Two bodies found as search continues for ‘people in difficulty’ in sea

Two bodies have been recovered from the sea after reports of a “number of people in difficulty in water” at a Yorkshire seaside town.

The alarm was raised just after 3pm on Friday (2 January) in Withernsea, East Yorkshire.

A major search, led by HM Coastguard, with assistance from the RNLI, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue, is still ongoing as teams continue to look for one more person who entered the water this afternoon.

Humberside Police has confirmed a 67-year-old man died after being pulled from the sea on Friday evening, before the body of a second person was also found.

A force spokesperson said: “We can now confirm that earlier this evening (Friday, 2 January 2026) a second body was recovered from the sea. The circumstances are not believed to be suspicious.

“Humberside Police officers along with HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue, remain in the area as searches continue for one more person who entered the water this afternoon.

“We continue to ask that people avoid the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely.

Earlier on Friday, the HM Coastguard confirmed it was searching for two missing people in the water after the alarm was raised.

A spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard is searching for two missing people in the water off Withernsea today, 2 January.

“First alerted to reports of people in difficulty in the water at around 3.10pm, assets sent to the scene include an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard rescue teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.

“Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent, as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance. Searches remain ongoing.”

Humberside Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene at 3.40pm on Friday.

A spokesperson said: “There are emergency vehicles around the central promenade area of Withernsea. We ask if people can avoid this area if at all possible and to take care because emergency vehicles will be moving in the area.”

In a post on Facebook early on Friday evening, Hornsea Inshore Rescue warned that conditions were not safe and said its casualty care crew were on the way to Withernsea to assist.

“Called out, unable to launch [a] lifeboat due to horrendous conditions and three metre waves breaking on our slipway which would knock the tractor and trailer sideways off the ramp. Our 4×4 vehicle [is] en route to Withernsea with a casualty care crew,” it said in the post.

Darren Stevens, who lives in the area, told the BBC he had witnessed lots of emergency vehicles and crews near the beach.

He also said it had snowed earlier and that the conditions were “bitter” and “freezing”.

“It’s not a good place to be in the sea,” he added.

Cold weather payments triggered in more than 400 postcodes – check if you’re eligible

The new year is off to a biting start, with areas across the UK being hit by freezing sub-zero temperatures.

Met Office weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place for the first week of 2026, with fears of health issues arising from the conditions.

To help support people during cold snaps like these, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) runs the cold weather payment scheme for qualifying households. This is a one-off payment of £25 that is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in an area is at or below zero degrees.

An estimated 674,000 households across 441 postcode areas can now expect a payment. These areas are split across the UK, covering northern and southern areas of England and Wales

Here are the the affected postcode areas for the period of 30 December 2025 to 2 January 2026:

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “As temperatures plunge, Cold Weather Payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households.

“Combined with the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign and our Triple Lock commitment – set to increase the State Pension by up to £2,100 over this Parliament – we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this Winter.”

The scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March every year. The payment is paid for every period during which a postcode area experiences seven or more days of freezing temperatures, meaning households can receive more than one payment. Several living the Lake District received three last year, valuing £75.

Those eligible for the cold weather payment must receive at least one of the following:

Those who are not receiving Pension Credit will also typically need to have a health condition, caring responsibilities, or young or disabled children.

They must also live in an area that has experienced seven days of zero or sub-zero temperatures.

The DWP uses its own equipment to measure temperatures across all UK postcodes. Those who disagree with the judgement are able to appeal directly to the department.

Although the affected areas cover parts of Scotland, those living in the country will not received a cold weather payment. The Scottish government has replaced the scheme with its annual Winter Heating Payments.

Those eligible will get the payment automatically. They should arrive in the same bank account they receive benefit payments, within 14 working days of the cold period, with the payment reference ‘DWP CWP’.

Those who believe they are eligible but have not received the payment should contact the DWP.

