Political news

• Phil Collins Wants You To See In The New Year With The Drum Solo From 'In The Air Tonight'

  31-12-2017 22:45
  Phil Collins has suggested an alternative musical moment to Auld Lang Syne to usher in 2018.For this New Year, the former Genesis drummer thinks you should try the drum break from his smash hit In The Air Tonight.The 66-year-old told his Twitter followers earlier this month: “If you play In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins on December 31st at 11:56:40 the drum break will play as the clock strikes midnight.”If you play 'In The Air Tonight’ by Phil Collins on December 31st at
  
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• Liverpool Arena Fire: All Vehicles Destroyed As Blaze Tears Through Multi-Storey Car Park

  31-12-2017 21:45
  Merseyside Police has said it believes that a fire has destroyed all vehicles in a multi-storey car park next to the Echo Arena in Liverpool.Some 12 fire engines were at the building at King’s Dock in the city centre, which has a capacity of 1,600 vehicles. No-one is believed to have been hurt. The area was evacuated, including around 80 horses taken to safety, as the Liverpool International Horse Show is currently on at the arena venue. The evening show was cancelled.Crews were first
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn Says Labour Is Staking Out 'The New Centre Ground' In British Politics

  31-12-2017 21:15
  Jeremy Corbyn has declared Labour is “staking out the new centre ground” in British politics and he is leading a “government in waiting”.In his new year’s message, the Labour leader said the prospect of a “new Britain” was “closer than ever before”.After a dramatic 2017 which saw Labour defy predictions of a landslide defeat at a general election which instead resulted in Theresa May losing her Commons majority, Mr Corbyn vowed to use 2018 to
  
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• Prince Philip ‘Asked If Bearded Man Was Terrorist While Joking With Crowds’

  31-12-2017 20:24
  The Duke of Edinburgh pointed out a bearded man and asked “is that a terrorist?” as he greeted crowds at Sandringham, it has been claimed.The 96-year-old was attending St Magdalene Church on New Year’s Eve accompanied by the Princess Royal, when it is reported he made the comment as he joked with onlookers.Witnesses who claimed to have heard the comment said the man had a ginger beard, The Sun and the Mail Online reported.The Duke traditionally marks the festive period with the
  
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• New Year, New Me?

  31-12-2017 19:37
  As we head into the new year, resolutions to ‘lose weight’, ‘stop procrastinating’, and ‘get a boyfriend’ are abound. But what if, after years of failed attempts at goal setting, you decide that all you want out of the new year is to be happy? What if having a flat stomach and being more productive are just by-products of happiness? What if everything falls into place precisely because you’re not setting yourself boundaries for success and measuring your
  
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• Most Of The People On The Queen's New Year Honours List Are Celebrating, But My British Empire Medal Is Bitter Sweet

  31-12-2017 19:23
  Most of the people who got honoured in the Queens New Year honours list are celebrating. But my British Empire Medal is bitter sweet as I would swap it in a heart-beat to get my daughter Hester back. Whilst I’m proud to accept the honour for the achievement of keeping young people safer, preventing harm and even death, it has made me pensive. When I reflect on the Angelus journey, and why I undertook it in the first place, I remember the passion and determination I had burning inside
  
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• New Year, New You? Five Resolutions For 2018

  31-12-2017 19:07
  Well well well, it’s that time of year again my friends. It feels like just yesterday I was writing last year’s New Year post, where I talked about resolutions and why I don’t like them. I still stand by what I said: that if you want to change something, you go ahead and change it. You don’t wait until Monday, or summer, or the New Year. You just get on with it.That being said, I know a lot of you like to set yourself resolutions, so I wanted to suggest five really great
  
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• Why You Should Stay Awake To See In This New Year

  31-12-2017 19:02
  Even the milkman and those of us who love our beds are likely to be awake at midnight on New Year’s Eve to see in the start of 2018. The promise of fresh starts and renewal, possibly a night of celebration with family and friends or Jools Holland on the TV is enough to keep most of us up past midnight. What will you be doing at midnight this year? Will it be an unusually late night for you?Witnessing the change of days is not an unusual event for many of the parents and carers supported by
  
