National News

Strong winds will continue to hamper the majority of the UK on Sunday following the widespread disruption caused by Storm Darragh.

Thousands more GPs could be trained in order to deal with the NHS staffing crisis, Wes Streeting has indicated.

The UK exported thousands of tonnes of pesticides last year that have been banned domestically due to their harmful impacts, an investigation has found.

England secured their first away series in two years with a 323-run rout of New Zealand, Joe Root marking the occasion with a 36th Test century.

The Syrian government appeared to have fallen early on Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a lightning rebel offensive.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has been involved in a road traffic accident, the Premier League club have confirmed.

Gusts of 93mph have been recorded as Storm Darragh hit the UK.

Working with the Conservatives when they were in government “could not have been more awful” but relationships with Westminster are “incomparably better” now Labour is in power, John Swinney has said.

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department has returned to the top of the UK albums chart as her record-breaking Eras Tour comes to a close, the Official Charts Company has confirmed.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told a shop owner the Government was “trying to help” as she visited independent retailers ahead of Small Business Saturday.

Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government’s “risk to life” alert brought on by Storm Darragh came into force.

The UK is the “sick man of Europe” when it comes to spending on medicines and community pharmacies, leaders from the sector have said.

Dame Mary Berry has been announced as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women In Film And Television Awards.

The Princess of Wales has made a rare public appearance with her family to celebrate Christmas with selfless individuals who have supported others.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has apologised after being accused of making light of serious safeguarding failures in the Church of England.

A rare red warning for wind, which warns of significant disruption and a “danger to life”, has been issued by forecasters as Storm Darragh hits the UK.

Generous households across Britain will give around £2.8 billion in total to charities during November and December this year, according to an estimate from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

Voters believe the UK should prioritise its relationship with Europe over the US, a poll has revealed.

Scientists have created a world-first urine test which could indicate the first possible signs of lung cancer.

Air pollution in England has hit a 20-year low but current levels could still pose significant risks to public health, a group of economic experts has said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he will name a new prime minister within days, after the resignation of Michel Barnier.

The UK, France and Germany have taken part in a major investigation targeting a people-smuggling network believed to be moving people across the Channel, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.

A pilot scheme to help schools save money on their energy bills and improve energy efficiency has been launched by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Delays in the criminal justice system are “probably worse than I’ve ever known them to be”, the country’s top prosecutor said as he vowed better support for victims.

A building society is increasing the maximum amount that first-time buyers can potentially borrow as a multiple of their earnings, with the launch of a new mortgage range.

France’s far-right and left-wing legislators joined together on Wednesday to vote for a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced Labour pressure to amend her inheritance tax changes for farmers as a backbencher made clear his opposition to the current proposals.

A multibillion-dollar money laundering network run by two Russian millionaires and used by UK drug dealers to hide criminal cash has been brought down in an international sting.

The Prime Minister faces pressure to raise human rights issues as he meets the Emir of Qatar to agree a £1 billion investment in climate technology on Wednesday.

Up to 300,000 children in England could be missing from education, a report has suggested.

Drivers are set to enjoy the cheapest Christmas fuel prices since the pandemic, despite a slight rise in November, figures suggest.

Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs could hit UK trade with the US as badly as Brexit affected trade with the EU, a leading think tank has said.

Government plans to boost prison capacity could fall short by thousands of cell spaces within two years and cost the taxpayer billions of pounds more than anticipated, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has warned.

The Princess of Wales joined the King and her husband in welcoming the Emir of Qatar to the UK during a rare public appearance since completing her cancer treatment.

Rachel Reeves has again declined to repeat her promise not to raise taxes or borrowing in future budgets, but insisted she would not have to top up her spending plans either.

Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC’s schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show, a BBC spokesperson said.

The Queen has told guests at the state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia.

Scotland’s NHS will become “much worse” over the winter, the head of the doctors’ union has warned after a report said fundamental reform in the health service is needed.

The Emir of Qatar will begin a two-day state visit to the UK hosted by the King.

Victims of the “horrendous” crime of stalking are to be given better protection including the right to know the identity of their online stalkers, the Government has said.

Spending on cough and cold remedies was a bright spot in November as weak consumer confidence and rising energy bills caused anxiety for retailers in the all-important run-up to Christmas.

