Political news

• George Soros Commits Extra £100,000 To Anti-Brexit Group In Wake Of Attacks Led By Right-Wing Press

  11-02-2018 23:05
  George Soros is to pump an extra £100,000 into the campaign to halt a ‘hard Brexit’ as a direct result of newspaper-led attacks on his financial interventions.Billionaire philanthropist Soros was accused of leading a “secret plot” to undermine Brexit in a front-page article in the Telegraph.The Daily Mail’s front page the next day told Soros to “butt out” of Brexit, saying: “You can keep your tainted money.”Now Soros and
  
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• 'McMafia' Episode 8 Review: 4 Things We Loved About The Final (And 4 Things We Didn't)

  11-02-2018 23:00
  After eight thrilling - but equally exhausting - weeks, ‘McMafia’ reached its climax on Sunday (11 February) night, as Alex and Vadim had one last showdown, which proved to be fatal for one of them. There was a good amount of closure for those who’d stuck with the BBC mafia drama (even though it often felt like it would have been easier to just give up at some points), delivering what was, in the most part, a satisfying ending. However, that isn’t to say it was
  
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• Kayden Fleck River Death: 'He Just Melted Your Heart', Say Distraught Parents

  11-02-2018 22:33
  The heartbroken parents of a five-year-boy who died after being swept away in a fast-flowing river in Northern Ireland have said their son “just melted your heart”.Darrel and Leanne Fleck said their son Kayden was “happy-go-lucky” and “your average wee boy”.They described Kayden and his twin brother, Jayden, as “the two musketeers”.A statement released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland on behalf of Mr and Mrs Fleck added: “The family
  
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• Transport for London heads for £1bn operational deficit

  11-02-2018 22:16 via ft.com
  Tube upgrades shelved as passenger numbers fall
  
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• Westminster Council To Ask Wealthy Residents For Voluntary Tax To Help Homeless

  11-02-2018 20:39
  The wealthiest residents in one of the country’s richest boroughs will be asked to pay a voluntary ‘tax’ to help the young, homeless and lonely.Westminster Council will write to those living in the area’s most expensive properties to make an extra voluntary contribution on top of their council tax to help pay for local projects.The scheme is expected to be given the green light after a consultation in which more than 400 people said they would support the initiative.Counc
  
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• Andrew Marr’s Editor Explains On-Air Thumbs-Up To Minister Penny Mordaunt Was 'Polite And Human'

  11-02-2018 19:38
  Andrew Marr was “being polite” to Conservative minister Penny Mordaunt because he is an “actual human”, the editor of the BBC’s flagship politics programme has said after an unguarded on-air thumbs-up prompted a rash of online conspiracy theories.Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, was appearing on the Sunday morning programme to discuss the sexual misconduct allegations against Oxfam workers.As the interview turned to Brexit at its conclusion, the Ca
  
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• Theresa May Told By Tory MP To 'Go Down Fighting' Against The Brexiteer 'Mogglodytes'

  11-02-2018 18:23
  Theresa May has been urged by a senior Tory MP to face down the “Mogglodytes” on the Conservative benches and “go down fighting” rather than lead the UK into a so-called hard Brexit.Sarah Wollaston, the chair of the Commons health committee, said on Sunday the prime minister will face a leadership challenge from the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg even if she sides with them against the more pro-EU Tory MPs.The #Mogglodytes plotting to oust the PM unless she bows to their d
  
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• Labour's John McDonnell Would Prefer Another Election To Second Brexit Referendum

  11-02-2018 17:52
  Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said he would rather have a general election than a second EU referendum.McDonnell, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s right-hand man, said another Brexit referendum would cause divisions again and the “better route” is to have a general election.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously stopped short of ruling out a second EU referendum when the Brexit terms are known.Mr Corbyn insisted last month that he was not calling for a new national
  
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• Time To Put The Spotlight On Pancreatic Cancer Again

