General news

• Corbyn Suffers Rebellion After McDonnell U-Turn

  14-10-2015 23:55
  
  Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suffered a rebellion in the first major Commons test of loyalty to his leadership. Twenty-one Labour MPs defied a three-line whip by abstaining instead of voting to oppose Chancellor George Osborne's fiscal charter that commits governments to running a budget surplus. But the Labour whips office played down the scale of the revolt, which followed an "embarrassing" U-turn by shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
  
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• MPs approve Osborne's budget rules

  14-10-2015 23:32 via bbc.co.uk
  
  MPs back the government's new spending rules by 320 to 258 votes after a heated Commons debate, with 21 Labour MPs defying the party over the issue.
  
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• 21 Labour MPs rebel as John McDonnell admits 'embarrassing' U-turn on economy

  14-10-2015 23:22
  
  More than 20 Labour MPs rebelled in a serious blow to Jeremy Corbyn's authority following an "embarrassing" U-turn over the party's economic policy.
  
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• VIDEO: McDonnell on 'embarrassing U-turn'

  14-10-2015 23:19 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell admits his 'U-turn' on a vote on the government's new spending rules is "embarrassing" but insists that it is the right thing to do.
  
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• UK opposition leader Corbyn suffers first rebellion in parliament

  14-10-2015 22:56
  
  By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's newly-elected opposition leader, socialist Jeremy Corbyn, suffered the first rebellion against his leadership on Wednesday in a parliamentary vote that exposed divisions over his economic strategy and policymaking process. A group of Labour lawmakers defied strict instructions to vote against a plan put forward by the Conservative government to enshrine into law a commitment to get rid of the deficit and target a budget surplus. The vote was set up b
  
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• John McDonnell: U-turn was over 'parliamentary tactics'

  14-10-2015 22:24
  
  John McDonnell has admitted his U-turn over Labour's economic policy was "embarrassing" as George Osborne's plans were approved by MPs.
  
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• Balancing The Books: MPs Back Budget Surplus

  14-10-2015 22:22
  
  MPs have backed committing governments to running a budget surplus in a key vote on Chancellor George Osborne's economic policy. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell had originally supported it but he announced on Monday he had changed his position - just 48 hours before the vote. Mr McDonnell told Sky News that 20 Labour MPs had abstained.
  
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• 'Love hormone' oxytocin boosted marmoset couples

  14-10-2015 22:00
  
  Marmoset couples become more attentive and affectionate after receiving nose drops of the "love hormone" oxytocin, a study has shown.
  
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• Meerkat Expert Punished For Love-Rival Attack

  14-10-2015 20:52
  
  Caroline Westlake, 30, attacked monkey handler Kate Sanders in a row over a llama keeper at a Christmas party. The defendant, who was sacked after the incident and is appealing against her assault conviction, wept in the dock as she heard her fate. She was ordered to pay £800 compensation to Miss Sanders following the assault during a jealous feud over Adam Davies who dated both women.
  
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• Becky Watts Had 40 Injuries On Her Body

  14-10-2015 20:11
  
  A court has heard how 16-year-old Becky Watts sustained 40 injuries to her body when she was killed. Forensic pathologist Dr Deborah Cook said there were 33 injuries on her head, arms, legs and hands. Earlier the jury at Bristol Crown Court listened to the transcript of a police interview with Becky's stepbrother Nathan Matthews the day before his arrest in February.
  
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• Potential drug target could help bid for Alzheimer's disease treatments

  14-10-2015 20:00
  
  A potential drug target has been discovered that could help scientists develop radical new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
  
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• EU's Jean-Claude Juncker gives downbeat assessment of EU reform talks with UK

  14-10-2015 19:58
  
  Talks in Brussels on Britain's demands for EU reform are not making "huge progress", European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said.
  
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• Charles to skip state palace banquet with Chinese president

  14-10-2015 19:58
  
  The Prince of Wales is to miss the Chinese state banquet next week, but will hold "one-to-one talks" and spend much of the day with President Xi Jinping.
  
