Political news

• Donald Trump's White House Refuses To Blame Russia For Spy Poisoning As Allies Back UK

  12-03-2018 23:47
  The UK’s allies have backed Theresa May after she said it was “highly likely” that Russia was responsible for the poisoning of a Russian former double agent and his daughter - despite the US pointedly refusing to blame Moscow for the spy attack.The British government has given the Kremlin until the end of Tuesday to provide a “credible” response to the chemical weapons watchdog after the Prime Minister blamed Russia for an “indiscriminate and reckless act agai
  
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• Donald Trump's White House Joins UK Allies In Condemning Russia For Spy Poisoning

  12-03-2018 23:47
  US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said the poisoning of an ex-spy in the UK “clearly came from Russia” and vowed it “will trigger a response” as Theresa May’s allies swung behind the Prime Minister. On Monday, May said it was “highly likely” that Russia was responsible for the poisoning of a Russian former double agent and his daughter, and named the deadly Soviet Union-era chemical weapon Novichok as the substance deployed.Tillerson told repo
  
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• Relations between UK and Russia plunged into crisis

  12-03-2018 22:21 via ft.com
  London eyes retaliatory measures against Moscow over attack on Sergei Skripal
  
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• Relations between UK and Russia plunge into crisis

  12-03-2018 22:21 via ft.com
  London eyes retaliatory measures against Moscow over attack on Sergei Skripal
  
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• Nerve attack on Skripal plunges UK-Russia relations into crisis

  12-03-2018 22:21 via ft.com
  A big question is how far allies will be prepared to go to back May’s tough stance
  
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• UK lecturers’ strike set to end after pensions deal with employers

  12-03-2018 21:33 via ft.com
  End-of-year exams to escape disruption if settlement approved by UCU members
  
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• London cites US security relationship to avoid metals tariffs

  12-03-2018 21:33 via ft.com
  London working with EU on potential counter-measures should Washington refuse request
  
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• Novichok ranks among deadliest chemical weapons

  12-03-2018 21:20 via ft.com
  Rare nerve agent found in Skripal attack is from class developed by Russia in cold war
  
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• Investors ‘reaching for their coats’, CBI chief warns

  12-03-2018 21:01 via ft.com
  Business lobby president warns of dual ‘threats’ of nationalisation and hard Brexit
  
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• Brexit preparations to cost UK about £2bn, think-tank estimates

  12-03-2018 20:49 via ft.com
  Six core Whitehall departments creating 10,000 extra roles to cope with challenge
  
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• Russia accused by May over ‘reckless’ nerve agent attack in Britain

  12-03-2018 20:09 via ft.com
  London gives Moscow ultimatum to explain what happened or face new sanctions
  
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• Sadiq Khan Reveals Online Death Threats And Racist Abuse Received Since Becoming Mayor Of London

  12-03-2018 20:00
  Sadiq Khan has revealed for the first time the online death threats and racist abuse he has received since taking over as Mayor of London.In a speech to the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Conference in Texas, Khan read out a string of offensive Twitter messages directed at him.Khan’s main message, ahead of a question-and-answer session hosted by HuffPost’s Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen, was to urge social media giants to take tougher action on hate crime and fake news.He stre
  
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• 'Millennial' 26-30 Railcard Goes Nationwide On Tuesday - And Could Prompt 'Fight'

  12-03-2018 19:58
  A nationwide trial of the so-called ‘Millennial railcard’ will begin Tuesday and commuters are already warning they’ll “fight” to get one of the limited number available. The one-year railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds will cost £30 and offer a third off most fares in England, Wales and Scotland.But only 10,000 will be available.“Looking forward to scrapping with my fellow millennials to get one,” Aman Thakar wrote on Twitter after the announceme
  
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• 'Highly likely' Moscow ordered attack on former Russian spy in UK – Politics live

