Leona Peach was last seen in Newton Abbot on December 20.

Spread of Omicron variant inspires booster jab rush as further social restrictions feared after Christmas

The former prime minister said the West risked ‘sleepwalking into the biggest humanitarian crisis of our times’.

The US Centres for Disease Control has said most transmission of the virus happens in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

The chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies said the current inconsistent supply is not meeting demand.

New data from UKHospitality found city centres were particularly hard hit as Christmas parties were cancelled and people returned to home-working.

Liz Truss would also be a drag on support, while Rishi Sunak would narrow gap with Keir Starmer’s party

‘This not the same disease as we were seeing a year ago,’ Professor Sir John Bell says

The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul will be taking your questions on what the coming year is likely to have in store for the government

Tighter coronavirus restrictions in Scotland mean nightclubs are closed, while outdoor events have also been cancelled.

Mr Brown said more than half of the Afghan population is facing extreme hunger, including a million children who are at risk of starving to death.

2022 is set to be the ‘year of the squeeze’ for millions of Britons

Covid ‘positivity’ for the new year features among a range of stories on Wednesday’s front pages.

An update on Covid figures will be given when the First Minister addresses MSPs in Parliament.

Virginia Giuffre claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law.

Some 650,000 text messages will be sent to people who have not yet received a top-up dose of the vaccine.

Force deputy chief constable ‘appalled’ by officer’s actions

The British Medical Association said action needs to be taken to hire more doctors to reduce the workload of those currently practicing.

Drinkaware says a survey found 46% of drinkers who vowed to cut back on alcohol after restrictions lifted stuck to their plans.

A survey of over 3,300 UK adults has found that many feel positive about their local community, but only 40% would describe it as ‘welcoming’.

The Resolution Foundation said families would be £1,200 worse off because of energy prices and higher National Insurance contributions.

Public Health Scotland figures show that 197 people in chronic pain died waiting for an appointment in the past five years.

The model and actress was one of the first Britons to undergo gender reassignment surgery

One top scientist suggests the US decision to cut isolation without tests is “dangerous”

The Health Secretary said restricting outdoor exercise is not justified or proportionate.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the Government stood ready to act if additional controls were required.

‘Drink-spiking predators choose house parties as people are likely to be more relaxed,’ says Alcohol Education Trust head

First week of 2022 will also bring ‘corridor of thicker cloud and rains’, Met Office says

He turned up at Radford Road station with only a bin bag

Government says it is keeping figures under review, but has promised no fresh restrictions before new year

The Tottenham MP said he ‘never believed’ Corbyn would become Labour leader

Those who have not had their third dose of a Covid vaccine have been encouraged to ‘get boosted by the bells’.

It comes after Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford closed nightclubs and announced a return to the rule of six inside hospitality venues.

Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Greece are among countries not currently recognising UK badges

Six fire appliances are dealing with a blaze in the Belfast Harbour estate.

Under the current rules, MPs are allowed to bring their babies with them when voting but not when participating in debates

Scientist expresses concern about lack of new restrictions following surge in cases

The future PM had lunch with the Irish embassy’s press attache, an account of which was reported back to Dublin

The crash involving a car and a lorry happened on Monday in the Omagh Road area of Garvaghy.

The comments were made at a meeting between Albert Reynolds and British Prime Minister John Major at a meeting in Downing Street on 16 June 1993.

Senior security figures told Irish officials two months before the ceasefire ended that the insistence on prior decommissioning was unnecessary.

The Ministry of Defence was accused of ‘inefficiency’ and delivering ‘poor value for money’

Emergency services arrive at scene at around 1pm on Tuesday

Demand was driven by lifestyle changes following the pandemic

Stanley Stewart’s body was discovered by a member of the public in Glen Nevis.

It was reported that a woman was assaulted by a man in the square in Moy, Co Tyrone in the early hours of Monday.

Anyone who has information on her whereabouts is urged to call the police immediately on 999, quoting log number 0222 of 20/12/21

Candid moment came one year after mortar attack on 10 Downing Street

The man was hit by a White Renault Clio on the A94 Glamis Road in Forfar.

Locals hope to use the time to negotiate a new structure to host the locks

Meteorologist Craig Snell said temperatures are set to return to average in January following a mild late December.

Couple have been named as Denis and Mary Fell from Livingston, West Lothian

Detectives appeal to anyone with information which could assist investigation to come forward

Laura Sugden, whose partner, Shane Gilmer, was murdered in 2018 had previously been told the rules would not be reviewed, she said.

Shelter said lone mothers are hit the hardest, with barriers blocking them from additional support for their families.

Denis and Mary Fell, both 73, were found dead at their home in Livingston, West Lothian.

National clinical director Jason Leitch apologised for delays in getting PCR test results at Christmas.

The man was heading south on the A7 near Galashiels when he was involved in a collision with a car travelling in the opposite direction.

Jermaine Cools, 14, died in hospital in south London on November 18.

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh, and Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview were key moments in the past 12 months for the Windsors.

The British Chambers of Commerce said the hospitality sector needs Government help to get through the remaining winter months.

Mayhew, who would become the longest-serving Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, told an Irish official of his frustrations.

Grandmother Anne Kelly was left stunned when the letter dropped through her letterbox less than 24 hours after it was posted.

Ciara O’Neill’s new EP is made up of songs written during the pandemic.

John Major told the Irish premier in November 1996 that nobody in Britain ‘believes a word’ from Sinn Fein and the IRA.

At the same time, officials warned that the IRA were not necessarily ‘supermen’ when it came to maintaining a ceasefire.

The historic visit of Bill Clinton to Northern Ireland in 1995 was nearly overshadowed by EU red tape, new documents reveal.