General news

• EU Summit: PM Wants 13-Year Emergency Brake

  18-02-2016 23:32
  
  David Cameron has asked for an emergency brake that lasts 13 years as part of his negotiations on EU reforms, two European ministers have told Sky News. One of the ministers said that the PM asked other leaders for a brake of "more than seven plus three plus three" years. It had previously been proposed that the so-called emergency brake would provide EU countries with a seven-year hiatus on paying migrants in-work benefits, if their social systems came under excessive pressure.
  
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• Cameron: EU Summit Once-In-A-Generation Chance

  18-02-2016 22:58
  
  David Cameron has described the EU summit that could significantly change Britain's relationship with Europe as a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity. Mr Cameron earlier said he was "battling for Britain" at the crunch summit and stressed he would "not take a deal that does not meet what we need".
  
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• Matt Dawson 'absolutely helpless' over son's meningitis battle

  18-02-2016 22:26
  
  Former England rugby captain Matt Dawson has told of feeling terrified and "helpless" as his two year-old son lay fighting for his life in hospital.
  
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• Apple encryption technology 'hindering criminal investigations'

  18-02-2016 21:57
  
  The encryption technology on Apple mobile phones is now routinely hindering criminal investigations, police and prosecutors in New York City said.
  
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• Watch: Teen's Snapchat In Adam Johnson's Car

  18-02-2016 21:43
  
  A 10-second recording taken by a 15-year-old girl in Adam Johnson's car has been released. The girl sent the recording to a friend on Snapchat to prove she was with the former Sunderland and England star.
  
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• Cameron ready to walk away from EU summit if UK demands are not met

  18-02-2016 21:41
  
  David Cameron has told EU leaders he is ready to walk away from a crunch Brussels summit without a deal on Friday unless they give ground on key British demands and provide him with a "credible" package he can sell to voters in the upcoming referendum.
  
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• Britain's EU reform deal 'largely irrelevant' - Labour leader

  18-02-2016 21:01
  Prime Minister David Cameron's attempt to reform Britain's relationship with the European Union is a sideshow, the leader of the Labour Party said, describing a proposed deal on curbing welfare payments to migrants as "largely irrelevant". While Jeremy Corbyn is known as a eurosceptic, the bulk of his MPs support staying in the European Union and he has said the party will campaign for that outcome regardless of the result of Cameron's negotiations. Corbyn past criticisms of Europe have given he
  
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• William Teased About New Job By Ex-Work Pals

  18-02-2016 20:57
  
  Prince William has been teased about his new job by former search and rescue colleagues during a visit to north Wales. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew into RAF Valley to attend a disbandment parade marking the end of the RAF search and rescue force. The service has been privatised and is run by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of the coastguard.
  
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• Cameron calls on EU for 'credible deal' to keep Britain in

  18-02-2016 20:40
  By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron called on EU leaders on Thursday to help him settle the question of Europe for a generation by agreeing a "credible" deal he can sell to the British public and stay in the European Union. At 'now or never' talks in Brussels, leaders worked to overcome differences on the most contentious areas of Cameron's renegotiation of Britain's membership deal - demands for financial safeguards and curbs to some benefits
  
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• Stars urge David Cameron to save children at Calais Jungle camp

  18-02-2016 20:02
  Actors Idris Elba, Helena Bonham Carter, and Benedict Cumberbatch are among 145 stars calling on David Cameron to help save children based at the Jungle camp in Calais.
  
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• UK Has Hit 'Just Seven IS Fighters In Syria'

  18-02-2016 19:15
  
  British airstrikes in Syria have killed or injured just seven Islamic State militants, according to Ministry of Defence estimates. Four attacks have resulted in IS casualties since David Cameron won parliamentary support to extend airstrikes in December, the MoD revealed. The Prime Minister had cited the high-precision Brimstone missile as a UK asset that could make a "meaningful difference" to the international efforts in Syria.
  
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• Band killed in Sweden car crash top iTunes chart

  18-02-2016 19:06
  Viola Beach have reached number one on iTunes as fans pay tribute to the band who were killed in a car crash at the weekend.
  
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• Helicopter search for missing Ben Nevis climbers

  18-02-2016 18:53
  
  A helicopter search has been carried out for two young climbers missing on Britain's highest peak as their families say they remain hopeful they will be found.
  
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• EU starts 'now or never' summit to clinch deal for UK

  18-02-2016 18:44
  By Elizabeth Piper and Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday that hard work and goodwill should help him to clinch a deal at a European Union summit, described by leaders of the 28-nation bloc as the best chance of preventing Britain leaving. Ahead of the 'now or never' talks, the latest draft agreement sent to EU leaders overnight and seen by Reuters offered several ways of overcoming differences on the most contentious areas of Cameron's renegoti
  
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• Drivers Warned Amid Fake Airbags Probe

  18-02-2016 18:41
  
  Police have told more than 600 car owners to get their vehicles checked following an investigation into alleged fake airbags. It said at least 100 suspected counterfeit airbags had been seized in Dorset. The investigation began last month after the Intellectual Property Office and Honda Motor Europe found fake airbags on the site.
  
