UK

The King has used his second Christmas message to praise people’s “growing awareness of how we must protect our Earth”. The monarch described the natural world as a “manifestation of the divine” and said that caring for it is a “responsibility owned by people of all faiths and none”. “We care for the Earth for

Manchester United has confirmed the sale of a 25% stake to the British billionaire petrochemicals tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The sale is likely to be welcomed by United fans who believe the club has been starved of investment under the ownership of the Glazer family. Sky News’ city editor Mark Kleinman learned earlier today that

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United Football Club will be announced today, 13 months after the launch of a review initiated by the Glazer family. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport will take control of the football side of the club. This breaking news story is being updated and more details

James Cleverly has apologised after joking about putting a date rape drug in his wife’s drink in comments made at a Downing Street reception within hours of the Home Office announcing plans to crack down on spiking. The home secretary told female guests “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not

Millions of mobile phone users are being warned of potential text scams in the lead-up to Christmas, peaking today on what is being dubbed “Super Saturday”. The BT-owned EE network has said cyber criminals could try to take advantage of the busy last-minute shopping period to issue delivery-style scams, suggesting parcels are waiting to be

The cost of train travel is set to rise by almost 5% next year, according to the government. In England, regulated rail fares will increase by up to 4.9% from 3 March 2024, the Department for Transport has said. The government says the new 4.9% cap is lower than the equivalent in Scotland, where prices

A body has been recovered from the River Tay in the search for a missing woman. Although formal identification is yet to take place, the family of Clare Marshall have been informed. A search was launched for Ms Marshall at the beginning of the week, with specialist help from the Police Scotland helicopter. The 64-year-old

A criminal investigation has been launched into alleged child abduction in connection with Alex Batty – who reappeared this month after going missing six years ago. The investigation has been launched by Greater Manchester Police. Alex, now 17, has returned to the UK after spending years in France and Spain with his mother and grandfather.

The King joked about his “sausage fingers” with Prince William during coronation rehearsals, a documentary has revealed. As the monarch’s eldest son closed a small clasp that held a robe around his father, he quipped: “On the day, that’s not going to go in,” making his father laugh. Smiling, the King replied: “No, you haven’t

An inquest has found failures by police in their use of an emergency restraint belt put over the face of a church caretaker may have caused or contributed to his death. Thomas Orchard, 32, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, died in October 2012, a week after being arrested for causing a public disorder in Exeter

The Home Office has rowed back on plans to increase the salary threshold for family members of migrants in the UK following a backlash Home Secretary James Cleverly told the Commons earlier this month that the threshold for a family visa would rise from £18,600 to £38,700 by “next spring” in a bid to reduce

Serious concerns have been raised about West Midlands Police, with the force found inadequate in three areas. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said it had concerns about how the police force – the country’s second-largest – investigates crime, protects vulnerable people and manages offenders and suspects. It graded West

COVID-19 infection levels are rising and more people aged 18-44 are catching it than the elderly, new figures suggest. Around 2.5 million people, or one in 24 in England and Scotland, are likely to have tested positive for the illness on 13 December. That equates to around 4.2% of people in private households across the

FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in blocking the creation of the European Super League (ESL), the European Union’s top court has ruled. The court said both bodies were abusing their dominant position in the sport. But it added its ruling does not mean that a competition such as the Super League must necessarily be approved.

A proposed new nuclear power station in Suffolk has cleared a legal hurdle after the Court of Appeal ruled the government’s decision to approve the site was lawful. Protest group Together Against Sizewell C argues the nuclear site will cause irreparable damage to the Suffolk Coast and brought the challenge, which was dismissed on Wednesday

When Brianna Ghey left home on 11 February, she thought she was going to meet a friend. But in what detectives described as the “ultimate betrayal”, the 16-year-old had been lured from her house that Saturday afternoon by a girl with “murderous intent”. A little more than two hours later Brianna, who was transgender, was

England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The 30-year-old strung a series of impressive performances as the Lionesses reached the Women’s World Cup final this summer, including a penalty save from Spain’s Jenni Hermoso in the final – a game England lost 1-0. Earps also won

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the JN.1 COVID strain as a “variant of interest”. Announcing the new classification, the UN agency stressed the risk posed by the strain is considered “low”. “Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low,” WHO said. It

Police are still searching for a missing woman who vanished in Perth. Investigating officers believe Clare Marshall, 64, left the Dundee Road area in the early hours of Monday and may have walked to Moncreiffe Island. Extensive searches within the area and along the River Tay have taken place since the alarm was raised. Specialist

The long-awaited transgender guidance for schools in England has been published by the government. The main points from today’s developments include:• Schools and colleges to be told that parents should be involved in decisions affecting their children• Single-sex spaces must be protected for the safeguarding of all children• A sea change in approach on social