General news

• Raymond van Barneveld shocks No1 seed Michael van Gerwen at PDC worlds

  29-12-2015 23:54
  
  • 48-year-old recovers from slow start to beat compatriot in last 16
  • Gary Anderson books showdown with James Wade in quarter-finalsRaymond van Barneveld beat the world No1, Michael van Gerwen, 4-3 in a thrilling match at Alexandra Palace to reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship.In a classic and dramatic affair between the two Dutchmen Van Gerwen won a competitive opening set with a powerful display before watching Van Barneveld level by winning the second as both ave
  
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• Flooded Areas Braced As Storm Frank Hits UK

  29-12-2015 23:43
  
  High winds have disrupted flights at Belfast International Airport as Storm Frank struck the UK threatening further misery for flood-hit parts of Britain. The Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings as the third major storm to lash the British Isles threatens to bring strong winds and up to six inches of rainfall. Floods minister Rory Stewart said he was "very concerned" as the weather front approached - with Cumbria and southern and central Scotland most at risk of more disruption.
  
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• Tadcaster River Wharfe bridge-collapse footage captured

  29-12-2015 23:11
  Dramatic footage has captured the moment when an ancient bridge collapsed into a swollen river.
  
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• Husband Charged Over Essex Care Home Shooting

  29-12-2015 22:25
  
  The husband of the 81-year-old woman who was shot dead at a care home in Essex has been charged with her murder.
  
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• Pensioner charged with murder of woman shot dead at care home

  29-12-2015 22:12
  
  A pensioner has been charged with the murder of a woman shot dead at a care home.
  
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• £50m funding pledged to flood-hit councils after Storm Eva

  29-12-2015 21:53
  Local authorities responding to the latest flooding crisis in northern England are to get £50 million of immediate funding, the Government has announced.
  
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• Bridge Collapse Triggers Evacuation Of Homes

  29-12-2015 21:38
  
  Residents in Tadcaster are being evacuated over fears of flooding and a gas explosion after part of the town's historic bridge collapsed into the River Wharfe. The river has swollen following days of torrential rain and flooding in North Yorkshire causing the stone side of the structure to fall away exposing broken pipes. Residents evacuated from their homes were plunged into darkness as a power cut hit the part of Tadcaster which lies to the east of the river.
  
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• Tadcaster Bridge collapse prompts soldiers to be drafted in to evacuate homes

  29-12-2015 19:48
  
  Soldiers have been drafted in to evacuate homes around a storm-battered bridge after it started to collapse, prompting fears of flooding and a gas explosion.
  
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• Tadcaster River Wharfe bridge collapse captured on CCTV

  29-12-2015 19:19
  Dramatic footage has captured the moment when an ancient bridge collapsed into a swollen river.
  
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• Couple Guilty Of Plotting Major Terror Attack

  29-12-2015 19:08
  
  Would-be suicide bomber Mohammed Rehman and his wife Sana Ahmed Khan have been found guilty of planning a major terror attack in London. Rehman used a profile picture of 'Jihadi John' Mohammed Emwazi, to post: "Westfield shopping centre or London underground?
  
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• Flood-hit areas braced for more rain and galeforce winds

  29-12-2015 19:04
  
  Flood-ravaged areas of northern England are bracing themselves for further damage as Storm Frank batters the British Isles with torrential rain and galeforce winds.
  
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• British couple convicted of preparing London attack

  29-12-2015 18:26
  
  LONDON (Reuters) - A British couple were convicted on Tuesday of plotting an attack in London after the husband sent out tweets asking for advice on which targets he should hit, alerting police to a stockpile of chemicals at their home.
  
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• Essex Care Home Victim Was Shot In The Head

  29-12-2015 18:00
  Julie Curtis, who has run De La Mer House in Walton-on-the-Naze for two years, said she pleaded with the man to drop the weapon. Essex Police confirmed the gunman and Mrs King were related and that he had been staying at the care home for one week over Christmas. A statement issued by Essex Police said: "A post mortem examination on (the victim's) body was carried out this morning.
  
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• The Specials drummer John Bradbury dies aged 62

  29-12-2015 17:56
  
  The Specials drummer John Bradbury has died at the age of 62.
  
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• Couple guilty of plotting huge London terror attack on 7/7 anniversary

  29-12-2015 17:43
  
  An aspiring suicide bomber and his secret wife have been found guilty of planning a massive terror attack on London to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the July 7 atrocity.
  
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• Police quiz 'husband' of care home shooting victim

  29-12-2015 17:33
  
  Murder detectives probing the death of a pensioner shot in the head at a care home are continuing to question a man thought to be her husband.
  
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• Nuisance Call And Text Fines Triple To £1.1m

  29-12-2015 17:24
  
  Fines for nuisance calls and messages have tripled to £1.14m this year, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) says. It previously had to prove that a company caused substantial damage or distress making nuisance calls or sending spam text messages, but after the law change in April now only has to show the company was committing a serious breach of the law. ICO enforcement manager Andy Curry said: "Nuisance marketing calls frustrate people.
  
