Political news

• Polling Guru John Curtice Gets Knighthood In The New Year's Honours List

  29-12-2017 23:43
  Polling guru John Curtice is to receive a knighthood it has been announced, capping off a year where the academic cemented his reputation as the UK’s foremost political analyst.The Strathclyde University professor burnished his stellar credentials in 2015 when he defied many other pollsters by correctly forecasting a Tory general election victory.And he repeated the trick this year when his exit poll published as voting ended signalled a hung parliament - one of the greatest political shoc
  
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• Nigel Farage's Gong Conspiracy Torn Apart By These Brexiteer MPs' Knighthoods

  29-12-2017 23:42
  Three Brexiteer MPs have been knighted in the New Year’s honours list, despite Nigel Farage’s claim his support for Brexit is why he has received nothing.Graham Brady, Christopher Chope and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown were among the five MPs knighted in the list, unveiled on Friday evening.Brady chairs the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers at a time when the hung parliament has hugely bolstered their influence over Theresa May’s Government, which must fight for each vo
  
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• Former Vogue Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Shulman Awarded CBE: A Look At Her Career Highs And Lows In Numbers

  29-12-2017 23:32
  The New Year’s honours list list has been revealed and Alexandra Shulman has been named among those who awarded a CBE.The former editor-in-chief of British Vogue has been named as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for her work with the ‘style bible’ and services to fashion journalism. At the end of a year when Shulman has received plenty of criticism, she is sure to be a controversial choice. Here’s a look back at Shulman’
  
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• Darcey Bussell Leads Famous Faces On New Year’s Honours List With Damehood

  29-12-2017 23:32
  Darcey Bussell has something extra to celebrate this New Year, as the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge has been awarded a Damehood in the annual Honours List. Announced on Friday (29 December) night, the list also reveals two musicians, Richard Starkey - who you probably know better as Ringo Starr - and Barry Gibb, will receive Knighthoods. Author Michael Morpurgo, the former British Children’s Laureate, will also become a Sir, while Jilly Cooper and Hugh Laurie have been awarded
  
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• This Is How To Nominate Someone For An Honour From The Queen

  29-12-2017 23:31
  It’s a tradition dating back to Edward III, but many aren’t aware that the prestigious honours given out every year by the Queen and other royals are open to people from all walks of life.Anyone can nominate someone for an award, and anyone can receive an award, if they reach the required standard of merit or service in their field.Nominees most often make remarkable achievements in a particular area, such as the arts, education, sport or science.But oth
  
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• May defies cronyism charge by rewarding Tory ally in honours list

  29-12-2017 23:31 via ft.com
  Backbench 1922 committee chair Graham Brady among those recognised with new year awards
  
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• Nick Clegg Is Knighted In 2017 New Year's Honours - To Brexiteers' Chagrin

  29-12-2017 23:30
  Remainer Nick Clegg has been knighted, it has been confirmed after rumours of the gong triggered huge anger among Brexiteers earlier this week.The former Lib Dem party leader, who lost his seat in the June snap election and has since written a book about stopping Brexit, was knighted for “public and political service” in the New Year’s honours list, for his five years as deputy prime minister.News of the knighthood was controversial when it was leaked after Christmas, part
  
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• Nick Clegg Is Knighted In 2017 New Year's Honours

  29-12-2017 23:30
  Remainer Nick Clegg has been knighted, it has been confirmed after rumours of the gong triggered huge anger among Brexiteers earlier this week.The former Lib Dem party leader, who lost his seat in the June snap election and has since written a book about stopping Brexit, was knighted for “public and political service” in the New Year’s honours list, for his five years as deputy prime minister.News of the knighthood was controversial when it was leaked after Christmas, part
  
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• New Year's Honours List Doesn't Include Heroes Of Grenfell Tower Or Terror Attacks

  29-12-2017 23:30
  The government faces questions after it was revealed the New Year’s honours list doesn’t include heroes of the Grenfell Tower fire, Manchester or London terror attacks.Those awarded gongs include Graham Brady, chair of the influential 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, who is given a knighthood alongside former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.However, many figures from the Grenfell fire and attacks on Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park are notably absent
  
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• New Year's Honours: Recipients To Have Titles Revoked

  29-12-2017 22:27
  While people such as John Lennon and Carla Lane have famously returned their honours as a sign of protest, others have been stripped of the recognition after having done something to “damage” the reputation of the system.Revoking an honour is called a forfeiture. Reasons why someone may lose this privilege include, but are not limited to, incarceration for at least three months and being reprimanded by a regulatory body for something directly relevant to their award.Here are 14 peopl
  
