General news

• Trump supporters want to boycott the musical Hamilton, which others have interpreted as a golden opportunity

  19-11-2016 23:59
  Hamilton is one of the most popular shows on Broadway.
  
  Read more

• These competitors at the annual UK Rock Paper Scissors Championship are having a better Saturday night than you

  19-11-2016 23:44
  
  It looks weirdly and ridiculously fun.
  
  Read more

• Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray book finals shootout for No1 spot

  19-11-2016 23:36 via theguardian.com
  
  • World’s two best players reach ATP Tour final• Murray’s semi-final took more than three hours, Djokovic’s 66 minutes.Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic meet for the 35th time on Sunday in a match loaded with more significance than even some of their many contests for majors: the championship of each other, as someone once described the trilogy of world heavyweight title fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.They have not absorbed as many physical bruises as did th
  
  Read more

• Europe’s leaders to force Britain into hard Brexit

  19-11-2016 23:03 via theguardian.com
  
  Fears grow about impact of populist surge as Nigel Farage predicts Marine Le Pen could win French presidential electionEuropean leaders have come to a 27-nation consensus that a “hard Brexit” is likely to be the only way to see off future populist insurgencies, which could lead to the break-up of the European Union. Related: Why Europe will drive a hard BrexitContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• As Storm Angus sweeps Britain, skiers celebrate Alps snow perfection

  19-11-2016 22:46 via theguardian.com
  
  Weather forecasts promise resorts the best pre-Christmas runs for many yearsThe taxi drivers at Geneva airport were doing a brisk trade early on Friday morning. “Everyone wants to go to Verbier,” one said. “Two and a half hours’ drive and then you find the snow. This morning, just after 6am, I took four guys who came in from Gatwick just for the weekend. The weather is good for business.”Yesterday pockets of northern Britain were hit by heavy snow showers, while the
  
  Read more

• Steven Gerrard to turn down MK Dons manager’s job, reports claim

  19-11-2016 22:44 via theguardian.com
  
  • Former Liverpool midfielder ‘will not take up role at League One club’
  • Gerrard looking for new opportunies after decision to leave LA GalaxySteven Gerrard will turn down the chance to become the manager of MK Dons, it has been reported.The former Liverpool and England midfielder has held preliminary talks with the League One club, who have been without a permanent manager since Karl Robinson was sacked on 23 October. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Malakai Fekitoa ensures All Blacks get their revenge against Ireland

  19-11-2016 22:03 via theguardian.com
  
  • Ireland 9-21 New Zealand
  • All Blacks back to winning ways after shock defeat in ChicagoA first win in 29 games is one thing, but a second in 30 was too much. Victories against New Zealand are clearly not like buses. Ireland gave it the usual lash – certainly their performance was no comedown from the heroics of Chicago – but this time they were up against an All Black team in a very different frame of mind. Related: Scotland steal victory over Argentina thanks to Greig L
  
  Read more

• North of England loses 310,000 graduates in 10-year brain drain

  19-11-2016 22:02 via theguardian.com
  
  Bristol is only English city other than London that attracts graduates despite better chance of home ownership in northThe Tory architect of George Osborne’s “northern powerhouse” strategy and leaders of Britain’s largest northern cities are demanding that the government acts to reverse a major brain drain to the south of England, as new figures show that 310,000 graduates have left the north in the past decade.Infrastructure investment is expected to be at the heart of t
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Philip Hammond must signal genuine change, not tinker at the edges | John McDonnell

  19-11-2016 22:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The chancellor cannot just blame Brexit in the autumn statement – many of the problems we face were introduced by his predecessor’s heavy-handednessThe autumn statement on Wednesday will be the first time in 10 years George Osborne will be nowhere in sight for a major fiscal event. There will be many who breathe a sigh of relief at that alone. But his presence will be heavily felt.Not least as the budget last March contained a black hole as the decisions he had made for the previous
  
  Read more

• Strictly Come Dancing: week nine – as it happened

  19-11-2016 21:18 via theguardian.com
  
  It’s Blackpool time! From the Judge Rinder Salsa to Spice Up Your Life, and the Ed Balls Jive to Great Balls of Fire, we followed every second of this year’s Strictly seaside special 8.11pm GMTSo that’s it for Blackpool Week! Thank you so much for adding your own brand of joy to this evening’s blog, it makes it a good deal more entertaining than my ramblings. I’m off to read all your comments, but I’ll be back here at 7.15pm tomorrow for the Results Show - enj
  
  Read more

• Austerity effect hits women ‘twice as hard as it does men’

