UK

Northern Ireland’s new first minister has told Sky News she “absolutely contests” the UK government’s claim that a referendum on Irish unity is decades away. Sinn Fein‘s Michelle O’Neill, the first nationalist to occupy the office, described her elevation at Stormont as “a historic day, truly representing a new dawn”. In a document, outlining the

Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill has made history by being appointed Northern Ireland’s first nationalist first minister. A power-sharing government has returned as politicians gathered at Stormont to appoint a series of ministers to the devolved executive, two years after it collapsed over the UK government’s deal with the EU. The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) Emma

The search for a suspected chemical attacker has entered its third day as a close relative of Abdul Ezedi told Sky News he would hand him over to the police if he could. Police have urged the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesday’s attack in

The two teenagers found guilty of murdering 16-year-old Brianna Ghey can be named as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe for the first time. They were just 15 when they lured Brianna to Linear Park in Culcheth, near Warrington, where she was stabbed 28 times in her head, neck and back with a hunting knife on

Police have released a new photograph of the suspect in the Clapham chemical attack. Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said the photo, taken at 8.48pm on Wednesday, was of the last-known sighting of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi in Caledonian Road, north London, and was less than two hours after the assault. “The image is taken from the Tesco

Police have warned the public not to approach a man being hunted over a chemical attack on a woman and two girls in south London. The suspect, named as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, from Newcastle, has significant injuries to the right side of his face, according to police. Ezedi, believed to be aged around 35 years

Nine people, including children, have been hurt after a “corrosive substance” was thrown in Clapham, south London. London Fire Brigade said they were “called to a chemical incident on Lessar Avenue” on Wednesday evening. It said crews provided immediate emergency care to a woman and two children. London Ambulance Service said it treated nine people,

The UK government is tabling legislation to end post-Brexit checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Significantly, the Withdrawal Act will also be amended, meaning EU law will no longer apply automatically in Northern Ireland. The details are contained in a government document which effectively details the deal to restore power-sharing at

Pharmacies will now be able to treat seven common conditions without patients needing to see a doctor. From today, thousands of pharmacists across England will be able to assess and treat patients without the need for a GP appointment or prescription for: • Sinusitis• Sore throat• Earache• Infected insect bites• Impetigo• Shingles• Uncomplicated urinary tract

A man has died after being shot by officers in southeast London, the Metropolitan Police has said. It was reported that the man, believed to be in his 30s, was armed with weapons including a crossbow and was threatening to harm residents inside an address in Southwark in London, according to the police. The force

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has agreed a deal restore power sharing to Northern Ireland, subject to legislation by the UK government. The party collapsed the power-sharing government nearly two years ago in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says his party will restore power sharing in Northern Ireland, subject to

The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor after abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace has said. A spokesperson said she is “making good progress”. They added: “The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have

Two teenage boys have died after being stabbed in Bristol on Saturday night. The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were attacked “by a number of people who made off from the scene in a car”, according to Avon and Somerset Police. The teenagers were were taken to two hospitals – Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for

The business secretary has said she “felt there was a need for new leadership” at the Post Office as it was announced its chairman is being forced out of the role. Henry Staunton has stepped down amid ongoing tensions with the government in the wake of the Horizon IT scandal. An interim will be appointed

Mental health patients have alleged they were raped and sexually assaulted while being treated by the NHS, in what has been described as a “national scandal”.  An investigation by Sky News and The Independent has uncovered nearly 20,000 complaints of sexual assault, abuse and harassment, involving both patients and staff, across more than 30 mental

The US is reportedly planning to move nuclear warheads to the UK in response to the growing threat from Russia. Senior figures on both sides of the Atlantic have called for preparations to be ramped up in case of a potential war between NATO forces and Russia. To reinforce the alliance, the Telegraph reports Pentagon

The father of a 14-year-old girl who took her own life after being bullied on social media by fellow pupils at her school has said someone needs to be held “accountable” for her death. Mariano Janin said his daughter Mia was bullied “in person and online” and that police should set up a “special division”

A father who was found dead with his two daughters and a 36-year-old woman in a house in Norfolk was taken to hospital by police weeks before his death. Bartlomiej Kuczynski, 45, was found with a stab wound to his neck at a house near Norwich, on 19 January. Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36, Jasmin Kuczynska, 12,

The King has gone into hospital for prostate treatment, Buckingham Palace has said. In a statement, it added: “The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. “His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that

The families of the three victims killed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham have spoken out after a judge ordered he be detained at a high-security hospital “very probably” for the rest of his life. The mother of 19-year-old Barnaby Webber told Nottinghamshire Police “you have blood on your hands”, as she spoke outside the court