General news

• Tony Blair: 50% chance Brexit won't happen

  01-03-2018 23:45
  Tony Blair has told Sky News he now believes there is a 50% chance Brexit will not happen.
  
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• PM May to set out Brexit vision for trade deal deeper than any other

  01-03-2018 23:35
  British Prime Minister Theresa May will set out her vision on Friday for a Brexit deal deeper and wider than any "free trade agreement anywhere in the world", telling the European Union it is in their "shared interest".In a much-anticipated speech which the EU hopes will offer details of her plan for Britain's future after Brexit, May will try to defuse a dispute over the border with Ireland that threatens to stall the Brexit talks.The 61-year-old leader has long kept her cards to her chest, try
  
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• Theresa May urges Britain to ‘come back together’

  01-03-2018 23:30
  Theresa May will urge the warring Brexit tribes to put their differences behind them on Friday as she promises to deliver a deal with Brussels that will keep Britain an “open, outward-looking, tolerant, European democracy”.May’s intervention, the last of a series of speeches by key cabinet ministers, comes at the end of a tumultuous week, in which she has clashed with Brussels over the issue of Northern Ireland, and seen Jeremy Corbyn praised by business groups for his decision
  
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• Theresa May urges Britain to 'come back together'

  01-03-2018 23:30
  Theresa May will urge the warring Brexit tribes to put their differences behind them on Friday as she promises to deliver a deal with Brussels that will keep Britain an “open, outward-looking, tolerant, European democracy”.May’s intervention, the last of a series of speeches by key cabinet ministers, comes at the end of a tumultuous week, in which she has clashed with Brussels over the issue of Northern Ireland, and seen Jeremy Corbyn praised by business groups for his decision
  
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• What All the Key Players Said About Brexit This Week

  01-03-2018 21:51
  Mar.01 -- U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May will make a key Brexit speech on Friday. Her remarks mark the end of an intense week. U.K. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Trade Secretary Liam Fox, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and EU President Donald Tusk have all spoken out, as well as May. Here are highlights.
  
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• Top Corbyn ally Jon Lansman enters race to run Labour Party

  01-03-2018 21:30
  The chair of Jeremy Corbyn-supporting group Momentum has announced his bid to take Labour's top party role.In a power-struggle at the top of Labour, Momentum's Jon Lansman has pitched himself against trade unionist Jennie Formby, a senior Unite employee, for the role of party general secretary.The contest will be viewed as a battle for control between Momentum members, branded "entryists" by critics but who make up a large share of those who have recently joined Labour, and the party's tradition
  
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• Former PM Tony Blair claims there is now a 50% chance Brexit won't happen

  01-03-2018 20:57
  Tony Blair has told Sky News he now believes there is a 50% chance Brexit will not happen."A year ago I put the chances of changing Brexit at about 25%," he said.Mr Blair was speaking in Brussels, where he was making the case for urgent pan-European reform to immigration rules that he believes could prompt the UK not to quit the EU.
  
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• Beast from the East meets Storm Emma, causing UK's worst weather in years

  01-03-2018 20:43
  Blizzards, strong winds, drifting snow and bitter cold have caused death and disruption as the weather system nicknamed the “Beast from the East” combined with Storm Emma to create some of the most testing weather experienced in the UK for years.The Met Office issued a red warning – its most severe alert – on Thursday as temperatures plunged and up to 50cm (20in) of snow fell on high ground.Forecasters said the harsh conditions could continue in some places into next week
  
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• A real white wedding and other stories

  01-03-2018 20:39 via bbc.co.uk
  A look at the more light-hearted and quirky stories to come out of the UK's snow storm.
  
