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Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. PM Keir Starmer has played down allegations of a Chinese network of spies operating across Britain, and Andrew has been uninvited from royal events this Christmas.

Yang also had contact with two former British prime ministers – Theresa May and David Cameron. Allegations of spying have led for calls for Britain to reassess how it manages its relationship with Beijing.

Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died. Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he would take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.

MPs are amongst those calling for the alleged Chinese spy – with close links to Prince Andrew – to be publicly named for security reasons. MPs are threatening to name the man as allegations raise “calls for caution.” Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage are amongst those calling for the alleged spy to be named.

It’s plunged the royals – and Andrew – into deeper crisis and amid another year of royal scandal, the firm is hoping Andrew steps out of the public eye this Christmas.

District councils could be abolished and more elected mayors introduced across England under new plans for a major redesign of local government. Ministers are set to publish a paper on Monday outlining plans for mergers in areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority – smaller district and larger county councils – in a bid to streamline services.

The government has approved the sale of the Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire. The £3.6bn takeover by Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group has been given the go-ahead after agreeing “legally binding” undertakings.

A close friend of Prince Andrew has lost his appeal against a decision banning him from the UK on national security grounds. An MI5 investigation alleged the man – known as H6 – was spying for China.

The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October as concerns about the Budget continued to weigh on confidence.

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have discovered their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents following Friday’s draw in Zurich. England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s next prime minister, in a bid to end months of political turmoil.

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother have been convicted of the 10-year-old’s murder. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

Keir Starmer has unveiled sweeping changes to the planning system that could see councils forced to consider building on green belt land in England. The prime minister has vowed to override “blockers” standing in the way of building the new homes needed to solve the housing crisis. However some locals in the areas where these houses will need to be built are steadfast in their opposition to more housing.

Manchester City are in danger of Champions League elimination, while Liverpool made it six wins from six and Arsenal and Aston Villa are flying.
Two games remain in the revamped Champions League’s new 36-team league phase. The top eight automatically progress to the last 16 and, crucially, skip the two-legged knockout play-off round.

Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria’s naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime.

There are reports that Syrian migrants are attempting to return home despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead for Syria. European nations – including Britain – have paused Syrian asylum claims as they await to see how the new direction the rebels take the country in.

The man accused of shooting dead healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York jostled with police and shouted at reporters as he was bundled into court on Tuesday. More details have emerged about the killing, as well as a reported manifesto. Luigi Mangione is attempting to fight extradition to New York City and is reportedly planning to plead not guilty.

Arne Slot’s side have made a dream start in Europe this season and, winning at Girona on Tuesday night, have all but skipped the play-off round and secured a spot in the Champions League last 16.

The UK – along with other European countries – has announced they will pause asylum applications from Syria after the country’s President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the situation was “moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime” and some people were returning to Syria following recent developments.

Germany will tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute those helping to smuggle migrants to the UK, as part of a new plan agreed between the two countries.

Several new photos from Gavin and Stacey have been released ahead of the sitcom’s upcoming final episode. A new promo image features James Corden as Smithy, alongside Ruth Jones as Nessa, Mathew Horne as Gavin, and Joanna Page as Stacey on Trinity Street in Barry. The final episode will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted from power after a “stunning offensive” by the rebels. Syrians have been out celebrating their liberation, whilst Assad and his family have fled to Moscow and the world is left wondering what comes next for Syria.

Storm Darragh has left tens of thousands across Britain without power and flood warnings have been issued. Across England and Wales, 50 flood warnings remain in force because of recent heavy rain from the storm, although the weather on Monday is expected to be dry for most.

The chancellor will give an address to the Eurogroup since Brexit and will argue that a closer relationship between the UK and EU will boost economic growth. Reeves will say that a “reset” in relations would mean “breaking down barriers to trade” as well as helping “businesses sell in each other’s markets”.

American rapper Jay Z has been named in a lawsuit alongside P Diddy. The Jane Doe has alleged Jay Z raped her when she was 13 at a party in 2000 along with Diddy.

Prince William and incoming US President Donald Trump met while visiting Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral – five years after a fire badly damaged it. William joined other world leaders in marking the grand reopening including a 40-minute sit-down meeting with Trump who described William as a “good man” doing a “fantastic job.”

Premier League striker Michail Antonio is in a stable condition and “conscious and communicating” after a car crash. Reports say Antonio had to be cut out of his Ferrari which he was trapped in for forty minutes after crashing into a tree.

Mohamed Salah is on the brink of signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool after reaching a compromise with the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group.

Rebel forces in Damascus declare the city “free” from long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as government forces withdraw. Rebels say public institutions will stay under the supervision of the former prime minister until they’re officially handed over. The Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, has said he doesn’t know where Assad is at the moment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his six priorities for government in a key “plan for change” speech. The targets include building 1.5 million homes, fixing the NHS and delivering clean power by 2030. He also pledges higher living standards, safer streets and ensuring a record number of five-year-olds enter school “ready to learn”

Friday morning travel was a misery for many UK travellers after a major disruption on the rail network. At least nine lines were affected. National Rail said the issue was due to a “nationwide fault” with the radio system used between train drivers and signallers that has now been fixed.

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for wind as Storm Darragh approaches. The warning is in place from 03:00 to 11:00 GMT on Saturday, covering western and southern coastal regions of Wales as well as the Bristol Channel in England.

The PM is to deliver a speech on what he calls a “plan for change” for Britain. He will announce six “milestones” he hopes to reach, including building 1.5 million homes, fixing the NHS and delivering clean power by 2030.

He will also pledge higher living standards, safer streets and ensuring a record number of five-year-olds enter school “ready to learn”.

The French government collapsed after a no-confidence vote ousted the prime minister and rid the country of the austerity budget he tried to force through – the budget that led to his downfall. The country’s president is facing calls to resign.

Gregg Wallace is facing more allegations as is the BBC who are under pressure to explain why they did not act on allegations made against Wallace 10 years ago.