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• New Year’s Honours List: 29 Celebrities Who Turned Down Their Honours

  29-12-2017 22:24
  Hundreds of people are recognised every year in the New Year’s honours list, but not everyone is so eager to welcome the gesture from the Queen.Danny Boyle, Jon Snow and Stephen Hawking are among the celebrities to have shunned the offer or an MBE, OBE or CBE. But they’re far from alone.Here is a list of 29 famous faces who rejected a gong:The film director didn’t mince his words when he spoke about turning down an OBE in 1977.Ken Loach, whose films centre o
  
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• New Year’s Honours List: The Best Reasons Why People Rejected An Honour

  29-12-2017 22:01
  Whilst the majority of people are delighted to be mentioned in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, scores of others have turned down an award and some have even thought twice and returned them years after making a trip to the palace.Some of the most high profile names to do so include Roald Dahl, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Steven Hawking.And from the ethical to the downright bizarre, there are many reasons why people reject gongs - here are ten of the best:1. 
  
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• Andrew Adonis quits as May infrastructure adviser

  29-12-2017 21:21 via ft.com
  Ex-Labour minister says PM becoming ‘voice’ of Ukip and points to unease over rail franchises
  
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• Lord Adonis Resigns With Scathing Letter Calling Theresa May The 'Voice Of UKIP'

  29-12-2017 19:54
  Theresa May’s infrastructure tsar has quit, delivering a scathing verdict on the Prime Minister’s approach to Brexit.Europhile Labour peer Lord Adonis resigned as chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, claiming May had become the “voice of Ukip” and the “extreme” right-wing of her party.He said he was “duty bound” to oppose the Government’s European Union (Withdrawal) Bill when it comes to the House of Lords, reports the Press As
  
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• Sanctioned Russian gas shipment ‘will not enter UK network’

  29-12-2017 19:33 via ft.com
  Tankerload of LNG from Arctic Circle likely to be shipped on to Asia
  
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• Scottish Police Authority criticised over handling of complaints

  29-12-2017 18:31 via ft.com
  Body that oversees troubled police force is itself criticised in audit
  
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• How To Dispose Of Your Christmas Tree Sustainably

  29-12-2017 18:09
  Dry your eyes, Christmas is over. The presents have been opened, dinner has been reduced to leftovers and it is almost time to say goodbye to your tree before Twelfth Night.Problem is the Christmas tree, while beautiful and festive, is not the most sustainable element of the festive season. Natural ones cause high levels of deforestation, and the disposal of artificial ones adds to our global plastic pollution problem. “Approximately seven million Christmas trees are bought in the UK
  
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• Former Team GB Rower Alex Gregory Nearly Gave Up His Olympic Dreams Before Winning Gold

  29-12-2017 17:59
  When watching an Olympic athlete stand on the podium and sing their national anthem with a gold medal around their neck, it can be hard to imagine any other destiny.But former Team GB rower Alex Gregory almost walked away from his dreams before going on to win two Olympic gold medals and five World Championship gold medals..Gregory tells HuffPost UK that “nine years of miserable failure” had taken its toll on his self-belief and he was ready to throw the towel in.“The pres
  
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• Want to take your psychotherapy to the next level? Ask for what you want.

  29-12-2017 17:58
  It’s the dawn of a new year, so it’s as good a time as any to think about self-improvement. For many, this is a time of year to start something like psychotherapy. For those already seeing a therapist, it might be time to make sure you’re getting what you need from it.Good therapy isn’t just about seeing youronce or twice a weekly sessions, it’s about getting the most out of them. When starting therapy, just getting things off your chest can be a great relief. But o
  
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• Why Brits Are Already Planning Their Great Escape

  29-12-2017 17:54
  I get it. It’s cold and dreary, with the fluffy snow having long gone to brown mush. It’s been a strange and unpredictable year. You got socks again and even the Christmas dinner table wasn’t spared a heated debate about whether to watch Strictly or the Great British Bake Off. Families gather; issues come up. But this year, reaction to the festive strife is stronger than ever.Who can blame those who want a bit of escapism, to get away from it all, even for a week? I suppose it&
  
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• Call for 'clarity' on referendum spending rules

  29-12-2017 17:41 via bbc.co.uk
  The Electoral Commission looks at claims that rules were breached by EU Remain campaigners in 2016.
  