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• Brexit, Ireland and what leavers might learn from Passport to Pimlico

  01-03-2018 19:19
  The foreign secretary’s reference to the lack of borders between London boroughs (Johnson: task is to avoid harder border with Irish Republic, 28 February), like many of his comments, brings farce to the fore – this time in a reminder of the 1949 Ealing comedy Passport to Pimlico.In the film, a small part of London discovers an old document that shows it is not actually part of London or the UK at all (really Burgundian indeed!), and separates from the UK to avoid the restrictions an
  
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• Labour’s commitment to the Co-operative cause

  01-03-2018 19:14
  Jeremy Corbyn. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty
  
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• Universal basic income, not child benefit, is key to alleviating poverty

  01-03-2018 19:11
  A universal basic income is ‘definitely a Beveridgean concept’, writes Lynda Mountford.Polly Toynbee (Beveridge was cradle-to-grave: who could sell that these days?, 26 February) recommends focusing funds on child benefit as “the best investment for future national wellbeing”.What child benefit did was to convert a regressive system of child tax allowances – which gave more to rich families than to poor ones – into cash payments of the same amount per child to
  
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• Oswald Mosley, the unpopular populist

  01-03-2018 19:09
  Fascist leader Oswald Mosley with his wife Diana and their son Max. Photograph: George W Hales/Getty Images
  
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• Leveson 2 explained: what was it meant to achieve?

  01-03-2018 19:04
  The second part of the Leveson inquiry was meant to be an investigation into the relationship between journalists and the police.The Leveson inquiry, led by judge Sir Brian Leveson, started in 2011 after it emerged that journalists at Rupert Murdoch’s now defunct News of the World tabloid hacked the phone of murdered school girl Milly Dowler.The Press Complaints Commission, the previous regulator, was shut down before Leveson published his first report.
  
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• Leveson inquiry: government confirms second stage axed

  01-03-2018 19:03
  Sir Brian Leveson’s work had had a ‘huge impact on public life’, the Commons heard.The culture secretary, Matt Hancock, confirmed on Thursday that the government would drop plans for the second phase of the Leveson inquiry into press standards launched in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.The Conservative manifesto for last year’s general election included plans to abandon Leveson 2, which was intended to examine relationships between journalists and the police.
  
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• England’s Ben Stokes may not return as Test vice-captain, Joe Root admits

  01-03-2018 19:00
  Ben Stokes (right), pictured with Joe Root, guided England to a six-wicket victory in the second ODI against New Zealand.Ben Stokes may have reassumed his mantle as match-winning all-rounder in his second game back but not all of the roles bestowed on him will be handed back so quickly.Speaking on Thursday, the Test captain, Joe Root, admitted Stokes is not guaranteed to return as his vice-captain for the Tests against New Zealand.
  
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• Boris Johnson defends garden bridge plan that will cost public £46m

  01-03-2018 18:58
  Boris Johnson said he could not recall why he signed a key directive as London mayor that contributed to the loss of more than £40m of public money on the city’s garden bridge.Facing increasing pressure over the abandoned project, Johnson, appearing before London Assembly members, answered detailed questions on the scheme for the first time.Johnson gave reasons as to why the bridge was not built, and alleged a journalist, who had won awards for uncovering problems with the project, w
  
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• Officers accused of spying on sister of man who died in police custody cleared

  01-03-2018 18:54
  Janet Alder said the verdict was an insulting cover-up.Two police officers accused of spying on the sister of a former paratrooper who was unlawfully killed in police custody have been cleared by a disciplinary panel.The two officers, who were given anonymity, had been accused of running an unauthorised and intrusive surveillance operation against Janet Alder during an inquest into the death of her brother Christopher.
  
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• EU boss Donald Tusk tells Theresa May he's 'not happy' with Brexit 'red line'

  01-03-2018 18:53
  European Council president Donald Tusk hinted at a frosty meeting with Theresa May as he told the Prime Minister he is "not happy" with her Brexit "red line".As he sat alongside Mrs May in Number 10, in front of photographers, Mr Tusk told the Prime Minister: "I'm absolutely sure that after your so-called red line, we'll I'm not happy with it, you know, but of course, but it's natural that you have maybe different point of views when it comes to the essence of Brexit.
  