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• 'Silent Bomber' Guilty Of Plotting Terror Attack

  29-12-2015 17:19
  
  Would-be suicide bomber Mohammed Rehman and his wife Sana Ahmed Khan have been found guilty of planning a terror attack in London.
  
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• Motorhead's Lemmy died two days after 'aggressive cancer' diagnosis

  29-12-2015 17:19
  
  Lemmy, frontman of rock band Motorhead, has died just two days after being diagnosed with "extremely aggressive cancer".
  
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• Insurers face bumper payouts as Britain braces for more floods

  29-12-2015 16:37
  By Noor Zainab Hussain and Simon Jessop LONDON (Reuters) - Insurers are facing some of the costliest British floods on record as large parts of northern England, already inundated, brace for more heavy rain. Accountants estimate that insurers are currently facing a bill of up to 1.5 billion pounds after towns, cities and countryside were deluged in recent days in the worst floods in Britain since 2007. "With more storms on the way it could get towards as large as anything that we've had in recen
  
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• Ex-Newcastle Goalie Dies After Cardiac Arrest

  29-12-2015 16:22
  
  Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has had his life support machine switched off following a cardiac arrest.
  
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• Minister defends 'knighthood' for Tory election chief Lynton Crosby

  29-12-2015 16:19
  A Government minister has strongly defended the expected award of a knighthood to David Cameron's controversial general election strategist, Lynton Crosby.
  
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• House Blast Woman Saved By Washing Machine

  29-12-2015 15:30
  
  A woman rescued after a suspected gas blast destroyed her home was saved by her washing machine, according to firefighters. Wendy Ayoub is recovering in hospital after the explosion reduced her house in Wolverhampton into a pile of rubble. The 73-year-old was found by rescue workers wedged in a void next to her washing machine with the weight of the roof and upper floor above her.
  
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• Storm Frank could bring more misery to flood victims

  29-12-2015 15:11
  
  Residents in flood-ravaged regions of Cumbria and Yorkshire are being warned their homes could be flooded again.
  
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• Two arrested in murder probe after body found with stab wounds

  29-12-2015 14:57
  
  Two people are being questioned on suspicion of murder after a man's body was found with stab wounds.
  
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• Fire hits Grade-II listed 17th-century building used as swingers' club

  29-12-2015 14:57
  
  Firefighters have been battling a blaze at a listed 17th century building which has seen more recent use as a swingers' venue.
  
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• UK gas prices jump as cold forecasts snap bearish streak

  29-12-2015 14:39
  (Reuters) - British wholesale gas prices snapped a months-long bearish spell on Tuesday with week-ahead prices jumping 13 percent on forecasts for colder temperatures that should bolster demand for the heating fuel. The most traded gas contracts rose by between seven and 13 percent from pre-Christmas holiday levels despite a current glut of gas and low demand. Local distribution zone consumption forecasts for next week are seen up by 30-40 million cubic metres (mcm) per day compared with pre-Chr
  
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• 73-year-old blast victim saved by washing machine thanks rescue workers

  29-12-2015 14:23
  A woman saved by her washing machine after a suspected gas blast destroyed her home has thanked rescuers.
  
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• Record Lotto jackpot up for grabs as rollover climbs to £42m

  29-12-2015 14:08
  The country's biggest Lotto prize could be up for grabs tomorrow as the estimated rollover jackpot climbs to £42.2 million.
  
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• Lemmy Was 'Last True Rock Star Left'

  29-12-2015 14:06
  
  Motorhead's manager has told Sky News Lemmy was the "last true rock star left" as tributes are paid to the musician who died just two days after learning he had cancer. The band confirmed that the 70-year-old, whose full name is Ian Kilmister, died at his home while "sitting in front of his favourite video game with his family". In a statement, Motorhead said Lemmy had only learned of the "extremely aggressive" cancer diagnosis on 26 December.
  
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• Chester-le-Street swan deaths 'caused by deliberate lead poisoning'

  29-12-2015 14:04
  Up to 100 wild swans died in a mysterious lead poisoning which a local vet was convinced was done deliberately.
  
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• Labour Reshuffle: Benn's Future Questioned

  29-12-2015 13:16
  
  The Shadow Chancellor has stoked speculation Hilary Benn will lose his shadow cabinet role in a New Year Labour reshuffle by refusing to guarantee he will keep his job. John McDonnell, one of party leader Jeremy Corbyn's closest allies, failed to confirm Mr Benn would remain shadow foreign secretary in the widely expected post-Christmas reshuffle. But he warned that Mr Benn, who has been touted as next Labour leader, needed to be "fully engaged".
  
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• Baby P Mother Faces Two More Years In Prison

  29-12-2015 12:57
  The mother of baby Peter Connelly has been refused parole and faces two more years behind bars. Tracey Connelly, 33, was jailed in 2009 over the death of the 17-month-old, known as Baby P. At a meeting earlier this month, a three-member panel of the Parole Board ruled that she is still a danger to the public and decided against directing her release.
  
