UK

A “broken” father of two children who were found dead over the weekend has paid tribute to his “TikTok queen” and “beautiful boy”. Jason Bennett, who said the children were 11 and 13, broke down as he laid flowers near the house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where police are investigating the deaths of four people. “I’m

The coronavirus vaccine programme is stepping up with jabs being offered to children aged between 12 and 15 and booster invites sent to around 1.5 million people in England. Three million youngsters are eligible across the UK with vaccines being delivered primarily within schools. Children will be offered jabs at some schools in England from

John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, has died at the age of 79. His family said in a statement that he died “peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer”. The actor, who was born in Bristol in 1942, had an extensive television career but was best known for

A top doctor is urging unvaccinated students to get their COVID-19 jabs during freshers week, to protect themselves and their new peers against the virus. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England said: “Starting university is a really exciting time and getting your COVID vaccine means you will be armed with maximum protection

A man who was subjected to two years of exorcisms after being accused of witchcraft believes victims are going undetected in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Mardoche Yembi told Sky News his relatives believed he was possessed by an “evil spirit” as a child and blamed him for his mother’s death after moving to

Wales is introducing mandatory vaccine certificates for nightclubs and large events from next month. From 11 October, anyone over 18 will have to show the NHS COVID pass to enter nightclubs, indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people, outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people, and any event with more than 10,000 attendees.

Two men have been charged with the murder of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead in Derry in 2019. The pair, aged 21 and 33, have also been charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, riot, possession of petrol bombs, throwing petrol bombs and arson. The 33-year-old

The NHS has started rolling out COVID-19 booster jabs. Over 50s, people in care homes, frontline health and social care workers and vulnerable people between 16 and 49 are among those who will be offered a third dose. At least six months must have passed since the second jab. Hospital hubs began giving third doses

Police will not launch a criminal investigation into BBC journalist Martin Bashir’s Panorama interview with Princess Diana. The decision comes after the Metropolitan Police assessed the Lord Dyson report into the 1995 documentary, which saw the journalist do a sit-down with the royal. Scotland Yard had already said in March it would not launch a

Shamima Begum, the London schoolgirl who ran away to join Islamic State, has asked the public for forgiveness and said she is sorry “from the bottom of my heart”. She also apologised for comments about the Manchester Arena bombing and said her only crime was being “dumb enough” to join the terror group. Begum joined

The UK has recorded 26,628 new COVID cases and 185 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. The figures compare with 30,825 infections and 61 fatalities reported yesterday, while 37,489 cases and 209 deaths were announced this time last week. COVID latest – follow live updates Meanwhile, another 19,428 people

Lockdowns, mandatory face masks, vaccine certificates, and work from home orders could return this winter as part of a “plan B” to deal with the pandemic, the health secretary has announced. Sajid Javid said if the data shows the NHS is likely to come under “unsustainable pressure” from the COVID-19 pandemic again, the government has

Boris Johnson’s mother has died at the age of 79. Charlotte Johnson Wahl, a professional painter, passed away “suddenly and peacefully” at a London hospital on Monday. Johnson Wahl had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease. During an interview in 2008, she had said: “I try to paint every day if I possibly can, though I

After appearing on screen with neo-Nazis, violent prisoners, drug addicts and Jimmy Savile, Louis Theroux says he doesn’t shy away from “the troubling side of life”. But for his latest project, the documentary maker has stepped away from the camera to delve into one of the UK’s most notorious murder cases. Jeremy Bamber has spent

The UK has ended a vaccine supply deal for tens of millions of COVID-19 jabs with French company Valneva, the firm has said. The pharmaceutical startup’s jab candidate VLA2001 uses an inactivated virus similar to flu vaccines. Some consider it to have the potential to win over people who are cautious about current vaccines from

A further 56 COVID-related deaths and 29,173 cases have been reported in the UK, the latest government figures show. The numbers are down from the 68 deaths and 37,011 cases recorded last Sunday, while yesterday’s data saw the UK record 156 COVID deaths and 29,547 cases. Meanwhile, another 27,229 people have had a first vaccine

Emma Raducanu has tweeted for the first time since becoming the first British woman to win a grand slam in 44 years, posting her delight at bringing home the US Open trophy. The teenager overpowered 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez from Canada, winning 6-4 6-3 in New York on Saturday. Raducanu, 18, tweeted images of herself hugging

Emma Raducanu has become the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam singles title. The 18-year-old from Bromley overpowered Leylah Fernandez, a 19-year-old from Canada – winning 6-4 6-3 in the US Open final. Their showdown lasted an hour and 51 minutes, and was the first major tennis final between two

Prince Andrew has been served with the legal papers for a lawsuit in which he is accused of sexual abuse, according to a court document. Lawyers representing Virginia Giuffre – who is suing the Duke of York – say in the document that the civil lawsuit was handed to a Metropolitan Police officer on duty

Emma Raducanu is one match away from winning the US Open after making history as the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final. Raducanu, 18, earned a place in the record books by defeating 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in straight sets during a stunning semi-final on Thursday night. Now the British tennis sensation,