National news

DUP calls for equality probe after Stormont bid for Queen jubilee tree rejected

The party has accused Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy of ‘intolerance and disrespect’ after he turned down the tree to commemorate the Queen.

‘Spectrum of views’ across police force around legacy of Troubles proposals

The proposals are opposed by all the main parties at Stormont, the Irish government and many victims’ groups.

Disabled fan targeted at Euro final says breach has ‘set back’ World Cup bid

Wheelchair users Joe McIndoe and Tim Hiley were caught up in the disorder at Wembley Stadium in July 2021.

Family of Peggy Deery prepare to mark 50 years since Bloody Sunday

The widow and mother of 14 would be the only woman shot on January 30 1972, when 13 civil rights protesters were shot dead by British soldiers.

In Pictures: The world of fur, flippers and feathers in 2021

As the coronavirus pandemic continued to disrupt lives, life in the animal kingdom continued as normal.

Experts warn Covid conspiracy groups may pivot to climate misinformation in 2022

After a year that saw the UK host the Cop26 summit, experts have raised concern over an increase in climate misinformation.

DUP warn Liz Truss of ‘major implications’ unless Protocol progress made

Boris Johnson has vowed to ‘maximise the benefits of Brexit’ in 2022.

What the papers say – January 2

The front pages on Sunday cover Covid developments and the latest with the Duke of York.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle says all ex-PMs should be knighted like Tony Blair

Sir Tony, who held the keys to Number 10 between 1997 and 2007, was appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Motorist caught driving distracted nine times in four years

The person, who has not been identified, was among 932 British drivers convicted at least twice for the offence over that period.

400,000 small firms threatened by late payment of invoices, new study finds

Federation of Small Businesses warns that a worsening of late payments to UK firms during the pandemic is threatening success

‘Amazing’ vaccine volunteers thanked for their efforts in huge 2021 jabs rollout

NHS England said volunteers who worked alongside healthcare staff had helped especially in facilitating the ramped-up rollout of boosters in December.

‘Most government departments wipe phones after multiple password attempts’

The practice of deleting data if a user enters the wrong password too often was criticised by MPs investigating the Greensill lobbying case last year.