General news

• UK needs independent commission to boost home ownership - review

  15-11-2016 23:06
  Britain should set up an independent housing commission and review flagship government programmes to help boost home ownership, according to a review led by the CEO of one of the country's biggest housebuilders. The Redfern review, led by the Chief Executive of Taylor Wimpey and commissioned by the opposition Labour Party's housing spokesman, said the rate of home ownership fell from a peak of 70.9 percent in England in the early 2000s to 63.6 percent in 2014/15. An independent body would look i
  
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• At least one dead at the Oklahoma City Airport shooting

  15-11-2016 22:25
  
  The situation is ongoing.
  
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• BBC newsroom does #MannequinChallenge

  15-11-2016 22:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The BBC newsroom does the #MannequinChallenge, featuring BBC Children in Need's Pudsey.
  
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• Trump and Turkey

  15-11-2016 22:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The foreign secretary is known for being outspoken, but there are times when he has changed his mind.
  
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• Article 50 legislation could delay Brexit by up to two years

  15-11-2016 21:38
  Brexit could be delayed by months, even as long as two years, after a Supreme Court Judge suggested that "comprehensive" legislation was required to trigger Article 50. Lady Hale told an audience in Kuala Lumpur that the court must question "whether it would be enough for a simple act of Parliament to authorise the Government to give notice, or whether it would have to be a comprehensive replacement for the 1972 [EEC Accession] Act". Sky News reported last week that the Government was prepa
  
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• Ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor 'living in shed' after sex abuse investigation

  15-11-2016 21:06
  Former MP Harvey Proctor has told Sky News he is living in a "glorified shed" after a long campaign to clear his name following child abuse allegations. The Met Police's Operation Midland has now concluded with fulsome apologies issued to the three men. Mr Proctor told Sky News: "I lost my job, my house and all my assets... I am probably unemployable.
  
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• Google plans for 10-storey office are 'vote of confidence' in UK

  15-11-2016 20:39
  Google has confirmed plans for a new purpose-built UK site in a decision hailed by the Government as a vote of confidence in the economy after the Brexit vote. Google currently employs around 4,000 people in the UK.
  
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• Check out the Duchess of Cornwall's totally baller all-female security team

  15-11-2016 20:39
  
  Totally inspiring.
  
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• Brexit could be delayed for two years, Supreme Court judge warns

  15-11-2016 20:24
  Brexit could be delayed by months, even as long as two years, after a Supreme Court Judge suggested that "comprehensive" legislation was required to trigger Article 50. Lady Hale told an audience in Kuala Lumpur that the court must question "whether it would be enough for a simple act of Parliament to authorise the Government to give notice, or whether it would have to be a comprehensive replacement for the 1972 [EEC Accession] Act". Sky News reported last week that the Government was prepa
  
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• Did you not vote in the US election? Tell us why

  15-11-2016 20:17 via theguardian.com
  
  It’s been estimated that 42% of Americans didn’t cast a ballot on 8 November. If you were one of them, tell us why you didn’t want to make your voice heardThe US election race has been a controversial and long-fought battle with millions of Americans divided on who to back. But as well as those who were firmly in team Trump or team Clinton, there’s another group to think about: the non-voters. How do these people feel now?Voter turnout this year is unknown (it’s not
  
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• 5 times the real Joe Biden was even better than the memes he spawned

  15-11-2016 20:09
  
  We’re really going to miss him.
  
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• Muslim and Jewish Americans team up to create a new council in the wake of Donald Trump's election

  15-11-2016 19:56
  
  The Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council wants to “kick off a new era in Muslim-Jewish relations”.
  
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• JK Rowling at Fantastic Beasts premiere: 'It was an accident'

  15-11-2016 19:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Harry Potter author JK Rowling talks about her new film Fantastic Beasts and her "amazing" career.
  
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• Scottish parliament asks UK to ring-fence Scots EU single market membership

  15-11-2016 19:48
  Scotland's devolved parliament called on Tuesday for the British government to ring-fence its European Union single market membership even as Britain exits the bloc. Although the United Kingdom as a whole voted to leave the EU in a June referendum, Scotland voted to remain and says it therefore has a case for a separate deal with Brussels. The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) tabled a motion in the Holyrood parliament hoping to attract cross-party support for protecting the advantages Scotla
  
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• Brexit memo: Govt 'does not recognise' leaked Deloitte document

  15-11-2016 19:46
  A leaked memo claiming the Government had no plan for Brexit was drawn up by a leading accountancy firm "touting for business", Number 10 has said. A spokeswoman for Downing Street said the "unsolicited" document prepared by Deloitte had "nothing to do with the Government" and had "no credence". The document, seen by Sky News, claims the Government will not have a strategy for six months because of a split in the Cabinet and lack of civil service firepower.
  
