just now (1250+ words) A landmark law to increase the number of organ donors has had little impact 10 years after it was introduced, according to a charity and an academic. Wales was the first UK nation to adopt the "soft" opt-out legislation on 1 December 2015, which presumes a person's consent to donate their organs when they die, unless they or their family have indicated otherwise. Conner Marshall's mother said consenting to his organ donation wishes following his murder that same year had been "humbling" despite the "stomach-wrenching" thought of losing him. The NHS Blood and Transplant service (NHSBT) said presumed consent was not a silver bullet to closing the gap between donation and transplantation. The organ donor consent rate increased by about 15% during the first three years of the opt-out law, but dropped to its lowest level in a decade last year. The Covid pandemic,…...

1+ min ago (1880+ words) McLaren's pitstop call did not work out in Qatar Formula 1 is heading into its first final-race championship showdown between more than two drivers for 15 years after Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix thanks to a significant McLaren strategy error. "Obviously not our greatest day," said McLaren driver Lando Norris, something of an understatement on a day on which his team threw away a win, albeit not for the Briton. Norris' championship lead has been cut by Verstappen to 12 points heading to Abu Dhabi next weekend, with the other McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri, a further four points behind. Piastri was left momentarily speechless after the race, as he digested the fact that a certain win had been turned into a second place to Verstappen, and his second place in the championship turned into third. "It's pretty painful,…...

46+ min ago (509+ words) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says talks with Ukraine over a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war were productive, but there's "more work to be done". The talks, held in Florida, were attended by a Ukrainian delegation led by national security council secretary Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's new chief negotiator. Also present were President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Witkoff is due to visit Moscow for talks next week. Umerov was brought in to replace Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's top negotiator, Andriy Yermak, after he quit following an anti-corruption raid on his home. Sunday's meeting is the latest step in two weeks of intense diplomatic activity. It was sparked by the leaking of a 28-point US peace plan which shocked Ukraine and its European allies for appearing to favour Russia, which invaded Ukraine nearly four…...

50+ min ago (253+ words) Once Emi Martinez tipped Yerson Mosquera's header on to the bar before half-time the result felt eerily predictable. Wolves had the better chances and had the ball in the net - before VAR denied Jorgen Strand Larsen - and caused Villa some real trouble. Ultimately, it was an even game, one which Wolves could have won, but - as so often - they lacked the final bit of quality - or luck - to get that result. In contrast to Villa, Wolves just miss that player who is able to conjure a magic moment and paid the price. They did deserve something from the game and, again, there was plenty of heart and commitment but the result extended the winless start to 13, approaching Sheffield United's unwanted Premier League record of 17. If Wolves can recreate the performance against lesser sides - and more importantly take their chances - then…...

51+ min ago (659+ words) Arsenal have only failed to beat Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Sunderland this season in the Premier League. Facing Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea inside a week - a run any side would find an extreme test - and earning two wins and a battling draw cannot be considered anything other than a positive return but Arsenal may be left feeling they could have done even better. After superb performances in beating rivals Spurs before dispatching Bayern at the Emirates, Sunday's clash with Chelsea was always going to be difficult with recovery time limited. And preparations were further hit with key centre-back William Saliba ruled out with a knock picked up in training - the France international set for more tests. Given that context, a 1-1 draw secured through Mikel Merino's header to leave the Gunners five points clear at the top of the…...

1+ hour, 11+ min ago (1059+ words) Viking played in the Conference League qualifiers this season but did not reach the group stages Viking FK have wrapped up their first Norwegian league title in 34 years, sparking big celebrations in the city of Stavanger. Sunday's 5-1 home win over Valerenga on the final day of the season saw them finish one point above dethroned champions Bodo/Glimt, who beat Fredrikstad 5-0. It marked Viking's first league title since 1991 - having been in the second tier as recently as 2018. "A lot of people have been very nervous and excited about what's going on these days. I've never experienced it before," Lars Risan - a Viking fan and podcaster told BBC Radio 5 Live this week. The schoolteacher, who called for everyone to be given the day off on Monday if they won the title, added: "Hopefully it won't be the only time in their…...

1+ hour, 17+ min ago (397+ words) The former president-elect of the Oxford Union has said he "received threats of violence" after making comments appearing to celebrate Charlie Kirk's death. George Abaraonye lost a no-confidence vote following criticism for the comments he made on social media after the shooting of the US conservative activist. Mr Abaraonye, who became president-elect of the historic debating society after a vote earlier this year, has told LBC he accepted "fair criticism". However, he said it had been a "very difficult time" as he, his family and his friends had "received threats of violence". Mr Kirk, 31, was an ally of US President Donald Trump and co-founder and chief executive of the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA. He was shot dead at a Utah Valley University event in September, in what US authorities called a political assassination. On Saturday, Mr Abaraonye told…...

1+ hour, 18+ min ago (323+ words) Last season's beaten Scottish Cup finalists Celtic have been drawn away to West of Scotland League Premier Division side Auchinleck Talbot in the fourth round, while defending champions Aberdeen will start their defence at home against Championship side Raith Rovers. Jimmy Thelin's side beat Celtic on penalties at Hampden in May to win the cup for the first time since 1990. Sixth-tier Auchinleck beat League 2 Dumbarton 4-0 to reach the fourth round and they now welcome the 42-time Scottish Cup winners to Beechwood Park, which holds 4,000 people. Rangers host League 2 Annan Athletic, while there are three all-Premiership ties. Kilmarnock take on Dundee, Livingston face St Mirren and league-leaders Hearts welcome Falkirk to Tynecastle. Hibernian are away to Dunfermline, Dundee United host Ayr United, while Motherwell host Ross County. All fourth round ties will be played over the weekend of 17-18 January 2026. What has…...

1+ hour, 49+ min ago (177+ words) Fife Flyers inflicted a dramatic overtime win on visitors Cardiff Devils in the Elite League on Sunday. The hosts went ahead through Josh Winquist and after Kohen Olischefski levelled, Winquist put Flyers ahead for the second time. Cedric Lacroix equalised for Devils and it was left to Flyers' Keaton Jameson to settle the encounter after the third period ended level. Devils return to the ice in Cardiff on Saturday, 6 December against Belfast Giants (19:00 GMT) while Flyers are in action on the same day at Guildford Flames (18:00 GMT). Devils score seven in Flames thrashing Merino header earns Arsenal point at 10-man Chelsea Verstappen Qatar win takes title fight to final race 'Is this the start of Liverpool's life without Salah?' 'Bonds the embodiment of West Ham's spirit' The cutest snooker player has arrived! Two-year-old Jude walks out. VideoThe cutest snooker player…...

1+ hour, 52+ min ago (182+ words) A man has died after falling overboard from a vessel in the English Channel, police have said. Officers were informed by HM Coastguard that a man had been reported as having fallen from the vessel off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex, at 11:40 GMT, Sussex Police said. A body was recovered from the sea following a search led by the coastguard. The man has been identified, and his next-of-kin have been informed, the force added. "Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," a police spokesperson said. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing, they added. MP James MacCleary says the A259 has "a series of accident black spots all the way along it". Two-year-old Whisp was brought 30m back to safety after a rescue operation in Shetland. The 16-year-old, from Newhaven, died after being stabbed outside Seaford train station in September....