rain and wind in parts of Scotland, Wales, and South West England amid Storm Bram.

European allies have discussed “positive progress” towards using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, Downing Street said, after hosting crisis talks over the country’s future.

Guinness is to open its latest brewery in London later this week after a £73 million investment.

The Queen has met the cast and crew behind the dramatisation of her late friend Dame Jilly Cooper’s bestseller Rivals, expressing sadness that a woman who meant so much to her was not there.

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck off northern Japan triggering a tsunami of up to 40 centimetres in coastal communities in the region, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said.

Mohamed Salah smiled and chatted to team-mates as he attended Liverpool’s first training session since his incendiary outburst at Elland Road on Saturday.

Wicked actress Ariana Grande, Hamnet actor Paul Mescal and Frankenstein star Jacob Elordi are among the nominees for the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.

Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to see more apprentices reach the Cabinet as he set out plans to boost the training schemes.

Crisis talks over the future of Ukraine have begun behind the black door of No 10 Downing Street, after the country’s president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London to meet European allies.

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has been spared jail after sending grossly offensive social media posts about broadcaster Jeremy Vine and TV football pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.

YouTube star Angryginge took more than half of the vote when he was crowned winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2025.

Healthcare in Scotland is not always available when people need it, a report has warned.

Defence Secretary John Healey has said the UK and its allies are ready to “track and deter” Russian submarines as he revealed plans for a new multi-million pound hi-tech force to protect undersea cables and pipelines.

A minister has hailed offshore wind as the “backbone” of the country’s clean energy system as the sector marks 25 years since the UK’s first turbines were erected off the coast of Northumberland.

A minister has hailed offshore wind as the “backbone” of the country’s clean energy system as the sector marks 25 years since the UK’s first turbines were erected off the coast of Northumberland.

Passengers arriving at Heathrow Terminal 3 on Sunday said they faced hours waiting for buses after a number of people were attacked with a “form of pepper spray”.

Sir Keir Starmer says the “hugely talented” Angela Rayner will return to his Cabinet.

Crumble and custard hurled at display case containing the Imperial State Crown

Lord Malcolm Offord is the latest defector to join the party

Inflatable dinghy capsizes south of the island of Crete

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has left millions of children “languishing in poverty”, the SNP has claimed.

A groundbreaking trial for a prostate cancer treatment with fewer side-effects has launched in the UK, researchers have said.

England have been drawn against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L for next summer’s World Cup finals in North America.

United States president Donald Trump was given the first ever FIFA peace prize at Friday’s World Cup draw ceremony in Washington DC.

Lando Norris admitted his world championship prospects are “looking good” after he stole an early advantage by dominating practice in Formula One’s hotly anticipated season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The range of red squirrels in the Highlands has increased by more than 25% in a decade following a reintroduction project by a rewilding charity.

Long-awaited multi-year funding for bus services in England has been announced by the Department for Transport (DfT).

A significant number of elderly people with frailty are not getting follow-up support they need after diagnosis, according to a new review.

David Tennant strides away from a helicopter in first-look pictures from the upcoming second series of Rivals.

Reform UK recently received the biggest single donation in history to a political party from a living person, official figures show.

The family of Novichok victim Dawn Sturgess have said “there must be reflection and change” as they criticised the lack of recommendations in a public inquiry’s final report.

Reform UK has recently received the biggest single donation in history to a political party from a living person, official figures show.

Model Ellie Goldstein and Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison are to join the Strictly Come Dancing live tour with their respective professional partners Vito Coppola and Kai Widdrington.

Joe Root’s 13-year wait for a Test century on Australian soil finally came to an end as he breathed life into England’s Ashes dreams on a remarkable start to the day-night clash at the Gabba.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a spell on the sidelines after Real Madrid confirmed he has suffered a left leg injury.

November was the new electric car market’s weakest month of growth in nearly two years, figures show.

TV and film performers are to vote on strike action over scanning for artificial intelligence

Russian military intelligence agency the GRU has been sanctioned in its entirety by the UK in the wake of the Sturgess inquiry report, the Foreign Office has said.

Britain’s energy watchdog has given the green light to an initial £28 billion of investment to upgrade UK energy infrastructure, but revealed the move will push up network charges on household bills by £108.

Arable farmers in the UK are facing a reduction in revenues of more than £800 million following one of the worst ever harvests, analysis suggests.

Sir Keir Starmer will visit Scotland on Thursday, with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Store accompanying him to an RAF base as they meet military personnel.

The King, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales have given a warm welcome to the President of Germany at the start of his historic state visit.