The Queen is to miss the ceremonial welcome during the Qatari state visit after suffering significantly diminished reserves of energy following her chest infection.

New Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was “astonished” by the amount of managerial offers he received on the back of his spell as Manchester United interim manager.

Downing Street has said Gregg Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was “inappropriate and misogynistic”.

Building owners who fail to remove dangerous cladding have been warned “we are after them” and they could face jail as ministers set a 2029 deadline for action.

Top nurses have warned that planned Government reforms for the health service “stand no chance” if issues with recruitment and retention in the profession are not addressed.

The UK has pledged a further £19 million in funding for Gaza, as a minister described the situation on the ground as “catastrophic”.

Fianna Fail looks on course to secure the most seats in Ireland’s General Election, with attention turning to the potential make-up of the next coalition government.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape at London venue The Groucho Club, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 20-year-old British man has died after being found injured in a hotel lift shaft while on a family holiday in Turkey.

Counting has resumed in the Irish General Election as focus intensifies on the potential make-up of the next coalition government.

The Princess of Wales will deliver a heartful Christmas message about the importance of love – “the greatest gift we can receive” – to those attending her annual carol service.

MasterChef host Gregg Wallace was accused of making lewd comments and asking for the personal phone numbers of female production staff in a letter a producer and director claimed to have sent to the BBC in 2022.

A man who is running 2,684 miles (4,320km) across Australia hopes to break a new British record by completing the challenge in 60 days.

Mental health waiting time targets have been breached more than 168,000 times since they were introduced a decade ago, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has said.

Sir Keir Starmer will set out a “plan for change” with milestones set in key policy areas to achieve the targets laid out in Labour’s manifesto, Downing Street has said.

Temperatures are expected to plunge on Monday after the UK enjoys a mild weekend, the Met Office has said.

There is a heavy police presence in central London as a pro-Palestine march and counter-protest are held in the midst of Christmas shopping and Winter Wonderland festivities.

Further accusations have been made against TV presenter Gregg Wallace in the wake of him stepping away from hosting hit BBC show MasterChef while a review into complaints is carried out.

Informal tallying of votes in count centres for Ireland’s General Election have suggested the potential for new breakthroughs and trouble for some established incumbents, after an exit poll put the three main parties nearly neck and neck.

More than a hundred dogs dressed in Christmas jumpers joined a festive parade in central London in support of rescue charities.

Political leaders will gather on Saturday to pay tribute to Alex Salmond at a public memorial service in Edinburgh.

The protracted process of sorting and counting votes in Ireland’s General Election has begun, after an exit poll put the three main parties virtually neck and neck.

Southampton were furious after being denied a priceless victory by a controversial VAR decision in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Zayn Malik has paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in his former One Direction bandmate’s hometown of Wolverhampton, saying he “hopes” the late star sees his gig.

Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try and stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia.

Jane Moore has become the first contestant to be eliminated from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 following a public vote.

The funeral of Scottish comedian Janey Godley is set to take place after a two-day “final tour” of the cities she loved.

Kim Leadbeater has said there is “absolutely still a lot of work to do” on assisted dying proposals, and “slight changes” to the bill are “part of the process”.

Gregg Wallace has been accused of making “lesbian jokes” and “highly inappropriate” comments in the latest of a string of complaints made against the TV presenter by people who claim to have worked with him.

Dame Esther Rantzen said she is “absolutely thrilled” at the result of the historic vote for assisted dying, and spoke of future generations being spared the “ordeals” currently suffered.

A police driver who rammed an escaped cow in a patrol car will return to frontline duties after an investigation found the tactic was “both lawful and necessary”.

Heidi Alexander has been appointed Transport Secretary after the resignation of Louise Haigh over a undisclosed criminal conviction.

A man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after an eight-year-old girl and her father were injured in a shooting.

The first assisted dying debate in the House of Commons in almost a decade is “long overdue”, the MP behind the Bill has said as she appealed for respect and compassion in Parliament on the controversial issue.

Nando’s has said it will step up its restaurant opening plans after sales lifted further over the past year.

Nile Rodgers has said he is “uncomfortable” and “overwhelmed” after winning the Global Icon Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards.