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• As May readies trade speech, Tusk sees difficulties

  01-03-2018 18:53
  LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - "Real political difficulties" lie ahead for Brexit, EU summit chair Donald Tusk said after Prime Minister Theresa May gave him a preview of the vision of future trade ties she will unveil on Friday.Over lunch at her Downing Street office, aides said, May told him a draft Brexit treaty published by the European Union on Wednesday was "unacceptable" in its proposal of keeping Northern Ireland effectively in an EU customs union, potentially isolating the province economi
  
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• Gas deficit warning issued by National Grid as UK struggles to stay warm

  01-03-2018 18:50
  UK factories could be forced to stop production amid fears the country has only enough gas to ensure household supplies in the current freezing weather.The alarm was raised by National Grid when it issued a "gas deficit warning" early on Thursday amid high demand to keep homes and businesses warm as strong winds from Siberia continue to sweep blizzard conditions across the country.National Grid said there was a shortfall of around 50 million cubic metres of gas and it could limit use in non-esse
  
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• Big freeze: UK on red alert as military drafted in

  01-03-2018 18:44
  Large parts of the country have been hit by more freezing weather causing further travel disruption and the military has been drafted in to help with relief efforts in snow-affected Lincolnshire.RAF drivers in 4x4 vehicles have been transporting medical staff to hospital and helping vulnerable people who rely on social care in the county.Areas of southwest England and South Wales are under a rare red weather warning, meaning snow and wind could put lives at risk.
  
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• Boris blusters his way around his £40m garden bridge fiasco

  01-03-2018 18:40
  Like most other things to Boris, he treated having his integrity questioned as a joke.This hasn’t been the best of weeks for the foreign secretary.First he got caught out comparing Northern Ireland to London’s congestion charge zone.
  
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• Franco Manca Delivers Thousands Of Free Pizzas To Rough Sleepers As UK Temperatures Plummet

  01-03-2018 18:22
  A trendy restaurant chain has given away thousands of free pizzas as part of a drive to help the homeless during this week’s extreme weather.
  
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• UK government to fight Scotland bid for Brexit emergency powers

  01-03-2018 18:18
  A supreme court legal and constitutional battle could affect Scottish independence debate.The UK government is expected to mount an immediate legal challenge at the supreme court if the Scottish parliament votes for its own emergency powers over Brexit.Legal and political sources have told the Guardian it is highly likely that Richard Keen QC, the UK government’s Scottish law officer, would ask the supreme court to strike the legislation down, plunging both governments into a long-running
  
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• Storm Emma: It's -4C outside yet some homeless people are choosing street over shelter

  01-03-2018 18:18 via bbc.co.uk
  Homeless people tell us about what it is like to sleep outside during extremely cold weather.
  
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• Surrey from the skies

  01-03-2018 18:10
  Sky's senior correspondent Lisa Holland has the latest from the skies over snowy Surrey.
  
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• Marriage rates among opposite-sex couples at record low

  01-03-2018 17:39
  Marriage rates among opposite-sex couples are at a record low, according to official figures.Experts say many people are focusing on other priorities like their education, starting a family or buying a house.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for 2015 - the latest years for which statistics are available - show there were 21.7 marriages per thousand unmarried men and 19.8 marriages per thousand unmarried women in England and Wales.
  