  19-11-2016 21:13 via theguardian.com
  
  Tax and benefit changes since 2010 have increased equality gapWomen will have shouldered 85% of the burden of the government’s changes to the tax and benefits system by 2020, according to figures published ahead of next week’s autumn statement.The analysis, by independent thinktank the Women’s Budget Group, shows that tax and benefit changes since 2010 will have hit women’s incomes twice as hard as men by 2020. Women will be £1,003 a year worse off by 2020 on averag
  
  Read more

• ‘Too old? Never!’ Alain Juppé’s home city rallies to Le Pen challenger

  19-11-2016 21:09 via theguardian.com
  
  As mayor of Bordeaux, he is aiming for the presidency – and a showdown with the far rightAt a brasserie in Saint Pierre, the historic heart of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé’s supporters are settling down for an evening in front of the television.On the screen is the crucial final debate in the centre-right Les Républicains’ primary race, before Sunday’s first-round vote. Juppé, the city’s mayor, is one of seven candidates, alongside former president Nic
  
  Read more

• These heartfelt tweets will make you think twice before you question the need for International Men's Day

  19-11-2016 20:59
  
  The true message behind the day is anything but funny.
  
  Read more

• Harry Kane’s two late goals earn Tottenham victory over West Ham

  19-11-2016 20:48 via theguardian.com
  
  Tottenham Hotpsur’s unbeaten run remains intact but of far more importance to Mauricio Pochettino after this classic encounter will be that his team’s seven-game winless streak has ended. Spurs dominated for long spells of this pulsating London derby but they needed Harry Kane, the most prolific of scorers in inter-capital fixtures, to strike twice in the final two minutes to transform a maiden defeat of the season into their first victory since 2 October.West Ham had led twice, thro
  
  Read more

• Barcelona fail to fire without Messi and Suárez against nine-man Málaga

  19-11-2016 20:19 via theguardian.com
  
  Barcelona dearly missed Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez as the La Liga champions were held to a goalless draw at home to nine-man Málaga yesterday, missing the chance to go top of the table.Messi was taken ill before the game while Suárez, joint-top scorer in La Liga along with the Argentinian, was suspended. Andrés Iniesta was also injured and Luis Enrique’s side were incapable of prising open a Málaga side happy to sit back and soak up pressure. Continue r
  
  Read more

• Labour proposes jail for software-using ticket touts

  19-11-2016 19:58 via theguardian.com
  
  Tom Watson accuses government of failing music and sports fans over ‘industrial-scale market abuse’ involving botsTouts who use automated software to bulk-buy thousands of concert tickets for resale at a profit would face prison sentences under new proposals from the Labour party. Related: How the ticket touts get away with bleeding fans dryContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Tram driver suspended after footage of him 'asleep at the controls' emerges

  19-11-2016 19:39
  
  It was on the same line as the fatal Croydon tram crash that happened only a few weeks ago.
  
  Read more

• Tories trusted on economy by twice as many voters as Labour – poll

  19-11-2016 19:37 via theguardian.com
  
  Opinium/Observer survey reveals just 18% of voters would trust Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell with the public financesMore than twice as many people trust Theresa May and Philip Hammond to run the economy than Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, according to a new poll on the eve of the autumn statement.Just 18% of voters would trust the Labour leadership to manage the public finances, the findings of the Opinium/Observer poll show, compared with 44% who have faith in the prime minister and chan
  
  Read more

• John McDonnell backs revamp of Buckingham Palace as petition grows

  19-11-2016 19:36 via theguardian.com
  
  Shadow chancellor says ‘national monument’ must be repaired but petition calls for royal family to pay £369m bill
  The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has backed the publicly funded £369m refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.The republican Labour MP declared the Queen’s main residence a national monument and said no government would allow it to fall into disrepair. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Grandson of congressman fatally shot in Chicago after 'dispute over shoes'

  19-11-2016 19:31 via theguardian.com
  
  At least two attackers shot and killed 15-year-old Jovan Wilson, the grandson of Illinois representative Danny Davis, at home on Friday nightA dispute over shoes led to the fatal shooting of the grandson of Illinois US representative Danny Davis, Chicago police said Saturday.At least two attackers went to the home of 15-year-old Jovan Wilson in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago on Friday night and shot him in the head after an argument, police said.Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• East Aleppo’s last hospital destroyed by airstrikes