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• 'Takes two to tango,' EU's Juncker warns before Cameron meeting

  14-10-2015 19:55
  
  By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker pledged on Wednesday to work for fair new membership terms for Britain but warned David Cameron to respect Europe's interests as well, saying "it takes two to tango". The European Commission president, who will meet the British prime minister over lunch on Thursday ahead of a summit of EU national leaders, repeated in a speech to the European Parliament that he wanted "a fair deal with Britain". After weeks of tech
  
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• Police release images of men wanted over Warwick Davis caravan 'theft'

  14-10-2015 19:33
  
  Police investigating the theft of Star Wars actor Warwick Davis' caravan have released a CCTV image of two men they want to speak to.
  
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• Britain's jobless rate hits seven-year low

  14-10-2015 19:27
  
  By William Schomberg and Ana Nicolaci da Costa LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's jobless rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven years but pay growth was a bit slower than expected, suggesting the labour market is not hot enough to speed up a Bank of England interest rate hike. Britain's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in the three months to August, down from 5.5 percent in the three months to July, the Office for National Statistics said. It was the lowest jobless rate since the
  
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• 'Spectacular' mammal skeleton dating back 125 million years forces 'rethink'

  14-10-2015 19:00
  
  A mammal that lived at the time of the dinosaurs is so well preserved scientists have been able to conduct detailed analysis of its skin and fur.
  
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• Cousin attacks 'Syria-bound' parents for 'taking five children into war zone'

  14-10-2015 18:54
  
  Two parents feared to be heading for Syria with their five children have been criticised by a family member for trying to take their family into "a war zone".
  
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• London’s Night Tube Will Be Delayed Till Next Year As Trade Union Talks Fail

  14-10-2015 18:13
  
  The launch date was announced before Transport for London(TfL) had reached an agreement with the major transport unions and their opposition has embarrassed Boris Johnson considerably
  
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• Ruling on tapping of MPs' phones 'body blow for democracy'

  14-10-2015 17:00
  
  A decision that the convention preventing the tapping of MPs' telephones has no legal basis has been branded a "body blow for parliamentary democracy".
  
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• Watch: Dead Whale Washes Up On Thanet Beach

  14-10-2015 16:59
  
  The whale - thought to be humpback - has washed up on the sand at Foreness Point, between Cliftonville and Broadstairs
  
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• Corbyn Could Confront China At Palace Banquet

  14-10-2015 16:57
  
  Jeremy Corbyn could confront Chinese officials over their country's human rights record at a Buckingham Palace state banquet to honour China's president. The Labour leader will try to secure meetings with Beijing officials during the visit of Xi Jingping next week, although it is not clear whether Mr Corbyn will seek an audience with the president himself. Mr Corbyn's spokesman said: "He will be raising issues about human rights next week.
  
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• Twitter appoints senior Google executive as chairman

  14-10-2015 16:56
  
  Twitter has appointed Google chief business officer Omid Kordestani to its board of directors as the firm continues its dramatic overhaul.
  
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• Cousin attacks parents feared heading for Syria 'war zone' with five children

  14-10-2015 16:51
  
  Two parents feared to be heading for Syria with their five children have been criticised by a family member for trying to take their family into "a war zone".
  
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• UK jobless rate hits seven-year low, BoE to note cooler pay growth

  14-10-2015 16:44
  
  By William Schomberg and Ana Nicolaci da Costa LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's jobless rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven years but pay growth was a bit slower than expected, suggesting the labour market is not hot enough to speed up a Bank of England interest rate hike. Britain's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in the three months to August, down from 5.5 percent in the three months to July, the Office for National Statistics said. It was the lowest jobless rate since the
  
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• Tesco Starts Placing Security Tags On Shopping Baskets After A THIRD Stolen From Store

  14-10-2015 16:24
  
  Justifying the new measure, a Tesco spokesman said: ‘We need to provide the best possible service to our customers and this includes having baskets available for shoppers.’
  
