General news

• Everyone's settling in for a long night after the exit poll predicted a hung parliament

  08-06-2017 23:53
  
  Are we heading for a hung parliament?
  
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• These are the whizzy graphics Jeremy Vine has at his disposal tonight

  08-06-2017 23:49
  
  It’s all so exciting.
  
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• Can you trust exit polls?

  08-06-2017 23:36
  
  Benedictine nuns from Tyburn Convent leave after voting in Britain’s general election at a polling station in St John’s Parish Hall, London. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP
  
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• Exit poll points to hung parliament in 2017 general election

  08-06-2017 23:13
  
  Theresa May’s gamble at calling an early general election following a massive Conservative lead in the polls appeared not to have paid off after a 10pm exit poll predicted that Britain was headed for a hung parliament.The shock result, which followed forecasts of a Tory majority of up to 100 seats, came after Jeremy Corbyn enthused Labour supporters who had flocked to almost 100 rallies across the country.
  
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• Exit poll: Theresa May could fall short of Commons majority

  08-06-2017 23:04
  Theresa May could fall short of a Commons majority, the broadcasters' exit poll suggests.The Conservatives are projected to win 314 seats, according to the exit poll by Ipsos MORI/GfK for Sky News, BBC and ITV News, numbers which suggest they will be 12 seats short of a majority.Labour is set for an improved showing compared with 2015, with Jeremy Corbyn's party predicted to win 266 seats, an increase of 34 on its performance two years ago.
  
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• Adam Boulton's General Election guide: How to watch and what to look out for on Sky News

  08-06-2017 22:15
  As the early results start to trickle in, it's a question of measuring real voting patterns against what we think the 10pm exit poll has told us.For the last six elections Sunderland has made the early official declarations.Remember the big boost for leaving the EU when Sunderland declared first in last year's referendum?
  
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• Premier League bosses approve tougher club ownership rules

  08-06-2017 22:08
  Premier League bosses have backed changes to club ownership rules that will make it easier to block potentially unscrupulous investors in the wake of controversies surrounding takeovers at Hull City and Southampton.Sky News has learnt that the 20 club chairmen voted unanimously to approve changes to the Premier League's Owners and Directors Test at its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.The move will have the effect of enhancing the League's ability to block new owners in a bid to preserve t
  
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• Readers recommend: share songs that say 'love is...'

  08-06-2017 21:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Make your nomination in the comments and a reader will pick the best eligible tracks for a playlist next week – you have until Monday 12 June This week we want to know what love is – to the lyricists behind the songs you want to share. If the lyrics include the phrase “love is...” you’re all set – whether or not it speaks of romance, heartbreak, torture or joy.
  You have until 11pm on Monday 12 June to post your nomination and make your justification. RR regula
  
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• Charlie Gard's parents make emergency appeal to European judges

  08-06-2017 20:49
  
  The high court and court of appeal earlier ruled that doctors could stop life-support treatment for Charlie.The parents of a severely ill baby who believe he should be taken to the US for alternative medical therapy have made an emergency appeal to European judges after the British supreme court rejected their application.In a highly unusual development, Great Ormond Street hospital has been ordered to continue life-saving treatment for 10-month-old Charlie Gard until 5pm on 9 June, after an app
  
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• London attack: Khuram Butt's family stopped him going to Syria, says cousin

  08-06-2017 20:31
  
  London Bridge killer Khuram Butt supported Islamic State and tried to travel to Syria but was stopped by family members, a relative has said.Fahad Khan, whose cousin Zarah Rahman was married to Butt, said he believed either family or police had confiscated Butt’s passport to prevent him from travelling to the conflict-torn country about two years ago.Khan, 36, from Upney, east London, said Butt had “fundamentalist views” that drove him to back Islamic State and would watch hate
  
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• Officer who took on London Bridge attackers 'would do same again'

  08-06-2017 20:06
  The family of an off-duty police officer injured in the London Bridge terror attack have hailed his "immense bravery".PC Charlie Guenigault was having a drink with friends after work on Saturday night when three men drove a van into pedestrians before conducting a stabbing spree.Seeing a uniformed colleague and members of the public being assaulted, the Met Police officer - dressed in civilian clothes - fought the knifemen with his bare hands as they rampaged through Borough Market.
  
