Dave Clark

An armed police operation at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium disrupted the European Athletics Championships after West Midlands Police arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of fraud. Transport was suspended, leaving fans and athletes waiting in queues for shuttle buses and delaying six medal ceremonies. Event organizers apologized and said transport operations returned to normal in the early hours, while the arrested man remained in custody for questioning.

The University of Cambridge will conduct an independent review of its appointment and human-resources processes alongside an investigation into Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure. The reviews follow his resignation amid media allegations concerning plagiarism in his PhD thesis and questions about other claims, although Liverpool John Moores University previously cleared him of wrongdoing. Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice said the case was an aberration and should not undermine confidence in staff of colour, while Cambridge academics called for scrutiny of the appointment process. Durham and Glasgow universities are also examining Arday’s appointments, and Jesus College has accepted his resignation from its fellowship.

More than one million people have signed a petition calling for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of manslaughter in the killing of PC Andrew Harper, to be prevented from early release. The two men were sentenced to 13 years in 2020 and are scheduled for release in January under a prison-overcrowding scheme. The Thames Valley Police Federation launched the campaign, while the government is seeking to expand prison capacity to keep serious offenders in custody. Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, said she was cautiously hopeful after contact from Downing Street but criticized the original release plans.

Police are investigating the death of a 75-year-old woman after an aggravated burglary at a home in Tollington Park, north London. The woman and an 81-year-old man were taken to hospital after the incident; the woman died the next day, while the man was discharged. A post-mortem examination is pending, and police are seeking witnesses and doorbell-camera footage while maintaining crime scenes and increasing their presence in the area.

Research from Imperial College London found that focal therapy for localized prostate cancer provides long-term cancer control comparable to radiotherapy and prostatectomy, while carrying a substantially lower risk of severe urinary, sexual and rectal side effects. Only two of nearly 3,500 patients died from prostate cancer within a decade of treatment. Despite an estimated 15,000 UK men being suitable candidates each year, only around 1,000 currently receive focal therapy, prompting recent government funding to expand access.

A large Imperial College study found that focal therapy for localized prostate cancer provided long-term cancer control comparable to radiotherapy and prostatectomy, with substantially lower risks of incontinence, erectile dysfunction and rectal problems. Among 3,477 patients followed for a decade, two died from prostate cancer and around 3% experienced spread beyond the prostate. The findings support expanding access to the treatment, which could benefit up to 15,000 UK men annually, compared with about 1,000 currently receiving it; the UK Government has announced funding to increase provision.

The UK government has nationalised British Steel to preserve steel production at the Scunthorpe plant, protect skilled jobs and safeguard domestic supply chains. China’s Ministry of Commerce strongly condemned the move, arguing that it disregards Jingye Group’s contribution and violates Chinese companies’ legitimate interests under the China-UK bilateral investment treaty. China said it would support Jingye through legal channels and consider measures to protect Chinese business interests. A new leadership team will seek to stabilise British Steel and make it a commercially sustainable, low-carbon enterprise.

Eighteen-year-old Enzo Bettamio has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being extradited from Dubai to the United Kingdom. He is accused of fatally stabbing 27-year-old Kamonnan Thiamphanit, also known as Angela, at her home in Bayswater in April 2024. No plea was entered, and Bettamio was remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at the Old Bailey. The case follows a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Enzo Bettamio, 18, has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom and charged with murdering 27-year-old Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was found with multiple stab wounds at an Airbnb in Bayswater, London, in April 2024. Bettamio is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The Metropolitan Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after friends contacted officers about Thiamphanit the day before her body was discovered, when the case was initially treated as a medium-risk missing-person inquiry.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, laid a wreath at London’s Cenotaph on Anzac Day to honour Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died during the First World War. The wreath was signed by Catherine and William and commemorated the 1915 Gallipoli landing. The Princess Royal also attended a dawn service at Wellington Arch, while ceremonies took place across Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and France.

The Princess of Wales attended a solemn Anzac Day ceremony at London’s Cenotaph, where she laid a wreath in memory of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died in service. The event commemorated the 1915 Gallipoli landing and included readings, the Last Post, a minute’s silence and a hymn. Princess Anne separately attended a dawn service at Wellington Arch, while ceremonies took place across Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and France. The Princess of Wales was also due to attend a service at Westminster Abbey later in the day.