  19-11-2016 19:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Russian-led attacks on Syria’s second city leave up to 250,000 people without access to surgeryThe last operating hospital in east Aleppo has been destroyed by airstrikes, leaving up to 250,000 residents without access to surgery or specialist care, and rebel-held districts at the point of collapse.Another four hospitals were hit and forced to close on Friday, before the Omar bin Abdul Aziz facility was struck just after 8.30pm, capping the most deadly day yet for the medical system in Syr
  
  Read more

• José Mourinho: ‘Manchester United unluckiest team in Premier League’

  19-11-2016 19:22 via theguardian.com
  
  • United should be in top four, says manager after 1-1 draw with Arsenal
  • Arsène Wenger: Arsenal scored great goal and showed ‘never-give-up attitude’José Mourinho claimed his Manchester United team were the unluckiest in the Premier League after a third home draw in a row and should by rights be occupying a top four position.The United manager also contended Arsenal’s late equaliser in the 1-1 lunchtime draw at Old Trafford might have been prevented ha
  
  Read more

• Facebook announces new push against fake news after Obama comments

  19-11-2016 19:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Mark Zuckerberg says site has been ‘working on problem for a long time’ and ‘penalizes’ misinformation on news feeds to reduce chances it will spreadFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced new steps to counter fake news on the platform on Saturday, marking a departure from his skepticism that online misinformation is, as Barack Obama said this week, a threat to democratic institutions. “We take misinformation seriously,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Saturday.
  
  Read more

• Students march through central London for free education for all

  19-11-2016 19:06
  
  The United for Education demo got a pretty sizeable turnout.
  
  Read more

• Wayne Rooney hits out at ‘disgraceful’ reaction to hotel wedding photos

  19-11-2016 19:04 via theguardian.com
  
  • ‘It shows a lack of respect and I think enough is enough,’ says Man Utd striker
  • Rooney apologised for images showing him up late on international dutyWayne Rooney has condemned his treatment as “disgraceful” and says he has been shown a lack of respect after the publication of photographs that showed him out late when on England duty.The pictures were printed by a national newspaper after Rooney joined a wedding party following England’s World Cup qual
  
  Read more

• For Boris Johnson and his cronies, blame always lies elsewhere | Nick Cohen

  19-11-2016 18:45 via theguardian.com
  
  The foreign secretary and his fellow Brexiters have left this country in an imperilled and intolerable situationBoris Johnson is many things: a narcissist, a liar , a thug and an impostor. But he isn’t a fool. When he said last week it was “bollocks” to think freedom of movement was one of the European Union’s fundamental principles (and how refreshing it is to have a foreign secretary with a classical education), serious people made the mistake of not taking the new righ
  
  Read more

• Heathrow protesters arrested after blocking road

  19-11-2016 18:42
  Police have arrested 15 activists who blocked a road near Heathrow Airport in protest against its expansion. Protesters holding placards reading "Heathrow expansion will destroy thousands of homes" and "Protect the planet, no more runways" also gathered with local residents on a nearby flyover. A spokesman for the group said: "The Government's decisions to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK's own laws on clima
  
  Read more

• Watford strike early to heap more misery on Leicester City’s title defence

  19-11-2016 18:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Claudio Ranieri’s hopes of restoring the champions’ solidity on the road? Gone in 33 seconds here. That was how long it took Étienne Capoue to open the scoring for Watford, who quickly increased their lead thanks to a lovely goal by Roberto Pereyra. Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty for Leicester but the champions could not avert a fifth defeat from six Premier League away matches this season.Add that to the fact that they lost their year-long unbeaten home league record in the
  
  Read more

• Bournemouth’s Nathan Aké scores only goal to bag vital away win at Stoke

  19-11-2016 18:19 via theguardian.com
  
  The Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, plans to speak with referee Roger East after feeling key decisions went against his side in their victory against Stoke, while his opposite number Mark Hughes railed against the visitors’ “cynical time-wasting”.It could have been a tale of two penalties at the Bet365 Stadium had the Cherries not held on to the 26th-minute lead given to them by Nathan Aké’s header to see out a 1-0 win. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Yaya Touré makes spectacular return to clinch Manchester City victory

  19-11-2016 18:17 via theguardian.com
  
  Pep Guardiola can presumably expect a phone call this week from Yaya Touré’s agent, the Spaniard’s bête noire Dimitri Seluk, demanding his client is handed a pay rise. After all those much publicised “misunderstandings in the past”, for which the player had recently, if belatedly, apologised, Touré is restored to the fray and contributing significantly once again. The absence has done little to blunt his dramatic timing.He was decisive with two goals t
  
