General news

• May urges MPs to back key Brexit Bill ahead of Commons showdown

  06-09-2017 23:54
  Theresa May and David Davis are pleading with supporters and opponents of Brexit to back the legislation pulling Britain out of the EU.Lawyers have described the Bill, which Jeremy Corbyn has ordered Labour MPs to vote against, as the biggest change in the UK's legal system for 45 years.
  
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• May calls on lawmakers to back bill, move closer to Brexit

  06-09-2017 23:32
  British Prime Minister Theresa May called on parliament to support legislation to sever political, financial and legal ties with the European Union, a step towards Brexit the opposition says it will challenge.The repeal bill, or EU withdrawal bill, is central to the government's plan to exit the bloc in 2019, untangling Britain from more than 40 years of EU lawmaking and repealing the treaty that first made Britain a member in 1972.On Thursday, parliament will start debating the "main principles
  
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• Hurricane Irma: Two Dead As Hurricane Devastates Caribbean

  06-09-2017 23:24
  Two people have died after Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean islands, the French government has confirmed.
  
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• Theresa May defends new EU immigration controls after Brexit leak

  06-09-2017 22:30
  Theresa May defended the idea of new controls on EU nationals in the wake of a leaked document outlining proposed tough post-Brexit immigration plans, saying they would help protect UK wages.Speaking at the first prime minister’s questions since the summer recess, May did not refer directly to the Home Office document leaked to the Guardian, but repeated her insistence that migration has depressed the wages of lower-paid workers.It is because of the impact that net migration can have on pe
  
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• Wales Plane Crash: One Person Dead After Light Aircraft Bursts Into Flames At Caernarfon Airport

  06-09-2017 22:19
  One person has died after a light aircraft caught fire at Caernarfon Airport, North Wales Police said.
  
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• One dead after light aircraft collides on Caernarfon runway

  06-09-2017 22:03
  (Reuters) - British Police said that one person died after a light aircraft collision at Caernarfon Airport in Wales on Thursday.The police said in a Facebook post that the pilot of the aircraft had died after it collided on the runway and caught fire.
  
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• New leak of Brexit papers reveals fissures between Britain and EU

  06-09-2017 21:59
  Leaked European commission papers say the UK needs to avoid creating a hard border.The EU will risk heightening tensions with the UK on Brexit by publishing five combative position papers in the coming days, including one that places the onus on Britain to solve the problem of the Irish border, according to documents leaked to the Guardian.The Irish document shows that Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, will call on the UK to work out “solutions” that avoid the creation
  
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• Pro-Brexit Tory MPs insist UK legally doesn't owe EU a penny

  06-09-2017 21:52
  An influential group of pro-Brexit Tory MPs is insisting the UK legally does not owe the EU a penny on exit.The Conservative European Research Group (ERG), which numbers around 100 MPs, is backing a new report that claims the EU will in fact owe Britain £9.3bn after Brexit.Known for organising their efforts via a WhatsApp group, the ERG is thought to have helped shape the Government's approach to Brexit since the EU referendum.
  
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• This woman escaped in a police car despite being handcuffed in the back seat to begin with

  06-09-2017 21:06
  She removed her seat belt, slipped out of her handcuffs and climbed through a window partition to the front of the vehicle.
  
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• Sickness may prevent Duchess of Cambridge taking George to school

  06-09-2017 20:56
  The Duchess of Cambridge may be unable to accompany Prince George to his first day of school on Thursday due to the severe sickness associated with her new pregnancy.The four-year-old prince is due to start at Thomas's school in Battersea, a three mile drive from the family's home in Kensington Palace.George is thought to be among the youngest in his year, and is expected to have a gentle first day at his new school, where 560 pupils between the ages of four and 13 are educated.
  
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• Labour leadership under pressure to criticise leaked Brexit plans

  06-09-2017 20:54
  Jeremy Corbyn has refused to comment on the leaked proposals.Labour is under pressure to condemn the leaked Home Office plan to deter EU migrants after the party refused to criticise the proposals for tougher restrictions and fingerprinting of new arrivals after Brexit.A number of Labour MPs broke ranks to express dismay at the leaked paper, but the party’s leadership would only say it would judge the proposals if and when they become government policy.
  
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• A penal system suitable for the 21st century | Letters

  06-09-2017 20:33
  Your letters (4 September) prompt me to respond, in the light of Thursday’s Lords debate on overcrowding in prisons, initiated by Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, a distinguished retired justice of the supreme court.Second, in the longer term, the government should now establish an independent review of the penal system suitable for the 21st century, reporting in two years’ time.
  