  12-03-2018 19:45
  Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including PM’s statement in Commons about Salisbury attackMay’s statement to MPs - Snap summaryMay’s statement - Key extractsAfternoon summary 6.45pm GMT6.45pm GMT Turning away from Russia for a moment, the Scottish government has this afternoon rejected the amendments to the EU withdrawal bill tabled by the UK government. Mike Russell, the Scottish government’s Brexit minister, has explained his s
  
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• What Is Novichok? Theresa May Reveals Russian Nerve Gas That Poisoned Spy

  12-03-2018 19:10
  Theresa May has revealed to the House of Commons that the nerve agent that poisoned Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury was Novichok - a substance developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s, said to be ten times stronger than other agents.The group of chemical agents was positively identified at the UK government’s Porton Down laboratories, and May confirmed in the Commons it is banned under international conventions.“Russia has previously produced this agent and wou
  
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• John Bercow Told To Step Aside As Independent Inquiry Into Bullying Claims Ordered By Andrea Leadsom

  12-03-2018 18:54
  Commons Speaker John Bercow faced direct criticism from MPs today as the Government ordered an independent inquiry into allegations of bullying against Parliamentary staff.As Bercow looked on, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom announced she wanted a full probe into claims that Bercow and others had mistreated the ‘clerks’ who work in Westminster.The allegations, first aired on BBC’s Newsnight, were “of huge concern” and she would recommend a “short” inquiry
  
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• Russian spy: Highly likely Moscow behind attack, says Theresa May

  12-03-2018 18:43 via bbc.co.uk
  The poison used was a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia, says Theresa May.
  
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• Inquiry into Parliament bullying claims backed by ministers

  12-03-2018 18:33 via bbc.co.uk
  The inquiry is set to look at whether staff not employed by MPs are adequately protected.
  
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• May: Russia ‘highly likely’ responsible for attack on former spy Skripal

  12-03-2018 18:26 via ft.com
  UK ready to take more ‘extensive measures’ to retaliate against Moscow
  
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• MPs condemn 'Punish a Muslim' letter

  12-03-2018 18:21 via bbc.co.uk
  Members of Parliament from all sides said the letters were "abhorrent".
  
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• Theresa May Says It Is 'Highly Likely' Russia Poisoned Sergei Skripal And His Daughter

  12-03-2018 18:11
  Theresa May says poisoning an ‘indiscriminate and reckless act’ against UK PM gives Russia until the end of Tuesday to provide a ‘credible’ responseRussia accused by senior MP of committing a ‘warlike act’ against BritainRussia’s ambassador in London summoned to the Foreign OfficeMay reveals deadly Russian nerve agent Novichok was used in Salisbury Corbyn criticised for highlighting Tory donations from Russian oligarchsThe diplomatic row b
  
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• The Spring Statement Is An Opportunity To Right The Wrong Of In-Work Poverty

  12-03-2018 18:11
  On Tuesday the Chancellor will give his Spring Statement, providing an economic update and reporting on the vital signs of the UK economy. Philip Hammond is already under pressure from Conservative MPs to loosen the purse strings and help the worst off. By focusing on working families with low incomes, the Government can ensure that work pays, and that families can build a better life for themselves. Low income families have borne the weight of measures to balance the books since
  
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• Sir Tim Berners-Lee Is Right - The Internet Needs Regulation, And It Needs To Be Tough

  12-03-2018 18:08
  Even though it’s only just turned 29, the world wide web is already having a midlife crisis, as Tim Berners-Lee’s birthday message shows.With age, comes some frailty, and the web also - like many of us - has started to show its failings more acutely.Sir Tim points to the still gaping global digital divide. In the UK, this has largely been bridged. Nine out of ten of us are online, and around half of those who aren’t have chosen not to be.But that achievement masks a different v
  
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• Fortnite Battle Royale Mode Launching On iOS And Android

