General news

• Snap regional elections in Spain as anti-austerity party Podemos leads polls

  25-01-2015 23:56
  
  After Greece’s elections, a new European front between traditional parties and their anti-austerity challengers is set to open on Monday when the Andalusian Socialist premier Susana Diaz is all but certain to make a call for snap regional elections for 22 March.
  
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• Greek election to raise European economic uncertainty - Cameron

  25-01-2015 23:55
  
  LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron warned on Sunday that the Greek election would raise economic uncertainty across Europe, saying it meant his country had to stick to his plan for Britain's own economy. "The Greek election will increase economic uncertainty across Europe. That's why the UK must stick to our plan, delivering security at home," Cameron said on his official Twitter feed. ...
  
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• Hoax caller put through to David Cameron's phone after claiming to be GCHQ chief

  25-01-2015 23:53 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  A HOAX caller was put through to David Cameron's mobile phone after claiming to be the head of GCHQ.
  
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• Homeless Veterans appeal: How your mobile phone can help the homeless

  25-01-2015 23:51
  
  A unique service which encourages members of the public to report rough sleepers using their mobile phones so they can be helped by local councils is poised to expand into Wales and Scotland.
  
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• Syriza’s historic win puts Greece on collision course with Europe

  25-01-2015 23:44
  
  Greek voters reject EU austerity for radical alternative of far-left party, which falls just short of an overall majorityEuropean politics has been plunged into a volatile new era following a historic victory in Greece’s general election by far-left radicals committed to ending years of austerity.More than five years into the euro crisis that started in Greece in October 2009 and raised questions about the single currency’s survival, Greek voters roundly rejected the savage spending cuts and
  
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• Hoax caller impersonating spy chief put through to UK PM Cameron

  25-01-2015 23:32
  LONDON (Reuters) - The British government said it was reviewing security procedures after a hoax caller claiming to be the director of Britain's GCHQ eavesdropping agency was put through to Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday.
  
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• Jessica Ennis-Hill ready for fight to recapture greatness

  25-01-2015 23:30
  
  • Ennis-Hill has the desire, says British Athletics’ Neil Black
  • Olympic heptathlon champion preparing for comeback
  • Ennis-Hill aims to defend gold at Rio 2016Jessica Ennis-Hill is confident she can recapture her greatness as she prepares to return to competitive action after the birth of her first child, according to the British Athletics performance director, Neil Black. But Black has admitted that it may take until 2016 before the Olympic heptathlon champion returns to her very
  
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• Army general says he is planning to come out: 'I'm gay, and plan to fight military homophobia'

  25-01-2015 23:29
  
  A married Army general has said he is planning to come out as gay to highlight what he claims is continuing widespread homophobic discrimination in the armed forces.
  
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• Tsipras declares end to 'vicious cycle of austerity' after Syriza wins Greek election – live updates

  25-01-2015 23:20
  
  Official projection puts Syriza just short of outright majority Syriza says ‘hope has won’Result could plunge Europe deeper into crisisPM Antonis Samaras congratulates Alexis Tsipras on Syriza’s victory
  GuardianWitness: your hopes and fears for the future of GreeceGuardian briefing on the Greek election
  10.20pm GMT Here’s a preview of the Guardian’s front page on Syriza’s win.Guardian front page, Monday 26 January 2015: Syriza’s historic win puts Greece on collision course with Eu
  
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• Paris attacks: Do not call Charlie Hebdo killers 'terrorists', says head of BBC Arabic Tarik Kafala

  25-01-2015 23:17
  
  The Islamists who committed the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris should be not be described as “terrorists” by the BBC, a senior executive at the corporation has said.
  
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• WikiLeaks demands answers after Google hands staff emails to US government

  25-01-2015 23:06
  
  Search giant gave FBI emails and digital data belonging to three staffersWikiLeaks told last month of warrants which were served in March 2012 Google took almost three years to disclose to the open information group WikiLeaks that it had handed over emails and other digital data belonging to three of its staffers to the US government, under a secret search warrant issued by a federal judge.WikiLeaks has written to Google’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, to protest that the search giant only
  
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• Premier League given a grim warning by the FA Cup fairytales

