National News

Here are the latest stories from the team at Radio News Hub. The links will open in a new page and take you to their website.

• Barry Manilow will have surgery for cancerous spot on lung

  Singer Barry Manilow has revealed he has a cancerous spot on his lung and will undergo surgery.

• Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea dies at 74

  Singer Chris Rea, whose songs include the festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, has died at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family said.

• Artwork thought to be by Banksy appears at foot of London skyscraper

  Two people lie on the ground looking up at a London skyscraper in the latest artwork thought to be by graffiti artist Banksy.

• David Walliams dropped from Waterstones Childrens Book Festival

  Children’s author and comedian David Walliams has been removed from the line-up for the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival, the book chain has said.

• Russian general killed by bomb under his car in Moscow

  A Russian general was killed on Monday morning after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in Moscow.

• Jimmy Kimmel to deliver Channel 4s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message

  US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel will deliver Channel 4’s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message, saying it has been a “great year” from “a fascism perspective”.

• Job vacancies fell for fifth month in a row in November report

  Job vacancies fell for the fifth month in a row in November as employers remained cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainty, according to a report.

• DVLA action doesnt touch side of whats needed for number plate crackdown

  Driving authorities must crack down on a “number plate wild west”, an MP has said, after figures showed just a fraction of suppliers faced an audit this year.

• New equalities chair warns against demonisation of migrants

  The new chairwoman of Britain’s equalities watchdog has warned against the “demonisation of migrants” and said it would be “a mistake” for the UK to withdraw from a longstanding international treaty on human rights.

• Doctors return to work as hospitals work to recover from strike disruption

  Hospitals in England are working to recover from disruption caused by strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

• Accused Bondi gunman recorded terror attack motivation video police say

  A gunman accused of killing people on Australia’s Bondi Beach recorded a video outlining what police allege was his motivation for a “meticulously” planned attack on a Jewish celebration, court documents show.

• Cost of raising child to 18 revealed as parents struggle to cover essentials

  The costs of raising a child in 2025 have been revealed by a new report which warns many families are still struggling to afford to buy essentials for their children.

• Starmer and Trump discuss Ukraine and Gaza in pre Christmas call

  Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump for what will likely be their final phone call of 2025.

• Rob Cross reaches World Championship third round with victory over Ian White

  Rob Cross eased into the third round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-1 win over veteran Ian White.

• Australia win Ashes as England fall short in record chase

  England’s Ashes dreams were snuffed out as they succumbed to an 82-run defeat in Adelaide, where an injury to Nathan Lyon gave them hope of pulling off a miracle.

• Food industry workers say they are not paid enough to afford basics report

  Many workers in the food industry believe their wages are insufficient to meet basic needs such as food and energy, according to a new report.

• NHS services up and running this weekend as doctors enter final days of strike

  Officials have urged people to come forward for NHS care as normal as services “remain up and running this weekend” as resident doctors enter the final 48 hours of their five-day strike.

• Helen Mirren hails fantastic cello restoration on The Repair Shop

  Dame Helen Mirren has praised the “fantastic” restoration of a beloved cello dating back to the Second World War, in a first look at the upcoming Christmas special of The Repair Shop.

• CONGESTION WARNING AS FESTIVE TRAVEL SET TO PEAK TODAY

  Traffic in the run-up to Christmas is expected to peak today with about 24.4 million cars expected on the UK’s roads.

• Black holes to be shown in action in first 3D movies created using AI

  A multimillion-pound research project will see some of the world’s leading experts use artificial intelligence to create the first-ever 3D movies of black holes.

• Idris Elba waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds London

  Actor Idris Elba has said it is “surreal” to have his likeness made into a waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.

• Two out of three ambulance workers fear being attacked over festive season

  Two out of three ambulance workers fear being attacked doing their job over the festive season, according to a new report.

• Childrens tsar urges parents to ditch their phones during festive family time

  Parents should lead by example and get off their phones this Christmas when spending time with family, England’s Children’s Commissioner has said.

• Alan Cumming excited to be announced as Bafta film awards host

  Scottish actor Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2026 Bafta film awards.

• Schools to teach about healthy relationships to tackle violence against girls

  All secondary schools in England will have to teach students about healthy relationships to tackle misogyny as Sir Keir Starmer said too often toxic ideas are “going unchallenged”.