Manchester United survived a scare against Bodo/Glimt as a Rasmus Hojlund brace ensured Ruben Amorim’s maiden match in the Old Trafford dugout ended in his first victory in charge.

Pharmacies could be forced to cut their opening hours or close completely if they are not shielded from the tax hikes and increased national living wage announced in the Budget, leaders from the sector have warned.

MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has thanked his Instagram followers for “showing their support” after he announced he was to step away from the BBC cooking show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed.

Louise Haigh has resigned as Transport Secretary after pleading guilty to a criminal offence related to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.

Parliament has a chance to “correct injustice and reduce human suffering” when it debates assisted dying, the MP behind the Bill said – but opposition campaigners have warned of “inevitable abuse, pressure, coercion and mistakes”.

Former Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns has joined Reform UK and will run to be mayor of Lincolnshire.

Gregg Wallace is to step away from presenting BBC cooking show MasterChef while complaints made by individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are externally reviewed.

Former soldier Daniel Khalife has been found guilty of breaching the Official Secrets and Terrorism Acts by collecting sensitive information and passing it to agents of Iran.

Net migration to the UK hit a higher than previously thought record of 906,000 in the year to June 2023, revised official estimates show.

Parents of teenagers can track their Uber journeys under a new scheme.

Sir Ed Davey is launching a bid for Christmas number one with a charity single called Love Is Enough.

Talking therapies and physical and mental rehabilitation “probably improve symptoms of long Covid”, a new study suggests.

Robbie Williams has said he feels “remarkable” after coming out the other end of a more than decade-long struggle with his mental health.

Sixth form college teachers in England will begin strike action on Thursday in a dispute over pay.

A police investigation has been launched into more than five people who may have “facilitated” former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed in his alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women and girls.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said Israel plans to appeal against the International Criminal Court’s recent decision to issue arrest warrants against him and his former defence minister over alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released, the White House said.

Sir Keir Starmer has sidestepped calls to repeat Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ pledge of no more borrowing or tax rises following the Budget.

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an eight-year-old girl was seriously hurt in a shooting.

A man has been arrested by police investigating viral videos of women taken on nights out.

The MP behind the assisted dying Bill has insisted it is taking “absolutely the right route” through Parliament after it was criticised as an “utterly inadequate” way to deal with the controversial issue.

Domestic abusers will face tougher restrictions from Wednesday with the launch of new court orders to keep them away from their victims.

Major supermarkets and food industry leaders have backed calls for the Government to ban cages for egg-laying hens.

Plans to “recover” NHS dental services will not come close to getting provision back to pre-pandemic levels, experts have said.

Parents will be able to access 30 minutes of free childcare at the start of the school day as the Government pushes ahead with its rollout of breakfast clubs in England.

A UK ticket-holder has won £177 million in the EuroMillions draw, making them the third biggest National Lottery winner of all time.

England captain Ben Stokes admits he is managing “the back end of my career” after choosing to skip the Indian Premier League and prioritise his time in international cricket.

Actor Luke Evans has said he has “terrible anxiety” over insecurities about his body, despite “staying fit” for “physical” roles.

Plans for boosting the number of electric vehicles in the UK are not working as intended, the Business Secretary has said after Vauxhall’s owner announced it would close its factory in Luton.

A 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants has commenced, with both sides withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

Broadcaster Spencer Matthews is to attempt seven ironman triathlons in seven continents in a new world record attempt which he describes as his “most dangerous challenge”.

Rental e-bike operators could be fined as part of measures to tackle “significant safety issues” around poor parking in London.

The Duke of Sussex’s legal claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail could face a trial in 2026, a High Court judge has suggested.

Places with the highest levels of joblessness will get extra NHS support as the Government bids to “get Britain working again”.

More than a million illicit vapes were seized in England by trading standards in 2023-24, a 59% increase on the previous year.

Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been asked to review “incompetence” at the Met Office that led to a “clear underestimation” of the impact of Storm Bert.

Ed Sheeran has apologised for gatecrashing a live interview with new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim.

Communities in England and Wales are starting a “massive clean-up” after torrential rain and widespread flooding from Storm Bert over the weekend.