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• Why Resolutions Fail: Three Steps To Break Restrictive Resolution Rules

  29-12-2017 17:17
  New Year’s resolutions fail. Why? Because we feel emotionally compelled to create these intentions following a festive period that incites indulgence. Over-indulging in ways that we are not used to can leave us feeling that we have maxed-out our health, waistline, bank balance, and can also rattle our relationships, leading to feelings of guilt, shame and a lack of self control. In sharp contrast to this period of excess and in an attempt to get rid of these feelings, January is often a pe
  
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• How To Make (And Stick To) New Year's Resolutions

  29-12-2017 17:17
  After a week (or even month) of indulgence because of Christmas, it’s no wonder so many of us are keen to make resolutions once the new year arrives. But how many people ACTUALLY stick with them?I hadn’t made any resolutions for years, frankly I thought it was a load of crap and not worth doing but this last year I have had a change of heart. I realise now that there is actually something quite cathartic in it. However unlike when I used to set resolutions previously, I don’t l
  
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• How To Make (Snd Stick To) New Years Resolutions

  29-12-2017 17:04
  After a week (or even month) of indulgence because of Christmas, it’s no wonder so many of us are keen to make resolutions once the new year arrives. But how many people ACTUALLY stick with them?I hadn’t made any resolutions for years, frankly I thought it was a load of crap and not worth doing but this last year I have had a change of heart. I realise now that there is actually something quite cathartic in it. However unlike when I used to set resolutions previously, I don’t l
  
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• The Digital Parent – New Year’s resolutions

  29-12-2017 16:49
  Christmas morning is often a time reserved for the annual battery hunt. We have all been there, where every effort is made to find those crucial batteries that will transform a lump of plastic into an interactive toy capable of distracting the children for at least an hour!What we mean by interactive however has changed significantly. I still remember getting a Star Wars Imperial AT-AT walker that with batteries would move a set of guns back and forth. Today, interactive has a very different mea
  
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• 2017 Was The Year Of Lying Brazenly

  29-12-2017 16:41
  For connoisseurs of 21st Century dystopian humour, there is a bleakly amusing clip doing the rounds showing Pete Hoekstra, the US Ambassador to the Netherlands, apparently being well and truly hoist by his petard. Hoekstra is a diplomat appointed by Trump and forged very much in the template of his master. Asked by a Dutch journalist whether he said that there were Muslim ‘no go areas’ in the Netherlands, Hoekstra denies that he said any such thing, and accuses the interview of sprea
  
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• Why I’m Not Setting New Year's Resolutions

  29-12-2017 16:31
  Around this time of year, I’m forced to face this woman I love to hate. She’s thinner (obviously) with better hair and skin and clothes. She’s got piles of cash from books she doesn’t just manage to write but also sell. She nails deal after deal and collaborates astoundingly well with all colleagues in all meetings on all projects for all the companies she works with.She rescues both the rainforest and orphans while passively making money on the stock market; effortlessly
  
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• Fake News Is Not Just The Word Of The Year, But A Danger To Democracy That Can Only Be Overcome By Adequate Legal And Media Reforms

  29-12-2017 16:29
  The Collins English Dictionary named “fake news” as Word of the Year 2017. Collins defines fake news as “false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting”.In August 1835, the New York Sun ran a six-part story that claimed that life on Moon had been discovered, including “a small kind of rein-deer, the elk, the moose, the horned bear, and the biped beaver” and human bats that were “doubtless innocent and happy creatures
  
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• News Quiz 2017: How Well Do You Remember What Happened This Year?

  29-12-2017 16:25
  What a year it’s been. Whether it’s was serious - elections, terror attacks, the fire at Grenfell Tower - or lighter news, the presses have stayed red hot and the news has never slept.But how much were you really paying attention while all the huge news was breaking?We’ve looked back over some of the stories that got us talking this year in our exceptionally tricky 2017 news quiz....
  
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• When Silvio Berlusconi Met Gordon Brown: A Christmas Shaggy Dog Story

  29-12-2017 16:10
  It seems extraordinary that next year could, just maybe, see the return to power of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.  Which would be remarkable in many ways.  Berlusconi is 81.  He has faced a legion of accusations of corruption, and been embroiled in a number of sex scandals.  Oh, and in 2013 he was sentenced to (though never served) four years in prison for tax fraud and banned from holding public office for six years.  Yet last month he began an appeal against his ba
  
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• 10 Simple Predictions For UK And World Politics In 2018

  29-12-2017 16:08
  In 2015 and again in 2016, I made a number of political predictions for those years. In 2015, I was right about 50% of the time. In 2016… well, suffice to say I made some major errors, but I did get a few things right.Where I was wrong: I said there’d be no general election. Clearly there was I said Francois Fillon would be president. Not a mention of Macron! Labour MPs would start splitting off, but there’s no sign of that happening. Italians would vote to leave the Euro and
  
