National News

A Eurovision-themed theatre show created by and for care home residents is touring in Liverpool to provide “meaningful therapeutic engagement” for people living with dementia and other neurological diseases. Nwoko Arts, a theatre company based in Liverpool, visited 25 care homes to interview its residents about the themes of Eurovision, their memories of the mid-20th century and their thoughts on the war in Ukraine, to create the show ‘Songs for

Home Secretary Suella Braverman was advised to scrap plans to house asylum seekers at a former RAF base, it has been reported. According to an email reportedly seen by the BBC in February, a senior Home Office official advised the home secretary to stop work at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, warning of “significant challenges to progress”. The email from the Resettlement, Asylum Support and Integration Directorate, which formed part of

Captain Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool have to use the variety of goalscoring options they have available to their advantage next season. The return to fitness of Luis Diaz in recent weeks means manager Jurgen Klopp can now choose between five of his six first-choice forwards (the departing Roberto Firmino is injured). That has contributed to an upturn in form which has brought six successive victories and pushed them into unlikely contention for the

Dolly Parton took centre stage at the 2023 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards as she co-hosted the star-studded event alongside Garth Brooks. The Jolene singer, known for her energetic and gregarious nature, made several eye-catching outfit changes throughout the night. The 77-year-old American country music veteran set the bar high for herself as she arrived in a dazzling long-sleeve pewter jumpsuit at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. It

Pakistani authorities have cracked down on supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan, detaining hundreds in overnight raids and sending troops across the country to rein in violence that followed his arrest earlier this week. Clashes with police since Mr Khan’s dramatic arrest on Tuesday have killed at least eight of his supporters and dozens have been injured. Five of the deaths were reported in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, two in the eastern city

The last Irish act to qualify for the grand final of Eurovision has called for the country to follow in the footsteps of the UK in “mixing up” its strategy. Despite Ireland’s record seven wins at the contest, it has failed to qualify for the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy entered with his song Together in 2018. On Tuesday night, Wild Youth became the latest act to see their hopes dashed

Ukrainians will have the “best chance to defend themselves” after the UK’s donation of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the Defence Secretary has said. Ben Wallace confirmed that he and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had agreed to authorise the donation after continued Russian attacks on Ukraine. He told the House of Commons: “Today I can confirm that the UK is donating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. “Storm Shadow is a long-range,

TikTok does not want to compete with the BBC at Eurovision but instead “complement” and drive viewers towards its grand final coverage, a manager has said. The social media platform has partnered with contest organiser the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC for the event in Liverpool, with busker pop-ups around the city, special coverage and gigs. James Stafford, TikTok’s general manager of marketing and operations for the UK, Ireland and Nordics,

Britain’s interest rates are expected to rise to the highest level since 2008. According to economists and the financial markets, the base rate will rise for the 12th consecutive time as inflation continues to soar. Policymakers at the Bank of England are expected to raise interests from 4.25% to 4.5% on Thursday, representing a 0.25 percentage point increase. The move will make it even more expensive to borrow, pushing banks