General news

• Getting knives off the streets of Bedford

  18-03-2019 23:10
  Sky News was given access to Bedfordshire's Guns and Gangs unit to witness their efforts to tackle the surge in knife crime.
  
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• Knife crime: Government's extra £100m police funding is a 'short-term fix'

  18-03-2019 23:01
  The government's recent announcement of additional money to help fight knife crime is "nowhere near enough" and only a "short-term fix" according to the chairman of the Police Federation.John Apter spoke to Sky News at the end of Operation Sceptre, the annual week-long national drive against knife criminals, which has seen many hundreds of weapons taken off the streets.Last week, the chancellor announced an extra £100m emergency funding package to allow police to mount more operations agai
  
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• Conservatives demand May's departure date for passing Brexit deal - FT

  18-03-2019 23:01
  (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May has been told by senior Conservative party colleagues that she will have to set a timetable for her departure date from Downing Street in return for passing her Brexit deal, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
  
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• Jonny Mitchell: Love Island used 'mental tactics' to make me stay on the show

  18-03-2019 22:52
  Jonny Mitchell appeared in the 2017 series of Love Island alongside Mike Thalassitis, who was found dead  in a north London park on Saturday.The producers told me: "But Jonny, you're going to be famous," and said leaving wasn't as simple as that.The psychiatrist is there to look after all of the team and the contestants, so it's not as if you can just get help straight away.
  
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• UK government notes parliament speaker's statement on Brexit vote - May's office

  18-03-2019 22:44
  The British government is considering a statement by parliament's speaker on Monday that Prime Minister Theresa May could not put her Brexit deal to a new vote unless it was fundamentally changed, May's office said on Monday.In comments that blindsided May's office, speaker John Bercow said the government could not bring forward proposals for a vote in parliament that were substantially the same as ones that had been defeated twice before."We note the speaker's statement.
  
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• Theresa May warned she cannot hold another vote on same Brexit deal

  18-03-2019 22:34
  Speaker John Bercow has warned Theresa May he will veto a third vote on her Brexit deal unless it is "substantially" different from the previous two versions.:: Add to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.Mrs May suffered the largest-ever parliamentary defeat on her EU divorce deal in January, losing by 230 votes.
  
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• Rollover of trade deals with Norway and Iceland secured

  18-03-2019 22:09
  The government says trade can continue with Norway and Iceland unchanged if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.The Department for International Trade said last month it was trying to replicate 40 deals the UK is currently party to as part of its EU membership - arrangements that account for 11% of total UK trade.International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said via Twitter on Monday night: "Our negotiators have just initialled a trade agreement with Iceland & Norway for the European Economic Area
  
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• Sam Smith: I don't identify as male or female

  18-03-2019 22:05
  Singer Sam Smith has revealed he does not identify as male or female during an interview for an Instagram channel.The 26-year-old, who came out as homosexual at the age of 10, opened up about being non-binary in a 30-minute discussion with Jameela Jamil on her "I Weigh" show.You are your own special creation.
  
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• Teenager describes ‘most frightening moment’ as three die at St Patrick’s disco

  18-03-2019 21:35
  A crush developed as several hundred people tried to get into a hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
  
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• Constitutional chaos after third vote on Brexit deal blocked

  18-03-2019 21:34
  Theresa May has been forced to pull her plans for another meaningful vote. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersTheresa May’s government has been plunged into constitutional chaos after the Speaker blocked the prime minister from asking MPs to vote on her Brexit deal for a third time unless it had fundamentally changed. With 11 days to go until Britain is due to leave the EU, May was forced to pull her plans for another meaningful vote because John Bercow said she could not askMPs to pass the
  
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• DUP unlikely to back May's Brexit deal before EU meeting

  18-03-2019 21:27
  The DUP’s deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, is among those taking part in talks with the Conservatives. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/ReutersThe Democratic Unionist party is unlikely to strike an agreement with Theresa May’s government to support the current withdrawal deal before Thursday’s crunch meeting with EU leaders, sources said on Monday.With 11 days before the UK is due to leave the EU, the prime minister has been trying to convince the pro-Brexit party’s 10 MPs, who prop
  
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• Ziggy Bercow and the MPs from Mars rock old hit Erskine May