Below is the full list of over 400 postcodes eligible for the cold weather payment:

Littler and Van Veen set up final that could define darts’ future

The future, it seems, is now. The 2026 World Championship final will not only showcase the very best that darts currently offers but also give a tantalising glimpse of a rivalry that could dominate the sport for years to come.

Luke Littler – teenage darting phenom, reigning world champion, transcendent star who has made the sport cool again – and Gian van Veen – coming Dutch force, reigning two-time world youth champion, scourge of Luke Humphries – will do battle on the Alexandra Palace stage for the right to hold aloft the most famous trophy in darts.

Littler knows exactly what that feels like, having made history with his World Championship triumph 12 months ago at the age of 17, while Van Veen is trying to break new ground.

At 23, the Dutchman is essentially ancient compared to his 18-year-old foe, but Littler’s ludicrous rise has skewed things somewhat. Van Veen would still comfortably be the second-youngest world champion in history, should he beat the seemingly invincible world No 1. They will also have the lowest combined age of any world final by some margin.

This could be the first major chapter in a rivalry to match the likes of Taylor vs Van Barneveld, Lowe vs Bristow or Van Gerwen vs Wright.

The two men booked their spots in Saturday’s showpiece in contrasting styles, enduring very different semi-final experiences on a raucous Friday evening at Ally Pally.

Littler downed 38-year-old world No 20 Ryan Searle – one of the feelgood stories of this year’s World Championship after a career-best run to the last four – 6-1 with the minimum of fuss. “The Nuke” was too strong for “Heavy Metal”, barely getting out of third gear to cruise through despite losing the first set.

Meanwhile, Van Veen and two-time world champion Gary Anderson produced an instant Ally Pally classic, with one of the greatest semi-finals in championship history. The final scoreline of 6-3 barely begins to tell the story as Anderson, competing in his eighth world semi-final, hit a 102.91 average but still lost to a man in just his third semi-final of any major tournament and who had never gone beyond the second round of the World Championship before this year.

A game that was already high-quality really caught fire in the deciding leg of the fourth set when Van Veen found himself six darts into a nine-dart leg and, although he failed to reach perfection, he broke Anderson’s throw with an 11-darter to move 3-1 ahead.

What followed was a set that defied belief. Anderson opened up with a 10-dart leg to break the throw of his Dutch foe before taking out the “big fish” 170 finish – the highest possible checkout with three darts – in the next to send Ally Pally wild. Van Veen hit back with a classy 11-darter before raising the Palace roof by reeling in a big fish of his own to break back and set up a deciding leg, which he snatched with double four to seemingly take control of the match.

Anderson refused to lie down, closing the deficit to 4-3 and coming agonisingly close to levelling the match before Van Veen shook off squandering four set darts in the fourth leg of set eight to break the Scot in the decider and move within one of glory.

The Scot had one final chance to extend the match when he took out 121 to break Van Veen’s throw and put himself in position to stay alive in the contest, but the younger man knuckled down and hit back to claim an emotional win.

“Gary threw everything at me. His finishing and scoring was great,” he said after the victory. “But I felt comfortable up here on the stage, the crowd were against me, but that’s fair play because Gary is a fantastic human being and a fantastic darts player. He was my idol growing up.

“I never thought this would happen. I can’t even say it’s a dream come true to reach the world final because I couldn’t have even dreamed of this.”

After demolishing Humphries 5-1 in the quarter-finals, the fifth straight time he has beaten the 2024 world champion, Van Veen – whose run in north London has lifted him to No 3 in the world and seen him usurp Michael van Gerwen as the highest-ranked Dutch player – stated that he was the biggest threat to Littler left in the tournament.

He’ll need that confidence to overcome the unstoppable teenager in the final, but should take heart from the fact that he’s the only player with a winning record against Littler who has played him more than once, leading their head-to-head 3-2.

“Everyone has seen what Luke is capable of over the last couple of years,” said Van Veen after the semi-final. “He’s played fantastically, but so have I. Hopefully it will be a great game.”

