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Idris Elba has said tackling serious youth violence is a marathon, not a sprint but feels progress is “moving in the right direction”. The 52-year-old Luther actor launched a campaign earlier this year calling for an immediate ban on machetes and so-called zombie knives and met Sir Keir Starmer in September to launch a new anti-knife crime coalition. To celebrate the progress made this year, Elba has opened a Christmas […]

Lucy Letby was not referred to the nursing regulator after concerns about her were raised to hospital bosses because there was a “lack of evidence” she may be killing babies, a public inquiry has heard. Consultant paediatricians on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital flagged up their increasing worries over Letby in late June 2016 following the deaths of two triplet boys. Senior managers opted to commission […]

Specialist officers searching for missing former England rugby player Tom Voyce have found a body close to where he was swept away while trying to drive across a flood-swollen river, police have said. Concerns were raised for the 43-year-old ex-wing on Sunday after he failed to return home after being out with friends on Saturday. His Toyota Hilux was recovered downstream from Abberwick Ford on the River Aln outside Alnwick, […]

Questions must be answered over the “awful” case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif who was murdered by her father and stepmother, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister said there need to be safeguards for children, especially those being home-schooled like Sara. On Wednesday, Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of her murder. Her uncle Faisal Malik, 29, who lived with them, was […]

Energy firms will have to offer household tariffs free of standing charges as an alternative to existing ones under plans by regulator Ofgem. The regulator wants suppliers to have to offer “zero standing charge” tariffs alongside other tariffs by next winter as part of plans to address ballooning household energy debt. It is also proposing new standards for suppliers to make it easier for customers who are struggling to pay […]

Veterans who suffered mistreatment in the armed forces under the “gay ban” will receive up to £70,000 each as part of a £75 million scheme being launched by the Government. Defence Secretary John Healey described the historic wrongs faced by LGBT+ service personnel as a “moral stain on our nation”, ahead of applications for the financial redress programme opening on Friday. The total amount available will be £75 million, exceeding […]

The Middle East nation were the sole bidders Saudi Arabia have been confirmed as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup. The Middle East nation were the sole bidders for the finals in 10 years’ time, with an online FIFA Congress voting by acclamation in favour of their staging despite the huge controversy surrounding the bid. The hosting rights for the centenary tournament in 2030 were rubberstamped at the same […]

A horrific campaign of abuse Three members of Sara Sharif’s family have been found guilty over the 10-year-old’s death after years of horrific abuse. Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of her murder and her uncle Faisal Malik, 29, was convicted of causing or allowing her death following a trial at the Old Bailey. Mr Justice Cavanagh adjourned sentencing until next Tuesday, telling […]

The Government says it's support for the sector is ‘steadfast’ Dozens of tractors have lined up in Whitehall to protest against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax for farmers. The Government says it's support for the sector is ‘steadfast’.  Will Elliott, aged 50, drove his tractor for three hours from his farm near Grafham, south of Guildford, in Surrey, to attend the protest. His farm, Whipley Manor Farm, predominantly grows cereal […]