England and Wales will clash in the group stage of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

The Duchess of Sussex’s Christmas special has premiered on Netflix, with Meghan sharing the UK’s “sweet” tradition of pulling crackers and revealing she puts a love letter inside the one she makes for the Duke of Sussex.

Troubled supplier Thames Water has said it remains locked in talks over its proposed rescue deal with creditors as it revealed soaring revenues and customer complaints due to bill hikes.

Water will be restored to thousands of homes in Kent after five days, but must be boiled before drinking, the water company has said.

The Foreign Office failed to treat the Harry Dunn case as a crisis and lost “opportunities to influence” the US after diplomatic immunity was asserted on behalf of the suspect, an independent review has concluded.

A nursery worker who filmed himself sexually abusing four children has pleaded guilty to 26 offences.

British artist Emily Powell has transformed her terraced home into a lived-in artwork and is now putting it on the market with a guide price of £2 million.

Britain must not shrink back from a “chaotic world”, Sir Keir Starmer has said as he underlined his commitment to internationalism.

A first look at the upcoming crossover between two ITV soaps has revealed that a multi-vehicle collision on a country road will be at the centre of the drama.

Plans to free up crown courts to deal with serious crimes swiftly and hand more support to victims are set to be announced by the Justice Secretary as part of efforts to tackle the “courts emergency”.

Geologists have been given a “one-of-a-kind” window into Scotland’s geological past as they analyse core rock drilled from the Great Glen Fault during investigations for a hydro-storage scheme.

The Government’s goal to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 is now within reach thanks to a new action plan, the Health Secretary has said.

Cancelling knee replacement surgeries is “unforgivable”, academics have said, as a new study highlighted how postponing operations is costing the NHS millions and increasing hospital waiting lists.

Actress Alex Kingston has become the eighth celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

Lando Norris’ bid to become champion of the world will go to a season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend after Max Verstappen cashed in on a calamitous McLaren strategy decision to win the Qatar Grand Prix.

West Ham paid a moving tribute to former captain and manager Billy Bonds ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Liverpool following his death at the age of 79.

Jeremy Corbyn suffered a setback on Sunday as his new party’s founding conference rejected his preferred leadership set-up.

Rachel Reeves has defended her handling of the Budget as opposition figures claimed she misled the public over the size of the fiscal “repair job” she faces.

The Prince of Wales was “moved by the courage” of the Gazan children he met who had been evacuated to the UK for specialist care.

Major reforms to be announced this week will “put victims front and centre” of the criminal justice system, Justice Secretary David Lammy has said, amid reports that jury trials could be restricted to rape, murder and manslaughter.

The Gaelic and Scots languages have gained official status in a “historic milestone” as people across Scotland mark St Andrew’s Day.

Georgia Stanway scored a hat-trick as England made a triumphant return to Wembley with a 8-0 thrashing of China.

Police have been granted further time to question a man arrested in connection with the Heaton Park synagogue attack.

Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has died aged 88.

Asylum seekers have been banned from using taxis for most medical journeys, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced.

The left-wing party formed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana will seek use its debut conference to decide on key issues, including a formal name, as tensions simmer between its main figures.

F1 in Qatar

Together at Christmas service at Westminster Abbey

– analysis

Software update issued for Airbus 320

- Official Charts Company

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the resignation of his chief of staff Andrii Yermak, whose residence was searched earlier in the day by anti-corruption investigators.

Prostate cancer screening should not be made routinely available for the vast majority of men in the UK, a committee advising the Government has said.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the two-child benefit cap as a “failed social experiment” after Rachel Reeves announced the abolition of the limit in her tax-raising Budget.

Speculation around property taxes ahead of the Budget contributed to a fall in home buyer demand and sales agreed in recent weeks, according to Zoopla.

The number of cars built in the UK fell last month, new figures show.

President Donald Trump called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the Biden administration after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington DC.

Rachel Reeves has insisted taxes have been kept at “an absolute minimum on ordinary working people”, even as an influential think tank said low-to-middle earners would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen.

MPs, peers, business leaders and celebrities are set to attend an “emergency climate change summit” on Thursday where they will hear how the UK is unprepared for rising temperatures.

Councils have been warned of the “urgent need” to be prepared following an investigation into a “significant” cyber attack on Western Isles Council.

Two National Guard soldiers have been shot near the White House in Washington DC and a suspect is in custody, according to law enforcement sources.

Rachel Reeves hiked taxes by £26 billion as she faced forecasts of weaker economic growth, faster inflation and higher unemployment.

Sir Elton John has told how his celebrity friends such as Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Mick Jagger often check in with him as he deals with losing his sight in one eye.