Littler has experienced boos for the first time at a World Championship over the past fortnight and made clear his annoyance at them with some punchy post-match comments following his round four victory over Rob Cross.

His walk-on for the semi-final received a decidedly mixed reaction from the crowd, but the reigning champion soon shook off any lingering resentment to cruise into a third straight final.

Searle, who has opened up this week about the challenge of an eye condition that impedes his vision to the point that he sometimes can’t see where his darts have landed on the board, started well, picking his moments to edge the opening set despite averaging 94.50 to Littler’s 105.0.

But the teenager soon surged away, taking advantage of every Searle mistake to reel off six straight sets and triumph with a match average of 105.35 – the third time he’s averaged more than 105 this tournament.

The underdog had his moments, most notably when Littler was seven darts into a nine-dart finish before falling just below the treble 20 bed with dart number eight. Searle immediately took out a big fish in response, nailing a 170 checkout to steal the leg and earn a fist bump, accompanied by a wry grin, from his opponent.

Of course, that wry grin will turn into a full-blown smile should the boy wonder make it back-to-back world titles on the Ally Pally stage on Saturday night.

But standing in his way will be the man who may turn into the rival that defines his entire career. Littler vs Van Veen – it’s not to be missed.

Scientists develop AI headset to predict epilepsy seizures

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking AI-powered headset that can predict epilepsy seizures before they occur.

Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland said the first-of-its-kind wearable device could help transform the way the condition is managed by alerting patients of an impending seizure, giving them time to respond and allowing them to avoid any resulting injuries.

It works by analysing brainwaves and heart functions to detect seizures, giving those with epilepsy “more confidence” about handling the condition, according to lead researcher Professor Hadi Larijani.

“Providing even a few minutes’ warning could be life changing,” he said. “Our goal is to empower patients and families with time to act to stay safe and live more independently.”

Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that affects around 630,000 people in the UK. It can cause around 60 different types of seizures, which vary depending on where in the brain they are happening, according to charity Epilepsy Action.

Professor Larijani said the headset is “very unique” and the team hope to one day release it as a wearable device similar to a cap.

He said: “We want it to be as discreet as possible, to be wireless, light – it’s a lot of features that none of the other tools right now have.”

Researchers used thousands of hours of historical electroencephalography and electrocardiography recordings to train the system on a “phantom head” to simulate real use.

The AI learned to identify the electrical and physiological patterns that precede a seizure. Once a pattern is identified, it can issue a timely alert, giving patients and families crucial minutes to prepare and stay safe.

It has an accuracy of up to 95 per cent and the AI algorithm can also display its levels of confidence about the chances of an impending seizure, empowering patients to manage their condition.

Prof Larijani added: “For families affected by epilepsy, even a brief warning means they can prevent injuries and reduce fear.

“That is the true measure of success for us.”

The team are still working to refine the design for the headset, which they hope to eventually be suitable for children to wear. But while the headset has promising potential, it is likely to be several years before it becomes widely available due to the need for regulatory approvals.

Prof Larijani said: “The most regulated things are medical devices. It takes time to get through the hurdles. But I think we’ve done the initial feasibility testing both on the software and the hardware characteristics.

“Now we’re looking at a more commercial-ready product that hopefully will be going through the hurdles of the initial accreditation for medical devices.”

The research team has now secured fresh support from UK Research and Innovation through its £9m Proof of Concept programme.

It comes after scientists developed an AI software that could help detect abnormalities in the brain linked to epilepsy that are sometimes missed by radiologists.

The software, known as Meld Graph, was developed by scientists at King’s College London and University College London (UCL).

Tommy Lee Jones’ daughter Victoria found dead at 34 on New Year’s Day

Victoria Jones, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, has been found dead at the age of 34.

Jones was discovered unresponsive in the early hours of New Year’s Day at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, according to TMZ and the Daily Mail, which cited sources.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department confirmed the news to media outlets, saying paramedics had been dispatched to the Fairmont Hotel at 2.52am.

