General news

• Former Tesco boss Clarke will not face charges over accounting scandal

  28-11-2016 23:37
  Philip Clarke, the former chief executive of Tesco , will not face charges from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over the accounting scandal that rocked Britain's biggest retailer in 2014, his lawyer said on Monday. David Corker, partner at CorkerBinning, told Reuters he had received a letter from the SFO informing him that Clarke would not be prosecuted. The SFO declined to comment beyond stating its investigation into Tesco was continuing.
  
  Read more

• Ohio State University attack investigated as possible terrorism

  28-11-2016 23:01
  
  Nine people were injured during the incident on Monday morning.
  
  Read more

• Not out yet, Britain backs EU patent court

  28-11-2016 22:41
  Britain pleased and surprised some of its European Union partners on Monday by pledging to ratify a new, unified patent system for the bloc even though London is about to leave the EU. Slovak Economy Minister Peter Ziga, who chaired a meeting of EU counterparts in Brussels, told reporters he was "very pleased" that Britain had committed to be ready to ratify the international agreement in the first half of next year. Ratification by Britain, one of the EU's three biggest economies, was a conditi
  
  Read more

• Tory 'Brexit plan' photographed in Downing Street

  28-11-2016 22:24
  
  The latest Downing Street blunder involving a secret document being photographed outside Number 10 appears to reveal Tory tactics on Brexit.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Exclusive - Tata Steel, Thyssenkrupp looking at reducing Port Talbot's capacity

  28-11-2016 21:37
  By Maytaal Angel and Georgina Prodhan LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp are looking at reducing the size of Britain's largest steel plant in Port Talbot, Wales, industry sources said, as the two firms press ahead with plans to merge their European steel operations and deal with the overcapacity afflicting the industry. The move could see one of Port Talbot's two blast furnaces shut, halving the plant's capacity. An industry source close to Thyssenkrupp's board said the Ger
  
  Read more

• Sports Personality of the Year 2016: who should win the award? – poll

  28-11-2016 21:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Andy Murray’s victories at Wimbledon, the Olympics and the ATP World Tour Finals make him the favourite for the award, but who has earned your vote?Andy Murray is threatening to make the BBC’s annual sports awards show a little boring. No one has ever won the award three times – not even a Formula One driver – but Murray looks set to win it for the third time in four years.Related: Andy Murray heads SPOTY list but there is no place for Chris Froome and othersContinue read
  
  Read more

• Barry Bennell victim David Lean told police of hundreds more but 'no one listened'

  28-11-2016 20:26
  
  The police and Crown Prosecution Service were warned by one of Barry Bennell's earliest victims more than three years ago that the paedophile football coach could have preyed on hundreds of boys. David Lean, a former Preston North End reserve team player, was abused by Bennell in 1980, but after 30 years of silence came forward in 2013 with evidence that led to him being sentenced to two years' imprisonment in 2015. Waiving his anonymity and speaking publicly for the first time, Mr Lean told Sky
  
  Read more

• Poppi Worthington death: CPS review confirms no charges

  28-11-2016 19:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Crown Prosecution Service upholds a decision not to bring charges over the death of Poppi Worthington.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• PM May hopes for early agreement on Polish citizens in Britain

  28-11-2016 19:39
  LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday Britain she hoped to reach an early agreement on the status of Polish citizens in the country with Poland, as her government prepares to leave the European Union. May said she had reiterated her plan to guarantee the rights of Poles and other EU citizens currently living in Britain, so long as the rights of British citizens living across the EU were also guaranteed. ...
  
  Read more

• Ethical chocolate

  28-11-2016 19:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  With Cadbury set to drop its Fairtrade certification, has the ethical-trade mark had its day?
  
  Read more

• Kate Bush heading for charts return

  28-11-2016 18:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Kate Bush could be heading for number one for the first time in 30 years with Before the Dawn.
  
  Read more

• Barry Bennell in hospital after being found unconscious

  28-11-2016 18:55 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Barry Bennell, the football coach at the centre of an abuse scandal, is in hospital after being found unconscious.
  
  Read more

• 'Anti-homeless' slope installed outside a building in Liverpool has been removed

  28-11-2016 18:53
  
  The now-empty Bank of England is a regular spot for people sleeping rough.
  
  Read more

• Theresa May: UK 'to be even closer to Poland' after Brexit

  28-11-2016 18:50
  
  Theresa May says she wants to strengthen ties between the UK and Poland as she prepares to begin formal Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister held talks with her Polish counterpart Beata Szydlo in Downing Street where they discussed topics including Brexit, defence and Russia. Mrs May confirmed plans to send 150 troops from the Light Dragoons to northeast Poland next April amid the need to "deter Russian aggression".
  