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• Death At The Calais Border - Needless, Relentless And Entirely Preventable

  31-12-2017 18:28
  We were consistently warned that refugees dying of the cold in Northern France was a “distinct possibility”. No one really took into account how refugees themselves had the same fear. When the only hope to cling on to is the sheer desperate thought of getting out of Calais - refugees are taking more risks, putting their lives in danger. All in the last two weeks, three tragedies brought the humanitarian response in Calais to a standstill. A 15-year-old child died on the motorway tryi
  
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• Tom Watson calls on Chris Grayling to quit over 'grubby' East Coast rail deal

  31-12-2017 18:22
  Labour’s deputy leader echoes Andrew Adonis’s call for transport secretary to resign over Virgin and Stagecoach bailoutLabour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, has called on Chris Grayling to resign as transport secretary over what he described as a “grubby backroom deal to bail out the East Coast line”.Watson added his voice to that of the Labour peer Andrew Adonis, who resigned as head of the government’s National Infrastructure Commission with a broadside agains
  
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• Lord Adonis Calls On Transport Secretary Chris Grayling To Quit Over East Coast Rail Franchise 'Bailout'

  31-12-2017 18:17
  Lord Adonis has called for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to quit over his handling of the East Coast rail franchise as the fallout from the peer’s resignation as infrastructure tsar continued.The Labour peer quit in protest at Theresa May’s handling of Brexit, but also lashed out at what he views as a taxpayer-funded bailout allowing Virgin Trains East Coast to walk away from its franchise three years early.He has claimed the East Coast decision is evidence that Whitehall is too
  
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• 2017: A Year In Crisis

  31-12-2017 18:09
  In 2017 the world faced a series of demanding humanitarian emergencies, not least here in the UK. The Manchester bombing and London Bridge attack - closely followed by the Grenfell Tower fire - devastated families across the country and led to it being one of the most demanding years for the British Red Cross since WWII. From Manchester and Myanmar to Libya and London here we take a look back at 2017 – a year in crisis.January: South Sudan - Conditions in the world’s newest coun
  
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• Bristol Murder Probe: Man Stabbed Multiple Times In Bristol Nightclub

  31-12-2017 17:45
  Police are appealing for witnesses and mobile phone footage of a disturbance in a Bristol nightclub after a 37-year-old man died having been stabbed multiple times.A murder investigation was launched when the man, who police named as Jamel Powell, died two hours after being attacked in the Blue Mountain Club in the Stokes Croft area of the city early on Saturday morning.On Sunday, Avon and Somerset Police said a post-mortem examination found Mr Powell, who was taken to hospital following the inc
  
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• 7 Important Stories Of 2017 That Slipped Under The Radar

  31-12-2017 17:00
  We may live in an ever-more connected world, but some news still seems to pass us by.And given this year’s wall-to-wall coverage of Brexit and Donald Trump’s constant Twitter proclamations, it’s unsurprising some important stories slipped under the radar. Here are seven stories of 2017 you should know more about.1. How a Saudi Crown Prince purged his royal family rivals and turned the Ritz-Carlton into a prisonSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin S
  
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• Labour 'staking out new centre ground', says Jeremy Corbyn

  31-12-2017 16:14 via bbc.co.uk
  Mr Corbyn says Labour is "government in waiting" as the PM says Britons to feel "renewed pride" in 2018.
  
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• UK security minister attacks tech groups over encrypted messages

  31-12-2017 15:49
  May’s premiership offers chillier environment than that of her predecessor
  
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• Foreign aid to be shifted to support UK policy, Johnson says

  31-12-2017 15:29 via bbc.co.uk
  Money will now support aims such as denying safe havens to terrorist groups, Boris Johnson says.
  
