General news

• Stephen Hawking was serenaded with a belated Happy Birthday after a talk at Cambridge University

  02-07-2017 23:57
  
  Hawking was a guest speaker at a symposium about gravity and black holes.
  
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• Drone forces closure of Gatwick runway and diversion of many flights

  02-07-2017 23:53
  
  A drone spotted in the sky near Gatwick airport on Sunday evening prompted the closure of a runway and led to several flights being diverted to landing strips up to 80 miles away.Flights were forced to divert away from the West Sussex airport to Stansted and Southend in Essex, and to Bournemouth in Dorset, leaving some passengers stranded far from home.One passenger, Craig Jenkins, was on an easyJet flight to Gatwick from Naples that was diverted to Stansted mid-flight.
  
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• UK government to hold conference for business leaders on Brexit

  02-07-2017 23:08
  
  Britain's secretary in charge of exiting the European Union will host a conference for business leaders on Friday as part of a government drive to give them a bigger say in the process.Prime Minister Theresa May's government, which has come under fire for not consulting widely enough over its Brexit plans, said David Davis would host the conference in London."With negotiations underway, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European union is determined to bolster the government's engagement wit
  
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• Boris Johnson: lift 1% ceiling on public sector pay increases

  02-07-2017 23:00
  
  Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, leaves a recent cabinet meeting.Boris Johnson has waded into the escalating cabinet row over public-sector pay, throwing his weight behind calls for the 1% ceiling on wage rises to be lifted for austerity-weary workers including nurses and teachers.The chancellor, Philip Hammond, has come under increasing pressure to ease spending constraints in several areas since the general election deprived Theresa May of her majority.
  
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• Flights diverted from Gatwick after drone spotted near runway

  02-07-2017 22:42
  Flights into Gatwick Airport have been diverted after reports that a drone was spotted flying close to the runway.EasyJet and British Airways confirmed they were among airlines affected by the disruption after the airport was forced to close a runway twice on Sunday evening.A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: "Due to reports of a drone observation in the vicinity of the airfield, runway operations at Gatwick were suspended between 18:10 BST and 18:19, and again from 18:36 to 18:41, resulting i
  
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• Jon Snow Reprimanded Over Alleged 'F**k The Tories' Chant At Glastonbury

  02-07-2017 22:41
  
  Jon Snow has been “spoken to and reminded of his responsibilities” by TV bosses after he allegedly chanted “fuck the Tories” at Glastonbury last month.
  
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• Sinn Féin denies seeking 'cultural supremacy' via Irish Language Act

  02-07-2017 22:26
  
  Simon Hamilton, of the DUP, (second left) at Stormont Castle, Belfast, in June.Sinn Féin has denied it is seeking “cultural supremacy” over unionists in its demand for a standalone Irish Language Act – the key concession for republicans that could lead to the re-establishment of a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.As the parties represented in the Stormont assembly stare down yet another deadline on Monday on talks designed to restore a devolved cross-communit
  
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• Terrorism In Britain: We Need Clear And Responsible Reporting

  02-07-2017 22:25
  Another day goes by and another senseless attack is launched against the British values we hold so close to our hearts.
  
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• Labour Has 'A Lot More Work To Do' Before It Wins A General Election, Think Tank Policy Network Warns

  02-07-2017 22:08
  
  Labour has “a lot more work to do” before winning a majority in a general election, a think tank has warned.
  
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• School meals disarray shows Tories 'retreating from own manifesto'

  02-07-2017 21:46
  
  Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner, left, at Leeds City college, in May, with Jeremy Corbyn, centre.The shadow education secretary Angela Rayner claimed Conservative ministers were “in full-scale retreat from their own manifesto” after the government admitted it was still reflecting on the pledge to scrap free school lunches.The Tories’ manifesto promised to replace universal free meals for infant school children – which were introduced by Nick Clegg during the Tory
  
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• It’s time to say what you really think about Europe, Mr Corbyn | Letters

  02-07-2017 21:05
  
  Jeremy Corbyn’s line on the EU customs union and the single market is his personal view.It’s not about fulfilling the wishes of leave voters as has been suggested, writes Shaun V Soper.Jeremy Corbyn’s refusal to support the amendment calling for Britain to remain within the EU customs union and single market confirms that he believes the country would be better off outside (Corbyn sacks three frontbench MPs over single market, 30 June).
  
