General news

• Morrissey claims he was held at gunpoint by police officer in Rome

  05-07-2017 23:49 via theguardian.com
  
  The singer says he felt ‘terrorised’ by the armed officer who he says detained him for half an hour and screamed in his faceThe singer Morrissey said on Wednesday that he had been “terrorised” by a police officer in Rome who held him at gunpoint for half an hour on a busy street.
  The former lead singer of the Smiths, a long-time fan of Rome who had returned to the Italian capital to record an album, said the officer unlocked his gun and “screamed into my face”
  
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• RBS on brink of settling chunk of pre-crisis US mortgage probe

  05-07-2017 23:43
  Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is on the brink of a multibillion-pound settlement with US regulators over the mis-selling of toxic mortgage bonds.Sky News has learnt that RBS could reach a deal with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) as soon as this week, removing one of the biggest remaining obstacles to a resumption of the sale of the Government's stake in the bank.Sources said on Wednesday evening that a settlement - which analysts expect to cost RBS at least $4.5bn (£3.5bn) - was
  
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• Four Britons make Wimbledon third round for first time in 20 years

  05-07-2017 23:38
  Four British tennis players have made it through to the third round of Wimbledon for the first time this century.Defending champion Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene all won their matches on the third day of play at SW19.Four British players last made it to the final 32 in 1997.
  
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• North Korea missile launch: Is the world a step closer to war?

  05-07-2017 23:12
  
  The US ambassador to the UN warned that the “possibility of a diplomatic solution” is narrowing.
  
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• Newly discovered photo reignites Amelia Earhart conspiracy theory

  05-07-2017 23:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Photo purportedly shows pilot and navigator on a dock in the Marshall Islands in 1937 – under Japanese rule at the time – but some experts remain unconvincedA newly unearthed picture from the US national archives has given new credence to a popular theory about the disappearance of pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart.
  Some experts say the image shows the pilot, her navigator Fred Noonan and her airplane in the Marshall Islands in 1937, when the archipelago was occupied by Japan –
  
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• Corbyn vows to end zero hour contracts

  05-07-2017 22:50
  
  Jeremy Corbyn accuses the Tories of "short-changing" children by focusing on selective schools. All the election action live.
  
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• Corbyn condemns 'zero-hours contracts at Glastonbury'

  05-07-2017 22:48
  Jeremy Corbyn won a rapturous reception at Glastonbury last month, but now the Labour leader has condemned the reported use of zero-hours contracts for workers at the festival.Mr Corbyn would be "happy" to discuss his opposition to the zero-hours contracts to the event's organisers, according to a Labour spokesman."How Glastonbury runs its event and runs its finances is entirely a matter for them," the spokesman said.
  
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• Trump and Pope give baby Charlie Gard's parents 'hope'

  05-07-2017 22:35
  
  Charlie Gard's parents say that support from President Trump and Pope Francis has given them "hope".Chris Gard and Connie Yates have campaigned to take 11-month-old Charlie, who has a rare genetic condition, to the US for experimental treatment.Last week, the European Court of Human Rights rejected a plea from Charlie's parents to intervene in the case, which has reached the end of the line in the UK courts.
  
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• Grenfell lawyer questions role of two experts

  05-07-2017 22:23
  
  A lawyer acting for some of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire has questioned the appointment of two experts by the Government to ensure tower blocks are safe in the future.Jolyon Maugham QC says Sir Ken Knight and Peter Bonfield are "tainted by association" through their links to advice given to ministers last year.Half of the members of a new expert panel in charge of advising the Government about what needs to be done to make tall buildings safe following the Grenfell Tower fire are linke
  
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• Bradley Lowery 'close to going with the angels'

  05-07-2017 21:51
  The family of terminally ill Bradley Lowery say he has been "very close to going with the angels".Last month, Bradley's family said their hearts were "broken in two" after finding out he had "just weeks to live".Sunderland fan Bradley has been a mascot for both the North East club and England.
  
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• Taskforce sent in as council powers cut

  05-07-2017 21:40
  
  Outside experts manage areas like housing and regeneration after heavy criticism of the council's response to the disaster.
  
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• Rangers tax case: supreme court rules in favour of HMRC

  05-07-2017 21:32
  
  Rangers players during their 2008 Uefa cup final defeat … the club went bust in 2012.Companies that paid staff via “contrived” employee benefit trusts have been urged to come forward, after HM Revenue & Customs scored a landmark victory in a tax avoidance case against the former incarnation of Rangers football club.Experts warned there were likely to be “dramatic” consequences for businesses that used the elaborate schemes, after a unanimous verdict handed down
  
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• The ideological battle for decent housing and decent politics in Haringey | Letters

  05-07-2017 20:45
  
  In modern societies, as the great Italian communist Antonio Gramsci argued, governments try hard to get their way through consent – by getting the majority to agree with their viewpoint.Often, it has to be said, without even a semblance of the sort of democratic accountability and openness to public challenge we have in the UK today.
  
