General news

• Lord Rose Takes Time ‎Out For Markets Role

  12-12-2015 22:40
  
  ‎The businessman spearheading the campaign to keep Britain in the European Union (EU) is expanding his portfolio of jobs with a push to create a global chain of Time Out-branded food markets. Sky News understands that Lord Rose, the former boss of Marks & Spencer (M&S), is to become chairman‎ of Time Out Markets, a subsidiary of the company which owns the international listings magazine. An announcement about Lord Rose's appointment could be made as soon as next week.
  
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• EastEnders' Kellie Bright tops Strictly Come Dancing semi-final leaderboard

  12-12-2015 22:11
  
  EastEnders' star Kellie Bright topped the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final leaderboard with a combined total of 73 points.
  
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• Dublin's Ibrahim Halawa remembered as he spends 20th birthday in Egypt prison

  12-12-2015 20:31
  
  Thousands of well-wishers have sent messages to an Irish teenager potentially facing execution in Egypt as he prepares to spend his third birthday behind bars.
  
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• Corbyn 'more popular with voters than Miliband at same stage in his leadership'

  12-12-2015 20:31
  
  Jeremy Corbyn is more popular with voters than Ed Miliband was at the same stage in his leadership, according to poll.
  
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• 77 flood warnings in place across northern England as heavy rain persists

  12-12-2015 19:43
  
  Further deluges of rain lashed the north of England today as river levels remained high across several counties.
  
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• 'Historic' deal to tackle climate change agreed at UN talks in Paris

  12-12-2015 19:39
  
  A "historic" deal to tackle climate change has been agreed by 195 countries at United Nations talks in Paris.
  
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• VIDEO: Festivals go ahead despite floods

  12-12-2015 19:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Festivities planned in Cumbria this weekend go ahead despite the devastation of Storm Desmond.
  
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• Staff Injured In Major Disturbance At Prison

  12-12-2015 19:22
  
  Two staff members have been taken to hospital after a major disturbance at Swinfen Hall prison in Staffordshire.
  
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• New Banksy artwork of Apple's Steve Jobs at The Jungle in Calais

  12-12-2015 18:15
  
  Graffiti artist Banksy has created a new artwork in response to the migrant crisis - a mural depicting Steve Jobs at "The Jungle" in Calais.
  
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• Snow Hits Cumbria Amid Threat Of More Flooding

  12-12-2015 18:02
  
  Residents of flood-ravaged Cumbria are being warned to brace themselves for more flooding, as parts of the county are hit by snow. River levels are still high from last weekend's flooding and the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for more rain and snow. Sky's Mike McCarthy, in Carlisle, said rain fell throughout the day on Saturday as people continued to pile up ruined furniture and electrical goods outside their homes.
  
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• Flood-Hit Cumbria Hit By More Bad Weather

  12-12-2015 17:19
  
  Residents of flood-ravaged Cumbria are being warned to brace themselves for more flooding. River levels are still high from last weekend's flooding and the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for more rain, and possibly snow. Sky's Mike McCarthy, in Carlisle, said rain fell throughout the day on Saturday as people continued to pile up ruined furniture and electrical goods outside their homes.
  
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• Protesters Rally Against UK's Syria Airstrikes

  12-12-2015 17:17
  
  More than 1,000 people have taken part in a rally in central London to protest against the Government's decision to launch airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria. Organisers of the protest were expecting large crowds to march on Downing Street, partly because of the high profile support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Corbyn did not attend the rally, but instead sent a message to be read out on his behalf.
  
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• Brits Arrested Over Cocaine Disguised As Wood

  12-12-2015 16:58
  
  Police have arrested six men from Liverpool as part of an international drugs bust which involved 1.4 tons of compressed cocaine disguised as wooden shipping pallets. The shipping container was cracked open and appeared to contain sacks of charcoal loaded onto black wooden pallets. But agents found some sacks actually contained cocaine, and a chemical analysis revealed the 40 pallets were made from compressed cocaine made to look like wood.
  