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• The Tories have very good reasons to fear young people

  06-09-2017 20:32
  Glastonbury festival, June 2017, where Jeremy Corbyn made a guest appearance. ‘The young are dissatisfied because they lack secure jobs and work for organisations that only care about shareholder value,’ writes Jennifer Budden.Tim Montgomerie (Tories know they’re in crisis.The young are dissatisfied because they lack secure jobs and work for organisations that only care about shareholder value so don’t value staff who want to do a quality job, and who don’t make any
  
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• Raise JPs’ retirement age to 75 | Letters

  06-09-2017 20:32
  Brenda Hale, the president of the UK supreme court, is 72, points out Peter Power. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
  
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• UK and EU clash over Brexit talks progress

  06-09-2017 20:30
  The EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary David Davis have clashed over the progress of talks on the UK's exit. Sky's Mark Stone reports.
  
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• Ruth Davidson fears Britain 'won't bounce back from Brexit hit'

  06-09-2017 20:18
  Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has expressed her fear Britain won't recover after an "economic hit" from Brexit.In comments putting her at odds with Downing Street, Ms Davidson also criticised the UK Government for failing to prepare the British public for the realities of divorce negotiations with the EU.During the EU referendum campaign, Ms Davidson was a staunch Remain supporter and famously clashed with Vote Leave figurehead Boris Johnson in a TV debate.
  
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• What to expect now Kate's expecting

  06-09-2017 19:50
  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child. What should we expect this time around?
  
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• Jacob Rees-Mogg Doubles Down On Abortion And Gay Marriage Comments

  06-09-2017 19:48
  Jacob Rees-Mogg has doubled down on his contentious views that he is opposed to abortion and gay marriage.
  
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• Donald Trump's Latest North Korea Comments Sound Like He Actually Wants War

  06-09-2017 19:41
  President Trump has insisted “now is not the time to talk to North Korea” and “all options remain open to defend the United States and its allies”.
  
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• Northern Ireland's DUP sees formal political talks starting next week

  06-09-2017 19:29
  Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) expects formal talks to restore a devolved power-sharing government to resume next week after positive discussions behind the scenes with nationalist rivals Sinn Fein, its leader said on Wednesday.The two parties have failed to agree on how to reform the devolved administration since its collapse in January, limiting Northern Ireland's influence in Brexit negotiations that could hurt it more than an other part of the United Kingdom.Each has blam
  
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• Nurses and civil servants pile pressure on PM over public sector pay cap

  06-09-2017 19:28
  Nurses and civil servants have piled fresh pressure on the Government to lift the 1% cap on public sector pay rises.Thousands of nurses demonstrated against the cap outside Parliament on Wednesday, while the UK's largest civil service trade union announced it would ballot members over possible strike action in protest against the restrictions.Amid increasing calls for the pay cap to be ditched, Downing Street has not denied reports the Government is considering scrapping the limit, which has bee
  
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• Government to look at extending dangerous driving offence to cyclists

  06-09-2017 19:16
  Matt Briggs has questioned whether the law should be updated after his wife, Kim, was hit by a cyclist in London and died.The government is to examine whether the offence of dangerous driving should be extended to cyclists after a case in which a woman died after being struck by a rider whose bike had no front brake.Speaking at prime minister’s questions, Theresa May said the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, would look at whether there was a need for a law change after the death of Kim
  
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• Nurses Speak Passionately About The Depressing Realities Of The NHS At National 'Scrap The Cap' Rally

  06-09-2017 19:11
  An experienced nurse has passionately spoken about the depressing reality of living and working on a capped wage in London to a packed Scrap the Cap rally.
  
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• This new-edition Harry Potter book brings characters and adventures to life on the page

  06-09-2017 19:02
  The Kindle in Motion version of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone was released on September 5.
  
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• Asda cuts hundreds of jobs in office shake-up

  06-09-2017 19:01
  Asda says a shake-up of its main office functions will result in the loss of 300 jobs.The retailer - one of the so-called big four supermarket chains in the UK - is in the middle of a transformation plan under new chief executive Sean Clarke, aimed at restoring sales which have lagged its major competitors' performance.Asda said the job losses reflected the need for its office functions to adapt to the demands of shoppers.
  
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• Crushed Maybot makes a handy sweetness and light dispenser | John Crace

  06-09-2017 18:58
  Theresa May appeared confused.Over the summer, the prime minister tried to distance herself from the person who had lost her majority in an election she didn’t need to call in a series of mini-relaunches.
  
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• FTSE 100 chiefs’ fury at No 10 letter backing ministers on Brexit

  06-09-2017 18:31
  Downing Street is asking Britain’s biggest companies to give public support to the Government’s approach to its Brexit negotiations, a move which has provoked fury in a string of blue-chip boardrooms.Sky News has obtained a letter being circulated in FTSE 100 and other company boardrooms which praises ministers' commitment to securing a transition period after the UK leaves the European Union (EU).It also expresses confidence in the future of "a global Britain" and says that the Gove
  
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• United orders more Airbus A350s but drops largest model

  06-09-2017 18:30
  By Tim HepherPARIS (Reuters) - United Airlines has ordered 10 extra AirbusA350 jetliners, ditching the largest model, the A350-1000, in favour of the smaller and more popular A350-900 whilst delaying deliveries to save cash, the companies said on Wednesday.United Airlines will now take 45 A350-900 aircraft instead of 35 of the upcoming A350-1000, which is in flight trials before the first delivery later this year.The move is a double-edged result for Airbus, sacrificingwhat had been seen as a ke
  
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• Air freshener causes car to explode outside Essex B&Q

  06-09-2017 18:26
  Emergency services were called after an explosion in a car outside a B&Q hardware store.One person was hurt following the blast in a car park that caused "significant damage" to the vehicle in Southend, Essex.Pictures on social media showed a silver Ford Focus with its windscreen, doors and roof blown out, with police and firefighters surrounding it.
  
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• Government asks big companies to sign letter backing Brexit strategy

  06-09-2017 18:24
  Downing Street declined to comment on the leaked letter and did not say whether any business leaders had signed it.The letter, first seen by Sky News, was circulated to some FTSE 100 chiefs and others leaders but it was soon leaked by a company furious that Downing Street wanted it to support a plan that would be damaging to the interests of businesses.It is the second embarrassing leak for the government in 24 hours after the Guardian published a confidential Home Office document detailing plan
  
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• Salvador Dali Exhumation: DNA Tests Prove Artist Is NOT Abel Pilar's Father

  06-09-2017 18:16
  DNA test results disprove a Spanish woman’s claim she is Salvador Dali’s daughter, the Dali Foundation said.
  
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• Tributes to 'lovely little lad', 14, shot dead in Newham

  06-09-2017 18:08
  Corey Junior Davis, also known as CJ, was attacked during what police have described as an "extreme act of violence".Police said Corey, from Forest Gate, died in hospital at 10.01pm on Tuesday.Corey and the 17-year-old had been found with gunshot injuries at Moore Walk in Newham on Monday afternoon.
  
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• School bans girls from wearing skirts as it brings in gender-neutral uniform

  06-09-2017 18:08
  A secondary school has banned girls from wearing skirts in a bid to make its uniform gender neutral.Priory School in Lewes, East Sussex, has introduced the policy to make the uniform the same for all students, regardless of gender.The updated uniform, which the school website says "has been designed specifically in response to the many issues and suggestions raised by parents, students and school staff", also rectifies the issue of boys having to wear ties while girls do not.
  
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• Millenial Magic - Why The Generation Everyone Hates Is The One We Really Need

  06-09-2017 17:55
  A piece beginning with "some of my best friends are..." never bodes well, but as an editor I'm in the privileged position of knowing a good number of millennials.
  
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• Grenfell Tower inquest hearings continue as investigation slows

  06-09-2017 17:54
  Biruk Haftom and his mother, Berkti, who both died in the fire at Grenfell Tower.Relatives of three people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire hugged and wept as they exchanged condolences at inquest hearings.On Wednesday, the Westminster coroner, Fiona Wilcox, opened and suspended inquests into 12-year-old Biruk Haftom, described by his family as “wise beyond his years”, Raymond Bernard, 63, and Denis Murphy, 56.
  
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• First PMQs since the summer recess

  06-09-2017 17:40
  The first Prime Minister's Questions since the summer recess.
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• 'Enough is enough': nurses protest against pay cap outside Westminster

  06-09-2017 17:35
  Nurses have expressed their anger over the public sector pay cap in a protest outside parliament, warning the government they are prepared to take industrial action.Around 2,000 nurses from all over the country congregated in Westminster on Wednesday at a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) protest against the policy that has led to a 14% real-terms cut in the wages of staff in England over the past seven years.The RCN president, Cecilia Anim, told the rally in Parliament Square that she had a messag
  
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• Police investigating London shooting of boys launch appeal to trace car

  06-09-2017 17:34
  Detectives investigating a double shooting in east London which a 14-year-old boy was killed want to trace a vehicle seen leaving the scene.Officers described the vehicle as a large, light-coloured 4x4 that was seen driving away immediately after the shooting in which Corey Junior Davis was killed and a 17-year-old boy was wounded.A teenage boy’s life has been taken in an extreme act of violence, leaving his family utterly devastated,” said DCI Dave Whellams of Scotland Yard’s
  
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• Primodos: PM says we need to recognise impact of deformity drug

  06-09-2017 17:21
  The Prime Minister has called for recognition of the impact of a drug that allegedly caused deformities to babies in the womb.Primodos was given to women by GPs in the 1960s and 70s as a pregnancy test.A Sky News investigation earlier this year uncovered that research from archives in Berlin which showed the drug had a one-in-five risk of causing birth defects - but that evidence of this was covered up in order to frustrate claimants.
  
