UK

A man who had a pint of sulphuric acid thrown in his face has told Sky News he is “sickened” after learning his attacker has been moved to an open prison – less than six years after the assault took place. Andreas Christopheros was left blind in one eye and is scarred for life following

Just one in 10 of the world’s population is likely to be protected against COVID-19 in the first year of a vaccine being made available, experts have told Sky News. Analysis of global manufacturing capacity shows just two billion doses could be made in 2021, even if a vaccine was given the green light by

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted there are “challenges” with the coronavirus testing system following a “sharp rise” in demand. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Hancock said the government was “working hard” to fix issues with COVID-19 testing availability but admitted it could take a “matter of weeks”. He revealed tests

A builder lured his wife’s lover to a remote farm before murdering him and disposing of his body, a court has heard. Andrew Jones, 53, discovered his wife Rhianon, 51, was having an affair with 55-year-old Michael O’Leary, and killed him after “carefully planning” the murder, Swansea Crown Court was told. Prosecutors said that Jones

People in England who see their neighbours flouting the new “rule of six” are being encouraged to contact police by the government. Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England from today. People face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which aims to

Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England as the coronavirus “rule of six” comes into force. From today, people face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure which aims to curb an increase in COVID-19 cases. A total of 3,330 confirmed coronavirus cases

Police have shut down a series of illegal parties overnight as people enjoyed a final weekend of revelry before tougher coronavirus restrictions come into force. With hours until the “rule of six” takes effect, Greater Manchester Police said it had halted illegal gatherings at properties in Altrincham and Flixton on Saturday night, along with a

Another 3,497 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, government figures show. The number of new cases is a 36% increase on last Saturday, when 2,594 new infections were confirmed nationwide. A further nine people have died within 28 days of returning a positive test – all of them in England. This brings

NHS staff who risked their lives during the coronavirus pandemic are demanding a pay rise and threatening strikes despite warnings of a second wave. Nurses and other healthcare workers are demanding a 15% pay rise to reflect the contributions they made and to make up for “years of pay erosion”. Hundreds marched through central London

Nearly eight million people in Britain will be living under stricter lockdown rules after new restrictions were announced for a large part of the West Midlands. Households will be banned from meeting each other in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull from Tuesday after a rise in coronavirus cases. From midnight, Lanarkshire is also joining areas around

The rate of COVID-19 transmission has risen above a critical level that means the infection is growing exponentially, official figures show. According to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the latest estimate for R across the UK is between 1.0 and 1.2. The number represents the average number of people each person with coronavirus

The American woman accused of killing Harry Dunn has admitted driving on the wrong side of the road for “approximately 20 seconds” before colliding with the young motorcyclist. A statement released by Anne Sacoolas‘s lawyers said she is “devastated” and “continues to grieve deeply” for Harry’s family. Ms Sacoolas was charged with causing the death

There has been a 43% increase in the weekly number of coronavirus cases in England, according to new figures. In the seven days to 2 September, a total of 9,864 people tested positive for COVID-19. This is the highest weekly number since the government’s Test and Trace system was launched at the end of May.

Boris Johnson has urged people to limit social contact as much as possible, as he confirmed a ban on gatherings of more than six individuals in England will come into force from Monday. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, the prime minister admitted the coronavirus rules had become “complicated and confusing”. He said this

Lessons were not learned from a training exercise which had raised “serious concerns” about how the fire service and police worked together before the Manchester Arena bombing, a public inquiry has heard. An exercise called Winchester Accord was held in May 2016 at the Trafford shopping complex and showed up failings which mirrored the night

A man has been charged with the murder of Jacob Billington – one of eight people stabbed in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday. Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is also accused of the attempted murder of the seven other victims. Police have so far not released an image of