Police recorded 29,400 dog attacks causing injuries across the UK in 2025, an increase of more than 80 per cent since 2020, despite the XL bully ban taking effect in February 2024. London had the highest number of incidents, followed by Greater Manchester. The rise coincided with several fatal attacks, including the death of three-month-old Maggie-May Ann Moody in Cleveland and fatal attacks involving a 19-year-old woman in Essex and a woman in her 70s in Wolverhampton.

Police-recorded dog attacks causing injury in the UK rose from 16,040 in 2020 to 29,400 in 2025, an 83 per cent increase, despite the XL bully ban introduced in February 2024. London recorded the most cases, followed by Greater Manchester. The report also details several fatal attacks, including the death of three-month-old Maggie-May Ann Moody in Cleveland, a 19-year-old woman in Essex, and a woman in her seventies in Wolverhampton.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old British-born U.S. citizen and Navy veteran accused of killing Lauren Bullis and Prianna Weathers in Georgia, was found unresponsive in his jail cell and later pronounced dead. Authorities were also seeking an additional murder charge after shooting victim Tony Matthews died. The cause of Abel’s death was not provided, and officials reported no suspicious circumstances.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old British-born US Navy veteran accused of killing three people in shootings near Atlanta, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead in a Georgia jail. Authorities did not provide a cause of death and said there were no apparent suspicious circumstances. Abel had been charged in the deaths of DHS employee Lauren Bullis and Prianna Weathers, while police were seeking an additional murder charge after Tony Matthews died from injuries sustained in a shooting. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the attacks as an act of “pure evil.”

Harry Styles joked about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during his opening monologue while hosting Saturday Night Live, referencing the former royal’s recent arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Styles also addressed accusations of queer-baiting, his use of fruit imagery in lyrics and his low-profile period after touring. His new album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, and single American Girls reached number one in the UK, giving him his second chart double and the biggest opening week for a male solo artist since Ed Sheeran’s Divide in 2017.

The NHS has secured two clinically assured alternative suppliers of high-viscosity bone cement containing gentamicin, preventing an anticipated six- to eight-week supply gap that could have delayed hip and knee replacements and other planned operations. The disruption followed a packaging fault that temporarily halted production at the NHS’s main supplier, Heraeus Medical. The alternatives are Zimmer Biomet High Fatigue G and Johnson & Johnson CMW Smartset GHV Gentamicin. NHS England’s Professor Tim Briggs said the arrangements should allow trauma and elective care to continue nationwide.

Ross Kemp will return to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell for a short stint in spring. Grant’s return is prompted by a reunion with his estranged son Mark after Mark learned Grant is his biological father, while the storyline also involves the deteriorating health of family friend Nigel. Kemp said Nigel’s dementia storyline has personal significance because of a close family connection. The appearance will be his first since a brief return for the show’s 40th anniversary in February 2025.

Palmerston, the former Foreign Office chief mouser, died peacefully in Bermuda on 12 February. The rescue cat served four years in Whitehall, retired in 2020, and returned to public service in 2025 as a semi-retired feline relations consultant to Bermuda's governor. Tributes were posted by Larry, the Number 10 chief mouser, and Labour MP Sarah Champion.

Palmerston, the former Foreign Office chief mouser, died peacefully in Bermuda on 12 February after serving four years in Whitehall and later becoming a semi-retired feline relations consultant to Bermuda’s governor. The rescue cat was widely popular among staff and the public, and tributes included a farewell from Larry, the Downing Street cat, as well as messages from British officials and politicians.

Ross Kemp will return to EastEnders for a short stint as Grant Mitchell, marking Grant’s first reunion with his estranged son Mark since Mark learned the truth about his parentage. The storyline will also involve the deteriorating health of family friend Nigel and is expected to bring significant drama to Walford. Kemp said the dementia storyline has personal significance because of a close family connection, while executive producer Ben Wadey welcomed his return to the Mitchell family storyline.

