General news

• Justin Trudeau's response to the women's march was classic Trudeau behaviour

  23-01-2017 23:43
  
  JT strikes again.
  
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• Brexit: Supreme Court to rule on Article 50 case

  23-01-2017 23:15
  The Supreme Court is to deliver its long awaited judgment on whether ministers or Parliament have the power to start the Brexit process. In what is being seen as the most significant constitutional case in decades, the 11 justices will decide if the Prime Minister can use inherited prerogative powers to trigger Article 50 - the formal mechanism for leaving the EU - without consulting Parliament. The Government is believed to be anticipating losing its appeal against an earlier High Court ruling
  
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• Possible $400 million military sale to Britain approved - Pentagon

  23-01-2017 23:11
  The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $400 million (£319 million) military sale to Britain for C-17 aircraft logistics support services and equipment, the Pentagon said on Monday in a notification to Congress. The British government has requested continued logistics support and services for eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport planes, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. Britain's current support contract for the planes expires in
  
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• People aren't exactly sure why Sean Spicer refuses to say what the unemployment rate is

  23-01-2017 22:36
  
  The press secretary isn’t having a good time with numbers at the moment.
  
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• 3 days in office and Trump has already signed an anti-abortion executive order

  23-01-2017 21:38
  
  Many people see it as a reaction to Saturday’s Women’s March.
  
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• People aren't buying into Sadiq Khan's advice to exercise less due to air pollution

  23-01-2017 20:33
  
  Yep, probably the first time we’ve been advised not to go to the gym.
  
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• UK workers making clothes for high street brands on paltry wages: TV investigation

  23-01-2017 19:40
  By Magdalena Mis LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Workers in Britain making clothes for popular high street retailers like River Island and New Look are being paid less than half the minimum wage, an investigation by Britain's Channel 4 television has found. The investigation, due to be broadcast on Monday evening, found Leicester-based Fashion Square Ltd and United Creations Ltd, where the clothes were made, paid their employees between 3 pounds and 3.5 pounds per hour.
  
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• Gorden Kaye: Star who played Rene in Allo Allo! dies aged 75

  23-01-2017 19:24
  Gorden Kaye - the star of long-running World War II sitcom Allo Allo! - has died, aged 75. Kaye starred as Rene Artois in all 84 episodes of the BBC series, which ran between 1982 and 1992, and returned for a one-off special in 2007. Kaye's cafe owner and reluctant resistance figure became a much-loved comedy character.
  
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• Scotland's baby boxes

  23-01-2017 19:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The final six shortlisted designs for Scotland's baby boxes are revealed.
  
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• Will this Twitter account dedicated to half an onion in a bag earn more followers than Donald Trump?

  23-01-2017 19:07
  
  This must be the most followed half-onion account on Twitter.
  
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• It turns out Donald Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer has a deep hatred for this ice cream snack

  23-01-2017 19:03
  
  We’re not quite sure what Dippin’ Dots did to him, but whatever.
  
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• May criticised for handling of Trident test malfunction report

  23-01-2017 18:39
  By Kylie MacLellan and William James LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday she was briefed about the successful certification of a nuclear submarine as she came under increasing pressure over her handling of reports its unarmed Trident missile misfired. The report triggered fierce criticism about a perceived lack of transparency from May and prompted members of Parliament to demand answers from her defence minister in parliament. CNN, citing a U.S. defence official
  
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• Manager to patient

  23-01-2017 18:25 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A social media post written by a former NHS director of mental health about her own depression has gone viral
  
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• Tunisia inquests: 'First victims didn't stand a chance'

  23-01-2017 17:54
  Witnesses giving evidence at the inquest into the deaths of 30 murdered Britons in Tunisia have described how the first victims to be targeted didn't stand a chance. One man who escaped with his wife described how their friends Janet and John Stocker were killed at almost point blank range as they lay on their sun loungers. In a written statement to the inquests being held at the Royal Courts of Justice, the witness said: "I noticed a man walking towards [Janet and John] wearing a baseball cap a
  
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• GCHQ head Robert Hannigan to resign for personal reasons

  23-01-2017 17:28
  The head of GCHQ, Robert Hannigan, has announced he is to quit for personal reasons. Mr Hannigan, who has been in charge at the Cheltenham-based intelligence unit since 2014, informed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of his decision. In a letter to Mr Johnson he said: "After a good deal of thought, I have decided that this is the right time to move on and to allow someone else to lead GCHQ through its next phase.
  
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• Allo Allo! star Gorden Kaye dies aged 75

  23-01-2017 17:19
  Gorden Kaye - the star of long-running World War II sitcom Allo Allo! - has died, aged 75. Kaye starred as Rene Artois in all 84 episodes of the BBC series, which ran between 1982 and 1992, and returned for a one-off special in 2007. Kaye's cafe owner and reluctant resistance figure became a much-loved comedy character.
  
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• Struggling UK steel sector needs broad govt support - MPs

  23-01-2017 17:14
  Britain's steel industry needs a comprehensive government strategy to boost the sector, which must be a priority in negotiations on Britain's exit from the European Union, a cross-party parliamentary report said on Monday. The "Steel 2020" report urged the government to take 43 actions to revive the sector, including cutting energy costs for the industry, fighting cheap Chinese imports and ensuring British steel is used in public projects. Launching the report, Labour member of parliament Stephe
  
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• Head of GCHQ spy agency resigns for family reasons

  23-01-2017 17:03
  British spy chief Robert Hannigan said on Monday he was stepping down as head of Britain's intelligence eavesdropping service GCHQ for family reasons. Hannigan, GCHQ director since 2014, said the job had demanded "a great deal" from his family. "As you know, I have also initiated the greatest internal change within GCHQ for 30 years and I feel that we are now well on the way to being fit for the next generation of security challenges to the UK in the digital age," he wrote in a letter to Foreign
  
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• We asked a philosopher if it's okay to punch Nazis in the face

  23-01-2017 16:44
  Is it all right to punch the alt-right?
  
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• Britain launches interventionist drive for post-Brexit industrial revival

  23-01-2017 16:24
  By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's government on Monday unveiled a new interventionist approach to rebalance its heavily services-based economy for the post-Brexit era, in a break with traditional Conservative laissez-faire economic policy. Prime Minister Theresa May's "Modern Industrial Strategy"demands closer collaboration in key industries in exchange for government support, aiming to increase productivity, reinvigorate industrial production and stimulate investment in technology a
  
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• This illustrated book will help you through the tough Trump times ahead

  23-01-2017 16:18
  
  Word searches make everything better.
  
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• In generation shift, Sinn Fein names O'Neill as Northern Ireland leader

  23-01-2017 16:12
  By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - Sinn Fein named Michelle O'Neill to succeed Martin McGuinness and lead the Irish nationalist party into Northern Irish elections in March, marking a shift towards a generation not directly involved in decades of conflict. McGuinness, a former Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander turned peacemaker, bowed out of frontline politics last week, saying illness and Northern Ireland's current political crisis had led him to step down several months earlier than pl
  
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• 5 things you should know about Michelle O'Neill, the new Sinn Fein leader at Stormont

  23-01-2017 16:10
  
  She’s taking over from Martin McGuinness.
  
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• What is Trident? Britain’s nuclear deterrent explained – video

  23-01-2017 15:58 via theguardian.com
  
  The prime minister, Theresa May, has attempted to play down reports of a malfunction during a test firing of a submarine-launched Trident nuclear weapon off the coast of the United States. The alleged incident happened last year before a major parliamentary debate on renewing Britain’s nuclear deterrentDefence secretary Michael Fallon forced to Commons to answer urgent question on Trident - Politics liveContinue reading...
  
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• Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill to replace Martin McGuinness in Stormont

  23-01-2017 15:32
  
  Sinn Fein minister Michelle O'Neill will succeed Martin McGuinness as the party's leader in Stormont, it has been announced. The 40-year-old Mid Ulster Assembly member takes over as the republican party's leader in Northern Ireland weeks before a snap Assembly election. Ms O'Neill replaces Mr McGuinness, who resigned as deputy first minister following a dispute between Sinn Fein and the DUP over a botched renewable energy scheme that could have cost the taxpayer £500m.
  
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• High-velocity rifle used in attack on Northern Ireland officer

  23-01-2017 15:30
  Police say up to 10 shots were fired by a high-velocity rifle in an attack on an officer at a petrol station in North Belfast. The community policeman was shot in the arm at the garage forecourt on Crumlin Road on Sunday night. The injured officer had emergency surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital where his condition is described as stable.
  
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• This 40-year-old Doctor Who quote perfectly sums up the 'alternative facts' debate

  23-01-2017 15:29
  
  Alternative facts – they’re like facts, but they’re not true.
  
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• Sinn Fein names Michelle O'Neill as new leader in Northern Ireland

  23-01-2017 15:25
  Sinn Fein named Michelle O'Neill to succeed Martin McGuinness and lead the Irish nationalist party into Northern Irish elections in March, marking a shift towards a generation not directly involved in decades of conflict. McGuinness, a key figure throughout five decades of conflict and peace, bowed out of politics last week, saying illness and Northern Ireland's current political crisis had led to him to step down several months earlier than planned. "It's a huge honour and a big, big privilege
  
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• Author Helen Bailey 'forgetful and tired' before death

  23-01-2017 15:19
  The mother of Helen Bailey has told a court her daughter "panicked" about her deteriorating state of mind before she disappeared. Eileen Bailey told St Albans Crown Court the children's author had confided in her about inadvertently leaving her dog on the beach, taking an item scanner from a supermarket and not being able to recognise her hands on a computer keyboard. Ian Stewart, 56, denies murdering the writer after giving her sedatives in what the prosecution says was a financially motivated
  
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• British-Iranian aid worker sentenced to jail for 'cooperation with BBC' - family

  23-01-2017 15:14
  The family of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been sentenced to five years in jail in Iran on undisclosed charges, said she has been accused by a Revolutionary Court of acting against national security by cooperating with the BBC. Iran's judiciary spokesman said on Sunday that Iranian appeals court confirmed the five-year jail sentence for her. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained in early April as she tried to leave Iran after a visit with her two-year-old daughter.
  
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• Q&A: Everything you need to know about the Supreme Court Brexit case

  23-01-2017 15:05
  
  The court will decide on whether the PM or the Parliament has the power to invoke the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
  
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• UK launches industry strategy to counter any Brexit turbulence

  23-01-2017 14:32
  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain published the outline of its industrial strategy on Monday, putting forward proposals for a more hands-on approach to developing key industries as a way to protect the economy from any turbulence caused by leaving the European Union. Unveiling her long-awaited "Modern Industrial Strategy" on Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May demanded closer collaboration within key industries in exchange for government support on regulation, trade and research. ...
  
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• Bank of England to keep rates on hold until 2019 at least - Reuters poll

  23-01-2017 14:07
  By Jonathan Cable LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England will leave its record-low interest rates and other stimulus measures unchanged at least until 2019, even though it is likely to revise up its 2017 growth predictions again next week, a Reuters poll found on Monday. All but one of the 67 economists polled by Reuters in the last few days said the Bank would keep its policy unchanged when it announces the outcome of the latest meeting of its rate-setters on Feb. 2. After Britain voted last Ju
  
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• Prime Minister Theresa May was told about Trident missile test

  23-01-2017 13:58
  
  The Prime Minister was told about last year's Trident missile test when she came into office, Downing Street has confirmed. Theresa May's official spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny reports a missile malfunctioned during the test, saying only that the PM was told the operation was completed successfully. The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that a Trident II D5 missile veered off course after being launched from HMS Vengeance off the coast of Florida in June.
  
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• Mother jailed after plotting daughter's rape with paedophile

  23-01-2017 13:34
  Cardiff Crown Court heard that the woman planned a sex attack on the youngster with Stuart Bailey in a series of "depraved" text messages. The judge, Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees QC, said Bailey was "prolific" in contacting a number of women on dating website Plenty Of Fish. The investigation led to Bailey and it was discovered he was having similar discussions with other women.
  
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• May was told nuclear submarine successfully certified in tests - spokeswoman

  23-01-2017 13:33
  British Prime Minister Theresa May was told on taking office last year that a nuclear submarine and its crew had been successfully certified in tests, her spokeswoman said on Monday. The Sunday Times reported a test firing of an unarmed British nuclear Trident missile from a submarine malfunctioned last June, shortly before May asked parliament to spend 40 billion pounds on new Trident submarines. "On taking office, the current prime minister was briefed on a range of nuclear issues, including t
  
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• Prices reverse earlier losses on higher consumption

  23-01-2017 13:09
  LONDON (Reuters) - British wholesale gas prices reversed earlier losses on Monday, as low temperatures boosted demand for heating. Gas for immediate delivery was 1 pence higher at 57.00 pence per therm at 1157 GMT, having hit an intra-day low of 55.80 p/therm earlier. The day-ahead contract was up 0.15 p at 56.65 p/therm. Since the start of January, the two prompt contracts have gained ground due to increased demand amid colder temperatures. Demand was forecast at 367 million cubic metres (mcm)
  
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• Sinn Féin expected to announce new Stormont leader

  23-01-2017 13:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sinn Féin is expected to announce its new Stormont leader later today with Michelle O'Neill tipped to take the role.
  
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• Struggling UK steel sector needs broad government support - MPs

  23-01-2017 13:03
  Britain's steel industry needs a comprehensive new strategy from government to boost the sector, which has struggled with red ink, plant closures and job losses in recent years, according to a report released by a parliamentary committee on Monday. The "Steel 2020" report urged the government to take 43 actions to revive the sector, including cutting energy costs for the industry, fighting cheap Chinese imports and ensuring British steel is used in public projects.
  
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• Opposition seek explanation over Trident test 'fail'

  23-01-2017 12:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Labour and the SNP want ministers to say why a test firing of a Trident missile reportedly went wrong.
  
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• Mother jailed for plotting to let man rape daughter

  23-01-2017 12:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A mother who was plotting to let a paedophile rape her seven-year-old daughter is jailed for nine years.
  
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• Fog alert in southern England: Heathrow cancels 100 flights

  23-01-2017 12:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Heathrow cancels 100 flights, with London City and Gatwick also affected by the fog.
  
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• Lloyds a victim of cyber attack that hit banking services

  23-01-2017 12:34
  Lloyds Banking Group is working with law enforcement agencies to trace who may be behind a cyber attack that caused intermittent outages for customers of its personal banking websites almost two weeks ago, according to a source familiar with the incident. Britain's largest mortgage lender was hit by a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on Jan. 11, which carried on for two days, according to the source. DDoS attacks have become common tools for cyber criminals trying to cripple businesse
  
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• Chelsea Clinton defends Barron Trump and criticises Donald

  23-01-2017 12:20
  
  Donald Trump’s son has gained a lot of attention online.
  
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• Belfast policeman injured during gunfire at filling station

  23-01-2017 12:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A police officer is injured after automatic gunfire is sprayed across a garage forecourt in Northern Ireland.
  
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