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.

• Claudia Winkleman over the moon as new BBC chat show announced

  Former Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman will front her own chat show next year, the BBC has announced.

• Anthony Joshuas promoters awaiting information after reports of car crash

  British boxer Anthony Joshua has reportedly been involved in a car crash in Nigeria.

• Remaining hotspots extinguished at scene of house fire that killed child

  A house blaze that claimed the life of a child has been extinguished by firefighters, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said.

• Mother and two children died in Boxing Day house fire police say

  A mother and her two young children died in a house fire that destroyed their home in the early hours of Boxing Day despite the efforts of her husband to save his family, police said.

• Wildlife hit hard by drought fires and heat as extremes become new normal

  The UK’s landscapes and wildlife endured drought, heat and fires that gave way to downpours and floods in 2025 as extreme weather becomes the “new normal”.

• Earliest coin minted in Scotland saved for nation after metal detectorist find

  The earliest known coin minted in Scotland – almost 900 years ago – has been acquired for the nation after it was found by a metal detectorist.

• Majority of investors planning to boost portfolios in 2026 survey finds

  Nearly two-thirds (62%) of investors with at least £100,000 in assets plan to increase the amounts they put away in 2026 despite market uncertainties, a survey indicates.

• French actress Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91

  French actress Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91.

• Holly Ramsay arrives to her wedding with famous father by her side

  Model Holly Ramsay has arrived at Bath Abbey for her wedding to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty with her TV chef father by her side.

• England defeat Australia by four wickets in the Boxing Day Ashes Test

  England’s long wait for an Ashes win on Australian soil is finally over as they came out on top after two days of mayhem in Melbourne.

• Twenty wickets tumble on frenzied first day at MCG as England trail by 46 runs

  Chaos ruled in front of a record Ashes crowd as Australia got the better of the Boxing Day madness at the MCG.

• Tracy Ann Oberman returns to EastEnders as Chrissie Watts

  Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman has spoken about her emotional return to EastEnders, as her character is back on screens to “create havoc” in Albert Square.

• Cold health alert issued for Christmas Day

  A cold health alert has been issued for Christmas Day, as forecasters said the prospect of a white Christmas was “highly unlikely”.

• Flu hospital admissions fall as health officials warn virus still with us

  Hospital admissions for flu in England are falling for the first time this winter, though health officials have warned the virus is “still with us” and that infections could “bounce back” in the new year.

• Tributes paid to 13 year old girl as police continue to investigate death

  The family of a 13-year-old girl have said they are “heartbroken” by her death, as police continue to investigate after arresting a teenage boy on suspicion of harassment.

• Passengers face rail disruption during Christmas Eve getaway

  Passengers travelling home on Christmas Eve have faced travel difficulties after railway services from a major airport were disrupted because of a lack of staff.

• More shoppers hit high streets and retail parks for late Christmas purchases

  Shoppers descended on UK high streets and retail parks to buy last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve, boosting retailers amid a challenging consumer backdrop.

• More than a million expected to be working on Christmas Day

  More than one million people will be working on Christmas Day, often in low-paid jobs, according to new research.

• Kings pilgrimage themed Christmas message filmed in Westminster Abbey

  The King has chosen Westminster Abbey as the location for his Christmas broadcast, which will have the key theme of pilgrimage.

• Pregnant women urged to get flu vaccine as soon as possible

  Royal Colleges representing more than 90,000 health professionals have joined forces to urge pregnant women to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible.

• Jofra Archer ruled out of Ashes tour as England dealt fresh blow

  England’s demoralising Ashes tour lurched to a fresh low as their player of the series, Jofra Archer, was ruled out with the latest in a long line of injuries.

• Baby boy who has spent the majority of his life in hospital home for Christmas

  A baby boy who has been in hospital for the majority of his life is preparing to spend his first Christmas at home after finally being discharged.

• Man accused of drugging and raping ex wife remanded into custody

  A man accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period has been remanded into custody, with five other men due to appear in court over alleged sex offences against her.

• Injured police officer wakes from coma after Bondi terror attack

  A police officer injured in the Bondi terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia has woken from a medically induced coma, his family said.

• Free prescriptions for youngsters leaving care in bid to tackle barriers

  Young people leaving care will benefit from free prescriptions, as well as free dental and eye care, until their 25th birthday under new measures announced by the Government.