In his homily, Francis said the Holy Year is an opportunity to relieve the debt of poor countries and commit to protecting the planet.

The mildest start to Christmas Day on record has been recorded for Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Kinloss, Moray, temperatures reached 11.9C, while at Killowen, Co Down, it peaked at 11C for the 24 ...

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts as the two sides inch closer to a deal that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza.

Swimmers take part in an early Christmas Day dip on Boscombe beach in Dorset (Andrew Matthews/PA) Some members of the Serpentine Swimming Club were in fancy dress for the Peter Pan Cup race, which is ...

Members of Gladsmuir Parish Church organised the festive event, which took place in the building for the first time, having previously been held in Macmerry Miner’s Club. This year, they wanted to do ...

The Bishop of Newcastle has criticised the Christmas Day sermon delivered by the Archbishop of York, describing his suggestion that the Church of England needs to change as “empty words”. Stephen ...

The students are demanding justice over the collapse of a concrete construction at a railway station that killed 15 people in November.

Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas message to urge “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions”.

One of the first babies born on Christmas Day in Scotland interrupted her parents’ Christmas Eve movie night after arriving early. Anne-Marie Hunt and Gordon Wilson, of Livingston, were just settling ...

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Russia’s strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid “with no respite even at Christmas”. Russia launched a massive missile barrage on Christmas Day, with the aim of crippling ...

Brave outdoor swimmers wore Father Christmas hats as they kicked off their celebrations with a festive dip. Sea surface temperatures across the country were between 8C and 11C, the Met Office said.