The Irish News

A British aid worker spending Christmas in Gaza has said the generosity of the UK public is giving “hope” to families affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

An appeal by The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a coalition of UK charities, has raised £37.5 million since launching in October to support those affected by the crisis in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region.

The King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales are among those who have donated.

Frontline police are losing the confidence to use their full powers after lengthy prosecutions like the trial of the officer who shot Chris Kaba, the shadow home secretary has said.

Chris Philp told a policing conference in Westminster that if the Government does not bring in legal changes to give officers better protection he will bring proposals to Parliament himself.

A man and a woman have been charged with murder after a 49-year-old man was found dead following a house fire in Streatham, south London

The scene of the fatal fire in Streatham, south London

A man and a woman have been charged with murder after a 49-year-old man was found dead following a house fire in south London.

Mayara Loiola Ataide, 34, and Gevaldo Tavares Dos Santos, 46, both of no fixed address, will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court later on Wednesday.

They are also charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.