25+ min ago (854+ words) The Irish Government needs to "step up" and establish mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles "at pace", a new report from MPs has said. The cross-party Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has published the report which it said highlights concerns from victims and veterans over new Westminster legislation aimed at addressing legacy issues. The UK and Irish governments unveiled their new legacy framework in September. As part of that, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is expected to reach committee stage at Westminster in the coming weeks. The framework also included a commitment from the Irish Government for the "fullest possible" co-operation with the new'legacy'commission and the creation of a dedicated'legacy'unit within the Irish police force, An Garda Siochana. The NIAC report said it welcomed the commitment on co-operation over legacy by the two governments. It added:…...

25+ min ago (309+ words) The Post Office has urged people to organise sending their parcels ahead of the expected busiest day at its branches on December 8. Britons are planning on sending more gifts this Christmas compared to last year " up from 20% to 33%, according to a survey for the Post Office. The poll found that 34% of Britons consider sending Christmas parcels and cards to be an important festive tradition. However, just 33% plan to post their gifts and cards by early to mid-December, while 8% admit to sending everything in the week leading up to Christmas. Post Office branches can be used to collect or drop off prepaid parcels, not only with Royal Mail and Parcelforce, but Amazon, DPD, DHL and Evri in selected branches as well. Post Office mails and parcels director Candice Ohandjanian said: "This Christmas is shaping up to be one of the busiest…...

25+ min ago (734+ words) Geologists have been given a "one-of-a-kind" window into Scotland's geological past as they analyse core rock drilled from the Great Glen Fault during investigations for a hydro-storage scheme. The Great Glen Fault is the largest geological fault structure in the UK at more than 1,000km long and 40km deep, stretching from Ireland through Scotland to Norway. Tremors and minor earthquakes are sometimes reported in the area, though rocks associated with the fault zone generally remain mostly hidden to the human eye by the waters of Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Deep drill core was extracted from beneath the Great Glen as part of investigations for a proposed SSE Renewables pumped hydro storage scheme at the Coire Glas site on the shores of Loch Lochy. Scientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS) were given the opportunity to study 10 metres of the…...

25+ min ago (529+ words) The National Gallery has unveiled a new piece of art which commemorates a Welsh quarry that housed the country's paintings during the Second World War. "Boxing Day bounce' expected to boost housing market William to champion Wales at investment summit Last-minute knee surgery cancellations "cost millions and ramp up waiting lists' The tablet, made from slate taken from North Wales, has inscriptions in both Welsh and English honouring Manod quarry in Eryri (Snowdonia). It reads "Daw'r llechen hon o chwarel Manod yng Ngogledd Cymru lle cafodd paentiadau'r Oriel Genedlaethol eu diogelu yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd" which translates to "This slate is from Manod quarry in North Wales where the National Gallery's paintings were protected during World War II". Following the outbreak of war, the National Gallery moved its art to'the Manod mine, with the whole collection rehomed by…...

46+ min ago (536+ words) Mikel Merino scored as Arsenal came from behind to earn a point at Chelsea. The Blues, who went down to 10 men in the first half after Moises Caicedo was sent off, took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah. Arsenal, however, were back on level terms in just over 10 minutes after Merino turned home Saka's cross. The point means that the Gunners are now five clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Made a couple of good saves to keep out efforts from Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. Beaten by a great header. The only one of Arsenal's back four that managed to avoid a booking. Solid as always. Handed a start in the absence of William Saliba, who picked up a knock in training. Grew into the game. Emerging as the main contender to start with Gabriel…...

59+ min ago (304+ words) Chelsea held league leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in a heated, top-of-the-table affair at Stamford Bridge. The Blues found themselves down to 10 men when Moises Caicedo was given his marching orders for a dangerous challenge on Mikel Merino in the first half, which the hosts had shaded. Referee Anthony Taylor was card-happy on a feisty afternoon in west London, and the first half was relatively low-key in terms of goalscoring opportunities. Robert Sanchez denied Bukayo Saka's low, right-footed drive early on, before getting down sharply to keep out Gabriel Martinelli. But it was Enzo Maresca's side that went ahead, as Trevoh Chalobah popped up at the near post to flick home Reece James' corner on 48 minutes, giving the home side something to cling onto. They weren't able to, however, as Merino rose highest at the far post to nod past…...

1+ hour ago (512+ words) Doctor Who star Alex Kingston has said it has been a "journey of a lifetime" to perform on Strictly Come Dancing. Kingston and professional dancer Johannes Radebe were eliminated from the BBC dancing competition series on Sunday night after losing the dance battle to actress Balvinder Sopal and professional dancer Julian Caillon. The actress shared a heartfelt post on her Instagram page following the results show, describing her time on the series as a "dream come true". She said: "If you had told me a year ago while in the midst of radiotherapy that a year later I'd be on strictly come dancing I wouldn't have believed you! "I'm so proud of everything Johannes and I have accomplished, and so grateful to my body for getting me this far. "It was always my dream to get to dance with Jo…...

1+ hour, 2+ min ago (261+ words) Lando Norris will take a 22-point lead over Oscar Piastri into Sunday's penultimate race of the Formula 1 season as he looks to clinch a maiden world title at the Qatar Grand Prix. Briton Norris will start from second on the grid at the Lusail International Circuit after being forced to abandon his final lap in qualifying following a mistake at the second corner, allowing McLaren team-mate and main title rival Piastri to snatch top spot. Earlier in the day, Australian Piastri had also won the sprint race to cut Norris' championship lead, with Max Verstappen dropping a point on Norris after finishing fourth. Norris and Piastri were both disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend for technical infringements, with Verstappen boosting his title hopes with victory. Norris will still win the drivers' title in Qatar with a round…...

1+ hour, 3+ min ago (579+ words) Scotland's First Minister is not being "fully candid" about engagement with the UK Government on housing asylum seekers in Inverness, the Scottish Secretary has said. Rachel Reeves defends Budget comments amid row over headroom Prince of Wales "moved by courage' of Gazan children brought to UK for treatment Cameron Barracks asylum seeker plans "made up on back of an envelope' " Swinney The Scottish Government has consistently said there was no consultation before the decision was announced to house 300 asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in the Highland city. The proposals caused concern on the council and in the Government before being postponed on Friday, with First Minister John Swinney telling the Press Association on Saturday that the plans had been drawn up "on the back of an envelope". Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Show, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Highland Council,…...

1+ hour, 16+ min ago (888+ words) Lando Norris' bid to become champion of the world will go to a season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend after Max Verstappen cashed in on a calamitous McLaren strategy decision to win the Qatar Grand Prix. Norris, who finished only fourth, will head to the concluding round just 12 points ahead of Verstappen with Oscar Piastri, runner-up to the Red Bull driver under the lights on Sunday, 16 points adrift with 25 left to play for. McLaren were in control of the 57-lap contest, despite Norris dropping from second to third behind Verstappen at the start. Piastri led, but both he and Norris were told not to pit when a safety car was deployed on the seventh lap after Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly collided. Of the other 18 drivers, only Haas' Esteban Ocon elected not to stop for new tyres with two…...