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• Who’s to blame for the savagery seen in Manchester and London? | Letters

  08-06-2017 19:58
  
  Responses to the immediate problem of terrorist acts need to be much more intelligent and informed.The Chilcot report cited a British embassy telegram saying that “regime-change hawks” in Washington were arguing that a coalition against international terrorism “could be used to clear up other problems in the region”.In Syria, the priority of toppling Assad has involved support, intentional or unintentional, for extremist groups and allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar
  
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• Leigh Day law firm prepares for misconduct ruling over Iraq torture case

  08-06-2017 19:57
  
  Anna Crowther, Martyn Day and Sapna Malik arrive at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in London.A disciplinary tribunal is expected to rule on Friday whether the law firm Leigh Day was guilty of misconduct for pursuing false claims of torture and murder made by Iraqis against the Ministry of Defence.After a seven-week hearing, the Solicitor’s Disciplinary Tribunal is due to announce its verdicts against three solicitors and the London company, which pioneered class compensation actions
  
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• Such nonchalance in the face of terror deserves recognition | Letters

  08-06-2017 19:56
  
  A man flees from the scene of the London Bridge attack clutching the remainder of his pint. Photograph: AP
  
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• Dishevelled politicians limp to the end of topsy-turvy election | John Crace

  08-06-2017 19:30
  
  When Brenda from Bristol was told that the Supreme Leader had called a snap general election, her first reaction was: “You’re joking.But with the Conservatives enjoying a 20-point lead over Labour in the opinion polls, even the Maybot’s most rudimentary artificial intelligence could see it might be in her own self-interest.Rather, she said how annoyed she had been that Labour had deliberately thwarted the will of the people by voting with the government to trigger article 50.
  
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• Manchester attacker's brother 'helped him buy bomb-making kit'

  08-06-2017 19:25
  
  Hashem Abedi (above) said he and his brother Salman were radicalised in the UK via the internet.The brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber is alleged to have helped Salman Abedi buy bomb-making equipment, a militia group in Tripoli has said.The Special Deterrence Force, also called Rada, is holding Abedi’s brother Hashem after it captured him last month.
  
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• £52,000 problem

  08-06-2017 19:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The good Samaritans who ended up ruing the day they ever became involved in fundraising.
  
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• Advertising watchdog forces Reading university to ditch 'top 1%' claim

  08-06-2017 18:58
  
  A number of other universities in the UK make the same ‘top 1%’ assertion – including Southampton and Queen’s University Belfast.Claims made by UK universities to attract students have been called into question after the University of Reading was forced to withdraw its assertion that it was in the “top 1%” of institutions globally.The university agreed to remove the claim from its website and other marketing materials after a complaint was made to the advertis
  
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• This married couple interrupted their wedding day to vote in the General Election

  08-06-2017 17:53
  
  Westminster candidate Socha Eastwood headed to the polling station with her new husband after tying the knot.
  
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• Russian 'applied for £8.5m life insurance policies' before he died, inquest hears

  08-06-2017 17:36
  A wealthy Russian who collapsed and died while jogging in Surrey had months earlier applied for £8.5m of life insurance policies, an inquest has heard.Alexander Perepilichnyy, who was found near his St George's Hill mansion in Weybridge in November 2012, had helped to expose a £150m Russian money-laundering scam before his death.The inquest is looking at whether the 44-year-old businessman was poisoned or died of natural causes.
  
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• These are some of the weird and wonderful locations of polling stations

  08-06-2017 17:15
  
  People have been voting everywhere from pubs to caravans.
  
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• Move over dogs at polling stations, because this year cats refuse to be outdone

  08-06-2017 16:59
  
  #catsatpollingstations is giving dogs a run for their money.
  
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• Why are women sharing pictures of their shoes on polling day?

  08-06-2017 16:56
  
  Women’s March London began the initiative…
  
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• Cheeki Rafiki yacht 'neglected' before crew died, court hears

  08-06-2017 16:24
  All four crew members drowned when the 40ft Cheeki Rafiki capsized on its way from Antigua to the UK in 2014.The yacht got into trouble when it lost its keel 700 miles off Nova Scotia.Captain Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham in Surrey, died along with James Male, 22, from Southampton, Steve Warren, 52, and Paul Goslin, 56, both from Somerset.
  
