General news

• Sue Barker wants David Beckham on A Question Of Sport

  12-11-2015 22:46
  
  David Beckham is the star Sue Barker really wants to have on A Question Of Sport.
  
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• Jacqueline Wilson worries about younger children using iPads

  12-11-2015 22:46
  
  Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson believes it is better for toddlers to snuggle up with a book rather than an iPad.
  
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• India PM Visit Heralds £9bn Of Trade Deals

  12-11-2015 21:11
  
  India's Prime Minister has said negotiations between his country and the UK are a "huge moment for our two great nations". Narendra Modi was speaking in Westminster as he began a three-day visit to Britain with the two nations seeking to strengthen commercial ties. British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to create a "modern, dynamic partnership" and said £9bn of trade deals are being signed by UK and Indian companies this week.
  
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• One Direction hiatus will last two years, Liam Payne reveals

  12-11-2015 20:04
  
  Liam Payne revealed that One Direction will be taking a two-year break when they go on hiatus in March next year.
  
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• PM Modi: 'Huge Moment For India And UK'

  12-11-2015 20:02
  
  India's Prime Minister has said negotiations between his country and the UK are a "huge moment for our two great nations". Narendra Modi was speaking in Westminster as he began a three-day visit to Britain with the two nations seeking to strengthen commercial ties. British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to create a "modern, dynamic partnership" and said £9bn of trade deals are being signed by UK and Indian companies this week.
  
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• Vauxhall urges Zafira B owners to take vehicles for safety check after fires

  12-11-2015 19:48
  
  Vauxhall has begun writing to 220,000 Zafira B owners after almost 200 of the models were reported to have burst into flames.
  
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• Ex-Motorhead drummer Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor dies aged 61

  12-11-2015 19:39
  
  Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, the former drummer with British rock band Motorhead, has died.
  
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• Doctors Detail Plans For Three Days Of Strikes

  12-11-2015 18:49
  
  Junior doctors could stage three days of strike action next month, amid an escalating dispute with the government over new work contracts. The British Medical Association (BMA) says it has taken the “extraordinary step” of announcing specific dates and plans, ahead of a ballot next week. If members vote to take industrial action, junior doctors will provide only emergency care for 24 hours from 8am on 1 December.
  
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• Four held in Britain in international probe into 'Islamist terror network'

  12-11-2015 18:25
  
  Four men have been arrested in Britain as part of an international investigation into an alleged Islamist terror network.
  
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• India's PM Modi On UK Visit Amid Protests

  12-11-2015 18:18
  
  India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to the UK as his country seeks to strengthen commercial ties - but not everyone is happy about his trip. Around 100 protesters gathered outside Downing Street as Mr Modi met David Cameron at No 10. Speaking later at the Foreign Office, the UK leader said trade deals worth more than £9bn are being signed by British and Indian companies this week.
  
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• Maoist cult leader Aravindan Balakrishnan 'held daughter prisoner for 30 years'

  12-11-2015 17:50
  
  The charismatic leader of a Maoist cult sexually assaulted two of his followers and imprisoned his own daughter in the commune for 30 years, a court has heard.
  
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• Trade deals, protests mark UK visit by India's Modi

  12-11-2015 17:43
  
  By Kylie MacLellan and Lisa Barrington LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and India were poised to sign 9 billion pounds of trade deals during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but his arrival on Thursday was overshadowed by protests over a perceived rise in intolerance back home. Modi got a warm welcome by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has tried to cultivate closer ties with India to secure business opportunities in a fast-growing economy at a time when Modi has been prioritis
  
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• Woman who made £7,000 in sex pics blackmail ordered to repay £1

  12-11-2015 17:38
  A woman who blackmailed a married man out of £7,000 by threatening to send photos of them having sex to his wife has been ordered to repay just £1.
  
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• Junior doctors reveal planned strike action in event of yes vote

  12-11-2015 17:36
  
  Junior doctors in England will stage two strikes and only deal with emergencies during a third day of action in December if they support industrial action in a ballot.
  
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• Driving test examiners to strike for two days in hours row

  12-11-2015 17:35
  Driving test examiners are to strike for two days next week in a row over working hours.
  
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• Dear David - Letters show Cameron at odds with own policies

  12-11-2015 17:33
  
  By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - It was a letter like thousands sent to Britain's local councils each year -- an angry resident complaining about cuts to public services. A newspaper in Oxfordshire, where Cameron and his family have a large stone house in one of its many picturesque villages, revealed the exchange of letters with the county council's leader, who was taken to task for suggesting cuts to services for children and old people. "I was disappointed at the long list of suggestions
  
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• George Clooney swaps red carpet for Edinburgh's cobbles

  12-11-2015 17:32
  
  George Clooney has swapped the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for a humble sandwich shop which helps the homeless.
  
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• Dear David - Letters show British PM at odds with own policies

  12-11-2015 17:32
  
  By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - It was a letter like thousands sent to Britain's local councils each year -- an angry resident complaining about cuts to public services. A newspaper in Oxfordshire, where Cameron and his family have a large stone house in one of its many picturesque villages, revealed the exchange of letters with the county council's leader, who was taken to task for suggesting cuts to services for children and old people. "I was disappointed at the long list of suggestions
  
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• David Cameron pledges 'modern, dynamic partnership' with India

  12-11-2015 17:32
  
  David Cameron has pledged to create a "modern, dynamic partnership" with India after welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Downing Street.
  