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• One of these twins is older than the other even though he was born second

  15-11-2016 19:27
  
  This’ll be a fun story when they are older.
  
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• Disputed memo says Britain has no Brexit plan

  15-11-2016 19:16
  By Guy Faulconbridge LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has no overall strategy for leaving the European Union and splits in Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet could delay a clear negotiating position for six months, according to a leaked Deloitte memo that the government dismissed as having no credibility. The document was written by consultants at Deloitte and leaked to The Times newspaper, which said it had been prepared for the government department that supports the prime minister and her cabinet
  
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• Woman 'tried to drown boy to bring back her dead father'

  15-11-2016 19:07
  Claire Winslade, 32, was spotted hunched over the boy as she held him face down under the water on Southbourne beach in Bournemouth, Dorset, Winchester Crown Court heard. Rob Welling, prosecuting, told the trial that Winslade had a history of mental illness and believed the boy had a "demon" inside him. Mr Welling said: "She and (the boy) went to the Southbourne seafront.
  
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• Google boss Sundar Pichai explains £1bn UK investment

  15-11-2016 19:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Google chief executive Sundar Pichai explains why the tech giant is investing an estimated £1bn in the UK.
  
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• This Black Lives Matter #MannequinChallenge highlights police shootings and it's incredibly powerful

  15-11-2016 18:55
  
  One group has used the viral trend to take a look at the Black Lives Matter movement.
  
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• No posers, no preppies – the Marc Jacobs dress code goes 80s

  15-11-2016 18:50 via theguardian.com
  
  Last year, the American designer suggested guests arrive to his annual bash by horse – this year, he’s in the mood for Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and the Paradise GarageIt’s been a rough week. So, some much-needed respite via the annual Marc Jacobs dress code – the John Lewis Christmas advert of the fashion industry. To celebrate the launch of his resort collection, the American designer is having a bash. And, as per, it involves a dress code whose gnomic screed – c
  
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• 'Bit of a joke'

  15-11-2016 18:46 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The creator of a fake news site tells Newsbeat there's nothing wrong with what he does.
  
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• How this singer got a magic nod from JK Rowling

  15-11-2016 18:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Unsigned singer-songwriter Emmi has been hand-picked to sing the only song in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.
  
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• 'Attacked with knives'

  15-11-2016 18:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  As prison officers protest over safety standards, guards and their families tell the BBC about fights, staff shortages and threats to loved ones.
  
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• Ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor plans legal action against police over historical sex claims

  15-11-2016 18:37
  Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor is planning legal action against the Metropolitan Police over historical sex abuse allegations, Sky News understands. Mr Proctor was among a number of high-profile figures investigated by the London force following claims by an alleged victim known as "Nick". Mr Proctor's home was searched, alongside those of former military chief Lord Bramall and late former home secretary Lord Brittan, as part of the investigation.
  
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• UK government has prepared 'bomb-proof' legislation on Article 50 - BBC

  15-11-2016 18:26
  The British government has prepared a short "bomb-proof" piece of legislation on triggering formal divorce talks with the European Union in case a court ruling that parliament must be involved is upheld, the BBC reported on Tuesday. The Supreme Court is likely to make its ruling in the New Year on the issue of whether the government requires parliamentary approval before invoking Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon treaty to start the leaving negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May wants to trigger A
  
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• REM to go live on Facebook with the Guardian – send in your questions

  15-11-2016 18:08 via theguardian.com
  
  On Friday 18 November, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills will join the Guardian’s John Harris on stage in London to discuss the band’s career – and they want to hear your questions, tooThis Friday, REM come to London! Not to play a reunion show, sadly, but to talk about their career and the 25th anniversary of their album Out of Time, which is getting the deluxe reissue treatment, also on Friday.On 18 November, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills from the band will be in conversation with
  
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• EU agrees defence budget increase as Britain lifts block

  15-11-2016 18:08
  By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union agreed on Tuesday to increase its military research budget for the first time since 2010 after Britain softened its opposition, a breakthrough that may signal British support for defence co-operation even once outside the bloc. A day after agreeing a new defence plan aimed at making Europe less reliant on U.S. help, EU governments increased the 2017 funding of the European Defence Agency, which helps countries develop aircraft and other ass
  
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• Teenagers across the US are walking out of school in protest over Donald Trump's victory

  15-11-2016 17:59
  
  The young demonstrators brandished signs decrying Trump’s victory.
  