  12-03-2018 18:05
  One of the most popular multiplayer video games Fortnite Battle Royale is going to be released on iOS and Android this year.Considering the game already has over 45 million players on Xbox One, PS4, PC and Mac the addition of iPhones and Android smartphones means we’ll probably have another Pokemon Go on our hands.The free-to-play game has seen phenomenal success thanks to its cartoon like graphics and the addictive gameplay which sees 100 players fight it out on a single giant map until o
  
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• Melrose higher bid for GKN fails to quell political worries

  12-03-2018 17:52 via ft.com
  Labour tells government time is running out for it to step in and prevent any deal
  
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• ‘Coronation Street’ New Set: 16 Things We Learnt At Victoria Street’s Grand Opening

  12-03-2018 17:47
  On Monday (12 March) afternoon, Weatherfield officially changed forever as ‘Coronation Street’ bosses unveiled their much-talked about set extension. The all-new Victoria Street area includes a new restaurant, an urban garden, a tram station and the (already infamous) Costa and Co-Op branches.For the first time ever, episodes will show characters walking around the corner of the current set and “Wider Weatherfield” will be on screen for the first time on Friday 20 April.A
  
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• We Need To Push For Gender Equality For All Women

  12-03-2018 17:45
  They tell us that women are more empowered than ever. They tell us women are on boards. Female surgeons operate daily in theatres across the world and that a woman is even running this country. However, on International Women’s Day, I found myself wondering whether we should be celebrating our achievements or drawing up a blueprint for an all-out revolt!My feminist plight has been mainly focused on campaigning and advocating for the voices of young women, especially mothers. I fell pregnan
  
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• Six Pro-EU Groups Move To New Shared Office For Brexit Fightback

  12-03-2018 17:40
  Six pro-EU campaign groups have moved into a new shared office to better co-ordinate their Brexit fightback attempts.Open Britain, the European Movement, Britain for Europe, Scientists for EU, Healthier IN the EU, and InFacts - which represent a combined 500,000 people - will now be based under the same roof in London’s Millbank Tower, in what staff have dubbed ‘Grassroots Co-ordinating HQ’.It is hoped the move will allow strategists to better co-ordinate their battle to k
  
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• Women And Girls Everywhere, Keep Speaking Up Against Sexual Harassment

  12-03-2018 17:39
  Sexual harassment.An incredibly difficult and uncomfortable experience that one might have to endure in their life.It might include lewd and unwanted sexual behaviour that could be aggressive, obvious staring, inappropriate sexual comments, following or touching without consent.Sexual harassment can also include pressuring another into a sexual relationship that they do not want.Sexual harassment most commonly takes places on the street, in the workplace and on public transport. It might involve
  
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• Meghan Markle And Kate Middleton Wear Statement Coats At Commonwealth Day Service

  12-03-2018 17:28
  The Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle looked chic in classic silhouettes as they arrived at a service to mark Commonwealth Day.As the Head of the Commonwealth, her Majesty The Queen attended the service at Westminster Abbey on Monday 12 March. She was accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Prince William and Prince Harry were seen arriving with Kate and Meghan.The Duchess wore a Locke  & Co hat with a beautifully tailored navy coat from Beulah London,
  
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• Digital Tech Is Transforming The Physical Shape Of Our Cities

  12-03-2018 17:27
  We know that smart city technologies are transforming how we shop, work and travel. They are also changing how we use land and property, with a profound impact on the vibrancy and shape of our cities.Disappearing shopsThe rise and rise of online shopping will continue to hit shopping streets and retail parks. In the US, a quarter of shopping malls are predicted to close in the next five years. The UK is not as over-supplied with retail as it’s Transatlantic cousin, but traditional high str
  
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• The value of university degrees will be hard to measure

  12-03-2018 17:20 via ft.com
  Prospective students can only make informed decisions with more easily available data
  
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• Parsons Green Defendant Said 'It's My Duty To Hate Britain', Court Hears

