News Headlines
Keep up to date with all the local and national news, sports news and showbiz stories.
National Headlines
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COVID-19: UK records another 1,348 coronavirus-related deaths and 33,552 cases
The UK has recorded another 1,348 coronavirus-related deaths and 33,552 cases, according to the latest government figures.
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Bewdley: Homes flooded and residents in tears as barriers breached in Worcestershire town
Homes have been flooded and residents left in tears after defence barriers were breached in a town previously devastated by flooding last year.
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COVID-19: Three hospitals criticised for not vaccinating vulnerable inpatients
Vulnerable inpatients who are eligible for a COVID-19 jab are not being vaccinated in at least three hospitals in England.
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Keon Lincoln death: Second boy, 14, arrested on suspicion of murdering Birmingham teenager
Detectives investigating the murder of a teenager who was killed in a street attack have arrested a second 14-year-old boy.
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COVID-19: Crowds at Heathrow Airport spark social distancing concerns
Crowds at Heathrow Airport have sparked "super spreader" concerns after pictures emerged of a packed departures hall with limited social distancing.
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COVID-19: Quarantine hotels to be discussed by senior ministers
The introduction of "COVID hotels" and other curbs on international travel are to be discussed by senior ministers on Monday.
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COVID-19: Halve the gap between Pfizer vaccine doses, senior doctors urge
Senior doctors have called on England's chief medical officer to halve the gap between the first and second doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
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COVID-19: UK's 'more deadly' new variant is another cruel twist in the pandemic
This is another cruel twist in the pandemic.
Local Headlines
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Woman in court after illegally renting out council flat
A woman who illegally rented out her council flat has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 by a court.
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Himley Hall and Park fully open to the public
The grounds of Himley Hall and Park are now fully open to the public after a temporary coronavirus testing centre left the park.
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Temporary one-way notice for drivers as Metro works continue
A road in Dudley town centre will be one-way from next week as works continue at pace on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension.
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West Midlands seeks £11 million to support community effort during lockdown
The West Midlands Combined Authority is calling on the government to award £11 million to support the vital work of grassroots groups who have been praised for their work throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
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Arrests made after Dudley High Street disorder
Police in Dudley have arrested a number of suspects after Dudley High Street was closed off following a number of 999 calls this afternoon.
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Dudley Zoo keeper captures rare primate birth on camera
Bosses at Dudley Zoo and Castle have said they're thrilled to announce the birth of a critically endangered Colombian black spider monkey, which was captured on camera by one of its delighted primate keepers.
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Operation Santa Appeal supports more kids than ever
The 2020 Operation Santa Appeal in Dudley Borough was able to support more children and families in crisis than ever before, due to the immense kindness of business and communities from across the area.
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West Midlands announces new housing collaboration to deliver more affordable homes across the region
A collaboration has been struck between the West Midlands Combined Authority and five of the region’s leading housing associations to accelerate and increase the number of affordable homes for local people.
Entertainment News
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US talk show host Larry King dies weeks after testing positive for COVID-19
Tributes have poured in for "legendary" US talk show host Larry King, who has died just weeks after contracting COVID-19.
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Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens: I want to challenge myself and surprise other people
There is no rhyme or reason to the kind of roles actor Dan Stevens chooses, just as long as he remains challenged by the experience.
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Adele reaches divorce settlement with her ex-husband
Adele has reached a divorce settlement with her ex-husband Simon Konecki nearly two years after they separated.
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You Me At Six: 'Everything is at stake' over visa-free touring in Europe
You Me At Six frontman Josh Franceschi has told Sky News "everything is at stake" over the issue of visa-free travel for musicians in Europe - and has called on the government to "prove us all wrong and show they care".
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The Investigation and Kim Wall's legacy: Police and divers spent months working to convict the 'submarine killer' - his story is not the one worth telling
On 16 January 2018, more than five months after the man who murdered and dismembered journalist Kim Wall's body was arrested, authorities were finally able to charge him.
National Sport
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James Anderson shines again for England as second Test in Sri Lanka remains in the balance
James Anderson turned the 30th five-wicket haul of his Test career into a six-for on day two of England's second Test in Sri Lanka.
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Abu Dhabi: Rory McIlroy edges into one-shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton after day three
Rory McIlroy will take a slender lead over Tyrrell Hatton into the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Justin Thomas made a shock exit.
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James Anderson impresses on England return before Angelo Mathews hits back for Sri Lanka
James Anderson made an immediate impact with three wickets on his return to the England side before Sri Lanka hit back with Angelo Mathews' century on a hard-fought first day of the second Test.