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• I’m a rabbi, and I’m applying for a German passport. Here’s why | Julia Neuberger

  15-11-2016 17:52 via theguardian.com
  
  My parents’ homeland has dealt with its Nazi past. After the Brexit vote, I want to embrace my continental European originsAs a child I had German au pairs, and my refugee mother spoke German to her parents, as their English was not entirely fluent. But I was aware that Germany was not a country we visited, and that terrible things had happened to the Jews there. I was 10 when my parents told me the full extent of the Nazi destruction of the Jews, and a bit older before I really understood
  
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• UK government disputes suggestion it has no plan for Brexit - PM's spokeswoman

  15-11-2016 17:37
  LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May disputes "wholeheartedly" the suggestion in a leaked memo that Britain has no overall plan for leaving the European Union and is sticking to her Brexit timetable, her spokeswoman said on Tuesday. The leaked memo, which was prepared by consultancy firm Deloitte and published by The Times newspaper, said it could be six months before the government had a view on its priorities and negotiating strategy. ...
  
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• British hacking suspect Lauri Love fears he will die behind bars

  15-11-2016 17:33
  
  Lauri Love faces up to 99 years in jail in the US if he is found guilty of cyber-attacks against organisations including the FBI. Lauri Love, 31, who has Asperger syndrome, has spoken of his fears as his father called for "British justice for a British citizen". Mr Love is accused of stealing huge amounts of data from US agencies including the Federal Reserve, US Army, the Department of Defense, NASA and the FBI.
  
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• Thousands of UK prison officers walk out over rising jail violence

  15-11-2016 16:57
  Thousands of prison officers walked out on Tuesday in protest at rising levels of violence in jails, prompting the government to seek a court injunction to force them back to work. Prison officers in England and Wales are banned by law from taking strike action but up to 10,000 stopped work over concerns about the health and safety of staff and inmates. Earlier this month, the government unveiled plans to reform prisons and improve safety, something Justice Secretary Liz Truss told parliament on
  
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• Bank of England's Carney - Attacks on central bankers are 'massive' blame game

  15-11-2016 16:51
  By David Milliken and William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said verbal attacks by politicians on central banks, such as criticism by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of the U.S. Federal Reserve, were a "massive blame-deflection exercise". Carney has faced political heat in Britain for the BoE's low interest rates while Trump, during the U.S. presidential election campaign, accused the Federal Reserve of keeping rates low due to pressure from the Obama admini
  
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• Government wins High Court bid to end prison officers walkout

  15-11-2016 16:47
  
  The Government has won a High Court injunction to force up to 10,000 protesting prison officers to return to work. It is illegal for prison officers in England and Wales to strike and the Government submitted an emergency application for an injunction to "restrain" the Prison Officers Association (POA) from "inducing any form of industrial action".
  
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• Trump victory a 'wake-up call' for austerity, says John McDonnell

  15-11-2016 16:41
  Donald Trump's election should act as a "wake-up call" to the Government to use the Autumn Statement to ditch its austerity policy. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Brexit and the US elections were the result of an "old rigged economy" that produced "dead town centres" and "stagnant wages". Mr McDonnell said the Chancellor should help households struggling to get by instead of giving tax breaks to the rich.
  
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• This website is turning controversial Donald Trump quotes into charitable donations

  15-11-2016 16:38
  
  A group of people have managed to find a new way to channel their anger over the president-elect into something more productive.
  
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• Five things the leaked Brexit memo tells us

  15-11-2016 16:09
  The memo identifies Cabinet splits between Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox on one side, and Chancellor Philip Hammond and Business Secretary Greg Clark on the other. Many feel the Government doesn't have a comprehensive plan and is nowhere close to having one.
  
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• Brexit memo: Govt 'does not recognise' leaked document

  15-11-2016 15:52
  The leaked memo, which claimed the Government had no plan for Brexit, was drawn up by an accountancy firm "touting for business", Number 10 has said. A spokeswoman for Downing Street said the "unsolicited" document had "nothing to do with the Government" and had "no credence". A Government spokesman said: "This unsolicited document has nothing to do with the Government at all.
  
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• There's a petition to close retail stores on Boxing Day and it may actually be considered for a Parliament debate

  15-11-2016 15:40
  
  The petition, launched on the official government website, is nearing the 100,000 signature mark.
  