Baroness Hilary Cass said children had been “weaponised” in debates over gender, arguing that social media and rigid gender stereotypes had misled some young people about transition. She supported draft Department for Education guidance advising schools to avoid gender stereotypes, consult parents in almost all circumstances, and take a cautious approach to social transition while considering bullying and mental-health risks. The guidance follows the Cass Review, which prompted major changes to NHS gender services, including a ban on puberty blockers, and is open to a 10-week consultation.

Gisele Pelicot said she was overwhelmed and honoured after receiving a personal letter from Queen Camilla praising her courage, dignity and grace following the conviction of her former husband, Dominique Pelicot. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her and arranging for other men to assault her while she was unconscious; dozens of co-defendants were also convicted. Pelicot waived her anonymity and has argued that shame should belong to the perpetrators. Camilla’s support reflects her longstanding advocacy for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Queen Camilla sent Gisele Pelicot a personal letter praising her extraordinary dignity and courage. Pelicot waived her right to anonymity after her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted of drugging and raping her and enabling other men to assault her over nearly a decade. Fifty men were convicted in connection with the abuse, receiving a combined 428 years in prison, while Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years.

The UK government is launching a £2 million, year-long pilot across 12 programmes in England to offer childhood vaccinations at home to families facing barriers such as travel costs, childcare, language difficulties or lack of GP registration. Health visitors will receive additional training, while the NHS will identify eligible families using GP records, health visitor notes and local databases. The scheme follows figures showing that no major childhood vaccine in England reached the World Health Organization’s 95 per cent herd-immunity target in 2024/25, with particularly low uptake for the second MMR dose and the four-in-one pre-school booster. The pilot will be evaluated before a possible nationwide rollout from 2027.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned that the Labour government could face political consequences in 2026 if it fails to make workers a priority. She criticized the party’s focus on leadership succession, described its approach as “austerity lite,” opposed what she called stealth taxes, winter fuel allowance cuts and unsupported net-zero targets, and urged greater investment in British industry. Graham argued that weak UK productivity is primarily the result of an investment strike rather than shortcomings among workers.

The UK is facing a wet and windy weekend, with 36 flood warnings active across England, Scotland and Wales. Heavy rain is expected in south Wales, south-west England and Cumbria, while some northern and eastern areas may see drier conditions. The Met Office warns that a deepening low-pressure system could bring further heavy rain and strong winds from late Monday to early Wednesday, with severe weather warnings possible as its track becomes clearer. Unsettled conditions are expected to continue through December, although Christmas weather remains too uncertain to predict accurately.

Washington, DC will host the draw for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, where 48 nations, including England and Scotland, will learn their group-stage opponents. Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez will host, while Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Village People will perform. FIFA’s website and BBC One will broadcast the event live.

The Village People are scheduled to perform alongside Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, DC. The event, hosted by Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will introduce the expanded tournament and be broadcast on FIFA’s website and BBC Two. The group is noted as a favorite of Donald Trump and is known for its distinctive costumes and catchy lyrics.

The 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., will feature Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez as hosts, with performances by Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams. The Village People are scheduled to perform “YMCA” after the draw. England, Scotland and 46 other nations will learn their group-stage opponents for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The event will be broadcast live on FIFA’s website and BBC One.

HSBC has permanently appointed Brendan Nelson as group chair after he served as interim chair since October. Nelson joined the bank’s board in 2023 and succeeds Sir Mark Tucker, who left at the end of September to chair Hong Kong-based insurer AIA. The appointment comes as HSBC pursues an overhaul aimed at reducing costs by $1.5 billion by the end of next year.

HSBC has permanently appointed Brendan Nelson as group chairman after he served as interim chair since October. Nelson, who joined the board in 2023, succeeds Sir Mark Tucker, who left to become chairman of AIA. Former Conservative chancellor George Osborne had reportedly been considered for the role but was ruled out. Nelson will continue chairing HSBC’s group audit committee until the bank publishes its 2025 results in February 2026. The appointment comes as HSBC pursues $1.5 billion in cost reductions and faces continued pressure from major shareholder Ping An to separate its global and Asia-focused businesses.

Brentford defeated Grimsby Town 5–0 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, ending Grimsby’s memorable run after victories over Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday. Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter and Reiss Nelson gave Brentford a 3–0 half-time lead, before Fabio Carvalho scored a penalty and Nathan Collins added a fifth.