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• Does my nose look big in this? Plastic surgeons reassure those worried by selfies

  01-03-2018 17:19
  In a US survey, 55% of facial plastic surgeons reported patients had said say they want to improve their looks in selfies.If a penchant for selfies has left you worried about the size of your nose, you might want to consider a selfie-stick.“If the camera point is closer to something that projects out, like your nose, it is going to make everything that is closer to that camera look bigger compared to the rest of the face,” said Boris Paskhover, co-author of the study and a facial pla
  
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• Siberian blizzards blast Britain and Ireland as Storm Emma approaches

  01-03-2018 17:09
  EDINBURGH/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Snow storms from Siberia blasted Britain and Ireland on Thursday with the worst weather since 1991, trapping several hundred motorists on roads in Scotland, closing thousands of schools, grounding planes and halting trains.With up to 90 cm of snow and temperatures as low as minus 10.3 Celsius in Scotland, Britain and Ireland issued their most severe red warnings which advise people to stay at home as travel is too dangerous.Dozens of people were trapped in their cars
  
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• EU's Tusk talks 'real political difficulties' on Brexit with May - source

  01-03-2018 17:08
  The chairman of European Union leaders, Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Theresa May discussed on Thursday the "real political difficulties ahead" on Brexit, an EU official said."(It was) an open and honest debate in a good atmosphere about the real political difficulties ahead of us," the EU official said."In light of Tusk's draft guidelines next week and Prime Minister May's upcoming speech, the main focus was on the content of and process towards the future relationship post Brexit," t
  
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• May: No PM could agree to EU demands

  01-03-2018 16:45
  The Prime Minister says she rejects the EU's draft legal text of Withdrawal Agreement concerning the Irish border.
  
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• People from cold countries are making fun of Britain panicking over ‘snowmageddon’

  01-03-2018 16:41
  ‘Poor British people.’
  
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• Three murder arrests over death of man in Turkey after Blackpool pub row

  01-03-2018 16:35
  Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died in Turkey following an "altercation" at a Lancashire pub.Simon Marx, 42, from Blackpool, died while on holiday in the Turkish city of Fethiye on 8 October.A day earlier he had been involved in a row at the Newton Arms in Staining near Blackpool at around 12.20am, police said.
  
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• 'I hope Corbyn will try to match John Major': your best comments today

  01-03-2018 16:28
  Before the referendum, Sir John Major and Tony Blair travelled to Derry City in Northern Ireland warning that voting to leave the EU could “jeopardise the unity” of the UK.Former British prime ministers have been speaking out on Brexit, much to the interest of our commenters.First up was John Major, with his call for a Commons vote on a second referendum.
  
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• NHS Staff Are Going The Extra Mile To Care For Britons During The Big Chill #ThankYouNHS

  01-03-2018 16:26
  NHS workers are being hailed among the heroes whom have helped keep the nation going as it continues to be battered by the Beast from the East and Storm Emma.
  
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• Man convicted after teenager killed in crash involving £1.2m Ferrari

  01-03-2018 16:14
  A man has been convicted of causing death by careless driving after a teenage boy was killed in a crash involving a £1.2m Ferrari.Alexander Worth, 13, had been in the F50 supercar with businessman Matthew Cobden who lost control at the wheel at a reported 40mph in Hampshire in August 2016, Winchester Crown Court heard.The trial was told Cobden, 39, offered to give the teenager a ride after the boy's father ask him whether Alexander could have a picture of the vehicle.
  
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• Prince William to make groundbreaking Middle East trip

  01-03-2018 16:05
  Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince William will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories this summer, his office announced on Thursday, the first official visit by a senior member of Britain's royal family.Both Israeli and Palestinian officials welcomed the trip, which also includes Jordan, on behalf of the British government by William, second-in-line to the British throne."We welcome the announcement that Prince William will be coming to Israel.
  