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• The US electronics ban has been lifted from Abu Dhabi International Airport

  02-07-2017 20:44
  
  The airport was one of 10 in the Middle East that the ban affected.
  
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• Donald Trump Tweets Video Of Him 'Beating Up CNN'

  02-07-2017 19:24
  
  Donald Trump has been lambasted for encouraging “violence against reporters” after posting a bizarre video of himself wrestling a man whose face has been obscured by the CNN logo.
  
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• A selfless policeman was honoured after adopting a young boy he rescued from abuse

  02-07-2017 19:23
  
  Jody Thompson and his family’s actions touched the hearts of many, not just his police force.
  
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• UK considers potential shortcut on trade deals post-Brexit

  02-07-2017 19:00
  
  Efta, set up in 1960, consists of Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.The UK is examining a potential shortcut to securing a raft of critical free trade deals, giving it potential breathing space to negotiate its own agreements after it leaves the EU.The proposal, involving an associate membership of the European Free Trade Association, could allow ministers to sign up to Efta’s existing free trade deals outside the EU, rather than negotiate them from scratch or fall back on bare
  
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• New customs union with EU after Brexit is still an option, analysts say

  02-07-2017 19:00
  
  According to analysts customs unions concern trade in goods so they should not constrain what the UK does in the services sector.Signing Britain up to a customs union with the European Union need not prevent it from striking important trade deals elsewhere, according to influential new thinking in Whitehall.Officials and business leaders are anxious to puncture what they see as myths about a customs union that have deterred ministers from considering it as a much-needed economic option after Bre
  
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• British officials drop 'cake and eat it' approach to Brexit negotiations

  02-07-2017 19:00
  
  A spokesman for Brexit secretary David Davis said the prime minister’s Lancaster House speech remains the government’s official strategy.British officials have quietly abandoned hope of securing the government’s promised “cake and eat it” Brexit deal, increasingly accepting the inevitability of a painful trade-off between market access and political control when the UK leaves the EU.Government insiders report a dramatic change of mood at the Department for Exiting t
  
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• Large influx of new Ukip members prompts fears of far-right takeover

  02-07-2017 18:43
  
  Anne Marie Waters has described Islam as ‘evil’.Ukip is facing potential takeover by far-right forces after a large number of new members joined in an apparent attempt to back a leadership candidate who has described Islam as “evil”, party sources have said.With the race to take over from Paul Nuttall wide open after Nigel Farage announced he would not stand again, sources say the arrival of about 1,000 new members in two weeks has sparked fears of “infiltration&rdq
  
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• Amber Rudd urged to publish report on deaths in police custody

  02-07-2017 18:11
  
  The home secretary has been accused of sitting on a report from a critical inquiry into deaths in police custody.A coalition of community and human rights groups want Amber Rudd to announce when the report will be published and say why it has been delayed.The Home Office has not given a date for its release.
  
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• Tour de France 2017: Marcel Kittel wins sprint finish with Mark Cavendish fourth

  02-07-2017 17:53 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Marcel Kittel wins the second stage of the Tour de France as Geraint Thomas retains the yellow jersey and Mark Cavendish finishes fourth.
  
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• Britain says 181 high-rise buildings have failed safety tests after London fire

  02-07-2017 17:47
  
  Some 181 high-rise buildings have failed safety tests carried out after a fire that killed at least 80 people in London last month, the British government said on Sunday.Officials are conducting tests on some 600 high-rise buildings across England after fire ravaged the Grenfell tower block in west London on June 14.The Department for Communities said in a statement that the cladding from 181 high-rise buildings in 51 local authority areas had failed tests.
  
