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Tewkesbury homes without water after pipe burst - BBC News
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2017-12-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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About 10,000 homes and businesses are without water and schools are closed in Tewkesbury.
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Gloucestershire
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Bottled water is being distributed from a supermarket car park in Tewkesbury
Some 10,000 homes and businesses have been left without water due to a burst main.
Thirteen schools have also been closed in Tewkesbury, north Gloucestershire, as engineers work to repair the burst.
Severn Trent Water used a helicopter and drones to locate the problem.
It apologised and confirmed "water is gradually returning to normal for customers in Tewkesbury" and added it "aims to have everyone restored tonight as quickly as possible".
Tens of thousands of litres of bottled water are currently being distributed across three water handout sites.
The firm said it was using tankers to inject water directly into pipes to help customers.
A spokesperson said: "As it's a wide area that's been affected, it's a complicated job to get the system back to normal and it will take a while for the pipes to refill, so please bear with us.
"There may be some intermittent supplies or poor pressure overnight while we get everything sorted."
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post by Severn Trent This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Many local supermarkets quickly sold out of bottled water as news of the outage spread.
Queues quickly built up for bottled water as supermarket shelves were stripped
It is the second major leak to hit the utility in recent months.
In October more than 7,000 households had no water in Churchdown, Cheltenham, after a 24in (60cm) main ruptured.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-42355283
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Geminid meteor shower dazzles over northern hemisphere - BBC News
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2017-12-15
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If you missed the annual Geminid meteor shower, cameras captured the celestial display over China.
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Each December, the Geminid meteor shower illuminates the night sky with a massive display of shooting stars. Cameras over China captured the peak of the show.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42361133
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One Culture: two generations - BBC News
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2017-12-16
| null |
A Ghanaian father and son rebuild their relationship after a stint in prison pulled them apart.
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In this series BBC Stories will be talking to British families and exploring the differences between first and second generation immigrants. It will delve into the cultural nuances that shape their relationships.
In the first episode we meet a Ghanaian father who has only recently come to terms with his son's criminal past.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-42372174
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Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur - BBC Sport
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2017-12-16
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Pep Guardiola says Kevin de Bruyne is helping Manchester City become "a better institution" after his display in the win over Spurs.
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Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Pep Guardiola said Kevin de Bruyne is helping Manchester City become "a better institution" after the playmaker put in an inspired performance to help his side outclass Tottenham for a 16th successive Premier League victory that stretched their lead to 14 points.
Ilkay Gundogan, in for the absent David Silva, headed City in front from a corner after 14 minutes and the only surprise was that it took until 20 minutes before time until man-of-the-match De Bruyne's powerful shot extended their advantage.
Gabriel Jesus struck the post with a penalty after Jan Vertonghen fouled De Bruyne but Raheem Sterling crowned a sweeping move with a simple finish to put the game well and truly out of Spurs' reach.
Sterling then took advantage of Eric Dier's mistake to walk in the fourth for his 15th goal of the season before Spurs - for whom Harry Kane and Dele Alli were lucky not to get red cards from referee Craig Pawson for challenges on Sterling and De Bruyne respectively - pulled one back in stoppage time through Christian Eriksen.
Boss Guardiola singled out De Bruyne for praise as he highlighted the Belgium international's work without the ball, calling it "a good example for the young players, for our academy".
"They know how good Kevin De Bruyne is and when they see how he runs and fights without the ball, that is the best example," added Guardiola.
"He helps us to be a better club, a better institution for the future, because that is what we want to do. His performance, I have no words to describe what he has done with the ball.
"And overall, without the ball, he is able to make pressure from 40 metres to the goalkeeper. And when that happens, the people who are behind him think 'if that guy runs like this, I have to run as well'."
How can anyone stop Manchester City?
It is the question being asked on a weekly basis - and no-one is any nearer finding the answer after another imperious performance from a City side who are surely now too far ahead to be caught in the Premier League title race.
Jose Mourinho went for a cautious approach with Manchester United in Sunday's derby at Old Trafford and was unpicked by the magic of David Silva as City won 2-1.
Silva was absent here and Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham adopted a more positive outlook - but this time the brilliant De Bruyne was the inspiration as another method was tried and failed against Guardiola's almost flawless side.
City swarmed all over Spurs, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris often put under pressure in possession and in the end it was quite simply all too much for Pochettino's side, as it has been for pretty much everyone this season.
Only Everton have taken a point against City this season with a 1-1 draw in the second league game of the season at Etihad Stadium - and it is difficult to see how this winning run can be stopped as they play with such threat and variety.
Even when City are threatened, Guardiola has successfully solved a problem which dogged his first season at the club with the acquisition of an excellent goalkeeper in Brazilian Ederson.
When Spurs looked dangerous for a brief period at the start of the second half, Ederson made a superb flying save to his right from Harry Kane.
If there is a weakness in this City side no-one has yet found it.
Silva may have been missing but this Manchester City side has more than enough brilliance to rely on one player - and it was De Bruyne who orchestrated the destruction of Spurs.
The Belgian had simply too much in his armoury, even shrugging off Dele Alli's crude challenge which left the England midfielder fortunate only to get a yellow card from referee Pawson.
Indeed, De Bruyne turned his anger on Spurs, scoring City's second shortly after with a shot that was too fierce for keeper Lloris, drawing a foul from countryman Jan Vertonghen to earn the penalty that Jesus missed and playing a part in setting up the third for Sterling.
Spurs, like many before them, found that if they closed down one option, Manchester City found another.
And at the heart of it all was De Bruyne, now a world-class talent in a truly outstanding team.
Guardiola added: "The performance of Kevin de Bruyne, you cannot imagine how good he plays with the ball, but he runs like a player in the Conference league - it is easier for the manager and the club."
'His feet are like paintbrushes'
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Match of the Day:
Kevin de Bruyne's feet are like paintbrushes, he's an artist. He's a thinking footballer, so creative, he creates chances for everyone and he'll take his own when he gets them.
He'll work hard for you as well. Young kids watching this, he's not admiring passes. He wants to get after things, there's an energy and desire in his football.
He wants to work hard, he's giving his manager everything, he's on fire - the world is his oyster at the moment. He's taking people out of their seats. The calibre of football he's playing is outstanding.
Spurs disappoint again - Alli most of all
Spurs were yet again found wanting on their travels against a team they had hoped to be challenging for the Premier League title.
As at Manchester United and Arsenal this season, Spurs never looked like securing the sort of statement victory that suggests they could bridge the gap from Premier League runners-up last season to champions this term.
Since they won 2-1 here in February 2016, they have not won in 10 away games against other teams in the so-called "big six", losing six and drawing four.
It is a telling statistic - although Pochettino is unlikely to believe it is because his players are struggling to climb a psychological barrier.
One of the most disappointing aspects of this defeat was the lack of impact from Alli, whose main contribution was that spiteful tackle on De Bruyne.
He was a peripheral figure and was roundly booed by City's fans when he was unsurprisingly substituted late on.
'Thanks to the club for these amazing players'
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "They have good quality, but we played really good to beat one of the strongest teams in the Premier League.
"Without the ball we are a humble team."
On City's record winning run: "Since August we are so happy and I admire the most the way we play without the ball - thank you to the club to provide me with these amazing players.
"We are on a good streak, but in three days we have another one."
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: "I think it was a good experience for the team, when you win and play well you maybe don't learn, so you must learn this type of game. We have a lot of positive things, because we played a team in very good form with very good momentum.
"It wasn't bad at the start, but the way we conceded from a corner was a big mistake and a massive present for them. When you play a team in very good form, you cannot give away these gifts.
"When you're playing a team with good quality, if we take risks, we give them the possibility of making chances. We tried to play, but they were better, we have to congratulate them. So far, they are the best team in England."
City prove again to be Lloris' bogey side
• None Guardiola is still three victories away from his best-ever winning streak in league football as a manager - 19 consecutive wins with Bayern Munich between October 2013 and March 2014.
• None Since taking over at White Hart Lane in August 2014, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has enjoyed just one victory in his 18 Premier League games away to the 'big six' (W1 D6 L11).
• None Tottenham's first shot on target came in the 55th minute, the longest they've had to wait in a Premier League game this season.
• None Tottenham directed just two shots on target in the game, compared to Manchester City's 11, the biggest negative difference for the Lilywhites in a Premier League game since December 2013 against Liverpool (-10).
• None Sane has been directly involved in 11 goals in eight Premier League home games this season (five goals, six assists), more than any other player.
• None De Bruyne has been directly involved in 14 goals in his 15 Premier League appearances since the start of September (six goals, eight assists).
• None Gundogan's opener was the 200th Premier League goal Lloris has conceded (203 in total now); 25 of them have come against Manchester City.
City are at Leicester on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup quarter-final (19:45 GMT) and then host Bournemouth in the league next Saturday at 15:00. Tottenham are at Burnley next Saturday (17:30).
• None Relive the action from the Etihad Stadium
• None Goal! Manchester City 4, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Manchester City 4, Tottenham Hotspur 0. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
• None Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
• None Attempt saved. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
• None Goal! Manchester City 3, Tottenham Hotspur 0. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Leroy Sané. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42290590
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Salford fatal fire: Family 'won't be broken' - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The children's mother remains in hospital in a coma "bandaged from head to foot".
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Manchester
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The children's aunt Claire Pearson shared her memories of them
The aunt of four children who died in a house fire in Salford says the family is trying to cope with their grief but "nothing will ever break us".
Demi Pearson, 15, and siblings Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven, died in the blaze in Walkden on Monday. Lia, three, died in hospital on Wednesday.
Claire Pearson said: "What's happened is tragic but it won't separate this family. We are all very close."
Her sister and the children's mother, Michelle, 35, is in hospital in a coma.
Two men and a woman appeared in court earlier charged with murdering the siblings. They were remanded in custody until 9 March for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Ms Pearson says her sister is "an amazing woman" and the house on Jackson Street "was like a youth club with the amount of kids" who would visit.
"She was such a mother to everybody else's kids as well as her own," she said.
"When it was family time they'd all cuddle up on the couch together, they were so close.
"Lacie was a little diva, she didn't stop dancing. Lia was obsessed with Peppa Pig. Brandon and Lacie were so close."
The family said they were "dreading the day" they have to tell Michelle "the awful news about her babies".
Lia, Demi, Brandon and Lacie died following Monday's fire, while their mum Michelle is still in a coma
Speaking of how the family feels, she said: "You can't feel pain, you can't feel grief, you can't feel anything, you're so numb inside, it's too much to take in."
Mike Pearson, Michelle's father, said: "The kids were just like any other kids. They were very supportive, very independent, but very tightly-knit.
"Demi was a little star. She'd been a diabetic and had problems in and out of hospital with that but nothing phased her, she was a beautiful girl.
"Brandon was quite funny, he was more like a school teacher, he was so intelligent."
Mike Pearson said Michelle Pearson is expected to be in a medically-induced coma for the next three or four weeks
He described Michelle, who they said was in critical but stable condition, as "fiercely independent".
"Michelle would do things her way. She loved her kids to pieces, she'd look after anyone. She was a friend to everyone," he said.
"She didn't have a bad word to say about anyone. She had a heart of gold, but she was nobody's fool, she'd stand her corner."
He said the family has recently been to church to pray for her recovery.
"She's so badly burned, she's bandaged from head to foot, she looks like a mummy and she's going to be in the medically-induced coma for the next three or four weeks," he said.
"It's going to be a long road but hopefully she'll pull through. Whether she'll have the fight, I don't know. I'm hoping she'll get the strength from somewhere but she's lost all her babies and that's the heartbreaking thing.
"We've got to focus on Michelle and try and be there for her."
Claire Pearson said the house on Jackson Street "was like a youth club with the amount of kids" who visited
He added he was "gobsmacked" at the support the family has received from the local community.
"The outpouring of love and support, it's been overwhelming. People have come from miles to leave flowers and teddy bears and messages of support," he said.
"They've been absolutely outstanding. We thank everyone for the messages and the love."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42360628
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Unilever sells margarine business to KKR for £6bn - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The Anglo-Dutch firm is selling brands including Flora and ProActiv to the private equity giant.
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Business
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Unilever has agreed to sell its margarine and spreads business, which include Flora and ProActiv, to private equity giant KKR for €6.8bn ($8bn; £6bn).
The move follows a wide-ranging review of its business which was prompted by a takeover attempt by rival Kraft.
Unilever said it would look for a buyer of the spreads business in April.
At the time, it said the firm would step up its cost-cutting, aiming for a 20% margin by 2020.
It said the margarine business was a "declining segment" that could be "better managed by others".
As well as Flora and ProActiv, it also owns I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Bertolli.
Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever, said: "The announcement today marks a further step in reshaping and sharpening our portfolio for long term growth.
"I am confident that under KKR's ownership, the spreads business, with its iconic brands, will be able to fulfil its full potential as well as societal responsibilities."
It operates across more than 190 countries.
The deal is expected to be completed in the middle of next year, and is subject to regulator approval in certain jurisdictions.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42365300
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US tax bill: Republicans agree sweeping changes - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Senate and House lawmakers reveal final details of the biggest change to the US tax code in 30 years.
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US & Canada
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Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, revealed details of the final bill to reporters
US Republicans from both houses of Congress have revealed their joint bill for the biggest overhaul of the country's tax system in 30 years.
The plan brings the US corporate tax rate down to 21% from the current 35%.
The top individual income tax drops to 37% from 39.6%.
President Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to cut taxes, and passing the legislation marks a significant victory. He has said he wants the bill signed into law before Christmas.
Democrats have argued that the tax cuts will favour only the rich and offer little to the middle class. The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation said on Friday the measures would add as much as $1.4tn (£1tn) to the $20tn national debt over 10 years.
The Senate and the House of Representatives - which both have Republican majorities - are due to vote on the measures next week.
Friday's agreement came after hours of talks in which the bill's supporters sought to win over wavering Republicans.
Senator Marco Rubio added his support following changes to child tax credit, reports said. Fellow Senator Bob Corker, who had opposed the original bill, also said he would back the draft bill despite reservations.
Kevin Brady, Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he was "very excited about this moment".
"It's been 31 years in the making and took a lot of hard work," he told reporters.
The pieces are falling in place for Donald Trump's tax bill, which now seems almost guaranteed to become law.
This will certainly satisfy critics within the Republican Party, particularly the big-business donors, who were lamenting Congress's inability to enact even modest parts of their party's legislative agenda. The question, however, is whether the success here will do anything to reverse the president's low poll numbers and dispel the growing consensus that Republicans are in for a rough ride in next year's mid-term congressional elections.
At the very least this will make it easier for the party incumbents to survive primary challenges from anti-establishment outsiders who otherwise would have railed against a do-nothing Congress.
The tax bill's overall unpopularity according to recent polls, however, may do little to improve the party's standings in the eyes of the general public. Cutting corporate tax rates, whether or not it is in the long-term interest of the nation, is unlikely to capture the imagination of the average American.
Republicans are now in a position to fully take credit for a booming economy, however - and they have 11 months to make the case to voters that they deserve to stay in power.
The proposed new measures ran into opposition from a senior UN official on Friday, who said they could worsen social inequality in the US.
Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty who has been on a two-week fact-finding visit to US States, said the tax bill threatened to "blow apart" social welfare provision.
"The US Congress is trying desperately to pass a tax bill that, if adopted, would represent the single most dramatic increase in inequality that could be imagined," he said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42375149
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Aberdeen school bus crash driver named by police - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The family of Ian Fordyce have described him as "well known and popular with everyone he met".
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NE Scotland, Orkney & Shetland
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Ian Fordyce died on Friday when his bus crashed into a lorry
Police have named the bus driver who died in a school bus crash on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
Ian Fordyce was killed when the bus he was driving collided with a lorry and a car on the B979 South Deeside Road, near Maryculter Bridge, on Friday morning.
The 68-year-old from Dundee had driven coaches for more than 40 years.
In a statement, his family said he would be "a sorely missed brother, father, grandfather and friend".
The crash happened at about 07:45 on Friday and involved a red Audi A5 car, a white DAF lorry and the bus.
Mr Fordyce's family statement also said: "Ian, affectionately known as 'Fingers' to most of his friends was very well known and popular with everyone he met.''
The school bus collided with a car and a truck.
"He drove coaches for 40 years and loved every minute of it. He will be a sorely missed brother, father, grandfather and friend.''
Sgt Rob Warnock, of Police Scotland, said: "This was a tragic incident which has resulted in a 68-year-old man losing his life.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
The drivers of the car and lorry involved were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with non-life threatening injuries.
The bus involved was carrying pupils, of primary and secondary age, from Lathallan private school in Johnshaven.
None of the 13 children on the bus at the time suffered serious injury.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42379269
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Deaths of Canada billionaire Barry Sherman and wife 'suspicious' - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Barry and Honey Sherman were discovered in the basement of their Toronto home by an estate agent.
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US & Canada
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Honey and Barry Sherman were renowned for their charity fundraising
A Canadian billionaire and his wife have been found dead at their home in Toronto in circumstances that police described as "suspicious".
The bodies of Barry Sherman and his wife Honey were found in the basement by an estate agent, reports said.
Mr Sherman was the founder and chairman of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, which sells generic medicines around the world.
He was one of Canada's richest men and a prominent philanthropist.
There was no sign of forced entry to the property, police said in a statement Friday evening. Local media reported that investigators were not searching for a suspect at this time.
Detective Brandon Price told Canadian broadcaster CBC that investigators were still trying to determine if there was foul play involved.
Police gave few details and did not confirm the identities of the deceased. However, they were named locally by friends and by officials who reacted with shock at the news.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post by Justin Trudeau This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
"I am beyond words right now," Ontario's Health Minister Eric Hoskins said on Twitter.
"My dear friends Barry and Honey Sherman have been found dead. Wonderful human beings, incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care."
Senator Linda Frum presented the couple with a Canadian 150th anniversary medal in late November, awarded to Canadians for "generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work".
"Today I am gutted by the loss of Honey and Barry Sherman. Our community is steeped in grief. I am heartbroken," she said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the couple's family and friends.
The bodies, covered in blankets, were removed from the house in north-east Toronto
The house was on sale for C$7m ($5.4m; £4m)
A police spokesman said emergency services were called to the house just before noon on Friday.
"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," said Constable David Hopkinson.
The couple had recently put their luxury home up for sale and their bodies were found by an estate agent who was at the property to prepare it for an open-house viewing, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported, citing a family member.
Apotex said in a statement: "All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
The couple had four children.
Mr Sherman founded Apotex Inc in 1974 and the firm says it is now the seventh biggest generic drug maker in the world.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42375152
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Former PM takes on UK-China investment role - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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David Cameron is to lead a £750m fund to improve links between Britain and China, the government says.
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UK
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As prime minister, David Cameron said the UK and China were in a "golden era" of trade relations
David Cameron is to take on a new role leading a UK government-backed investment initiative between Britain and China.
The former prime minister will take charge of a £750m ($1bn) fund to improve ports, roads and rail networks between China and its trading partners.
The government said working with China's Belt and Road Initiative would create jobs and boost trade links.
It comes after Chancellor Philip Hammond's two-day trip to China.
The Belt and Road Initiative was first unveiled in 2013, but this year China's President Xi Jinping pledged £96bn ($124bn) for the scheme.
The Chinese government said it would invest tens of billions of dollars as part of an ambitious economic plan to rebuild ports, roads and rail networks linking China and its trading partners.
President Xi intends on developing ancient trade routes through China and Europe to make it easier for the world to trade with China.
China hopes that by improving and creating trade links with other countries - by sea and rail - will help boost its economic growth of the Asian superpower, which has slowed in recent years.
A statement from the Treasury also detailed progress on allowing British banks and insurers to access the Asian superpower's bond and insurance markets.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. What China's One Belt, One Road really means
David Cameron has adopted a fairly low profile since he left Downing Street last year.
He's campaigned for more research into dementia and stuck by the national citizen service he set up in office.
Now he'll be involved in investing hundreds of millions of pounds in projects linked to China's awkwardly named Belt and Road Initiative.
The private fund will be supported by the British government but won't involve any taxpayer's money.
It will focus on projects in the UK and China and countries that China assists in central Asia and Europe.
China's plan is not without controversy though as some critics see it as a global push to increase Beijing's political influence and presence.
Mr Cameron championed a drive to increase trade ties with China while he was prime minister, marking what both sides now call a "golden era".
Reuters news agency said the UK and China had agreed to accelerate preparations for a London-Shanghai stock connect programme.
But the BBC understand plans to link the London Stock Exchange with its counterparts in Shanghai and Shenzhen remain at the "research stage".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42377177
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December shopper footfall down 'significantly' - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The bad weather and rise in online shopping are both factors in the drop, retail researchers say.
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UK
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The number of people out shopping in the UK in the first two weeks of December fell "significantly" compared to last year, retail researchers say.
Analysis firm Springboard found a 4.9% decrease in footfall at shopping centres, retail parks and high streets.
Bad weather and rise in online shopping were both factors in the decline, according to Diane Wehrle.
The figures come as a retail analyst said it expected shops to make big discounts in the week before Christmas.
Consultancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) said it was anticipating more retailers to be discounting in the week leading up to Christmas than during the Black Friday weekend.
Springboard's analysis for this month - up to 14 December - showed that the number of people visiting shops compared to the same period last year fell by 4.9% - almost three times the 1.7% decrease in 2016.
Ms Wehrle said last week's snow had a "clear impact" on footfall, but was just one of a number of factors.
She said: "The reasons are associated with budgetary constraints, due to inflation and the recent interest rate rise, but also due to the heavy discounting in November.
"Black Friday pulled spending forward, thereby impacting on customer activity in December. And of course all of this is set against a backdrop of a continuing rise in online spending."
She added that while online spending accounts for about 15% of total retail spending, it is rising approximately 10% year on year.
Meanwhile, PwC said it expected retailers to make big discounts in the final week before Christmas to convince shoppers to keep spending throughout the festive period.
The firm has analysed the number of promotions advertised in shops and online during November and December for the past seven years.
It found that many of the retailers offering promotions during the Black Friday weekend in late November returned to full price sales by the beginning of December, before relaunching discounts in the lead up to Christmas.
Lisa Hooker, consumer markets leader at PwC, said: "As we rapidly approach Christmas itself, we are already seeing an uptick in promotional activity as retailers try to attract customers through their doors and clear festive stock."
Earlier this week it was revealed that Black Friday helped retail sales to grow by 1.1% last month - despite average prices rising faster than average wages.
The six weeks from the end of November to the start of January account for up to half of any major retailer's annual profits.
Have a bad Christmas, and you'll have a bad year.
Add in falling real incomes because inflation is high and wage growth is modest, and retailers are especially nervous this year.
So that's why some of them are offering decent discounts in the very fortnight before Christmas that they need to maximise their margins (profits). And the reason? Competition.
The rivalry on - and offline - between retailers is intense. No flash sale by a large company, will go unmatched by its rivals.
And consumers, thanks to the internet, are now increasingly aware of sudden discounting. So bargains don't go a-begging.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42380375
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Holy cow! 'Stormy' the cow makes a break from live nativity - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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A live nativity scene led to a police chase when one participant managed to break out twice in a day.
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Stormy the cow kept Philadelphia law enforcement busy one morning with her repeated escapes from a live nativity scene.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42361134
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Tewkesbury homes without water after pipe burst - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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About 10,000 homes and businesses are without water and schools are closed in Tewkesbury.
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Gloucestershire
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Bottled water is being distributed from a supermarket car park in Tewkesbury
Some 10,000 homes and businesses have been left without water due to a burst main.
Thirteen schools have also been closed in Tewkesbury, north Gloucestershire, as engineers work to repair the burst.
Severn Trent Water used a helicopter and drones to locate the problem.
It apologised and confirmed "water is gradually returning to normal for customers in Tewkesbury" and added it "aims to have everyone restored tonight as quickly as possible".
Tens of thousands of litres of bottled water are currently being distributed across three water handout sites.
The firm said it was using tankers to inject water directly into pipes to help customers.
A spokesperson said: "As it's a wide area that's been affected, it's a complicated job to get the system back to normal and it will take a while for the pipes to refill, so please bear with us.
"There may be some intermittent supplies or poor pressure overnight while we get everything sorted."
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Many local supermarkets quickly sold out of bottled water as news of the outage spread.
Queues quickly built up for bottled water as supermarket shelves were stripped
It is the second major leak to hit the utility in recent months.
In October more than 7,000 households had no water in Churchdown, Cheltenham, after a 24in (60cm) main ruptured.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-42355283
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What is in Republican tax plan? - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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After weeks of lobbying and vote-trading, one of the biggest tax changes in US history is about to happen.
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Business
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What is in the US tax plan?
US lawmakers have unveiled the final draft of a bill set to be the most significant overhaul of the US tax code in a generation.
After weeks of politicking, lobbying and vote-trading, the Republican-controlled Congress is set to vote on the plan.
If it passes it will give President Donald Trump an early Christmas present - his first major piece of legislation since taking office.
Republicans say the tax cuts for businesses and families will unleash investment, spending and growth.
But critics say it will result in a huge transfer of wealth from poor to rich, and future generations will have to pay for it.
So what are the key points in the plan?
It's being described as the biggest single drop in corporation tax in US history.
Under current law, businesses face a range of tax rates, starting at 15% and rising to 35% on taxable income over $10m.
The new plan creates a single 21% corporate rate, effective in 2018.
That is low, but not quite as low as the 20% rate included in earlier versions of the plan.
That mandate is eliminated in the new code, a provision that the Joint Committee on Taxation projects could raise $318bn, since it is expected to lead to 13 million fewer people with insurance coverage.
The tax bill has aroused opposition, since many of the benefits go to the wealthy and large corporations
The US currently has seven tax brackets ranging from 10% to a top rate of 39.6%, which applies to income above about $418,000 for individuals and $471,00 for couples.