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• Brexit official 'shocked' by leaked paper

  06-09-2017 17:15
  The Home Office is being accused of a "mean and cynical" immigration crackdown after a leaked Brexit blueprint revealed plans to slam the door on thousands of unskilled EU migrants.
  
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• Theresa May: People want migration to fall after Brexit

  06-09-2017 16:50
  Theresa May has defended moves to restrict EU migration after Brexit, as aleaked Government document revealed a planned crackdown on unskilled European migrants.Mrs May told the Commons at Prime Minister's Questions that immigration to the country had been good overall, but people want to see tighter controls on migrants with Brexit.There was no mention of Brexit in the exchanges between Mrs May and Jeremy Corbyn.
  
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• Rotherham abuse scandal: no charges against senior council figures

  06-09-2017 16:45
  No charges will be brought against any senior figures at Rotherham borough council despite “various and substantial organisational failings” that left 1,400 children at risk of sexual abuse, a series of reports has concluded.The decision, in six long-awaited reports published on Wednesday, was condemned by the Rotherham MP Sarah Champion as a “complete wasted opportunity to allow the town to move forward”.The main investigation concluded that no senior council managers fr
  
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• ‘Thousands’ of cows have been spotted stranded on islands following Hurricane Harvey

  06-09-2017 16:27
  Various organisations are working to help the animals.
  
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• French fashion giants ban ultra-skinny models

  06-09-2017 16:27
  Two of the world's biggest luxury goods conglomerates will stop working with unhealthily thin fashion models, as part of a joint charter signed Wednesday that aims to protect their health. The pact adopted ...
  
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• German industry group preparing for hard Brexit

  06-09-2017 16:14
  By John O'Donnell FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's biggest industry group has set up a task force including companies such as Airbus, Siemens and Deutsche Bank to prepare for a disruptive British departure from the European Union, according to people involved. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) task force will identify by the end of December the risks to German industry from a "hard" Brexit after monthly meetings of dozens of experts, the people said. ...
  
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• British civil servants' union calls nationwide strike ballot

  06-09-2017 15:42
  British civil servants will vote next month on nationwide strike action to put pressure on the government to abandon its 1 percent cap on public sector pay rises, their main trade union said on Wednesday.Prime Minister Theresa May's government is considering lifting the cap for at least some public-sector workers later this year, according to media reports earlier this week, as disquiet grows over pay restraint that has lasted since 2010.The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), the main u
  
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• Sports Direct chief Hellawell hits back on workers' rights

  06-09-2017 15:23
  Sports Direct chairman, Keith Hellawell, has survived a shareholder bid to oust him from the job and used the AGM to attack the retailer's critics.Mr Hellawell had pledged to resign unless a majority of independent shareholders supported his re-election to the post after he was previously saved from the axe by chief executive Mike Ashley's own voting rights.Sports Direct said he secured that majority at the company's AGM, which took place at Sports Direct's controversial Shirebrook warehouse sit
  
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• Theresa May backs new EU immigration controls after Brexit leak

  06-09-2017 15:16
  Theresa May has defended the idea of new controls on EU nationals in the wake of a leaked document outlining proposed tough post-Brexit immigration plans, saying they would help protect UK wages.Speaking at the first prime minister’s questions since the summer recess, May did not refer directly to the Home Office document leaked to the Guardian, but gave a general defence of greatly reducing the numbers of EU arrivals after Brexit.Following a series of questions from Jeremy Corbyn about lo
  
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• Aid Must Mean Aid - So Freeze It If It Fails

  06-09-2017 15:06
  The past year has seen a barrage of media attacks on overseas aid, portraying it as badly spent, wasteful or ineffective.
  
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• CPS to issue guidance on handling cases of abuse against men

  06-09-2017 15:05
  Prosecutors are to be given additional legal advice on handling criminal cases in which men are victims of sexual and domestic abuse.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published its first public statement recognising the specific needs and experiences of male victims of offences including rape, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking and child sexual abuse.Many male victims of such crimes never report what happened to the police, the CPS acknowledges.
  
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