The eight-year-old girl injured in a double shooting in west London was in a car with her parents and two-year-old sibling when a gunman opened fire, police have revealed.

Mohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a new contract offer from Liverpool and feels “more out than in” as he nears the end of his existing deal.

Bestselling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford, who wrote A Woman Of Substance, has died at the age of 91, it has been announced.

NatWest is making a “scamvent” calendar available in selected branches to highlight the common purchases at risk of being fraudulent.

Smoking could cause almost 300,000 cancer cases in the UK over the next five years, according to new analysis.

Countries have agreed on a deal to inject at least 300 billion dollars a year into the fight against climate change, aimed at helping poor nations cope with the ravages of global warming at United Nations climate talks.

The state should “never offer death as a service”, the Justice Secretary has said, in a strongly worded intervention over the assisted dying Bill ahead of a historic Commons vote next week.

Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Augsburg to break Erling Haaland’s Bundesliga record for the fastest player to 50 Bundesliga goals.

The first grey seal pup of the season has been born at a remote shingle spit that was once a Cold War weapons testing site.

Presenters Amanda Holden and Alan Carr led the stars arriving at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance, hours after the Queen pulled out due to lingering symptoms from a chest infection.

A woman who accused Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel has won her claim against him for damages in a High Court civil case.

Gatwick’s south terminal is reopening after a security alert was cleared by police, the airport said.

The parents of a British lawyer who died after allegedly being served drinks laced with methanol in Laos have said they are “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.

Marc Skinner says Manchester United will assess Ella Toone after the international break with a possibility the England midfielder will not return to action until the new year.

The UK wants to see a deal at the UN climate conference that “accelerates the clean energy transition,” Ed Miliband has said.

British retailers saw sales fall last month on the back of uncertainty before the autumn Budget, according to official figures.

Ofgem has confirmed household energy bills are to rise again from January 1 as it announced a 1.2% increase to its price cap.

Hooligans who wreak havoc in towns and neighbourhoods could face up to two years in jail for breaching so-called respect orders launched in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

The NHS is “struggling to get firing on all cylinders”, experts have said after a new report highlighted the “twin crises” of low productivity and poor staff retention in the health service.

A national blue plaque celebrating the life and achievements of inspirational actor and film star Cary Grant is being unveiled at his early childhood home.

Police have urged members of the public to come forward with information and dashcam footage that could help their investigation into the death of Harshita Brella, whose body was found in the boot of a car.

Storylines for the finale of Gavin and Stacey will see the BBC comedy series return as the Christmas special takes place five years on from the previous instalment.

Hundreds of schools are closed amid snowy conditions and an amber weather alert has been issued for the weekend when Storm Bert is set to sweep in.

The Environment Secretary has said he heard the “anguish” of the countryside after thousands of farmers protested against the Budget.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s, with Sir Tony Blair leading tributes to him as a “committed and loyal” public servant.

The National Crime Agency has taken part in a major international operation targeting an organised crime group alleged to be responsible for smuggling hundreds of Syrian migrants into the UK and Germany.

Big Issue vendors are to be offered devices allowing them to sell the magazine through contactless payments on mobile phones.

The family of renowned pandemic fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore made more than a million pounds for themselves through their association with the charity set up in his name, a damning report has found.

It follows a battle with Alzheimer's

More than a third of online shoppers – almost 15 million people – experienced a problem with a parcel delivery in the last month, according to an annual Citizens Advice study.

He announced last week that he'd be quitting his role as Archbishop of Canterbury

Wreckage from one of the long-range weapons has reportedly been found in Russia’s Kursk region

The Defence Secretary is blaming the cuts on the 'dire inheritance' left by the Tories

Payne died last month at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony

Almost 23,000 young people could face homelessness this Christmas across England, a youth charity has predicted.

A majority of Muslims feel Islamophobia and hate against them has become more widespread since the summer riots, but around half also feel able to be more open about their identity, according to a survey.

Too many children in England – including some as young as 11 – are carrying knives because they feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods, a report has found.

Around one in eight parents claim they have been able to sign up their child to an NHS dentist only if they agree to be a private patient at the surgery, a poll suggests.

Commuters face widespread travel disruption on Wednesday morning after parts of the UK saw heavy snowfall and ice.