“Our units responded to the scene, performed an assessment and declared one person deceased,” the spokesperson said, adding that the local police department and medical examiner’s office then took over.

In 911 dispatch audio obtained by People magazine, the call for the incident was classified as a “code 3 for the overdose, color change.”

In overdose cases, “color change” typically refers to cyanosis — a condition caused by low oxygen levels in the blood, often associated with heart or lung problems — which can result in a blue or purple discoloration of the skin, lips and nails, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The Independent has contacted Tommy’s representatives for comment.

The Fairmont, located in San Francisco’s affluent Nob Hill neighbourhood, is one of the city’s most luxurious and historic hotels. Since opening in 1907, it has hosted presidents, royalty and Hollywood stars, and is famed as the place where Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.

Victoria is the second child of Tommy and his second wife, Kimberlea Cloughley, to whom he was married from 1981 to 1996. They also share a son, Austin, who is 43.

Victoria played minor roles as an actor in her father’s films as a child, appearing in Men in Black II, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, plus the TV series One Tree Hill. She did not work as an actor as an adult, but frequently appeared alongside her father on red carpets around the world.

According to court records obtained by the New York Post, Victoria was arrested at least three times in 2025, including an apprehension on drug charges in Napa County, California, in April. She pleaded not guilty, according to the Post.

Tommy praised his daughter while promoting The Three Burials in 2006, saying: “She’s a good actress, has her SAG [Screen Actors Guild] card, speaks impeccable Spanish. When she was a baby, I told Leticia, her nurse, to speak to her in Spanish.”

In an interview with The New Yorker, he recalled her getting acclimatised to life as an actor. “She had to get up at 5am for her part,” he told the magazine. “One morning, she wouldn’t get out of bed. I said: ‘Honey, this is work.’ But she wouldn’t budge.

“So I fired her. Then, without telling me, the production staff went over and woke her and rushed her out to the set just in time.”

Tommy Lee Jones is one of America’s most respected actors, known for acclaimed performances in films like JFK, No Country for Old Men, and Lonesome Dove.

He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for his role in The Fugitive, co-starring Harrison Ford.

He married his third wife, Dawn Laurel, in 2001.

‘Tis the season to connect: How to maximise your mobile

Our mobile phones are a vital part of our everyday lives, providing us with connection, entertainment and information. We rely on the device in our pocket to help us work, socialise, learn and so much more – so we want to make sure we’re getting the most we can from it.

Tesco Mobile’s new Pay as you go Essentials tariff can help you do just that, offering increased flexibility and benefits. It keeps things simple and lets you add 30-day bundles of data, minutes and texts that best suit your needs.

The tariff will replace Rocket Pack, Triple Credit and Lite tariffs for all existing Tesco Mobile Pay as you go customers.

Customers who prefer traditional Pay as you go can continue to use top-up balance for calls, texts and data at the standard rate: 25p per minute, 10p per text, 10p per MB.*

So whether you’re an existing Tesco Mobile customer or thinking of making the switch, here’s seven reasons why Pay as you go Essentials is the perfect option…

We all use our phones differently. For some, it’s all about streaming favourite shows and music, so having enough data is vital. Others just want to be able to text and call friends and family whenever they want. Tesco Mobile make it easy to find the right Pay as you go Essentials bundle for your needs. New customers can choose the best bundle for their needs, with bundles auto-renewing every 30 days using available top-up balance.

Circumstances can change and you might find yourself needing more data or minutes some months than others. Depending on how much you use your phone, a bundle is often more cost-effective than using your top-up balance and being charged standard rates for calls, texts and data usage. Pay as you go Essentials is a flexible top-up tariff designed to give users full control over their spend, letting them add bundles of data, minutes and texts to suit specific needs. You can change your bundle as often as you like or cancel at any time. If you decide to opt-out of a bundle you can continue to use your top-up balance for calls, text and data at the standard out-of-bundle rate (25p per minute, 10p per text, 10p per MB).