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• Storm Dylan: Met Office Forecasts A Wet And Windy New Year

  29-12-2017 15:59
  Following a week of picturesque, snowy weather you can expect a wetter and windier transition into the New Year thanks to Storm Dylan.Winds of up to 70-80mph are forecast to herald the storm which is due to arrive between Saturday night and Sunday morning, and which is expected to affect the Republic of Ireland and southern Scotland most severely.Named by Met Eireann, the storm consists of an area of low-pressure arriving from the Atlantic and has prompted the Met Office to issue a yel
  
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• I Decorated The Obamas' Christmas Tree And Was Accused Of Bringing A Communist Agenda Into The White House

  29-12-2017 15:59
  Jackie Kennedy’s crystal balls were up here. Nancy Reagan’s luscious red ribbons were down here. Barbara Bush’s dangling orbs were over there. Yes, you’ve guessed it, right? I was in the White House holiday storage facility, where they keep all the holiday décor from White Houses past. It was amazing.  Pat Nixon’s little beaded orbs... It was just beyond. So how did I get there?In January 2009, I got a phone call from Desiree Rogers. &ldqu
  
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• Engaged: Working Together To Change The World One Toilet At A Time

  29-12-2017 15:57
  It’s that time of year where many of us will start looking towards 2018 and thinking about what we want to achieve in the future. Perhaps adopting new ways of living, thinking and being that will enhance our lives going forward.Next year, as with every year of WaterAid’s 36 year history, we will be looking to help bring about a world where no child dies unnecessarily of waterborne disease, no one’s future is blighted by malnutrition caused by chronic diarrhoea and communities a
  
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• Civil Society Has A Role To Play In Improving Social Mobility

  29-12-2017 15:57
  There is no doubt that Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education, has a personal commitment to making social mobility a reality. It’s something she’s spoken about a lot and her new action plan ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’, alongside last year’s Opportunity Areas, is a demonstration of that commitment.However, the plan, which is as good as far as it goes, doesn’t mention the contribution that can be made by civil society. There is plenty of
  
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• Claire's Recalls 17 Makeup Items After Mum Raises Asbestos Concerns

  29-12-2017 15:41
  Claire’s has recalled 17 makeup products while it investigates claims they contain asbestos.The high street accessories shop withdrew the items from sale after a mum sent a makeup set she purchased for her six-year-old daughter to be tested in an independent lab.Kristi Warner, from the US, was shocked when the lab results showed the makeup contained tremolite asbestos - a substance that can cause a form of cancer known as mesothelioma.“I physically sank,” she told her loca
  
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• Finsbury Park Murder Victim Iuliana Tudos Described As 'Kind, Fun, Life-Loving' By Friends

  29-12-2017 15:30
  Friends of a woman who was found murdered in north London’s Finsbury Park has paid tribute to her, saying they are “heartbroken”.Iuliana Tudos, whose body was found on Wednesday in an outbuilding in the park, was described as “very kind, fun, life-loving and oh so young”.The 22-year-old died as a result of a stab wound to the abdomen and a head injury, a post-mortem examination found.A murder inquiry is now underway, but no arrests have yet been made.Senya Tayl
  
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• Two Attacks Carried Out In East London On The Same Night

  29-12-2017 15:06
  Two people were injured in separate acid attacks in East London in incidents less than a mile apart. One woman was left with “life-changing” burns to her leg and face after she was sprayed with a noxious substance confirmed to be a strong acid solution in Marsh Wall, near South Quay DLR station.The 26-year-old ran to nearby Westferry Road, where police and ambulance services attended, taking her to hospital following the attack just before 7pm on Wednesday 27 December. Met
  
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• Mum Shares Unassisted Home Birth Photo To Encourage Pregnant Women To Fight For The Birth They Want

  29-12-2017 14:20
  A mum has shared an intimate photo taken moments after she gave birth at home, to encourage pregnant women to fight for the birth experiences they want.Marissa Heckel, from Ohio, US, had a traumatic experience while delivering her first baby as she felt she was “bullied” about her birth plan and “harassed” throughout labour.She was determined her second time would be better, so she opted to give birth without any assistance - and after delivering a healthy 9lb 8oz baby bo
  
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• The local battles being fought within Labour

  29-12-2017 14:15 via bbc.co.uk
  How a row over a regeneration scheme in north London has sparked talk of a party "purge".
  
