Political news

• Donald Trump Replaces National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster With John Bolton

  22-03-2018 23:50
  Donald Trump has announced former UN ambassador John Bolton will serve as national security adviser, replacing HR McMaster.McMaster is the latest of several senior officials to leave the White House, following the departure of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.Bolton served as a highly controversial ambassador to the United Nations under the George W. Bush administration.Bolton’s new role will prove controversial since he remains an unapologetic cheerleader of the 2003 Iraq war, w
  
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• EU Leaders Blame Russia For Salisbury Nerve Agent Attack: 'There's No Other Plausible Explanation'

  22-03-2018 23:32
  Theresa May will urge EU leaders gathered in Brussels to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the UK in the wake of the Salisbury nerve agent attack. The Prime Minister will make an appeal for European solidarity at the EU Council in Brussels - where Brexit is also on the agenda - amid a diplomatic stand-off with Vladimir Putin over the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Donald Tusk, EU Council President, has said the 28 leaders agree it is &ldq
  
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• Suspended Cambridge Analytica Boss Called To Appear Before MPs

  22-03-2018 21:31
  The suspended boss of Cambridge Analytica (CA) has been called to appear before MPs to explain “inconsistencies” in his evidence about the firm’s use of Facebook data.Alexander Nix has been asked to attend another grilling by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.Meanwhile Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said the revelations about Facebook and CA marked a “turning point” in people’s attitudes to their online data.The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
  
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• Salisbury Poisoning Officer: Life Will Never Be The Same

  22-03-2018 21:31
  The police officer exposed to the Novichok nerve agent after the Salisbury poisoning has been discharged from hospital, but said: “Normal life for me will probably never be the same.”Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey was taken to Salisbury District Hospital after responding to the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, on March 4.At a press conference outside the hospital, Cara Charles-Barks, chief executive of Salisbury NHS Founda
  
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• Salisbury Poisoning Officer Discharged From Hospital

  22-03-2018 21:31
  The police officer exposed to the Novichok nerve agent after the Salisbury poisoning has said “normal life for me will probably never be the same” after he was discharged from hospital.Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey said he has been “overwhelmed” by the support he has received during the “completely” surreal experience.The news today that DS Nick Bailey has left hospital is great to hear.I know that Nick has been in the minds of many people across the country
  
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• Legal Challenge To Gold Mine Waste Storage

  22-03-2018 21:31
  A legal challenge is to be mounted over plans surrounding a gold mine in Co Tyrone.It will be brought at the High Court in June by residents who claim to be directly affected by mining company Dalradian’s proposal to construct a processing plant and waste storage facility near Gortin.Dalradian believed the development in the Sperrins area would create hundreds of jobs if given the green light but some local residents felt the consultation process was flawed.Greencastle, Rouskey, Gorti
  
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• Glasgow Blaze ‘One Of The Biggest’ Firefighters Have Faced

  22-03-2018 21:31
  A major fire which took hold of a building in Glasgow city centre has been contained but an asbestos warning has been issued to local residents and businesses.More than 120 firefighters dealt with the incident on the busy shopping thoroughfare of Sauchiehall Street which started in the roof of the building which houses Victoria’s nightclub at about 8.20am on Thursday.Chief Fire Officer Alasdair Hay said the blaze was one of the biggest the single service has had to deal with.“It
  
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• Gambling Addiction Banker And Ex-Wife Agree Settlement After Six-Year Fight

  22-03-2018 21:31
  A former banker who lost more than £500,000 after becoming addicted to spread betting and his ex-wife have reached agreement after fighting over money in divorce courts for six years.Two Court of Appeal judges had been due to analyse the latest round of the dispute between Amit Goyal and Ankita Ghuman, who is in her 30s, at a hearing in London on Thursday.Mr Goyal, who is in his 40s, had challenged orders made by a judge based in the Family Division of the High Court.But lawyers told judge
  
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• Confusion Over Lib Dem Claim Of Support For Vote On Brexit Deal

  22-03-2018 21:31
  Sir Vince Cable has claimed the support of almost one-third of EU leaders for the Liberal Democrats’ call for a referendum on the final Brexit deal.The Lib Dem leader said that eight prime ministers – from the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia and the Czech Republic – had agreed a joint statement saying that British voters should have the “final say” on any withdrawal deal.Pertaining to the LibDem press release issued today o
  
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• UK firm to contest move to make new passports in France

  22-03-2018 21:22 via bbc.co.uk
  The existing UK supplier plans to appeal against the decision to use a Franco-Dutch firm after Brexit.
  
