General news

• Paris militant group had links to Britain - Wall Street Journal

  04-12-2015 22:36
  
  The militant network behind last month's attacks in Paris had links to people in Britain, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday, citing Western officials. Several people suspected of having connections to Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Islamic State militant and alleged ringleader of the Nov. 13 attacks, are based in Britain, according to two Western officials, the Journal said. The officials told the Journal those people, including some of Moroccan heritage, were based in the Birmingham area, in cent
  
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• Romantic proposal photo tracked down by Edinburgh couple after online appeal

  04-12-2015 21:29
  
  A couple whose fairytale proposal was captured by a stranger have been reunited with the photo after appealing on social media.
  
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• Labour's Tom Watson dismisses left wing 'rabble'

  04-12-2015 20:10
  
  Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has sought to calm fears among the party's MPs that they are being targeted by hard left supporters of Jeremy Corbyn.
  
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• ITV News apologises for Lenny Henry footage blunder

  04-12-2015 19:09
  
  ITV News has apologised after using a video clip of celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott instead of Lenny Henry who today picked up his knighthood.
  
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• Storm Desmond threatens wind and rain over weekend

  04-12-2015 19:08
  
  Forecasters have predicted heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Desmond over the weekend, with people warned to prepare for flooding in some places.
  
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• Man charged with arson attack on care home

  04-12-2015 19:08
  
  Detectives investigating a care home blaze allegedly sparked by a firework that left a vulnerable woman in a critical condition have charged a man with arson.
  
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• UK Astronaut To Run London Marathon - In Space

  04-12-2015 19:04
  
  Tim Peake has announced he is planning to run a digital version of the London Marathon during his mission on the International Space Station. Major Peake will watch a video showing the route through London during his attempt on 24 April. He aims to raise awareness for The Prince's Trust during his attempt, adding: "The London Marathon is a worldwide event.
  
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• National Grid secures backup electricity for winter 16/17

  04-12-2015 18:54
  
  Britain's grid operator has secured an extra 3.58 gigawatts (GW) of electricity to cover potential demand during winter 16/17, National Grid said on Friday. The reserve capacity is expected to cost about 122.4 million pounds, the grid operator said. Coal and gas-fired power plants owned by SSE, Centrica and Engie were among winners of the tender.
  
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• Time is running out to tackle climate change, says Leonardo DiCaprio

  04-12-2015 18:45
  
  The world is running out of time to tackle climate change, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has warned as crucial talks on a new treaty on global warming continue.
  
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• British astronaut Tim Peake: Space marathon first is a 'personal ambition'

  04-12-2015 18:12
  
  The British astronaut set to become the first man to run a marathon in space has said he is not doing it for the record but because the challenge is "part of who I am".
  
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• RAF Typhoon fighters join attack on IS for first time

  04-12-2015 18:08
  
  British Typhoon fighters have been deployed for the first time in the mission to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
  
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• EU deal on sharing air passenger records in sight

  04-12-2015 18:02
  
  A long-awaited EU agreement on sharing air passenger records is within sight after Home Secretary Theresa May warned a deal was urgently needed in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
  
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• Maoist cult leader Aravindan Balakrishnan found guilty of sex assaults

  04-12-2015 17:23
  
  A Maoist cult leader faces the prospect of dying in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women and imprisoning his own daughter in the commune for 30 years.
  
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• New images reveal for the first time how dolphins 'see' humans

  04-12-2015 16:52
  
  Extraordinary images conjured from a dolphin's sonar have revealed how the creature "sees" a human swimmer using echolocation.
  
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• Nuclear Sub Back On Patrol After £350m Refit

  04-12-2015 16:40
  
  One of Britain's 15,000-ton nuclear submarines has returned to roam the seas as part of the UK's ultimate defence deterrent after a £350m refit. HMS Vengeance - equipped with Trident missiles carrying nuclear warheads - was towed out of Plymouth's Devonport dockyard after a four-year project involving more than two million man-hours. Its "deep maintenance period" included replacing the nuclear reactor core that generates its energy, as well as improving missile launch equipment and compute
  
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• Hatton Garden Gang 'Taped Bragging About Loot'

  04-12-2015 16:22
  The men behind the Hatton Garden raid were caught on tape bragging about pulling off the "biggest robbery in the world", it has been alleged. Terry Perkins, 67, Daniel Jones, 58, and John "Kenny" Collins, 75, were recorded by police boasting about the loot they stole, a court heard. One electronic bug was placed in Perkins's blue Citroen Saxo, and another in Collins's white Mercedes, Woolwich Crown Court was told.
  
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• Police Investigate Two MPs Over Expenses

  04-12-2015 15:40
  
  Two current MPs are being investigated by police after their expenses claims were referred by the parliamentary standards watchdog. The compliance officer of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Peter Davis said in the body's 2014/15 annual report that three MPs had been reported during his current term of office. The expenses claims that are under investigations could have been been submitted by an MP or an MP's members of staff.
  