Brentford defeated Grimsby Town 5-0 at Blundell Park to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, with goals from Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Carvalho and Nathan Collins. Manager Keith Andrews made nine changes from the league win over Liverpool and said he intends to continue rotating his squad. Grimsby competed well early on but conceded three first-half goals, while manager David Artell praised the club's run, which included victories over Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Brentford advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a clinical 5-0 victory over Grimsby Town at Blundell Park. Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter and Reiss Nelson gave the Premier League side a 3-0 half-time lead, before Fabio Carvalho converted a penalty and Nathan Collins added a fifth. The result ended Grimsby’s notable cup run, which had included victories over Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday, while Brentford now target a first major cup final.

Josh Tarling and Josh Charlton won Great Britain’s first gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, taking the points race and individual pursuit respectively. Joe Truman added bronze in the men’s kilo. The Netherlands also enjoyed a strong day, with Hetty van de Wouw winning the women’s sprint and Lorena Wiebes taking the omnium, her third world title in two weeks.

HSBC reported a 5.7 billion US dollar year-on-year fall in first-half profit before tax to 15.8 billion dollars, while profit after tax dropped 30% to 12.4 billion dollars. The decline was largely attributed to the disposals of its Argentina and Canada operations and losses linked to Bank of Communications. Underlying constant-currency profit before notable items rose to 18.9 billion dollars, supported by international wealth and premier banking and the Hong Kong business. HSBC warned that lending demand is likely to remain muted through 2025 amid geopolitical tensions, higher tariffs and a weaker economic outlook, while maintaining its cost and restructuring targets.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says Islamist and right-wing extremism remain the UK's most significant security threats ahead of the 20th anniversary of the July 7, 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 people and injured more than 770. She also identifies hostile states, organised crime, cybercrime and online radicalisation as evolving challenges. The report highlights the enactment of Martyn's Law, requiring venues accommodating 200 or more people to prepare for terrorist attacks, and credits campaigner Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett died in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, with helping secure the legislation.

Crystal Palace defeated Doncaster Rovers 2–0 to reach the FA Cup fifth round, with goals from Daniel Muñoz and Justin Devenny. Oliver Glasner said Palace intend to pursue the competition seriously and will target victory against south London rivals Millwall in the next round. Adam Wharton returned from a four-month injury layoff, while Ben Chilwell made his Palace debut. Doncaster manager Grant McCann praised his team’s performance but acknowledged that Palace’s second goal showed Premier League quality.

Crystal Palace defeated Doncaster Rovers 2–0 at the Eco-Power Stadium to reach the FA Cup fifth round, where they will host Millwall. Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the first half after Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the post, and Justin Devenny doubled the lead early in the second half. Doncaster created several opportunities through Luke Molyneux, Billy Sharp and Owen Bailey but could not score. Ben Chilwell made his Palace debut after joining from the substitutes’ bench.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup featured 32 nations competing in Australia and New Zealand, producing notable shocks and individual performances. Spain won the tournament for the first time after Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal against England in the final in Sydney.

The 2023 Women's World Cup featured 32 nations competing in Australia and New Zealand, producing dramatic results and memorable individual moments. England and Spain remained as finalists, with the winner set to claim the World Cup for the first time in Sydney.

Tom Watson opened the Senior Open Championship with a three-under-par 67 at Sunningdale, quickly moving past his playoff defeat by Stewart Cink in the previous week's Open Championship. Watson joked about missing another eight-foot birdie putt, while Fred Funk led after a record 64. Jay Haas, Loren Roberts, Des Smyth and Chris Williams shared second, with Greg Norman also carding a 67 and Sandy Lyle a 68.

Bernhard Langer urged golf’s governing bodies to grant major-championship exemptions to the top two or three players on the Champions Tour and European Senior Tour. He argued that senior golf is highly competitive and noted the lack of world-ranking points and limited opportunities for senior players to qualify. The proposal followed impressive Open Championship performances by 59-year-old Tom Watson and Greg Norman, prompting the R&A to consider raising the exemption age for former Open champions from 60 to 65.