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• Phil Collins postpones UK comeback shows after cutting eye in hotel room fall

  08-06-2017 16:18
  Phil Collins has been forced to postpone a number of shows after tripping over in the middle of the night and hitting his head on a chair.The 66-year-old singer needed stitches for a serious cut close to his eye following the fall in his London hotel room and was being kept under observation for 24 hours.It happened just hours after he performed at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday night as part of his comeback tour.
  
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• The UK general election explained for non-Brits – video

  08-06-2017 16:10 via theguardian.com
  
  It’s election day … again. Just two years after the last general election and a year after Brexit, British voters are being bombarded with ballots. So can Theresa May increase her parliamentary majority? Or will Jeremy Corbyn mobilise an army of anti-austerity voters to carry him into Downing Street? With turnout crucial to the result, who will prevail?General election 2017 – live updatesContinue reading...
  
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• Cheeki Rafiki sailors died after company boss cut corners, jury hears

  08-06-2017 16:09
  
  Douglas Innes arrives at Winchester crown court.Douglas Innes allegedly told the inexperienced crew to take a potentially dangerous route across the Atlantic from Antigua to the UK to save time, even though the yacht was not authorised to be more than 60 miles from shore if it was not accompanied by other vessels.When the yacht, Cheeki Rafiki, began taking on water the crew emailed Innes, who was in a pub in the UK, but instead of alerting the coastguard he carried on drinking and even went to a
  
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• June is the month of May or Jez We Can: the best election artwork

  08-06-2017 16:04 via theguardian.com
  
  In the run-up to the UK election, social media users have been getting creative. Here are some of the best offeringsDuring the course of the election campaign, Instagrammers have been getting creative and sharing their #generalelection artwork. And while some have been inspired by one politician or party, others have dedicated their efforts to encourage everyone to use their vote regardless of party preferences.Continue reading...
  
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• Rain, wind and Elmo greet party leaders as they cast their vote

  08-06-2017 15:48
  
  #politiciansatpollingstations
  
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• Global Dispatch: sign up for a different world view

  08-06-2017 14:24 via theguardian.com
  
  The best news, features, pictures and comment from around the world on global development and human rights, delivered to you every two weeksRead the latest editionDiscover our top stories from around the world, uncovered by our correspondents across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South and Central America.We bring you the voices and opinions of people living under extraordinary circumstances, expert analysis of key development and human rights issues, thought-provoking features and recommende
  
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• Labour is egg and chips, the Tories game pie – what our focus groups said

  08-06-2017 13:00
  
  Diane Abbott’s disastrous LBC interview chimed with voters’ belief that Labour was chaotic: “People in this position should have the correct answers when interviewed.” The Conservatives’ foxhunting announcement struck a chord, too, confirming long-held views that the party was “posh”: “It is absurd and is representative of how out of touch they are.” The extent to which the public are immune from stories gripping the Westminster bubble highli
  
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• London Bridge attack: Spanish victim's heroic last moments revealed

  08-06-2017 12:53
  
  Ignacio Echeverría, 39, was walking through Borough Market with friends when he got caught up in the attack.Details have emerged of the final, heroic moments of Ignacio Echeverría, the 39-year-old Spaniard who used his skateboard to take on the London Bridge terrorists.Echeverría, who was from Madrid but lived in London and worked for HSBC, has been hailed as the “skateboard hero” because of his efforts to fight back against the attackers.
  
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• Quiz: Which party leader's mouth have we Photoshopped onto Andrew Neil's face?

  08-06-2017 12:50
  
  A little light relief for you on polling day.
  
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• Who was Emily Davison and why are people encouraging you to vote in her name?

  08-06-2017 12:30
  
  She was a prominent suffragette.
  
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• Meet some of the glorious dogs at polling stations

  08-06-2017 12:27
  
  There are a lot of very democratic dogs out today.
  
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• London attack: wounded policeman tells families 'I did everything I could'

  08-06-2017 12:23
  
  The British Transport Police officer, who was one of the first on the scene as Saturday’s atrocity unfolded, is still seriously unwell with wounds to his head, arm and leg.The officer’s comments come as the last of the eight victims of the attack at London Bridge and Borough Market were identified when police searching for the missing Frenchman Xavier Thomas recovered a body from the Thames.As of Thursday, 29 victims are still being treated in five London hospitals, with 10 receiving
  
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• What time will we know the result of the General Election?