  25-01-2015 22:58
  
  Deloitte’s report showed the Premier League is the richest in the world. So shouldn’t its teams be doing better in the FA Cup and in European competitions?
  • Deloitte reveals world wealth rankings of football clubsIt was a weekend for football’s frog princes and ugly ducklings, when every fairytale seemed to come true. Bradford’s rags-over-riches comeback at Stamford Bridge provided the FA Cup with its greatest Cinderella story for years, but Middlesbrough’s surgical giant-slaying
  
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• New York storm: US east coast braces for 'potentially historic' blizzard

  25-01-2015 22:53
  
  A large part of the US east coast is preparing for a potentially historic blizzard that could reach from New York City to Maine and produce as much as two feet of snow
  
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• Paris Fashion Week: Skirting the issue for the stylish boys' brigade

  25-01-2015 22:52
  
  The focus of the past week has ostensibly been les hommes rather than les femmes – these are the autumn/winter 2015 menswear collections, after all – but there have frequently been crossovers.
  
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• Review into PM and GCHQ hoax calls

  25-01-2015 22:50
  
  A review of security procedures has been launched after a hoax caller pretending to be the director of the Government's eavesdropping agency was put through to David Cameron.
  
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• Policies for improving schools had ‘no effect’, finds parliamentary inquiry

  25-01-2015 22:47
  
  Committee says impact of coalition’s multibillion pound converter academy programme for raising performance in England is ‘inconclusive’The government’s flagship policies for improving schools – encouraging them to convert to academy status and establishing free schools – have had little or no effect, according to a major parliamentary inquiry to be published this week.On Wednesday, the House of Commons’ education committee is expected to offer an embarrassingly tepid verdict on th
  
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• Lord Ashdown criticised for offering himself as a voiceover artist

  25-01-2015 22:46
  
  Lord Ashdown has been criticised by some Liberal Democrat activists for offering himself as a voiceover artist – at a time when he is meant to be masterminding his party’s general election campaign.
  
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• Labour would expand 'crown jewels' to include World Cup and Euro football qualifiers

  25-01-2015 22:37
  
  England and Scotland qualifying matches for future World Cup and European Championship football tournaments could be broadcast on free-to-view channels, under Labour proposals to shake up UK broadcasting rights.
  
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• Hoax call put through to David Cameron from person claiming to be head of GCHQ

  25-01-2015 22:35
  
  A hoax caller was put through to David Cameron's phone after claiming to be the director of eavesdropping agency GCHQ.
  
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• New York shooting: Two reported dead in Home Depot after gunfire breaks out in crowded store

  25-01-2015 22:28
  
  Two people were killed – one of them the gunman – after shots rang out in a home supplies store in the centre of New York
  
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• David Cameron is close to joining TV election debates, according to Grant Shapps

  25-01-2015 22:10
  
  David Cameron is inching towards taking part in proposed live television debates in the run-up to the general election, the Conservative Party chairman, Grant Shapps, has indicated.
  
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• Hoax GCHQ caller put through to David Cameron’s phone

  25-01-2015 21:55
  
  Downing Street confirms prime minister ended the call after realising caller was falsely claiming to be UK intelligence directorSecurity procedures are being reviewed at Downing Street after a hoax caller pretending to be the head of GCHQ managed to get through to David Cameron on Sunday.Cameron spoke to the imposter, who was claiming to be the GCHQ director, Robert Hannigan, but ended the call when he realised he was being tricked. Continue reading...
  
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• Hoax Caller Put Through To Prime Minister

  25-01-2015 21:54
  
  Security procedures are under review after a hoax caller was put through to David Cameron claiming to be the director of GCHQ. A review into the breach is underway at both Number 10 and GCHQ, where a mobile phone number for director Robert Hannigan was disclosed to the caller. A Government spokesman said: "Following two hoax calls to Government departments today, a notice has gone out to all departments to be on the alert for such calls. "In the first instance, a call was made to GCHQ
  
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• Arsène Wenger remains wary despite Arsenal’s FA Cup victory at Brighton

  25-01-2015 21:49
  
  • Cup holders Arsenal avoid giantkilling with 3-2 win at Brighton
  • Arsène Wenger says his team must keep focus to retain trophyArsène Wenger says Saturday’s FA Cup giantkilling spree makes him reluctant to declare Arsenal favourites to win the trophy this season. His team’s 3-2 victory at Brighton on Sunday made the holders the highest-placed Premier League team to reach the fifth round but the shock eliminations of Chelsea and Manchester City, plus Manchester United and Liver
  
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• Hoax caller put through to Cameron

  25-01-2015 21:45
  
  A hoax caller was put through to David Cameron's phone after claiming to be the director of eavesdropping agency GCHQ.
  