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether he would follow the advice of close Labour ally Lord Mandelson and end a feud with US businessman Elon Musk.

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “restore the UK’s role as a climate leader” as he launched an international green alliance at the G20.

The best-selling virtual building game Minecraft is to become a real-life destination in a deal with UK-based theme park owner Merlin.

The Government is facing calls from farmers and opposition parties to scrap its changes to agricultural inheritance tax ahead of protests in Westminster.

A competition to find innovative new solutions to how artificial intelligence can be used to help boost clean energy has been opened by the Government.

A watch made for Marie Antoinette and described as “the world’s most famed watch” is to go on display for the first time in the UK at London’s Science Museum.

Allies must “come together” to back Ukraine and ensure Vladimir Putin “does not succeed”, the Defence Secretary warned as Britain announced further military aid for Kyiv on the 1000th day of the war.

Salmonella bacteria could be used to treat bowel cancer, scientists hope.

An Israeli airstrike hit a densely populated residential area in Lebanon’s capital near key government and diplomatic buildings late Monday, killing at least five people as the US pressed ahead with ceasefire efforts.

The UK will “double down” on support for Ukraine, fuelling speculation that British-supplied missiles could be used by Kyiv’s forces to hit targets deep inside Russia.

Ed Sheeran says his “permission” to use his vocals in the 40th-anniversary mix of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? was not given to the organisers.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he told Xi Jinping he wanted “respectful” relations with Beijing as he became the first prime minister to meet the Chinese president since 2018.

It reportedly happened one night last month

Leading medics are raising concerns about the safety of patients in A and E departments as winter approaches

He will be the first British prime minister to meet the Chinese leader in more than five years

Northamptonshire Police have named Pankaj Lamba as the prime suspect

Up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas, according to the Met Office

It's a major US policy shift and comes just before President Biden leaves office

Steve Borthwick is facing questions over his England future but Jamie George believes it is the players who should be held accountable for a run of five-successive defeats.

Members of the clergy are choosing not to call out senior Church of England leaders over the John Smyth abuse scandal because of “a culture of silence and fear”, a bishop has alleged.

The Government has revealed where £1 billion in funding will go to deliver London-style buses nationwide as part of a massive Budget boost.

An Arctic air is bringing the first chills of winter to the UK.

Russia has launched 120 missiles and 90 drones in a large-scale attack across Ukraine, targeting its energy infrastructure, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ministers have been accused of “abandoning” mental health patients after figures revealed a rise in delayed discharge waits.

The UK Government has been urged to scrap requirements for voters to prove their identity at polling stations – with an SNP minister at Holyrood branding the measure a “barrier to participation in the democratic process”.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 begins with dancer Oti Mabuse and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos drinking a blended smoothie made of animal parts.

A pregnant cow who became stuck in a residential swimming pool has been hoisted to safety by firefighters.

A new government fund has been announced to help steelworkers affected by job losses to start up new businesses.

Taking a “Man Van” offering prostate cancer checks to shoppers and football fans could drive up detection of the disease, leading experts have found.

The Health Secretary has said he will work to improve safety for Britons travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures in the wake of several deaths.

Case of mistaken identity in Bristol

Three officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct

“It’s not like it’s gossip, it’s real life"

Paul and Tyson weigh in

The benign brain tumour was found in a health check-up

Nearly three-quarters of higher education providers could be in deficit by the next academic year, according to new analysis by the sector’s regulator.

The Home Office spent £15 million buying a derelict prison contaminated with asbestos amid political pressure to stop housing migrants in hotels, according to Whitehall’s spending watchdog.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing pushback from senior Labour figures over his stance on assisted dying.

UK economic growth slowed between July and September relative to the previous quarter, according to official data.

The cast express “sorrow and joy”

I don’t like it – Kane irked by team-mates withdrawing

Could boost growth as Budget backlash continues

44-year-old Turkish man arrested

The British Museum is to receive the highest-value gift in UK museum history as it acquires £1 billion worth of Chinese ceramics.

Consumer group Which? has launched a £3 billion claim against Apple, claiming the tech giant has breached competition law by “forcing its iCloud services on customers”.