  18-03-2019 21:20
  The Speaker, John ‘Ziggy’ Bercow, hits a theatrical high note as he denies the House an encore of a motion. Photograph: Reuters Tv/ReutersDays like these, Theresa May must wonder why she bothers. A question many of us have been asking for a couple of years. If she wasn’t in enough trouble with the hardliners of the European Research Group, Conservative remainers and a Democratic Unionist party hot on the scent of more cash, she now had her namesake on her back: Erskine May. Or
  
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• Tory chairman Brandon Lewis asked if he 'misled' over Islamphobia complaints

  18-03-2019 21:11
  Tory chairman Brandon Lewis has been challenged as to whether he misled anti-racism campaigners over the number of Islamophobia complaints being handled by the party.The Hope Not Hate campaign has written to Mr Lewis in response to his suggestion, in November last year, that there were no "outstanding" Islamophobia complaints against Conservative members.The group claimed a recent focus on allegations of Islamophobia within the party has since been shown to have contradicted Mr Lewis's assertion
  
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• Liam Fox announces post-Brexit trade agreement with Iceland and Norway

  18-03-2019 20:41
  The International Trade Secretary said the agreement was a 'major milestone' in the Brexit preparations.
  
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• Don’t make criminals of homeless people

  18-03-2019 20:25
  A homeless man begs in a London street. ‘No more can we threaten to fine people who have nothing.’ Photograph: Victoria Jones/PAAs Labour party members, and supporters, we welcome the announcement by the Labour leadership that it will repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act once the Labour party is in government, but more needs to be done to end the criminalisation of homelessness. The Vagrancy Act makes it a crime to sleep “in any deserted or unoccupied building, or in the open air, or u
  
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• Tributes paid to teenagers killed in crush outside St Patrick's Day party

  18-03-2019 20:22
  Tributes have been paid to three teenagers who died in a crush outside a hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on St Patrick's Day.Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard, both 17, and 16-year-old Connor Currie lost their lives after hundreds of people tried to get into the Greenvale Hotel on Sunday evening.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said people struggled to get off the ground and there was confusion in the aftermath between 9pm and 10pm.
  
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• Private care homes are a failed model

  18-03-2019 20:22
  A care home run by Four Seasons Health Care, which is seeking a buyer. Photograph: Photofusion/REX/ShutterstockOne hundred care home operators are reported as going out of business last year, and over 400 in the past five years (Collapse of care home firms ‘could force patients into hospitals’, 12 March). Residential care has for far too long been the unsuccessful model for services intended for the public good being run instead by the private sector.Surely it is wrong for people, of
  
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• DWP Minister Rejects Link Between Universal Credit And Foodbanks, Despite Amber Rudd Suggesting Otherwise

  18-03-2019 20:21
  "As Trussell Trust said, it is impossible to identify one single cause," hesaid
  
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• Radio 4 listeners could be alienated by budget cuts, says BBC chair

  18-03-2019 20:20
  David Clementi, chairman of the BBC, who made the remarks about Radio 4 at the IPPR Oxford Media Convention on Monday. Photograph: World First/PAThe chairman of the BBC has dismissed concerns that existing Radio 4 audiences could be put off the station if it is forced to make budget cuts to fund investment in the BBC Sounds app, saying that radio needs to change if it is going to remain relevant.“Radio 4 is the best regulated radio station in the world because our listeners are on to us ev
  
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• ‘Systemic Islamophobia’ fuels terror attacks, say Muslim leaders

  18-03-2019 20:12
  A police officer stands opposite Finsbury Park mosque in London on Friday after the attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photograph: Yui Mok/PAMuslim leaders from around the world have accused the mainstream media, politicians and academics of contributing to the conditions fuelling terrorist violence against their community such as Friday’s attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, which claimed 50 lives. More than 350 leading Islamic figures from countries including the UK, US and South Afr
  
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• Surrey stab victim may have been targeted because of appearance

  18-03-2019 20:02
  The Tesco Extra in Stanwell, Surrey, where the 19-year-old was attacked. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PAPolice believe a teenager stabbed in a suspected far-right terror attack in Surrey may have been targeted because of his appearance. The 19-year-old was injured in Stanwell on Saturday evening by a man who is alleged to have shouted far-right and racist comments before the attack, while armed with a baseball bat and a knife. Police say they do not know if there was any link to the white supremaci
  
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• ‘Lionel Messi of pigeons’ sold for record fee of more than £1 million

  18-03-2019 20:01
  Champion pigeon Armando was sold to a Chinese bidder in an online auction.
  