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• Greece elections: Syriza and EU on collision course after election win for left-wing party

  25-01-2015 21:41
  
  Greek voters have rebelled against the austerity programme imposed by Brussels and Berlin in return for loans to fund Greece’s massive debt. The radical left Syriza party, which promises better terms for Greece, won a decisive victory in the general election today and is close to winning an absolute majority in parliament.
  
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• Boko Haram Militants Killed in Attack on Nigerian City - Wall Street Journal

  25-01-2015 21:27 via wsj.com
  
  Wall Street Journal
  Boko Haram Militants Killed in Attack on Nigerian City
  Wall Street Journal
  ABUJA, Nigeria—At least 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were killed on Sunday as the militants attempted to penetrate the north eastern city of Maiduguri, a local vigilante and a military official said. The attack came a day after visiting President ...
  Nigeria Forces Save Maiduguri, Lose Other Town to Boko HaramBusinessweek
  Boko Haram Attack Threatens 'Hundreds of Thousands'ABC New
  
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• Syria crisis: Celebrities call on David Cameron to take more refugees as one young mother tells of torture by Assad regime

  25-01-2015 21:26
  The safety of a modest flat in the West Midlands and the care of a British midwife for the birth of her fifth child is a debt Nour knows she can never repay.
  
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• Kerry in Nigeria to warn against post election violence - Times of India

  25-01-2015 21:19 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Telegraph.co.uk
  Kerry in Nigeria to warn against post election violence
  Times of India
  LAGOS, Nigeria: In a rare high-level visit to Africa's most populous country, US secretary of state John Kerry on Sunday urged Nigeria's leading presidential candidates to refrain from fomenting violence after next month's vote, and he condemned savage ...
  Nigeria Forces Save Maiduguri, Lose Other Town to Boko HaramBusinessweek
  Boko Haram Attack Threatens 'Hundreds of Thousands'ABC Ne
  
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• Japan stunned by video claiming death of 1 of 2 IS hostages - Times of India

  25-01-2015 21:18 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  ABC Online
  Japan stunned by video claiming death of 1 of 2 IS hostages
  Times of India
  TOKYO: From the prime minister to ordinary people, Japanese were shocked Sunday at a video purportedly showing one of two Japanese hostages of the extremist Islamic State group had been killed. With attention focused on efforts to save the other ...
  Islamic State confirms execution of Japanese hostage Haruna YukawaABC Online
  Hostage's plea for life in Islamic State video puts pressure on Japanese PMIr
  
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• Egypt protests: At least 14 dead in unrest as country marks fourth anniversary of ... - ABC Online

  25-01-2015 21:17 via abc.net.au
  
  ABC Online
  Egypt protests: At least 14 dead in unrest as country marks fourth anniversary of ...
  ABC Online
  At least 14 people have been killed in unrest in Egypt as the country marks the fourth anniversary of its 2011 uprising that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak. Authorities had tightened security in Cairo and other cities after Islamists called for protests against ...
  14 killed in pro-democracy protests in Egypt on 2011 uprising anniversaryThe Guardian
  Egypt launches massive security c
  
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• Andy Murray's vow to wear ''full kilt'' at wedding makes Kim Sears blush - Mirror.co.uk

  25-01-2015 21:15 via mirror.co.uk
  
  Mirror.co.uk
  Andy Murray's vow to wear ''full kilt'' at wedding makes Kim Sears blush
  Mirror.co.uk
  Tennis star Andy Murray today made fiancee Kim Sears a blushing bride-to-be by vowing to wear no pants under his kilt if he sports one on his wedding day. Kim, 27, shook her head, while mum Judy, 55, laughed when he made the quip in an interview after ...
  Andy Murray may 'freeball' at weddingSky News Australia
  Andy Murray hints he may sport a kilt with no underwear
  
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• Prince Philip and former Defence chief Angus Houston named as Australian knights

  25-01-2015 21:15
  
  Tony Abbott says the Duke of Edinburgh has served Australia with distinction throughout the Queen’s reignPrince Philip at 90: he does much good work, but all we remember are the gaffesThe Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, and the former Defence Force chief Angus Houston have been named as Australia’s next knights.In a statement issued on Monday, Tony Abbott said the Queen had accepted his recommendation that Prince Philip and Houston “be awarded Australia’s highest honour as Knights of t
  