Rachel Reeves has announced tax rises amounting to £26 billion as she battles a downgrade in forecast economic growth.

Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial to seriously injuring people when he drove into football fans celebrating Liverpool’s victory parade on May 26.

A public inquiry into disgraced neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel is to hear from core participants as they make opening statements.

Rachel Reeves has promised to “push ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation”, and insisted she would not “lose control of public spending”, as she prepares to deliver the Budget.

The country’s first AI police virtual assistant named “Bobbi” has been launched by two forces, in a trial to provide a new way for the public to contact them.

The Prince of Wales was hugged by a well-wisher when he stepped onto a Welsh beach to thank young marine conservationists for raising awareness about the important coastline.

Sir Keir Starmer has said talks on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine were “moving in a positive direction” as he spoke to leaders of the war-torn nation’s allies.

A major incident has been stood down after a London warehouse that may contain fireworks was engulfed in flames, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

Minimum wage rates are to increase next year, giving a pay rise for millions of workers, the Government has announced.

Around 150 firefighters are battling a large fire at a warehouse in west London, with smoke plumes visible across the area, emergency services have said.

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassing a transgender activist on social media but found guilty of criminal damage of their mobile phone outside a conference in London last year.

A new exhibition will explore the world of Aardman at the Young V and A – from Wallace and Gromit to Morph, Chicken Run, and Shaun The Sheep.

Technology firms are being urged to “step up” in their efforts to tackle trolling and toxic online abuse of women in new guidance published by the internet and communications watchdog.

New research showing that women in Scotland are more likely than men to be at risk of being driven into poverty by public debt collection must be a “wake-up call for decision-makers”, a charity has said.

The BBC is not institutionally biased, the author of a leaked memo on impartiality at the corporation, has said.

The grandson of a woman who was kidnapped and killed more than 55 years ago has said “she would like to come home for Christmas” after the High Court heard her family believes her remains are in an east London back garden.

The Prime Minister dished up meals to children as he visited their primary school and said the rolling out of free school meals to more youngsters will help drive down poverty.

Two members of the House of Lords are set to be suspended over breaches of the code of conduct for potential financial gain.

Cole Palmer is set to miss Chelsea’s games against Barcelona and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed.

A new documentary will feature celebrities including Alison Hammond and Jonathan Ross as they are given exclusive after-hours access to the toy shop Hamleys with their children.

Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has hinted the band will be the stars of a new Abba Voyage-style AI hologram show.

More than half (58%) of last year’s Black Friday shoppers would change how they spent their money if they had the chance, a survey indicates.

Rangers have sacked chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell

Rachel Reeves has been warned not to inflict “death by a thousand taxes” on British business in Wednesday’s Budget.

Reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his family has announced.

The Tardis has arrived at Stonehenge as part of the celebrations for Doctor Who Day.

Rachel Reeves will extend a crackdown on benefit fraud in a bid to raise £1.2 billion as she seeks to balance the books in the Budget this week.

Hundreds of people have protested against plans to house asylum seekers at an East Sussex army training camp on Sunday as speakers encouraged protesters to “form patrols” and stop paying council tax.

Reform UK head of policy Zia Yusuf said the party’s former leader in Wales who was jailed for taking bribes “is a guy which, far as we’re concerned, is ancient history”.

Lando Norris’ bid to win the world championship has taken an extraordinary setback after he was disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

A “generational shift” in children reading for pleasure appears to be taking place, the chairwoman of the Education Select Committee has warned, as MPs launch an inquiry into reasons for the decline.

The NHS maintained more than 95% of planned care during the most recent round of doctors’ strikes, according to data from the health service.

Rail fares are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the Government has announced.

Harvey Barnes fired Newcastle to a welcome 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester City with a quickfire double in a thrilling encounter at St James’ Park.

A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman.

Sir Keir Starmer and other international leaders have called the US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine “a basis which will require additional work”, as they expressed concerns about the proposal to limit Kyiv’s armed forces.

Diana, Princess of Wales’s former personal designer Paul Costelloe has died aged 80, his label has confirmed.

More than half of young people do not feel there is enough state support to help them get paid entry-level jobs with training and opportunities for progression, new research suggests.

A Scottish Labour government would create a new emergency service to ensure people in mental health crisis get urgent and specialist care, Anas Sarwar has said.

The first saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree are to be planted as National Tree Week kicks off, the National Trust has said.

The UK will see warmer weather this weekend as the cold snap which brought temperatures as low as minus 11C comes to an end.

TV show The Repair Shop is throwing open its doors to Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon, who will visit the experts to get their special treasures mended and fixed in time for Christmas.