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• Pupil dies after falling ill in detention at Tower Hamlets school

  15-11-2016 15:35
  Nasar Ahmed was reported ill last Thursday at Bow School in Tower Hamlets, east London, and died in hospital on Monday. Bow School is a mixed secondary school with around 500 students aged 11 to 18. In a statement the school's executive headteacher, Cath Smith, said: "I am very sad to confirm that one of our Year 9 pupils, who was taken ill at school last Thursday, has passed away in hospital.
  
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• Blink and you'll miss it: Japanese sinkhole repaired at speed – video

  15-11-2016 15:32 via theguardian.com
  
  A 30-metre sinkhole on a busy street in the Japanese city of Fukuoka has been repaired astonishingly quickly. The sinkhole appeared on 8 November and caused power cuts, disrupted phone signals, and gas and water supplies. Officials reopened the road to traffic on Tuesday 15 November after health and safety checks
  Japan fixes vast Fukuoka city sinkholeContinue reading...
  
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• Nigel Farage calls No 10 Trump rebuff 'astonishing'

  15-11-2016 15:10
  
  Nigel Farage has said the way Number 10 has rejected his offer to act as a Trump administration go-between is "astonishing". Fresh from his trip to US to meet President-elect Donald Trump, the UKIP leader told Sky's All Out Politics that it was not the way businesses and people in the "real world" expected things to work. Mr Farage said: "Can you imagine if we were a business here, looking at Trump in America as somebody that we thought it was very important to form a close relationship wit
  
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• Stephen Bannon and the alt-right in the White House – video explainer

  15-11-2016 15:00 via theguardian.com
  
  President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist. Bannon is the executive chairman of Breitbart News Network, ‘a platform for the alt-right’. Here we explain what that means – and why many liberals fear his appointment will encourage antisemites, racists and misogynistsSteve Bannon: appointment of ‘white nationalist’ must be reversed, critics declareContinue reading...
  
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• Boy, 17, admits hacking offences linked to TalkTalk attack

  15-11-2016 14:57
  A teenage boy has admitted seven hacking offences linked to an attack on mobile and broadband firm TalkTalk. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in Norwich last November and charged with breaching the Computer Misuse Act 1990 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Cyber Crime Unit. TalkTalk was the victim of what it described as a "significant and sustained" attack on its website on 21 October 2015.
  
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• UK inflation slips unexpectedly but BoE warns of rises ahead

  15-11-2016 14:44
  By Andy Bruce and William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - British inflation slipped unexpectedly last month, but Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned higher prices are on the way, with cost pressures in factories already ballooning thanks to sterling's Brexit slump. Carney said a pick-up in inflation expectations in Britain was also being driven by a better outlook for the economy.
  
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• London Underground staff to strike amid 'breakdown' in industrial relations

  15-11-2016 14:27
  
  Around 3,400 workers are involved in the two disputes.
  
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• Bank of England's Carney speaks to UK parliament committee

  15-11-2016 14:18
  LONDON (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Mark Carney answered questions from the House of Commons Treasury Committee on Tuesday. He appeared alongside Deputy Governor Minouche Shafik and Monetary Policy Committee members Michael Saunders and Ian McCafferty. Below are highlights of the session. MARK CARNEY WE COULD BE STUCK IN LOW INTEREST RATE TRAP FOR DECADES IF WE DO NOT SEE MAJOR STRUCTURAL REFORM The challenge is how to get those equilibrium (interest) rates up and that is not going to ha
  
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• Banks could move from UK 18 months before a 'hard Brexit' - Carney

  15-11-2016 14:16
  Banks based in Britain may start to relocate activities to other countries about 1-1/2 years before a British departure from the European Union if a "hard Brexit" looks likely, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said on Tuesday. If the government begins the divorce process in March as promised, that could mean banks start moving in late 2017. Carney told lawmakers that banks and insurers were making contingency plans in case Britain loses a lot of its access to the EU's single market but said
  
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• Leaked memo an 'unsolicited document' with no credence - UK PM's spokeswoman

  15-11-2016 14:10
  A leaked memo that suggests Britain has no overall strategy for leaving the European Union is an "unsolicited document" written by an individual for accountancy firm Deloitte, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday. A spokesman for Deloitte declined to give an immediate comment. It was not commissioned by the government, it was produced by an individual from an external accountancy firm, who was not working for government," the spokeswoman told reporters, saying the memo ha
  
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