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Rafa Benitez: Ex Newcastle and Liverpool manager leaves job at Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional
Rafael Benitez has left his position as manager of Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional by mutual consent.
Business News
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London Stock Exchange chief hatches £300m 'COVID-lifeline' float
The London Stock Exchange is hatching plans to create a £300m listed vehicle aimed at bolstering the survival chances of companies hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Eurostar: France vows financial support to 'maintain this strategic link' with UK
French authorities have said they are ready to give financial support to the struggling Eurostar.
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Retail sales for 2020 show largest annual fall since records began
Retail sales in 2020 saw the largest annual fall since records began in 1996, as retailers continued to suffer from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Ellesmere Port: Kwarteng says government is working to save Vauxhall car plant
The government is working to persuade Vauxhall's parent company to commit to future production at its Ellesmere Port plant, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said.
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Public sector borrowing hit £34.1bn in December
Public sector net borrowing reached £34.1bn in December - the third-highest monthly figure since records began in 1993.
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Politics News
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Paul Davies: Welsh Conservatives leader quits over Senedd drinking row
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has resigned after he drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after a pub alcohol ban came into force.
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COVID-19: Quarantine hotels to be discussed by senior ministers
The introduction of "COVID hotels" and other curbs on international travel are to be discussed by senior ministers on Monday.
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COVID-19: Matt Hancock says South African variant could reduce vaccine efficacy by half
The coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa could reduce the efficacy of vaccines by half, the health secretary has said.
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COVID-19: Full UK border closure 'considered' by government, says Environment Secretary George Eustice
The full closure of the UK's borders has been "considered" by the government amid concerns about new COVID variants being imported from abroad, a minister has revealed.
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COVID-19: 'No plans' to give £500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus, says Number 10
There are "no plans" to give everyone who tests positive for coronavirus a one-off payment of £500, Downing Street has said.
World News
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Hundreds of Alexei Navalny supporters arrested as mass protests take place across Russia
Roughly 2,250 people have reportedly been arrested at a series of demonstrations in support of the jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny across Russia.
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COVID-19: AstraZeneca to 'cut COVID-19 vaccine delivery to EU by 60%'
AstraZeneca will cut deliveries of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to the European Union by 60% in the first quarter of the year, according to Reuters news agency.
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COVID-19: China orders millions in Beijing to get tested after three new cases
Millions of people in Beijing are being tested for COVID-19 after the Chinese capital recorded three new cases on Friday.
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Biden says vaccine rollout has been a 'dismal failure' and urges Americans to wear a mask for 99 days
Joe Biden has warned that the fight to bring coronavirus under control in the US is a "wartime undertaking" - devoting much of his first full day in office to tackling the pandemic.
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COVID-19: Japan denies claims that Olympics are going to be cancelled, as report says Tokyo may host in 2032
Japanese officials have denied claims the Tokyo Olympic Games are being cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Julie Payette: Queen's representative in Canada quits amid bullying claims
Canada's governor general - the Queen's representative - has resigned amid allegations she presided over a toxic work environment in which staff were bullied to tears.
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Donald Trump: Impeachment trial for inciting insurrection to start on 8 February
Donald Trump's impeachment trial will start on 8 February, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said.
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Fake Iran supreme leader account suspended from Twitter after post appearing to call for attack on Trump
A Twitter account claiming to belong to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been suspended after it appeared to post a call for an attack on Donald Trump.
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Essex lorry deaths: People smuggling gang jailed for killing 39 Vietnamese migrants
The main members of a people smuggling gang have been given long jail sentences after 39 Vietnamese illegal immigrants suffocated in the back of their lorry.
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Eurostar: France vows financial support to 'maintain this strategic link' with UK
French authorities have said they are ready to give financial support to the struggling Eurostar.
Weird News
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Donald Trump was fooled into talking to prankster pretending to be Piers Morgan, TV presenter says
A prankster pretending to be Piers Morgan managed to fool Donald Trump into thinking he was speaking to the real TV presenter.
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Haggis launched to the edge of space in celebration of Burns Night
In honour of Burns Night, a packet of haggis has been launched to the edge of space for the first time.
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Sahara desert: Rare snowfall leaves extraordinary pattern on sand dunes
Snow has fallen in the Sahara desert after temperatures dropped to -3C (27F).
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Zookeeper in 'serious condition' after being bitten in the face by camel
A 54-year-old man has been taken to hospital after being bitten in the face by a camel.
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COVID-19: Man 'lived in Chicago airport in secret for three months' - as virus made him 'too scared' to fly home
A 36-year-old man lived undetected in a secure section of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for three months because he was "too scared" to go home due to COVID-19, US prosecutors say.