  Read more

• Tintin drawing sells for record €1.55m in Paris auction

  19-11-2016 18:16 via theguardian.com
  
  Original artwork by Hergé from Explorers on the Moon was expected to sell for between €700,000 and €900,000An original drawing from the popular Tintin adventure Explorers on the Moon has sold for a record €1.55m (£1.3m) in Paris, auction house Artcurial has announced.
  The 50cm x 35cm drawing in Chinese ink by the Belgian cartoonist known as Hergé shows the boy reporter, his dog, Snowy, and sailor Captain Haddock wearing spacesuits and walking on the moon while
  
  Read more

• Liverpool left frustrated as dogged Southampton hold on for a draw

  19-11-2016 18:13 via theguardian.com
  
  Liverpool continue to enjoy the view from the top of the Premier League, but everything would have looked so much better for Jürgen Klopp and his players if they had shown the same ruthless touch in front of goal that had carried them to the summit. Instead Liverpool departed the south coast ruing the missed opportunities that checked their momentum and allowed Southampton to escape with a point.Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, Liverpool’s exhilarating attacki
  
  Read more

• Donald Trump has urged the Hamilton musical cast to apologise to Mike Pence

  19-11-2016 18:05
  
  Trump has taken to Twitter – but the actor who spoke out has responded.
  
  Read more

• The secret life of the Swiss – in pictures

  19-11-2016 18:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Ever since relocating to Switzerland in 2006, Swedish-born photographer Christian Nilson has been capturing the identity of his adopted homeland. He presents the people of the country he loves through a series of affectionate pictures, collected in his book The Swiss, published tomorrow by Scheidegger & Spiess. “When you live in lots of different places, as I’ve been doing, growing up, I’ve always found you try to make the country you live in your own… you try to rel
  
  Read more

• Pope Francis decries 'epidemic of animosity' toward minorities

  19-11-2016 17:51 via theguardian.com
  
  Less than two weeks after Donald Trump’s election, pontiff makes thinly veiled criticism of rise of populist nationalismPope Francis has said an “epidemic of animosity” toward religious and ethnic minorities is hurting the weakest in society, in a thinly veiled assessment of the rise of populist nationalism.Little more than a week after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, which has buoyed anti-immigration parties in Europe, the pope said people should
  
  Read more

• Storm Angus brings heavy rain and 80mph gusts to south coast

  19-11-2016 17:50 via theguardian.com
  
  Warnings issued by Met Office as southern England swept by 50mph winds with storm expected to head northStorm Angus, the first named storm of the season, has hit the UK with gusts of up to 80mph expected to batter the coast.Related: As Storm Angus sweeps Britain, skiers celebrate Alps snow perfectionContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• England register record win against Fiji but defence is cause for concern

  19-11-2016 17:44 via theguardian.com
  
  • England 58-15 Fiji
  • Eddie Jones’ under-strength team score nine triesWhat a difference a year makes. England, so rigid and structured in attack during the World Cup, are passing muster under Eddie Jones. For the second week in succession, they flummoxed opponents with their lines of running, multiple options for the ball-carrier and distribution skills from New Zealand’s rugby manual.Fiji caused England, Australia and Wales problems in the World Cup, but here they were b
  
  Read more

• Students and lecturers march against Tories' education bill

  19-11-2016 16:25 via theguardian.com
  
  Unions say plans amount to ‘ideologically led market experiment’ and PM should not use EU students as pawns in Brexit talksStudents and lecturers have marched through central London to protest against government plans for an “ideologically led market experiment” that would open up UK higher education to the likes of Trump University and leave students facing escalating fees. Related: Why the Higher Education and Research Bill must be amendedContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Wada pushes for power to suspend non-compliant countries

  19-11-2016 16:23 via theguardian.com
  
  Wada responds to farce over Russia’s involvement in the Rio Olympics by calling for greater powers to tackle doping despite strong opposition from the IOCThe World Anti-Doping Agency is expected to call for the power to set its own sanctions against non-compliant countries in the wake of this summer’s farce over Russia’s involvement in the Rio Olympics.Sunday’s meeting in Glasgow of its board, at which the president, Sir Craig Reedie, is expected to be re-elected for anot
  
  Read more

• Storm Angus: Warning of 80mph gusts heading for southeast UK

  19-11-2016 16:12
  Strong winds and heavy rain are heading for the UK as forecasters warn of possible flooding, power cuts, damaged buildings and travel disruption. The Met Office has an amber "be prepared" warning in place for the southeast of England on Sunday morning, with Storm Angus expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph. The Met Office said some areas could see up to 1.5 inches of rain over several hours, with possible surface water flooding.
  