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• Ukraine rebels launch new assaults after Mariupol bloodbath - Telegraph.co.uk

  25-01-2015 21:11 via telegraph.co.uk
  
  Telegraph.co.uk
  Ukraine rebels launch new assaults after Mariupol bloodbath
  Telegraph.co.uk
  Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine launched fresh assaults on government troops on Sunday, a day after a devastating rocket strike killed 30 civilians and injured almost 100. President Barack Obama promised to “ratchet up the pressure” on the Kremlin in ...
  Ukrainian militants blamed for attack on MariupolIrish Times
  With Ukraine Clashes Widening, Obama Vows More Pressure on RussiaBloomberg
  Rebe
  
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• Lolita the killer whale closer to freedom with inclusion on endangered list

  25-01-2015 21:10
  
  Decision could trigger a lawsuit by activists who want to fly the orca from Miami and prepare her for release into the wildLolita, a killer whale that has lived in a tank at Miami’s Seaquarium for 44 years, could move a step closer to freedom this week. After decades of campaigning, animal rights activists hope US officials will include the orca on a list of endangered whales that frequent the waters where she was captured, off Washington state. That decision could trigger a lawsuit by activis
  
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• Islamic State Confirms Execution of Japanese Hostage Haruna Yukawa - NDTV

  25-01-2015 21:08 via ndtv.com
  
  NDTV
  Islamic State Confirms Execution of Japanese Hostage Haruna Yukawa
  NDTV
  The video has a still picture of Mr Goto holding another picture, which seems to be of an executed Mr Yukawa. Beirut: The Islamic State group confirmed on Sunday its militants have executed Haruna Yukawa, one of two Japanese it has been holding hostage, ...
  Japan efforts to free remaining ISIS hostage continue in JordanCBC.ca
  Obama offers condolences over Islamic State hostageUSA TODAY
  Japan PM left 'speechles
  
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• Mesut Òzil and Theo Walcott return to put a spring in the step of Arsenal

  25-01-2015 21:08
  
  Arsène Wenger can justifiably look forward to the coming months with optimism as two of his key players scored on their return
  • Arsenal beat Brighton to progress in FA CupBy the time you read this certain Arsenal players may have already posted self-congratulatory photos online. Or maybe they will have deigned to wait for more significant triumphs – and this match can only have increased confidence of achieving such conquests. Better times lie ahead for Arsène Wenger’s team.How mu
  
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• American Sniper to hit $200m at US box office as debate rages on

  25-01-2015 21:02
  
  Clint Eastwood-directed film has sparked intense debate but is winning over American audiences and setting a record for a non-franchise movieAmerican Sniper, the controversial movie about the Iraq veteran Chris Kyle, was set to take more than $200m at the US box office by Sunday night, setting a record for a non-franchise movie.The film, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, was projected to make $65m in its second full week on wide release, according to trade analyst BoxOffice
  
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• Kevin Pietersen’s England hopes hit again as Surrey rule out return

  25-01-2015 21:00
  
  • Real prospect of no future involvement in English cricket
  • Pietersen described some on the county circuit as ‘muppets’
  • Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Stars reportKevin Pietersen’s hopes of playing Test cricket for England again have been handed another major blow after Surrey decided not to re-sign the controversial batsman.The county de-registered Pietersen just days before the release of his controversial autobiography last October. Now the Guardian understands Surrey have com
  
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• Greece election: Radical Syriza party heading for big win - BBC News

  25-01-2015 20:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News
  Greece election: Radical Syriza party heading for big win
  BBC News
  Anti-austerity left-wing party Syriza is heading for a substantial victory in Greece's general election, official projections say. The party is projected to win about 150 seats, just one short of an absolute majority, though officials say that number could change.
  Syriza set for Greek election victoryFinancial Times
  Greek election exit poll suggests radical left wing Syriza will winDaily Mail
  Greek Election: Syriza
  
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• Equatorial Guinea 2-0 Gabon: Africa Cup of Nations 2015 – as it happened

  25-01-2015 20:58
  
  Goals from Javier Balboa and Ivan Edu were enough to secure Equatorial Guinea’s 2-0 win over Gabon and their place in the next round
  7.58pm GMT Well, extraordinary scenes in Bata, as seemingly an entire country completely loses the thread. And why not? It’s a remarkable story, and while their progression does pose a number of questions about the tournament as a whole, we’ll leave those for now. What a game, what a story. Cheers for reading, see you all soon.
  7.55pm GMT The other game h
  
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• Leon Brittan sex abuse allegations: Two come forward to claim they were abused by former Home Secretary

  25-01-2015 20:55
  
  Leon Brittan was today accused of “multiple child rape” as detailed accusations of sex abuse were levelled against the late former Home Secretary for the first time.
  
