Ajay Nair, news reporter The wedding of the year is fast approaching - but who will be there to witness the happy couple tie the knot on Saturday? Meghan Markle confirmed on Thursday that her father, Thomas Markle, would not be in attendance and would be left to "focus on his health" instead. The guest list has been open to much speculation, but a host of celebrities are expected and about 600 people have been invited to the ceremony. Additionally, 2,640 people have been invited to celebrate inside the castle walls even though they will not be part of the congregation. Advertisement They will, however, receive a sausage roll and a cup of tea. The guest list includes 1,200 young people and others who have served their communities, 200 people from charities and organisations that the couple have a close association with, and 100 pupils from two local schools. More from Royal Wedding 2018 Royal wedding: Follow along with the full order of … [Read more...] about Who’s going to Harry and Meghan’s wedding?
Approaching the unknown
BBC must end threat of prosecuting over 75s for not paying licence fee, say peers
THE BBC must end the threat of prosecuting over 75s for not paying their licence fee for good, a cross-party group of 28 peers told the corporation’s boss. The threats by TV Licensing has created unacceptable stress among Britain’s eldest citizens which Beeb big wig Tim Davie must solve, they added. It comes as culture minister John Whittingdale today faces MPs questions over the Government’s approach to the TV licence fee. The letter said: “There is no moral justification for sending waves of threatening letters to people like 96 year old Frank Ashleigh who served this country by landing a glider behind enemy lines in Arnhem in 1944. “The BBC has many friends who want it to survive but the treatment of the over 75s is undermining that goodwill.” The peers insisted much more needs to be done in order to mitigate the stress to the elderly, including a pledge to never prosecute any over 75s for a licence fee . And they rejected any ideas of means testing. … [Read more...] about BBC must end threat of prosecuting over 75s for not paying licence fee, say peers
How Man Utd women became a top four side in just TWO years with England legend Casey Stoney at the helm
MANCHESTER UNITED have come a long way since dreaming of Women’s Super League stardom when the club was built from scratch just TWO years ago. The Red Devils have enjoyed a meteoric rise – becoming the fourth best side in England in just their first top-flight season and attracting some of the biggest names in the game. Former England and Arsenal legend Casey Stoney, 38, has been at the helm of the club since it was reformed in 2018 after a 13-year hiatus. ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford She had just four weeks before pre-season to build a whole team, recruit her backroom staff and attract 21 players. But it didn’t take her long to capture the imagination of the fans and her squad when the club stormed to the Championship title in the 2018/19 season, with 18 wins in 20 games. United ace Lucy Staniforth, who played for Birmingham at the time, saw her ex-teammate and pal win the hearts and minds of Manchester in … [Read more...] about How Man Utd women became a top four side in just TWO years with England legend Casey Stoney at the helm
Covid Brazil variant sparks desperate race to find mystery Brit – how case got lost
A desperate race has been launched to find a mystery Brit with a dangerous mutant strain of coronavirus first found in Brazil. The government says “every effort is underway” to find the person - who may not know they are positive or be in isolation. The case of the P.1 variant is one of six that were detected on or around Friday - three in England, and three in Scotland. The other five either flew into the UK from Brazil, or live with someone who did. But the unknown case raises the threat that the variant - which may spread more easily or resist the vaccine - is “loose” in our society and already spreading. With genome sequencing taking about 10 days, how the government responds to this crisis will be crucial for our future. And the case has already raised questions about hotel quarantine - given the known sufferers flew into Britain before the long-delayed policy took effect. So how did the case go missing, what do we know about it, and what can you do to help? How … [Read more...] about Covid Brazil variant sparks desperate race to find mystery Brit – how case got lost
Antiques Roadshow viewers disgusted as mourning ring still contains human hair
Antiques Roadshow viewers were disgusted after a mourning ring that had been taken along to be valued, was shown to still contain human hair. The unusual piece of jewellery commemorates the life of someone who has passed and the owner was looking to have it reunited with the family of the deceased. It was thought to have been from around 1787 and it had the name Anne Gratton engraved inside. While this seemed a noble act, in trying to track down her family today, viewers were only concerned about one thing - that the ring still contained human hair. This fact quickly grossed out those watching at home and they took to Twitter in droves to share their horror. One viewer tweeted: "Nah, nuh huh, hair in the ring. Nope" Another added: "EW! Human hair? That’s gross" A third joked that the family might not be so keen to be reunited with the ring: “Sentimental value to that ring?? Here’s a lock of hair from some deceased relative of your great-great-great-great-great … [Read more...] about Antiques Roadshow viewers disgusted as mourning ring still contains human hair