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• What You Need To Know About PMQs Today

  14-10-2015 15:58
  
  Prime Minister's Questions was dominated by tax credits and the Labour U-turn on backing George Osborne's plans to reduce the deficit. So we are in series one, episode two of Prime Minister's Questions starring David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Corbyn continued where he left off after episode one by asking readers' questions - which appeared to be a bit of a winning formula back in the session before Parliament broke for the party conferences.
  
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• Killer Branded Becky Watts 'Self-Centred'

  14-10-2015 15:55
  
  Bristol teenager Becky Watts has been described as "self-centred" by the man accused of her murder. The jury at Bristol Crown Court has been listening to the transcript of a police interview with Nathan Matthews, Becky's stepbrother, from the day before his arrest in February. Matthews, 28, has admitted killing Becky Watts and cutting up and hiding her body, but he denies murder.
  
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• Divorcees who accused ex-husbands win Supreme Court fight to seek more money

  14-10-2015 15:55
  
  Two divorcees who accused their ex-husbands of lying about their true wealth have won their Supreme Court battle for the right to seek more money from them.
  
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• 'Syria-bound' Bradford family of seven bought one-way ticket to Turkey

  14-10-2015 15:53
  
  A family of seven feared to be heading for Syria bought a one-way ticket to Turkey, a senior police officer said.
  
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• Hit-And-Run Cop Died From 'Shock And Bleeding'

  14-10-2015 15:42
  
  A police officer killed while trying to stop a stolen car died of shock and bleeding from internal injuries, an inquest has heard. PC Phillips, a father of two, died following a burglary at a sales and letting agency in Birkenhead in which a Mitsubishi pick-up truck was stolen. After a 40-minute police pursuit, PC Phillips and a colleague tried to use a "stinger" device to stop the vehicle, which mounted a central reservation and headed directly at the officer, before speeding off.
  
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• Dead Whale Washes Ashore On Kent Coast

  14-10-2015 15:42
  
  A dead whale has washed ashore on a beach at Foreness Point near Cliftonville, Kent. Julia Cable, of East Sussex-based British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: "We have had a look at it to try to identify it. Minke whales mainly swim alone or in pairs, reaching speeds of up to 12 knots (14 mph) and are able to stay under water for as long as 20 minutes at a time.
  
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• Polar bear settling in after encounter with shocked migrants in Calais

  14-10-2015 15:33
  
  A polar bear is settling in to his new home in Doncaster after an unexpected encounter with a group of shocked migrants in Calais.
  
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• Osborne dares opposition MPs to back government policy

  14-10-2015 15:32
  
  By William James LONDON (Reuters) - British Chancellor George Osborne dared "moderate" members of parliament from the main opposition party on Wednesday to vote with the government on financial policy, hoping to exploit divisions over its new far-left leader. The government has tried to benefit from disarray in the Labour Party since last month's election of Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran lawmaker whose promised new consensual style of politics has exposed him to charges of a lack of direction. Pounci
  
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• Shocked Migrants Bump Into Polar Bear In Calais

  14-10-2015 15:17
  
  The bear, called Nissan, was in the back of the vehicle outside the French port of Calais when a group of migrants broke open the back door and three of them jumped in. Nissan, who fortunately was in his cage at the time, was himself on the final leg of a journey from Eastern Europe to what is hoped will be a better life at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. A Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesman said the migrants had jumped into Nissan's lorry near the Calais camp known as 'The Jungle' on Tuesd
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn attacks Government on tax credits

  14-10-2015 15:04
  
  The Government is "taking away the opportunities and limiting the life chances of hundreds of thousands of children", Jeremy Corbyn has claimed on his second outing at Prime Minister's Questions.
  