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• Star Wars characters out in force for plaque tribute to make-up artist

  12-12-2015 16:32
  
  Darth Vader and his stormtroopers invaded the streets of London to commemorate Star Wars make-up artist Stuart Freeborn.
  
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• Hundreds join Stop The War protest against Syrian air strikes

  12-12-2015 15:04
  
  Hundreds of people have joined a rally to denounce Britain's air strikes in Syria against Islamic State.
  
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• Key elements in international climate change deal reached in Paris

  12-12-2015 14:30
  
  The final text of a n ew international climate change deal has been published. Here are its key elements:
  
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• Flood-Hit Cumbria Prepares For More Flooding

  12-12-2015 14:29
  
  Residents of flood-ravaged Cumbria are being warned to brace themselves for a second weekend of potential flooding, as more rain sweeps across the country. River levels are still high from last weekend's flooding and this means that, although just 1.5in of rain is forecast for Cumbria today, there is a risk of flooding. Areas likely to be affected this weekend include Carlisle, Keswick, Cockermouth, Appleby, Kendal and Glenridding, along with St Michael's in Lancashire.
  
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• Older People Needing Care Face 'Bleak Future'

  12-12-2015 14:00
  
  In his Spending Review last month, Chancellor George Osborne announced changes to council tax that he said would lead to a rise in care budgets. But the International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) has said this would only "paper over the cracks" and is not enough to meet the needs of a growing older population. The Government said local authorities would have access to an extra £3.5bn for adult social care through the 2% council tax hike announced in the Spending Review.
  
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• Tory 'madrasa': Facts and fiction

  12-12-2015 13:28 via bbc.co.uk
  
  What do we really know about the Young Britons' Foundation?
  
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• Paris climate deal 'would be major leap for mankind'

  12-12-2015 12:59
  
  French President Francois Hollande has urged countries to adopt the first universal climate change deal in history, telling them it would be a major leap for mankind.
  
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• Think-tank warns of 'bleak' future for adult social care

  12-12-2015 10:25
  
  The future of adult social care looks bleak, a leading think-tank has warned as it said not enough money is being spent on the sector.
  
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• Rita Ora's home 'targeted by thieves days before Simon Cowell robbery'

  12-12-2015 10:25
  
  X Factor judge Rita Ora was the victim of a burglary less than a week before a robbery at boss Simon Cowell's mansion, according to reports.
  
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• Sir Bradley Wiggins among Today programme's guest editors

  12-12-2015 10:24
  
  Cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and actor Michael Sheen are among high profile figures who will take control of BBC Radio 4's flagship news programme over the festive period.
  
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• Paris climate talks: Nations close in on deal as final draft presented

  12-12-2015 09:47
  
  Countries are to be presented with the final draft of an international climate change deal as two weeks of tough negotiations draw to an end.
  
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• Final text for climate change deal set to be presented

  12-12-2015 08:12
  
  The final draft of an international climate change deal is set to be presented within hours, after countries worked through the night to secure agreement on it.
  
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• Michael Fallon: Standing up to terrorism doesn't make UK less safe

  12-12-2015 07:00
  
  The idea that standing up to terrorism by way of air strikes in Syria has made the UK less safe is "simply wrong", the Defence Secretary has said.
  
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• Astronaut Calls For British Mission To Mars

  12-12-2015 06:35
  
  The first Briton in space has urged the government to continue funding human spaceflight so the Union Flag one day flies on Mars. Helen Sharman, who was part of a Russian mission 24 years ago, said it was "better late than never" for the UK to fund its own return to space. Dr Sharman, now a scientist at Imperial College London, told Sky News: "The rest of the world is getting on with human space flight.
  
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• Climate change agreement 'to be presented within hours'

  12-12-2015 06:09
  
  The final text for a deal on climate change should be presented later this morning, after 11th-hour talks slipped past their official deadline.
  