  Read more

• Brussels bombing suspect denied plan to attack UK

  28-11-2016 18:24 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A suspect in the Brussels bombings told Belgian authorities there was "no plan" for a terror attack in the UK, a court hears.
  
  Read more

• PM: UK 'to be even closer to Poland' after Brexit

  28-11-2016 18:23
  
  Theresa May says she wants to strengthen ties between the UK and Poland as she prepares to begin formal Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister has held talks with her Polish counterpart Beata Szydlo in Downing Street where they discussed topics including Brexit, defence and Russia. Mrs May confirmed plans to send 150 troops from the Light Dragoons to north-east Poland next April amid the need to "deter Russian aggression".
  
  Read more

• Paul Nuttall elected as UKIP leader

  28-11-2016 18:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Paul Nuttall says he wants UKIP to "replace Labour" as he takes over from Nigel Farage as leader.
  
  Read more

• Woman's plea to end life support of husband Paul Briggs after crash

  28-11-2016 18:06
  A woman whose husband was left in a minimally conscious state after a head-on car crash with a "nervous" driver has broken down in tears while urging a court to withdraw his life support. Lindsey Briggs told a hearing at Manchester's Court of Protection that former police officer and Gulf War veteran Paul Briggs has been unable to recognise her or their five-year-old daughter Ella since the accident in July 2015. "The most important thing to him is independence," Ms Briggs said.
  
  Read more

• Family make appeal over Gary Ferguson death in Myanmar

  28-11-2016 18:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Relatives of a British teacher killed in Myanmar ask for help to find his colleague, who is wanted by police.
  
  Read more

• Big energy suppliers eye bankrupt provider's 160,000 customers

  28-11-2016 17:58
  By Karolin Schaps and Susanna Twidale LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest energy suppliers have submitted bids to take over 160,000 customers left behind by bankrupt energy provider GB Energy, which collapsed on Saturday after being caught out by rising market prices. All of Britain's Big Six energy suppliers, EDF Energy, Innogy's Npower, E.ON, Scottish Power, SSE and Centrica's British Gas, have submitted bids in a tender run by regulator Ofgem to supply GB Energy's customers, sources familiar
  
  Read more

• Nativity play charges lead to parents' 'verbal abuse'

  28-11-2016 17:54 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A primary school charges parents £1 to watch their children in its nativity play, sparking fury from parents.
  
  Read more

• UK to send 150 troops to Poland to deter 'Russian aggression'

  28-11-2016 17:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Theresa May and her Polish counterpart discuss post-Brexit UK-Poland relations.
  
  Read more

• Seven injured after 'shooting attack' at Ohio State University

  28-11-2016 17:49
  
  Students were told to “Run Hide Fight”.
  
  Read more

• Britain must consider role in organisations it joined as part of EU-May

  28-11-2016 17:25
  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will have to look at its role in organisations it entered into as part of the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday, describing how her government is planning for Brexit. "There will be issues around the justice and home affairs area where we're party to arrangements within the European Union as a member of the EU at the moment where we'll have to consider what the future relationship will be," she told a news conference with Polish Prime Minister B
  
  Read more

• 'Tis the season for books of the year: what were your picks of 2016?

  28-11-2016 17:19 via theguardian.com
  
  Writers from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to Jeanette Winterson shared their picks over the weekend – but it’s a very good time to be enthusing, so please share yoursBest books of the year part one | Best books of the year part twoJonathan Coe relished the culinary surrealism of 70s Dinner Party and Margaret Drabble luxuriated in The Long, Long Life of Trees - love them or hate them, the annual books of the year columns provide an irresistible insight into the reading year.Nearly 90 auth
  
  Read more

• Paul Nuttall: The reluctant leader who is replacing Nigel Farage

  28-11-2016 16:54
  Paul Nuttall is a survivor. He survived the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, when he was a 12-year-old boy in the crowd on the day 96 people died.
  
  Read more

• Southern Railway train drivers to strike in the run-up to Christmas and in the New Year

  28-11-2016 16:53
  
  Merry Christmas.
  
  Read more

• Anger at pub bombing families' aid fight

  28-11-2016 16:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The families of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings express anger about the difficulties they face to secure legal aid.
  