Household energy bills will rise slightly from January after increases to Government policy costs helped offset falling gas prices, Ofgem said.

Cole Palmer faces another spell on the sidelines after fracturing his toe in an accident at home.

Ukraine “must determine its future under its sovereignty”, Sir Keir Starmer has said following a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan.

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years after he was paid £40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament in a “grave betrayal” of the British public.

England fought fire with fire as the Ashes began with low scores and high drama on a 19-wicket opening day in Perth.

Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts and The Lumineers will headline a new music festival in Essex.

JD Wetherspoon is to open its first pub in mainland Europe with plans for a bar at Alicante airport in Spain.

Some six in 10 farmers say they consider their farm to be at financial risk because of supermarket buying behaviour, with the industry branding the current regulatory scheme “unfit for purpose”.

The NHS could be left with “huge holes” in its medical workforce if foreign doctors leave the health service, according to the medical regulator.

A billion-dollar money laundering network which is active in the UK bought a bank to facilitate payments to support Russian military efforts, the National Crime Agency has revealed.

Former Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has died aged 63, his former bandmate Ian Brown has confirmed.

The human and financial cost of the Covid-19 pandemic will be “in vain” unless lessons are learned from the crisis, the chairwoman of the pandemic probe has said.

Wales will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifying play-off semi-finals in March.

Singer Lily Allen has announced a string of new live dates to her sold-out tour.

Asda has agreed to sell a raft of supermarket stores and a depot in order to bolster its finances.

Hundreds of schools have been forced to close, roads are disrupted and homes left without power because of snow, after most parts of the UK recorded the coldest night of the season.

Nando’s has said it is accelerating UK restaurant openings as the chicken chain reported stronger sales and profits for the past year.

The cast of popular sitcom Peep Show are to star in a Great British Bake Off Christmas special.

Lando Norris said he wants to win the world championship in style – despite admitting his advantage at the top of the standings puts him in “control” of the title race.

Royal Mail has unveiled a new set of stamps paying tribute to some of the most famous designs in British postal history, including the Penny Black.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry will publish its findings on Thursday into decisions made by former prime minister Boris Johnson and his senior advisers.

A solar-powered webcam has been set up to livestream England’s largest colony of grey seals.

President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts.

The Duke of Sussex has made a cameo appearance in the trailer for the festive edition of his wife’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

Ben Stokes has set his sights on joining the “lucky few” England captains to bring home the Ashes from Australian soil.

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out freezing income tax thresholds at the Budget next week.

Evri has revealed it delivered nearly 50 million more parcels over the first half of this year as second-hand shopping and online marketplaces continue to boom.

Predatory ex-police officer David Carrick has been found guilty of molesting a 12-year-old girl and raping a former partner in a pattern of “horrific” offending dating back 35 years.

The viral TikTok trend of the summer has helped Jet2 notch up record passenger numbers, as its tagline “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” gathered more than 80 billion global views across social media.

The Russian spy ship Yantar is operating on the edge of UK waters and has directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities, the Defence Secretary has said.

UK inflation fell to a four-month low in October, paving the way for interest rates to be cut before Christmas despite concerns about rising food prices, experts say.

Alan Carr’s Traitors triumph, Katy Perry’s trip to space and Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce are among the 2025 events to get the comic treatment in a special edition of the Beano.

New study of schoolgirls

Adverts for three hotel chains and the travel site Booking.com have been banned for misleading consumers about the number of rooms available at the cheapest prices.

Dame Helen Mirren has branded it “heartbreaking” that tens of thousands of children might be facing winter without warm clothing and that some families are “dreading” Christmas because of poverty.

Wins for Scotland and Wales

Will now go to the US Senate

Drag artist is injured

Security minister on China spying risk

Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne will be the voice of Heathrow Airport this Christmas.

A new trial will test whether an mRNA jab to protect against a common virus found in almost all people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could treat the condition.

Freddie Mercury is being celebrated with a new Royal Mint coin design, which the Queen singer’s sister said would have “meant the world” to him.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said the current asylum system is “out of control and unfair” as she announced reforms aimed at deterring illegal migration to the UK.

Anthony Joshua will take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout in Miami on December 19, Matchroom Boxing has announced.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returned to ITV with an average audience of 6.6 million viewers.

President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release files involving the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal.

A flagship post-Brexit fisheries law is “failing” to deliver a promised revival of fish stocks and coastal communities, the Government has been warned.

A poll for the union and professional body found workforce shortages are causing nightmares and panic attacks, while nurses feel forced to keep working when they are ill.

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on her 38th birthday.