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• Woman Jailed Over Prosthetic Penis Sex Attacks

  12-11-2015 16:50
  
  Gayle Newland claimed she was a man called Kye Fortune and wore bandages across her chest to fool her friend, Chester Crown Court heard in September. The couple had sex some 10 times before the complainant took off her blindfold and discovered that 'Kye' was actually Newland and she was wearing a prosthetic penis. She admitted creating a fake Facebook profile in the name of Kye Fortune, but she claimed her accuser always knew she was pretending to be a man.
  
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• EU must control external borders to save passport-free travel - Donald Tusk

  12-11-2015 16:21
  
  The European Union must assert control of its external borders if passport-free travel among continental countries is to survive, European Council president Donald Tusk has warned.
  
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• Shock As 20ft Sinkhole Opens Up Near Houses

  12-11-2015 16:14
  
  A 20ft sinkhole has opened up in a residential street in Newcastle, leaving residents shocked and confused. People living in Craster Square were seen staring at the hole, which spanned the width of the road and left one car trapped on a driveway. Peter Hodson, 52, told the Newcastle Chronicle: "You don't expect something like this right outside your home.
  
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• Premier Inn Sued Over Shower Scalding Death

  12-11-2015 15:44
  
  Relatives of a tourist who died after being scalded in a hotel shower have lodged a legal action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh seeking more than £1m in damages. Grandmother Kalyani Uthaman was injured at the Premier Inn at Newcraighall in August 2012. The 59-year-old, from India, reportedly died of multiple organ failure six weeks later.
  
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• Pomp and protests as India's Modi starts British visit

  12-11-2015 15:31
  
  By Lisa Barrington LONDON (Reuters) - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a visit to Britain on Thursday expected to yield trade deals worth billions of dollars, but his arrival was overshadowed by protests over a perceived rise in intolerance back home. Bruised by his Hindu nationalist party's election defeat in populous Bihar state on Sunday, Modi is seeking to restore his authority and regain momentum in the drive to foster investment and growth for his country. From the British perspe
  
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• All Thomson Sharm Flights To Return By Monday

  12-11-2015 15:21
  
  Thomson Airways has confirmed that all flights from Sharm El Sheikh will return to the UK by Monday. It comes after the Foreign Secretary said all Britons stranded in the Egyptian resort following a Russian plane crash nearly two weeks ago would be home by the end of the week. The airline said: "Thomson Airways has worked closely with the UK government to finalise our flying programme for customers in Sharm El Sheikh.
  
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• Old Street Fire: Massive Blaze Breaks Out Near Silicon Roundabout During Rush Hour

  12-11-2015 15:08
  
  The blaze erupted after sparks from a machine set insulation alight, according to a mechanic working on the site
  
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• British Museum collections accessible online via Google Street View

  12-11-2015 15:01
  
  Google has partnered with the British Museum to make thousands of artefacts more accessible by introducing the firm's Street View technology inside the museum's exhibition rooms.
  
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• Pregnant woman describes living room car crash horror

  12-11-2015 14:58
  
  A heavily-pregnant mother has told how she and her boyfriend escaped with their lives after a car careered into their living room.
  
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• Man who fatally stabbed cyclist in 'entirely random' attack sent to Broadmoor

  12-11-2015 14:54
  
  A man who killed a cyclist, stabbing him 20 times with a knife in a random and motiveless attack, has been sent to Broadmoor indefinitely.
  
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• 'All-Powerful' Cult Leader 'Raped' Followers

  12-11-2015 14:45
  
  It is claimed Aravindan Balakrishnan physically and sexually abused some of the women who lived within the south London commune over a period of some 30 years. On the second day of the trial, prosecutor Rosina Cottage said the defendant controlled all aspects of his daughter's life from birth and that she was hidden from the world. Ms Cottage added that Mr Balakrishnan declared he was an "all-powerful and all-seeing" leader, acting on behalf of the international proletariat in the fight against
  
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• Four men held in Britain in Italy-led anti-terror operation

  12-11-2015 14:44
  
  Four men have been arrested in Britain as part of an international investigation into an alleged Islamist terror network.
  
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• BAE Systems slows Typhoon production, cuts UK jobs

  12-11-2015 14:35
  
  By Paul Sandle and Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - BAE Systems will slow production of its Typhoon fighter jet and cut capacity at its Williamstown shipyard in Australia, the cost of which will mean earnings will not grow this year, the company said on Thursday. Europe's biggest defence contractor said the longer term outlook was brightened by increases in defence spending in the United States and other markets. The company has been waiting for a major order for Typhoon jets from Saudi Arabia.
  
