Local News

Education Minister Robert Halfon has resigned from government, confirming he will be the 63rd Conservative MP to stand down at the next election. The MP for Harlow, who has been in parliament since 2010, said "political life, while fulfilling, has its ups and downs", and he felt it was "time for me to step down". Politics live: Two ministers join growing Tory exodusQuoting the wizard Gandalf from Lord of the […]

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will have to wait to find out whether he can appeal over his extradition to the United States, as the High Court ruled he cannot immediately be extradited on espionage charges.A further hearing will now be held in May, two High Court judges said, unless the US can give further assurances about what will happen to him. American prosecutors allege the 52-year-old encouraged and helped US […]

Young people are learning about sex from online pornography because conventional sex education is "failing" them, MPs have said, amid a surge of sexually transmitted infections.The Women and Equalities Committee said that there is an "unacceptable risk of harm" from online information about sex and sexual health because of an "absence of authoritative advice". MPs said there is "compelling evidence that relationships and sex education is failing young people" and […]

Andy Murray faces an "extended" period on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury at the Miami Open.The two-time former Wimbledon champion hurt his ankle toward the end of a marathon match with Czech player Tomas Machac at the Miami Open, which he lost. The injury could mean he will not play at Wimbledon in July.Murray managed to finish the third-round match against Machac but said he would visit […]

The Duchess of York has said she is "full of admiration" for the Princess of Wales after the future queen announced she is being treated for cancer, adding: "I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal."Sarah Ferguson, who was married to Prince Andrew and had daughters Beatrice and Eugenie with him, has made the remarks after Kate revealed her diagnosis in a video message […]

A total solar eclipse will be dazzling us Earthlings on 8 April in what's been described as "our planet's greatest spectacle".The perfect alignment of Earth, the sun and the moon will be seen again on 8 April - but where exactly will it be spotted from, can I watch it in the UK and what makes this solar eclipse particularly special? Who will see it and when?The US, Mexico and […]

Britons have been warned of long delays on their Easter getaways, with more than 14 million journeys expected on the roads and engineering works set to disrupt rail services.The RAC warned that journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as usual, as the bank holiday weekend leads into a two-week holiday for many schools. Trains are also set to be stopped as Network Rail carries out engineering works […]

The prime minister will herald the "next generation" in the UK's nuclear industry as he unveils new investment to create jobs and boost skills.Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria will get £20m of public money to start with and £180m a year over the next decade. The town is where four new Dreadnought-class submarines - designed to carry Trident nuclear missiles - are being built.It's also home to the Royal Navy's Astute-class subs.Firms […]

The King is "frustrated" about the speed of his cancer recovery and is "pushing" staff and doctors to be able to return to duties, according to his nephew, Peter Phillips.However, Mr Phillips - the son of Princess Anne, the Princess Royal - says the monarch is in "good spirits" and remains "pragmatic". He made the comments during a trip to Australia where he took part in a rare televised interview, […]