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• Nuclear is to wind as Betamax is to Netflix – why Hinkley Point C is a turkey | Letters

  05-07-2017 20:44
  
  Plant machinery involved in constructing the Hinkley Point C power station near Bridgwater in Somerset. ‘History tells us that this Hinkley cost increase and start delay is only the first of many such announcements,’ writes Christopher Jessop.You report (4 July) that the cost of Hinkley C power station has just bumped up £1.5bn, and its completion date slipped 15 months.Notwithstanding, pro-nuclear politicians will assure us that it still represents good value for the cons
  
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• Theresa May must act to tackle obesity without delay | Letters

  05-07-2017 20:43
  
  When Theresa May first became prime minister, she pledged that she would look after the sick and poor, and yet within three weeks her previous adviser Nick Timothy had slashed David Cameron’s evidence-based obesity plan from 37 to 13 pages, cutting out many vital policies.Public health is hugely underfunded, considering its cost-effectiveness.It’s amazing that Theresa May can find a billion pounds to form a government but can’t find a million pounds to prevent millions of UK ci
  
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• Advances and lapses in cancer treatment | Letters

  05-07-2017 20:43
  
  It was interesting to read the latest research from Edinburgh University revealing that women who have survived cancer in the past 30 years are a third less likely to become pregnant (Report, July 4).It shines a light on the urgent need for a conversation between women and their treatment team about fertility preservation following a diagnosis of breast cancer.At Breast Cancer Care we speak to women all the time who are frustrated by the lack of information on fertility.
  
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• Dozens arrested as '500 Britons' stung by Spain timeshare scam

  05-07-2017 20:08
  Spanish police have arrested 36 people over a multi-million-pound Costa del Sol timeshare scam which has affected an estimated 500 Britons.Most of those arrested are also believed to be British.Police said the suspects used forged documents to pose as legitimate businessmen and also employed accomplices who would try to dupe victims who had already been left out of pocket by claiming they could help them get their money back.
  
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• Hopes of mild climate change dashed by new research

  05-07-2017 20:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Planet could heat up far more than hoped as new work shows temperature rises measured over recent decades don’t fully reflect global warming already in the pipelineHopes that the world’s huge carbon emissions might not drive temperatures up to dangerous levels have been dashed by new research. The work shows that temperature rises measured over recent decades do not fully reflect the global warming already in the pipeline and that the ultimate heating of the planet could be even wors
  
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• Corbyn has the knives out for Maybot – and so has Freewheelin' Phil | John Crace

  05-07-2017 19:50
  
  “I value the work of all public sector workers,” the Maybot said.Corbyn increasingly acts as if he believes he is now the prime minister.Jeering as the Labour leader talked about a teacher called Dave who hadn’t had a pay rise in seven years didn’t necessarily create the caring, sharing look the Maybot was trying to portray.
  
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• HMRC wins case against Rangers FC entity in tax avoidance crackdown

  05-07-2017 19:40
  
  Rangers players during their 2008 Uefa cup final defeat … the club went bust in 2012.Companies that paid staff via “contrived” employee benefit trusts have been urged to come forward, after HM Revenue & Customs scored a landmark victory in a tax avoidance case against the former incarnation of Rangers football club.Experts warned there were likely to be “dramatic” consequences for businesses that used the elaborate schemes, after a unanimous verdict handed down
  
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• Exclusive - Energy giants court Qatar for gas expansion role despite crisis

  05-07-2017 19:29
  
  By Ron Bousso and Dmitry ZhdannikovLONDON (Reuters) - The West's three biggest energy corporations are lobbying Qatar to take part in a huge expansion of its gas production, handing Doha an unintended but timely boost in its bitter dispute with Gulf Arab neighbours.The chief executives of ExxonMobil , Royal Dutch Shelland France's Totalall met the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in Qatar before it announced a plan on Tuesday to raise output of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 30 percent.Com
  
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• Head of al-Jazeera: We will continue until the last moment – video

  05-07-2017 18:36 via theguardian.com
  
  The head of al-Jazeera’s Arabic language channel has called for a discussion about the broadcaster’s editorial policy, and that of all media, but insists the network will keep working through any crisis. Yaser Abuhilala says he believes the Gulf crisis is another example of Qatar ‘paying the price’ for its sponsorship of an independently voiced news channel Continue reading...
  
