[ad_1] The state visit to the UK by the emperor and empress of Japan will go ahead later this month, says Buckingham Palace.There had been speculation it would be postponed because of the general election on 4 July.The visit, from 25 to 27 June, will include traditional highlights such as a state banquet hosted by the King and a carriage parade along the Mall.It will be the first state visit
[ad_1] 2 hours agoGeoff Maskell,BBC News NISweeney familyMaureen Sweeney's weather report helped sway Eisenhower's decision to delay D-DayAs a young woman growing up in County Kerry, Maureen Flavin Sweeney dreamed of moving to the United States.Belmullet in County Mayo, on the Atlantic coast of Ireland, was as far west as she got. There she married a lighthouse keeper, raised a family and on 4 June 1944 made a weather report
[ad_1] PAAnas Sarwar, John Swinney, Douglas Ross and Alex Cole-Hamilton took part in the STV debate in Glasgow Scottish political leaders have gone head to head over the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry in the first debate of the general election.First minister and SNP leader John Swinney warned a failure to deliver a "just transition" could create an "industrial wasteland" in north east Scotland - but
[ad_1] 1 hour agoJennifer McKiernan,Political reporter, BBC News, @_JennyMcKiernanPA MediaThe Liberal Democrats say free personal care would be offered to older or disabled people at home, if they were the government.Leader Sir Ed Davey says this pledge, plus raising care workers' pay, would end the hospital crisis and help people stay in their own homes.Plans would be funded by reversing tax cuts given to big banks by the Conservatives, he
[ad_1] Just nowBethan Lewis,BBC Wales education and family correspondentGettyThe Welsh government has shelved its plans for a shorter summer holiday Plans to cut the school summer holiday have been shelved until after the next Welsh Parliament election.Education Secretary Lynne Neagle said schools needed time to work on other major improvements.She said "opinion was hugely divided" on the changes, which had been strongly opposed by teaching unions, as well as organisers
[ad_1] Rob Burrow: The rugby legend's final messageA final message from rugby league legend and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaigner Rob Burrow urges people not to "waste a moment" of their lives.The speech was recorded for BBC documentary There’s Only One Rob Burrow, with the former Leeds Rhinos star asking for it to be shared after his death.Burrow, who died on Sunday aged 41, said he hoped there would one
[ad_1] An inspirational final message from Rob Burrow has been released as part of a new BBC documentary. "In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream," he says in the video. The Rugby League legend recorded the message, to be used only after his death, especially for There’s Only One Rob Burrow. Rob was involved in the making of the programme and had viewed it before
[ad_1] 11 minutes agoMartin Heath and Laura Foster,BBC News, EssexReutersNigel Farage is putting himself forward to become an MP in Clacton, EssexPeople in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea have been giving their verdict on the news that Nigel Farage will be fighting to become their MP for Reform UK.The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader insisted two weeks ago that he would not be standing in the upcoming general election,
[ad_1] A man burgled a pensioner who was lying in her garden with a suspected broken hip and shouting for help, a court has heard. Patrick Doyle, 37, of North Hill Road, North Hill, Swansea, responded to the 77-year-old woman's cries for help but took advantage or her and her neighbour. While the neighbour was helping her friend, Doyle rifled through both their houses for things to steal.Doyle admitted two
[ad_1] The government has told the High Court that it has delayed the possible start of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda - casting further doubt on the timetable for the policy. Lawyers for the home secretary today confirmed to a senior judge that there would be no flight before 24 July - almost three weeks after the general election.The confirmation comes after weeks of pressure from a judge who
