National News

Keeping you up to date with the stories that matter.

While SFM Radio is proudly local, we know it’s important to stay connected with what’s happening across the UK and around the world.

Our National News and Business News feeds are supplied by Sky News, bringing you the latest headlines, breaking stories and business developments throughout the day.

For sports fans, our Sports News is supplied by BBC Sport, keeping you up to date with the latest scores, results, fixtures and sporting stories.

So whether it’s the latest national headlines, what’s happening in the business world or the big sporting stories, you can find it all in one place.

Headlines

• Jeffrey Donaldson's wife Eleanor placed on sex offenders' register after his rape conviction

  Eleanor Donaldson, the wife of disgraced former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, has been placed on the sex offenders' register.

• Mauricio Pochettino breaks down in tears during press conference

  Mauricio Pochettino broke down in tears during a press conference as he discussed his decision to leave his US coaching role and take over at Manchester United.

• 'Face' of mystery woman found dead in bin bag in park released by police

  The face of a woman whose body was found in a bin bag in a park has been reconstructed as detectives try to identify her.

• Is the worst now over for American democracy?

  Over a week after the midterm elections, the dust has settled, and we can ask: is the worst now over for American democracy?

• Former Hamas bodyguard unmasked after 'plotting terror attack' when given British citizenship

  A former bodyguard to the leader of Hamas who was granted British citizenship before allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in Europe on the second anniversary of 7 October 2023 can be identified for the first time.

• Temperatures drop to -6C with cold weather alert in force in some areas

  Temperatures dropped below -6C overnight as parts of the country remain under a cold weather health alert.

• 'Criminal conduct' probe to examine deadly New York building collapse - as victims identified

  Authorities are investigating whether any "criminal conduct" contributed to the collapse of a building in Brooklyn that killed eight people.

• Man shot dead in Washington DC gym is named

  A man shot dead in a Washington DC gym on Thursday has been named.

Sports News

• Tearful Pochettino on 'difficult' decision to leave USA for Man Utd

  An emotional Mauricio Pochettino broke down as he explained why he was leaving the USA to take the Manchester United job.

• How Ferguson-inspired Pochettino can succeed where Carrick failed at Man Utd

  With Mauricio Pochettino set to become Man Utd manager, we analyse if he can clear the tactical hurdles others haven't.

• Surfing speedster Beardman gives a glimpse of Ashes future

  Mahli Beardman gives England a glimpse into a possible Ashes future as he decimates their batting in Perth.

• Fernandes rejects second Man Utd contract offer

  Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes rejects the club's second contract offer, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

• Whatever happened to the diamond that went missing in F1 crash?

  Whatever happened to the diamond that went missing after the Formula 1 car it was attached to crashed?

• Sharks, ladders and a four-year plan - how England won World Cup

  England's triumph at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was built on an aggressive approach by head coach Tom Coyd - which included encouraging his players to see themselves like sharks.

• The driving-maul try machine - why rugby's steamroller gained traction

  A kick to the corner is now a no-brainer for captains, with the driving maul a more potent weapon than ever.

• 'Wrong' and 'nonsense' - Cummins on Khawaja sandpaper claims

  Australia captain Pat Cummins hits back at former team-mate Usman Khawaja’s claims over the sandpaper scandal, calling them “100% wrong” and “utter nonsense”.

Business News

• Go Compare owner Future eyes sale of business arm

  The London-listed company which owns Go Compare, the price comparison platform, is exploring a sale of its business-to-business arm.

• Elliott spreads out with interest in KKR-backed Flora Food Group

  The American investment firm Elliott Management is circling Flora Food Group, the spreads and margarines producer, amid signs that its owner is struggling to convince bidders to meet a €7bn (£5.8bn) asking price.

• FBI seizes $1.2bn stolen in Binance cryptocurrency hack

  The FBI has seized more than $1.2bn (£910m) of cryptocurrency stolen from Binance last month. 

• Poundland secures extended deadline for possible rescue

  Crisis-hit Poundland has secured an extended deadline for a potential rescue amid political pressure for a solvent sale of the chain.

• Economy grows 0.7% in third quarter but slowdown looms

  The UK economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter of the year, according to early official figures confirming a boost from AI investment.

• Under-fire Poundland owner 'among suitors' for footwear chain Dune

  The beleaguered owner of Poundland is among the parties who have been considering offers for Dune, the British footwear retailer, even as its biggest UK high street asset teeters on the brink of collapse.

• Warburg Pincus eyes takeover of small business lender iwoca

  The private equity giant Warburg Pincus is circling iwoca, the fast-growing small-business lender which funds tens of thousands of British SMEs.

• Poundland bosses meet to decide firm's future

  The directors of crisis-hit Poundland have held a board meeting to decide the company's future, Sky News has been told.