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• See The Amazing Cloud That Looks Just Like The British Isles

  14-10-2015 15:03
  
  David Steatham captured the incredible image as he walked to his local Asda on Monday
  
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• Watch Hot Air Balloon Soar Just Feet Over Busy Road During Rush Hour

  14-10-2015 14:31
  
  Heart-stopping footage shows the balloon crossing both lanes of Marine Drive in Southport, Merseyside, on Saturday
  
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• Ebola Nurse Cafferkey Now 'Critically Ill'

  14-10-2015 14:21
  
  Pauline Cafferkey, the nurse being treated for Ebola, has "deteriorated" and is "critically ill", says the Royal Free Hospital. Ms Cafferkey contracted the disease after treating patients in Sierra Leone at the height of the outbreak, which has killed more than 11,000 people. She was first treated at the Royal Free Hospital in December and discharged in January.
  
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• Ebola-stricken nurse Pauline Cafferkey 'critically ill' after condition worsens

  14-10-2015 14:10
  
  A nurse who is being treated for a late complication of an Ebola infection is now "critically ill" after her condition "deteriorated", the hospital treating her has said.
  
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• Bradford family of seven's trip to Turkey 'came totally out of the blue'

  14-10-2015 14:04
  
  Urgent appeals have been made for information about a missing Bradford family of seven amid fears they may be trying to get to Syria.
  
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• McDonnell Admits U-Turn Confused Labour MPs

  14-10-2015 13:37
  
  The shadow chancellor has dismissed suggestions of a rebellion by Labour MPs at a key vote on George Osborne's economic policy but admits he confused them with his u-turn.
  
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• UK jobless rate hits 7-year low, BoE to note cooler pay growth

  14-10-2015 13:36
  
  By William Schomberg and Ana Nicolaci da Costa LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's jobless rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven years but pay growth was a bit slower than expected, suggesting the labour market is not hot enough to speed up a Bank of England interest rate hike. Britain's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in the three months to August, down from 5.5 percent in the three months to July, the Office for National Statistics said. It was the lowest jobless rate since the
  
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• Divorced Wives Win Right To Ask For More

  14-10-2015 13:33
  
  Two women who say their ex-husbands misled the court on how much money they were worth have won the right to challenge their original divorce settlements. The Supreme Court, Britain's top court, said Alison Sharland, 48, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, and Varsha Gohil, 50, from north London, should have their claims reassessed. The women had reached agreements with their ex-husbands after beginning litigation, but both later thought the men had misrepresented their financial affairs.
  
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• Ex-wives court win over husbands' value could have wide legal implications

  14-10-2015 13:17
  
  Two ex-wives who say they should get more money after divorcing have won a Supreme Court victory which legal experts think will have wide implications.
  
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• Labour Rebellion Threat 'An Osborne Stunt'

  14-10-2015 13:07
  
  The shadow chancellor has dismissed suggestions of a rebellion by Labour MPs at a key vote on George Osborne's economic policy.
  
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• Robbie Williams, Alesha Dixon back TV plug-in music streaming service

  14-10-2015 12:54
  
  Robbie Williams and Alesha Dixon are among the musicians who have lent their support to a new music streaming device that promises to challenge Spotify and Apple Music.
  
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• Combing Back For More: Man Takes Same Selfie In Favourite Barber Shop For 42 YEARS

  14-10-2015 12:48
  
  Pensioner Sam first visited hair stylist Joe Pace at Giuseppe’s in Bath, Somerset, in the early 70s - and he has been going back every since
  
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• Women win landmark UK divorce battle over husbands' wealth lies

  14-10-2015 12:44
  
  Two women who claimed their ex-husbands tricked them into accepting smaller divorce settlements should have their cases re-examined to see if they should get more money, Britain's top court said on Wednesday in landmark rulings. Alison Sharland and Varsha Gohill had argued that they had been misled by their former spouses as to the true extent of their wealth when their divorce claims were settled. "I hope that their decision sends out a message to everyone going through a divorce that they cann
  
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• Jobless Rate Falls To 5.4% As Pay Growth Eases

  14-10-2015 12:39
  
  The jobless rate has hit its lowest level since mid-2008 but growth in pay awards is showing signs of slowing. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said unemployment fell by 79,000 to 1.77 million in the three months to August. The figures are welcome for the Government as unemployment rose over the two previous periods.
  
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