  08-06-2017 12:13
  
  As the UK hits the polls to vote in today’s General Election, we’re all keen to know when the results will be in.It’s unlikely that an official announcement will be made before 1pm tomorrow, but the first results are expected to start trickling in from midnight tonight.Where should you invest your money on election night?
  
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• How to be an MP by the politician who actually wrote the book

  08-06-2017 12:03
  
  We spoke to the author behind one of the most borrowed books in the House of Commons library.
  
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• London Bridge officer who took on terrorists: 'I did everything I could'

  08-06-2017 11:49
  
  A British Transport Police officer who was stabbed in the eye while tackling London Bridge terrorists has said "I did everything I could" to stop them."Like every police officer who responded, I was simply doing my job."I am so proud of my colleagues from BTP and everyone from the other emergency services who were on shift that night and did everything they could in the face of danger.
  
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• Tactical voting: how to make your vote count in the 2017 election

  08-06-2017 11:35
  
  If you don’t want the Tories to win ...There are 48 seats in the country where the combined vote of Labour, Lib Dem, Greens and - if relevant - Plaid Cymru or the Scottish National Party outweighed Conservative votes in 2015.The 48 seats where votes for the opposition (Labour, Lib Dem, SNP or Plaid Cymru) outnumbered those for the Conservatives.
  
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• Brexit: UK general election result may have major impact on talks

  08-06-2017 11:34
  
  Brussels and other EU capitals will await the result of the UK general election with more than usual interest: it could have a major impact on potentially fraught talks over Britain’s exit from the bloc, scheduled to begin barely 10 days later.The first formal Brexit negotiating round under article 50 is due to take place on 19 or 20 June, with the chances of a bruising early clash over the sequencing of the talks and the size of the divorce settlement seen as high.European diplomats in Lo
  
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• Aug 2016: Sky News' Encounter With Philip Green

  08-06-2017 11:30
  
  At the height of the BHS pension crisis, Sky News correspondent David Bowden attempts to talk to former owner Sir Philip Green.
  
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• Sir Philip Green's retail empire sees profits plunge 79% after BHS closure

  08-06-2017 11:27
  Profits at Sir Philip Green's retail empire plummeted by 79% last year as it took a hit from the closure of BHS and a tough fashion market.The company said competition from new fashion retailers and a squeeze on household budgets, with people cutting back on shopping for new clothes, contributed to the poor performance.Accounts filed at Companies House for Taveta Investments - which owns Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Burton parent firm Arcadia - show pre-tax profits slumped from £172.2m to &
  
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• Glumbuckets, mugwumps and Greg Knight: the best (and worst) moments of the election – video

  08-06-2017 10:32 via theguardian.com
  
  From Brenda in Bristol to Tim Farron’s spaniel, the UK’s snap general election has been anything but typical. We relive the weird, wonderful and straight out awkward moments of the 2017 general electionElection live: all the news and analysisUK election results 2017 – live trackerContinue reading...
  
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• General Election 2017: How to vote

  08-06-2017 10:31 via bbc.co.uk
  
  On 8 June, the UK will go the polls in the general election. Here's how to vote.
  
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• How do I vote? What you need to know about the UK general election

  08-06-2017 10:17
  
  You can take your dogs to the polling station. (There is no guidance on other animals, so any decision will be at the discretion of the presiding officer.) Photograph: Ian Macnicol/AFP/Getty Images
  
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• What time does each constituency declare its results in the 2017 general election?

  08-06-2017 10:00
  
  Counting staff sort ballot papers at a vote counting centre in Margate for the 2015 general election. Photograph: Niklas Halle'N/AFP/Getty Images
  
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• What is it like to lose your seat as an MP?

  08-06-2017 09:01
  
  Three former MPs and an expert explain what it’s like to be publicly sacked.
  
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• Video shows the moment police shot London Bridge terrorists

  08-06-2017 08:12
  This is the moment the first armed police arrive at Borough Market, just as a man is being stabbed.There is no sound on the CCTV but we know that 48 rounds were fired by eight police officers.The three terrorists were dead - eight minutes after they drove their van into London Bridge and started stabbing anyone they could find.
  
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• Watch as police take down London attackers

  08-06-2017 08:10
  
  CCTV footage shows police officers shooting three terrorists in Borough Market.
  
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