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• 'Thousands to seek legal advice' over joint criminal enterprise ruling

  18-02-2016 17:47
  
  Thousands of prisoners will seek legal advice after the Supreme Court ruled that trial judges had been wrongly interpreting a law relating to joint criminal enterprise for 30 years, lawyers predict.
  
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• UK airstrikes in Syria 'have killed or injured seven IS fighters'

  18-02-2016 17:18
  
  British air strikes in Syria have killed or injured just seven Islamic State fighters, according to estimates released by the Ministry of Defence.
  
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• Doctors warn new contract 'will lead to worse outcomes for cancer patients'

  18-02-2016 17:18
  More than 470 cancer doctors have written to Jeremy Hunt to say imposing a new contract will have "negative effects" on cancer care in England.
  
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• With eye on Britain's top job, Boris Johnson keeps Cameron guessing over EU deal

  18-02-2016 16:52
  By Guy Faulconbridge LONDON (Reuters) - Even if David Cameron clinches a deal from 27 other European Union leaders on Friday, Britain's prime minister will still have one important person to win over at home - London Mayor Boris Johnson. The rumpled mayor, who has charmed voters with a buffoonish persona that obscures fierce ambition, has so far refused to endorse a proposed EU deal to keep Britain in the 28-member bloc despite a 40-minute personal briefing from Cameron. Betting odds show gamble
  
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• Eurotunnel Claims £23m Over Migrant Disruption

  18-02-2016 16:25
  
  Eurotunnel said it wanted almost £23m from the British and French governments for their handling of the situation, which began last summer when thousands boarding trucks and accessing the terminal grounds illegally on the French side forced a series of delays and cancellations. Many of its night shuttle services for lorries, coaches and cars had to be stopped amid a host of security breaches which even allowed some people to gain access to the tunnel itself. Eurotunnel said
  
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• Swine Flu Shuts Three Leicester Hospital Wards

  18-02-2016 16:23
  
  A Leicester hospital has been forced to close three of its wards after 14 cancer patients were diagnosed with swine flu. Glenfield Hospital in Leicester is also treating three seriously ill patients for swine flu. They are understood to have been brought to Leicester from other parts of the country.
  
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• Kate speaks of 'special time' in Wales at farewell to RAF Search and Rescue

  18-02-2016 16:00
  The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken of her "special time" in Wales during a return visit with the Duke to say goodbye to the UK's search and rescue helicopter service.
  
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• 'Yawning' productivity gap between UK and other countries

  18-02-2016 15:55
  New figures have revealed a "yawning" productivity gap between the UK and other countries.
  
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• OECD think-tank cuts UK and world growth prospects with call for urgent action

  18-02-2016 15:55
  Growth prospects in the UK and global economy have been slashed as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) called for "urgent" action to boost flagging growth.
  
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• Restrictions on legal aid access for abuse victims overturned

  18-02-2016 15:27
  
  Government rules which restrict access to legal aid for victims of domestic violence have been overturned by the Court of Appeal.
  
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• Man Choked Unconscious By Rolex Thieves

  18-02-2016 15:09
  
  A pair of thugs burst into a man's office and choked him unconscious before snatching a gold watch from his wrist.
  
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• Swine Flu Outbreak Shuts Three Hospital Wards

  18-02-2016 14:59
  
  A hospital in Leicester has been forced to close three of its wards after 14 cancer patients were diagnosed with swine flu.
  
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• Joint Enterprise Law 'Wrongly Interpreted'

  18-02-2016 14:54
  
  Dozens of people convicted of murder under the controversial law of joint enterprise may be able to appeal their convictions after the Supreme Court ruled trial judges had been wrongly interpreting part of that law. The Supreme Court has now overturned two cases of murder where it is claimed the defendants should have had 'foresight' that a murder was likely to take place. :: Who Has Been Jailed Under Joint Enterprise?
  
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• Swine flu outbreak shuts hospital wards

  18-02-2016 14:51
  A hospital has closed three wards after a major swine flu outbreak affected 14 cancer patients.
  
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• PM Says He Is 'Battling For Britain' At Summit

  18-02-2016 14:45
  
  David Cameron has said he is "battling for Britain" at a crunch EU summit, and stressed he will "not take a deal that does not meet what we need".
  
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• Who Has Been Jailed Under Joint Enterprise?

  18-02-2016 14:32
  
  The law on joint enterprise - which can result in people being convicted for murder even if they did not commit the killing - has been wrongly interpreted by criminal trial judges over the past 30 years, according to the Supreme Court.
  
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• Cameron 'battling for Britain' at EU reforms talks

  18-02-2016 14:28
  
  David Cameron declared he was "battling for Britain" as he arrived for crunch talks on his European Union reforms.
  