Pay as you go Essentials offers a range of five great-value bundle options that all include data, minutes and texts. Pay as you go Essentials bundles start from just £5 for 30 days (minimum £10 top-up at activation), while every bundle from £10 and up includes unlimited calls and texts (subject to Fair Usage Policy) – making it easy and affordable to stay connected. If you’re an existing Tesco Mobile Pay as you go customer you’ll get a free 30 day Essentials bundle based on your previous use so you can see if its the right one for you.

The new Tesco Mobile app is packed with useful features to help you make the most of your Pay as you go phone. It’s a quick and simple way to manage or change your bundles, check usage, top-up your balance change auto-renew settings and more. You can easily see your remaining data, minutes and texts, so you know whether you need to add a new or different bundle. Need a hand with something? Chat with the customer care team via live in-app messaging. This is a new app for Pay as you go customers, and customers will no longer be able to use their old Tesco Mobile Pay as you go apps.

Phone calls cutting out, videos buffering, texts that don’t send… an unreliable phone signal can be hugely frustrating. Tesco Mobile shares O2’s network, which means 99 per cent UK coverage, and a better connection in hard-to-reach rural areas – so you won’t be searching for a signal. Tesco Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks are constantly being improved, and with Pay as you go Essentials, customers can use 4G Calling (also known as VoLTE) means you’ll use your 4G connection to make and receive calls, enjoying clearer calls. You can find this option in your network settings.

With Tesco Mobile, you get a Clubcard point for every £1 you spend. Just link your Clubcard to your phone (text the word CLUBCARD to 28578 free from your Tesco Mobile phone) and watch the points add up. You can then convert your points to vouchers to save on your weekly grocery shop or exchange the vouchers for Reward Partner codes to save money on meals out, entertainment, day trips, travel and more. For a limited time, Tesco Mobile customers can get 500 Clubcard points every time they add a £15 Pay as you go Essentials bundle when they link their Clubcard within the first 28 days of adding the bundle. Clubcard points will be automatically issued within 30 days.

For more information on Tesco Mobile’s Pay as you go Essentials, including all available bundles, visit Tesco Mobile

*Offer ends 01/02/2026. See Terms And Conditions for full terms.

Firefighters tackle warehouse blaze near UK shopping centre

Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at a warehouse near a major UK shopping centre.

Flames and smoke was seen near Meadowhall, Sheffield’s biggest shopping centre, at around 6pm on Friday.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services said they have 10 fire engines and two turntable ladders in attendance at the fire near Meadowhall and expect to be on the site until midnight.

A spokesperson said: “We have 10 fire engines and two turntable ladders in attendance at the fire near Meadowhall. A high volume pump is also on scene to help the firefighting efforts.

“The fire involved a warehouse on Meadowhall Road.

“Firefighters have managed to contain the fire- but we expect to remain on scene until at least midnight.

“Meadowhall Road remains closed between Meadowhall Interchange and Amos Road.

“There are currently no reports of any injuries.

“Police and ambulance services are also supporting our response to this incident.”

People living in the area have been urged to keep their windows closed due to smoke.

Meadowhall Road also remains closed between Meadowhall Interchange and Amos Road and people have been urged to avoid the area.

Firefighters tackling the blaze in Meadowhall are taking water from a nearby River Don using hoses, the BBC reported.

Keir Starmer’s promise to deliver should have brought results by now

If nothing else, Sir Keir Starmer is a stolid fellow, rarely betraying a political vulnerability in his own countenance. Reportedly, he sleeps well and is comfortable in the job. If the prospect of a succession of political beatings over the coming months disturbs him, he is showing no signs of it.

There may be more strikes in the public sector, inflation seems set to remain stubbornly high, unemployment is creeping up, welfare reform is as distant as ever, the asylum hotels are full, and economic growth, the supposed defining mission of his administration, will be minimal. The round of elections in local authorities, the Scottish parliament and the Senedd look set to be humiliating.