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• The World Is Welcoming 2018 In Style

  31-12-2017 14:27
  Sydney has greeted 2018 in spectacular style with an epic fireworks display at the iconic Harbour Bridge.Thousands of spectators lined the shores of Australia’s second city to witness the breathtaking event, an hour after Auckland, New Zealand, became the world’s first major city to welcome the new year.Watch the video, above.Auckland, New ZealandOver 5 minutes of fireworks from the Sky Tower welcome in the new year during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2018 in Auckland, N
  
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• For Years, Grenfell Was Hiding In Plain Sight But Now The World Is Watching And We Are Listening

  31-12-2017 14:10
  On June 13, 2017, families in Grenfell Tower went to bed just like every other night. But within hours a fire would rip through the 24-storey high-rise and change the lives of residents and the wider community forever.As the world woke up the following morning to scenes of flames engulfing a residential tower in one of London’s wealthiest boroughs, a nation woke up to the inequalities that had been hiding in plain sight for years.Walk 10 minutes from the Lancaster West Estate, and the stre
  
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• After a tough 2017, what does next year hold in store for Theresa May? | Heather Stewart

  31-12-2017 13:36
  The prime minister has lost her majority and rebellion is simmering in her party. Will she survive another 12 months?Theresa May began the year with a healthy majority in parliament, a commanding poll lead and an apparently unassailable grip on the Conservatives. She ends it relying on the Democratic Unionist party to govern, with rebellion simmering among MPs on both wings of her party – yet doggedly insisting she is “getting on with the job”.But 2018 will bring a fresh set of
  
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• Political lives

  31-12-2017 13:23 via bbc.co.uk
  A look back at the lives of the MPs and former MPs who passed away in 2017.
  
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• Ministers Considering 'Dad's Army-style' Border Patrols

  31-12-2017 13:17
  Volunteers could guard some of the UK’s borders under plans being considered by the government.The Home Office confirmed that proposals for “Border Force Special Volunteers” at small air and sea ports were being discussed.They would be used to bolster Border Force staffing levels, in a similar vein to police community support officers.However an MP whose constituency covers one of Britain’s largest ports warned against creating a “Dad’s Army-type set-up”
  
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• When Does 'Dancing On Ice' 2018 Start? Date, Judges, Hosts And Contestants Plus Other Details On The New Series

  31-12-2017 13:05
  After four years off air, ‘Dancing On Ice’ is sliding its way back onto our screens in 2018.ITV’s celebrity-pro skating competition was axed after nine series in 2014 amid falling ratings, but bosses are having a second stab at it with a new revamped version, which promises to try and recapture the show’s glory days.Here’s all we can tell you about the ‘DOI’ reboot...When does it start?The 10th series of ‘Dancing On Ice’ begins on Sunday 7 Ja
  
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• Volunteers could guard some UK borders, Home Office says

  31-12-2017 12:55 via bbc.co.uk
  Ministers are "considering the potential benefits" of using volunteers at small air and sea ports.
  
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• Call for tech giants to face taxes over extremist content

  31-12-2017 12:53 via bbc.co.uk
  Internet firms are "ruthless profiteers" who fail to fight terrorism, the security minister says.
  
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• Internet Giants Could Face Tax Blitz Over Terror Content, Minister Warns

  31-12-2017 11:30
  Internet giants could face punishing tax rates if they fail to cooperate with Government efforts to fight terrorism and online extremism, a minister has warned.Ben Wallace said Britain is the most vulnerable it has been for 100 years due to terrorism fuelled by radicalising content online and “patience is running out fast” with web companies that put profit before public safety.Obstruction and inaction by social media companies, whether it is by blocking access to encrypted messages
  
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• Netflix Hints 'Friends' Is Finally Coming To Its UK Streaming Service

  31-12-2017 11:12
  Netflix has dropped a massive hint that it’s about to make every ‘Friends’ fan’s dreams come true in time for the New Year.That’s because it looks like classic sitcom is heading for the streaming service in the UK.Netflix posted a massive clue it has snapped up the rights to the show on Twitter, after years of fans crying out for it to happen.The UK account tweeted a parody of Friends’ episode titles, writing: “The One with the Show Everyone’s
  
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• UK Weather Warnings Issued Over Severe 80mph Gusts As Storm Dylan Brings Wet And Windy End To 2017