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• Gordon Brown calls for police inquiry into Sunday Times story

  22-03-2018 21:21
  Former PM says violations took place regarding story from 2000 about his purchase of a flatGordon Brown has called on the police to launch a criminal investigation after a private investigator employed by the Sunday Times for 15 years said he had gained access to his bank and mortgage accounts by deception.The former prime minister claimed that “25 to 40 violations of the law” took place in pursuit of a story relating to his purchase of a flat that was published in early 2000 under t
  
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• Gordon Brown calls for police probe into Sunday Times

  22-03-2018 21:13 via ft.com
  Ex-PM accuses paper of unlawfully accessing his financial details
  
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• Next Labour leader must be a woman, says Harriet Harman

  22-03-2018 21:08 via bbc.co.uk
  Harriet Harman says the next contest to lead the party should be fought between only female candidates.
  
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• EU states discuss joint move against Moscow in wake of UK attack

  22-03-2018 20:01 via ft.com
  Five nations considering co-ordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats, say envoys
  
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• Brexit: Confusion over 'EU leaders back new referendum' claim

  22-03-2018 20:01 via bbc.co.uk
  EU liberal leaders say nothing has been agreed, despite Lib Dem claims of support for a new referendum.
  
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• Sergei Skripal and daughter may never recover from poisoning

  22-03-2018 19:56 via ft.com
  Judge allows chemical weapons tests on ‘heavily sedated’ pair as UK policeman recovers
  
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• Cambridge Analytica, Facebook and democracy – Politics Weekly podcast

  22-03-2018 19:35
  Anushka Asthana is joined by Carole Cadwalladr, Alex Hern, Steve Howell and Damian Collins MP to discuss the scandal surrounding Cambridge Analytica’s use of data harvested from Facebook in Donald Trump’s election campaign. Plus: Heather Stewart in Brussels on the Brexit transition deal and the continuing response to RussiaIt’s a complex story that the Guardian and Observer have been covering since 2015. A data analytics firm that worked on the winning election campaign of Dona
  
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• Cambridge Analytica: MPs recall suspended chief Alexander Nix

  22-03-2018 19:27 via bbc.co.uk
  Alexander Nix is asked to explain "inconsistencies" in his answers to a parliamentary committee.
  
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• Senior Labour MP calls for £20bn a year in new wealth taxes

  22-03-2018 18:59 via ft.com
  Speech by Rachel Reeves highlights discussions gathering pace on the left
  
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• Watchdog Investigates Firm Suspected Of Making 200 Million Nuisance Calls

  22-03-2018 18:43
  A company suspected of making over 200 million illegal nuisance calls could have put lives at risk by clogging up a safety line for pedestrians and drivers at unmanned level crossings, a watchdog has said.The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has searched the premises of the unnamed business in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, following complaints about automated nuisance calls promoting boiler and window replacement schemes.The ICO said some of the calls were made to Network Rai
  
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• Victims Of Westminster Terror Attack Remembered On First Anniversary

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Victims of the Westminster terror attack have been remembered at a special vigil.The ceremony in Westminster Hall was held to mark the first anniversary of the attack and was attended by politicians, senior police officers and people involved in the incident.Five people were killed, including Pc Keith Palmer, and dozens of others were injured when 52-year-old Khalid Masood launched a car and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster before he was shot dead.
  
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• Taoiseach Says Irish Border Deal Must Be Done By October

  22-03-2018 18:43
  An Irish border deal must be done by October, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.Otherwise a backstop option will mean Northern Ireland would continue to follow EU regulations after Brexit involving the all-island economy and North-South cooperation, he added.Unionists have opposed any solution which would create differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK and Prime Minister Theresa May is reliant on Democratic Unionist support in key Westminster votes.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar sets O
  
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• Shell Company Frontmen Face Jail In Crackdown On Dirty Money In Property

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Frontmen of foreign shell companies which own some of London’s most exclusive properties could face up to two years in jail and unlimited fines if they fail to disclose their true owners’ identity, ministers have said.The Government has said it will publish draft laws this summer aimed at combating the use of dirty money to buy British property.Under the proposals foreign companies must make clear who ultimately owns the properties in question through the world’s first public r
  
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• Russian Embassy Says It Learned Of Nikolay Glushkov’S Suspected Murder Via Media

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Russian Embassy has revealed it learned about the suspected murder of one of its citizens in Britain through the media, as an inquest opened into the businessman’s death.The country’s ambassador to London claimed officials had been deliberately ignored by Britain after requesting information on the circumstances of how Nikolay Glushkov died.Alexander Yakovenko said the Foreign Office in the UK failed to provide “any meaningful response” so far following the embassy&rs
  
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• Rise In Number Of Pupils Taking Term-Time Holidays

  22-03-2018 18:43
  About one in six pupils missed lessons last year for term-time holidays, official figures show.Statistics show a rise in the number of youngsters taking at least half a day out of school to go away with their families, while at the same time, the proportion of parents fined for taking their youngsters out of school without permission fell.In total, 16.9% missed at least a half day of lessons during the 2016/17 academic year for authorised and unauthorised holidays, compared with 14.7% the year b
  
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• Police Quiz Motorists In Search For Missing Man In Fife

  22-03-2018 18:43
  More than 30 police have quizzed drivers in the search for a student who has been missing for more than a week.Duncan Sim, 19, has been missing since March 14 when he was last seen outside Madras rugby club in St Andrews, Fife, at about 11.15pm.He failed to return to his accommodation and has not been seen since.Officers spoke to drivers on Wednesday night and members of the public in the search for Mr Sim.Were you here (Madras Rugby Club) or in the St. Andrews area at this time last Wednesday (
  
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• Peter Robinson: Stormont Leaders Must Return To Talks To Resolve Crisis

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Stormont leaders will have to return to the negotiating table if a solution to the current crisis is to be found, a former First Minister has said.Peter Robinson has also warned that political progress cannot be lost.He said: “I think the atmosphere has been soured over recent weeks and the ‘he said, she said’ doesn’t help us in that process.“I think there is a period required for everybody to calm down somewhat, but ultimately we are going to have to get back round
  
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• Nanny ‘Betrayed Mother For Shot At Fame’

  22-03-2018 18:43
  A mother claimed her French nanny had betrayed her for a shot at stardom in a Tom Cruise movie following her arrest for murder.Sabrina Kouider, 35, described her 21-year-old au pair Sophie Lionnet as an “evil monster” in a police interview, a court heard.She alleged Miss Lionnet had been recruited to spy on her by her former boyfriend Mark Walton, a founding member of boy band Boyzone, in exchange for £18,000 and the promise of “fame”.The fashion designer had been t
  
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• Murdered Ellie Butler’S Grandfather Tells Of Heartbreak At Her Return To Father

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Ellie Butler’s grandfather described the “heartbreaking” day she was sent back to live with her father, who murdered her 11 months later.The six-year-old girl was beaten to death by Ben Butler at their family home in Sutton, south London, in October 2013.She had been placed in the care of her grandparents as a baby after Butler was accused of shaking her.Ellie was returned to live with her birth parents in November 2012 after a ruling by Mrs Justice Hogg in the Family Division
  
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• Kate Cooks Up Commonwealth Feast On Last Engagement Before Maternity Leave

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Duchess of Cambridge said cooking with her children can get messy as she added the finishing touches to this year’s Commonwealth Big Lunch.Kate and William were meeting locals and volunteers at St Luke’s Community Centre, north east London, before everyone sat down to dishes from Mauritius, Malaysia, India and Jamaica.The royal pair even exchanged one of their favourite recipes for buttered chicken, which staff said they couldn’t wait to cook.Next, at St Luke's Community Ce
  
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• Judge To Hear Bid To Gain Access To Cambridge Analytica Systems

  22-03-2018 18:43
  A judge is to consider the Information Commissioner’s application for a warrant relating to Cambridge Analytica.Elizabeth Denham wants access to records and data in the hands of the London-based company amid claims that Facebook data may have been illegally acquired and used on behalf of political clients.Both Cambridge Analytica and Facebook deny any wrongdoing.Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (Chris Ratcliffe/PA)The move follows the issue of a demand for access, on March 7 , to which the
  
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• Ireland ‘In Full Solidarity’ With UK Over Nerve Agent Attack, Says Taoiseach

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Ireland stands in full solidarity with the UK following the “loathsome and reprehensible” poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, the Taoiseach said.The EU has urged Russia to address the UK’s questions and called for full disclosure of its development of Novichok, the nerve agent used.Leo Varadkar said it was important to stick together.“An attempted assassination or a chemical attack, no matter who does it, is something that we&rsq
  
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• In Pictures: Sport And Food On Menu At Kate’S Last Events Before Maternity Leave

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Duchess of Cambridge has carried out her final official engagements before taking maternity leave ahead of the birth of her third child, due in April.Kate looked glowing as she arrived to watch wheelchair basketball during a SportsAid event at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park, London (Chris Jackson/PA)The duchess was met by an enthusiastic crowd on her arrival (Jonathan Brady/PA)She was joined by the Duke of Cambridge (Chris Jackson/PA)It was all smiles as the duchess met some of those wai
  
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• In Pictures: Countdown Begins As Invitations Are Printed For Royal Wedding

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The invitations for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May are rolling off the press at the workshop of Barnard and Westwood  in London.Lottie Small uses the die stamping press at the workshop of Barnard and Westwood (Victoria Jones/PA)Lottie Small cuts the crests being used on the invitations (Victoria Jones/PA)The invitations are being printed for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Victoria Jones/PA)The die stamping press at the Barnard and Westwood worksho
  
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• Government Defends Choice Of Passport Manufacturer After Furore

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Home Office has defended the selection of a Franco-Dutch firm to make the new post-Brexit blue passport, saying the choice will save taxpayers about £120 million.Ministers came under fire after reports emerged that the travel document would be manufactured in France.In December the Government announced that the UK passport would change from the standard EU burgundy colour to a blue and gold design after leaving the bloc.The blue cover was billed as a return to the “iconic”
  
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• Financial Times Reports Gender Pay Gap Of Nearly 20%

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Financial Times has revealed a median gender pay gap of 19.4%, the latest in a string of print media organisations to release such figures.The FT said the gap reflected the fact they “have fewer women than men at senior levels” in the organisation.The newspaper company said they were making progress in reaching their target of gender parity across its leadership.Other print media organisations which have published their median gender pay gaps include the Economist (29.5%) and the
  
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• Facebook Revelations ‘Turning Point’ In Attitudes To Online Data – Hancock

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The revelations about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica have marked a “turning point” in people’s attitudes to their online data, Matt Hancock said.The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary said he understood why people were deleting their accounts with the social media giant and promised the Information Commissioner would also be given beefed-up powers.But the data watchdog has yet to be granted a warrant to search CA’s computers as part of its current investig
  
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• EU Leaders Back Lib Dem Call For Public To Decide On Brexit Deal

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Eight EU leaders have signed a statement backing Liberal Democrat calls for the British public to have the final say on any Brexit deal.The joint statement – backed by prime ministers of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia and the Czech Republic – was released after Sir Vince Cable travelled to Brussels for a meeting with fellow liberal leaders on the margins of the European Council.Sir Vince – who is campaigning for a second referendum on
  
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• Ellie Butler’S Murder By Father Cannot Have Been In Vain, Pledges Grandfather

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Ellie Butler’s grandfather vowed her death “cannot have been in vain” as he described her murderer father as a “brutal maniac” in an inquest into her death.The six-year-old girl was beaten to death by Ben Butler at their family home in Sutton, south London, in October 2013.She had been placed in the care of her grandparents as a baby after Butler was accused of shaking her.Ellie was returned to live with her birth parents in November 2012 after a ruling by Mrs Justi
  
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• Doctors Cleared To Take Blood Samples Of Sergei Skripal And Daughter

  22-03-2018 18:43
  A judge has given doctors permission to take blood samples from Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia so that tests can be carried out by chemical weapons experts, following a hearing in a specialist court.Mr Justice Williams has made a ruling following a hearing in the Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions are considered, in London.He said both Mr and Ms Skripal were unconscious in hospital in Salisbury and therefore unable to give t
  
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• Deepcut Barracks Staff ‘Guilty’ Over Private’S Death, Inquest Told