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• ‘Earthy language’ included in report on Brexit’s rural impact

  18-03-2019 20:00
  A report published by Scottish Rural Action included an imagined newspaper headline with the term submitted by a workshop participant.
  
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• What has John Bercow done now?

  18-03-2019 19:59
  John Bercow told the government it cannot hold a third vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal. Photograph: Reuters Tv/Reuters What did John Bercow rule out on Monday?He has told the government that it cannot send Theresa May’s Brexit deal back for a third vote in parliament immediately unless substantial changes are made to it. What is Bercow’s reasoning for his ruling?He has based his decision on Erskine May, the official parliamentary rulebook. This work was begun by Thomas Erskin
  
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• Google seeking to promote rivals to stave off EU antitrust action

  18-03-2019 19:55
  Google is trying to boost price comparison rivals such as Kelkoo in an effort to appease European Union antitrust regulators and ward off fresh fines following a 2.4-billion-euro ($2.7 billion) penalty nearly two years ago.The European Commission said Alphabet unit Google had used its search engine market power to unfairly promote its own comparison shopping service.Earlier this month, Google introduced a new link on its search results which aims to drive more traffic to price comparison rivals.
  
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• In Video: Lifeboat crew pulls off daring Thames rescue

  18-03-2019 19:49
  The RNLI attended the incident at Woolwich pier and a crew member jumped in to save the struggling man.
  
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• Messi trains with Argentina for the first time since World Cup

  18-03-2019 19:46
  Argentina's Lionel Messi trains with the Argentina squad for the first time since the World Cup in Russia
  
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• Police given more time to question Surrey stabbing ‘terror suspect’

  18-03-2019 19:43
  Officers declared the incident in Stanwell on Saturday a 'terrorist incident'.
  
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• EU could hand May lifeline with formal offer of new Brexit date

  18-03-2019 19:42
  An EU diplomat said the leaders would decide on the offer with Theresa May at this week’s summit. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty ImagesThe EU is set to offer Theresa May a helping hand after her plan for a new meaningful vote was derailed, by formally agreeing on a new delayed Brexit date at this week’s summit and keeping it on offer until shortly before midnight on 29 March. A change of the UK’s departure date in the draft withdrawal agreement – potentially from 29 March un
  
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• Brexit campaigner Matthew Elliott says May's deal will pass by March 29

  18-03-2019 19:29
  MPs are likely to pass Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal by March 29, Matthew Elliott, the head of the 2016 campaign for leaving the European Union, said on Monday."The deal is far from perfect, but recent parliamentary votes have made it clear that MPs won’t accept a no-deal Brexit and that there’s a very real threat of a very ‘soft’ Brexit, or even no Brexit," Elliott said."The risk of Britain remaining in a customs union in 2020, if the backstop is trigg
  
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• Fewer UK doctors joined medical register in 2018 than those trained overseas

  18-03-2019 19:28
  It is the first time the number of UK graduates granted their first registration has been exceeded by international doctors since 2006.
  
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• UK will seek Brexit delay ahead of March EU summit - Kwarteng

  18-03-2019 19:20
  Britain will request a delay to Brexit ahead of this week's European Council summit and expects a decision from the European Union to be reached at that meeting, junior Brexit minister Kwasi Kwarteng said on Monday.Last week parliament voted that the government should seek an extension to the Article 50 Brexit negotiation period, delaying Brexit beyond the March 29 date set in law."We will look to request any extension in advance of the March European Council, it is the government's expectation
  
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• UK parliament speaker deals new blow to May's Brexit plan

  18-03-2019 19:08
  British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a fresh Brexit setback on Monday when the speaker of parliament said any proposal she puts to lawmakers must be substantially different to the ones previously rejected by them.
  
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• Flood warnings remain in place for England and Wales following heavy rain

  18-03-2019 19:07
  On Monday afternoon, there were 17 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - as well as 25 flood alerts, which means it is possible.The wet weather has caused river levels to rise and forced some communities to install temporary flood barriers and defences.Six flood warnings are in force along the River Ouse, including two in York, and there are five warnings along the River Severn.
  
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• David Beckham admits driving his Bentley in London while using mobile phone, police say

  18-03-2019 19:05
  David Beckham has admitted driving his Bentley while using a mobile phone, police have revealed.The former England captain was charged last month after a member of the public told officers they saw the 43-year-old on the phone while driving in London's West End.The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was said to have been spotted driving his 2018 Bentley while using his phone in Great Portland Street on 21 November.
  