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• 14 killed in pro-democracy protests in Egypt on 2011 uprising anniversary

  25-01-2015 20:55
  
  Police accused of shooting demonstrators in Cairo while trouble erupts in Alexandria as mourners bury victim of security forcesAt least 13 protesters and one policeman were killed across Egypt on Sunday as disparate groups of demonstrators gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of the country’s 2011 uprising.Policemen were accused of shooting dead several protesters in the suburbs of northern and western Cairo, in isolated areas known for their weekly Islamist demonstrations. Trouble also fla
  
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• Egypt: 15 killed in clashes between Islamists, police - Times of India

  25-01-2015 20:52 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  The Hindu
  Egypt: 15 killed in clashes between Islamists, police
  Times of India
  CAIRO: Anti-government protesters fought street battles with police in Cairo and other cities on Sunday, the fourth anniversary of the country's 2011 uprising, as clashes left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. Another two people died when an ...
  14 killed in pro-democracy protests in Egypt on 2011 uprising anniversaryThe Guardian
  14 killed as clashes mar Egypt revolt anniversaryDaily Mail
  15 killed
  
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• THOUSANDS of aircraft under attack by LASERS – but only 84 prosecuted over 3 years

  25-01-2015 20:51 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  THOUSANDS of aircraft were targeted by blinding laser lights over the last three years – but just 84 people have been prosecuted.
  
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• VIDEO: Birmingham rally after Fox comment

  25-01-2015 20:48 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A multi-faith rally partly prompted by a US TV pundit who claimed Birmingham was a "no-go zone" for non-Muslims has been held in the city.
  
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• Tenants in London forced to share rooms by sky-high rents

  25-01-2015 20:46
  
  Relentless rise of prices demanded by landlords leads to 48% jump in numbers using one specialist website to find half a roomTenants in London are being forced into sharing rooms, often with complete strangers, as rent in the capital becomes increasingly unaffordable.Flat and house share site SpareRoom.co.uk has seen a 71% rise in searches for bedroom shares over two years. Continue reading...
  
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• Farage accused of smearing Ukip defector amid attack on his integrity - The Guardian

  25-01-2015 20:42 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian
  Farage accused of smearing Ukip defector amid attack on his integrity
  The Guardian
  The Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, has been accused of engaging in a “desperate” smear operation after he launched a withering attack on the integrity of one of his MEPs who defected to the Tories. Grant Shapps, the Conservative chairman, said claims that ...
  Nigel Farage defends UKIP secretary over 'we represent hundreds of thousands ...Mirror.co.uk
  War of words as Euro MP leaves UKIP '
  
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• Farage accused of smearing Ukip defector amid attack on his integrity

  25-01-2015 20:41
  
  Tories rubbish claim of Amjad Bashir suspension by Ukip as George Galloway says he also once stood for Respect partyThe Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, has been accused of engaging in a “desperate” smear operation after he launched a withering attack on the integrity of one of his MEPs who defected to the Tories.Grant Shapps, the Conservative chairman, said claims that Ukip was about to suspend Amjad Bashir before he jumped ship were “complete nonsense” and that the Conservatives were satisfi
  
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• Brits could LEGALLY join ISIS and Al Qaeda if the Green Party wins power - Mirror.co.uk

  25-01-2015 20:41 via mirror.co.uk
  
  Mirror.co.uk
  Brits could LEGALLY join ISIS and Al Qaeda if the Green Party wins power
  Mirror.co.uk
  The party's leader Natalie Bennett said: "What we want to do is make sure we are not punishing people for what they think or what they believe." Share; Share; Tweet; +1; Email. Policy: Natalie Bennett, left, and ISIS fighters, right. Brits could LEGALLY join ...
  No crime to belong to Islamic State, al-Qaida or IRA, says Green party leaderThe Guardian
  Green Party defends terror g
  
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