  Read more

• Mario Draghi urges Britain to reveal Brexit plans – business live

  28-11-2016 16:32 via theguardian.com
  
  European Central Bank president says Europe simply doesn’t know what Brexit will mean, and how much damage it may cause to the City of LondonLatest: Draghi wants UK to reveal Brexit planDraghi: Eurozone is still fragileEarlier:Oil price jumps as Iraq vows to cooperate with OpecOECD warns against trade wars
  Introduction: Opec meeting in focus
  Saudi piles pressure on Iran over supply cuts3.32pm GMTQ: Are you worried that Donald Trump might replace Janet Yellen as head of the US Federal Reser
  
  Read more

• The best films of 2016 so far

  28-11-2016 16:31 via theguardian.com
  
  As we approach the final months of 2016, it’s time to look back at the films our critics have so far rated the finest Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Local Greens criticise Caroline Lucas over Richmond Park byelection

  28-11-2016 16:28 via theguardian.com
  
  Members condemn Green party co-leader’s support for Liberal Democrats in byelection triggered by Zac Goldsmith’s resignationLeading Green party members within the Richmond Park constituency have condemned Caroline Lucas’s decision to back the Liberal Democrat candidate against Zac Goldsmith in the byelection this week and called on their members to vote for Labour’s Christian Wolmar instead.Clare Keogh, who stood for the neighbouring Kingston and Surbiton constituency in
  
  Read more

• Bad behaviour

  28-11-2016 16:22 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Are detentions, an enduring fixture of school life, a nightmare for everyone or a handy tool for improving behaviour?
  
  Read more

• A cafe has come under fire for selling a smoothie called "Nutzy" with a swastika on it

  28-11-2016 16:20
  
  Nincomsoup has since apologised and said it was the fault of “a rouge employee”.
  
  Read more

• Brexit: Legal battle over UK's single market membership

  28-11-2016 16:19 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The government faces a legal battle over whether the UK stays inside the single market after Brexit.
  
  Read more

• Alastair Cook endures a day to forget after India twist the knife | Ali Martin

  28-11-2016 16:19 via theguardian.com
  
  After toiling for two sessions in the field and then being dismissed cheaply Alastair Cook may be wondering quite how long he wants to carry on having days like these as England captainAlastair Cook has soaked up some tough days during his record 57 Tests as England captain but Monday in Mohali – which ended with him out for 12, his opening partner unable to bat, his side four down and 56 runs adrift with hopes of a series win close to blown – was quite some challenge to his fortitud
  
  Read more

• Southern train drivers vote in favour of strike action

  28-11-2016 16:17 via theguardian.com
  
  UK’s biggest commuter franchise faces three days of walkouts in December and a six-day strike in JanuaryDrivers on Southern rail trains have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over the operation of train doors, Aslef union has said.Three days of strikes in December will be followed by a six-day walkout in January, spelling more serious disruption on Britain’s biggest commuter franchise. Conductors in the RMT union have staged a series of strikes this year, with more walkouts
  
  Read more

• How can theatres keep panto audiences all year round?

  28-11-2016 16:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Many of those flocking to a theatre’s annual festive show intuit that the rest of the year’s programme isn’t for them. It’s about time panto had serious artistic statusOver the next few weeks, thousands of people who never usually step inside a theatre will make their annual pilgrimage to the local panto. Most will have a thoroughly good time. Aladdin will be rubbing his magic lamp at at Nottingham Playhouse and the Lyric in Hammersmith, London, while Sleeping Beauty will
  
  Read more

• Southern strike: Drivers vote in favour of action

  28-11-2016 16:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The train drivers' union Aslef votes in favour of strike action in a dispute over driver-only trains.
  
  Read more

• Refugee comedy is German box office sensation

  28-11-2016 16:06 via theguardian.com
  
  Simon Verhoeven’s Welcome to the Hartmanns becomes the year’s No 1 local-language film in Germany, earning more than $20m at the domestic box officeA comedy about the refugee crisis has become Germany’s biggest homegrown film of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Willkommen bei den Hartmanns (Welcome to the Hartmanns) – which follows a well-to-do woman’s decision to take in an African refugee – has broken the $20m barrier at the German box office.
  
  Read more

• The Trump effect has rallied the US markets – but what next?

