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.

• Elena Rybakina outguns Aryna Sabalenka to land Australian Open title

  Elena Rybakina won her power battle with Aryna Sabalenka to claim a first Australian Open title.

• King surprises joggers at Sandringham parkrun for second year in a row

  The King has paid a surprise visit to joggers at a local Sandringham parkrun organised in partnership with the Move Against Cancer charity.

• Britains Neal Skupski wins mens doubles with Christian Harrison in Melbourne

  Neal Skupski continued Britain’s impressive recent record in men’s doubles by winning the Australian Open title alongside American Christian Harrison.

• Major British film studio backs youth employment scheme

  A major British film studio has backed a scheme aimed at getting young people into work.

• Northern Ireland faces Stormont or Starmer choice Gavin Robinson

  People in Northern Ireland face a political choice between “Stormont or Starmer”, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.

• Booze bosses warn prices will rise as alcohol duty increase comes into force

  Wine and spirits bosses have warned that firms “have no choice but to increase prices” to stay afloat as an increase to alcohol duty comes into force.

• Epstein and The Duke discussed Russian woman and Palace meeting emails show

  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein about a “beautiful” Russian woman and invited him to Buckingham Palace, documents appear to show.

• Catherine OHara Emmy winning Schitts Creek and Home Alone star dies at 71

  Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star, dies at 71 By Associated Press Reporters Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for comedic roles across the decades, from Kevin’s beleaguered mother in Home Alone to Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, has died aged 71.

• Judge bars prosecutors from seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione

  Federal prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson, a judge has ruled.

• Warm Home Discount to be extended for rest of decade

  Millions of families will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade, the Government has announced.

• Army officers face court martial over Jaysley Beck sexual assault case

  Two Army officers have been charged over their conduct in the case of Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was sexually assaulted and then took her own life.

• Train passengers missing out on 80m a year in delays compensation analysis

  Train passengers are missing out on more than £80 million per year in compensation for delayed journeys because of “unacceptable” claims processes, according to new analysis.

• Government and NHS fail to slash negligence costs despite decades of warnings

  The Government and NHS England have failed to take “any meaningful steps” to slash the rising costs of clinical negligence in England despite 20 years worth of warnings, according to MPs.

• China deal will cut tariffs on Scotch whisky Sir Keir Starmer says

  Tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to China are to be halved as a result of a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer – with the Prime Minister insisting the agreement showed how his Government’s “hard-headed international engagement brings benefits at home”.

• 94 patients were harmed by Great Ormond Street surgeon review finds

  Some 94 patients suffered harm at the hands of a Great Ormond Street orthopaedic surgeon, a report has concluded.

• Nearly one in two parents fear losing support for their Send child survey

  Nearly one in two (47%) parents are worried their child with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) could see support reduced as they await details on Government reforms, a survey has found.

• Santander to shut 44 bank branches with 291 jobs at risk

  Santander is to shut 44 of its bank branches in a move putting 291 jobs at risk

• Laurence Olivier among figures honoured by new London Blue Plaques

  Late actor Sir Laurence Olivier, a Second World War military strategist and a Victorian-era photographer are among the people being honoured as nine blue plaques are installed in London.

• Boy hails new found freedom after 16m treatment

  A boy who was one of the first children to be given a £1.65 million treatment has returned to the hospital where he received his care to thank his nurse for his new-found freedom.

• The Prime Minister wants more sophisticated China ties

  Sir Keir Starmer has met Xi Jinping in Beijing, telling the president he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.

• Ben Stokes to join England Lions coaching staff for UAE trip

  Test captain Ben Stokes will join the England Lions coaching team in the United Arab Emirates next month.

• Ireland centre Bundee Aki set to miss France clash for disciplinary reasons

  Bundee Aki looks set to miss Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France after being withdrawn from Andy Farrell’s squad for disciplinary reasons.

• Sir Keir Starmer arrives in China in first visit by British PM since 2018

  Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years.

• First woman Archbishop of Canterbury pledges to speak out on misogyny

  The first female Archbishop of Canterbury has vowed to speak out on misogyny, as she was confirmed in her new role as the Church of England’s top bishop.

• 29 of UK adults hit by Royal Mail delays over Christmas warns Citizens Advice

  An estimated 16 million people – or 29% of UK adults – experienced post delays with Royal Mail over Christmas, Citizens Advice has said.