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One of Europe’s largest music and poetry festivals gets under way on Saturday – the National Eisteddfod.

The annual event takes place during the first week of August and is described as a “celebration” of Wales‘s culture and language.

While the eight-day event is the largest Eisteddfod in Wales, smaller versions are held in schools and communities, mainly in Wales, throughout the year.

The site on which the National Eisteddfod takes place is known as the “maes” and that changes from year to year, generally alternating between an area of North Wales and South Wales.

A celebration of the Welsh language, about 150,000 visitors attend each year.

Competitions traditionally form the basis of the Eisteddfod, with more than 6,000 competitors each year.

The National Eisteddfod was held in Tregaron, Ceredigion in 2022
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The National Eisteddfod was held in Tregaron, Ceredigion last year

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Some Welsh words to learn

The maes itself has become an attraction in itself with over 250 stalls and trade stands as well as hundreds of events and activities.

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The history of the Eisteddfod in Wales dates back to 1176, while the modern version dates back to 1861.

It’s been held every year other than 1914 when it was postponed due to the outbreak of the First World War and in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.

Highlights of the week include the chairing and crowning of the bards.

The prestigious awards are given to the winning competitors in poetry competitions.

The next Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in head gear at his induction as a Druid, during a ceremony at the Eisteddfod near St David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Pic date: 5 August 2002
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Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams,was invested to the Gorsedd in 2002

In 1917, the pseudonym of the victor was called out three times by the archdruid but no one stood up.

The poet, known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn, had been killed in battle six weeks earlier.

The 1917 Eisteddfod has since been known as “Eisteddfod y Gadair Ddu” (Eisteddfod of the Black Chair).

The ceremony involves “Dawns y Blodau” (dance of the flowers) and involves members of the Gorsedd of the Bards.

The Gorsedd is a society of people who have made a significant contribution to the Welsh language or public life in Wales, such as poets, writers and musicians.

Members include First Minister Mark Drakeford, and former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (seen behind, in the green robes of a bard) walk to the pavilion of the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales at Sophia Gardens Field, Cardiff.  Pic date: 5 August 1960
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk to the pavilion at the 1960 National Eisteddfod

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Queen Elizabeth II was invested into the Gorsedd in 1946 but in 2019 the archdruid confirmed she was no longer a member as members have had to speak Welsh since 2006.

The Gorsedd is a separate organisation to the Eisteddfod and was not actually created in Wales but in Primrose Hill, London, in 1792.

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M4 and M48 closed after human remains found

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M4 and M48 closed after human remains found

Two motorways have been shut after human remains were found on the road. 

Several drivers reported a body on the carriageway between junctions 20 and 21 of the M4 – between Almondsbury and Awkley – at about 6.40pm this evening.

The body is believed to be that of a man in his forties, whose next of kin have been told.

A police investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues.

Parts of the M4 and M48 motorways near Bristol are likely to remain closed until the early hours of Sunday morning, Avon and Somerset Police said.

In a statement, the force said: “Police are keen to hear from anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 has any relevant information or dashcam footage.”

The road closures were likely to cause significant delays in and out of Wales tonight, with closures starting on the English side of the Prince of Wales Bridge and the Severn Bridge.

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National Highways said the M4 is shut in both directions between junctions 20 and 21, while the M48 eastbound is closed from junction 1 near Aust.

The links from the M5 junction 15 south to the M4 junction 20 west, and the M5 junction 16 north to M4 junction 20 west were also closed.

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Starmer asks US to stand by Ukraine with security guarantee as bad peace deal would be ‘disaster’ for all

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Starmer asks US to stand by Ukraine with security guarantee as bad peace deal would be 'disaster' for all

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to stand by Ukraine with a security guarantee as he warned a bad peace deal would be a “disaster for everyone”.

The prime minister is due to meet the US president for talks in Washington DC next week amid fragile relations between America and Europe after Mr Trump launched a verbal attack on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The US president called Ukraine’s leader a “dictator” on Wednesday and later said Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom will visit the White House in the coming days, “haven’t done anything” to end the war.

Sir Keir Starmer leaves after a meeting in Paris with European leaders on Ukraine on 17 February. Pic: Reuters
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Sir Keir Starmer met with European leaders in Paris on Monday to discuss Ukraine. Pic: Reuters

Sir Keir said a good peace “can only be won through strength” and Ukraine “must have a voice in negotiations about its future”.

And he warned that a “peace deal which does not stop Putin from attacking again would be a disaster for everyone”.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said Kyiv needs strong security guarantees “so the peace will last” and America “must be part of that guarantee”.

This could mean providing air defence and a promise that the US will come to the aid of a NATO country if Russia attacks them, the paper reported.

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So far, talks aimed at ending the war have been taking place between US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia, which have not included the Ukrainians.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has said “any negotiations about Ukraine cannot happen without Ukraine. We all want the fighting to end, but an insecure peace risks more war”.

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‘Turn the screws’ on Russia

The third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is on Monday.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he will unveil new sanctions to “turn the screws” on Russia on Monday to coincide with the anniversary.

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Sir Keir also said the UK must increase its defence spending and play a bigger role in NATO.

And he is open to British troops playing a role in any European force in Ukraine after a peace agreement.

He added: “This is not something I say lightly.”

Sir Keir, along with other European allies and UK opposition parties, has backed Mr Zelensky as a “democratically elected leader”.

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Conflicting views over Ukraine deal

Also, Washington has warned that Europe must shoulder more of the cost of its own security.

Sir Keir is expected to use his upcoming trip to the US to confirm a timeline to raise UK defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in a bid to ease tensions.

It comes amid pressure from defence chiefs and opposition critics including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who wrote to the prime minister on Saturday demanding he set out a plan for meeting the target.

:: Education secretary Bridget Phillipson, campaigner for global health and education Sarah Brown, and shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge will be discussing all the latest political stories in the UK and around the world on the Trevor Phillips on Sunday show on Sky News from 8.30am

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Girl, 3, dies after tram and van crash in Manchester city centre

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Girl, 3, dies after tram and van crash in Manchester city centre

A three-year-old girl has died after a collision between a tram and a van in Manchester city centre.

The girl was taken to hospital but died from her injuries, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

“No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing,” the force said.

The child was a pedestrian and was not travelling in either the tram or van, GMP said.

The fatal collision happened on Mosley Street shortly before 10am, a Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) spokesperson said.

“All of our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. We are supporting police with their investigation,” a statement said.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and two air ambulance crews attended the scene.

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TfGM said there was continued disruption across the Metrolink after the incident and advised people to check the Bee Network website and app for the latest travel information.

Manchester‘s Bee Network said: “Due to a road traffic collision on Mosley Street in the city centre, no tram services are operating between St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens.”

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An X post from GMP’s traffic officers said: “Our officers are currently in attendance at a collision, involving a tram and another vehicle in Manchester city centre.

“We are presently trying to establish the circumstances however we envisage there will be a lengthy closure of surrounding streets near to St Peters Square.”

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