Former Chancellor Alistair Darling dies aged 70 // Alistair Darling, the Labour chancellor who steered the UK through the 2008 financial crisis, has died aged 70, a family spokesperson has said. Following Labour's landslide 1997 election win, Lord Darling served in cabinet for 13 years under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was best known as the steady pair of hands who shepherded the UK economy as half its banking system collapsed. The ex-Edinburgh MP died after a short spell in hospital, his family said.
Dominic Raab denies Dominic Cummings made key pandemic decisions // Dominic Raab has rejected a claim by a former cabinet colleague that many of the key government decisions at the start of the Covid pandemic were taken by Dominic Cummings. Sajid Javid told the Covid inquiry that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson was content for his chief adviser to oversee decision-making. But ex-First Secretary of State Mr Raab denied there was a "puppet regime". He defended Mr Cummings, saying he had been "trying to galvanise" government.
Robert Jenrick pledges 'serious reforms' to curb migration // Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick has promised to bring forward a "serious package of fundamental reforms" to reduce net migration numbers. He said there were "strong arguments" for introducing a cap on migration and restricting the number of dependents who can accompany migrants to the UK. His comments came as he fielded questions from Tory MPs, frustrated at growing migration levels. Last week, figures revealed that in 2022 net migration hit a record high.
Rema: Calm down singer cancels December shows for health reasons // Years of touring have taken their toll on Nigerian singer Rema, who says he is now cancelling all performances in December to focus on his health. The Afrobeats star announced the decision on Wednesday on Instagram, saying it "breaks my heart". Rema is best known internationally for his hit song Calm Down, which has smashed multiple streaming and chart records. The 23-year-old, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, recently gave a dramatic performance at London's 20,000-seater O2 arena - entering on a carousel pony.
Shannen Doherty reveals cancer has spread to her bones // Shannen Doherty says she is committed to battling stage four breast cancer, which has now spread to her bones. Speaking to People magazine, the Beverly Hills 90210 actress says she is determined to keep going with treatment. Doherty has been sharing her health battles for several years, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, announcing in 2017 that she was in remission. But in February 2020, Doherty revealed her breast cancer had returned at stage 4 after several years of remission.
Getty Images | Shannen Doherty first received a cancer diagnosis in 2015. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May film final Grand Tour // Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have filmed their last episode of motoring show The Grand Tour, after seven years on Amazon Prime. Clarkson, 63, May, 60, and Hammond, 52, have returned from filming in Zimbabwe, with the special set to be shown next year. The Grand Tour has enjoyed five series, and has been hosted by the trio since their departure from the BBC's Top Gear show in 2015.
Tom Abell: All-rounder steps down as Somerset captain after seven seasons in role // All-rounder Tom Abell has stepped down as Somerset captain after seven seasons leading the Taunton side. The 29-year-old was appointed captain ahead of the 2017 campaign leading Somerset to runners up spot in the County Championship in 2018 and 2019. Abell lifted the One-Day Cup in 2019 beating Hampshire in the final.
Davis Cup final 2023: Italy beat Australia to win first title for 47 years // A dominant Jannik Sinner outclassed Australia's Alex de Minaur to help Italy secure their first Davis Cup title for 47 years. Matteo Arnaldi beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5 2-6 6-4 in a nervy opening singles match to put Italy 1-0 up in Malaga, Spain. Sinner then backed up his sterling week with a 6-3 6-0 win over De Minau. It is the second time Italy have lifted the Davis Cup, having previously won the title in 1976. There were scenes of jubilation as the Italy team flooded on the court to celebrate with Sinner, who raised his arms in the air after De Minaur's backhand skewed wide to ensure victory.
Oscar Pistorius to be freed on parole in South Africa after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp // Former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is to be freed from jail on parole, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He shot her multiple times through a bathroom door on Valentine's Day in 2013, later claiming he mistook her for a burglar at their Pretoria home. Pistorius, now 37, was sentenced by a South African court in 2016 to serve 13 years and five months in prison. The parole board has set his release for 5 January 2024.
Government spending plans 'a very big risk', says watchdog // Spending plans outlined in the chancellor's Autumn Statement represent "a very big fiscal risk", according to the UK's official economic forecaster. Richard Hughes, chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility, told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee that spending plans carried a level of "uncertainty". He explained that much of the spending promised is funded by projected savings rather than income already received. Last week, the OBR slashed its forecast for UK economic growth.
Sunak welcomes foreign firms' £29.5bn 'vote of confidence' // The prime minister is hosting a group of leading business figures at Hampton Court to highlight foreign firms' plans to invest in the UK. Rishi Sunak said £29.5bn of new investment had been promised, which he described as a "huge vote of confidence" in the UK economy. Last week's Autumn Statement included some measures to encourage more business investment. But it came against a backdrop of lower growth forecasts.
New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new government's shock reversal // New Zealand's new government says it plans to scrap the nation's world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts. The legislation, introduced under the previous Jacinda Ardern-led government, would have banned cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand, and the policy had aimed to stop young generations from picking up the habit. Health experts have strongly criticised the sudden reversal.