Under the new plan, some of those rates fall, including the top rate, which would be 37%, applicable to income over $500,000 for individuals and $600,000 for couples.
Under current law, inheritances worth more than about $5.5m for individuals and roughly $11m for couples are subject to a 40% tax.
The new plan roughly doubles the amount of inheritance exempt from tax.
Under current law, taxpayers can either claim a standard deduction or opt to deduct specific items.
The new plan roughly doubles the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples.
In exchange for that boost - which expires after 2025 and is intended to make the itemising option less attractive - the plan eliminates a slew of targeted benefits, such as deductions for moving expenses and tax preparation costs.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has championed the tax efforts. He says he wants families to be able file their taxes on a post card.
Republicans in the Senate attached a measure that will open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. That made it into the final version.
House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) addresses questions from reporters during the final negotiations
The Republican plan eliminates the personal exemption, which was worth roughly $4,000 and could be claimed for each member of a family.
To offset that move, the plan expands a tax credit for children.
That is currently worth $1,000 per child for families who make less than a certain amount. Under the new plan, it would be worth $2,000 and available to more families.
Debate over how much the child tax credit would be worth almost killed the bill, after Senator Marco Rubio, Republican from Florida, said he wanted the provision structured to be more generous for low income families.
Multinational companies currently pay US taxes on income earned abroad.
The new plan changes the code to a so-called territorial system, making companies responsible for income earned in the US.
It also creates new rules to prevent companies from unfairly taking advantage of the shift.
The plan also imposes one-time, ultra-low tax rates for corporate profits currently being held offshore, charged at 15.5% on liquid assets and 8% for illiquid assets.
US President Donald Trump has rallied support for tax changes, which he says will boost economic growth
Under current law, owners of businesses organised as so-called pass through entities pay taxes on profits based on the personal rate (since the profits "pass through" to the owners).
The new bill allows for 20% of that income to be deducted for households making less than $315,00. After that, the perk is only available to some businesses.
Republicans had threatened to eliminate a number of industry specific benefits. But the final version is less aggressive than earlier proposals.
For example, the bill preserves tax perks for wind energy.
The plan caps the deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000. Preserving some kind of deduction was important to Republicans from high-cost states such as California, New Jersey and New York.
It also retains the mortgage interest deduction, a priority of the powerful property lobby, while lowering the cap on what new mortgages are eligible for the perk from $1m to $750,000.
The bill does not subject graduate school tuition waivers to taxes, as had been proposed.
The plan also maintains, and temporarily expands, deductions for certain medical expenses.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42375212
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Brexit: Guidelines for the next stage of talks - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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What are the key phrases in the Brexit guidelines and what do they mean?
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UK Politics
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The European Council has said that Brexit talks can enter the second phase following last week's agreement.
As a result it has published its guidelines for the next stage of talks.
Here are some of the key phrases from that document.
Don't forget that there are plenty of crucial details that still need to be resolved before negotiations on a withdrawal agreement come to an end.
That means the financial settlement, citizens' rights and of course, the Irish border.
Sufficient progress is not the end of the story, but the text also makes it clear that there will be a concerted effort to lock in what has been agreed so far - and that if the EU detects any reluctance or backsliding from the UK then that will have a negative effect on discussions about the future.
Theresa May has already agreed that a transition of about two years will take place under existing EU rules and regulations, but the EU's text makes crystal clear what it believes that means.
The UK will have to accept all EU law (that's what the acquis means) including new laws passed during the transition itself.
But it will no longer have a seat at the table when those laws are made. To put it brutally - the UK will, for a while, become a rule-taker rather than a rule-maker.
Both sides talk of a strictly time-limited transition period, so there doesn't appear to be much appetite at the moment for extending it.
Quite what happens if a future trade deal isn't ready by the end of the transition, a scenario many experts think is quite possible, will have to be debated in the future.
During the transition, the UK will have to accept the full jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and all four freedoms - including the freedom of movement of people.
The EU says the UK will remain in the single market and the customs union during a transition, while the UK insists that it will leave both on Brexit day.
This could become a semantic argument, because by accepting all rules and regulations - in other words, the status quo - the UK will remain in the single market and the customs union whether it likes it or not.
The British government has suggested that some things - like dispute resolution mechanisms - could change during the transition as agreement is made on future co-operation. But there's little appetite in the EU for that - in its view, you're either in or you're out.
The EU 27 stress that they want a close partnership with the UK in the future, but here they are setting out the limits of what they could mean.
The further away the UK wants to be from the rules and regulations of the single market the less access it will have - there is no such thing as partial membership.
This gets us back to the unresolved debate about what "full alignment" at the Irish border really means in practice.
The phrase "preserve a level playing field" is important too. The EU is anxious to ensure that the UK doesn't try to undercut the EU in any way by having looser regulations in certain key areas, and, if it does, then there will be consequences.
EU negotiators won't have the authority to start discussions with the UK on future relations (including trade and also things like security and foreign policy) until another set of guidelines is adopted in March 2018.
That gives the two sides not much more than six months to agree the text of a broad political declaration on the outlines of the future relationship.
The EU hopes to get that finalised by October 2018, but it emphasises that formal trade negotiations can only begin after the UK has left the EU.
Informal contacts on what the future might look like are probably taking place already, but the EU is still waiting for greater clarity from London about what exactly the UK government hopes to achieve in the long term.
The UK is trying to be as ambitious as possible about what can be done before Brexit actually happens. The EU, though, emphasises that trade talks will have to continue long after the UK has left.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42367532
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Matthew Petersen: Trump's nominee for judge flubs law test - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Matthew Petersen's hearing goes wrong quickly when a Republican senator poses basic legal questions.
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Matthew Petersen may have trained as a lawyer, but judging by his confirmation hearing he's clearly out of practice.
President Trump's nominee for federal judge in the District of Columbia was asked a series of basic legal questions by a Republican senator. It did not go well.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42360539
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Fall pensioner, 95, waits six hours for ambulance - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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A 95-year-old man spent six hours in agony waiting for an ambulance after breaking his hip.
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A 95-year-old Middlesbrough man spent six hours in agony waiting for an ambulance after breaking his hip.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-42371584
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The beautiful flower with an ugly past - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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How the cornflower has become the centre of a political controversy in Austria.
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Magazine
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It looks simple - a pretty blue cornflower - but this plant is causing controversy in Austria. It's the chosen flower of the far-right Freedom Party, even though it was once associated with the Nazis.
Dieter Dorner takes a long sip of his Gemischtes, a mix of dark beer and lager, and smiles.
We are sitting in an inn in Untersiebenbrunn, a little town east of Vienna, where he is a councillor for the far-right Freedom Party. Over a meal of sausage, chips and locally grown white asparagus, he tells me about a planned dance.
In true Austrian fashion, it's to be a ball - the local Freedom party's first Cornflower Ball, Der Kornblumenball.
"We've never had a Freedom Party Ball in Untersiebenbrunn before," he explains. "So we said to ourselves, let's do something, let's have a ball. The band will play dance music. My favourite is the slow waltz."
The ball was arranged last September, but the timing is felicitous, because these days the Freedom Party in Untersiebenbrunn has a lot to celebrate. In the first round of voting in Austria's presidential election in April, 53% of people here voted for the Freedom Party candidate, Norbert Hofer.
Dotted through the town's leafy streets are the blue Freedom Party campaign placards and posters for the Kornblumenball, featuring a silhouette of a dancing couple in evening dress.
"Hasn't there been some controversy about the blue cornflower?" I ask. "Something to do with the Nazis?" Dieter shakes his head. "The cornflower is simply the Freedom Party flower and we like it," he says.
"To discuss what happened 80 years ago, or what didn't happen or perhaps happened doesn't bring us forward. There is certainly nothing deliberately nasty about it."
But other Austrians are not so sure.
"The cornflower is a complicated symbol," Vienna historian, Bernhard Weidinger, tells me. "It was the German Kaiser Wilhelm's favourite flower, and was used by pan-German nationalists in the 19th Century.
"Then between 1934 and 1938, when the Nazis were a banned party in Austria, it was the secret symbol they used to wear in order to recognise each other."
Nowadays, it's traditional for Austrian MPs to wear a flower in their buttonholes at the opening of parliament, he explains. The colour of the Freedom Party is blue, so they wear a cornflower.
"You are not a neo-Nazi if you wear a cornflower," he continues. "But it is fair to say that the Freedom Party cultivates a certain ambivalence when it comes to the past."
Their presidential hopeful, Norbert Hofer, continues to face sharp criticism about his occasional choice of floral decoration. In response to a question last week, he declared that he wanted nothing to do with the Nazis, and wouldn't let them take away things like the cornflower.
The Freedom Party has moved on a long way from the heyday of its firebrand leader, Joerg Haider, who died in a car crash in 2008. Back in the 1980s and 90s, Haider openly praised aspects of the Third Reich. These days, Freedom Party members who veer in that direction are quickly silenced or removed from their posts.
A day or so later I fall into conversation with a young man called Michael, in a park in Vienna.
It's a balmy spring evening, the chestnut trees are in bloom, and in the distance a jazz band is playing a free concert on an open-air podium. "What do you think about the Freedom Party and the cornflower?" I ask.
"I hate those people," he replies. "And the cornflower isn't great. But you know, I'm not quite as worried about their attitude towards the past as I am about their attitude to what's going on now. Their barely-concealed racism, their rhetoric against Muslims and refugees is really wrong."
A demonstrator at an anti-Hofer rally in Vienna holds up an image of the cornflower
He looks around at a family playing with their well-groomed dogs. "And the other thing that bothers me," he says, "is that they are working on people's fears and encouraging our worst instincts. Like Donald Trump does. Austria is better off than most countries in the world. It's safe - and in general life is pretty good here. But to hear the Freedom Party talk, you'd think we were living in some desperately difficult country." He shrugs.
I think back to my conversation with Dieter in the comfortable little town of Untersiebenbrunn. I had asked him if the Freedom Party was deliberately stirring up fears to gain votes.
"We don't create people's concerns, we express them," he had said. "We're worried about our future. When you have a lot, you also have a lot to lose."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36342362
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Santa Barbara evacuated as Thomas flares up again - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Strong winds drive the Thomas fire - now California's third-biggest on record - towards the coast.
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US & Canada
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Firefighters are dropping red flame retardant to try to quench the flames
Authorities in California have issued new evacuation orders as a huge wildfire flares up again in Santa Barbara County.
Meteorologists said fresh northerly winds were likely to drive the flames from the fire - named Thomas - towards the Pacific coast.
The blaze, the state's third largest on record, has now burnt almost 1,000 sq km (405 sq miles) since 4 December.
Two people are reported to have died as a result of the fire.
Fire apparatus engineer Cory Iverson was killed tackling the blaze last week, along with a woman, Virginia Rae Pesola, who was in a car crash as she evacuated.
The resurgence of strong "sundowner" winds combined with low humidity forecast for Sunday could fuel the flames and has prompted new mandatory evacuation orders for several Santa Barbara communities, including hillside homes in Montecito and Summerland.
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The fire has crossed the San Ysidro canyon, dashing firefighters' hope that it could be contained.
More than 8,000 firefighters are now tackling the blaze, which has destroyed about 1,000 structures including some 750 homes. The cost of the operation is now $104m (£78m), said Reuters news agency.
Using helicopters and planes to drop fire retardant on the flames, firefighters have managed to contain 40% of the blaze.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42381438
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US Republican tax plan: What you may have missed - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The Republican plan is filled with targeted perks despite promises to simplify the code.
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Business
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Republicans are hurrying to pass tax reform - leaving uncertainty about some provisions in the bill
Republicans are rushing to pass the biggest revamp of the US tax code in decades.
And despite promises to simplify the code and eliminate special interest loopholes, the bill is packed with targeted goodies.
What makes it into a final compromise between the House bill and the Senate bill remains to be seen.
In the meantime, here are some provisions you may have missed as lawmakers rush to finalise a plan.
Senator Lisa Murkowski attached a piece of legislation to the tax plan that would allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located in her home state of Alaska.
A man holds a sign during a 2005 rally to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling
Securing Senator Murkowski's support for the bill was critical after she broke with Republicans earlier this year on a healthcare repeal effort.
The House and Senate bills allow families to save money for education in tax-privileged accounts for children "at any stage of development" - including those carried in the womb.
That's a provision designed to appeal to pro-life members of Congress.
The bills would do away with a range of privileges enjoyed by sports teams, such as the tax-free status given to professional football leagues.
The House bill also strikes at tax-privileged financing for sports stadiums and a perk related to purchases of college athletics tickets.
Under current law, nonprofits - including churches and schools - cannot participate in political campaigns and retain their tax-free status.
Some groups, including evangelical churches, have chafed at that rule.
The House bill moves to reduce that risk, allowing nonprofits to make political statements, assuming they incur minimal expense and are made "in the ordinary course of the organisation's business".
The Senate bill widens the range of wine producers eligible for tax credits, among other special rules for the beer and wine industry.
Production of kombucha - fermented tea that contains small amounts of alcohol - gets a special call-out for exemption from certain taxes, thanks to an amendment introduced by a Colorado senator.
The Senate bill would exempt firms that manage private jets from having to pay federal excise tax - one of the fees charged on ticket sales of commercial flights.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2012 said private jet services were subject to the tax, but it has since been re-examining how to treat those payments.
The Senate bill allows firms to expense "certain costs" of replanting citrus plants - a win for growers in states such as Florida, where crops have been marred by disease.
The citrus industry has been hurt by a disease that affects the trees
Florida lawmakers tried to secure this kind of perk in 2016 as a standalone measure.
Current law limits how big a stake private foundations can hold in for-profit companies to discourage the creation of fake foundations.
The Senate bill removes those limits, provided the business meets certain requirements such as donating all profits to charity.
Politico reported the perk was a priority for Newman's Own, which sells food items including pasta sauce and salad dressing. It is just one example of the pet projects in the bill.
Under the Senate proposal, teachers can deduct up to $500 in classroom purchases - at least through 2025.
The perk was introduced in 2002 by Republican Senator Susan Collins, who holds a key vote in passing the bill. It was extended - and doubled - after its elimination in the House proposal.
During his campaign for president, Donald Trump pledged to eliminate this controversial benefit, which provides managers of companies - including private equity firms - a lower tax rate on money received for overseeing investments.
But the perk stands, although the House bill would require that the investment be held for at least three years to qualify for the lower rate, which was intended to encourage "long-term" capital investments.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42156530
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Disabled man's cancer care criticised - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The family of disabled man Ian Shaw were told he was dying - now he is responding well to cancer treatment.
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Health
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Ian's family were told he was dying
The failure to offer a learning disabled young man cancer treatment has been described as a shocking example of health inequalities by charities.
Ian Shaw was sent home to die, but a doctor queried that decision after seeing his story on the BBC.
Ian, 35, who has since been given chemotherapy, is now doing well.
The hospital involved has said his learning disabilities had not been a factor in the decision to put him on end-of-life care.
In December 2016, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
His parents say they were told by doctors nothing more could be done for him as the cancer had spread too far.
In February, he arrived home for what his family believed would be his final few months.
Ian, whose behaviour could at times be challenging, spent nearly a decade in secure units, moving between three different places.
His family believe in the units he was over-medicated and his health neglected.
They had to fight to get him moved to a supported home in the community, it was a few months after the move that the cancer was detected.
His parents believe it could have been found the year before when he was treated for a testicular swelling, if there had been a thorough investigation.
In July of this year, the BBC reported on Ian's case after it led to a call for the prime minister to appoint a commissioner to champion the rights of people with learning disabilities.
Sir Stephen Bubb, who had written two reports for NHS England on secure units, described Ian's case as "all too typical" of the continuing failures vulnerable people faced.
Dr Justin Wilson was watching the report on the BBC News at Six and Ten.
He is a psychiatrist who has also studied treatment of cancer in people with learning disabilities. He asked to be put in touch with the family.
He says: "Knowing that testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers that there is, I was surprised that the decision had been made not to provide treatment and I wanted to understand what that was about."
As a result, a second opinion was sought about Ian's treatment.
"My concern was that perhaps judgements were made about the quality of life that he has because of his severe learning disabilities and because of the physical impact of how the cancer has spread," says Dr Wilson.
"I'm also clearly aware that providing cancer treatment for someone with the problems that Ian has is a real challenge.
"It is really difficult to give the best possible treatment to somebody in that situation, but my view is those challenges can be overcome."
Ian is now undergoing chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital - and he is doing well.
A scan at the end of November showed after four rounds of chemotherapy the tumour, which had spread to his stomach, had shrunk.
Ian's mother, Jan, says: "Especially when I thought there was no treatment and no cure, it was just a waiting game, but now there is hope."
Ian was a patient at Luton and Dunstable Hospital when his family were told last February that he was terminally ill and could not be treated.
In a statement, the University Hospital Trust said a course of chemotherapy had been planned but Ian's condition had then worsened.
A range of experts had been consulted and it had been decided he had been too ill to undergo treatment.
It added: "The decision was therefore taken, in consultation with his family, to start palliative care.
"The trust can confirm that Mr Shaw's learning difficulties were not a factor in the decision to move to a palliative care pathway."
Ian's family were told he was dying
NHS England says it is working to reduce the health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities. But neither it nor the Department of Health wanted to comment on Ian's case.
NHS policy is that reasonable adjustments should be made to ensure that people with learning disabilities get the medical help they need.
In Ian's case, he is put under an anaesthetic for a short time while he is given the chemotherapy.
The tumour has affected Ian's spine so he is unable to walk, but after 10 months in bed, in November he was moved into a wheelchair.
In a joint statement, the charities Mencap and Challenging Behaviour Foundation said: "We know 1,200 people with a learning disability die every year when their lives could have been saved had they had access to good quality healthcare at the right time.
"Failures to train healthcare professionals on how to support patients with a learning disability and the refusal to involve families in key decisions about their loved one's health continue to contribute to this scandal of unequal health treatment."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42339856
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Tewkesbury: Most homes reconnected with water after burst pipe - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Severn Trent Water says most of the 10,000 customers cut off in the Tewkesbury area have now been reconnected.
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Gloucestershire
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Water collection points have been set up around the town
Most of the 10,000 homes and businesses cut off from water for a second day following a burst main have been reconnected.
Severn Trent said it had been repairing a broken pipe in Tewkesbury but the process was "ongoing" and would "continue steadily".
Water was earlier moved from other parts of the network, a spokesman said.
The firm has urged people to "be good neighbours" and consider their water usage.
The supply went off in the early hours of Friday but Severn Trent Water tweeted that most customers who were cut off have now been reconnected.
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"There is still a lot of work to do, and the system is very complicated and so will take a few hours to refill, so please bear with us," a Severn Trent spokesman said.
"The burst has happened on a 36-inch pipe, which is one of the biggest pipes we have in our network, and it's located in a flooded field which is making the repair work extremely difficult and trickier than usual.
"Overnight conditions were tricky, the river flooded, and so it's making it incredibly difficult to see what we're dealing with.
Engineers said the burst pipe was in a flooded field, making it difficult to repair
"Our priority has been to get supplies back on, before fixing the burst, so we're continuing to try and move water around the network in different ways and we're using a fleet of 20 tankers to inject water directly into our pipes to help get the water back on as quickly as we can."
Thousands of people have been without a water supply in their homes for more than 24 hours
More than 296,000 litres of bottled water has been handed out, the company said.
Two bottled water collection points have been set up at Morrisons in Barton Road and at Tewkesbury School in Ashchurch Road.
A third collection point that was in Gloucester Road car and coach park has been closed and will be moved to a new location.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-42377828
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Brexit: UK must not be EU 'colony' after Brexit - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Conservative backbenchers are split over the terms of a transition period once the UK leaves the EU.
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UK Politics
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Newsnight the EU's terms for a transition period are unacceptable.
A leading Brexiteer has said the UK cannot become a "colony" of the EU during the two year transition period after Britain's withdrawal in 2019.
EU leaders have agreed Brexit talks can move on, with the UK staying in the customs union, single market and under the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction during the transition.
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said that would be unacceptable.
But Tory remainer Ken Clarke said the UK must not "go off a cliff edge".
The former chancellor told BBC Newsnight that during the transition the UK would continue economically under the current terms, but would have left the union politically.
Otherwise, he said it would be a "disaster" if come March 2019 negotiations were not finished and the UK would have to resort to tariff and customs barriers.
"I doubt we'd get the planning permission for the lorry parks in time," he said.
However, Mr Rees-Mogg said leaving under these terms would be "a ridiculous position to be in".
"The transition which the EU is offering means that we're still effectively in the European Union for the following two years," he told Newsnight.
On Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May hailed an "important step" as Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, announced that all 27 EU leaders were happy to move on to the next phase of negotiations.
The first issue to be discussed, early next year, will be the details of the expected two-year transition period after the UK's exit.
The EU has published its guidelines which say: "As the UK will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market during the transition, it will have to continue to comply with EU trade policy."
The three-page document says the UK will remain under the jurisdiction of the ECJ and be required to permit freedom of movement during any transition period.
But Mr Rees-Mogg said such a situation would make the UK "a vassal" - or subordinate - state of the EU, having to accept laws "without any say-so" from the British people.
Mrs May suffered her first Commons Brexit defeat earlier this week when MPs voted to give Parliament a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.
Former cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the defeat was a "fuss about nothing".
Sir Oliver, who is backing an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill designed to avoid another rebellion over the timing of Brexit, told Today that he did not believe the vote earlier in the week "has much of an effect at all."
Among the Tories who rebelled in the vote was Mr Clarke, who told Newsnight his actions had in no way undermined the government's negotiating position.
He said he had since received a death threat, although he added it was not his first.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42375059
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ARA San Juan: Argentina navy chief sacked after loss of submarine - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Adm Marcelo Srur is sent into retirement following criticism of the operation to rescue the submarine.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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Adm Srur (right) is seen here with President Macri last month
The head of the Argentine navy has been sacked following the loss of a submarine and its crew in the South Atlantic last month.
The defence minister placed Adm Marcelo Srur in retirement on Friday night, it has emerged.
The ARA San Juan disappeared with 44 crew on board after reporting an electrical problem off the coast of Patagonia.
An international search operation has failed to locate the vessel.
Some ships are still searching in an area where a loud noise was recorded in the hours following the disappearance - possible evidence that the submarine imploded.
President Mauricio Macri has created a special independent commission to investigate the disappearance of the submarine, following criticism about the handling of the operation.
The commission will comprise three submariners - one the father of one of the disappeared crew.
Defence Minister Oscar Aguad has promised the investigation will be "transparent" and will have an unlimited budget.
The crew of the ARA San Juan comprises 43 men and one woman
"We ask that they always tell us the truth, that they keep us informed about what's happening," said Jorge Villareal, father of missing crew member Fernando, according to Efe news agency.
"We just find things out through the media."
Adm Srur, 60, was appointed by President Macri in January 2016.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42379720
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ANC: Zuma pleads for unity as party picks new leader - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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South Africa's governing party is picking a new head after a bitter leadership battle.
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Africa
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Mr Zuma said his ANC party was at a "crossroads"
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has called on the African National Congress (ANC) to stop infighting as it decides who will next lead the party.
Mr Zuma warned the future of the ANC was under threat, with South Africans "not happy" with it.
The main contenders to succeed him are the deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma's ex-wife.
Whoever wins is likely to succeed Mr Zuma as South African president.
But their bitter leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019.
President Zuma can remain head of state until those elections. He has been in office since 2009 and South Africa limits the presidency to two five-year terms.
The leadership contest is expected to be a close one, with legal challenges a possibility.
Addressing delegates at the beginning of a gathering to decide the next ANC leader, Mr Zuma said their movement was at a "crossroads".
"Petty squabbling that takes us nowhere needs to take back seat, our people are frustrated when we spend more time fighting among ourselves instead of solving the daily challenges they experience," he said.
Last year's disappointing results for the ANC in local elections, Mr Zuma said, "were a stark reminder that our people are not happy with the state of the ANC".
The leading candidates are Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa
President Zuma, 75, has been the focus of much controversy and has survived several votes of no confidence in parliament.
He faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing.
In his final speech as ANC president, he asserted that "theft and corruption" were as prominent in the private sector as they are in government. He added that "being black and successful is being made synonymous to being corrupt".
He lashed out at the media, which he said was not "impartial and fair". He also targeted the judiciary, arguing that the courts should have no role in deciding internal party matters.
For the leadership, President Zuma is backing his 68-year-old former wife, Ms Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran politician in her own right who has been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. What advice should South Africa's ruling party take on board?
Mr Ramaphosa, 65, has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community.
Recent news that he had a modest lead in the polls was quickly reflected by a rise in the financial markets.
Jacob Zuma came out fighting in his speech, hitting out at his critics both inside and outside the party.
It seemed like no one was spared - from ANC members who voted with the opposition to try and remove him, alliance partners who have booed him and called on him to stand down, to "counter-revolutionary forces" he said were intent on reversing the progress made since 1994, when apartheid was brought to an end.
Indeed, that idea of malevolent forces working to bring down both him and the ANC was a thread that ran right through his speech. Mr Zuma placed his fight against his opponents within the wider framework of the fight against apartheid.
He ended his speech by saying "I tried my best", and of those who tried to bring him down "I bear no grudges". He then led the room in song.
This was Jacob Zuma in his element: a rousing speaker, a fierce opponent, delivering cutting rebukes with charm and charisma.
More than 5,000 delegates are taking part in the four-day ANC elective conference at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
A vote on the new leader is expected on Sunday.
The first major engagement for the new leader will be the party's anniversary celebrations on 8 January.
The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago.
The BBC's Andrew Harding says a question remains whether the ANC is in terminal decline, and what that might mean for South Africa's stability and its future.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The ANC was the party of Nelson Mandela but have people lost faith under Jacob Zuma?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42375154
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Ashes: Steve Smith double century puts Australia in control - BBC Sport
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2017-12-16
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Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh put Australia in control of the third Ashes Test in Perth with huge centuries.
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Third Ashes Test, Waca (day three of five)
Australia captain Steve Smith struck a magnificent double century and Mitchell Marsh a huge hundred of his own to demoralise England on the third day of the third Ashes Test in Perth.
The fifth-wicket pair shared a stand of 301 as Australia racked up 549-4 at the Waca, a lead of 146.
Smith - who made 141 not out in his side's first-Test win in Brisbane - batted throughout the day, moving from his overnight 92 to an unbeaten 229, his highest Test score.
Marsh, on his return to the side, compiled his maiden Test ton on his home ground and was 181 not out at the close.
England managed only one wicket all day - their attack wholehearted but lacking the tools to be incisive on a flat pitch and under scorching sunshine.
Australia's remorselessness - they added 346 to their overnight 203-3 - highlighted the tourists' profligacy on the second day, when they lost six wickets for 35 runs to slip from 368-4 to 403 all out.
At 2-0 down, England must avoid defeat on a ground where they have not won since 1978 if they are to avoid surrendering the Ashes at the earliest possible opportunity.
With the chance of victory now looking slim, it is likely they will have to bat for much of the fourth and fifth days in order to save the game.
The pitch is only showing occasional signs of wear and there is rain forecast for Sunday and Monday - but they are only small crumbs of comfort for an England side who will have to face the fierce Australia attack after the best part of two days in the field.
• None 'Guts and determination' needed to keep Ashes alive
• None Reaction and analysis to third day's play
• None Podcast - Is Smith the best since Bradman?
Such was Smith's comfort, calmness and composure, a massive score seemed inevitable both when he arrived at the crease on Friday and again when he resumed on Saturday.
It was chanceless and ruthless from the skipper, who moved his batting average to 62.89, second to only the great Donald Bradman on the all-time list.
He reached his 22nd Test century in the fifth over of the day by clipping James Anderson through mid-wicket and, even then, there was the sense he was just getting started.
Twice Anderson asked for a review, once when the ball was missing leg stump and again after what was revealed to be a no-ball - and it would not have been given out in any case.
As on the second day, the off-side scoring was a feature of Smith's play as he became the first captain for 24 years to score a double hundred in an Ashes Test.
His celebrations on reaching 200 were animated and, by the close, he had 416 runs in the series at an average of 208.
• None How good is Smith and how do you get him out?
Marsh had played 21 previous Tests and averaged only 21 with the bat before being recalled to replace the out-of-form Peter Handscomb and give Australia an all-round option.
He entered after brother Shaun edged the off-spin of Moeen Ali to slip with the hosts still 155 behind and the second new ball looming.
The closest he came to offering an opportunity was an uppish drive towards mid-on off Craig Overton when he was on only one.
Patient and powerful, Marsh played drives down the ground and on both sides, as well some scything cut shots.
His century was reached with a square drive off Stuart Broad, his celebration an emotional run towards the dressing room.
As Smith was becalmed in the evening, Marsh accelerated and will be eyeing a double century when play gets back under way at 02:30 GMT on Sunday.
England did not bowl badly. At times they looked short of inspiration and their ground fielding was sometimes ragged - but that can be expected in such circumstances.
It was a day that further highlighted the limitations of their attack. Though Anderson and Broad have more than 900 Test wickets between them, England do not have the pace or quality spin to make openings when the conditions are hot and flat.
In eight consecutive away Tests - here and in India - the lowest first-innings total England have conceded is 328. On every other occasion the opposition have gone past 400.
The tourists went through numerous plans. Over and round the wicket, sometimes with as many as six men on the leg side. If anything, they did not spend enough time settled on a traditional line and length.
There was no lack of effort, though. Overton even bowled with a hairline crack of the rib, suffered when he was hit while batting in the second Test and aggravated when diving on Friday.
Smith and Marsh were simply immovable - and England had no answers.
'We need to stand up and fight' - reaction & analysis
England assistant coach Paul Farbrace on BT Sport: "Everybody has got to get stuck in, stand up and fight and scrap in the second innings.
"Until the Test match finishes, we have to believe you can get something out of it.
"It's going to be hard, but it is Test cricket. The best teams find a way to compete when their backs are against the wall. Now we need to show we have got character, we have got guts."
Mitchell Marsh, speaking to ABC about his maiden century: "It's taken me 22 Tests. I wasn't really nervous. I felt calm and that kept me going. I wasn't thinking about too much. Anything wide, I was just going to slash at.
"You aspire to do that every game you play for Australia. To have to wait this long, it's very sweet. It's why we play - we play to win and play to make big runs. It means a lot for me to make a 100 in front of my grandparents. They've watched every game in the past eight years.
"It's reward for all the hard work. I'm ecstatic. I'm a bit lost at the moment. I'll be having a cold beer tonight."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "Australia were ruthless today. You can achieve ruthlessness when you face an attack you're not fearful of and can't take you out of your bubble.
"It's nothing we should be surprised by. This has happened too consistently in Australia in the 21st century."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42377592
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'Shocking apathy' to fraternity drinking at Pennsylvania university - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Penn State allowed "sadistic" rituals and failed to protect its students, a blistering report finds.
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US & Canada
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Several fraternity members are still facing charges related to the death of Tim Piazza (centre)
A committee probing the Pennsylvania State University's response to drinking in fraternities has issued a blistering report following a student's death.
A grand jury found on Friday that administrators displayed a "shocking apathy" to dangerous levels of drinking and hazing in university social clubs.
The report claims officials knew of the dangers but did nothing.
The report says Tim Piazza, a 19 year old who died last February after binge drinking, "did not have to die".
Penn State officials have yet to comment on the damning report.
The findings say officials "were aware of the excessive and dangerous alcohol abuse indulged by fraternities, such that it was only a matter of time before a death would occur during a hazing event".
"The university bears the ultimate responsibility for the failure to supervise the safety of its students involved in the fraternity system," the report says, adding that although the university's actions were not themselves illegal, their "inaction set the table to allow these criminal acts to occur", which caused Piazza's death.
Tim Piazza, from New Jersey, was left unconscious for hours and suffered internal injuries after falling down steps during an initiation ritual. He later died in hospital.
Other members of the fraternity waited nearly 12 hours to call an ambulance, and were charged with manslaughter, although the most serious charges were later dropped.
Officials say he was fed 18 drinks in a period of one hour and 22 minutes, and that he never obtained the drinks on his own.
Hazing at the school, the report found, is "rampant and pervasive" and encourages "sadistic" rituals that reach "peaks of depravity".
The jury calls for "profound changes on college campuses and communities in Pennsylvania", and for universities to ensure protections for younger students wishing to join fraternities, and sororities - which together are known as campus Greek social life.
Other US universities have taken measures recently to protect students who are seeking to join social clubs.
On Thursday, a University of Houston fraternity in Texas was indicted for hazing, with officials charging that students were deprived of adequate food, water and sleep during a three-day initiation event.
The president of Florida State University told the Associated Press on Thursday that there is currently no timeline for reinstating campus Greek activities there, after they were suspended in November following a student's death.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42370507
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Salford fire deaths: Siblings 'will be buried side-by-side' - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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The uncle of four siblings who died after a house fire says he hopes they get the "funeral they deserve".
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Manchester
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Four siblings died as a result of the fire and their mother is in a coma in hospital
The uncle of four children who died in a house fire wants them to be "buried together side-by-side" and hopes they get the "funeral they deserve".
Demi Pearson, 14, Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and three-year-old Lia died following the blaze in Walkden, Salford on Monday.
Matt Pearson, who is the brother of Ms Pearson, has started a fundraising appeal to help with funeral costs.
He said: "I want to give these kids the best funeral they deserve with customized coffins for them."
He added Lia loved Peppa Pig and "it would be nice to get her this coffin" as well as a horse and carriage to take the siblings to the cemetery.
Mr Pearson added: "They will all be buried together side-by-side."
The appeal has already raised more than £11,500.
Two men and a woman appeared in court on Friday charged with murdering the siblings.
David Worrall, 25, of no fixed address, has been charged with four murders, arson with intent to endanger life and attempted murder.
Zak Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20, both of Worsley, also face the same charges.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42351881
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Weinstein 'derailed my career' Sorvino says after Peter Jackson claim - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Peter Jackson says he 'blacklisted' Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd on Harvey Weinstein's advice.
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Entertainment & Arts
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Peter Jackson said he was "fed false information" about "talented women"
Actress Mira Sorvino said she is "heartsick" after learning she may have lost out on major roles because of Harvey Weinstein.
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson said both Sorvino and Ashley Judd were "blacklisted" following conversations with Weinstein's company.
Both actresses have claimed the media mogul sexually harassed them.
Weinstein has denied allegations of misconduct, and of blacklisting the actresses.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy was initially in development with Weinstein's Miramax company, before being passed to New Line Cinema.
In an interview with Stuff.co.nz this week, Jackson said he was interested in casting both women in the blockbuster franchise.
"I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998," he told the site.
"At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us."
"I now suspect we were fed false information about both of these talented women - and as a direct result their names were removed from our casting list."
"In hindsight, I realise that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing," Jackson said.
Sorvino said in a tweet: "Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying."
"There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure. Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I'm just heartsick."
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Judd, meanwhile, recalled how her involvement progressed far enough to be invited by Jackson to see preparation work for the blockbuster trilogy.
"I remember this well," she tweeted.
"They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from them again. I appreciate the truth coming out," she said.
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In a statement through a publicist, Weinstein denied the allegations that he was involved in blacklisting Sorvino and Judd, saying that the casting for Lord of the Rings was carried out by New Line Cinema - not Miramax.
The statement said that Judd was cast in two other films by Mr Weinstein, and that "Sorvino was always considered for other films as well."
"In the 18 months we developed the Lord of the Rings at Miramax, we had many casting conversations with Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and their executives," Jackson wrote.
"The movies changed hands from Miramax to New Line before casting actually got underway - but because we had been warned off Ashley and Mira by Miramax, and we were naive enough to assume we'd been told the truth, [we] did not raise their names in New Line casting conversations."
Sorvino made her allegation in October, prompting a wave of further accusations from others
Weinstein is the central figure of the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal, in which dozens of actresses have accused him of misconduct.
Sorvino and Judd were among the first women to publicly share her experiences of sexual harassment from Weinstein back in October.
The Hollywood film producer has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42377607
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Boy, four, left on school bus tried to walk home - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The four-year-old was left on school transport in a bus depot and then tried to find his way home.
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Highlands & Islands
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Schoolboy John Robertson relaxing at home following his ordeal last week
A four-year-old boy tried to walk home from a bus depot after being left on his school bus.
John Robertson was travelling home to North Kessock from Munlochy Primary School on the Black Isle last Friday.
But he did not get off at his stop and ended up, unnoticed, in the bus in D&E Coaches' Inverness Longman depot, about three miles and across the A9's Kessock Bridge from where he lives.
The boy was spotted close to Inverness Caledonian Thistle's stadium.
He told his parents he had waited onboard the mini bus after it stopped at the depot, expecting the driver to come and find him.
After a time, still on his own inside the bus unnoticed, he managed to open the door and set out to find his way home.
D&E Coaches said it was "extremely disappointed" by the circumstances of the incident. It has dismissed the driver for gross misconduct.
Highland Council, which contracts D&E Coaches as a provider of its school transport, and Police Scotland have begun investigations into the incident.
John's parents, Nikki and John, had thought he was late home because the school bus had been delayed by bad weather, which included snow showers.
His father was waiting for John at home where the boy should have been dropped off.
John Robertson snr had expected his son to be dropped off at home
John tried to make his way home after being left on a bus in a coach depot
It was the boy's fifth time taking the school bus, which takes about eight children to and from Munlochy Primary. John's parents usually take him to and from school by car, but the car had broken down.
On the previous four days, John was dropped off near the door of his home. But the bus did not appear near the flats that Friday.
John's father initially believed this may have been because of the snow and that John had been dropped off a short distance away.
When John still had not come home, his family called the bus company and were told that John had been dropped off. In a follow up call they were told that he had not got on the bus.
John's parents began calling friends, family and police in an effort to find him.
Family and friends also made searches of North Kessock and Munlochy for the youngster.
Mr Robertson told BBC Radio Scotland's John Beattie programme he was half way through a call to police when officers received information that John had been found and was being taken to a police station.
John told his parents that he had sat on the bus in the depot for a time thinking the bus driver would come back and find him.
Mr Robertson said: "It was a mini bus, so he was able to open the door.
"He decided to get to the Kessock Bridge to get home. He said he crossed a couple of roads. Luckily two teachers found him.
"They said he was shaken up, cold and after some persuasion, because we've taught him not to talk to strangers, they managed to get him into their warm car."
Mr Robertson said he was proud of his son's actions. John has been getting a lift to and from school from a family friend since the incident.
The four-year-old thought the driver would come to find him
A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: "We are extremely concerned about this incident and we are carrying out a full investigation into the circumstances with our contracted school transport provider.
"The incident is also the subject of an ongoing police investigation."
Earlier Black Isle councillor Gordon Adam told BBC Alba it was a concerning incident.
He said he thought the boy had fallen asleep and woke up at the depot and was not seen by the driver.
"Somehow he got himself to the stadium, which in itself is very worrying as it would have involved crossing a main road," he added.
D&E Coaches said it had carried out its own investigation of the incident.
A spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed at the circumstances in which a child was left on one of our minibuses going from Munlochy Primary School to North Kessock last Friday when it was parked in a yard in Inverness.
"A full internal investigation has been conducted and the driver concerned has been dismissed for gross misconduct.
"Relying on an assurance from another pupil that this child was not on the bus is unacceptable.
"All drivers are expected to check their buses at the end of the journey but this clearly did not occur in this instance."
John ended up in the D&E Coaches' Inverness Longman depot
In a response to the incident, the company has introduced a new course on Driver Awareness in School Contracts as part of the accreditation process for a driver licence.
Long-term employees were being given refresher courses.
The spokesman added: "We wish to express our sincere apologies to the family of the child for the distress caused and we are extremely relieved that the child was safe and sound.
"D&E Coaches have been running school contracts for over 20 years and currently have 58 school contracts conveying 3,000 children a day to and from school.
"This is the first time anything of this nature has occurred to mar our excellent record and the new measures will enhance driver vigilance to try to ensure there is never a repeat."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42365641
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Brexit: EU leaders agree to move talks to next stage - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Theresa May welcomes "important step" and calls for "rapid progress" on transition discussions.
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UK Politics
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Brexit: Theresa May says agreement is "important step" on the road to Brexit
EU leaders have agreed to move Brexit talks on to the second phase but called for "further clarity" from the UK about the future relationship it wants.
The first issue to be discussed, early next year, will be the details of an expected two-year transition period after the UK's exit in March 2019.
Talks on trade and security co-operation are set to follow in March.
Theresa May hailed an "important step" on the road but Germany's Angela Merkel said it would get "even tougher".
Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, broke the news that the 27 EU leaders were happy to move on to phase two after they met in Brussels.
He congratulated Mrs May on reaching this stage and said the EU would begin internal preparations for the next phase right now as well as "exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision".
While securing a deal in time for the UK's exit in March 2019 was realistic, he suggested that the next phase would be "more challenging and more demanding".
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Mrs May said the two sides would begin discussions on future relations straight away and hoped for "rapid progress" on a transitional phase to "give certainty" to business.
"This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June 2016," she said.
"The UK and EU have shown what can be achieved with commitment and perseverance on both sides."
Labour's international trade spokesman, Barry Gardiner, welcomed the move forward, but said it would be a "real problem" for business if the EU didn't start talking trade for a further three months.
He also said his party would not put a time limit on a post-Brexit transition phase, as the expected two-year period would be "extremely tight".
Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel held a joint news conference at the end of the summit
The EU has published its guidelines for phase two of the negotiations, with discussions on future economic co-operation not likely to begin until March.
The three-page document says the UK will remain under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and be required to permit freedom of movement during any transition period.
And agreements on the Irish border, the so-called divorce bill and the rights of EU and UK citizens, agreed by Mrs May last Friday, must be "respected in full and translated faithfully into legal terms as quickly as possible".
The document says: "As the UK will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market during the transition, it will have to continue to comply with EU trade policy."
While the EU is willing to engage in "preliminary and preparatory discussions" on trade as part of building a "close partnership" after the UK's departure, this means any formal agreement "can only be finalised and concluded once the UK has become a third country".
After the six months she has had, Theresa May might be entitled to breathe a sigh of relief, as the European Council officially declared that the first phase of our long goodbye from the European Union is over.
Stand back from the daily dramas and perhaps it was always bound to happen.
Both sides are committed to getting an agreement.
The EU and the UK both want a deal to be done, and while there has, inevitably, been grumpiness on both sides, they have, in the main, dealt with each other in good faith.
The document "calls on the UK to provide further clarity on its position on the framework for the future relationship".
But in a passage added during the past week, it invites the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to "continue internal preparatory discussions" on future relations rather than having to wait until March to do so.
Sources have told the BBC that the government is highly likely to accept an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill next week to see off another potential Commons defeat for Theresa May.
Conservative rebels have been concerned about plans to put the Brexit date and time - 11pm on 29 March 2019 - into law.
Backbenchers, including former minister Oliver Letwin, have tabled an amendment, suggesting a change to the legislation.
Ministers are likely to accept their plan, which is a change that some of the potential rebels have been asking for, the BBC understands.
Senior sources are confident they can see off a defeat, after No 10 said there were no plans to take the date out of the bill.
Responding to the reports, Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer wrote on Twitter: "After a car-crash defeat on Brexit vote, rumours that PM will now U-turn on gimmick exit day amendment: forced to get a Tory MP to amend her own amendment before its put to the vote!"
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU's initial priority was to "formalise the agreement" that had already been reached before moving forward, adding "the second phase will be significantly harder and the first was very difficult".
Praising Mrs May as a "tough, smart and polite" negotiator, he said he was "entirely convinced" that the final agreement reached would be approved by the UK and European Parliaments.
Giving his response, French President Emmanuel Macron said that in moving forward the EU had maintained its unity, protected the integrity of the single market and ensured "compliance with our own rules".
Mrs May is set to discuss her vision of the "end state" for the UK outside the EU at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, having suffered her first Commons Brexit defeat earlier this week.
• None Relief for May but a hard road ahead
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42368096
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Brexit: Relief for Theresa May but a hard road ahead - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Theresa May's team will be happy phase one of Brexit talks are over but the way ahead could be fraught.
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UK Politics
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Phew. After the six months she has had, Theresa May might be entitled to breathe a sigh of relief, as the European Council officially declared that the first phase of our long goodbye from the European Union is over.
Stand back from the daily dramas and perhaps it was always bound to happen.
Both sides are committed to getting an agreement.
The EU and the UK both want a deal to be done, and while there has, inevitably, been grumpiness on both sides, they have, in the main, dealt with each other in good faith.
But the fragility of the government, and the complexities of some of the issues, have meant that, on some occasions, it has felt like the prime minister might not get there. Had she not been able to get this far, there genuinely could have been questions about her future.
The conventional wisdom is that the next phase will be more complicated, even more fraught.
There are some optimists in government who believe it doesn't have to be that way - because the UK and the EU are already partners, it's a question of unpicking an existing relationship, rather than putting one together from scratch.
But there are significant contradictions to iron out, contrasting motivations, conflicting views inside the Conservative Party as well as among the EU 27.
The experience of the past few months suggests, in fact, that the way ahead will be extremely fraught and the prime minister's goal of a full agreement by March 2019 is hopeful, rather than grounded in reality.
But for today, at least, Mrs May's team can be satisfied, if only for a moment or two, that they have managed even to come this far.
• None Brexit talks to move to next stage - EU
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42365262
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Austrian far-right joins coalition led by PM Sebastian Kurz - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The president approved a coalition involving the Freedom Party for the first time since 2005.
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Europe
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Sebastian Kurz has promised a pro-EU government with the Eurosceptic Heinz-Christian Strache
Austria's president has approved a coalition government between the conservative People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party.
The deal will make Austria the only Western European state with a governing far-right party, which is opposed to migration and the European Union.
The parties previously governed the country together between 2000 and 2005.
But at just 31, the People's Party's Sebastian Kurz is set to become the world's youngest head of government.
No details have been given about the government's programme, but several important ministerial roles are expected to be handed to the smaller Freedom Party as part of the deal.
President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the green light to the deal on Saturday morning.
He said the new government had assured him of both a pro-EU stance and a continued commitment to the European convention on human rights.
The election on 15 October failed to yield a conclusive result.
The campaign was dominated by Europe's migration crisis, something the anti-immigration Freedom Party has long campaigned about.
On the campaign trail, Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache labelled Sebastian Kurz an "imposter"
Mr Kurz appealed to conservative and right-wing voters with pledges to shut down migrant routes to Europe, cap benefit payments to refugees, and bar immigrants from receiving benefits until they have lived in Austria for five years.
But he has promised to form a pro-EU government, despite his coalition partner's traditional Euroscepticism.
Unlike most of Europe's populist parties, the Freedom Party has managed to translate its success at the ballot box into real political power.
It has been a major player in Austrian politics for decades. In recent years, the party has toned down some of its more extreme rhetoric.
But many analysts believe that, in or out of government, it has helped set a right-wing agenda, not just in Austria - but in other countries across Europe as well.
Its stance against immigration is becoming more mainstream, along with its populist tone.
The Freedom Party accused Mr Kurz of stealing their policies. Their candidate, Heinz-Christian Strache, branded him an "imposter".
When the far-right Freedom Party last entered a coalition in Austria in 2000, its fellow EU member states froze bilateral diplomatic relations in response.
Those diplomatic sanctions were lifted months later, after the move failed to force the Freedom Party out of government and amid fears that continued sanctions could further increase nationalist tensions.
That is unlikely to happen again, as resurgent right-wing populist groups have been promoting anti-immigration and Eurosceptic agendas across much of the EU.
But unlike the Freedom Party, they have struggled to convert electoral success into real power.
Earlier this year, Marine Le Pen's far-right National Front party lost the French presidential election comprehensively. Ms Le Pen was defeated by Emmanuel Macron, a liberal centrist and strong supporter of the European Union.
Elsewhere, the Dutch anti-immigration Freedom Party of Geert Wilders was defeated by liberal leader Mark Rutte.
In Germany, the nationalist and populist right of Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained seats in the national parliament, where it is now third biggest party, but it is not in the frame for coalition talks.
• None The beautiful flower with an ugly past
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42374693
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South Africa's ANC leadership battle: Top candidates - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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The strengths and weaknesses of the top two candidates battling to lead South Africa's ruling party.
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Africa
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Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (c) and Cyril Ramaphosa (r) are the top candidates in the race to take over from Jacob Zuma (l)
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) is set to elect a new leader at a conference starting on Saturday following a fierce contest between seven candidates.
The scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma will step down as party leader, opening the way for his successor to spearhead the ANC's campaign for the 2019 general election.
The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago, so there is a strong chance that whoever the party picks as its leader will also succeed Mr Zuma as president when his two terms end in 2019.
But under Mr Zuma the ANC has become wracked by infighting and allegations of corruption, raising, for the first time, the possibility that it could lose its majority.
So the incoming ANC leader will be expected to knock the party into shape, and regain the trust of voters.
While there are seven candidates, only two, Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, have a realistic chance of winning.
Currently the deputy president, Mr Ramaphosa is said to have long had his eye on the top job in South African politics.
He worked closely with anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela to negotiate an end to minority rule, and to give black people the right to vote for a government of their choice.
Cyril Ramaphosa is said to have long held ambitions to be president
The legend goes that he was so upset about not being chosen by Mr Mandela as his deputy following South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, that he did not attend the presidential inauguration, and refused to take up a post in government.
He stepped out of the political limelight and went into business.
The former trade unionist is now one of the richest politicians in South Africa.
Mr Ramaphosa's track record in the private sector has helped him win the backing of the business community.
He supports the ANC policy of Radical Economic Transformation - putting more of the economy and land in black hands, in an effort to address the legacy of apartheid.
But Mr Ramaphosa has also sought to reassure the business sector, acknowledging the need to "improve investor confidence", and stressing the need for "partnership".
The ANC has battled to fulfil its promise to curb unemployment
This is important because South Africa's economy has been in something of a tail-spin in recent years, with several credit-rating downgrades.
More than a quarter of the population is unemployed, and more than half live in poverty.
The country is one of the most unequal in the world.
Mr Ramaphosa has positioned himself as the man who can turn this around.
He has also spoken out against corruption and so-called "state capture", saying "If corruption holds our economy back, we must solve the problem of corruption. If state capture holds our economy, we must solve the problem of state capture."
And he is promising to unify the party, which has been torn apart by bitter rivalry over who should take over from Jacob Zuma as its leader.
What he cannot seem to shake off though, is the shadow of Marikana.
He is tainted by allegations that he pushed for police action against striking miners at the Lonmin mine in 2012.
Thirty-four miners were killed, in what was the worst police shooting since the end of apartheid.
At the time Mr Ramaphosa was a director at Lonmin.
Emails emerged showing he had called for "concomitant action" to be taken against the striking miners, who had been taking part in a violent, wildcat strike.
Families of those killed in the Marikana massacre are demanding justice
The leader of the opposition EFF party, Julius Malema, has repeatedly blamed Mr Ramaphosa for the killings, calling him a "murderer" and vowing not to let the matter rest.
Although Mr Ramaphosa was cleared of any responsibility for the tragedy by a judicial commission, going into an election with the opposition continuing to bring these allegations up is far from ideal.
He is also considered by some to be less in touch with ordinary people than his main rival Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, with a support base that is more affluent.
And Mr Ramaphosa's critics say the events at Marikana show he does not care about poor people.
The choice then for ANC delegates as they prepare to vote, is whether the candidate who seems more likely to steady the markets and rescue the country's troubled economy, is worth the risk of alienating its core support base.
She is a medical doctor, and has served in the cabinets of all four of South Africa's post-apartheid presidents.
After serving as Minister of Health, Foreign Affairs, and Home Affairs, she went on to become the chair of the African Union Commission - the first woman to lead the organisation.
Ms Dlamini-Zuma was born in KwaZulu-Natal, the second most populous province in the country, and which will have a big bearing on the outcome of any general election.
Whoever leads the ANC needs to bring votes from this province to guarantee victory.
Although it has been said that Ms Dlamini-Zuma lacks charisma, she is considered by many within the ANC to be someone who gets the job done.
She is credited with having turned around the performance of the Department of Home Affairs.
And the fact that she spent almost two decades in key positions at the heart of government, speaks to her political ability.
Women will make up 50% of delegates at the ANC conference
Ms Dlamini-Zuma has complained bitterly about being referred to as Mr Zuma's ex-wife, pointing out that she was a politician in her own right.
The national broadcaster, SABC, has apologised for doing so, admitting it was "sexist and demeaning".
Her relationship with Mr Zuma is one of her greatest strengths in this race, and her biggest weakness.
Her former husband is a formidable force who can mobilise support for her, particularly at grassroots.
And like him she is considered to be down to earth and more able to connect with voters than some of the other candidates.
But her detractors argue that Mr Zuma has cut a deal with his ex-wife, backing her candidature to avoid being prosecuted for alleged corruption once he steps down.
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Kinder critics say that as the mother of four of his children, she would find it difficult to make sure he stands trial, even if she wanted to.
For those within the ANC who are tired of being hit by one corruption scandal after another, the elevation of Ms Dlamini-Zuma to the top job would be a perpetuation of the status quo.
And, they fear, that might be an election loser in 2019.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42328104
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Corrie Mckeague: Reward to find missing airman doubles - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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RAF airman Corrie Mckeague was last seen in September 2016 during a night out in Suffolk.
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Suffolk
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Corrie Mckeague's mother said all they have is "theories" but "no evidence"
A reward offered to find missing airman Corrie Mckeague has been doubled to £100,000.
Mr Mckeague, who was 23 when he disappeared, vanished during a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in September 2016.
On Monday, police said they had stopped searching a landfill site after finding no trace of Mr Mckeague.
His mother Nicola Urquhart has begged people with information to come forward.
She said all the family have is "theories" but "no evidence".
"I plead to anybody involved that's spoken to us in the past, spoken to the police, to please get back in touch with us again," Mrs Urquhart added.
Corrie Mckeague was last seen at 03:25 BST on 24 September 2016
The reward has been offered by local businessman Colin Davey.
The search of the waste site at Milton, Cambridgeshire, restarted in October after a 20-week excavation ended earlier in the year.
Suffolk Police said it was "content" Mr Mckeague was not in the landfill areas that had been searched and the investigation into his disappearance would continue.
Police have stopped searching the landfill site after finding no trace of Mr Mckeague
Mr Mckeague, from Dunfermline, Fife, was on a night out with colleagues from his base RAF Honington when he went missing.
He was last seen at 03:25 BST on 24 September 2016 when he was captured on CCTV entering a bin loading bay known as the Horseshoe.
His phone was tracked as taking the same route as a bin lorry, which led police to believe he had climbed in a bin and been taken to the landfill site.
A £50,000 reward was first offered in December 2016.
It was later withdrawn because it had not led to any new information, but was reinstated in August.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-42369608
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Australia's first same sex wedding takes place - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Australia's first same sex wedding takes place, eight days after legislation is passed.
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Earlier this month Australia's marriage equality law came into effect.
The first weddings were expected in the new year to allow for a 30 day notice period, but this couple was given an exemption allowing them to legally wed.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42379370
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North Korea must earn right to talks, says US Secretary of State Tillerson - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson toughens his stance after earlier offering talks with no preconditions.
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Asia
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North Korea's ambassador to the UN, Ja Song Nam, said Pyongyang posed no threat as long as its interests were not infringed upon
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said North Korea must "earn its way back to the table" for negotiations between the two countries to restart.
Mr Tillerson said Pyongyang had to carry out a "sustained cessation" of weapons testing before any talks.
It is a U-turn from comments made earlier this week, when Mr Tillerson said the US was "ready to talk any time time North Korea would like to talk".
That remark was swiftly contradicted by the White House.
North Korea has carried out repeated nuclear and ballistic missile tests this year, in defiance of global condemnation and increasingly heavy international sanctions.
Earlier this week Mr Tillerson said: "Let's just meet and let's talk about the weather if you want and talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about.
"Then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work towards."
There are reports that Mr Tillerson had planned to repeat his offer of talks without preconditions
But his remarks, welcomed by China and Russia, were promptly greeted with a rebuttal from the White House and a reiteration that North Korea must admit to abandoning its nuclear weapons before talks resume.
Within just a few hours press secretary Sarah Saunders released a statement to reporters saying Mr Trump's views "have not changed".
"North Korea is acting in an unsafe way not only toward Japan, China, and South Korea, but the entire world," she said.
On Friday, Mr Tillerson also urged Russia and China to put more pressure on Pyongyang by taking action beyond mere compliance with UN Security Council resolutions. Both countries rejected this.
He told the UN Security Council that diplomatic options remained open, but that the US would not bow to North Korean conditions for negotiations.
"We do not accept any relaxing of the sanctions regime as a precondition of talks," he said.
"We do not accept the resumption of humanitarian assistance as a precondition of talks. So we are not going to accept preconditions for these talks."
Also on Friday at the Security Council:
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42372431
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Austria country profile - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Provides an overview of Austria, including key dates and facts about this central European country.
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Europe
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Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries in various state guises, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One.
But its position at the geographical heart of Europe, and its neutral status during the Cold War between Nato and the Soviet bloc, maintained the much-reduced country's strategic significance.
Austria is now a member of the European Union, though not Nato, and an enduring legacy of its decades of post-war neutrality can be seen in the large number of international organisations that call its capital Vienna their home.
These include the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Opec, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
For much of the post-war period, so-called "grand coalition" governments of left and right wing parties have ruled Austria, although the Social Democrats led by Bruno Kreisky ruled alone in the 1970s.
More recently, the centre-right People's Party ruled in coalition with the far-right Freedom Party, but this coalition collapsed in May 2019 after a scandal involving the leader of the Freedom Party.
Alexander Van der Bellen was first elected as president in the December 2016 re-run of a highly polarised election earlier that year, defeating Norbert Hofer of the far-right Freedom Party.
Van der Bellen - a Green Party politician running as an independent - had won a extremely narrow victory in the initial run-off vote against Hofer in May, but the result was annulled because of vote-counting irregularities.
In October 2022, Van der Bellen was re-elected president, taking 57% of the vote in the first round. Freedom Party candidate Walter Rosenkranz came second with 18% of the votes, far short of what Hofer received in 2016.
Interior Minister Nehammer took over on as chancellor and leader of the conservative People's Party in December 2021, following months of turmoil after the resignation of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Mr Kurz's departure was a condition for the Green Party to remain in the governing coalition, pending a corruption investigation. Foreign Minister Alexander von Schallenberg was chancellor in the interim, but resigned to make way for Mr Nehammer when the later assumed the post of People's Party leader in December.
Austria's public broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), has long-dominated the airwaves. It faces competition from private TV and radio broadcasters.
Cable or satellite TV is available in most Austrian homes and is often used to watch German stations, some of which tailor their output for local viewers.
A daily newspaper is a must for many Austrians. National and regional titles contest fiercely for readers.
For much of the post-war period, so-called "grand coalition" governments of left and right wing parties have ruled Austria
1278 - The Habsburg Rudolf I of Germany acquires the duchies of Austria and Styria after defeating his rival, King Ottokar II of Bohemia, at the Battle on the Marchfeld.
14th and 15th Centuries - Habsburgs acquire other provinces neighbouring the Duchy of Austria.
1526 - After the Battle of Mohács, Bohemia and the part of Hungary not occupied by the Ottomans comesunder Austrian rule.
16th and 17th Centuries - Ottoman expansion into Hungary sees frequent conflicts between the two empires.
1529 - Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent launches the first siege of Vienna. The besieging Turkish army retreats amid the snowfalls of an early winter.
1683 - Second siege of Vienna. The city is freed after two months when the forces of the Holy Roman Empire and those of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under King John III Sobieski decisively defeat the Turkish army.
1699 - The Treaty of Karlowitz, which ends the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) results in most of Hungary coming under Austrian control.
1713 - The Pragmatic Sanction. Edict issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI to ensure the Habsburg lands - the archduchy of Austria, kingdom of Hungary, kingdom of Croatia, kingdom of Bohemia, duchy of Milan, kingdom of Naples, kingdom of Sardinia and Austrian Netherlands - could be inherited undivided by his daughter, Maria Theresa.
1792-1815 - Austria engages in war with revolutionary and them Napoleonic France.
1804 - The Empire of Austria is proclaimed, replacing the Holy Roman Empire which is dissolved two years later.
1815 - Austria emerges from the Congress of Vienna as one of Europe's great powers.
1848-49 - Hungarian revolution. This is eventually defeated with the aid of Russian forces, but leads to a constitutional government being founded in Hungary, which is now in a personal union with the Austrian emperor.
1867 - The defeat leads to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, establishing the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, a military and diplomatic alliance of two sovereign states.
In the latter half of the 19th Century, ruling Austria-Hungary becomes increasingly difficult in an age of emerging nationalist movements in Europe.
1908 - Following the Young Turk revolution in Turkey, Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, nominally part of the Ottoman Empire. The move provokes strong resentment in Serbian pan-Slav circles.
1914 - The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip triggers the outbreak of World War One.
1914-18 - Over one million Austro-Hungarian soldiers die in the war, which leads to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the end of Hapsburg rule.
1933 - End of the republic, Chancellor Dollfuss suspends parliament and sets up autocratic regime
1934 - Government crushes Socialist uprising, backed by the army. All political parties abolished except the Fatherland Front.
Imprisonment of Nazi conspirators leads to attempted Nazi coup. Dollfuss assassinated, succeeded by Kurt von Schuschnigg.
1938 - The Anschluss (union): Austria incorporated into Germany by Hitler. Austria now called the Ostmark (Eastern March).
1945 - Soviet troops liberate Vienna. Austria occupied and partitioned into four occupation zones by Soviet, British, US and French forces. Vienna is also divided between the four occupying powers.
1955 - Treaty signed by Britain, France, US and Soviet Union establishes an independent but neutral Austria - a convenient buffer between the West and the Soviet bloc. The four powers withdraw their troops. Austria joins the United Nations.
1986 - Ex-UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim elected president, despite controversy over his role in the German army in World War Two.
1999 - Far-right Freedom Party led by Joerg Haider wins 27% of vote in national elections.
2000 - International outcry as People's Party forms coalition government with Freedom Party. EU imposes diplomatic sanctions before ending it seven months later on grounds it is counter-productive.
2011 - Otto von Habsburg - the last crown prince of Austria - is buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna amid much of the pomp associated with the days of the empire.
2013 - Austrians vote to keep compulsory military service in a referendum.
2017 - Government agrees to ban Islamic full-face veils in courts, schools and other public spaces.
Mozart's home town of Salzburg. Austria is seen by many as the birthplace of classical music
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17405422
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to marry on 19 May 2018 - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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In a break with royal tradition, the wedding is being held on a Saturday rather than a weekday.
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UK
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The couple announced their engagement in November
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will be held on Saturday 19 May 2018, Kensington Palace has announced.
The pair confirmed their engagement in November and said the service would be at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The date breaks with tradition as royal weddings usually take place on a weekday - the Queen wed on a Thursday and the Duke of Cambridge on a Friday.
The wedding will be on the same day as the FA Cup Final, which Prince William normally attends as FA president.
The time of the match has yet to be confirmed, but in recent years it has taken place at 17:30 GMT.
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The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and reception.
The event will take place just a month after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to welcome their third child to the family.
Ms Markle will be baptised into the Church of England and confirmed before the wedding.
Earlier this week, Kensington Palace announced the couple will be spending Christmas together at Sandringham with the Queen.
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The prince and the American actor, 36, carried out their first official engagement in Nottingham on 1 December.
Prince Harry made a public appearance at Sandhurst earlier on Friday - 11 years after he graduated from the military academy - for the Sovereign's Parade.
BBC Royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the Saturday date was "unusual, but not unprecedented" and would give people the opportunity to go to Windsor for the celebrations.
He added: "Downing Street clearly hasn't been persuaded [into giving a Bank Holiday]… these things are so ruled by precedent."
Prince Harry and Ms Markle on their first official engagement in Nottingham
Reacting to the clash with the cup match, an FA spokesman said the organisation was "delighted" for Prince Harry and Ms Markle.
He added: "Saturday 19 May promises to be a wonderful day with such a special royal occasion being followed by English football's showpiece event, the Emirates FA Cup Final.
"With millions coming together to watch both events at home and around the world, it will be a day to celebrate."
The couple visited a gallery and school in Nottingham
The prince designed her engagement ring, which features two diamonds that belonged to Princess Diana
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42369780
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Student Liam Allan 'betrayed' after rape trial collapse - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Police are accused of failing to disclose vital phone records to the defence before the trial.
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London
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Liam Allan talks about what it is like being falsely accused of rape
A man whose rape trial collapsed after detectives failed to disclose vital evidence to the defence said he felt "betrayed" by police and the CPS.
Liam Allan was charged with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault but his trial collapsed after police were ordered to hand over phone records.
The 22-year-old student said his life had been "flipped upside down" and he wanted lessons to be learned.
The Met Police said it was "urgently reviewing this investigation".
The case against Mr Allan at Croydon Crown Court was dropped after three days when the evidence on a computer disk containing 40,000 messages revealed the alleged victim pestered him for "casual sex".
He told the BBC his life had been "torn away" by the process, which included being on bail for two years.
"You just think the worst case scenario... People have to start planning for life without you," he said.
Mr Allan faced a possible jail term of 12 years and being put on the sex offenders register for life had he been found guilty.
He said he felt "pure fear" when he learned he had been accused of rape but would never be able to understand why the accusations were made.
The 22-year-old student had been charged with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault
"There was no possible real gain from it other than destroying somebody else's life... It's something I will never be able to forgive or forget."
But he said he wanted to use his experience "to change the system".
"This wasn't a case of people trying to prove my innocence, it was a case of people trying to prove I was guilty," Mr Allan said.
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It is understood police had looked at thousands of phone messages when reviewing evidence in the case, but had failed to disclose to the prosecution and defence teams messages between the complainant and her friends which cast doubt on the allegations against Mr Allan.
Prosecution barrister Jerry Hayes accused police of "sheer incompetence" over the case.
Before the trial the defence team had repeatedly asked for the phone messages to be disclosed but was told there was nothing to disclose.
Mr Hayes, who demanded the messages to be passed to the defence, said he believed the trial had come about because "everyone is under pressure".
"This is a criminal justice system which is not just creaking, it's about to croak," he said.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The BBC's legal correspondent Clive Coleman gives his analysis of the case
Mr Allan's lawyer Simone Meerabux said it had been "a very traumatic experience" for her client.
She said it was "amazing" the case had got to the stage it did "but it's not uncommon" because of problems with disclosure.
A Met spokesman said the force was "urgently reviewing this investigation and will be working with the Crown Prosecution Service to understand exactly what has happened in this case.
"The Met understands the concerns that have been raised as a result of this case being dismissed from court and the ongoing review will seek to address those," he said.
A spokesman for the CPS said: "In November 2017, the police provided more material in the case of Liam Allan. Upon a review of that material, it was decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
"We will now be conducting a management review together with the Metropolitan Police to examine the way in which this case was handled."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42366629
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Heinz Wolff, Great Egg Race presenter and scientist, dies - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The renowned scientist behind BBC Two's The Great Egg Race died on Friday, his family says.
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UK
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The German-born inventor and professor, famed for hosting BBC Two's long-running science show The Great Egg Race, died of heart failure on 15 December, his family said.
A former advisor to the European Space Agency, he became emeritus professor at London's Brunel University, working on projects linked to ageing populations.
His son Laurence paid tribute to his humour, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
Speaking to BBC News, Laurence Wolff said his father had "touched so many people through his ingenuity in terms of his inventing... and his great belief in educating about science and technology".
He had a "natural sense of fun and he knew that was also a way of engaging people... People would stop him in the street... and they would say, 'you got me into science'".
A Jewish refugee, Wolff moved to the UK from Berlin at the age of 11 on the day World War Two broke out in September 1939.
After attending school in Oxford, he worked in haematology at the city's Radcliffe Infirmary, where he invented a machine for counting patients' blood cells.
He later went on to graduate from University College London with a first-class honours degree in physiology and physics.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Laurence Wolff says his father had a sense of humour, curiosity and enthusiasm
Wolff moved into television in 1966, first appearing on the BBC's Panorama programme with Richard Dimbleby, where he produced a pill that could measure pressure, temperature and acidity.
However, he was best known for hosting BBC Two's The Great Egg Race from 1977 until 1986 - instantly recognisable for his trademark bow tie and eccentric hairstyle.
The show challenged contestants to invent useful objects with limited resources.
Friends and colleagues also recalled his love of practical jokes, particularly one instance when he arrived at his 80th birthday party on a scooter propelled by fire extinguishers.
Wolff was an emeritus professor at Brunel University
Professor Julia Buckingham, vice-chancellor and president of Brunel University, said: "Heinz's remarkable intellect, ideas and enthusiasm combined to make him the sparkling scientist we will so fondly remember.
"He was a wonderful friend and supporter to staff and to students - and an inspiration to all of us."
Brunel colleague Professor Ian Sutherland added: "There was nothing he loved more than having a team of people around him, devising completely new ways of doing things."
Alongside his television appearances, Wolff continued in his efforts to advance human progress through his scientific work.
He was made an honorary member of the European Space Agency in 1975, and his work into how humans could survive hostile space environments led to Dr Helen Sharman becoming the first British astronaut and the 15th woman in space in 1991.
Wolff balanced his mischievous curiosity with serious scientific research
Laurence Wolff said this space work - known as Project Jupiter - had been greatly valued by his father, who wished to "inspire young people" and use science to "entertain as well as educate".
He also described how Heinz Wolff's early interest in science had been stoked by his own father, who had him taking part in chemistry experiments at the age of four.
He added: "The person that people saw when they met him was the person we knew at home. His sense of humour, his curiosity, his enthusiasm. That was our father."
Wolff was also a strong supporter of local charities throughout his life, including spending more than 25 years as a trustee, and then Life President, of the Hillingdon Partnership Trust.
He was married to his wife Joan until her death in 2014, and is survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42378765
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Britvic confirms Norwich factory closure - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The manufacturer of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot is to move manufacturing to three other sites.
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Norfolk
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Britvic co-owns the site with Unilever, which owns Colman's Mustard
Britvic has confirmed it will leave its Norwich site, with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the city, in 2019.
The drinks manufacturer, which co-owns Carrow Works with Unilever, said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its other sites.
It said it would offer employees redeployment and "help to find alternative employment".
The Unite union said the announcement just before Christmas was a bid to "bury bad news".
Britvic said it currently employed 249 people at the site, which it shares with Colman's Mustard.
Manufacturing will instead take place at Rugby, east London and Leeds.
"Transferring production will improve efficiency and productivity and reduce our environmental impact," the company said.
The decision follows a consultation with employee representatives, including the GMB and Unite unions.
Britvic said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to other factories
Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "This was not a proposal that we made lightly and we understand that the outcome of the collective consultation process will be upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich.
"It is a sad and difficult time.
"I want to thank everyone at Norwich, past and present, for their dedication, hard work and commitment, and I would like to say again that this decision is in no way a reflection of their performance."
The Unite union criticised the timing of the announcement and described the closure as "a hammer blow for the workers and the economy of Norwich in the run up Christmas".
Its national officer for the food and drink sector, Julia Long, branded the announcement as "a classic case of trying to bury bad news".
The move by Britvic has been mooted for several months, with fears expressed for the future of Colman's Mustard, which has been manufactured at the site since 1860.
Unilever, which owns Colman's, has previously said it could shut the site if Britvic closed operations.
It is conducting its own review and is looking at three sites in the city, including staying at Carrow Works.
Unilever has been approached for comment.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-42373062
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Brexit: Move to head off another Tory rebellion - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Theresa May looks set to avoid another defeat after proposed changes to Brexit bill, the BBC understands.
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UK Politics
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The government looks likely to avoid another potential Commons defeat on Brexit, the BBC understands.
Tory rebels have been concerned about plans to put the Brexit date and time - 11pm on 29 March 2019 - into law.
But backbenchers have tabled an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill allowing some flexibility.
Ministers are highly likely to accept the amendment in a vote next week, BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said.
It comes as EU leaders agreed to move to the next phase of Brexit talks.
Theresa May suffered her first Commons defeat as prime minister on Wednesday, as Tory rebels joined forces with Labour and the SNP to vote for a plan to give MPs a bigger say in any Brexit deal.
Ministers feared they might be heading for a further defeat on Wednesday, when MPs vote on a plan to enshrine the Brexit date in law.
A number of Conservative MPs had echoed Labour concerns the move could box Britain into a corner if negotiations with the EU go to the wire.
Several Conservative MPs, including former Cabinet minister Oliver Letwin, have now tabled an amendment to the bill that would give the government more flexibility over the exit day.
The new amendment seeks to allow the government to change the "exit day" through further legislation, if the negotiations are continuing.
Ministers are likely to accept their plan, which is a change that some of the potential rebels have been asking for, the BBC understands.
Senior sources are confident they can see off a defeat, after No 10 said there were no plans to take the date out of the bill.
Conservative MP Dominic Grieve, who led Wednesday's rebellion, told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I am aware that the government has, I think, this afternoon tabled a further amendment for next Wednesday, which very sensibly looks like it will resolve the issue that was troubling some of us.
"If that is the case, and I am fairly confident it is, then that issue will be satisfactorily resolved."
Bernard Jenkin, a leading Tory Brexiteer, said: "The purpose of this amendment is to avoid needless division over matters of detail when we should be supporting the PM.
"Nothing that has occurred alters the determination of the government to achieved the kind of Brexit that the PM set out in her Lancaster House speech - which takes back control of our borders, our money and our laws and our our ability to do meaningful trade deals."
• None Relief for May but a hard road ahead
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42373822
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Rocket rumbles give volcanic insights - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Scientists install sensors at the Kennedy Space Center that would normally be used to monitor volcanoes.
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Science & Environment
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An "upside down volcano" (L) and an "upside down rocket" (R)
What do volcanoes and rockets have in common?
"Volcanoes have a nozzle aimed at the sky, and rockets have a nozzle aimed at the ground," explains Steve McNutt, a geosciences professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
It explains why he and colleague Dr Glenn Thompson have installed the tools normally used to study eruptions at the famous Kennedy Space Center.
Comparing the different types of rumblings could yield new insights.
In the case of rockets, the team thinks their seismometers and infrasound (low-frequency acoustic waves) detectors might potentially be used by the space companies as a different type of diagnostic tool, to better understand the performance of their vehicles; or perhaps as a way to identify missiles in flight.
In the case of volcanoes, the idea is to take the lessons learned at Kennedy and fine-tune the algorithms used to interpret what is happening in an eruption.
It might even be possible to develop systems that give early warnings of some of the dangerous debris flows associated with volcanoes.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Glenn Thompson and Steve McNutt: "Kennedy has strong signals to test equipment "
"It all started really as a way to test and calibrate our equipment," says Glenn.
"We don't have any volcanoes in South Florida - obviously. But Kennedy provided some strong sources, and it also gave our students the opportunity to learn how to deploy stations and work with the data."
The team has now recorded the seismic and acoustic signals emanating from about a dozen rockets.
Most have been associated with launches; a few have been related to what are called static fire tests, in which the engines on a clamped vehicle are briefly ignited to check they are flight-ready.
But perhaps the most fascinating event captured so far was the SpaceX pad explosion in September 2016.
This saw a Falcon 9 rocket suffer a catastrophic failure as it was being fuelled.
Many people will have seen the video of the spectacular fireball. But Glenn's and Steve's equipment caught information not apparent in that film.
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For example, they detected more than 150 separate sub-events in the infrasound over the course of 26 minutes.
These were likely individual tanks, pipes or other components bursting into flames.
Of course, the SpaceX explosion was an unusual occurrence, and it is the more routine activity that most interests the team. And some clear patterns are starting to emerge in their study of "upside down volcanoes".
"As the rocket gets higher and higher and accelerates, we see a decrease in the frequency in the infrasound - that's basically a Doppler shift because the source is moving away from us," says Steve.
"And then you get a coupling of the signal in the air into the ground and this produces seismic waves recorded on the seismometer.
"So, we get some common features between the infrasound and the seismometer, but then there's a little separation of the energy between the two."
A deadly pyroclastic flow heads down the flanks of the Soufrière Hills volcano in Montserrat
There is a lot still to learn, but the pair think they can distinguish the different types of rockets - to tell a Falcon from an Atlas from a Delta.
There are subtle but significant divergences in their spectral signatures, which almost certainly reflect their distinct designs and modes of operation.
Where in particular the rockets could have instruction for volcano monitoring is in describing moving sources.
A rocket is a very well understood physical process. Its properties and parameters - such as the size of the nozzle orifice, the thrust, the trajectory and the distance - are all precisely known.
The related seismic and acoustic signals should therefore serve as templates to help decipher some of the features of eruptions that share similar behaviours.
Good examples of rapid movement in the volcano setting are the big mass surges like pyroclastic flows (descending clouds of hot ash/rock) and lahars (mud/ash avalanches).
An objective of the team is to improve seismometer and infrasound systems' characterisation of these dangerous phenomena.
This could lead to useful alerts being sent to people who live around volcanoes.
"Assuming you can find a few safe places to put your instruments that are reasonably close, you'd get your advance warning," said Steve.
"What you'd be doing then is getting the time and the strength of the signal and then watching it evolve to figure out which direction it's going.
"If you can do that successfully then you can forecast with a couple of minutes in advance things like lahars and pyroclastic flows downstream."
Glenn added: "I worked on [the Caribbean island of] Montserrat during the crisis from 1995 to 2011, and we did have a rudimentary system even then for tracking the pyroclastic density currents coming down the slopes of the volcano.
"It wasn't quite a real-time application, but we hope with this kind of work that we can improve those algorithms and make them more of an automated alarm system."
The equipment at Kennedy has been temporary, but the team is looking for a permanent installation.
Like everyone, Glenn and Steve are particularly looking forward to the launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy vehicle in the New Year.
The Heavy should produce nearly 23 meganewtons of thrust at lift-off, more than any rocket in operation today.
It is sure to make for some interesting seismic and infrasound signals.
Glenn Thompson and Steve McNutt detailed their work here at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42362334
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King Michael: Romania bids farewell to former monarch - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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Thousands of people and European royals gather for the state funeral in Bucharest.
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A state funeral has being held for King Michael, who helped end fascist rule during World War II. More than 20,000 Romanians lined the streets of Bucharest to pay their respects
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42377932
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Uber used undercover agents, court letter says - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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A covert unit at Uber snooped on competitors and regulators, says a letter released by a US court.
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Technology
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The letter emerged during Uber's legal battle with Waymo
Uber set up a covert unit tasked with stealing competitors' secrets and engaging in undercover surveillance, a letter published by a US court on Friday has alleged.
It is critical evidence in Uber's legal battle with Waymo, the self-driving car company that accuses the ride-sharing firm of stealing its technology.
The letter, sent by lawyers representing a former Uber employee, sparked an internal investigation when it was sent to Uber in May, but has not been made public until now.
In a statement, Uber said: "While we haven’t substantiated all the claims in this letter - and, importantly, any related to Waymo - our new leadership has made clear that going forward we will compete honestly and fairly, on the strength of our ideas and technology."
The allegations in the letter were made by Richard Jacobs, who worked at Uber until February this year. He left after an incident in which he felt he was unfairly demoted. Shortly afterwards, he sent the letter alleging the misconduct.
"These tactics were employed clandestinely through a distributed architecture of anonymous servers, telecommunications architecture, and non-attributable hardware and software," the letter read.
Mr Jacobs settled with Uber for $4.5m (£3.4m), and he has since said some of what he wrote was in fact not true, specifically the remarks about Waymo's trade secrets.
However, several other details in the letter have already been confirmed, including an incident in which Uber accessed the medical records of a woman who accused an Uber driver of rape.
Other allegations include Uber employees posing as protesters in order to gain access to private online chat groups.
In one particularly bizarre example, Mr Jacobs alleged that an Uber "surveillance team" was deployed to a hotel in order to record and observe conversations between executives at a rival company - the name of which has been redacted from the version of the letter made public.
Specifically, those agents wanted to monitor the competitors' reaction to the news that Uber had secured a large amount of funding from a Saudi investor.
The emergence of the "Jacobs letter" has been a dramatic turn of events in the Uber v Waymo trial, which had been due to start earlier this month but has now been delayed until February.
Presiding Judge William Alsup was made aware of the letter's existence by the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, which is currently investigating Uber on a range of other matters.
In court last month, Judge Alsup chastised Uber's legal team, accusing them of withholding evidence.
"I can no longer trust the words of the lawyers for Uber in this case," he said.
"We’re going to have to put the trial off because if even half of what’s in that letter is true it would be a huge injustice to force Waymo to go to trial."
Internally, Uber is going to great lengths to reassure employees that the old ways of working, under ousted chief executive Travis Kalanick, no longer exist at the firm.
"There is no place for such practices or that kind of behaviour at Uber," wrote Tony West, Uber's general counsel, in a note to employees.
"We don’t need to be following folks around in order to gain some competitive advantage. We’re better than that. We will compete and we will win because our technology is better, our ideas are better, and our people are better. Period."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42376515
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Royal Court U-turn over play axed amid harassment claims - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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The Royal Court will stage Rita, Sue and Bob Too following accusations of censorship.
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Entertainment & Arts
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Samantha Robinson and James Atherton are in the cast of Rita, Sue and Bob Too
London's Royal Court theatre has reversed its decision to cancel a production of Rita, Sue and Bob Too.
The theatre had said it was axing the play after allegations that its co-director Max Stafford-Clark made inappropriate sexual comments to staff.
But artistic director Vicky Featherstone said she had been "rocked to the core by accusations of censorship" and it would now go ahead.
Stafford-Clark apologised in October for "any inappropriate behaviour".
The Guardian reported in October how he had left his theatre company Out Of Joint after a staff member had made a formal complaint about his lewd comments.
Before starting Out Of Joint, he was artistic director at the Royal Court from 1979 to 1993.
Earlier this week, the theatre said the play had "themes of grooming and abuses of power on young women" that were not appropriate.
But in a statement Ms Featherstone said she had reinstated the production, which had been due to run for two-and-a-half weeks in January before it was cancelled.
She said the theatre was "nothing without the voices and trust of our writers".
"This is the guiding principle on which the theatre was founded and on which it continues to be run," she said.
"I have therefore been rocked to the core by accusations of censorship and the banning of a working-class female voice.
"For that reason, I have invited the current Out of Joint production of Rita, Sue and Bob Too back to the Royal Court for its run.
"As a result of this helpful public debate we are now confident that the context with which Andrea Dunbar's play will be viewed will be an invitation for new conversations."
Performance dates and times will remain the same, the theatre said.
The play, which has toured the UK, opened in September at the Octagon theatre in Bolton, which was also a partner in the co-production with the Royal Court.
In recent months, the Royal Court has been at the forefront of tackling sexual harassment and abuse in the theatre world.
Earlier this year, it staged a "day of action", which led to a code of conduct.
In October, a spokesperson for Stafford-Clark told The Guardian the director had suffered from pseudobulbar palsy and "occasional disinhibition" since a stroke and brain injury in 2006.
A statement said: "Mr Stafford-Clark's occasional loss of the ability to inhibit urges results in him displaying disinhibited and compulsive behaviour and his usual (at times provocative) behaviour being magnified, often causing inappropriate social behaviour.
"Whilst this is an explanation it isn't an attempt to dismiss his behaviour and he apologises for any offence caused."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42377229
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Five drivers traced over fatal Tulse Hill hit-and-run - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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The drivers of two lorries and three cars have been spoken to after a woman was struck and killed.
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London
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The victim was hit on a pedestrian crossing on the South Circular Road
Five drivers who may have been involved in a hit-and-run which killed a woman in south London have all been traced.
The 29-year-old Polish national was hit by a lorry on a pedestrian crossing on Norwood Road, Tulse Hill, on Monday.
It is thought she was then struck by another lorry and up to three cars. None of the drivers stopped at the crash site, the Met said.
The identity of the victim, who was staying in Wandsworth, has not yet been released.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.
The 49-year-old driver of the first lorry was interviewed under caution earlier in the week.
The driver of the second car - a 52-year-old man - was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and released under investigation.
Police said the drivers of the first car and second lorry have now been spoken to, as has the driver of a third car which officers believe may also have struck the woman.
None of the three have been arrested.
The force is appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 06:50 GMT and when the lights were on green.
Acting Det Sgt Alastair Middleton, said: "Even though we have traced all the vehicles that we believe were involved, I continue to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision and the moments afterwards to contact us immediately.
"We are particularly interested in any dashcam footage that may have captured some of the incident before or after the collision."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42378366
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'Selfieccino' - Putting your face on a coffee - BBC News
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2017-12-16
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The selfie cappuccino cafe, where customers can sip on a portrait of their own face.
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A London cafe offers customers the chance to have a picture of their face on their coffee.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42364462
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi takes $450m on opening weekend - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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It is the second biggest grossing opening weekend in North America.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The Last Jedi had the second biggest grossing opening weekend in North America
The latest Star Wars film generated more than $450m (£337m) in global ticket sales on its opening weekend.
The movie dwarfed its nearest rival - the computer-animated comedy Ferdinand, which took $13m (£10m).
The total for The Last Jedi includes $220m (£165m) from box offices in the US and Canada, placing the film second in the all-time list for North America.
It trails behind the 2015 release Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opened with a record-breaking $248m (£185m).
In third place, the Disney/Pixar animation Coco brought in just over $10m (£7.5m) during its fourth weekend in North American cinemas.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the eighth instalment of the 40-year-old space saga and is directed by Rian Johnson, whose credits include Brick and Looper.
Daisy Ridley stars as Rey, a survivor toughened by life on a harsh planet
It sees Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.
British actors Daisy Ridley and John Boyega also return from The Force Awakens.
The film has been widely praised by critics, and has a score of 93% on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes.
Will Gompertz, the BBC's Arts Editor, gave it four out of five stars and said it was "packed with invention, wit, and action galore".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42387021
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Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur - BBC Sport
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2017-12-17
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Pep Guardiola says Kevin de Bruyne is helping Manchester City become "a better institution" after his display in the win over Spurs.
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Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Pep Guardiola said Kevin de Bruyne is helping Manchester City become "a better institution" after the playmaker put in an inspired performance to help his side outclass Tottenham for a 16th successive Premier League victory that stretched their lead to 14 points.
Ilkay Gundogan, in for the absent David Silva, headed City in front from a corner after 14 minutes and the only surprise was that it took until 20 minutes before time until man-of-the-match De Bruyne's powerful shot extended their advantage.
Gabriel Jesus struck the post with a penalty after Jan Vertonghen fouled De Bruyne but Raheem Sterling crowned a sweeping move with a simple finish to put the game well and truly out of Spurs' reach.
Sterling then took advantage of Eric Dier's mistake to walk in the fourth for his 15th goal of the season before Spurs - for whom Harry Kane and Dele Alli were lucky not to get red cards from referee Craig Pawson for challenges on Sterling and De Bruyne respectively - pulled one back in stoppage time through Christian Eriksen.
Boss Guardiola singled out De Bruyne for praise as he highlighted the Belgium international's work without the ball, calling it "a good example for the young players, for our academy".
"They know how good Kevin De Bruyne is and when they see how he runs and fights without the ball, that is the best example," added Guardiola.
"He helps us to be a better club, a better institution for the future, because that is what we want to do. His performance, I have no words to describe what he has done with the ball.
"And overall, without the ball, he is able to make pressure from 40 metres to the goalkeeper. And when that happens, the people who are behind him think 'if that guy runs like this, I have to run as well'."
How can anyone stop Manchester City?
It is the question being asked on a weekly basis - and no-one is any nearer finding the answer after another imperious performance from a City side who are surely now too far ahead to be caught in the Premier League title race.
Jose Mourinho went for a cautious approach with Manchester United in Sunday's derby at Old Trafford and was unpicked by the magic of David Silva as City won 2-1.
Silva was absent here and Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham adopted a more positive outlook - but this time the brilliant De Bruyne was the inspiration as another method was tried and failed against Guardiola's almost flawless side.
City swarmed all over Spurs, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris often put under pressure in possession and in the end it was quite simply all too much for Pochettino's side, as it has been for pretty much everyone this season.
Only Everton have taken a point against City this season with a 1-1 draw in the second league game of the season at Etihad Stadium - and it is difficult to see how this winning run can be stopped as they play with such threat and variety.
Even when City are threatened, Guardiola has successfully solved a problem which dogged his first season at the club with the acquisition of an excellent goalkeeper in Brazilian Ederson.
When Spurs looked dangerous for a brief period at the start of the second half, Ederson made a superb flying save to his right from Harry Kane.
If there is a weakness in this City side no-one has yet found it.
Silva may have been missing but this Manchester City side has more than enough brilliance to rely on one player - and it was De Bruyne who orchestrated the destruction of Spurs.
The Belgian had simply too much in his armoury, even shrugging off Dele Alli's crude challenge which left the England midfielder fortunate only to get a yellow card from referee Pawson.
Indeed, De Bruyne turned his anger on Spurs, scoring City's second shortly after with a shot that was too fierce for keeper Lloris, drawing a foul from countryman Jan Vertonghen to earn the penalty that Jesus missed and playing a part in setting up the third for Sterling.
Spurs, like many before them, found that if they closed down one option, Manchester City found another.
And at the heart of it all was De Bruyne, now a world-class talent in a truly outstanding team.
Guardiola added: "The performance of Kevin de Bruyne, you cannot imagine how good he plays with the ball, but he runs like a player in the Conference league - it is easier for the manager and the club."
'His feet are like paintbrushes'
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Match of the Day:
Kevin de Bruyne's feet are like paintbrushes, he's an artist. He's a thinking footballer, so creative, he creates chances for everyone and he'll take his own when he gets them.
He'll work hard for you as well. Young kids watching this, he's not admiring passes. He wants to get after things, there's an energy and desire in his football.
He wants to work hard, he's giving his manager everything, he's on fire - the world is his oyster at the moment. He's taking people out of their seats. The calibre of football he's playing is outstanding.
Spurs disappoint again - Alli most of all
Spurs were yet again found wanting on their travels against a team they had hoped to be challenging for the Premier League title.
As at Manchester United and Arsenal this season, Spurs never looked like securing the sort of statement victory that suggests they could bridge the gap from Premier League runners-up last season to champions this term.
Since they won 2-1 here in February 2016, they have not won in 10 away games against other teams in the so-called "big six", losing six and drawing four.
It is a telling statistic - although Pochettino is unlikely to believe it is because his players are struggling to climb a psychological barrier.
One of the most disappointing aspects of this defeat was the lack of impact from Alli, whose main contribution was that spiteful tackle on De Bruyne.
He was a peripheral figure and was roundly booed by City's fans when he was unsurprisingly substituted late on.
'Thanks to the club for these amazing players'
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "They have good quality, but we played really good to beat one of the strongest teams in the Premier League.
"Without the ball we are a humble team."
On City's record winning run: "Since August we are so happy and I admire the most the way we play without the ball - thank you to the club to provide me with these amazing players.
"We are on a good streak, but in three days we have another one."
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: "I think it was a good experience for the team, when you win and play well you maybe don't learn, so you must learn this type of game. We have a lot of positive things, because we played a team in very good form with very good momentum.
"It wasn't bad at the start, but the way we conceded from a corner was a big mistake and a massive present for them. When you play a team in very good form, you cannot give away these gifts.
"When you're playing a team with good quality, if we take risks, we give them the possibility of making chances. We tried to play, but they were better, we have to congratulate them. So far, they are the best team in England."
City prove again to be Lloris' bogey side
• None Guardiola is still three victories away from his best-ever winning streak in league football as a manager - 19 consecutive wins with Bayern Munich between October 2013 and March 2014.
• None Since taking over at White Hart Lane in August 2014, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has enjoyed just one victory in his 18 Premier League games away to the 'big six' (W1 D6 L11).
• None Tottenham's first shot on target came in the 55th minute, the longest they've had to wait in a Premier League game this season.
• None Tottenham directed just two shots on target in the game, compared to Manchester City's 11, the biggest negative difference for the Lilywhites in a Premier League game since December 2013 against Liverpool (-10).
• None Sane has been directly involved in 11 goals in eight Premier League home games this season (five goals, six assists), more than any other player.
• None De Bruyne has been directly involved in 14 goals in his 15 Premier League appearances since the start of September (six goals, eight assists).
• None Gundogan's opener was the 200th Premier League goal Lloris has conceded (203 in total now); 25 of them have come against Manchester City.
City are at Leicester on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup quarter-final (19:45 GMT) and then host Bournemouth in the league next Saturday at 15:00. Tottenham are at Burnley next Saturday (17:30).
• None Relive the action from the Etihad Stadium
• None Goal! Manchester City 4, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Manchester City 4, Tottenham Hotspur 0. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
• None Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
• None Attempt saved. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
• None Goal! Manchester City 3, Tottenham Hotspur 0. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Leroy Sané. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42290590
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BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017: World 10,000m champion Mo Farah wins - BBC Sport
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2017-12-17
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Sir Mo Farah is voted Sports Personality of the Year 2017 after winning his third successive world 10,000m title.
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Last updated on .From the section Sports Personality
World 10,000m champion Sir Mo Farah has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017.
The 34-year-old, a four-time Olympic champion, won his third successive world 10,000m gold medal in London in August - despite almost falling twice late in the race.
He becomes the first long-distance runner to win the Sports Personality award since Paula Radcliffe in 2002.
World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea was second and two-time Paralaympic champion Jonnie Peacock third.
Farah, who could not be at the ceremony in Liverpool, was presented the award on video link by stepdaughter Rhianna.
• None 'I can't stop staring at the trophy' - Farah shocked to win
• None How the night unfolded in pictures, video and on social
Former Liverpool and Scotland striker Kenny Dalglish announced the award at a sold-out Echo Arena after a public vote.
Farah, who was at the Sir Mo Farah Track in London, looked genuinely surprised to be named the winner before the video link cut out.
Former sprinter Michael Johnson stepped in to say a few words on Farah's behalf.
"It's well deserved," the American four-time Olympic champion said. "This year he came into his home championships, his last race on the track, and still delivered.
"Over the years he's dominated, he's out there by himself and always got the tactics right."
'I cannot believe I have won'
Farah, one of 12 contenders for the award, has been shortlisted five times before and enjoyed his previous highest finish of third in 2011.
After the show went off air, Farah spoke to those inside the arena.
Appearing close to tears, Farah said he was shocked to win because of the quality of the other athletes up for the award.
"It is pretty amazing and hard to think about," he said.
"I didn't imagine I was ever going to win this but anything can happen. If you work hard you can achieve your dreams.
"I am sorry I could not be there. My kid has been not well.
"I just cannot believe I have won."
A third successive World Championships 10,000m gold medal was the highlight of a year in which Farah also won a world 5,000m silver, missing out on a fifth major championships distance double in a row.
The Somali-born Londoner received a knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in November.
He bowed out from his track career with a 5,000m victory at the Diamond League event in Zurich in August, and will now concentrate on road races.
Farah took the prize with 83,524 votes - 2,957 more than second-placed Rea, while Peacock took third with 73,429, just 18 more than boxer Anthony Joshua.
After moving to England aged eight to join his father Mukhtar, the young Farah's talent was soon spotted (1/6)
Northern Ireland's Rea became the first rider to clinch three successive World Superbike titles, breaking American Colin Edwards' 15-year record for the number of points scored in a season.
He was also made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
"To be called out not third, and then second was incredibly strange, and a big surprise," Rea told BBC Sport NI.
"I had a word with my wife beforehand and she asked me if I was nervous and I was like 'no not really'. I was just happy to be here. I never in my wildest dreams believed that people would get behind me that much and it's an incredible way to cap 2017.
"It's been a dream come true to win not one world championship but now three on the bounce and to cap it off at the end of the season with this, before I start my preparations for 2018, is just incredible."
Third-placed Peacock won the T44 100m final in London in 10.75 seconds for his second world title after success in Lyon four years earlier.
The two-time Paralympic champion, who had his right leg amputated below the knee as a five-year-old after contracting meningitis, also became the first disabled contestant in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show this year.
"It's been a slightly strange year for me and tonight has been absolutely surreal," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I think watching everybody do their piece, you see the incredible athletes we have in this country.
"Every single person I was saying 'right, they're above, so are they' - just incredible names - so yes, it was a bit of a shock."
Helen Rollason Award: Sunderland fan and club mascot Bradley Lowery, whose bravery touched the hearts of many people, died aged six from a rare form of cancer in July.
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden helped England win the Under-17 World Cup and took the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.
Unsung Hero: Volunteer Denise Larrad for her fundraising work. The 55-year-old has had one sole aim - to get the people of Hinckley in Leicestershire active.
Lifetime Achievement: Former heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill won Olympic gold at London 2012 and a silver at the Rio Games four years later.
Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: Tennis player Roger Federer won the award for a record fourth time after claiming his eighth Wimbledon title and 19th Grand Slam in 2017.
Coach of the Year: Sprint coaches Benke Blomkvist, Stephen Maguire and Christian Malcolm helped GB's men's 4x100m team to World Championship gold.
Team of the Year: England women's cricket team produced a stunning fightback to beat India and win the World Cup in July.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds opened the show in Liverpool and then later introduced the Unsung Hero award with a cover version of the Beatles classic All You Need Is Love.
Rea arrived on stage on his superbike, while, like Farah, contenders Johanna Konta, Lewis Hamilton and Chris Froome joined on video link.
However, Farah's son Hussein stole the limelight when the runner was interviewed in the build-up, desperate for cuddles with his world champion dad and drawing a laugh from the crowd back in Liverpool as stepdaughter Rhianna stepped in on child-minding duties, only for Mo's microphone to then fall off.
There were plenty of other former winners present at the Echo Arena, from Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to Sir Steve Redgrave.
And Liverpool's finest were also in attendance, boxer Tony Bellew and new Everton manager Sam Allardyce on hand to present the Team of the Year prize.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/42387099
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Appeal over death of Commons deputy speaker's daughter - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Natalie Lewis-Hoyle's father, the Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle, said her death was "devastating".
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England
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Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, 28, was found unconscious at an address in Beeches Road, Heybridge
The daughter of the Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle has died, prompting an appeal for information about her final hours.
Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, 28, was found unconscious at an address in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex, on Friday morning.
Her mother, Maldon councillor Miriam Lewis, said her daughter's phone was missing and urged anyone who spoke to her the night before to contact police.
Mr Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley, said the family was "truly devastated".
He wrote on Twitter: "Our family will never be the same without our loving granddaughter, sister & aunty. Thank you for the kind support we've received, it is overwhelming."
Ms Lewis asked anyone contacted by "Natty" on Thursday night to get in touch with police and said that her daughter's phone had possibly been left on a train from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich.
She wrote on Facebook: "It is with unbearable sadness that I have to announce the sudden death of my beautiful, much-adored daughter Natalie.
"Natalie is my only child, my mini-me. Please help me find out what happened to her in the hours before her death."
Essex Police said the death was "not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner".
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42384573
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Birmingham crash: Victim Imtiaz Mohammed 'was on last job' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Imtiaz Mohammed, who had six children, had called his wife to say he was on his way home.
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Birmingham & Black Country
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Father-of-six Imtiaz Mohammed, described as a hard-working family man, was killed in the crash
A taxi driver killed in a "horrific" six-car crash in Birmingham was on his last job of the night, his brother has said.
Imtiaz Mohammed, 33, who had six children aged under 15, was one of six people killed in the accident in Edgbaston in the early hours of Sunday.
His two passengers were among those who died.
Two men in another car - Mohammed Fahsha, 30, and Tauqeer Hussain, 26 - died at the scene.
The men, from Small Heath, Birmingham, and a 25-year-old man, died when they were thrown from the Audi they were travelling in.
A 22-year-old man, who was also in the car, is in a serious condition at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Crash investigators are trying to piece together what caused the pile-up, on Belgrave Middleway.
Three men in the Audi, including Mohammed Fahsha, 30, pictured with his baby nephew, and Tauqeer Hussain, 26, known as Tox to his family, died at the scene.
The family of Mr Mohammed, who had five daughters and one son, said his death came the day before his daughter's fourth birthday.
His father, Ihktiar, said the "very close" family had been devastated by the loss and he had "woken up crying".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. A mourning father says the family was worried over his son's taxi-driving job
He said his grandchildren had gone to school as usual, adding that the younger of the children have not yet been told of their father's death.
He said: "I am very sad, this is a tragedy for everyone - for my family and also for the other families as well.
"It is a sad day and a sad time."
Mr Mohammed added his son's work as a driver had "worried the family" and he had been hoping to get security work in the new year.
People have been leaving tributes near the scene of the crash, including flowers with a card saying: "To Mum, I love you loads. "Life isn't going to be the same without you."
Imtiaz Mohammed (left) had called his wife to say he was on his way home just before the crash
He said his "heart sank" when police knocked on his door at 05:00 GMT and he "knew there was something wrong".
"I thought to myself, 'which of my sons is hurt'," he said.
Three vehicles were directly involved in the accident on Belgrave Middleway in the early hours of Sunday
The scene of the accident was described as "harrowing"
The victim's younger brother, Noorshad Mohammed, said Imtiaz called his wife just before the crash, to tell her he was on his way home.
The 32-year-old said: "It was his last job of the night. That was the last time she spoke to him."
The taxi driver's employer, Castle Cars, said it was "shocked and devastated" to learn of Mr Mohammed's death.
"He was loved and respected by all who worked with him and he will be greatly missed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all the other families affected by this tragedy."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Officers were dealing with "a very harrowing scene", Supt Sean Phillips said
A 43-year-old female passenger in Mr Mohammed's taxi was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash, which happened on the underpass where Belgrave and Lee Bank Middleway meet.
Her male companion, 42, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The first car in the crash sustained extensive damage but, "astonishingly", the man and woman inside managed to get out with relatively minor injuries, an ambulance service spokesman said.
Four men in the third car had all had been thrown from the vehicle
Three other cars were caught up in the crash and suffered minor damage trying to avoid it.
Michelle Brotherton, from the ambulance service, said crews had dealt with 13 patients.
As well as those who died and the man in a critical condition, four people were taken to Heartlands Hospital where their condition is believed to be non-life threatening.
A further two patients were "discharged on scene".
West Midlands Police said all victims were from the Birmingham area and specialist officers were supporting their families.
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Police said they were following various lines of investigation including the condition of the road when the crash happened.
At a press conference Supt Sean Phillips said it was "too early" to speculate on the cause of the accident.
"It will take some time to unpick and just understand exactly what's happened. It would be unfair for me to speculate at this time," he said.
He said the road had been gritted at 17:00 GMT on Saturday.
Sam Lad, who lives in a flat overlooking the crash site, said people regularly used the road for racing.
He said: "Lots of young people use that road as a competition, I see lots of people speeding."
An online fundraising page been set up for the families of those killed, through the Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal. It has raised more than £5,500.
Two people escaped with minor injuries from the crash
The stretch of road from Islington Row to Bristol Street was closed while officers investigate.
The road has two lanes either side and a 40mph speed limit.
Another resident who lives opposite said: "This road is really dangerous. Young kids like to challenge themselves and go really fast.
"I can't believe six people have died, and so close to Christmas and New Year."
The road had been gritted at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, police say
Area Commander Jason Campbell, of West Midlands Fire Service, said the crash site was "spread over some distance".
West Midlands Police described dealing with the aftermath of the crash as "very difficult and upsetting".
A senior officer criticised the "lack of humanity" of people who took photographs and filmed at the scene.
Chief Inspector Stuart Bill said it was "disappointing" that people chose to "disrupt" emergency services rather than help.
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Sergeant Alan Hands, from the force's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We are still trying to establish exactly what happened and our thoughts remain with the families who have lost-loved ones.
"We aware of distressing images of the scene circulating on social media and we would ask the public to not share them and instead pass any footage to us to assist our investigation."
Any witnesses have been asked to contact West Midlands Police.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42387110
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Deaths of Canada billionaire Barry Sherman and wife 'suspicious' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Barry and Honey Sherman were discovered in the basement of their Toronto home by an estate agent.
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US & Canada
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Honey and Barry Sherman were renowned for their charity fundraising
A Canadian billionaire and his wife have been found dead at their home in Toronto in circumstances that police described as "suspicious".
The bodies of Barry Sherman and his wife Honey were found in the basement by an estate agent, reports said.
Mr Sherman was the founder and chairman of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, which sells generic medicines around the world.
He was one of Canada's richest men and a prominent philanthropist.
There was no sign of forced entry to the property, police said in a statement Friday evening. Local media reported that investigators were not searching for a suspect at this time.
Detective Brandon Price told Canadian broadcaster CBC that investigators were still trying to determine if there was foul play involved.
Police gave few details and did not confirm the identities of the deceased. However, they were named locally by friends and by officials who reacted with shock at the news.
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"I am beyond words right now," Ontario's Health Minister Eric Hoskins said on Twitter.
"My dear friends Barry and Honey Sherman have been found dead. Wonderful human beings, incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care."
Senator Linda Frum presented the couple with a Canadian 150th anniversary medal in late November, awarded to Canadians for "generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work".
"Today I am gutted by the loss of Honey and Barry Sherman. Our community is steeped in grief. I am heartbroken," she said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the couple's family and friends.
The bodies, covered in blankets, were removed from the house in north-east Toronto
The house was on sale for C$7m ($5.4m; £4m)
A police spokesman said emergency services were called to the house just before noon on Friday.
"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," said Constable David Hopkinson.
The couple had recently put their luxury home up for sale and their bodies were found by an estate agent who was at the property to prepare it for an open-house viewing, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported, citing a family member.
Apotex said in a statement: "All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
The couple had four children.
Mr Sherman founded Apotex Inc in 1974 and the firm says it is now the seventh biggest generic drug maker in the world.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42375152
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Sydney man charged with being 'economic agent' for North Korea - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Chan Han Choi, 59, is arrested and charged with breaching sanctions and weapons laws.
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Australia
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It is the first time anyone has been charged under Australia's Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
A man has been arrested in Sydney for allegedly acting as an economic agent for North Korea, Australian Federal Police (AFP) have said.
Chan Han Choi, 59, has been charged with brokering illegal exports from the country and discussing the supply of weapons of mass destruction.
Police allege he has broken both UN and Australian sanctions.
The case against the suspect, who has lived in Australia for more than 30 years, is a first for the country.
Never before has someone been charged under the country's 1995 Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act.
Police say there was evidence that Chan Han Choi had been in contact with "high ranking officials in North Korea".
They allege he had brokered services related to North Korea's weapons programme, including the sale of specialist services including ballistic missile technology to foreign entities, in order to generate income for the North Korean regime.
Chan Han Choi also was charged with brokering the sale of coal from North Korea to groups in Indonesia and Vietnam. He is facing six charges in total after being arrested at his home on Saturday night.
The arrest was made in the Eastwood area of Sydney on Saturday
In a Sunday news conference, police confirmed the man was a naturalised Australian citizen of Korean origin who had been in the country for over 30 years.
They described him as a "loyal agent" who "believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose".
But police insisted the man's actions did not pose any "direct risk" to Australians, with the actions occurring offshore.
"I know these charges sound alarming. Let me be clear we are not suggesting there are any weapons or missile component that ever came to Australian soil," AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said.
"Any individual who attempts to fly in the face of sanctions cannot and will not go unnoticed in Australia."
The suspect could face up to 10 years in prison and has been denied bail.
In October the Australian government said they had received a letter from North Korea urging Canberra to distance itself from the Trump administration.
Pyongyang had previously warned that Australia would "not be able to avoid a disaster" if it followed US policies towards Kim Jong-un's regime.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42382399
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Bradley Lowery: Award for Sunderland mascot at BBC Sports Personality - BBC Sport
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2017-12-17
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Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old Sunderland mascot who died from cancer, will be recognised with the Helen Rollason Award at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality show.
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Last updated on .From the section Sports Personality
Bradley Lowery, the boy whose bravery touched the hearts of many people, will be honoured at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show.
The Sunderland fan and club mascot, who died aged six from a rare form of cancer, has been named the winner of the Helen Rollason Award.
The award, for achievement in the face of adversity, is in memory of the BBC presenter who died of cancer in 1999.
It will be presented to Bradley's parents, Gemma and Carl, in Liverpool.
• None Meet the contenders for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017
Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare type of cancer - when he was 18 months old.
But his positive attitude and cheery smile won him admirers across the world and he became "best mates" with Sunderland's former striker Jermain Defoe.
Well-wishers raised more than £700,000 last year to pay for him to be given antibody treatment in New York, but medics then found his cancer had grown and his family was informed his illness was terminal.
After his death in July 2017, Bradley's parents, who are from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, said: "He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed elsewhere."
Bournemouth striker Defoe said: "Every time I saw him was a special feeling. He was my best friend."
Bradley became known worldwide following an appeal that led to him receiving 250,000 Christmas cards from countries as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
In December 2016, he met England manager Gareth Southgate and Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in Birmingham.
Bradley then won the programme's December goal of the month award after he took a penalty before Sunderland's game against Chelsea.
He also appeared as a mascot for Everton, with the club donating £200,000 to the Bradley Lowery Foundation set up in his honour, and was visited in hospital by a number of Sunderland players.
A dream came true in March when he was mascot for the England team at Wembley Stadium before a World Cup qualifier where Defoe scored in a 2-0 win over Lithuania.
He was also given honorary 41st place in the racecard for the Grand National at Aintree in April.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/42336969
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December shopper footfall down 'significantly' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The bad weather and rise in online shopping are both factors in the drop, retail researchers say.
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UK
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The number of people out shopping in the UK in the first two weeks of December fell "significantly" compared to last year, retail researchers say.
Analysis firm Springboard found a 4.9% decrease in footfall at shopping centres, retail parks and high streets.
Bad weather and rise in online shopping were both factors in the decline, according to Diane Wehrle.
The figures come as a retail analyst said it expected shops to make big discounts in the week before Christmas.
Consultancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) said it was anticipating more retailers to be discounting in the week leading up to Christmas than during the Black Friday weekend.
Springboard's analysis for this month - up to 14 December - showed that the number of people visiting shops compared to the same period last year fell by 4.9% - almost three times the 1.7% decrease in 2016.
Ms Wehrle said last week's snow had a "clear impact" on footfall, but was just one of a number of factors.
She said: "The reasons are associated with budgetary constraints, due to inflation and the recent interest rate rise, but also due to the heavy discounting in November.
"Black Friday pulled spending forward, thereby impacting on customer activity in December. And of course all of this is set against a backdrop of a continuing rise in online spending."
She added that while online spending accounts for about 15% of total retail spending, it is rising approximately 10% year on year.
Meanwhile, PwC said it expected retailers to make big discounts in the final week before Christmas to convince shoppers to keep spending throughout the festive period.
The firm has analysed the number of promotions advertised in shops and online during November and December for the past seven years.
It found that many of the retailers offering promotions during the Black Friday weekend in late November returned to full price sales by the beginning of December, before relaunching discounts in the lead up to Christmas.
Lisa Hooker, consumer markets leader at PwC, said: "As we rapidly approach Christmas itself, we are already seeing an uptick in promotional activity as retailers try to attract customers through their doors and clear festive stock."
Earlier this week it was revealed that Black Friday helped retail sales to grow by 1.1% last month - despite average prices rising faster than average wages.
The six weeks from the end of November to the start of January account for up to half of any major retailer's annual profits.
Have a bad Christmas, and you'll have a bad year.
Add in falling real incomes because inflation is high and wage growth is modest, and retailers are especially nervous this year.
So that's why some of them are offering decent discounts in the very fortnight before Christmas that they need to maximise their margins (profits). And the reason? Competition.
The rivalry on - and offline - between retailers is intense. No flash sale by a large company, will go unmatched by its rivals.
And consumers, thanks to the internet, are now increasingly aware of sudden discounting. So bargains don't go a-begging.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42380375
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The Apprentice: Lord Sugar surprises viewers with final result - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The latest series of The Apprentice came to an end on Sunday night - with a surprise result.
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Entertainment & Arts
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Who could choose between Sarah Lynn and James White?
The latest series of The Apprentice has reached a surprise climax.
Lord Sugar has chosen both finalists to be his business partners, for the first time in the BBC show's history.
The business mogul said he "genuinely couldn't decide" between sweet firm owner Sarah Lynn, 35, and James White, 26, who runs an IT recruitment company.
As a result, both candidates receive a £250,000 business investment and 50/50 partnership with Lord Sugar, who called them "fantastically skilled people".
"This particular year, I'm going to double my investment," Lord Sugar told them.
"I'm going to start a business with both of you."
Usually, Lord Sugar gives £250,000 to just one winner.
According to the BBC, this surprise double "hiring" does not constitute a format change.
But some fans were unhappy with the conclusion and reacted strongly on Twitter.
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Another felt the candidates in the final weren't up to scratch.
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But not everybody minded the twist.
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An audience of 6.5 million tuned into the final to see Lynn, from London, go up against White, from Birmingham.
Over the course of the 12-week series, the pair had seen off 16 other candidates to compete with each other for the privilege of becoming Lord Sugar's business partner.
The final episode saw Lynn and White pitch their business plans to Lord Sugar and his panel of experts.
"It is quite obvious that there are two fantastically skilled people there," said the 70-year-old magnate before reaching his decision.
"Deciding on a winner was the most difficult decision I have had to make in all 13 series of The Apprentice to date," said Lord Sugar in a statement.
Lord Sugar (centre) reached his decision after consulting Karren Brady and Claude Littner
"James and Sarah were extremely impressive and their proposed business plans were very different but equally strong.
"I genuinely couldn't decide between them, so after deliberating long and hard, I decided to stump up £500,000 and invest in them both."
Lynn said she felt "shocked and amazed" to be declared the joint victor alongside White, who said it was "very, very humbling" to be Lord Sugar's business partner.
The investment will allow the pair to build their respective confectionery and recruitment businesses.
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Brexit: Guidelines for the next stage of talks - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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What are the key phrases in the Brexit guidelines and what do they mean?
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UK Politics
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The European Council has said that Brexit talks can enter the second phase following last week's agreement.
As a result it has published its guidelines for the next stage of talks.
Here are some of the key phrases from that document.
Don't forget that there are plenty of crucial details that still need to be resolved before negotiations on a withdrawal agreement come to an end.
That means the financial settlement, citizens' rights and of course, the Irish border.
Sufficient progress is not the end of the story, but the text also makes it clear that there will be a concerted effort to lock in what has been agreed so far - and that if the EU detects any reluctance or backsliding from the UK then that will have a negative effect on discussions about the future.
Theresa May has already agreed that a transition of about two years will take place under existing EU rules and regulations, but the EU's text makes crystal clear what it believes that means.
The UK will have to accept all EU law (that's what the acquis means) including new laws passed during the transition itself.
But it will no longer have a seat at the table when those laws are made. To put it brutally - the UK will, for a while, become a rule-taker rather than a rule-maker.
Both sides talk of a strictly time-limited transition period, so there doesn't appear to be much appetite at the moment for extending it.
Quite what happens if a future trade deal isn't ready by the end of the transition, a scenario many experts think is quite possible, will have to be debated in the future.
During the transition, the UK will have to accept the full jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and all four freedoms - including the freedom of movement of people.
The EU says the UK will remain in the single market and the customs union during a transition, while the UK insists that it will leave both on Brexit day.
This could become a semantic argument, because by accepting all rules and regulations - in other words, the status quo - the UK will remain in the single market and the customs union whether it likes it or not.
The British government has suggested that some things - like dispute resolution mechanisms - could change during the transition as agreement is made on future co-operation. But there's little appetite in the EU for that - in its view, you're either in or you're out.
The EU 27 stress that they want a close partnership with the UK in the future, but here they are setting out the limits of what they could mean.
The further away the UK wants to be from the rules and regulations of the single market the less access it will have - there is no such thing as partial membership.
This gets us back to the unresolved debate about what "full alignment" at the Irish border really means in practice.
The phrase "preserve a level playing field" is important too. The EU is anxious to ensure that the UK doesn't try to undercut the EU in any way by having looser regulations in certain key areas, and, if it does, then there will be consequences.
EU negotiators won't have the authority to start discussions with the UK on future relations (including trade and also things like security and foreign policy) until another set of guidelines is adopted in March 2018.
That gives the two sides not much more than six months to agree the text of a broad political declaration on the outlines of the future relationship.
The EU hopes to get that finalised by October 2018, but it emphasises that formal trade negotiations can only begin after the UK has left the EU.
Informal contacts on what the future might look like are probably taking place already, but the EU is still waiting for greater clarity from London about what exactly the UK government hopes to achieve in the long term.
The UK is trying to be as ambitious as possible about what can be done before Brexit actually happens. The EU, though, emphasises that trade talks will have to continue long after the UK has left.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42367532
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Brexit: Theresa May says she 'will not be derailed' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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The prime minister writes in two Sunday newspapers that she has "proven the doubters wrong".
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UK Politics
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The prime minister has said the government is "proving the doubters wrong" with its Brexit negotiations.
EU leaders agreed talks can move on to the next stage in the new year, shortly after Theresa May suffered her first Commons defeat on Brexit.
Writing in two Sunday papers, she vowed she would "not be derailed" from securing an "ambitious" deal.
Labour's Diane Abbott told the BBC the Brexit negotiations were "a mess" and were causing concern.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Express, Mrs May said the last 10 days had "marked a watershed" in the Brexit process and that the government would now "begin to build that new, deep and special partnership" with the EU.
"This is the exciting part of the negotiations and there is no limit on our ambition and creativity," she said.
She said talks would now start on the implementation period for Brexit and the future of trading relationships.
"Amid all the noise, we are getting on with the job," she added.
Cabinet ministers are due to discuss their stance on the relationship they want with the EU - the UK's "end state" - in the coming days, but some ministers are thought to favour a closer alignment than others.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was a leading voice in the referendum Leave campaign, has argued that the UK cannot mirror EU law in the long term.
The EU's guidelines for phase two of the negotiations say the UK would "continue to participate in the customs union and the single market during the transition" - a period of up to two years after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 - and remain under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
Mr Johnson said if the UK ended up being forced to mirror EU laws "we would have gone from being a member state to a vassal state".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Diane Abbott says she does not want a second referendum on a final Brexit deal
He said the UK needed "something new and ambitious, which allows zero tariffs and frictionless trade" but maintains the freedom to "decide our own regulatory framework and own laws".
Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke said any final trade deal between the UK and EU must "maximise" access to the EU market.
"We are not looking for an EEA-type (European Economic Area) arrangement so that, essentially, it's continuity as far as the end state is concerned," he said.
"But it is also important that we maximise our access to the European markets, that is really important to the UK."
Lib Dem Leader Sir Vince Cable told BBC Radio 5live it was difficult to say where the prime minister stood on what the UK's final "end state" relationship with the EU would be.
He told Pienaar's Politics that his impression, in his five years working with Mrs May during the 2010-2015 coalition government, when she was home secretary, was that she was "not terribly interested in economic matters".
He added that that "makes her quite difficult to place" on whether she would prefer a close single market-type arrangement, the so-called Norway model, or a "more distant" variant like Canada.
"I've no idea how she would react to that because she was preoccupied, I would say, obsessed with, immigration as an issue and that was her job".
Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott was asked whether Labour would back a Norway-style deal for the UK.
Norway is not in the EU but has access to the single market, in return for a financial contribution and accepting the majority of EU laws.
She said Labour was "not conducting this negotiation" but it would not back anything "that damages jobs and the economy".
Pressed on whether the UK may have to make payments to get access to the single market, she replied: "We may have to do so, but we have to see how the Tories' negotiations go".
The prime minister lost in the Commons earlier this week when MPs - including 11 from her own party - voted to give Parliament a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.
Following the vote, there were calls for the Tory rebels to be deselected by the party and some received death threats.
Tory peers Baroness Altmann and Baroness Wheatcroft have written in the Observer that such threats "are worrying symptoms of the toxic atmosphere which has been created in our country" and the Lords would be "unlikely to be receptive to bullying over a restricted timetable or vigorous whipping to toe the party line".
But former chancellor Ken Clarke, who was among the 11 rebels, said reports of de-selection threats were "all nonsense".
"I think it's caused by all the rubbish that keeps appearing in the right-wing newspapers, which have completely lost their heads over the whole thing," he said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42382391
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Ryanair pilots in Ireland suspend strike plans - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Ryanair pilots in Ireland join other unions in Europe and suspend strike planned for Wednesday
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Business
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Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary had always refused to recognise pilots' unions
The Impact union, which represents Irish-based pilots, has agreed to meet Ryanair's management on Tuesday ahead of the planned action on Wednesday.
It follows Ryanair's decision on Friday to recognise unions, in a bid to avert strikes across its European operations.
Unions in other countries had already halted action, but Impact said Irish pilots wanted more clarification.
In a statement on Sunday, the union said: "Impact has this evening suspended a planned one-day strike of Ryanair pilots next Wednesday after company management agreed to recognise the union as the representative of Irish-based pilots.
"The union has agreed to meet management on Tuesday evening, but says it is available to meet sooner.
"The union asked management to release its Ryanair pilot representatives to prepare for and attend the meeting.
"The union acknowledged the principled determination of Ryanair pilots."
The airline has offered to recognise trade unions for the first time after pilots in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal threatened walkouts.
Ryanair said on Saturday that it would meet the German pilots' union for talks on Wednesday.
The airline's chief operations officer, Peter Bellew, confirmed the planned meetings in a social media post on Saturday, saying "let's keep talking".
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The Dublin-based airline announced on Friday that it would recognise the unions "as long as they establish committees of Ryanair pilots... as Ryanair will not engage with pilots who fly for competitor airlines".
It is the first time Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has extended such an invitation to union leaders in the 32 years the company has been flying.
Britain's Balpa union said on Saturday said it had accepted Ryanair's offer to represent British-based pilots, but only if the TUC federation of British trade unions was allowed to attend future talks.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Ryanair tells Today the airline is moving to recognise unions as it's "time for change"
Friday's announcement led to Italian pilots' union Anpac and Portuguese union Spac calling off strike action due to take place next week.
Pilots in Germany had voted to take industrial action some time during the Christmas period.
German union Vereinigung Cockpit said the onus was now on Ryanair to "prove that this announcement is serious".
In Spain, there are no strikes planned for pilots but ground staff unions have not ruled out action on 30 December.
In October, Mr O'Leary wrote to his airline's pilots to offer them better pay and conditions after Ryanair was forced to cancel thousands of flights.
The carrier admitted it had "messed up" the planning of its pilots' holidays.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42386891
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Brent PCs critically hurt after being hit by Maserati - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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The two officers were returning to their police car when they were struck.
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London
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The two PCs were struck on the A406 North Circular Road near Dog Lane in Brent Park
Two police officers were critically injured after they were hit by a Maserati while walking back to their vehicle in north-west London.
The two PCs were returning to their marked car on the A406 North Circular Road in Brent Park, Neasden, at about 03:40 GMT when they were struck.
The male driver of the white luxury car was arrested at the scene.
Scotland Yard said one officer remained in a critical condition while the other was seriously injured.
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A spokesperson said the officers, both aged in their 30s, had been at the location assisting with inquiries into an unrelated matter.
They said the male officer was critically injured while the female officer sustained a number of fractures and is in a serious but stable condition.
A woman who was inside the Maserati was also taken to hospital but was not seriously injured.
The driver, aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said her "thoughts and prayers are with my officers".
"It is incidents such as this that act as a stark reminder of the uncertainties of police work and the dangers that officers face every day," she said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42384394
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The beautiful flower with an ugly past - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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How the cornflower has become the centre of a political controversy in Austria.
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Magazine
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It looks simple - a pretty blue cornflower - but this plant is causing controversy in Austria. It's the chosen flower of the far-right Freedom Party, even though it was once associated with the Nazis.
Dieter Dorner takes a long sip of his Gemischtes, a mix of dark beer and lager, and smiles.
We are sitting in an inn in Untersiebenbrunn, a little town east of Vienna, where he is a councillor for the far-right Freedom Party. Over a meal of sausage, chips and locally grown white asparagus, he tells me about a planned dance.
In true Austrian fashion, it's to be a ball - the local Freedom party's first Cornflower Ball, Der Kornblumenball.
"We've never had a Freedom Party Ball in Untersiebenbrunn before," he explains. "So we said to ourselves, let's do something, let's have a ball. The band will play dance music. My favourite is the slow waltz."
The ball was arranged last September, but the timing is felicitous, because these days the Freedom Party in Untersiebenbrunn has a lot to celebrate. In the first round of voting in Austria's presidential election in April, 53% of people here voted for the Freedom Party candidate, Norbert Hofer.
Dotted through the town's leafy streets are the blue Freedom Party campaign placards and posters for the Kornblumenball, featuring a silhouette of a dancing couple in evening dress.
"Hasn't there been some controversy about the blue cornflower?" I ask. "Something to do with the Nazis?" Dieter shakes his head. "The cornflower is simply the Freedom Party flower and we like it," he says.
"To discuss what happened 80 years ago, or what didn't happen or perhaps happened doesn't bring us forward. There is certainly nothing deliberately nasty about it."
But other Austrians are not so sure.
"The cornflower is a complicated symbol," Vienna historian, Bernhard Weidinger, tells me. "It was the German Kaiser Wilhelm's favourite flower, and was used by pan-German nationalists in the 19th Century.
"Then between 1934 and 1938, when the Nazis were a banned party in Austria, it was the secret symbol they used to wear in order to recognise each other."
Nowadays, it's traditional for Austrian MPs to wear a flower in their buttonholes at the opening of parliament, he explains. The colour of the Freedom Party is blue, so they wear a cornflower.
"You are not a neo-Nazi if you wear a cornflower," he continues. "But it is fair to say that the Freedom Party cultivates a certain ambivalence when it comes to the past."
Their presidential hopeful, Norbert Hofer, continues to face sharp criticism about his occasional choice of floral decoration. In response to a question last week, he declared that he wanted nothing to do with the Nazis, and wouldn't let them take away things like the cornflower.
The Freedom Party has moved on a long way from the heyday of its firebrand leader, Joerg Haider, who died in a car crash in 2008. Back in the 1980s and 90s, Haider openly praised aspects of the Third Reich. These days, Freedom Party members who veer in that direction are quickly silenced or removed from their posts.
A day or so later I fall into conversation with a young man called Michael, in a park in Vienna.
It's a balmy spring evening, the chestnut trees are in bloom, and in the distance a jazz band is playing a free concert on an open-air podium. "What do you think about the Freedom Party and the cornflower?" I ask.
"I hate those people," he replies. "And the cornflower isn't great. But you know, I'm not quite as worried about their attitude towards the past as I am about their attitude to what's going on now. Their barely-concealed racism, their rhetoric against Muslims and refugees is really wrong."
A demonstrator at an anti-Hofer rally in Vienna holds up an image of the cornflower
He looks around at a family playing with their well-groomed dogs. "And the other thing that bothers me," he says, "is that they are working on people's fears and encouraging our worst instincts. Like Donald Trump does. Austria is better off than most countries in the world. It's safe - and in general life is pretty good here. But to hear the Freedom Party talk, you'd think we were living in some desperately difficult country." He shrugs.
I think back to my conversation with Dieter in the comfortable little town of Untersiebenbrunn. I had asked him if the Freedom Party was deliberately stirring up fears to gain votes.
"We don't create people's concerns, we express them," he had said. "We're worried about our future. When you have a lot, you also have a lot to lose."
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Santa Barbara evacuated as Thomas flares up again - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Strong winds drive the Thomas fire - now California's third-biggest on record - towards the coast.
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US & Canada
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Firefighters are dropping red flame retardant to try to quench the flames
Authorities in California have issued new evacuation orders as a huge wildfire flares up again in Santa Barbara County.
Meteorologists said fresh northerly winds were likely to drive the flames from the fire - named Thomas - towards the Pacific coast.
The blaze, the state's third largest on record, has now burnt almost 1,000 sq km (405 sq miles) since 4 December.
Two people are reported to have died as a result of the fire.
Fire apparatus engineer Cory Iverson was killed tackling the blaze last week, along with a woman, Virginia Rae Pesola, who was in a car crash as she evacuated.
The resurgence of strong "sundowner" winds combined with low humidity forecast for Sunday could fuel the flames and has prompted new mandatory evacuation orders for several Santa Barbara communities, including hillside homes in Montecito and Summerland.
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The fire has crossed the San Ysidro canyon, dashing firefighters' hope that it could be contained.
More than 8,000 firefighters are now tackling the blaze, which has destroyed about 1,000 structures including some 750 homes. The cost of the operation is now $104m (£78m), said Reuters news agency.
Using helicopters and planes to drop fire retardant on the flames, firefighters have managed to contain 40% of the blaze.
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François Gabart: French sailor slashes around the world solo record - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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François Gabart cuts more than six days off the record for fastest solo sail around the globe.
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Europe
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. François Gabart was welcomed back to France by a flotilla of local boats escorting him home
A French sailor has set a new world record for the fastest solo round-the-world navigation, beating the previous time by more than six days.
François Gabart finished his circuit of the globe early on Sunday, in a time of 42 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds.
He completed the journey non-stop, confined to his trimaran sailing yacht since 4 November.
Gabart broke the record set by his countryman Thomas Coville last year.
The record was held at one stage by British national Dame Ellen MacArthur.
Gabart's new record has yet to be verified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, which will check the ship's GPS data before confirming the result.
Gabart celebrated aboard his trimaran as he reached port in Brest
He crossed the finish line near the western limit of the English Channel at about 01:45 GMT, before turning his ship homeward.
Capturing the drama just ahead of the finish, Gabart said in a video recorded in front of an on-board computer monitor: "The little blue bit is us, the red line is the finish. We should cross it any time now, the computer says 30 seconds."
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Then he reported: "I've just crossed the finish line. It's pretty crazy. It's pretty unreal. I'm a bit overwhelmed. Just now I couldn't move I was at such a loss about what to do next. I'm in the dark. There are cargo ships and fishing boats around me. It's a pretty weird atmosphere and at the same time it's pretty extraordinary...
"I'm proud and happy to have made this pretty voyage around the planet."
As he arrived in the town of Brest in France's north-west several hours later, his yacht was escorted into port by a host of local boats in celebration of his accomplishment.
Gabart's success is partly down to good luck with weather, which can dramatically influence sailing speeds.
François Gabart spent 42 days alone on his ship
AFP news agency reports that, while chasing the global speed record, Gabart broke several others for solo racing, including the fastest navigation of the Pacific and the longest distance covered in 24 hours - 1,575km (851 miles).
But his 30m (98ft) boat was also custom-designed for the purpose, using the latest technology, and reached speeds of 35 knots (65km/h) during the journey, it said.
Gabart posted photos and video on social media frequently during his 42 days at sea, sharing his sunset views or his success at fishing with fans.
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Well-known sailor Michel Desjoyeaux told the AFP news agency it was not surprising that Gabart had broken Coville's record.
"The one thing we can be sure of is that Francois has a faster boat than Thomas had and if they raced head-to-head then he would be faster," he said. "And he has spent a great deal of time on a multi-hull and is completely unafraid of high speeds."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42383438
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Hundreds of sausage dogs don Christmas jumpers in Leeds - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Hundreds of Dachshunds wearing Christmas jumpers gather for a walk in a Leeds Park.
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Hundreds of Dachshunds wearing Christmas jumpers have taken part in a festive frolic around a park in Leeds.
The event saw 288 pets gather in Roundhay for the annual walk organised by the Yorkshire Dachshund Group.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42385299
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Chile election: Conservative Piñera elected president - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Sebastián Piñera returns to serve as Chilean president for a second term, after a clear second-round win.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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Sebastián Piñera will serve as president for the second time
A conservative billionaire and former president, Sebastián Piñera, has won Chile's presidential election run-off.
Left-winger Alejandro Guillier conceded and congratulated his opponent on his win and his return to the presidency after a four-year gap.
With nearly all votes counted, Mr Piñera polled more than 54%.
It is a clear move to the right for the country, which is currently led by socialist President Michelle Bachelet. She had backed Mr Guillier.
About 14 million were eligible to vote in the ballot, including, for the first time, Chileans living abroad.
However, voter turnout was low, at 48.5%. It had been thought that a high turnout would favour Mr Guillier.
Mr Piñera called for unity after his victory:
"Chile needs agreements more than confrontations," he said. "The paths of the future unite us. Sometimes the stories of the past separate us."
Reaching out to his opponent, Mr Piñera added: "I want to talk to him about the points we agree about."
Mr Guillier recognised his "harsh defeat" in the election while congratulating his opponent
Billionaire businessman Mr Piñera won the first round of votes by a large margin, when the number of candidates reduced from eight to two for a final run-off.
He has already governed the country from 2010 to 2014, when he ended two decades of uninterrupted centre-left rule. But the former president and his Chile Vamos coalition had only a slim lead in the most recent opinion polls before Sunday's election vote.
He had the support of the business community, promising to lower taxes to get the economy growing again.
During his campaign, he promised to rein in the reforms brought in by President Bachelet, while his opponent Mr Guillier, on the other hand, campaigned on the back of her legacy.
While President Bachelet's progressive agenda has won plaudits abroad, her popularity plummeted during her second term, due in part to a 2015 corruption scandal involving her daughter-in-law.
This year, however, the president overcame conservative opposition to successfully ease Chile's strict anti-abortion laws.
Conservative critics say Ms Bachelet pushed her reforms too far. She was unable to seek re-election under the country's constitution.
As votes closed, projections indicated a victory for Mr Piñera, causing celebration among his supporters
Mr Guillier represents six parties in a left-wing coalition. He beat former president Ricardo Lagos for the Socialist Party nomination in April 2017, promising to continue Ms Bachulet's reforms.
A decade ago, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela were all governed by left-wing leaders.
But in recent years, conservatives have come to power in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, and Venezuela's "Bolivarian Revolution" has come under severe pressure with anti-government protesters taking to the streets for months. The win by Mr Piñera further consolidates that trend.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42388019
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Birmingham crash: Very harrowing scene, say police - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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A crash in Birmingham in which six people have died is a tragic incident just before Christmas, police say.
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Six people have been killed in a multiple-vehicle crash in Birmingham.
Speaking at a news conference, Supt Sean Phillips from West Midlands Police said it was a "very harrowing scene".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42385791
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Self-exclusion scheme in betting shops flawed - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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A self-exclusion scheme for addicted gamblers has been put to the test - and been found wanting.
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The Gambling Commission is to investigate the findings of a BBC 5 live report which found flaws in a scheme designed to help problem gamblers.
Addicted gamblers can sign up to be self-excluded from betting shops near where they live, work and socialise, to help reduce or stop their gambling habit.
BBC reporter Rob Cave put this scheme to the test, by self-excluding himself from 21 betting shops in Grimsby. He then went undercover, visiting them all to see if he was recognised.
Rob was able to place bets in 16 shops before he was finally recognised and asked to leave. Rob says: "It begs the question - is a piece of paper with a name and a photograph on it, enough of a solution to help those who want to stop gambling when the fun stops."
In a statement, The Association of Bookmakers said: "We accept that the current self-exclusion scheme is not without flaws however we are continually developing improved systems."
This clip is taken from 5 live Investigates on 17 December 2017. Have you got something you want investigating? We want to hear from you. Email us.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42372860
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Switzerland funicular: World's steepest railway opens - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The specially designed barrel-shaped carriages rotate as it ascends precipitous mountain slopes.
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Europe
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The floors adjust to the slope as the funicular climbs
The world's steepest funicular railway has opened to the public in Switzerland.
Specially constructed cylindrical carriages have been used to ensure that passengers can stay upright on the incline.
The floors tilt, adjusting to the slope as the funicular climbs at a gradient of 110% at its steepest point.
The railway runs from the town of Schwyz up 110m (328ft) to the car-free Alpine village of Stoos.
The Stoos Bahn took 14 years to build - two years longer than scheduled - at a cost of 52m Swiss francs (£40m; $53m).
But Ivan Steiner, spokesman for the railway, said the project's completion had made everyone "very proud".
In mountainous Switzerland, where children regularly use cable cars to get to school, the line will connect communities as well as provide a new tourist attraction, reports the BBC's Imogen Foulkes.
Should potential passengers feel fainthearted, they can be reassured that the journey lasts just four minutes.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42384814
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Heart of Midlothian 4-0 Celtic - BBC Sport
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2017-12-17
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Hearts end Celtic's 69-game, 585-day unbeaten domestic run with a stunning Scottish Premiership victory at Tynecastle.
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Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic's 69-game unbeaten domestic run was ended in emphatic style as they were stunned 4-0 by Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
The defeat at Tynecastle is the champions' first domestic loss since a 2-1 reverse at St Johnstone on 11 May 2016 - 585 days ago - and Brendan Rodgers' first as Celtic manager against Scottish opposition.
The streak began under Rodgers' predecessor Ronny Deila when Motherwell were thrashed 7-0 on the final day of the 2015-16 season.
In beating St Johnstone 4-0 in early November, Celtic surpassed their own 100-year-old British record of 62 domestic games without defeat.
Celtic, who Rodgers led to the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League treble last season, remain top of the league table by two points, with a game in hand over second-placed Aberdeen.
Hearts had not scored three or more goals in a league match since a 4-0 thumping of Hamilton Academical in March.
Craig Levein's men have conceded just 19 league goals this season, four more than Celtic, who have the best defensive record in Scotland's top flight.
• None Celtic record may never be beaten - Rodgers
• None As it happened: Hearts hammer Celtic to end 69-game run
Celtic's unbeaten domestic run (all but one under Brendan Rodgers)
Sixteen-year-old Harry Cochrane and former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty slammed home first-half goals as Hearts dominated the early skirmishes.
Manuel Milinkovic seized on a dreadful error from Jozo Simunovic to prod in a third early in the second half.
Celtic piled forward, but it was Hearts who struck again, Milinkovic netting from the penalty spot.
Rodgers' side may well go onto claim the Premiership title but they were given a football lesson by a dogged and devastating Hearts, who were in no way flattered by the scoreline.
The hosts were dynamic and effective from the first whistle, pressing the Celtic defence at every opportunity and denying them the time and space to pass out from the back.
Centre-back Dedryck Boyata and goalkeeper Craig Gordon were particularly unsettled, with the latter charged down by Don Cowie in his own goalmouth.
And - after Lafferty, Christophe Berra and Ross Callachan had fired off target - Kieran Tierney's slip allowed Cowie to pilfer possession on the right wing, and slide the ball inside to Cochrane.
The teenager, making just his fifth start, took one touch on the 18-yard line before rifling a low left-foot effort beyond Gordon.
The Celtic goalkeeper produced a fine reaction save to divert Milinkovic's volley over the crossbar two minutes later, but it was a temporary reprieve.
Again, the champions surrendered possession, Milinkovic robbing Callum McGregor and sending Lafferty galloping into open space up the right flank.
From the angle of the area, the Northern Ireland striker drove his shot across Gordon and into the back of the net via the inside of the post.
The half-time whistle blew with Celtic, uncharacteristically sloppy on the ball and outfought all over the pitch, trailing 2-0, and the refurbished Tynecastle a raucous cauldron of delirium.
The visitors' slackness continued after the break, as Simunovic allowed a speculative Connor Randall clearance to bounce over his head and into the path of the gleeful Milinkovic, who rounded Gordon and slotted from close range.
Under Rodgers, Celtic had never faced a three-goal deficit on domestic duty. They cascaded forward, with the manager introducing highly-rated French striker Moussa Dembele to assist Leigh Griffiths in attack.
It was Griffiths' vicious curling effort that gave Jon McLaughlin his first serious test of the afternoon, the Hearts goalkeeper tipping the ball smartly over the bar.
On came another Celtic striker, Odsonne Edouard this time, but spearheaded by their magnificent captain Berra, the hosts' defence repelled everything Rodgers and his team could throw at them.
And it was Hearts who completed their remarkable triumph - the Gorgie side's biggest over Celtic since 1895 - when Gordon unnecessarily felled the speeding Ross Callachan in the box, Milinkovic striking low and decisively from 12 yards.
At full-time, Rodgers gathered his players in a huddle. Their run could not last forever, but few would have predicted its demise in such chastening fashion. Now, this group of players faces the challenge of responding to defeat by a Scottish opponent for the first time in 19 months.
• None Attempt blocked. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
• None Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
• None Attempt missed. Anthony McDonald (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
• None Manuel Milinkovic (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
• None Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
• None Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
• None Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
• None Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Heart of Midlothian 4, Celtic 0. Manuel Milinkovic (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Penalty conceded by Craig Gordon (Celtic) after a foul in the penalty area.
• None Penalty Heart of Midlothian. Ross Callachan draws a foul in the penalty area.
• None Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Cole Stockton replaces Kyle Lafferty because of an injury. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42297312
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ARA San Juan: Argentina navy chief sacked after loss of submarine - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Adm Marcelo Srur is sent into retirement following criticism of the operation to rescue the submarine.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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Adm Srur (right) is seen here with President Macri last month
The head of the Argentine navy has been sacked following the loss of a submarine and its crew in the South Atlantic last month.
The defence minister placed Adm Marcelo Srur in retirement on Friday night, it has emerged.
The ARA San Juan disappeared with 44 crew on board after reporting an electrical problem off the coast of Patagonia.
An international search operation has failed to locate the vessel.
Some ships are still searching in an area where a loud noise was recorded in the hours following the disappearance - possible evidence that the submarine imploded.
President Mauricio Macri has created a special independent commission to investigate the disappearance of the submarine, following criticism about the handling of the operation.
The commission will comprise three submariners - one the father of one of the disappeared crew.
Defence Minister Oscar Aguad has promised the investigation will be "transparent" and will have an unlimited budget.
The crew of the ARA San Juan comprises 43 men and one woman
"We ask that they always tell us the truth, that they keep us informed about what's happening," said Jorge Villareal, father of missing crew member Fernando, according to Efe news agency.
"We just find things out through the media."
Adm Srur, 60, was appointed by President Macri in January 2016.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42379720
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ANC: Zuma pleads for unity as party picks new leader - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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South Africa's governing party is picking a new head after a bitter leadership battle.
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Africa
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Mr Zuma said his ANC party was at a "crossroads"
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has called on the African National Congress (ANC) to stop infighting as it decides who will next lead the party.
Mr Zuma warned the future of the ANC was under threat, with South Africans "not happy" with it.
The main contenders to succeed him are the deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma's ex-wife.
Whoever wins is likely to succeed Mr Zuma as South African president.
But their bitter leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019.
President Zuma can remain head of state until those elections. He has been in office since 2009 and South Africa limits the presidency to two five-year terms.
The leadership contest is expected to be a close one, with legal challenges a possibility.
Addressing delegates at the beginning of a gathering to decide the next ANC leader, Mr Zuma said their movement was at a "crossroads".
"Petty squabbling that takes us nowhere needs to take back seat, our people are frustrated when we spend more time fighting among ourselves instead of solving the daily challenges they experience," he said.
Last year's disappointing results for the ANC in local elections, Mr Zuma said, "were a stark reminder that our people are not happy with the state of the ANC".
The leading candidates are Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa
President Zuma, 75, has been the focus of much controversy and has survived several votes of no confidence in parliament.
He faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing.
In his final speech as ANC president, he asserted that "theft and corruption" were as prominent in the private sector as they are in government. He added that "being black and successful is being made synonymous to being corrupt".
He lashed out at the media, which he said was not "impartial and fair". He also targeted the judiciary, arguing that the courts should have no role in deciding internal party matters.
For the leadership, President Zuma is backing his 68-year-old former wife, Ms Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran politician in her own right who has been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. What advice should South Africa's ruling party take on board?
Mr Ramaphosa, 65, has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community.
Recent news that he had a modest lead in the polls was quickly reflected by a rise in the financial markets.
Jacob Zuma came out fighting in his speech, hitting out at his critics both inside and outside the party.
It seemed like no one was spared - from ANC members who voted with the opposition to try and remove him, alliance partners who have booed him and called on him to stand down, to "counter-revolutionary forces" he said were intent on reversing the progress made since 1994, when apartheid was brought to an end.
Indeed, that idea of malevolent forces working to bring down both him and the ANC was a thread that ran right through his speech. Mr Zuma placed his fight against his opponents within the wider framework of the fight against apartheid.
He ended his speech by saying "I tried my best", and of those who tried to bring him down "I bear no grudges". He then led the room in song.
This was Jacob Zuma in his element: a rousing speaker, a fierce opponent, delivering cutting rebukes with charm and charisma.
More than 5,000 delegates are taking part in the four-day ANC elective conference at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
A vote on the new leader is expected on Sunday.
The first major engagement for the new leader will be the party's anniversary celebrations on 8 January.
The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago.
The BBC's Andrew Harding says a question remains whether the ANC is in terminal decline, and what that might mean for South Africa's stability and its future.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The ANC was the party of Nelson Mandela but have people lost faith under Jacob Zuma?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42375154
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Uber driver arrested after Briton murdered in Lebanon - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Rebecca Dykes, a British embassy worker in Beirut, was strangled and sexually assaulted, police say.
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UK
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Police in Lebanon have arrested an Uber driver in connection with the murder of a British woman in Beirut.
The body of Rebecca Dykes, who worked at the British Embassy in the city, was found by a motorway on Saturday.
The arrested man was 35 and has served several prison sentences, a senior Lebanese security source told the BBC.
Ms Dykes had been sexually assaulted and strangled, and the man is expected to be charged with rape and murder later this week, police sources said.
Her family said in a statement: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what happened."
Ms Dykes, who is believed to have been 30, had been working in Beirut as the programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development since January 2017.
It is thought she spent Friday evening at a going-away party for a colleague in the popular Gemmayzeh district of Beirut.
After leaving the bar at about midnight it appears she was abducted. Her body was found close to a motorway on the outskirts of the city.
The body of Rebecca Dykes was found near a main road outisde Beirut
The Foreign Office said it was in contact with the Lebanese authorities and confirmed an arrest had been made.
The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning after police reportedly traced his car on traffic management CCTV.
An official told the Reuters and AFP news agencies the preliminary investigation had showed Ms Dykes's killing "was not politically motivated".
The Gemmayzeh district of Beirut where Rebecca Dykes was last seen alive is well-known for having some of the city's best and most expensive bars and restaurants.
There is normally a relaxed atmosphere. It is a neighbourhood where foreign aid workers, diplomats and journalists mingle with wealthy Lebanese often into the early hours of the morning.
Despite the chaos seen elsewhere in the region, Beirut in recent years has been regarded as relatively safe. That is why this murder has left the international community so shocked.
After a late night out, many people would previously have thought nothing of catching one of the cabs that ply the streets, or calling for an Uber.
For a short while, anyway, that is likely to change. People will be more careful about how they get home. Beirut may be relatively safe but - as in any big city across the world - this murder is a reminder of the dangers.
Josie Ensor, the Daily Telegraph's correspondent in Beirut, says the case has left foreign residents in the city unsettled.
Speaking to the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, she said Beirut was a "very tight-knit community, so when something happens to one person, it feels quite close".
Ms Ensor, who was due to attend the same party on Friday evening, added Ms Dykes "had just landed on her feet in Beirut and was starting to make friends and getting to know the city".
Hugo Shorter, the British Ambassador to Lebanon, said the whole embassy was "deeply shocked" and "saddened" by the news.
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Tributes were paid to Ms Dykes in the House of Lords on Monday.
Former Conservative MP Lady McIntosh said: "The loss of Rebecca Dykes in these circumstances is felt very deeply.
"And can we pay tribute to the work that she and the all Dfid team do, often in very dangerous circumstances, particularly at this time of year, for humanitarian purposes?"
The International Development Minister Lord Bates added: "It's obviously a very distressing time, particularly for Becky's family, but also for the people who worked with her.
"It reminds us of the sacrifice which is made by over 1,200 Dfid personnel who work around the world, often in the most difficult and dangerous of environments."
A Dfid spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Becky's family and friends at this very upsetting time.
"There is now a police investigation and the Foreign Office is providing consular support to Becky's family and working with the local authorities."
Rebecca Dykes had been working in Beirut since January 2017
Prior to her posting in Beirut, Ms Dykes worked with the Foreign Office as a policy manager for its Libya team and as an Iraq research analyst.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she studied anthropology at the University of Manchester, and had a master's in International Security and Global Governance from Birkbeck, University of London.
She was a former pupil of Malvern Girls' College and Rugby School, and had also taught English at a Chinese international school.
Ms Dykes had reportedly been due to fly back to the UK for Christmas. She says on social media that she is from London.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42386721
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Birmingham crash: Six dead in 'horrific' smash - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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A seventh person was critically injured in the accident in Birmingham involving multiple vehicles.
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Birmingham & Black Country
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A taxi driver and two passengers were among those killed in the crash in Birmingham
Six people have been killed in a "horrific" crash in Birmingham.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident on Belgrave Middleway, near Edgbaston, at about 01:00 GMT.
Three men in one car died at the scene and a fourth is critically injured in hospital. The driver of a taxi and his two passengers were also killed.
West Midlands Police described dealing with the wreckage as "very difficult and upsetting" and said officers were investigating how the crash happened.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident on Belgrave Middleway, while another three were damaged trying to avoid it
The road has been closed and police have appealed for witnesses.
The first car in the crash had suffered extensive damage but, "astonishingly", the man and the woman inside managed to get out with relatively minor injuries, an ambulance service spokesman said.
"The second vehicle, a black cab, was on its side. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
The taxi driver has been named locally as father of six Imtiaz Mohammed, who worked for Castle Cars.
The female passenger was also confirmed dead at the scene, while her male companion died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Officers were dealing with "a very harrowing scene", Supt Sean Phillips said
There were four men in the third car, and all had been thrown from the vehicle, the ambulance spokesman said.
"Tragically, three of them were confirmed dead at the scene."
The fourth was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is in a critical condition.
Blue tents can be seen where forensic teams are working
Police are working to reopen Belgrave and Lee Bank Middleway by Monday morning
Three other cars were caught up in the crash and suffered minor damage trying to avoid it.
Michelle Brotherton, from the ambulance service, said her staff had dealt with 13 patients in total.
As well as those who died and the man in a critical condition, four people were taken to Heartlands Hospital where their condition is believed to be non-life threatening.
A further two patients were "discharged on scene".
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Supt Sean Phillips said the police officer in charge of the investigation had described the wreckage as "very harrowing".
He said it was "too early" to speculate on the cause of the accident.
"It will take some time to unpick and just understand exactly what's happened. It would be unfair for me to speculate at this time," he said.
He confirmed the road had been gritted at 17:00 GMT the previous evening.
Metres of police cordon tape and a number of vehicles have been used to seal off the road, and blue forensic tents can be seen below in the underpass.
The cordon stretches at least 100 metres either side of the Middleway and I can see numerous police officers.
As locals find out what happened, they all say how tragic it is that six people should die so close to Christmas.
It is not yet known what caused the crash, but people are telling me there has long been a problem with speeding and racing on this road and the adjoining Bristol Street.
A car involved in a separate crash nearby just a week ago is still on the side of the road.
The accident happened below the underpass on the A38/Bristol Road, where Belgrave Middleway meets Lee Bank Middleway.
The stretch of road from Islington Row to Bristol Street has been closed and is likely to remain so throughout Sunday, police said.
The wreckage was described by police as "harrowing"
One resident who lives opposite said she woke at about 02:00 and saw the emergency crews.
"This road is really dangerous. Young kids like to challenge themselves and go really fast," she said.
"I can't believe six people have died, and so close to Christmas and New Year."
The road has two lanes either side and a 40mph speed limit.
Police have said it "will take some time to unpick" what caused the crash
Area Commander Jason Campbell, of West Midlands Fire Service, described it as a "horrific" incident.
He said the crash site was complex and "spread over some distance".
Any witnesses have been asked to contact West Midlands Police.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post 2 by West Midlands Police This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
• None Very harrowing scene, say police. Video, 00:00:22Very harrowing scene, say police
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42383464
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Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport power cut strands thousands - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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A handful of flights depart from the world's busiest airport after an overnight shutdown.
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US & Canada
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Passengers reacted with delight when the lights came back on
Passengers at the world's busiest airport faced a second day of disruption on Monday after a power cut led to hundreds of cancellations.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport lost power on Sunday, affecting tens of thousands of people.
Passengers were left in darkened terminals or on board planes.
Power was restored overnight and a handful of passenger flights resumed just after 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday.
Hundreds of other flights, however, were cancelled.
The airport is the world's busiest, handling more than 250,000 passengers and almost 2,500 flights every day. But during its first hour of operation on Monday morning, fewer than a dozen commercial flights departed.
A number of cargo flights had operated during the partial shutdown.
Many hundreds of flights have been cancelled
Thousands remain stranded in the airport awaiting rescheduled flights. In a statement, the airport said it had distributed more than 5,000 meals to waiting passengers.
Security processing began at about 03:30 local time, it said, but those with tickets dated Sunday would need to reprint them to pass through checkpoints.
The airport advised passengers to check the status of their particular flight directly with their airline.
In a statement, the airport confirmed it had suffered a power cut shortly after 13:00 on Sunday.
Many flights scheduled to arrive from other airports were diverted elsewhere, or held at their departure airport.
Georgia Power, which supplies the airport's electricity, said it believed a fire at an underground electrical facility had caused the power cut. Officials said a piece of its switchgear could have failed and started the fire, causing cable damage.
Power was fully restored to the airport around midnight on Sunday.
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Atlanta's mayor confirmed the fire's cause was under investigation, and apologised to the thousands affected.
A number of major airlines, including United, Southwest and American Airlines, completely suspended their operations on Sunday. Each had at least some flights scheduled to depart Monday.
Images shared on social media showed passengers waiting in darkness. Some reported being stuck on board aircraft for six hours.
One passenger, Jannifer Lee, was travelling to Minnesota from Florida with her 10-year-old pet rescue cat Penny.
Her first flight was stuck for almost four hours at the gate.
