National News

George RR Martin has revealed that the newly announced Game Of Thrones prequel series will “most likely” consist of six episodes. The American author, who is behind the fantasy book series A Song Of Ice And Fire which was turned into the hit HBO series about feuding noble families, wrote in a blog post that the new adaptation will be based on his novella The Hedge Knight. The book is

Great Britain’s hopes of making the Billie Jean King Cup Finals ended with another battling defeat for Harriet Dart against Caroline Garcia, sealing victory for France. The visitors went into the second day at the Coventry Building Society Arena in full control after the narrowest of wins on Friday for Garcia against Katie Boulter and Alize Cornet over Dart. Having needed nearly three-and-a-half hours to battle her way past Boulter,

Three people were arrested in connection with potential co-ordinated disruption at Aintree Racecourse as animal rights activists gathered outside the track before the Grand National Festival’s final day. A 33-year-old woman from the London area was arrested in the Greater Manchester area on Saturday morning on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, Merseyside Police said. A 25-year-old woman from London and a man were arrested outside the racecourse later

A killer has absconded while on escorted leave from a secure hospital in west London. Mosa Jamal Abid stabbed his cousin, Moamen Settar, to death in 2016 and was sentenced under the Mental Health Act two years later after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The 26-year-old “can be violent” and should not be approached by the public if seen, the Metropolitan Police said. Abid also

Dame Judi Dench reads from William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 in a trailer for the first festival from the Queen Consort’s literary charity. The one-day event at Hampton Court Palace will see The Queen’s Reading Room join forces with The Royal Society of Literature with a line-up featuring Dame Harriet Walter, Philippa Gregory, Kate Mosse and more. The one-minute trailer features Dame Judi, who will also appear in conversation with Gyles

The US president is heading back to America after a four-day trip to the island of Ireland US president Joe Biden’s historic tour of Ireland ended with an emotional day during which he spoke of his “fierce pride in our Irish ancestry”. Mr Biden made a passionate public speech in Ballina, Co Mayo, on Friday evening in front of a crowd of thousands – where he described the relationship between

Members of the RCN will walkout for 48 hours Nurses will stage fresh strikes over the first May bank holiday, with staff in emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care set to take industrial action for the first time. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced on Friday that its members will walk out for 48 hours from 8pm on April 30 after rejecting the Government’s pay offer. The

Merseyside Police said they have a “robust policing plan in place” Animal Rising activists plan to scale the fences and enter the track of Aintree Racecourse before the Grand National race begins on Saturday. The climate and animal rights group said up to 300 activists will attend the venue from 9.30am where they intend to prevent the race from starting. They will also block traffic by performing a slow march along Ormskirk Road,

It will take place at Windsor Castle on the evening of Sunday 7th May Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are among the musical stars who will perform at the Coronation Concert to celebrate the crowning of the King and Queen Consort, the BBC has announced. The line-up will also include Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, with more