  12-03-2018 17:18
  A teenage asylum seeker said it was his “duty to hate Britain” before he planted a bomb at Parsons Green Tube station, a court has heard.Ahmed Hassan, 18, arrived in Britain from Iraq in October 2015. Two years later, he is alleged to have left 400 grams of explosive TATP on a London Tube train, injuring 30 people. During his two years in the UK, Hassan studied media at Brooklands College in Weybridge, Surrey, and was placed in a foster home under the care of a couple in Sunbury
  
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• Commonwealth Service: Meghan Markle Attends First Official Event With The Queen

  12-03-2018 17:12
  Meghan Markle has attended her first official event with the Queen, joining senior royals on Monday at a service to mark Commonwealth Day.Held at Westminster Abbey, the event also attended by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Prime Minister, Theresa May. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at @Wabbey for The Commonwealth Service. #CommonwealthDaypic.twitter.com/sIkCMFxCq5— The Roy
  
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• If Politicians Are Serious About Cracking Down On Bullying, Here's What Needs To Be Done

  12-03-2018 17:05
  The response to Newsnight’s revelations of a bullying culture in Parliament, with MPs accused of shockingly inappropriate behaviour against the staff that work there, has been as disappointing as it is predictable. The next day’s headlines - and there were many - singled out Commons Speaker John Bercow for particular attention among those that were named in the report.The Speaker occupies a powerful position in Parliament, and Bercow is one of the more controversial figures to hold t
  
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• What Is Fortnite? What Is Battle Royale And Is It Available On Xbox One And PS4?

  12-03-2018 17:04
  Unless you’ve been living in a box for the last 6 months there’s a strong chance you might have heard about a game called Fortnite Battle Royale.Available on Xbox One, PS4, PC and even Mac this online multiplayer game has become something of a worldwide phenomenon since it launched a free ‘Battle Royale’ mode that allows up to 100 players fight it out ‘Hunger Games’ style until there’s just one person left.It is this free version of the game that has end
  
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• Two Hospitalised After Suspect Package Sent To Office Of Labour MP Mohammad Yasin

  12-03-2018 16:44
  Two people have been hospitalised after suspicious package was sent to the office of Labour MP Mohammad Yasin.Emergency services were called to Norman Shaw North, a Parliamentary building, just before 1pm on Monday.HuffPost UK understands a package containing an unknown liquid - which was later deemed non-hazardous - was sent to the office of the Bedford MP, but he did not personally open it.No-one was injured in the incident, but staff were evacuated from the office building and two people were
  
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• Scarlett Moffatt Admits She Was ‘Miserable’ After Losing Three Stone On Diet To 'Look A Certain Way'

  12-03-2018 16:14
  Scarlett Moffatt has admitted she felt “miserable” after losing three stone.The former ‘Gogglebox’ star made the admission as she spoke at a body confidence seminar at the Glamour Beauty Festival on Sunday (11 March).The ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ winner said she felt pressure to “look a certain way” after being crowned queen of the jungle in 2016.In an interview with her younger sister Ava, she said: “When I first ca
  
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• Unseen OJ Simpson Taped 'Confession' Aired On Fox News

  12-03-2018 15:42
  A previously unseen interview with OJ Simpson from 2006, in which he “hypothetically confesses” to the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, has been broadcast after Fox rediscovered the footage.The disgraced sports star was found not guilty of the crimes in 1995, but later wrote a book about it called “If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer”.The lost interview was recorded to promote the book but was shelved after public outrage.In the interview, which was bro
  
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• Unseen OJ Simpson Taped 'Confession' Aired On Fox

  12-03-2018 15:42
  A previously unseen interview with OJ Simpson from 2006, in which he “hypothetically confesses” to the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, has been broadcast after Fox rediscovered the footage.The disgraced sports star was found not guilty of the crimes in 1995, but later wrote a book about it called “If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer”.The lost interview was recorded to promote the book but was shelved after public outrage.In the interview, which was bro
  
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• 7 Ways To Tackle Period Poverty In 2018

  12-03-2018 15:42
  It’s a heartbreaking reality that one in 10 girls are unable to afford sanitary items here in the UK. Some young women are forced to use old clothes, toilet paper and newspapers as alternative solutions to sanitary products, while others have to rely on friends and foodbanks for handouts.Scotland has made small steps towards tackling the issue of period poverty by offering sanitary pads and tampons for free to women and girls from low income households in Aberdeen. 
  
