There are growing calls for NHS staff to be given priority access to coronavirus tests, amid concerns over staff shortages linked to COVID-19 and rising numbers of patients in hospital with the virus.

A murder investigation is underway after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a park in South London.

Vladimir Putin has warned Joe Biden that new sanctions against Russia over Ukraine would be a big mistake, according to the Kremlin.

Boris Johnson has used his New Year's message to claim that the UK finds itself in an "incomparably better" position than this time last year when it comes to coronavirus.

Health leaders have warned that up to 40% of vaccine appointments are no-shows, as the government claimed to have met its coronavirus booster jabs target.

Britons wanting to return to their homes in EU countries after spending Christmas with friends and relatives in the UK will be able to pass through France after the government in Paris suspended a transit ban.

The family and friends of a British teacher who needs round-the-clock care after falling from a balcony in Thailand are raising money to bring her home.

The coffin carrying the body of Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been returned to a morgue after lying-in-state in St George's Cathedral in Cape Town.

Romelu Lukaku told Sky in Italy earlier this month he was "not happy" with the situation at Chelsea, questioning Thomas Tuchel's system and talking up the prospect of returning to Inter while he is still playing at a "good enough level".

The UK has reported 189,213 new COVID-19 cases in the latest 24-hour period - a fresh record high in the pandemic, according to government data.