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• UK Maoist cult leader raped followers, kept daughter a prisoner for 30 years

  04-12-2015 15:21
  
  By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - A Maoist cult leader was found guilty on Friday of raping and beating his brainwashed female followers, while keeping his own daughter a fearful prisoner for more than 30 years in homes across south London. Aravindan Balakrishnan, 75, known as Comrade Bala, used 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 with members who believed him to be
  
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• Storm Desmond Threatens Floods And Strong Winds

  04-12-2015 15:16
  
  Snow and rain have caused travel disruption in parts of Scotland, as forecasters warn Storm Desmond is set to lash Ireland and the north of the UK. Heavy, sudden snowfall closed roads in in Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and parts of Edinburgh on Thursday night. Police described the weather as "extreme" and some fire engines had trouble reaching emergency calls, with one crashing into cars in Gorebridge, Midlothian.
  
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• Daughter 'In Constant Fear' Of Cult Leader

  04-12-2015 15:03
  
  Cult leader Aravindan Balakrishnan's grip over his followers was extreme. Now in her early 30s, she was the daughter of one of her father's followers. Balakrishnan formed a communist collective in 1974 - running a bookshop and commune in Brixton.
  
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• Sir Lenny Henry vows to make British TV the most diverse in the world

  04-12-2015 15:01
  
  Comedian Sir Lenny Henry has vowed to continue making British television the most diverse in the world after receiving a knighthood from the Queen at Windsor Castle.
  
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• Tom Watson brands Momentum 'a rabble' with little influence on Labour debate

  04-12-2015 14:59
  
  Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has dismissed left-wing pressure group Momentum as a "rabble" which does not have the clout within the party which some of its members like to claim.
  
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• Theresa May urges EU deal on sharing air passenger records

  04-12-2015 14:59
  
  Theresa May has warned an EU-wide deal on sharing air passenger records must be struck immediately in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
  
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• Police taped Hatton Garden men bragging about 'biggest robbery in the world'

  04-12-2015 14:59
  
  The men behind the biggest burglary in English history were caught on tape bragging about pulling off the Hatton Garden raid after detectives placed recording devices in their cars, a court heard.
  
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• Wonky Christmas tree gets the chop over safety fears

  04-12-2015 14:44
  
  A Christmas tree that leans "more than the tower in Pisa" is to be taken down over safety fears.
  
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• Forth Road Bridge closed until new year as fault repaired

  04-12-2015 14:33
  
  The closure of the Forth Road Bridge until the new year is a matter of "national significance", Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay has said.
  
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• Cult Leader Found Guilty Of Raping Followers

  04-12-2015 14:13
  
  A Maoist cult leader has been found guilty of 14 offences including raping followers, and the false imprisonment of his own daughter for 30 years.
  
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• Two MPs Investigated By Police Over Expenses

  04-12-2015 14:10
  
  Two current MPs are being investigated by police after their expenses claims were referred by the parliamentary standards watchdog. The compliance officer of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Peter Davis said in the body's 2014/15 annual report that three MPs had been reported during his current term of office. The expenses claims that are under investigations could have been been submitted by an MP or an MP's members of staff.
  
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• Maoist cult leader Aravindan Balakrishnan guilty of sex abuse charges

  04-12-2015 14:02
  
  A Maoist cult leader faces the prospect of dying in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women and imprisoning his own daughter in the commune for 30 years.
  
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• Wonky Christmas tree to be taken down over safety fears

  04-12-2015 14:01
  
  A Christmas tree that leans "more than the tower in Pisa" is to be taken down over safety fears.
  
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• Cities 'could help fill gap in emissions cut pledges' over 2C goal

  04-12-2015 14:01
  
  Greenhouse gas emissions cuts by cities could fill a quarter of the "gap" between carbon reductions pledged by countries and the action that is needed to prevent dangerous climate change, a city leaders group has said.
  
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• RAF Jets Fly New Missions Against IS In Syria

  04-12-2015 13:56
  
  RAF jets conducted intelligence missions over Syria overnight, as well as attacking Islamic State in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said. Two RAF Tornado GR4s took off from RAF Akrotiri and flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over eastern Syria. A second pair of GR4s patrolled over western Iraq.
  
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• Forth Road Bridge To Stay Shut Until New Year

  04-12-2015 13:41
  
  The Forth Road Bridge is to stay closed until the new year for "essential" safety reasons after the discovery of a crack in its steelwork. Transport Scotland said the decision was based on inspections by engineers and the "advice and assessment" of independent experts. Traffic Scotland said Friday morning queues on the A985 had reached 11 miles on the approach to the Kincardine Bridge.
  
