Local News

The government has paused all decisions on Syrian asylum claims following the rapid fall of the Assad regime over the weekend.The Home Office said the move had been made "whilst we assess the current situation". "The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation," a statement said."We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to […]

A teenager fatally stabbed a schoolgirl in a fit of "white-hot anger" after a row over her friend's teddy bear, a court has heard.Hassan Sentamu, 18, lashed out at Elianne Andam with a kitchen knife in Croydon town centre while he met with his ex-girlfriend and her group, the Old Bailey was told.Jurors heard that Sentamu plunged his knife into Elianne's neck after losing his temper at perceived "disrespect", rather […]

A Tory frontbencher is urging the government to "focus" on pupil absence after a report found as many as 300,000 children were missing from education in England last year. Figures from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) - which compare GP registrations with school enrolment data - mark a 40% increase in unaccounted absences since 2017. More than 50,000 students were also found to have left the state education system by […]

Prince William has provided a little seasonal cheer to London's homeless by helping serve Christmas lunch at a shelter run by a charity he got to know through his late mother.Dressed in one of the charity's aprons, the Prince of Wales served what appeared to be carrots and parsnips to a line of clients at the shelter, run by The Passage, which he first visited with Diana, Princess of Wales, […]

A man has died in a fire in Cumbria, with emergency services still at the scene, and people warned to stay away from the town.Cumbria Police said the victim, in his forties, was found in the property in Kirkby Lonsdale where the fire started, and pronounced dead at around 6.30am. The blaze broke out at apartments opposite the Red Dragon pub in Main Street."Emergency services remain in attendance at a […]

Protecting wildlife shouldn't come at the expense of building more homes, Angela Rayner has said.Last week, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to build 1.5 million homes and fast-track planning decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects by the end of the decade. Ms Rayner, who is deputy prime minister and housing secretary, was asked if this meant fewer protections for wildlife like newts, bats, and kittiwakes.Politics latest: Rayner welcomes 'fall' of AssadThe […]

Strong winds are set to batter the UK again after Storm Darragh swept through the country.A fresh yellow Met Office wind warnings comes into force across much of England and Wales at 6am, after gusts of up to 80mph continue to hit Northern Ireland. Gusts of 35-45mph are likely around England and Wales, reaching 70mph around the coast during the morning.Get the five-day forecast where you are Image: Yellow weather […]

A railway worker has died after a "serious assault" at a station in east London.The victim was named on Saturday night as Jorge Ortega, 61, who worked as a customer experience assistant for MTREL, which runs the Elizabeth Line, the RMT union said. He was attacked at Ilford station on Wednesday night and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries but later died, British Transport Police (BTP) said on […]

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio is in a "stable condition" after a car crash, the club has confirmed.In a statement, the Hammers said "thoughts and prayers" are with Antonio, his friends and his family, later adding he is "conscious and communicating". The east London club does not have a match on Saturday and host Wolves on Monday evening."West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable […]