The Queen is to pay tribute in her Christmas broadcast to the nation's Olympic and Paralympic athletes for inspiring all those who watched their achievements.

The adoption system will be overhauled to make it swifter, more effective and robust, the government says.

Northwest Europe's threatened Bewick's swan population boosted by a bumper year for chicks.

Sending Western forces into Syria prematurely could create a power vacuum and a "sudden, uncontrolled state collapse", a retired British general warns.

Republicans will keep working to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" of tax rises and spending cuts, House Speaker John Boehner has said.

A pensioner loses her life savings and casino winnings in a bag snatch in Greater Manchester.

Pop star Emeli Sande made a surprise visit to pupils and teachers at two Aberdeenshire schools during her festive trip back home on Friday.

UK researchers believe they have explained why some families are incredibly vulnerable to bowel cancer.