National News & Announcements

A 250-mile (400 km) fundraising desert trek by wounded ex-service personnel has been launched by Prince Harry. The Walk of Oman will see a team tow a provisions cart weighing 660lb (300kg) across the dunes of the Empty Quarter. The Duke of Sussex has been a patron of organising charity Walking with the Wounded since it was founded in 2010. He accompanied previous walks to the North and South Poles and in the UK but it is not yet known if he will join the three-week trek in November. The charity supports former members of the British armed forces to regain independence through employment.

The last surviving Battle of Britain ace pilot from World War Two has died aged 101. Wing Cdr Paul Farnes was among the 3,000 airmen - The Few - who defended England's skies in 1940. He died at his home in Hampshire on Tuesday morning, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said. Paying tribute, it described him as "distinguished man - who was generous with his time in support of the trust". The trust added Wing Cdr Farnes was the last member of The Few fit enough to be able to attend the aerial conflict's memorial day in 2019.

A new railcard for British military veterans is to be launched on Armistice Day. Due to be made available from 11 November, it will extend cheaper train travel to more than 830,000 veterans who do not qualify for existing discounts. The railcard will cost £21 for an introductory period, before the price is increased to £30. Holders will be able to save a third off most train tickets, although certain restrictions will apply.

Too many military personnel live in poor quality housing - despite the Ministry of Defence spending £135m on refurbishments, a watchdog has said. A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report warned that without improvements the military risked undermining morale and losing highly skilled individuals. It said satisfaction "only rose slightly", despite the MoD refurbishing around 3,800 homes.