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• India's PM Modi Begins UK Visit Amid Protests

  12-11-2015 14:04
  
  India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a three-day visit to the UK as his country seeks to strengthen commercial ties - but not everyone is happy about his trip. The demonstrators chanted noisily and held placards and banners with messages including "Modi not welcome", "Stop religious persecution", and "Remove illegal blockade in Nepal". His government has been criticised for undermining Indian democracy and Mr Modi, who became PM last year, is regarded as controversial in some quarters.
  
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• Charity Boss Denies Touching Charles Down Under

  12-11-2015 14:01
  
  A charity executive has denied as "ridiculous" claims she was over-familiar with the Prince of Wales after a photograph appeared to show her touching his bottom. Janine Kirk, who works for the royal as chief executive of The Prince’s Charities Australia, was pictured with her hand close to his posterior during a reception in Sydney, Australia. A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "The Prince was focused on the event, which was about what Prince's Charities Australia and other organisations a
  
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• I still love my son but will ask why, says mother of Becky Watts killer

  12-11-2015 13:59
  
  Becky Watts's stepmother has insisted she still loves her killer son and will visit him in prison in a quest for answers.
  
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• Woman who posed as man to have sex with friend jailed for 8 years

  12-11-2015 13:51
  
  A woman who duped her female friend into having sex by pretending to be a man for two years has been jailed for eight years.
  
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• A&E 'perfect storm' warning as key NHS targets missed again

  12-11-2015 13:46
  
  The NHS in England has missed a raft of key targets as experts warn that A&E departments face a "perfect storm" this winter.
  
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• Tesco: Is Swapping Sweets For Booze A ‘Healthy Little Change’?

  12-11-2015 13:40
  
  Instead of a sugary treat... have a hard drink instead?!
  
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• Woman jailed for grooming girls online before partner sexually abused them

  12-11-2015 13:23
  
  A young woman who approached teenage girls online before introducing them to her partner who sexually abused them has been jailed.
  
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• Job fears as HMRC confirms plans to close 137 offices

  12-11-2015 13:23
  
  HM Revenue and Customs is planning to close 137 offices under a modernisation programme.
  
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• 1,000 school leaders 'earn more than £100,000 a year'

  12-11-2015 13:23
  
  More than 1,000 school leaders are earning in excess of £100,000 a year, according to research.
  
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• Becky Watts 'Scared' Of Stepbrother's Threats

  12-11-2015 13:19
  
  Becky Watts' best friend has told Sky News that the teenager was "scared" by death threats Nathan Matthews made in the months before he killed her. Matthews, Becky's stepbrother, was found guilty of murdering the 16-year-old during a sexually motivated kidnap plot. She disappeared from home in Bristol on 19 February and her dismembered body was found in a shed.
  
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• HMRC Confirms Plan To Close Dozens Of Offices

  12-11-2015 13:17
  
  HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed that it plans to shrink from 170 tax offices across the country to 13 regional centres.
  
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• Pensioner Fined £1,200 For Blasting Bryan Adams Music At ‘Incredibly Loud’ Volume

  12-11-2015 13:11
  
  John Hudspith, 72, made his neighbours’ lives a misery by constantly playing Bryan Adams’s hit single Summer of 69 at an "incredibly loud" volume
  
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• Lonely Elderly Couple Call Cops, Police Pop Round For Cuppa

  12-11-2015 13:11
  
  Sometimes a nice cup of tea and sit down is all that's needed
  
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• UK Maoist cult leader raped followers, enslaved daughter, court hears

  12-11-2015 13:03
  
  By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - A Maoist cult leader beat and sexually brainwashed female followers and imprisoned his own daughter in homes across south London for more than 30 years, British prosecutors said on Thursday. Aravindan Balakrishnan, 75, used fear, sexual degradation and physical and mental violence to keep the women under his control, turning his commune based on Communist teachings into his own personal cult, London's Southwark Crown Court was told. Balakrishnan, a small, gre
  
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• Screams In Scotland As Clooney Has A Sarnie

  12-11-2015 12:58
  
  George Clooney has greeted hordes of screaming women after arriving in Edinburgh to visit a sandwich shop and meet its staff who used to be homeless. One in four members of staff in the five Social Bite shops across Scotland were homeless before working there. The chain runs a "suspended" coffee and food programme where customers can buy a hot drink or food for a homeless person.
  
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• Cult leader Comrade Bala 'abused followers in brutal campaign of degradation'

  12-11-2015 12:57
  
  The charismatic leader of a Maoist cult sexually assaulted two of his followers and imprisoned his own daughter in the commune for 30 years, a court has heard.
  
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• Abigail's Gales: Gusts Of Up To 90mph In Storm

  12-11-2015 12:56
  
  Scotland has been put on alert for a storm that could bring heavy rain, lightning and winds of up to 90mph. The weather system - named Abigail - is forecast to bring gusts of between 60-70mph for the whole of Scotland, reaching as high as 90mph in the far northwest.
  
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• Defence Firm BAE Systems Axes Up To 371 Jobs

  12-11-2015 12:55
  
  Defence company BAE Systems has announced plans to cut up to 371 jobs as it reduces production of its Typhoon fighter jet. The announcement came amid further gloom elsewhere in the sector as engine maker Rolls-Royce issued its fourth profit warning in just over a year, sending shares as much as a fifth lower.
  
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