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• The foodie’s guide to Madeira

  01-03-2018 16:02 via theguardian.com
  Surrounded on all sides by the bountiful Atlantic, Madeira is a paradise for seafood lovers. But that’s not all you’ll find on an island famous for its wine, pastries and unique take on Portuguese cuisine Madeira, the Portuguese island archipelago off the coast of Africa, is a haven for foodies. The locals manage to cultivate an abundance of fruit and vegetables on the steep terraced fields of this volcanic island. This burst of colour and flavour (think yams, mangoes, guavas and swe
  
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• Blair, in Brussels, urges EU to help Britons stop Brexit

  01-03-2018 16:00
  Former British premier Tony Blair called in Brussels on Thursday for European Union leaders to commit to reforms, notably on migration, to help convince Britons not to go ahead with leaving the bloc next year.Speaking to a think-tank audience close to the European Parliament, the former Labour leader said he believed that the British government would struggle to win a parliamentary vote to complete Brexit and urged EU leaders to help a campaign to block departure by offering to address British v
  
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• EU's negotiator says Britain can only get a free-trade deal now

  01-03-2018 15:41
  BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's Brexit negotiator said on Thursday that London's stance on its future ties with the bloc only left a free trade agreement as an option.
  
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• Britain told to 'carry on cooking' despite gas supply warning

  01-03-2018 15:29
  British households were told to "carry on cooking" by the government on Thursday, as a warning of a gas supply deficit spooked the market and raised questions over the country's gas policy.A nationwide cold snap with temperatures as low as minus 10.3 degrees Celsius and widespread snow has led to a sharp increase in gas demand which is used to heat as much as 80 percent of Britain's homes and also for cooking.Energy minister Claire Perry said there would be no disruption to domestic supplies and
  
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• It's not all gravy: KFC hit by fresh shortage after chicken supply problems

  01-03-2018 15:26
  Days after hundreds of KFC restaurants were forced to shut due to chicken shortages, the food chain has been hit with a new problem: a lack of gravy.A spokesman for Yum Brands Inc, which owns the fried chicken chain, said it was working to fix the gravy shortage."Due to the ongoing distribution challenges DHL is experiencing, some restaurants are continuing to serve a reduced menu," he said.
  
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• Six reasons behind the High Street crisis

  01-03-2018 15:14 via bbc.co.uk
  Inflation and the rise of online shopping have left many retailers on the ropes.
  
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• Animals brave snow and freezing temperatures

  01-03-2018 14:59 via bbc.co.uk
  Creatures great and small are braving the snow blizzards and biting winds.
  
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• Headteacher parodies Sir Cliff Richard in hilarious song announcing a snow day

  01-03-2018 14:56
  The video letting children know school is closed due to snow has over 128,000 views.
  
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• Labour extends Ken Livingstone's suspension over antisemitism claims

  01-03-2018 14:54
  Ken Livingstone’s suspension had been due to end in April.Ken Livingstone’s suspension from Labour has been extended while the former mayor of London is subject to another formal internal investigation over antisemitism, the party said.Labour’s disciplinary body suspended Livingstone after he made offensive comments about Adolf Hitler, alleging that he supported Zionism before he went mad.
  
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• Prince William to make first official royal visit to Israel and Palestine

  01-03-2018 14:52
  Prince William addresses the Royal Foundation Forum in London.Prince William will become the first British royal to make an official visit to Israel and Palestine, an unexpected move given that political sensitivities in the region have stalled a formal trip for decades.The Duke of Cambridge will visit Israel, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the Summer.
  
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• Acid to be classed as a 'highly dangerous weapon' by the courts for the first time

  01-03-2018 14:38
  Acid is to be classed as a "highly dangerous weapon" for the first time under new sentencing guidelines after a surge in attacks.Official guidance for courts has been updated to allow judges to impose tougher punishments on people caught carrying corrosive substances in public.Guidelines, which come into force in June, now state that a "highly dangerous weapon" includes a "corrosive substance such as acid".
  
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• May to make 'real step forward' in EU talks with Friday speech

  01-03-2018 14:35
  British Prime Minister Theresa May will set out her vision for an "ambitious economic partnership" with the European Union on Friday, which her team of ministers agreed would be a "real step forward" in talks with the bloc, her spokesman said on Thursday."The prime minister began by setting out that her objective is to secure an ambitious economic partnership with the EU," the spokesman told reporters before a planned speech on Friday.
  
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