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• Fire In Bow Wharf, Wennington Road, At Multi-Million Pound Development

  02-07-2017 17:43
  
  A huge blaze has ripped through a multi-million pound development in Bow Wharf, east London.
  
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• Concerns over Grenfell victims' mental health

  02-07-2017 17:30
  
  Despite many residents being rehoused, there are concerns Grenfell Tower victims aren't receiving enough mental health support.
  
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• May's Brexit plan will hit rights of Britons abroad, campaigners tell EU

  02-07-2017 17:19
  
  Theresa May’s proposal to protect the rights of EU citizens after Brexit is so poor, it will badly damage the rights of Britons living in Europe, campaign groups have told the European commission.In an official response to the EU Brexit negotiating team, British in Europe and the3million have said that if May’s proposal is adopted it would represent a “severe reduction of the current rights” enjoyed by Britons in Europe.Last week they expressed fears that Britons would be
  
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• Londoners pulled out all the stops to celebrate Eid

  02-07-2017 17:13
  
  The sun came out for the event at Trafalgar Square.
  
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• Is Wimbledon banning the ‘Oh Jeremy Corbyn’ chant?

  02-07-2017 17:12
  
  It might fall under the ban of political slogans.
  
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• Grenfell Tower illegal subletting amnesty announced by Sajid Javid

  02-07-2017 16:54
  Grenfell Tower residents who were illegally subletting will not face prosecution, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has said.Anecdotal evidence from residents has indicated that people living in the tower block may have been unlawfully subletting their properties, and that they are reluctant to come forward with information because of this.
  
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• Nigel Farage rules out UKIP leader bid - for now

  02-07-2017 16:44 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Nigel Farage says his habit of resigning and returning to lead UKIP has become "an ongoing joke".
  
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• Tim Farron Didn't Handle Gay Rights Questions Well, Says Vince Cable

  02-07-2017 16:42
  
  Vince Cable has said Tim Farron did not handle questions around gay rights and his Christian faith well during the election campaign.
  
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• Girl killed as car crashes into teenagers in Croydon

  02-07-2017 16:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Police say the driver, who fled on foot, had been driving at speed when he lost control of the car.
  
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• Devon hosts International Speed Skydiving Series final

  02-07-2017 16:19 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Competitors aim to beat the current vertical free fall world record of 370mph.
  
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• 'Marathon man' cancer patient Ben Ashworth dies

  02-07-2017 16:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Ben Ashworth, 38, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012 and told he only had months to live.
  
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• Culcheth Eagles rugby league player dies during match

  02-07-2017 15:47 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Adam "Carney" Cooper, 31, was taking part in a North West Men's League Division Four match in Runcorn.
  
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• Croydon Car Crash Leaves Girl, 16, Dead And Six Others Injured After Audi Hits Group On Pixton Way

  02-07-2017 15:37
  
  A 16-year-old girl has been killed in a hit-and-run in Croydon after an Audi crashed into pedestrians in the early hours of Sunday morning.
  
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• Snow and Maitlis rows are part of a pattern of attacks on TV journalists

  02-07-2017 15:34
  
  Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow. Photograph: Dinendra Haria/Rex/Shutterstock
  
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• Grenfell Tower: Victims Could Boycott Inquiry Over Fears It Won't Explore All The Issues

  02-07-2017 15:17
  
  Victims of the Grenfell tower fire could boycott the inquiry into the disaster if the proposed scope is not widened, campaigners have said.
  
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• UK to withdraw from international fishing arrangement

  02-07-2017 15:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Ministers say ending the arrangement will help the UK take back control of access to its waters.
  