  31-12-2017 10:52
  Storm Dylan has lashed parts of Ireland and Wales with howling gales in excess of 70mph and squally rain as it bears down on the UK mainland, casting gloom on the New Year’s Eve plans of millions.Forecasters have warned of severe gusts of up to 80mph as the storm brings a wet and windy end to 2017.#StormDylan could bring wind gusts of up to 80 mph in places and an amber warning is now in force for parts of the UK - remember to stay #weatherawarepic.twitter.com/QKcyRfe9ww— Met Of
  
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• 'The Price Is Right' Viewers Demand Full Series After Alan Carr's Festive Special

  31-12-2017 10:29
  Viewers have called for more ‘The Price Is Right’ after Alan Carr rebooted the classic gameshow for a festive special after 10 years off air. The comedian followed in the footsteps of Bruce Forsyth and Leslie Crowther as he fronted a one-off edition for Channel 4 on Saturday (30 January) night. It seems it was a hit too, with fans praising the new and updated version, which featured Alan’s unique brand of humour, on Twitter. Many called for Channel 4 to make
  
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• Four expert views on the UK’s fight against terrorism

  31-12-2017 10:00
  2017 saw 35 people killed in three Islamist terror attacks across the UK
  
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• Sydney Sea Plane Crashes Into Hawkesbury River Killing All Six People Onboard

  31-12-2017 09:58
  All six people on board a sea plane which crashed into a river north of Sydney, Australia, have died, police have said.The New Year’s Eve pleasure flight plunged into the Hawkesbury River at Cowan Creek, around 15 miles north of central Sydney, after 3.15pm on Friday.Five passengers and the plane’s pilot are believed to have died, police said, while three bodies have been recovered.The nationalities of those on board has not been confirmed.Officials at the scene said the craft had su
  
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• Five Brits Dead After Sea Plane Crashes Into River In Sydney

  31-12-2017 09:58
  LATEST: Brits Killed In Sydney Seaplane Crash Named As High-Profile CEO And FamilyFive Britons including an 11-year-old girl and an Australian pilot have been killed in the Sydney sea plane crash, local police have confirmed.The New Year’s Eve pleasure flight plunged into the Hawkesbury River at Cowan Creek, around 15 miles north of central Sydney, after 3.15pm on Friday.One of the victims has been named as 58-year-old Richard Cousins, the chief executive of Compass Group, the world’
  
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• Celebrity Deaths 2017: The Stars We Lost Too Soon

  31-12-2017 09:31
  We’ve said goodbye to some of our most loved stars this year. There were big losses from the acting world including screen legends Sir John Hurt, James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore and ‘Corrie’ stars Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth and Roy Barraclough, who was known to millions of soap fans as Alex Gilroy..The music world also said goodbye to music legend Tom Petty, as well as Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington.More re
  
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• Britons will feel pride in 2018, says Theresa May

  31-12-2017 02:01 via bbc.co.uk
  The prime minister says 2017 was a turbulent year, but insists she is making progress on Brexit.
  
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• Theresa May Must Face Down Right-Wing Press On Foreign Aid, Says Ex-BBC War Correspondent

  31-12-2017 01:05
  Politicians have a moral responsibility to face down right-wing newspapers campaigning for the Government to slash the UK foreign aid budget, Martin Bell has said. The veteran war correspondent, former independent MP and one-time soldier said the Tory government risked paying “too much attention to the headlines in the Daily Mail” while war and poverty gripped huge swathes of the globe. The Daily Mail,the Daily Express and The Sun are leading critics of the UK spending arou
  
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• Lack of specialist surgeons ‘putting patients at risk’

  31-12-2017 01:04
  The NHS is suffering a severe shortage of interventional radiologists, say senior doctorsPatients are dying because of an acute shortage of specialist doctors to perform life-saving surgery on women after childbirth, victims of car crashes and other emergency cases.An NHS-wide lack of interventional radiologists means that some patients are having to undergo major, life-changing operations – ending up disabled after a stroke or losing a limb as a result of diabetes – simply because t
  
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