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• Labour wins parliamentary seat in boost to new leader Corbyn

  04-12-2015 13:34
  
  By Phil Noble OLDHAM, England (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party held on to a parliamentary seat in northern England on Thursday with an increased share of the vote, a relief to the party's new leader, Jeremy Corbyn, in his first electoral test. Left-winger Corbyn has split Labour since his election as leader less than three months ago, prompting infighting that threatens to tear the party apart. Labour won the vote in Oldham West and Royton, triggered by the death of the incumbent la
  
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• This ‘Surprise’ Flat Above A Shop Is Actually Beautiful Inside

  04-12-2015 13:29
  
  A property above a shop might not be everyone's cup of tea... but wait until you see inside this one
  
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• Forth Road Bridge closed until new year for repairs

  04-12-2015 13:18
  
  The Forth Road Bridge is to remain shut until the new year after faults were discovered in its steel work, Scotland's Transport Minister Derek Mackay has said.
  
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• Dippy the arthritic penguin settles into new access-ramp home

  04-12-2015 13:18
  
  An ageing arthritic penguin is settling into his new home - which comes complete with access ramp and "meals on wheels" service.
  
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• RAF flies another Syria mission as David Cameron insists war planes can help

  04-12-2015 13:03
  
  The RAF has carried out another mission over Syria, as David Cameron insisted British war planes can help to bring about a political settlement in the civil war-torn country.
  
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• Police probe two cases of alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded expenses by MPs

  04-12-2015 12:56
  
  Police are investigating two cases of alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded expenses by MPs.
  
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• House Price Growth Expected To Slow In 2016

  04-12-2015 12:44
  
  Britain's biggest mortgage lender expects house price growth to slow next year as homes become increasingly unaffordable for first-time buyers while the timing of an interest rate rise edges closer. Its housing economist Martin Ellis said house prices continued to look expensive compared to incomes - but they are still climbing, thanks to low levels of property for sale, low levels of housebuilding and low interest rates. Mr Ellis said: "With house prices continuing to increase more quickly than
  
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• Labour To Introduce Social Media Conduct Code

  04-12-2015 12:36
  
  Labour is to introduce a new social media code of conduct for members after some MPs reported being abused over the Syria vote. The rules will be on the agenda for discussion at the January meeting of the party's National Executive Committee, Sky can exclusively reveal. Deputy leader Tom Watson told Sky News it will be based on a social media code of conduct for civil servants that he introduced when he was a Cabinet Office minister.
  
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• Corbyn Hails 'Big Majority' Oldham Victory

  04-12-2015 12:33
  
  Jeremy Corbyn has said the size of Labour's majority in the Oldham by-election shows how "broad" support for his party is across the whole country. Labour saw off the challenge from UKIP to win the Oldham West and Royton with a majority of more than 10,000. The contest was Mr Corbyn's first electoral test since he became Labour leader and came after a torrid week in which the party was split over airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria.
  
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• 'Death Threat' Labour MP Receives Email Apology

  04-12-2015 12:30
  
  Labour MP Neil Coyle, who received an apparent death threat over his backing of Syria airstrikes, has said he has now been sent an apology. But the MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark said that as he did not know who the threat on Twitter was from, he informed the police and the matter was now out of his hands. Darren McCaffrey, Sky's politics reporter in Westminster, said police officers had been placed outside Mr Coyle's constituency office, such is the perceived threat.
  
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• Boy Who Hates Sprouts Sneaks Unwanted Veg Into School And Hides Them In Pupil's Bags

  04-12-2015 12:27
  
  The hunt is on for the ingenious youngster, who is believed to be in Year 3 at a primary school in Cambridge, after teachers warned they could cause an allergic reaction in another pupil
  
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• Hate crime against Muslims in London triples after Paris massacre

  04-12-2015 12:06
  
  Hate crime against Muslims more than tripled in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, figures from Scotland Yard have shown.
  
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• Volkswagen sees slump in car sales in wake of diesel emissions scandal

  04-12-2015 11:59
  
  Volkswagen car sales fell by almost 20% last month in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal, official figures show.
  
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• Only 36.6 hours of sunshine in 'dullest November for 86 years'

  04-12-2015 11:55
  
  The UK has endured its dullest November for 86 years, the Met Office said.
  
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• Mock suicide vest left in Sheffield city centre sparks police criticism

  04-12-2015 11:55
  
  Pranksters have been criticised by police after sparking a security alert by leaving a mock suicide vest in a busy city centre days after the Paris terror attacks.
  
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• JD Wetherspoon customers hit by website hack

  04-12-2015 11:55
  
  The personal details of more than 650,000 people may have been stolen after one of Britain's leading pub companies was hacked.
  
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• Heavy snow and rain cause severe disruption in Scotland

  04-12-2015 11:55
  
  Heavy snow and rain has caused severe disruption and flooding to areas in the south of Scotland.
  
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