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• Euro 2016 A 'Powerful Response' To Paris Attacks

  12-12-2015 05:20
  
  The Euro 2016 finals in Paris will provide a "powerful response" to the Paris terrorist attacks carried out by so-called Islamic State, a senior member of the French government has told Sky News. Speaking on the eve of the finals draw in Paris, four weeks to the day after the attacks that left 130 dead, Patrick Kanner, minister for youth and sport in Francois Hollande's government, said that France had a responsibility to host a great tournament. He also urged fans of England, Wales, Northern Ir
  
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• Flood-Hit Cumbria Prepares For More Rain

  12-12-2015 05:15
  
  Residents of flood-ravaged Cumbria are being warned to brace themselves for a second weekend of potential flooding, with more rain expected across the county. River levels are still high from last weekend's flooding and this means that, although just 1.5in of rain is forecast for Cumbria today, there is a risk of flooding. Areas likely to be affected this weekend include Carlisle, Keswick, Cockermouth, Appleby, Kendal and Glenridding, along with St Michael's in Lancashire.
  
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• Olly Murs tells X Factor finalists: "Sing like it's your first time"

  12-12-2015 04:34
  
  Olly Murs has revealed his advice to the X Factor contestants ahead of the final: "Sing like it's the first time we've ever seen you".
  
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• Second World War pilot's children win court fight over spending

  12-12-2015 04:31
  
  The children of a pilot who served in the Second World War and took part in the Berlin Airlift before being diagnosed with dementia nearly a decade ago have won a court fight after being questioned over their management of his finances.
  
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• Level crossing safety tips for delivery drivers amid Christmas rush

  12-12-2015 04:31
  
  Delivery drivers in a rush to meet the pre-Christmas demand for cards and parcels have been warned not to put themselves at risk on level crossings.
  
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• Ex-comrade of Harry offers veterans free Christmas dinner at Northumberland pub

  12-12-2015 04:31
  
  A pub landlord who served with Prince Harry in Afghanistan is offering veterans a free Christmas dinner so they do not spend the day alone.
  
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• Energy firms 'charging vastly different prices' for routine jobs

  12-12-2015 04:31
  
  The energy watchdog is to look into claims networks are charging vastly different prices to customers for some routine jobs.
  
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• Decision to end hacking probe 'could be challenged'

  12-12-2015 04:31
  
  The decision to end the long-running inquiry into phone hacking could be challenged, a lawyer representing some of the victims has said.
  
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• 45,000 trips in Uber car-pooling app's first week

  12-12-2015 03:50
  
  Some 45,000 trips were made in the first week of taxi app Uber's new car-sharing service.
  
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• X-Men: Apocalypse trailer shows James McAvoy as wheelchair-bound Professor X

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  James McAvoy is unveiled with the classic look of Professor X at the end of the first trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse.
  
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• Train fire sparks Marylebone station evacuation

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Hundreds of passengers had to be evacuated from a busy London railway station after a fire started on a train.
  
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• Sir Tom Jones denies black ancestry DNA test reports

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Sir Tom Jones has denied reports suggesting he is considering a DNA test to determine whether he has black ancestry.
  
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• Neighbours star Alan Fletcher dismisses 'gimmicky' live episodes

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Neighbours star Alan Fletcher has dismissed live episodes of soaps as "gimmicky".
  
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• More Britons heading abroad for Christmas

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  The number of Britons who spend Christmas Day abroad could be set to soar this year, according to new research.
  
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• Man shot dead by police in foiled bid to spring hitmen from prison van

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  A man was shot dead by police as officers foiled an attempt to spring two would-be hitmen from a prison van as they made their way to court.
  
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• Flood-hit Cumbria prepares for more rain and potential flooding

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Flood-hit Cumbria is preparing for a second weekend of potential flooding as more rain is expected to hit the north of England.
  
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• Final push for global climate change agreement at Paris summit

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Countries have been working through the night on 11th hour negotiations to secure a new international climate change agreement.
  
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• Fans urged to consider travel advice ahead of 2016 European Championships

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  British football fans planning trips to France for the 2016 European Championships have been urged to remain updated on the latest travel advice amid heightened security measures .
  
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• Ed Miliband: Labour should focus on fighting the Tories

  12-12-2015 01:31
  
  Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has appealed for the party to focus on fighting the Tories as the party continues to tear itself apart under his successor.
  
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