DonaldTrump and the European Commission could make life even less comfortable for him. Plus, the Tories are showing signs of life, the Greens are tormenting him and Reform UK, though its poll numbers are sagging, is not going to take its snake oil cart away.

Publicly, at least, he seems unfazed by the outlook. Even so, some 18 months into his premiership and with his negative personal ratings breaking all kinds of historical records, even this most stoic of prime ministers must be wondering what he can do to lift his government and his party out of its unprecedented unpopularity. Helpfully or not, he is not short of advice.

The latest counsel comes from two former advisers close to Labour, and another who is anything but. Sir Chris Powell, a man who has been associated with marketing Labour for three decades, rightly points out that the stakes are unusually high. The next general election will not be the usual swing of the pendulum but will represent an “existential threat” to democracy itself, such is the nature and purpose of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

A more recent colleague, Paul Ovenden, his former director of political strategy, forced to resign last September over offensive comments concerning Diane Abbott, complains that the government is too easily distracted by relatively minor issues such as the Abd el-Fattah case. For what it’s worth, Dominic Cummings has chimed in, again, that Whitehall, and particularly the Cabinet Office, needs to be destroyed and rebuilt, and the power of the legal establishment dispatched along with it.

Sir Keir knows all this. Although derided (sometimes by his own team) as more of an HR manager or a lawyer than a leader, and an almost accidental prime minister, he is a sufficiently good politician to realise the gravity of the situation and the constraints he is pushing against. Like Cummings, the prime minister has also said he is frustrated with the machinery of government: “Every time I go to pull a lever there are a whole bunch of regulations, consultations, arm’s-length bodies that mean that the action from pulling the lever to delivery is longer than I think it ought to be.”

When Mr Ovenden suggests that the government ought to roll back environmental regulations, cut welfare spending and even end the triple-lock on pensions, these are things that Sir Keir has either done, to some extent, tried to do, or is no doubt contemplating. Sir Chris wants a reset – well, it has to be said, Sir Keir has tried plenty of those.

The trouble with most advisers, and former advisers, even the wisest, is that their solutions, when not obvious, are often amorphous, intellectual affairs – not always practical or particularly popular. They are not the kind of thing Sir Keir naturally warms to. When he has tried, it has failed to galvanise the state, motivate his party or inspire the public. He probably wasn’t that convinced himself.

His own MPs have forced him into a “soft left” stance he would once have found intolerable, but which he now has to make the best of – symbolised by U-turns on social security and epitomised in the last Budget, an unashamedly “tax and spend” affair. And, despite all attempts to weave what another informal adviser, Alastair Campbell, calls a “narrative”, the Starmer administration still lacks a theme and obvious sense of purpose, let alone rhetorical flourish. There have been far too many scandals.

Sir Keir prefers, as he told The New Statesman last summer, to “fix things”. His last “reset” in the autumn set the goal of his administration as “delivery, delivery, delivery”. A dread phrase, but the spirit is the right one – to “deliver” tangible differences in people’s lives. The electorate needs to see and feel that the government is meeting their aspirations and solving their concerns. They do want to see improved public services.

They want to see their GP and not wait half a day in A&E. They aspire to well-paid jobs, to see their high streets rejuvenated and some sense that the refugee crisis will end, and the local hotel open for visitors once again. They would like to see pride and life restored to painfully deindustrialised communities – and to afford a home where they grew up. None of this can be done in the space of a few months, or even years, but there should be some tangible signs of progress, indications that “broken Britain”, albeit a grotesque exaggeration, is indeed being repaired.

These are the challenges that some of Sir Keir’s colleagues, notably Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood, seem more keenly aware of than their chief. In fairness to the prime minister, he knows better than most the tasks that lie ahead and the dangers of failure, for his party and for the country. He would like what his government does and achieves to speak for itself. Contrary to what his various ex-advisers imply, he certainly knows what to do, and he deserves some time to get on with it. The public is impatient.