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• The Finsbury Park Attack Is Emblematic Of Growing Islamophobia - 7/7 Survivor Calls For Unity.

  05-07-2017 18:25
  
  It was the end of Tarawih night time prayers, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, when worshippers were mercilessly attacked by a driver seeking to target the Muslim community.
  
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• 1970s style seen through the lens of Guy Bourdin – in pictures

  05-07-2017 18:24 via theguardian.com
  
  A new exhibition has opened in Paris focusing on the legendary photographer’s work with French fashion house ChloéAll photographs: Paris Vogue/the Guy Bourdin Estate
  Femininities – Guy Bourdin is at Maison Chloe, Paris, until 6 September, chloe.com Continue reading...
  
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• This Muslim community is raising money to deliver food hampers to firefighters

  05-07-2017 18:13
  
  Another generous gesture from members of the public in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy.
  
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• A New York police officer was ambushed and shot dead in an unprovoked attack

  05-07-2017 18:09
  
  The mother of three had been updating her police log at the end of her shift when she was attacked.
  
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• Green Party Activist Slams TfL As Gender-Specific Announcements Remain Ahead Of London Pride

  05-07-2017 18:07
  A Green Party activist has expressed disappointment that Transport for London (TfL) continues to use gendered language.
  
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• Changing The Perception Of Greece Through Modern Culture And Literature

  05-07-2017 18:04
  
  How can the economic crisis be the springboard for the development of a small business?
  
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• Vehicles wrecked by stolen truck in Oldham

  05-07-2017 17:50
  
  A man has told Sky News how his residential street was "like a war zone" after a crane on a 18-ton tipper truck smashed into around 10 vehicles.
  
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• Mike Ashley dismisses £14m court claim as 'nonsense'

  05-07-2017 17:40
  Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley told the High Court that he was not "Obi-Wan Kenobi running the Death Star" as he gave evidence over a £14m legal claim against him.The bizarre Star Wars reference came as the tycoon dismissed the case brought by investment banker Jeffrey Blue as "nonsense" and referred to Mr Blue as "that liar".The case centres on a conversation said to have taken place between Mr Blue and Mr Ashley during a night of heavy drinking at central London pub the Horse & Groom
  
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• Boris tells Italy: Baby Charlie Gard needs 'expert medical opinion'

  05-07-2017 17:32
  
  Boris Johnson has told his Italian counterpart that terminally ill baby Charlie Gard's future should be "led by expert medical opinion, supported by the courts".The Foreign Secretary was speaking after the Vatican's children's hospital offered to care for 11-month-old Charlie, who has a rare genetic condition.Pope Francis has said Charlie's parents should be allowed to "accompany and treat their child until the end".
  
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• Theresa May: Britain must live within its means

  05-07-2017 17:10
  
  Theresa May has stood firm in the face of mounting pressure to ease austerity, saying the country must live within its means.During a rowdy session of PMQs, the Prime Minister was repeatedly questioned about her policy to restrict pay increases to 1% for the police, nurses, doctors and other public sector workers.
  
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• Labour says taskforce sent in to aid Grenfell recovery lacks power

  05-07-2017 17:08
  
  The move stops short of Sadiq Khan’s demand for commissioners to take over running the whole council.Labour has complained that a specialist taskforce sent in to Kensington and Chelsea council to take over key services following the Grenfell Tower fire will have too few powers, saying the government remains “off the pace” in its response.John Healey, the shadow housing minister, also said the announcement that just 14 of 158 families made homeless had accepted temporary accommo
  
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• Zero Hour Contracts 'Could Be Putting Young People's Mental Health At Risk'

  05-07-2017 16:54
  
  Zero hour contracts could be putting young people’s mental health at risk, researchers have warned.
  
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• David Spero's best photograph: Samson the shire horse and his band of eco-haymakers

  05-07-2017 16:50 via theguardian.com
  
  ‘I felt like I’d arrived in a parallel reality when I got to Tinkers Bubble. I couldn’t believe anyone in Britain lived like this’Tinkers Bubble will stay lodged in my memory for ever. When I recall it, I can smell the grass. It’s unique among low-impact, ecological communities around the UK in being almost entirely free of fossil fuel. They occasionally use paraffin lamps in winter, but all the work they do, they do manually. Haymaking takes place over a couple of
  
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• Grenfell Tower Fire: Minister Alok Sharma On Verge Of Tears As He Describes 'Unimaginable Pain' Of Families

  05-07-2017 16:22
  
  A Government minister was choked up with tears as he described the “humbling and moving experience” of meeting Grenfell Tower families in the House of Commons.
  
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• Charlie Gard parents lose court appeal

  05-07-2017 16:20
  
  The ECHR has rejected an application from the parents of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard to intervene in the case.
  
