From the death of former taoiseach John Bruton, to the unexpected resignation of Leo Varadkar as premier, the year has been dominated by politics.

A murder investigation has been launched after a stabbing victim died in north-west London. Officers were called to reports of an attack in Linacre Road, Willesden Green, at around 4.16am on Saturday.

More than 1,300 pea-sized Desertas Island land snails have been released after a successful breeding programme by Chester Zoo.

The identity of the winner or winners was not immediately known but the California Lottery said the ticket was sold at Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) in Cottonwood, a town 160 miles north of the ...