  11-02-2018 16:04
  Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal cancers in the world. In the UK, only one in 20 people diagnosed live to see another five years and one in 100 people survive beyond ten years. These figures have not changed significantly in 50 years.Being the poor relation among cancers is something we are used to, but data published in the Lancet last week highlighted that the UK comes 47th out of the 56 countries surveyed for pancreatic cancer five-year survival, with the USA, Canada and Austra
  
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• The Crisis Refugee Children Are Facing Is As Desperate As It Was When The Dubs Amendment Was Passed

  11-02-2018 16:03
  I remember the faces of the hundreds of unaccompanied children who lived in the unofficial camp in Calais. They had experienced unimaginable trauma, survived the most dangerous journeys, and were then left to sleep in tents and wooden shelters on an industrial wasteland in the cold rain of Calais. The youngest I met was just eight years old.I was just one of the thousands of ordinary people who came to help. When I arrived in Calais, I expected to see larger NGOs and governments in action trying
  
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• UK government warns Oxfam it could withdraw funding

  11-02-2018 15:54 via ft.com
  Charity promises change after allegations of sexual misconduct in Haiti
  
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• Priti Patel Claims DfID 'Pushed Back' At Her Attempts To Investigate Sexual Abuse Scandal In Aid Sector

  11-02-2018 15:48
  Priti Patel has said the Department for International Development (DfID) knew about allegations of sexual misconduct by aid workers but gave her “push back” when she demanded it investigate further.Oxfam is facing mounting criticism over its handling of sex allegations, but has denied it tried to cover up the use of prostitutes by workers in Haiti in 2011.International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said on Sunday the charity had failed in its “moral leadership” and
  
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• Uncle Of 11-Year-Old Jasmine Forrester Charged With Her Murder

  11-02-2018 15:14
  The uncle of an 11-year-old girl found suffering serious injuries at a house in Wolverhampton has been charged with her murder, police said.  Delroy Forrester, 51, was charged last night after officers discovered his niece Jasmine Forrester in a critical condition in the early hours of Friday morning.According to the force, she had suffered multiple injuries, including a serious head wound. Officers had been called to the scene after neighbours reported a disturbance. The schoolgi
  
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• Anna Soubry and Chuka Umunna say MPs could block hard Brexit

  11-02-2018 14:59 via bbc.co.uk
  Anna Soubry and Chuka Umunna say only British people can stop Brexit - but MPs could block an exit from the single market.
  
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• Sunday Show Round-Up: Mordaunt Predicts Brexit 'Meat' As Soubry Warns Labour-Tory Alliance Could Reject Deal

  11-02-2018 14:35
  Penny Mordaunt remains “chipper” about Brexit the development secretary insisted today during her Andrew Marr interview, as she said voters want to see Theresa May put “meat on the bones” of her plan to leave the EU. But there were signs of the trouble ahead as the prime minister was warned by Anna Soubry there was unlikely to be Commons majority for her exit deal.Also this morning, Mordaunt warned aid charities amid the Oxfam scandal that they will lose governm
  
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• Brexit: Ministers to unveil what EU relationship they want for UK

  11-02-2018 14:31 via bbc.co.uk
  A series of speeches will set out what sort of relationship the UK wants with the EU after it leaves.
  
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• British farmer moves fruit-growing to China over Brexit uncertainty

  11-02-2018 14:30
  Berry producer says government urgently needs to address shortfall in seasonal workersOne of the biggest growers of berries in the UK is moving part of its business to China because it cannot guarantee it will find enough fruit pickers available to work.Up to 200 seasonal jobs have gone at Haygrove’s farm in Ledbury, Herefordshire, and some of the company’s raspberry and blueberry-growing will be relocated to Yunnan province in China because of uncertainty over migrant labour due to
  
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• Will Labour's plan to bring public services in-house work?

  11-02-2018 14:16 via bbc.co.uk
  The recent collapse of Carillion and the ending of the East Coast Rail franchise early has emboldened the Labour party to push its agenda for renationalising key services such as rail, water and energy.
  