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• Andy Murray declares himself fit to defend Wimbledon title after hip injury

  02-07-2017 14:57
  Defending champion Andy Murray has declared himself fit for Wimbledon following his hip injury scare.It comes as the British tennis star confirmed he and wife Kim Sears, 29, are expecting their second child.The world number one and top seed is due to play on Centre Court on Monday, where he will face Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, ranked 134th.
  
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• Sinn Féin can't demand 10-0 win in Stormont talks, says DUP

  02-07-2017 14:28 via bbc.co.uk
  
  It must 'change its attitude' to the talks to restore devolution at Stormont, says the DUP's Simon Hamilton.
  
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• Girl dies after Audi ploughs into group of teenagers in Croydon

  02-07-2017 14:23
  A 16-year-old girl has died after an Audi sports car ploughed into a group of teenagers "at speed" in south London.Six other teens were injured in the hit-and-run on Pixton Way, Croydon, at about 1.30am on Sunday.A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "At this early stage it is believed the car was travelling at speed before it lost control at a corner and collided with the pedestrians.
  
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• Girl killed and six injured as car hits group of teenagers in Croydon

  02-07-2017 13:51
  
  Scotland Yard said it did not believe the incident, which took place before 1.30am on Sunday, was a deliberate attack.A man has been arrested after a car hit a group of teenagers, killing a 16-year-old girl and injuring six others in Croydon, south London.The red convertible Audi A3 is believed to have veered off the road and hit the group of teenagers while attempting to take a corner on Pixton Way, a residential road, at speed.
  
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• 16-year-old girl killed and six others injured in hit-and-run in Croydon

  02-07-2017 13:51
  
  Scotland Yard said it did not believe the incident, which took place before 1.30am on Sunday, was a deliberate attack.Police are searching for a man who fled after the vehicle he was driving hit and killed a 16-year-old girl and injured six other teenagers in Croydon, south London.The red convertible Audi A3 is believed to have veered off the road and hit the group of teenagers while attempting to take a corner on Pixton Way, a residential road, at speed.
  
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• Murray 'very happy' about second child

  02-07-2017 13:41 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The news comes as Murray prepares for his opening match at Wimbledon as defending champion.
  
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• Grenfell Tower fire: Council suspends rent for neighbouring flats

  02-07-2017 13:27 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Rent will not be requested until January after people were forced to leave in the wake of the fire.
  
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• Listen to review bodies on public sector pay, says Gove

  02-07-2017 13:25 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The cabinet minister adds his voice to growing pressure to lift the 1% public sector pay cap.
  
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• Sheffield student Joana Burns died after taking ecstasy

  02-07-2017 13:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Joana Burns had just finished her maths degree when she took ecstasy at the Students' Union.
  
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• 'Cheap populist gesture' to scrap uni fees

  02-07-2017 13:15
  
  Sir Vince Cable has told Sky News that scrapping university tuition fees would be "very dangerous" and "stupid".
  
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• Icelandair proves it is the most extra airline out there with plans for in-flight immersive theatre

  02-07-2017 13:13
  
  There will be no danger of anyone getting bored on those flights.
  
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• Scrapping tuition fees would be stupid - Sir Vince Cable

  02-07-2017 13:10
  Sir Vince Cable claims scrapping university tuition fees would be "very dangerous and stupid".The Lib Dem leadership favourite told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the "cheap populist gesture" would create an unfair system.Sir Vince was in the coalition government when fees were increased from £3,000 to more than £9,000 a year in 2010.
  
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• Britain should listen to pay bodies on public-sector rises - minister

  02-07-2017 13:10
  
  Britain could abandon an across-the-board cap on pay for public-sector workers such as teachers and nurses if review bodies said higher rises were needed to recruit and retain workers, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said on Sunday.Prime Minister Theresa May is coming under increasing pressure from ministers and lawmakers to end a below-inflation 1 percent cap on pay rises that has been in place since 2013 as part of a drive to reduce government spending.Gove said the government should "respe
  
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