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• Brighter Hopes For Manufacturers in 2016

  29-12-2015 12:33
  The UK's beleaguered manufacturing sector has some reasons for optimism in 2016 despite the gloomy end to a year which is expected to have seen it shrink, according to an industry body. The EEF forecasts that car making, aerospace and the rejuvenation of the pharmaceutical sector will drive growth in 2016 and add jobs, bucking the trend of the wider sector. But the EEF said some factors dragging on manufacturing, such as disappointing construction activity, should be less prominent over the next
  
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• Britain needs 'rethink' on flood defence after swathes of England hit

  29-12-2015 12:32
  
  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain needs a 'complete rethink' of its flood defences after towns, cities and countryside across northern England were inundated when rivers broke their banks in recent days, a government agency said on Monday.
  
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• Man held in care home shooting probe believed to be woman's husband

  29-12-2015 12:07
  
  A man arrested on suspicion of shooting dead an 81-year-old woman in a care home is believed to be her husband.
  
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• Facebook staff could face jail if they warn users about police surveillance

  29-12-2015 11:58
  Staff at social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter could face up to two years in prison if they tip off customers that they are under surveillance by police or the security services.
  
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• School pupil, 11, 'caught with cannabis in class'

  29-12-2015 11:52
  A primary-school pupil has been reported to police after allegedly being caught with cannabis in class.
  
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• Family spending power still growing, but at slower pace

  29-12-2015 11:52
  Family spending power grew at its slowest pace for a year in November, but households still enjoyed an extra £14 in their pockets, a report has found.
  
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• 'Corbyn to decide' on Hilary Benn's future in Labour foreign role

  29-12-2015 11:52
  John McDonnell has failed to guarantee Hilary Benn will remain as shadow foreign secretary should a Labour reshuffle take place.
  
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• Baby P's mother still a danger to the public, says Parole Board

  29-12-2015 11:52
  The mother of Baby P is still a danger to the public and should not be freed from jail in the new year, Parole Board chiefs have ruled.
  
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• Floods minister warns of 'very bad situation' as fresh storm approaches

  29-12-2015 11:03
  
  Floods minister Rory Stewart warned there could be a "very bad situation" for flood-hit residents who are due to be hit by a fresh storm and further misery.
  
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• Prices jump for next week on colder weather forecast

  29-12-2015 09:55
  (Reuters) - British gas prices for working days next week jumped more than eight percent on Tuesday as forecasters predicted colder temperatures that should rekindle demand for the heating fuel. By contrast spot gas contracts had not yet shown signs of having traded, although conditions looked bearish, with the country struggling to cope with an oversupply of gas supplies. Gas for working days next week rose 2.55 pence per therm, or 8.31 percent, to 33.25 p/therm by 0811 GMT, driven by colder we
  
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• What Can We Expect As Storm Frank Blows In?

  29-12-2015 09:37
  After a brief respite from heavy rain, forecasters have warned that Storm Frank will bring more wet and windy conditions.
  
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• Nine in 10 lung disease deaths 'linked to smoking'

  29-12-2015 09:08
  More than one million people in the UK are living with chronic lung diseases linked to smoking, according to Public Health England (PHE).
  
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• 'Megaphone Man' Protests About Flooded Village

  29-12-2015 07:57
  A flooding victim has taken direct action to highlight his claim that his village has been "forgotten" by the Army and the Environment Agency. Harry Stevenson, who has been nicknamed "The Megaphone Man", claims Billington in Lancashire has been "neglected" even though many homes there were devastated by the floodwaters. Using his megaphone, he later stood in the streets of Whalley and asked: "Because TV cameras aren't even rolling, who cares about Billington?
  
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• Flooded Areas Braced For Storm Frank To Hit UK

  29-12-2015 07:44
  
  The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" weather warnings, with Storm Frank expected to bring heavy downpours and strong winds later today. Forecasters believe up to 90mm of rain could fall in parts of Cumbria on Wednesday, rising to 140mm or more in exposed areas - potentially bringing further flooding to the areas badly hit by Storm Desmond earlier in December. Southwest Scotland has also been subjected to an amber warning for rain, with between 100mm and 150mm possible in the most v
  
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• Rise In Number Of "Hidden" Rural Rough Sleepers

  29-12-2015 07:12
  
  Britain has a growing "hidden" population of homeless people sleeping rough in the countryside, charities have warned. According to the latest Government figures, the estimated number of rough sleepers has risen by 14% in the UK, with 2,744 people sleeping on the streets on any one night. The South West is one of the areas outside London believed to have seen the biggest increases, with charities noting a lack of housing and high rents have led to a growing number of people sleeping rough in rur
  
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• Two arrested over Xmas Day house fire that killed man, 60

  29-12-2015 06:40
  
  Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fire at a house killed a 60-year-old man on Christmas Day.
  
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• Motorhead's Lemmy dies at 70 after shock cancer diagnosis

  29-12-2015 06:34
  
  The last surviving member of the classic Motorhead line-up has paid tribute to the band's frontman Lemmy, who has died at 70.
  
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