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• Amanda Holden Mocks 'Bulls***' Interpretations' Of Ant McPartlin 'Row' Photo

  11-02-2018 14:15
  Amanda Holden has slammed “bullshit interpretations” of a photo that seemed to show her and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ co-star Ant McPartlin in an argument. The talent show judge mocked claims they’d had a row after they were caught having what looked to be a particularly tense exchange as they filmed the ITV talent show in Manchester on Thursday (8 February). Taking to Twitter at address the matter, Amanda posted a picture staging a faux fight with the
  
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• 71 People Feared Dead After Russian Plane Crashes Near Moscow

  11-02-2018 14:15
  71 people are feared dead after a Russian airliner crashed near Moscow this afternoon. Emergency services reportedly told Russian news agencies that all 71 people on board were killed in the incident. The plane, operated by Russia’s Saratov Airlines, went missing from radars less than 10 minutes after taking off from Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, TASS reported.There were 65 passengers and six crew members onboard the plane, which was bound for the Russian city of Orsk in the
  
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• UKIP leader Henry Bolton defends Jo Marney relationship

  11-02-2018 13:29 via bbc.co.uk
  UKIP leader confident of party backing despite admitting "strong affections" for Jo Marney.
  
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• McDonnell: EU debate could still lead to election or referendum

  11-02-2018 13:22
  But shadow chancellor tells Peston on Sunday a new EU vote would risk dividing UK again A second EU referendum would divide the UK again but Labour would not rule out further “democratic engagement”, John McDonnell has said, ahead of a series of speeches by cabinet ministers on Britain’s future after Brexit.The shadow chancellor said the country was still smarting from the aftermath of the 2016 vote and he was doubtful another referendum would bring the country together.Continu
  
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• Search For Missing Walker Neil Gibson Continues After Brother's Body Found

  11-02-2018 12:56
  Rescuers have resumed their search for a walker missing in the Scottish Highlands after recovering his brother’s body on Saturday. A search was launched for Alan Gibson, 56, and Neil Gibson, 63, after they failed to return from a walk in Strathcarron, Wester Ross on Thursday.Alan’s body was found by mountain rescue teams searching in the area of Achnashellach on Saturday, the Press Association reported. Torridon and Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Teams, a Coastguard rescue heli
  
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• Penny Mordaunt Says Voters Want Theresa May To Put 'Meat On The Bones' Of Her Brexit Plan

  11-02-2018 12:41
  Voters want to see Theresa May show “vision” and put “some meat on the bones” of her Brexit plans, a cabinet minister has said.The government will bid to regain the initiative with a series of top level speeches by the prime minister and senior cabinet colleagues in the coming weeks.May is set to make two key note addresses and arch Brexiteers, Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox will also set out their agendas.However Chancellor Philip Hammond is not slated to take p
  
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• Transport for London heading for £1bn operational deficit

  11-02-2018 12:33 via ft.com
  Tube upgrades shelved as passenger numbers fall
  
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• Penny Mordaunt: Charities who lack 'moral leadership' face losing government backing

  11-02-2018 11:52 via bbc.co.uk
  The international development secretary said that Oxfam did "the wrong thing" whilst being interviewed on The Andrew Marr Show.
  
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• Victoria Beckham Pours Water On Hopes Of Spice Girls Reunion Tour

  11-02-2018 11:34
  Ever since the Spice Girls announced they were working together, fans have been speculating as to whether the group could tour again. Rumours then went into overdrive last week, when it was claimed they would be taking a show on the road. However, Victoria Beckham has now dashed any hope of that happening.During a preview of her autumn/winter 2018 fashion collection, she told Vogue: “I’m not going on tour. The girls aren’t going on tour.”Well, that ans
  
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• UK Weather Forecast: Heavy Snow Showers Cause 'Numerous' Accidents