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• Grenfell: 12-month immigration amnesty for survivors announced

  05-07-2017 16:19
  
  Residents of Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk will not be checked for immigration status while the policy is in place.The Home Office has announced a temporary 12-month immigration “amnesty” for survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.The immigration minister, Brandon Lewis, told MPs the move was in recognition of the fact that some foreign nationals directly affected by the fire did not wish to engage with the authorities because of their concerns about their unresolved immigration sta
  
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• VAM Funds hires former Zurich Insurance exec as senior adviser

  05-07-2017 16:15
  (Reuters) - Luxembourg-based fund management company VAM Funds said it has hired former Zurich Insurance Group AGexecutive David Cockerton as a senior adviser in expanding its existing business across the Middle East. Cockerton left Zurich in January following 23 years with the insurance company. (Reporting by Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru)
  
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• Grenfell Fire: Police Confirm '87 Recoveries' From Damaged Tower But Warn 'That Is Not 87 People'

  05-07-2017 16:14
  
  Police say they have made “87 recoveries” from the Grenfell Tower but stressed that “the catastrophic damage” inside means “that is not 87 people”.
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn attacks use of zero-hours contracts at Glastonbury

  05-07-2017 16:01
  
  Labour has condemned the use of zero-hours contracts for workers at Glastonbury festival, where Jeremy Corbyn made a high-profile appearance last month.Reports claim hundreds of workers were hired from other EU countries to work as litter pickers – with many finding themselves unexpectedly dismissed after just two days’ work.Asked about the allegations, Corbyn’s spokesman said: “Jeremy and the Labour party have taken a very strong stand against the use of zero-hours contr
  
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• May backs hospital caring for critically ill Charlie Gard

  05-07-2017 16:00
  British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday she was confident the London hospital caring for a critically ill baby would consider any offers of help after his case attracted the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump and the pope.The case of 10-month-old Charlie Gard, who has a form of mitochondrial disease – a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage - has gained global interest after his parents lost a long legal battle to give him experi
  
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• The Reddit user who made that clip of Trump beating up CNN has apologised

  05-07-2017 15:56
  
  HansAssholeSolo posted a lengthy apology after he was identified by CNN.
  
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• McDonnell: government a 'cabinet of chaos'

  05-07-2017 15:55
  
  Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell, gives a statement on the public sector pay cap.
  
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• MP Jacob Rees-Mogg welcomes sixth child - named Sixtus

  05-07-2017 15:49
  Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced the birth of his sixth child - Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christopher.The origin of Mr Rees-Mogg's choice of name for his latest child is likely to promote debate, as baby-name books say it is derived from a Greek name Xystus, meaning "polished", and should not be confused with the Latin name Sextus, meaning sixth.A further four Roman Catholic popes have been called Sixtus, most recently Sixtus V, consecrated in 1567.
  
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• Pride in London

  05-07-2017 15:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  As the Pride London Parade event approaches we want to hear your views on what it means to you.
  
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• U.S. accounting watchdog probes PwC's audits of BT Italy - source

  05-07-2017 15:30
  
  By Emilio ParodiMILAN (Reuters) - The U.S. accounting watchdog is investigating accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers's [PWC.UL] audits of British telecoms group BT'sItalian business, which has been hit by a book-keeping scandal, a source close to the matter said.The PwC audit of the Italian business is coming under increasing scrutiny worldwide after a similar investigation launched in Britain last week.PwC said in an emailed statement it was not the company's policy to comment on client issue
  
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• Five reasons why Grenfell residents have yet to be rehoused

  05-07-2017 15:17
  
  Three weeks after the Grenfell Tower fire, the vast majority of survivors are still living in emergency hotel rooms.The Government promised to find each of the 158 affected households suitable homes by now, but while 139 accommodation offers have been made, so far only 14 families have accepted.Some families have been offered new accommodation, but have so far only been given an address as the suggested property is not yet available.
  
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• Grenfell survivor: We're not being heard at all

  05-07-2017 15:10
  
  Mahad Egal says he has been offered alternative accommodation, but it is not suitable for his family.
  
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• Worldpay board backs £7.7bn Vantiv takeover as JPMorgan exits

  05-07-2017 15:02
  Worldpay has agreed terms of a potential takeover by a larger US rival.Britain's biggest payments processor announced the development shortly after Sky News revealed that credit card technology firm Vantiv had been locked in discussions all night on securing an agreement with the Worldpay board.Worldpay, which had disclosed talks with both Vantiv and JPMorgan Chase a day earlier, said its shareholders would net 55p-per-share in cash and new Vantiv shares - along with a cash dividend of 5p per Wo
  
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