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• I sleep on the floor with my sisters – girl, 11, writes heartfelt letter to MP

  18-03-2019 18:57
  The unnamed girl - one of a family of seven living in a one-bed council flat - says she is unable to sleep and is worried about her school exams.
  
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• May's Brexit deal in chaos as Speaker sparks 'constitutional crisis'

  18-03-2019 18:52
  Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans were thrown into further turmoil on Monday when the speaker of parliament ruled that she could not put her divorce deal to a new vote unless it was re-submitted in fundamentally different form.In comments that blindsided May's office, Speaker John Bercow said the government could not bring forward proposals for a vote in parliament that were substantially the same as had already been defeated twice before, in January and last week.The ruling put Britain
  
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• Woman jailed over Tesco getaway crash

  18-03-2019 18:45
  Footage of the incident in a Tesco car park in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, just before Christmas last year, was widely shared online at the time.
  
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• Which council has apologised for flying the Welsh flag on St Patrick’s Day?

  18-03-2019 18:42
  The council also congratulated the Welsh rugby team in its initial statement.
  
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• Claudia Lawrence's mother will 'never give up hope' the case will be solved after 10 years

  18-03-2019 18:41
  The mother of missing Claudia Lawrence has said she will "never give up hope" that the case will be solved.Joan Lawrence has spoken to Sky News on the tenth anniversary of her daughter's disappearance from York on 18 March 2009.Mrs Lawrence, who has criticised North Yorkshire Police's handling of the investigation, believes the answer to the case will come "sooner rather than later".
  
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• Utrecht Shooting Suspect Arrested, Dutch Police Say

  18-03-2019 18:39
  The suspect in the Utrecht shooting has been arrested, Dutch police say
  
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• Glitch appears to give Barclaycard online customer ‘sexist’ error message

  18-03-2019 18:39
  A user was told they couldn't use the title 'Dr' while the 'female' box was also ticked.
  
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• Brexit: John Bercow rules out third meaningful vote on same deal

  18-03-2019 18:35
  The House of Commons Speaker has thwarted any attempt by Theresa May to bring back a third meaningful vote to parliament, unless there has been substantial change to the Brexit deal.In a shock move likely to infuriate the prime minister, John Bercow suggested he believed such a fundamental change would involve a renegotiation at EU level, rather than clarification of the legal advice written by the attorney general, something that had been suggested this week.Downing Street was blindsided by the
  
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• Teenager who died in crush at St Patrick's Day hotel party was 'beautiful soul'

  18-03-2019 18:20
  One of three teenagers who died in a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco in Northern Ireland has been described as a "beautiful soul" by her cheerleading team.Euphoria Allstar Cheerleading NI said 17-year-old Lauren Bullock was "down to earth" and the "backbone" of the group.Two boys aged 16 and 17 also died outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on Sunday evening.
  
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• Speaker thwarts third vote on May’s Brexit deal without ‘substantial’ changes

  18-03-2019 18:16
  John Bercow cited a convention dating back to 1604 as he said that the same motion cannot be tabled twice in a parliamentary session.
  
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• Action needed after New Zealand attacks, gathering at London mosque told

  18-03-2019 18:16
  Some of the names of those killed were read aloud at London Central Mosque, before those present bowed their heads for a minute of silence.
  
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• Police begin criminal inquiry into failed training firm 3aaa

  18-03-2019 18:11
  The firm spent £480,000 to become the ‘principal partner’ of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Photograph: Paul Currie/Rex/ShutterstockPolice have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud at the UK’s largest government-funded apprenticeship provider. Derbyshire constabulary said its specialist fraud investigation unit has begun a formal fraud investigation into the collapse of 3aaa, which was training 4,216 apprentices at companies including Ocado, Volksw
  
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• Friends of Claudia Lawrence ‘hoping for answers’ 10 years after disappearance

  18-03-2019 18:09
  Miss Lawrence was 35 when she disappeared on March 18 2009.
  
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• Brandon Lewis asked if he misled public over Islamophobia complaints

  18-03-2019 18:03
  Hope Not Hate has written to Mr Lewis calling for 'clarification'.
  
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• ‘Mobile coverage targets must be raised or Scotland will lag behind’

  18-03-2019 17:52
  The Scottish Government's Connectivity Minister Paul Wheelhouse says Ofcom's current proposals fall short.
  
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