UK

A tribute to the late Queen and a show of support for Ukraine were among the features of London’s New Year fireworks, as more than 100,000 people gathered on the banks of the Thames to mark the beginning of 2023. Some 12,000 fireworks streaked across the sky in the sold-out show, which was created with

Former pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in some 600 years, has died aged 95. Pope Francis, who replaced him as head of the Catholic Church, had asked the faithful to pray for him at the end of his general audience on Wednesday morning. The Vatican said Benedict’s body will lie

A record 45,728 people crossed the English Channel to the UK on small boats in 2022, up more than 60% on the previous year as migrants continue to risk their lives making the dangerous journey. The perils of the deep waters separating France and Britain were once again brought painfully into the spotlight over the

Four Lionesses have been recognised in the New Year Honours list, which also sees Queen guitarist Brian May and artist Grayson Perry knighted. The honours are the first to be issued by King Charles. Lionesses make the list – but not all of them Captain Leah Williamson is among four of England’s Euro 2022-winning side

The family of a woman shot dead at a pub have described her as the “most beautiful and bright star” as police continue their hunt for her murderer. Elle Edwards, 26, was killed on Christmas Eve at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on the Wirral. Detectives say she was not believed to have been

Legendary British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81. A statement said she died on Thursday in London, surrounded by her family. Dame Vivienne found fame in the 1970s when she brought punk fashions into the mainstream, running a boutique on London’s King’s Road alongside Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren. She went on

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after footballer Cody Fisher was stabbed to death in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested in London at around 3am today. West Midlands Police said the man will now be questioned over the killing of Mr Fisher, who was stabbed

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing death of footballer Cody Fisher in a Birmingham nightclub. Police said a 22-year-old man was held at an address in Birmingham city centre just after midnight while a second man aged 21 was arrested in London. West Midlands Police have said the men

Friends of footballer Cody Fisher have paid tribute to him, laying flowers outside the Crane nightclub, and calling his loss “a hole that can’t be filled”. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of the 23-year-old in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day. One friend, James Behan, told Sky News:

The 23-year-old man stabbed to death on the dancefloor of a Birmingham nightclub has been named as footballer Cody Fisher. His family said in a statement: “They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time.” West Midlands Police were

Two people have been arrested after a 26-year-old woman was shot dead in a pub in Merseyside on Christmas Eve. A man aged 30 from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a woman aged 19 from Rock Ferry was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both are in police

Friends of the woman killed in a Christmas Eve shooting at a pub said they were dancing and enjoying a night out when “in a split second” everything changed. Elle Edwards, 26, was shot in the head at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on the Wirral in Merseyside shortly after 11.50pm. Her friends Meg

A tenth person has been confirmed dead following an explosion at a block of flats in Jersey earlier in December. Kathleen ‘Kathy’ McGinness, 73, who lived in an adjacent building and was injured in the explosion, died in hospital on Christmas Day, Jersey police said. The blast ripped through the three-storey Haut du Mont block

The King has used his first Christmas Day broadcast to pay tribute to those trying to “pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm” amid the cost of living crisis. It is a historic first address – both for King Charles personally, and the UK, as it marks the first time a male

A murder investigation is under way after a woman was fatally shot at a Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve. She and three men were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds after the incident at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on the Wirral shortly after 11.50pm. The woman was later pronounced dead, and her family

A four-year-old boy has died after an incident at a Center Parcs resort. The emergency services were called to the resort at Longleat in Wiltshire after a “serious medical incident” at a swimming pool at around 11am this morning. Wiltshire Police said: “Our thoughts are with the boy’s family at this difficult time.” The death

The Scottish Highlands can expect to see a white Christmas this year, while flood warnings are in place for several parts of England. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across the Scottish region, as well as some lowland areas, from 9pm on Christmas Day to 6pm on Boxing Day.

Families driving home for the festive period face travel misery with further rail strikes set to take place from 6pm on Christmas Eve. Thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union at National Rail walk out on Saturday evening, causing train services to finish at 3pm. An overtime ban is also causing

Thousands of nurses in England will go on strike again next month in a dispute over pay. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced nurses would strike on 18 and 19 January and said further dates would be confirmed in the new year. Drivers advised when to travel – strikes latest Pat Cullen, head of

Ambulance workers will stage two further strikes in January amid a dispute over pay and staffing. The Unison union says the industrial action will take place in England on 11 and 23 January. The strike action will involve staff employed by London, Yorkshire, North West, North East and South West ambulance services. It comes after