UK

J K Rowling has dared police to arrest her as the Harry Potter author lashed out against new hate crime laws that have come into force in Scotland The new measures aim to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice, extending protections from abusive behaviour to people on grounds including age, disability, religion, sexual

More than 250 patients a week in England may have died unnecessarily last year due to very long waits for a bed in A&E, new estimates suggest. A study by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) suggests patients are put at risk by spending hours in A&E, particularly after a decision has been made

The government’s extended childcare policy is beginning today – but it starts amid warnings of a lack of funding and not enough staff to fulfil the pledge. From today, eligible parents and carers of two-year-olds will be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week. It is the first part of a £8bn package

The King waved to well-wishers as he attended the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle in a rare public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer. The 75-year-old monarch, who has stepped back from major public engagements while receiving treatment, was joined by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. But

When the pro-Palestinian marchers came round the corner of the Strand in London, drums beating and megaphones blaring, they saw a row of Israeli flags. The boos were loud and there were plenty of obscene gestures. Both sides chanted “shame on you” at each other, with the police standing between them. The pro-Palestinian protesters shouted

Dozens of Afghans who fled the Taliban after risking their lives to help the UK during the 20-year conflict are to be housed on a military camp in Wales. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) estate in St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, will receive 50 people by the end of this month, with more

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect after he was charged with historical sexual offences. In a statement, the DUP said: “The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey. Essex Police say the 40-year-old is thought to have died after a fall at work. Gilbey appeared on the Channel 4 series alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry,

The Met Office has warned there is a “small chance” of injuries and “danger to life” as a result of strong winds and large waves hitting the south of England. Winds of up to 70mph battered the south coast, along with hail and thunder, as the Easter weekend kicks off. Yellow weather warnings for rain

Britons have been warned of long delays on their Easter getaways with more than 14 million journeys expected on the roads, airports prepared for a record number of passengers, and engineering works on key rail services. The RAC warned that journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as usual, as the bank holiday

In a hostel in northern France, the atmosphere was tense. A father and his family were waiting for a call, a sign sea conditions were right and it is finally time to go. After fleeing from Kurdistan, they’ve paid around €8000 (£6,850) to cross the Channel on a dinghy provided by smugglers who value money

Public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped to the lowest level on record, according to findings from a long-running poll. Just 24% of people said they were satisfied with the health service in 2023, with poor access to GPs and long wait times for hospital treatment the main reasons for dissatisfaction. More than 3,000 people

Documents revealing why Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi – a convicted sex offender – was granted asylum have been made public for the first time, while Sky News has obtained pictures of him being baptised in church. Ezedi attacked a woman and two children with an alkali on a street in south London in January.

Sadie suffers flashbacks of the worst night of her life whenever she smells petrol. Warning: This story contains descriptions of abuse some readers may find distressing The scene she describes sounds like something from a horror film – but it was her reality. She was held hostage in her own home by her then-husband who

The Duchess of York has said she is “full of admiration” for the Princess of Wales after Kate announced she was being treated for cancer, adding: “I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal.” Sarah Ferguson, who was married to Prince Andrew and had daughters Beatrice and Eugenie with

Eleanor Williams’ mother broke down in tears as she absorbed the guilty verdict against her daughter, saying: “The person being portrayed in the media is not the person I know.” It was too much for Allison Johnston to take. Had it all been a lie? Warning: This article contains images people may find distressing In

The King is “frustrated” about the speed of his cancer recovery and is “pushing” staff and doctors to be able to return to duties, according to his nephew, Peter Phillips. However, Mr Phillips – the son of Princess Anne, the Princess Royal – says the monarch is in “good spirits” and remains “pragmatic”. He made

A 12-year-old boy has been arrested after a teenage girl was stabbed in Kent, police have said. Officers and paramedics were called to Adelaide Drive in Sittingbourne at 3.55pm on Friday after reports of a stabbing, according to Kent Police. They found the girl with knife wounds at the scene and rushed her to hospital

The Prince and Princess of Wales are “extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support” after Kate revealed she is receiving treatment for cancer. Kensington Palace said the future king and queen are “enormously touched” by the outpouring of “kind messages” from across the world following the release of Kate’s emotional video message on Friday.

The Princess of Wales said she and Prince William have been doing everything they can to “process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family” after revealing she is receiving cancer treatment. The future queen added it has “taken time” to explain her diagnosis to her children George, Charlotte and Louis in