  11-02-2018 11:13
  Snow showers are causing disruption on the roads on Sunday morning as forecasters warn of a frosty start to the half-term holidays.The wintry weather arrived in parts of western England, western Scotland and Northern Ireland overnight, as the Met Office issued warnings for snow and ice across large swathes of the country.The North West Motorway Police tweeted there had already been “numerous reports” of accidents on the roads due to the conditions, and urged drivers to slow down, the
  
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• Idris Elba Proposes To Girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre At Screening Of His Own Film

  11-02-2018 11:01
  Idris Elba could have proposed to his girlfriend anywhere in the world, but instead he chose to get down on bended-knee at a screening of one of his own films.The actor popped the question to partner Sabrina Dhowre on Saturday (10 February) as they watched a preview of his directorial debut ‘Yardie’ at the Rio Cinema in east London.The proposal was captured on video by fellow cinema-goers who couldn’t quite believe they were watching one of the country’s most famous
  
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• Oxfam Warned Over Funding Following Haiti Sex Claims

  11-02-2018 10:48
  Oxfam will have funding withdrawn if it fails to comply with authorities over safeguarding issues, the International Development Secretary has warned.Penny Mordaunt condemned the “horrific behaviour” of some Oxfam staff members and said it was “utterly despicable” that allegations of abuse persisted in the aid sector.The charity is facing mounting criticism over its handling of allegations of sexual misconduct, the Press Association reported.It has denied claims it covere
  
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• Sean Hayes Reveals How His 'Will And Grace' Character Jack McFarland Has Grown Up (And So Has The Show)

  11-02-2018 10:29
  For eight years, ‘Will And Grace’ fans were always guaranteed a laugh from their on-screen gay best friend, Jack McFarland, whenever they tuned in.Whether he was taking his Cher doll to dinner, dishing out advice to his long-suffering acting students or just slating his best pal Will, Jack was always there to put a smile on our faces.More than a decade after the divisive ‘Will And Grace’ finale, the show is back on our screens, which means (hooray!) so is Jack, a little o
  
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• William Billingham Charged With Murder Of 8-Year-Old Daughter Mylee

  11-02-2018 10:24
  William Billingham has been charged with the murder of his eight-year-old daughter Mylee after she was found at his house with knife wounds, West Midlands Police said.The schoolgirl - who was discovered in Walsall on January 20 - was rushed to hospital with stab wounds, but was pronounced dead soon after.A post-mortem examination later revealed Mylee had died from a single stab wound to the chest.Her 54-year-old father, who was also treated for critical stab injuries following the incident, was
  
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• Will And Grace's Megan Mullally Delves Into The Mind Of The 'Horrible' But 'Loveable' Karen Walker

  11-02-2018 10:20
  When we were first reintroduced to Karen Walker in the new series of ‘Will And Grace’, any fears we held that she’d have had some class of redemption in the last decade were immediately put to rest.Now a close pal of the celeb couple she calls “Donny and Melania”, she’s still as boozy, heartless and utterly selfish as ever. So, why do we all still love her so much?Megan Mullally, who plays the puzzlingly beloved sitcom character, attempts to shine some light o
  
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• 'Trauma' Cast And Spoilers: Your Guide To ITV's New Thriller From The Writer Of 'Doctor Foster'

  11-02-2018 10:06
  Why should I watch ‘Trauma’?If you were gripped by ‘Doctor Foster’, chances are you’re going to enjoy ITV’s latest drama, ‘Trauma’, as it was penned by the same writer, Mike Bartlett.Given the huge ratings and awards success the BBC drama garnered, it’s fair to say expectations are high for Mike’s latest project. What is is about?‘Trauma’ centres on the lives of two fathers, Dan Bowker and Jon Allerton, whose lives coll
  
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• Battle Rope Workouts Are The New Gym Trend You'll Want To Try