  28-11-2016 16:04 via theguardian.com
  
  The new president should seize the chance to tackle issues such as investment, tax reform and job creationDonald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election surprised most of the world. But the president-elect is not finished defying expectations. Contrary to the predictions of many experts, stock markets have rallied strongly since his victory, with the three major US indices reaching record highs while the dollar has soared. Explaining these unexpected responses could provide a glimp
  
  Read more

• ‘Poor little snowflake’ – the defining insult of 2016

  28-11-2016 16:02 via theguardian.com
  
  The term ‘snowflake’ has been thrown around with abandon in the wake of Brexit and the US election, usually to express generic disdain for young people. How can we neutralise its power – and is it a bad metaphor anyway?Between the immediate aftermath of Brexit and the US presidential election, one insult began to seem inescapable, mostly lobbed from the right to the left: “snowflake.” Independent MEP Janice Atkinson, who was expelled from Ukip over allegations of ex
  
  Read more

• Martin Lewis: 'GB Energy customers should do nothing'

  28-11-2016 16:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Martin Lewis has told BBC 5 live that GB Energy customers "should do nothing" following the collapse of the company.
  
  Read more

• Castro preserved Cuba’s national sovereignty. Can it survive Trump? | Samuel Farber

  28-11-2016 15:57 via theguardian.com
  
  US hostility pushed Cuba into the Soviet Union’s orbit in the early 1960s. Rolling back detente now would be ominousFidel Castro survived numerous US efforts to eliminate him and overthrow his government, succumbing in the end to a lengthy illness. His influential but highly complex legacy was heavily influenced by the US’s behaviour.Eighteen months after taking power in 1959, Castro turned to the USSR, positioning Cuba as a junior member of the Soviet imperial alliance and taking it
  
  Read more

• London mayor appoints top tech figures to business panel

  28-11-2016 15:53
  
  London mayor Sadiq Khan has named a number of top tech executives to his panel of business advisers underlining the importance of the sector to the capital's economy. Executives from companies including Facebook, Citymapper and Love Home Swap have been appointed to the board, as first reported by Sky News. It means nearly one-third of the 16 members of Mr Khan's group work directly in the tech sector.
  
  Read more

• New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall plans 'to replace Labour'

  28-11-2016 15:49 via theguardian.com
  
  Former deputy leader replaces Nigel Farage and tells party rebels ‘your time in Ukip is coming to an end’
  Paul Nuttall has been elected leader of Ukip by an overwhelming margin and said he will set the party’s sights on winning over disenchanted Labour voters.Promising an end to the infighting and chaos that has blighted the party over recent months, the MEP and former deputy leader said his ambition was “to replace the Labour party and make Ukip the patriotic voice of wo
  
  Read more

• 'We paid £6,000 for IVF add-on treatments'

  28-11-2016 15:47 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Frankie Bailey-Wheeler and Tom Wheeler tell Victoria Derbyshire how they paid thousands of pounds for fertility treatments to boost IVF success rates.
  
  Read more

• Meet the woman who changed the dictionary definition of ‘femininity’

  28-11-2016 15:46 via theguardian.com
  
  After Donald Trump’s election, activist Alison Segel compiled the grievances of women, starting with the dictionaryIt has been no surprise that women are among those keening over Donald Trump’s election victory. But they are also using the result as a platform for protest. Alison Segel is an activist and writer who started compiling a post-election zine – Forever Nasty – for aggrieved women in an attempt to galvanise them. The submissions were myriad, including fan art of
  
  Read more

• Anti-EU party UKIP elect new leader to replace Farage

  28-11-2016 15:42
  By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's anti-European Union UK Independence Party elected its former chairman Paul Nuttall as leader on Monday, seeking to overcome months of internal turmoil and capitalise on its successful Brexit campaign. Nuttall, an elected member of the European parliament since 2009, will take over from UKIP's talismanic former leader Nigel Farage, who stood down in June after achieving his decades-long ambition of seeing Britain vote to leave the EU. While Farage has
  
  Read more

• Fed up with zero-hours contracts and temporary work? Here’s what to do | Steven Parfitt

  28-11-2016 15:37 via theguardian.com
  
  On their own casual workers have no power. But organised campaigns for better working conditions, with union backing, can succeed – as seen in the USOurs is an age of casual labour. More than a fifth of workers in Britain, 7.1 million people, scrape by on temporary, casual or zero-hours contracts, or in what employers often euphemistically describe as “self-employment”. That number has risen by two million people in the past 10 years. It covers everyone from cleaners to carers,
  
  Read more

• Girl, 10, quizzes Today presenters

  28-11-2016 15:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  10-year-old Rhea challenges the Today presenters to a spelling bee
  
  Read more

Follow @GeneralnewsUK on Twitter!