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• Five Unlikely Style Icons Of 2017

  29-12-2017 14:12
  2017 has been an odd year, a mishmash you could say, with the seemingly everyday taking on a dramatic flair and fashionistas seeking inspiration in unlikely places.So, we’ve compiled a list of five style icons that in the innocence of the months preceding 2017, you would not have predicted having a bearing on our wardrobes this year.1. Celine DionHigh couture? Check.Vetements and Gucci? Check.Eating fries after serving looks over the frier? Goals.2. The String Grocery Bag.You’re
  
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• Seldon: Don't let Brexit mute WW1 centenary

  29-12-2017 13:12 via bbc.co.uk
  A prominent historian says the sacrifice of the Great War should be marked, despite sensitivities around Brexit talks.
  
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• The Year Of Autism Inspired TV

  29-12-2017 13:08
  Like many parents of autistic children, I throw myself into learning about the condition.  This last year I’ve delighted in a plethora of autism inspired TV. I gorged on episode after episode of Atypical on Netflix, was intrigued by Chris Packham’s programme Asperger’s and Me and consumed the second series of The A Word. Even better, autistic characters entered the kids TV world too.My pre-verbal son, David, seemed to connect with the first ever CBeebies autistic animated
  
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• 2017 - The Year Of Autism Inspired TV

  29-12-2017 13:08
  Like many parents of autistic children, I throw myself into learning about the condition.  This last year I’ve delighted in a plethora of autism inspired TV. I gorged on episode after episode of Atypical on Netflix, was intrigued by Chris Packham’s programme Asperger’s and Me and consumed the second series of The A Word. Even better, autistic characters entered the kids TV world too.My pre-verbal son, David, seemed to connect with the first ever CBeebies autistic animated
  
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• What is David Cameron doing now?

  29-12-2017 13:00
  After leaving frontline politics and taking up a variety of roles, the ex-PM has hinted that he still has a ‘big job’ left in himDavid Cameron has not collected quite as many roles as George “Six Jobs” Osborne since leaving office, but the former prime minister has been ramping up his commercial activity in recent months.A year after stepping down as MP for Witney, the former Conservative prime minister took up his first big paid job with the US electronic payments firm F
  
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• National Archives Release Files About Margaret Thatcher And Northern Ireland - But Many Withheld

  29-12-2017 12:36
  The National Archives have released hundreds of previously secret documents, relating to all manner of topics.Official documents stored there are often opened to the public after 30 years, unless there is reason not to.This is, however, going to be reduced to 20 years.The new files have revealed a slew of fascinating information - although around a fifth of those slated for release have been withheld.Here’s what we DID learn...The Queen was apparently furious at Margaret Thatcher for &lsqu
  
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• National Archives Release Files About Margaret Thatcher And Northern Ireland

  29-12-2017 12:36
  The National Archives have released hundreds of previously secret documents, relating to all manner of topics.Official documents stored there are often opened to the public after 30 years, unless there is reason not to.This is, however, going to be reduced to 20 years.The new files have revealed a slew of fascinating information - although around a fifth of those slated for release have been withheld.Here’s what we DID learn...The Queen was apparently furious at Margaret Thatcher for &lsqu
  
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• Sophie Smith: CCTV ‘Shows Missing Student Running To The Sea In Shorts And Vest’

  29-12-2017 12:18
  Police searching for a missing university student have found CCTV which they believe shows her running from her Norfolk home towards the beach.Sophie Smith was last seen at 3am on Boxing Day and is believed to have left the house dressed only in a shorts and a vest, without her mobile phone.Inspector Will Drummond, who is leading the search, revealed: “Sophie had been suffering from severe anxiety and depression which she was receiving treatment for and we suspect that may have been a trig
  
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• I'm Not Surprised By Youngsters' Sacrifice For Charity - But Christmas Dinner May Be A Stretch Too Far

  29-12-2017 12:17
  Many people have been shocked at the research findings we put out at the Charity Commission this week which said that 18 – 24 year olds would be first to give up their smartphones for a month to raise £500 for a charity of their choice. But I want to take a moment to consider why this is actually not all that surprising.Sure, millennials have a habit of walking around with a smartphone glued to their hand. But what we’re seeing here is that they are prepared to make a (fairly h
  
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• The Mosou Women: The Land Where Love And Matrilineal Power Prevail

  29-12-2017 12:14
  Imagine a land where matrilineality prevails and where men and women describe a culture of equality, love and non violence. A place where men speak openly against violence against women and where women describe a home of equality and safety.Settled around the sparkling waters of Lugu lake, in Yunnan province, China you can find just that. There live the Mosou, considered to be one of the last matrilineal groups in the world.After years of travelling through some of the most hostile parts of the
  
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