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• Beyoncé And Jay-Z's 'On The Run II' Tour Is Coming To The UK In June

  12-03-2018 15:39
  After four years, two number one albums, one infidelity scandal, two new babies and an incident in a lift we never really did get to the bottom of, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have announced they’re going ‘On The Run’ again.Yes, after much speculation about whether the royal couple of the music industry would be hitting the road together for a second time, Beyoncé officially confirmed the joint tour, imaginatively titled ‘On The Run II’ on Monday (12 March).A po
  
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• The risk of devolution chaos

  12-03-2018 14:41 via ft.com
  Scotland and Wales object to Westminster grabbing some returning EU policy areas
  
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• Hubert De Givenchy Has Died At 91

  12-03-2018 14:32
  Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy, the founder of fashion house of Givenchy, died on Saturday 10 March at the age of 91.The French aristocrat’s family announced the news via French news agency AFP on Monday.Givenchy created the iconic black dress worn by his muse Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast At Tiffanys’ and the pair had a longstanding working relationship and friendship.Givenchy not only created many of Hepburn’s film wardrobes, but also styled her off-sc
  
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• A Day In The Life Of A Psychiatric Inpatient

  12-03-2018 14:28
  One of the main reasons I decided to start blogging about my journey through the treacherous waters of dealing with mental illness was to try and spread the word and increase people’s awareness and knowledge of what’s going on around us everyday (whether we realise it or not).Thankfully as a society we are living in a very exciting time. Mental health is becoming increasingly accepted as a legitimate illness that afflicts far too many of us. And with that legitimacy comes a much need
  
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• Senior Labour MP accused of ‘slapping’ woman’s buttocks

  12-03-2018 14:25 via ft.com
  Witnesses allege shadow cabinet minister Karl Turner sexually harassed party member
  
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• The week ahead

  12-03-2018 14:22 via bbc.co.uk
  In Strasbourg the European Parliament is due to set out its vision for UK-EU relations after Brexit.
  
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• 'Black Panther' Reaches $1 Billion Mark, One Month After Initial Release

  12-03-2018 14:22
  The runaway success of ‘Black Panther’ is showing no signs of slowing down, following the news it has now surpassed the $1 billion mark in the US.‘Black Panther’ - which stars Chadwick Boseman as the titular hero - is now the fifth film from the Marvel cinematic universe to reach the $1 billion (£794 million) milestone, and is the first film of 2018 to do so.Since its release last month, ‘Black Panther’ has enjoyed mammoth success both critically and com
  
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• 'Coronation Street' New Set Unveiled, Including Tribute To Manchester Bombing Victims

  12-03-2018 14:15
  ‘Coronation Street’ has unveiled its newly-extended set, giving viewers a look at more of Weatherfield than ever before.Plans for the set expansion was first announced last year, and ‘Corrie’ fans were given a first glimpse at the results on Monday (12 March), when Victoria Street was finally unveiled.The set, which will be seen on screen for the first time on 20 April, includes several new features to Weatherfield, including a tram stop, new restaurants and eateries and
  
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• John Bercow Bullying Allegations: Urgent Commons Question Granted To Green Party's Caroline Lucas

  12-03-2018 14:10
  Speaker John Bercow and other MPs are facing fresh pressure over bullying allegations after the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas was granted an Urgent Commons question on independent safeguards for staff in Parliament.Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has been asked to reply to Lucas’s emergency question, which follows a raft of claims that officials working in Westminster have been subjected to mistreatment by MPs.Bercow himself was named by the BBC’s Newsnight last week as having all
  
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