  11-02-2018 10:00
  Battle ropes look pretty intimidating in the gym but according to personal trainers, we should all give them a go.  If you have no idea what we’re on about, don’t worry, these ropes are only just starting to become popular in the gym. They’re essentially just thick ropes that you whip up and down to create a full body workout. “Battle ropes are fun, functional, metabolically-demanding and very kind to our joints,” said personal trainer Alan
  
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• Love Your Partner And The Planet – Ideas For A Sustainable Valentine's Day

  11-02-2018 09:30
  After every year begins, it rolls around all too quickly. The day where you are supposed to present delightful, thoughtful, deeply personal gifts for a special someone in your life. No pressure or anything.Valentine’s Day’s place in the calendar as an overly commercialised behemoth also holds an environmental cost, with a portion of gifts and card, however romantically intended, discarded a few days later. So to help you show love to your partner, while also respecting the plane
  
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• ‘Unfair’ Universal Credit Clause Used To Quietly Change Council Tax Rules

  11-02-2018 09:12
  Self-employed people are facing financial hardship, stress and even bailiffs at the door as local councils use an “unfair” Universal Credit rule for entirely separate tax relief decisions, campaigners have warned.Struggling traders seeking support with council tax payments are quietly being hit by a clause initially designed as part of Universal Credit - even in areas where the benefit reform is yet to roll out.The controversial rule, dubbed a “minimum income floor&rd
  
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• Your Korean Beauty Shopping Guide

  11-02-2018 09:00
  The influence of Korean beauty products on the UK market has been apparent in recent years and the trend is showing no sign of dissipating.Many skincare fans revel in the indulgence of the multi-step routine, which is all about preparing your skin with many layers of hydrating products.Here are our top product picks for key steps in a Korean beauty routine:
  
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• The Rees-Mogg bird - cartoon

  11-02-2018 01:05
  Chris Riddell on truth and other casualties of war Continue reading...
  
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• Suffragette heir pens child’s guide to ‘fantastic women’

  11-02-2018 01:05
  Kate Pankhurst releases follow-up after selling 100,000 copies of children’s book that redresses gender imbalanceFor most of her life, children’s author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst had no idea she was distantly related to Emmeline Pankhurst, and a cousin of the suffragette’s direct descendants. “I was in my 20s when I found out about our family connection, but because of my surname, Emmeline’s story has followed me all my life, and my awareness of her struggle an
  
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• Dan Jarvis: ‘They said One Yorkshire couldn’t happen but now it’s within reach’

  11-02-2018 01:05
  The Barnsley Central MP is shortlisted for Sheffield city region mayor but is eyeing a more ambitious regional goalWhile Dan Jarvis doesn’t have much in common with pro-Brexit campaigners, they do have one similarity. The Labour MP for Barnsley Central has thrown himself behind a cause that is not being taken seriously in Westminster but which he believes is within touching distance.Calls for devolution of power from central government to the historic county of Yorkshire, creating a combin
  
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• Since this government can’t govern, parliament must take charge of Brexit | Andrew Rawnsley

  11-02-2018 01:03
  Neither the Tory frontbench nor its Labour counterpart is leading the debate on the EU. Parliament must fill the voidIt has caught on. “Brexit war cabinet” is now in widespread use as a label for the 11 senior ministers who are supposedly deciding the government’s strategy. This description has been adopted by the BBC and other broadcasters and has been taken up by a lot of the rest of the media. To which I say: cease and desist and do so immediately.When Winston Churchill beca
  
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• After the lessons of the 1990s satanic abuse panic, why was ‘Nick’ believed? | Catherine Bennett

  11-02-2018 01:02
  The horror film tortures supposedly inflicted in Dolphin Square point up our continuing gullibilityBoris, Govey, Morrissey, Bono – and now, “Nick”. An update on the latter – an individual who inspired a promising, if short-lived moral panic – confirms that a man’s notoriety under a single name is not necessarily indicative of public affection.In the case of Nick, who was initially known – to the police, at least – as a purveyor of “credible a
  
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