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• Male Smoking Rate At Lowest Level Since 1974

  18-02-2016 14:27
  
  New data released by the Office for National Statistics  (ONS) showed 20% of men were smokers in 2014 compared to a peak of 51% in 1974. Average cigarette consumption has also reached its lowest number since 1976 - down from 16.8 cigarettes per day to 11.4. Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said the figures were "encouraging" but warned against complacency.
  
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• Transport group Go-Ahead apologises over rail delays as profits rise

  18-02-2016 13:51
  Transport group Go-Ahead has apologised to passengers dogged by delays on its train lines as it delivered a robust half-year performance.
  
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• El Nino 'one of the most powerful ever'

  18-02-2016 13:51
  The "El Nino" climate phenomenon which has helped push global temperatures to record levels and caused extreme weather, floods and droughts, is one of the most powerful ever, experts said.
  
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• William returns to former base to mark end of RAF search and rescue service

  18-02-2016 13:50
  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have said goodbye to the UK's search and rescue helicopter service, which has been formally disbanded after 75 years.
  
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• Plans to cut opposition parties' funding could be watered down

  18-02-2016 13:50
  George Osborne's plans to slash taxpayer funding for the opposition could be watered down to protect smaller parties in the Commons.
  
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• E-cigarettes being used by 2.2m as trend for fewer smokers continues

  18-02-2016 13:50
  More than two million people in Britain now use electronic cigarettes, although 59% also smoke regular cigarettes alongside, new figures suggest.
  
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• Charles offers to buy whole pub a drink in visit to village hit by floods

  18-02-2016 13:50
  The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have seen for themselves the devastating effects of the post-Christmas floods on a Yorkshire village.
  
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• British Gas urged to cut energy prices as residential supply arm profits leap

  18-02-2016 13:08
  
  British Gas faced calls to cut energy prices further after revealing profits at its residential supply arm surged by nearly a third last year.
  
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• Murder law applied wrongly for 30 years, says Britain's top court

  18-02-2016 12:53
  
  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a key part of the law often called "joint enterprise", which allows people to be convicted of murder even if they did not strike the fatal blow, had been misinterpreted for three decades.
  
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• Cameron heads for 'now or never' talks to keep Britain in EU

  18-02-2016 12:50
  By Elizabeth Piper and Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron will hold "now or never" talks on Thursday to keep Britain in the European Union, with the bloc's leaders voicing optimism that agreement can be reached on a new membership deal. In the latest draft agreement sent to EU leaders overnight and seen by Reuters, officials tried to overcome differences over the most contentious areas of Cameron's renegotiation - migration curbs and financial safeguards - but m
  
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• Watch: Singer Trashes Coldplay's Table At NMEs

  18-02-2016 12:49
  
  Rock band Bring Me The Horizon's frontman caused chaos at the NME Awards when he jumped on Coldplay's table and trashed it. The Sheffield group, who won the innovation prize, were performing on stage when Oli Sykes decided to jump into the crowd and leap on to the table. Coldplay moved away from the table as Sykes kicked bottles, glasses and cutlery.
  
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• EU's Juncker 'quite confident' of EU deal with Britain

  18-02-2016 12:39
  
  BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he was "quite confident" that European leaders would reach a deal with Britain over its future as a member of the 28-nation block during a summit starting on Thursday.
  
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• 'Hundreds of convictions could be challenged' after joint enterprise ruling

  18-02-2016 12:11
  
  Hundreds of convictions could be challenged after a Supreme Court ruling on crimes committed by people involved in "joint enterprises", campaigners have said.
  
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• Legal aid changes in domestic violence cases legally flawed, rules appeal court

  18-02-2016 11:51
  
  Government changes to the rules for obtaining legal aid in domestic violence cases have been declared legally flawed by the Court of Appeal.
  
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• January mortgage lending strongest since 2008

  18-02-2016 11:51
  Mortgage lenders have reported their strongest January since 2008, in further signs that the housing market is set for an active year.
  
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• Glasgow schoolboy, 15, quizzed over 'FBI computer hacking bid'

  18-02-2016 11:51
  A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Glasgow over an alleged attempt to hack into FBI computer networks.
  
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• Bid to extradite Filipino man over teenager's 'sextortion' death

  18-02-2016 11:51
  Prosecutors have launched a bid to extradite a Filipino man over the the death of a Scottish teenager who took his own life after being blackmailed by strangers online.
  
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• Second Climber Dies After Highlands Avalanche

  18-02-2016 11:49
  
  A second hillwalker rescued following an avalanche in the Highlands has died in hospital. A search and rescue operation was launched for Bobby Thomson, 64, George Crosbie, 73, and Geoffrey Stewart, 74, after the avalanche in the Creag Meagaidh area of north Lochaber, north east of Fort William. A coastguard helicopter, several mountain rescue teams and search and rescue dogs were all scrambled to the area, around 19 miles northeast of Ben Nevis.
  
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