HERE are some of today's national news headlines.

Hospitals cancelling 'unprotected' cancer operations - RCS president


A "large number" of hospitals are cancelling cancer operations this winter, the president of the Royal College of Surgeons has said, revealing the extent of the NHS crisis.

Clare Marx said cancer surgery was no longer protected in the health service and hospitals had been cancelling operations since the beginning of the year.

She told the Observer : "Historically, they have been protected due to their urgent nature.

"However, feedback from our members suggests that since the start of January, a large number of hospitals across the UK are now cancelling cancer surgery. It is increasingly clear that no part of the system and no patient is immune from the pressure the NHS is experiencing."

May urges end to deuding as she sets out negotiating strategy


Theresa May will appeal to Leavers and Remainers to put a stop to their bitter feuding as she lays out her strategy for negotiating Britain's departure from the European Union.

The prime minister is expected to give the most detailed insight yet into her approach to the forthcoming talks with Brussels in a major set-piece speech on Tuesday.

Downing Street refused to be drawn on reports that she will set out plans for a "hard Brexit" - pulling of the single market and the European customs union in order to regain control of immigration and end the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

MPs to launch inquiry into planned multi-billion pound Palace of Westminster overhaul


MPs are to launch an inquiry into the planned multi-billion overhaul of the crumbling Palace of Westminster amid concerns about the huge costs.

The chairman of the Commons Treasury Committee Andrew Tyrie said that insufficient evidence had been produced to justify the restoration plan, which could cost up to £4 billion.

Under the proposals set out in a feasibility report by experts, including consultants Deloitte, MPs and peers would have to move out of their familiar home while the work - expected to last five to eight years - is carried out.

Social media heads could face Commons 'fake news' probe


Social media bosses could be questioned over whether they are doing enough to stop "fake news".

The Commons Culture Committee is said to be on the verge of summoning the chiefs of Facebook, Twitter and Google to Parliament for an inquiry into the phenomenon, the Sunday Telegraph said.

It is thought to be discussing launching a formal inquiry internally and could begin holding sessions by the beginning of the summer.

Prince Charles writes book on climate change


The Prince of Wales has penned a Ladybird book on climate change, a co-author has revealed.

Charles, a vocal critic of man-made climate change, has taken on the challenges and possible solutions in the book aimed at adults, according to reports.

He wrote the book with Tony Juniper, a former Friends of the Earth director, and Emily Shuckburgh, a Cambridge University climate scientist.

Bowie nominated for posthumous Brit Awards


David Bowie has been nominated for two posthumous Brit Awards, a year after his death.

He will go up against Craig David, Michael Kiwanuka and Skepta for the British male solo artist prize, while his record Blackstar , released two days before he died of cancer on January 10 2016, has been shortlisted for the MasterCard British Album of the Year.

It will compete against Skepta's Mercury Prize-winning album Konnichiwa , The 1975's I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It , Kano's Made In The Manor and Michael Kiwanuka's Love & Hate .

Fury as Trump unleashes Twitter attack on civil rights legend


Donald Trump has sparked fury after tearing into renowned civil rights leader John Lewis for questioning the legitimacy of the Republican billionaire's White House victory.

Mr Trump's Twitter outburst has intensified a feud with the black congressman days before the national holiday honouring Martin Luther King.

Trump tweeted that Georgia Democrat Mr Lewis "should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results".