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Staff at Deepcut barracks were “guilty” over the death of Private Sean Benton, an inquest has heard.On June 9 1995, Pte Benton was found with five bullets in his chest, shortly after he had been told he was to be discharged from the Army.He was the first of four young soldiers to die of gunshot wounds at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002.A fresh inquest into the death of the 20-year-old at Woking Coroner’s Court has heard claims of bullying at the barracks, with allegat
  
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• Councils ‘Should Improve Footpaths To Help More People Get Active’

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Councils should improve the quality of footpaths by repairing potholes and stopping motorists from parking on pavements to encourage people to become more active, a health body has said.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has published guidance which calls for local authorities to widen footpaths and ensure street lighting is working to improve routes for cyclists, pedestrians and other users.The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents 370 cou
  
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• Cardinal Keith O’Brien’S Funeral To Be Held In Newcastle

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The funeral of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, formerly the Catholic Church’s most senior figure in Britain, is to be held in Newcastle next month.The 80-year-old, who resigned as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh in 2013 after admitting sexual misconduct, had recently been injured in a fall and died in a Newcastle hospital on Monday.The Catholic Church has announced the requiem mass will take place at the Church of St Michael in Newcastle on April 5 with Cardinal Vincent
  
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• Calls For Action After Figures Show One Million Scots Living In Poverty

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Campaigners have demanded action after “shocking” figures revealed one million Scots are living in poverty after they have paid their rent or mortgage bills.Scottish Government statistics showed that in 2016-17 there were 1,020,000 people suffering from relative poverty after housing costs had been taken into consideration.Over the three-year rolling period 2014 to 2017, the figure was 1,000,000 a year – a rise from 970,000 in the previous three years and the highest total
  
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• Business Pledge Scheme To Be Reviewed, MSPs Told

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The Scottish Government is to review the Scottish Business Pledge scheme to encourage more firms to sign up.The programme was launched in May 2015 to promote fair work practices, including paying the living wage, and boost productivity.So far, 450 firms have joined, employability and training minister Jamie Hepburn told MSPs.To sign up to the pledge, a company must commit to paying the living wage of £8.75 an hour and to at least two other criteria, ranging from not using zero hour contrac
  
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• Aberdeen Bypass Opening Delayed Until Autumn

  22-03-2018 18:43
  The opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is expected to be delayed until late autumn, the Economy Secretary has said.The Scottish Government had hoped the £745 million project would be completed by the spring following previous setbacks.However, Keith Brown told MSPs the further delay had been caused by adverse weather, contractor disputes and the collapse of construction giant Carillion.Questioned Transport Minister over #AWPR delay, raising concerns over lack of commun
  
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• 40 Women Saved From Sexual Exploitation Amid International Trafficking Swoop

  22-03-2018 18:43
  Nearly 40 women who were sexually exploited and forced to live in unsafe cave-like houses have been freed from a gang of human traffickers.It follows an international operation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA) plus Spanish and Nigerian law enforcement officials.Some 89 people – including the gang leader – have been arrested on suspicion of association to criminal organisations, modern slavery and money laundering.The victims, who were Nigerian and mostly under 18 y
  
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• £30 Million Announced To Tackle Hospital Waiting Lists

  22-03-2018 18:43
  A £30 million cash injection to tackle hospital waiting lists has been announced by the Department of Health.The money will be used to target inpatient and outpatient lists with priority given to urgent cases and the longest lists, officials have said.The money will come from the £100 million “transformation” fund made available as part of a confidence and supply agreement between the DUP and Conservatives.Richard Pengelly, Department of Health permanent secretary, s
  
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• Electoral test

  22-03-2018 18:19 via bbc.co.uk
  Seats on more than 150 councils in England are up for grabs and there are several mayoral contests.
  
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• Brexit Briefing: So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

  22-03-2018 18:14
   You can sign up for this briefing by clicking here, and you’ll receive it straight to your inbox every Thursday afternoon.If you like what you read, make sure you subscribe to our Commons People podcast here for even more analysis about what goes on in Westminster. 1) If You Avoid The Really Difficult Stuff, Negotiations Can Be Quite SimpleDavid Davis and Michel Barnier took to the stage in Brussels on Monday to reveal that, in keeping with the odds, a post-March
  
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