UK

Police are “extremely concerned” over the disappearance of a woman who vanished in South Ayrshire days before Christmas. Laura Wilkie, 43, was last seen sitting on a bench near Ayr’s Millenium Bridge at around 8.30pm on Monday 18 December. On Wednesday, investigating officers carried out a stop-and-speak operation in the area in an effort to

JD Sports has lost more than a fifth of its stock market value after the retailer downgraded its full-year profit forecast. A trading update by the sportswear chain on Thursday revealed it now expects profit before tax and adjusted items of between £915m and £935m in 2023/24. The figure is down on previous estimates of

Cambridgeshire Police are hunting for a murderer who has breached his licence conditions after being released from prison. Carl Hyde, 67, absconded from an approved premises in Peterborough and is believed to be travelling across the country. He is said to have connections in Reading, Oxford and London. Cambridgeshire Police have released an updated photo

British police are reportedly investigating the sexual abuse of a child’s avatar in the metaverse – prompting the NSPCC to warn that tech firms must do more to protect young users. Online abuse is linked with physical abuse in the real world and can have a devastating impact on victims, the charity’s campaigners said. The

The body of a woman was recovered from a Scots beauty spot on New Year’s Eve. Emergency services scrambled to Den Finella waterfall, near St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire, after the alarm was raised over a woman in the water at around 2pm on Sunday. The popular beauty spot features a 70ft white water drop and

A body has been recovered during the search for a missing fell runner in Cumbria, police have said. Edward Catmur, from the London area, had been reported missing after he had not been heard from since 10am on 31 December. He had been intending to fell run a route to Cross Fell and Hartside Cross,

Rishi Sunak himself declared that 2024 will be an election year – at the least discreet location possible: a Christmas party for political journalists. This year that election will be looming in the background of every issue, whether politicians intend it to or not. The Conservatives – who were last ahead in the polls more

A police officer has been charged with sexual assault on a child. PC Dean Dempster is accused of sexual assault on a child under 13 and misconduct in a public office, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. The 34-year-old, who was posted to GMP’s Oldham district, is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court

Google and Amazon must do more after a British woman made a suicide pact with two people she met online and used the internet to buy poison, a coroner has said. Chloe Macdermott, 43, died in May 2021 after buying a lethal substance from the US on Amazon. An inquest at Inner West London Coroner’s

The King and Queen have attended a church service in Sandringham on New Year’s Eve. A crowd of onlookers had gathered as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday morning. Members of the public who hoped to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors were photographed being searched by police. The late Queen

Lewis Capaldi says he’s going to continue taking some time to carry on looking after himself after his six-month hiatus from touring saw an improvement in his health. In a long post on Instagram he says he’s working with some “incredible professionals” to help with his Tourette’s and anxiety issues. He also thanks fans for

COVID vaccines could soon be sold on the high street, according to retailers. One industry leader said it was in talks with vaccine suppliers and the scheme could be introduced as soon as next year. A Superdrug spokesperson said the firm is speaking “with suppliers about potentially offering a private COVID vaccination service in 2024.

The number of young people taking ketamine has tripled in recent years – a surge which experts blame partly on its affordability and widespread availability during the cost of living crisis. Now, the mother of an 18-year-old student who died on her first night at university after taking the drug has called for the police

Eurostar trains are set to resume this morning after “unprecedented” flooding in a tunnel brought chaos for thousands. The company said all services would run to Paris, Brussels, London and Amsterdam – but warned there could still be delays and packed stations. Southeastern and Thameslink rail are also predicting serious disruption. Travellers were stranded yesterday

House prices are expected to remain static or fall again next year after a drop of 1.8% since the end of 2022, according to one of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders. Nationwide building society has said a rapid rebound in prices is “unlikely” in 2024 after the fall recorded from December 2022 to 2023. “It

A fire has broken out at Blackpool Tower, with video showing flames at the top of the iconic structure. Firefighters in climbing gear are “on their way up”, according to a tourist information page, as high winds continue to hit the seaside resort. In a statement Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We have six

The father of an American driver who fled the UK after a crash left a British nurse unable to walk has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his son’s legal costs. Issac Calderon, 22, has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a collision on the A4103 near Shucknall

Self-driving cars could be on British roads as early as 2026, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said. Asked if people could soon be travelling “with your hands off the wheel, doing your emails”, he agreed the prospect was possible in as little as three years’ time. He told the BBC: “I think that’s when companies

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being petitioned to apologise to British child migrants who suffered “shame and isolation”.   It is the latest move by campaigners demanding an official apology for the treatment endured by youngsters shipped to Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries. The petition, initiated by the group Home Children Canada, states

An actor known for his roles in Doctor Who and Emmerdale died in his sleep on Christmas morning, his family have said. Richard Franklin was 87. In a statement, his family said: “Richard sadly died in his sleep after fighting long term illness. “We are deeply saddened by his loss, we will fondly remember him