  Read more

• Child refugees forced to work for nothing after leaving Calais

  19-11-2016 15:59 via theguardian.com
  
  Lawyers voice concern over unaccompanied minors sent to ‘welcome centres’ after demolition of French campChild refugees sent from the demolished Calais “jungle” to supposedly safe welcome centres across France claim they have been pressed into forced labour.Legal interviews with unaccompanied minors dispersed from the refugee camp to France’s official reception centres have uncovered allegations that children have been forced into unpaid work and ordered on to farms
  
  Read more

• Bannon, Kushner and Priebus: rivals for power at the heart of Trump's team

  19-11-2016 15:50 via theguardian.com
  
  Strategist Steve Bannon has likened himself to Thomas Cromwell as he, chief of staff Reince Priebus, and adviser Jared Kushner seek the president-elect’s earOne by one they came, walking by the marble walls, the cascading waterfall, the ogling tourists and the eager cameras, into the shiny lifts and up to the 26th floor to kiss the ring of the new king.This week, Trump Tower was a hive of scurrying courtiers, from a prime minister, media mogul and nonagenarian diplomat to senators, congres
  
  Read more

• Heathrow campaigners arrested over M4 protest

  19-11-2016 15:25 via theguardian.com
  
  Police detain 15 after people lie on road to protest against expansion of international airport
  Fifteen people have been arrested during a protest near Heathrow against airport expansion.Those arrested were among a small group of people who ran on to an M4 spur road and lay down in front of oncoming traffic, causing temporary disruption. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Lynne Truss: my rescue cats inspired me to write two novels

  19-11-2016 14:59 via theguardian.com
  
  The writer, 61, on worrying at school, enjoying massive midlife success and not spotting missing apostrophesI remember being in junior school and wondering if I was the only person who had thoughts. I would see the other kids in the playground and think: “Do they have thoughts or do they just run about?”I feel sorry for people who have massive success when they’re young. I was 48 when Eats, Shoots & Leaves became a bestseller and that helped me deal with it. All the time it
  
  Read more

• City of Brussels set to honour killed British MP Jo Cox

  19-11-2016 14:50 via theguardian.com
  
  Labour politician on list of prominent women after whom council will name new streets, squares and buildings
  The Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed in her constituency, is to have a street, square or building in Brussels named in her honour.
  Cox features in a long list of illustrious women drawn up by Brussels city council from which it will name newly created public places. The move is part of an initiative to increase female representation in the names of streets and squares in the Belgian capit
  
  Read more

• Watch as a sea of fire-retardant foam engulfs Californian streets

  19-11-2016 14:48
  
  It looked like Christmas had come early.
  
  Read more

• Dalian Atkinson funeral draws family, fans and former football stars

  19-11-2016 14:36 via theguardian.com
  
  Emotional tributes paid to former Aston Villa striker who died after police shot him with a Taser in his hometown in AugustFormer football stars have joined mourners as emotional tributes were paid to the ex-Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson at his funeral.Related: Dalian Atkinson's family tell of agony over footballer's Taser deathContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• When bad music comes on the radio, I crank up the volume | David Ferguson

  19-11-2016 14:00 via theguardian.com
  
  It’s a weird compulsion – I need to hate terrible ear worms in excruciating detail. But feeling disgust reaffirms that we’re aliveSometimes when I’m driving in the car and a song that I hate comes on the radio, I turn it up so that I can hate it in detail.In the car in Texas last week, I heard a song so ghastly that at first I couldn’t even process what I was hearing. Surely no one would do this intentionally. It sounded like Adam Levine from Maroon 5’s snotty
  
  Read more

• Jeremy Corbyn says Tories have 'fanned flames of fear' on immigration

  19-11-2016 13:43
  
  The Conservatives have "fanned the flames of fear over immigration", Jeremy Corbyn has claimed, "egged on by their UKIP sidekicks". In doing so he took a sideswipe at the "fake anti-elitism" of interim UKIP leader Nigel Farage and US President-elect Donald Trump, which he described as "farcical" but "no joke". Mr Corbyn also admitted Labour "became too complacent" in power, which had fuelled voter disillusionment.
  
  Read more

• Mike Pence attended a showing of Hamilton: An American Musical, and one actor had something to say

  19-11-2016 13:37
  
  The vice-president-elect was apparently ready to leave, but was asked to stay just a little bit longer.
  
  Read more

Follow @GeneralnewsUK on Twitter!