Ms Lee and her cat spent four hours stuck at the gate on her connecting flight from Florida
"I was hoping to have a really smooth flight, especially with a cat," she told the BBC.
"I've only ever flown with her for two or three hours before, not a 12-hour journey! I guess animals can be a lot more resilient than people."
She and thousands of others were left stranded without information from airlines about onward travel.
"There was a lot of confusion on the flight, because the national news knew more about the situation than we did," Ms Lee said.
Another passenger, Naomi Harm, was stranded on the tarmac on a Delta flight from Sacramento, California.
She told the BBC that airline staff had kept the passengers in good spirits by communicating regularly and handing out any food and drinks they had available.
She said one passenger seated close to her had been escorted down to the aircraft's cargo area to give insulin to his diabetic pet dog in the hold by an air marshal.
After almost four hours she was guided out in darkness after portable steps were found for them to disembark.
"Inside the terminal there were thousands all over, children crying," she said. "The air conditioning wasn't working and it was very hot inside."
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The local police department confirmed it had sent extra officers to help the airport with the situation.
About 30,000 passengers were reportedly affected by the power cut.
Atlanta is located within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population, making the city a major port of entry into the US and a common stopover for travel within the country.
• None Why do so many people hate US airports?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42387392
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Pensions: Automatic saving to start at 18 under new plans - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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An extra 900,000 young people could automatically save into a workplace pension under the plans.
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Business
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Waiters are among the workers who have been enrolled in recent years
Every worker aged 18 or over will begin saving into a workplace pension unless they opt out, under government plans to extend its automatic enrolment scheme.
At present, the scheme means employers must enrol staff aged 22 and over and earning above £10,000 into a pension.
Ministers hope to reduce the minimum age to 18 in the mid 2020s, and say it will affect about 900,000 young people.
The system has been credited with ensuring more prepare for older age, but it means extra costs for employers.
It has been introduced gradually since October 2012.
Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show there had been "greater saving for pensions" since automatic enrolment came into effect.
"We want to extent that to young people under 22.
"I think we will get more people into the habit of saving."
He admitted increases in contributions from next year "might put people off", but added "the evidence is that opt-out rates have been lower than people predicted".
Olly Browning, 21, welcomed the encouragement to save, adding that pensions had "not really crossed my mind yet".
He told the BBC: "I think especially in London, [I have] moved jobs quite frequently, tend not to stay in one place too long, so pensions have always sort of been lower down the list of things I've been conscious of."
However, one industry figure was unimpressed by aspects of the Department of Work and Pensions' wider pensions review.
Ex-pensions minister Steve Webb, director of policy at pensions firm Royal London, said: "There are some great ideas in this review, including starting pension saving at age 18 and making sure that every pound that you earn is pensionable.
"But the proposed pace of change is shockingly lethargic.
"Talking about having reforms in place by the mid 2020s risks leaving a whole generation of workers behind."
Unless they are already signed up to a workplace pension, a slice of a worker's pay packet is automatically diverted to a pension savings pot, which is invested until retirement.
Their employer also makes a contribution, as does the government.
Individuals have the option to opt out if they wish to, although that will mean losing the employers' contribution.
Anyone on a short-term contract, working where an agency pays their wages, or who is on maternity, adoption or carer's leave should still be eligible.
The total minimum contribution is currently set at 2% of earnings (0.8% from the worker, 1% from an employer, and 0.2% as tax relief from the government).
From April 2018, it will increase to 5% of earnings (2.4% from the worker, 2% from the employer, and 0.6% as tax relief).
From April 2019 onwards, it will rise to 8% of earnings (4% from the individual, 3% from the employer, and 1% as tax relief).
The plan to lower the starting age follows a review of the system.
Those earning less than £10,000 can ask their employer to enrol them.
Iona Bain, founder of the Young Money blog, said the move was still inadequate in solving a long-term pension crisis for the young.
She said that school leavers, facing a "storm of financial pressures", should have the same National Living Wage as those aged 25 and over, if they were expected to contribute into a pension.
The move will require legislation, as will the proposed other changes to the system including:
The proposals will cost employers an extra £1.4bn a year, and the government an extra £600m in tax relief a year.
"Requiring employers to contribute from the first pound of earnings, will mean that, by 2019, hundreds of thousands of small employers will have to pay up to £180 more per employee each year," said Mike Cherry, national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses.
More than nine million people in the UK have been automatically enrolled into a pension so far, adding to the 10.8 million already contributing to a workplace pension.
However, the average proportion of earnings put into an investment-based defined contribution pension has fallen from about 9% of earnings before auto-enrolment, to 4% now.
The DWP's review, led by industry representatives, estimated that 12 million people are not saving enough for their retirement, representing 38% of the working age population.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42366471
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Defence budget: New equipment at risk over MoD savings 'doubts' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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MPs warn plans for new military equipment - including warships and jets - could be at risk.
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UK Politics
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Nine Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft are among the vehicles the MoD is due to purchase
Plans to buy new military equipment - including warships and jets - could be under threat, as MPs expressed "serious doubts" over whether the Ministry of Defence can afford them.
The Commons Defence Select Committee says the department will struggle to find the £7.3bn in savings required to pay for the new hardware.
It said the MoD had proved "incapable" of making such savings in the past.
The MoD said it was making "good progress" on its efficiency target.
This latest report echoes a warning from January of this year from government spending watchdog, the National Audit Office.
The cross-party committee of MPs backed the findings of the NAO that the defence equipment plan was at "greater risk" than at any time since 2012.
In 2016, the government pledged to spend £178bn on new military equipment over the next 10 years.
But that is on the assumption it can also find £7.3bn of efficiency savings - on top of £7.1bn previously announced - by selling off property and other efficiencies.
The committee chairman, Conservative MP Julian Lewis, said this was now "extremely doubtful" from an "already stretched budget".
"This will inevitably lead either to a reduction in the numbers of ships, aircraft and vehicles or to even greater delays in their acquisition," he added.
But the MoD said that in the face of "intensifying threats", its £178bn equipment plan "continues to deliver the cutting-edge kit to keep the UK safe".
The new equipment covered by the plan includes eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy, new mechanised infantry vehicles and nine Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.
Eight Type 26 frigates will be bought by the MoD as part of its £178bn equipment plan
The committee also called for clarity on the "difference between genuine improvements and efficiency" and cuts to "personnel, equipment and capability".
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has already been warned of a Tory revolt over cuts to army numbers and naval capability, and suggested he will be asking the chancellor for more money.
The Cabinet Office is currently carrying out a defence and security review which is due to report by the end of the year.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42382002
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Australia's first same sex wedding takes place - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Australia's first same sex wedding takes place, eight days after legislation is passed.
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Earlier this month Australia's marriage equality law came into effect.
The first weddings were expected in the new year to allow for a 30 day notice period, but this couple was given an exemption allowing them to legally wed.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42379370
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Austria country profile - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Provides an overview of Austria, including key dates and facts about this central European country.
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Europe
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Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries in various state guises, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One.
But its position at the geographical heart of Europe, and its neutral status during the Cold War between Nato and the Soviet bloc, maintained the much-reduced country's strategic significance.
Austria is now a member of the European Union, though not Nato, and an enduring legacy of its decades of post-war neutrality can be seen in the large number of international organisations that call its capital Vienna their home.
These include the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Opec, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
For much of the post-war period, so-called "grand coalition" governments of left and right wing parties have ruled Austria, although the Social Democrats led by Bruno Kreisky ruled alone in the 1970s.
More recently, the centre-right People's Party ruled in coalition with the far-right Freedom Party, but this coalition collapsed in May 2019 after a scandal involving the leader of the Freedom Party.
Alexander Van der Bellen was first elected as president in the December 2016 re-run of a highly polarised election earlier that year, defeating Norbert Hofer of the far-right Freedom Party.
Van der Bellen - a Green Party politician running as an independent - had won a extremely narrow victory in the initial run-off vote against Hofer in May, but the result was annulled because of vote-counting irregularities.
In October 2022, Van der Bellen was re-elected president, taking 57% of the vote in the first round. Freedom Party candidate Walter Rosenkranz came second with 18% of the votes, far short of what Hofer received in 2016.
Interior Minister Nehammer took over on as chancellor and leader of the conservative People's Party in December 2021, following months of turmoil after the resignation of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Mr Kurz's departure was a condition for the Green Party to remain in the governing coalition, pending a corruption investigation. Foreign Minister Alexander von Schallenberg was chancellor in the interim, but resigned to make way for Mr Nehammer when the later assumed the post of People's Party leader in December.
Austria's public broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), has long-dominated the airwaves. It faces competition from private TV and radio broadcasters.
Cable or satellite TV is available in most Austrian homes and is often used to watch German stations, some of which tailor their output for local viewers.
A daily newspaper is a must for many Austrians. National and regional titles contest fiercely for readers.
For much of the post-war period, so-called "grand coalition" governments of left and right wing parties have ruled Austria
1278 - The Habsburg Rudolf I of Germany acquires the duchies of Austria and Styria after defeating his rival, King Ottokar II of Bohemia, at the Battle on the Marchfeld.
14th and 15th Centuries - Habsburgs acquire other provinces neighbouring the Duchy of Austria.
1526 - After the Battle of Mohács, Bohemia and the part of Hungary not occupied by the Ottomans comesunder Austrian rule.
16th and 17th Centuries - Ottoman expansion into Hungary sees frequent conflicts between the two empires.
1529 - Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent launches the first siege of Vienna. The besieging Turkish army retreats amid the snowfalls of an early winter.
1683 - Second siege of Vienna. The city is freed after two months when the forces of the Holy Roman Empire and those of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under King John III Sobieski decisively defeat the Turkish army.
1699 - The Treaty of Karlowitz, which ends the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) results in most of Hungary coming under Austrian control.
1713 - The Pragmatic Sanction. Edict issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI to ensure the Habsburg lands - the archduchy of Austria, kingdom of Hungary, kingdom of Croatia, kingdom of Bohemia, duchy of Milan, kingdom of Naples, kingdom of Sardinia and Austrian Netherlands - could be inherited undivided by his daughter, Maria Theresa.
1792-1815 - Austria engages in war with revolutionary and them Napoleonic France.
1804 - The Empire of Austria is proclaimed, replacing the Holy Roman Empire which is dissolved two years later.
1815 - Austria emerges from the Congress of Vienna as one of Europe's great powers.
1848-49 - Hungarian revolution. This is eventually defeated with the aid of Russian forces, but leads to a constitutional government being founded in Hungary, which is now in a personal union with the Austrian emperor.
1867 - The defeat leads to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, establishing the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, a military and diplomatic alliance of two sovereign states.
In the latter half of the 19th Century, ruling Austria-Hungary becomes increasingly difficult in an age of emerging nationalist movements in Europe.
1908 - Following the Young Turk revolution in Turkey, Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, nominally part of the Ottoman Empire. The move provokes strong resentment in Serbian pan-Slav circles.
1914 - The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip triggers the outbreak of World War One.
1914-18 - Over one million Austro-Hungarian soldiers die in the war, which leads to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the end of Hapsburg rule.
1933 - End of the republic, Chancellor Dollfuss suspends parliament and sets up autocratic regime
1934 - Government crushes Socialist uprising, backed by the army. All political parties abolished except the Fatherland Front.
Imprisonment of Nazi conspirators leads to attempted Nazi coup. Dollfuss assassinated, succeeded by Kurt von Schuschnigg.
1938 - The Anschluss (union): Austria incorporated into Germany by Hitler. Austria now called the Ostmark (Eastern March).
1945 - Soviet troops liberate Vienna. Austria occupied and partitioned into four occupation zones by Soviet, British, US and French forces. Vienna is also divided between the four occupying powers.
1955 - Treaty signed by Britain, France, US and Soviet Union establishes an independent but neutral Austria - a convenient buffer between the West and the Soviet bloc. The four powers withdraw their troops. Austria joins the United Nations.
1986 - Ex-UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim elected president, despite controversy over his role in the German army in World War Two.
1999 - Far-right Freedom Party led by Joerg Haider wins 27% of vote in national elections.
2000 - International outcry as People's Party forms coalition government with Freedom Party. EU imposes diplomatic sanctions before ending it seven months later on grounds it is counter-productive.
2011 - Otto von Habsburg - the last crown prince of Austria - is buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna amid much of the pomp associated with the days of the empire.
2013 - Austrians vote to keep compulsory military service in a referendum.
2017 - Government agrees to ban Islamic full-face veils in courts, schools and other public spaces.
Mozart's home town of Salzburg. Austria is seen by many as the birthplace of classical music
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17405422
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Ban sale of mini mobile phones, justice secretary says - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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The tiny devices are designed to evade prison body scanners, the justice secretary says.
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UK
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This MoJ picture shows how small the phones - which are often smuggled internally - can be
Online retailers should ban the sale of miniature mobile phones designed to be smuggled into prisons, the justice secretary has said.
David Lidington said the devices were advertised as being able to go undetected by the body orifice security scanners used in England and Wales.
"Beat the BOSS" phones can be bought for £25, but are reportedly changing hands for up to £500 inside jails.
About 20,000 illicit phones and Sim cards were recovered by guards in 2016.
It is estimated that up to a third of mobiles found are "beat the BOSS" phones, the Ministry of Justice says.
Some as small as a lipstick, the mini mobiles are readily available from online marketplaces.
They are marketed as being virtually metal-free and therefore able to beat the detectors anyone entering a prison must pass through.
"It's pretty clear that these miniature phones are being advertised and sold with the purpose of being smuggled," Mr Lidington will say in a speech on Monday.
"I am calling on online retailers and trading websites to take down products that are advertised to evade detection measures in prisons."
Mobile phones, which are banned in prisons, can be used to facilitate more crime and intimidate victims from behind bars, the Ministry of Justice says.
It says it has invested £2m in detection equipment, including portable detection devices, which can be used to find mobiles in prisons.
It is has also acquired new powers to block specific phones from accessing communications networks.
Mini phones are listed for sale on websites including Amazon, Gumtree and eBay.
EBay said it had made the decision to stop selling them some months ago and would make sure the justice secretary was aware it was "already going above and beyond" ahead of his intervention.
The firm said it would continue to manually remove any items that slip through.
The BBC has also contacted Amazon and Gumtree for comment.
Just as those of us "on the outside" can't live without our phones, in prison they have become ubiquitous, prized possessions.
They are used to organise the lives of inmates intent on continuing illegal activity, be that the smuggling of contraband into prisons or ongoing criminal activities outside.
Prison staff can't listen to mobile phone calls as they do legitimate calls that prisoners make to their families.
Mini phones like those worrying the justice secretary were among the material seized from a gang recently jailed for smuggling £1m of prohibited items into jails.
And they're even harder for prisons to stamp out because they can be hidden inside people's bodies - hence the need for body orifice - or BOSS - scanners.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42383351
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Heinz Wolff, Great Egg Race presenter and scientist, dies - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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The renowned scientist behind BBC Two's The Great Egg Race died on Friday, his family says.
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UK
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The German-born inventor and professor, famed for hosting BBC Two's long-running science show The Great Egg Race, died of heart failure on 15 December, his family said.
A former advisor to the European Space Agency, he became emeritus professor at London's Brunel University, working on projects linked to ageing populations.
His son Laurence paid tribute to his humour, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
Speaking to BBC News, Laurence Wolff said his father had "touched so many people through his ingenuity in terms of his inventing... and his great belief in educating about science and technology".
He had a "natural sense of fun and he knew that was also a way of engaging people... People would stop him in the street... and they would say, 'you got me into science'".
A Jewish refugee, Wolff moved to the UK from Berlin at the age of 11 on the day World War Two broke out in September 1939.
After attending school in Oxford, he worked in haematology at the city's Radcliffe Infirmary, where he invented a machine for counting patients' blood cells.
He later went on to graduate from University College London with a first-class honours degree in physiology and physics.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Laurence Wolff says his father had a sense of humour, curiosity and enthusiasm
Wolff moved into television in 1966, first appearing on the BBC's Panorama programme with Richard Dimbleby, where he produced a pill that could measure pressure, temperature and acidity.
However, he was best known for hosting BBC Two's The Great Egg Race from 1977 until 1986 - instantly recognisable for his trademark bow tie and eccentric hairstyle.
The show challenged contestants to invent useful objects with limited resources.
Friends and colleagues also recalled his love of practical jokes, particularly one instance when he arrived at his 80th birthday party on a scooter propelled by fire extinguishers.
Wolff was an emeritus professor at Brunel University
Professor Julia Buckingham, vice-chancellor and president of Brunel University, said: "Heinz's remarkable intellect, ideas and enthusiasm combined to make him the sparkling scientist we will so fondly remember.
"He was a wonderful friend and supporter to staff and to students - and an inspiration to all of us."
Brunel colleague Professor Ian Sutherland added: "There was nothing he loved more than having a team of people around him, devising completely new ways of doing things."
Alongside his television appearances, Wolff continued in his efforts to advance human progress through his scientific work.
He was made an honorary member of the European Space Agency in 1975, and his work into how humans could survive hostile space environments led to Dr Helen Sharman becoming the first British astronaut and the 15th woman in space in 1991.
Wolff balanced his mischievous curiosity with serious scientific research
Laurence Wolff said this space work - known as Project Jupiter - had been greatly valued by his father, who wished to "inspire young people" and use science to "entertain as well as educate".
He also described how Heinz Wolff's early interest in science had been stoked by his own father, who had him taking part in chemistry experiments at the age of four.
He added: "The person that people saw when they met him was the person we knew at home. His sense of humour, his curiosity, his enthusiasm. That was our father."
Wolff was also a strong supporter of local charities throughout his life, including spending more than 25 years as a trustee, and then Life President, of the Hillingdon Partnership Trust.
He was married to his wife Joan until her death in 2014, and is survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42378765
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Ashes: England face defeat as Australia inch closer to winning back urn - BBC Sport
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2017-12-17
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England face defeat in the third Ashes Test after closing day four on 132-4 in their second innings, still 127 runs behind.
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Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Third Ashes Test, Waca (day four of five) England trail by 127 runs with six wickets remaining
England's battle to save the Ashes will go into the final day of the third Test after rain brought an early end to day four in Perth.
The tourists had reached 132-4, still 127 short of making Australia bat again, when the weather intervened at the Waca.
Australia earlier declared on 662-9 in their first innings, a lead of 259.
England were required to bat for the best part of five sessions to escape with a draw, yet lost Mark Stoneman, Alastair Cook and Joe Root cheaply.
They were steadied by James Vince, who made his second Test half-century before being bowled by a wonderful delivery from Mitchell Starc.
At 2-0 down in the series, England must not lose at a ground where they have not won since 1978 to avoid surrendering the urn at the earliest opportunity.
Rain threatened for much of a grey, blustery day in Perth, but a brief shower before tea was all that came before heavier rain arrived 45 minutes before the scheduled close.
England's task of batting throughout Monday will not be helped by the cracks running down the length of the pitch, but more bad weather is forecast.
• None Is this the ball of the 21st century?
• None 'I can't see a great deal of longevity in his career' - Cook form concerns Swann
At 60-3, still 199 behind, England were in danger of being beaten inside four days.
Josh Hazlewood, bowling an immaculate line, had Stoneman caught behind before Cook and Root fell.
But Vince batted beautifully, defending with a straight bat and playing his usual handsome shots through the off side - 48 of his 55 runs came in boundaries.
He was undone by a magical delivery from Starc, bowling his left-armers from round the wicket.
Angled in, it straightened off a crack in the surface to take the top of off stump. Vince was perhaps guilty of playing too square, but there was no legislating for how much the ball moved.
Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who both made centuries in the first innings, had started to score more freely when the rain arrived, and it is they who will be together when play begins at the earlier time of 02:00 GMT on Monday.
Prior to this series, the feeling was that the inexperienced nature of England's top five would mean they needed major contributions from their two senior batsmen, Cook and Root.
However, with both registering 14 in the second innings, their combined total for the series is 259. Not only has Australia captain Steve Smith made more on his own - 167 more in fact - but so too has Malan.
Cook, England's all-time record runscorer playing in his 150th Test, has managed just 83 in six innings.
Once again he did not look in especially poor touch, but presented a leading edge to Hazlewood, who took a fine diving catch. Cook is now without a half-century in 10 Test innings.
Root has made two half-centuries in the series without converting them into something meaningful. He has also had to marshal a team being beaten on the field and distracted by a string of issues off it.
His shot here was poor. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon's first delivery was incredibly wide, with Root's uncontrolled drive resulting in an edge that was held at slip.
Speaking on Test Match Special, former England off-spinner Graeme Swann said of Root: "Joe's dismissal disappointed me. He just meekly wafted his bat at it.
"When you're England's best player and you're trying to save the game, it's a bizarre shot. It's unusual from Joe.
"There's no difference between Joe and Steve Smith in terms of ability. Yet Steve Smith is so much more prolific than Root.
"It's because the captaincy suits Smith. He's really flourished. To me, that's not Joe's way. I think he was made captain because there was a lack of choice."
England toiled on Saturday, taking only one wicket as Smith helped himself to a double century and Mitchell Marsh a big ton of his own. The tourists earned rewards on Sunday, with James Anderson nipping the ball around.
Marsh was lbw to the second delivery of the day for 181, Smith dismissed in the same manner for 239, both to Anderson.
When Starc was run out in strange circumstances - Tim Paine, the subject of an lbw appeal, set off, leaving his partner stranded as Vince ran in from gully - England had taken three wickets for 12 runs.
Paine, though, overturned being given out leg before to Anderson and went on to make an unbeaten 49, sharing 93 with Pat Cummins, who added 41.
Cummins was yet another lbw victim of Anderson's and, after Lyon holed out to the Lancashire man, Australia declared.
By then, they had made their biggest Ashes total on home soil and Stuart Broad had figures of 0-142, the worst of his 112-Test career.
A sorry tale - stats of the day
• None Australia's 662-9 declared was their highest total against England on home soil and their ninth highest against any country
• None England spent longer in the field - 179.3 overs - than any other side in a Test at Perth
• None Broad's figures were the joint second most expensive without taking a wicket by an England bowler against Australia
• None Five England bowlers conceded more than 100 runs, for only the third time in history
• None This could be the sixth time a team have lost after making 400 in the first innings of a Test
'We're still fighting' - what they said
England bowler James Anderson: "It's been a long few days. We're still fighting, we're still in the game. We've got a lot of hard work to do. We're going to keep believing and come tomorrow with a strong attitude.
"It's not gone our way with the ball - two of their guys played outstandingly well and we didn't bowl quite as well as we could. The cracks did a bit more today so there was some more encouragement.
"Yesterday was a tough day for us but we kept going all day. Sometimes you have to take your hat off to the opposition."
England batsman James Vince: "We will try to put the rain to the back of our minds.
"We have two guys at the crease who spent a lot of time there in the first innings. It's slightly different conditions, but we have to have belief that we can stay in the series.
"It will be tough, there will be good balls flying around, but these two showed in the first innings they can occupy the crease for a long time.
"Hopefully we'll get off to a good start in the morning."
Australia pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, speaking to BT Sport, on regaining the Ashes: "We feel pretty close but we're never too sure unless it happens.
"We're pretty confident. Hopefully we can finish them off."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42383508
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Funicular railway: Switzerland launches world's steepest service - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Special barrel-shaped carriages allow the floors to tilt as it climbs.
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The world's steepest funicular railway has opened in Switzerland.
Rotating carriages mean people stay upright while ascending the mountainside.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42384816
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Chile: Landslide destroys village and kills at least five - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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A search continues for 15 people missing, after five died in a village in the south of the country.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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The area in Chile's lake district is sparsely populated
A landslide caused by torrential rain has killed at least five people in southern Chile and has destroyed dozens of houses.
Fifteen people are missing in the remote village of Villa Santa Lucía in the country's lake region, popular with tourists.
President Michelle Bachelet has declared a state of emergency in the area.
Thousands remain without electricity and cut off from the rest of Chile.
"I have ordered rescue workers to put all the resources necessary towards protecting the people of Villa Santa Lucia," said Ms Bachelet.
Most of the village was destroyed by the landslide
Part of the valley where the village lies, some 1,100km (690 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, was engulfed by a huge amount of mud from surrounding mountains.
Local media reported that the region had experienced unusually heavy rain for the previous 24 hours.
Dozens of people have been airlifted and taken to the neighbouring town of Chaitén.
The village is near Corcovado National Park, popular with tourists for its volcanoes, fjords and forests.
The mud has blocked roads linking the area to the rest of Chile
The mudslide happened on Saturday morning, on the eve of the run-off election to choose Chile's next president.
The authorities say the vote is going ahead as planned.
Some 14 million Chileans are eligible to choose between the centre-right candidate, Sebastián Piñera, and Alejandro Guillier, who is endorsed by Ms Bachelet.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42382413
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Campaigners threaten legal action over 'abortion pill' - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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An anti-abortion group opposes plans to allow women to take medication to end a pregnancy at home.
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Scotland
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Women could take a second pill at home away from medical supervision
Anti-abortion campaigners claim they have "no alternative" but to mount a legal challenge if the Scottish government approves plans for women to take abortion medication at home.
The Society of the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC), said it had already sought legal advice.
It said it had been assured "a good chance of success".
The Scottish government said it had worked hard to ensure women could always access clinically-safe services.
In October the chief medical officer told health boards the drug misoprostol could be taken outside a clinical setting.
Dr Catherine Calderwood said it was "significant progress" that women in Scotland who are up to nine weeks pregnant could take the second dose of the drug at home if they wanted, saying this would allow them "more privacy, more dignity".
Campaign groups including Engender, Amnesty Scotland and Rape Crisis Scotland welcomed the move, while Prof Lesley Regan, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) described it as "admirable".
Misoprostol is sold under the brand name Cytotec, among others
But the SPUC's John Deighan claimed that the potential health risks for women were "horrific".
He said: "There would be no medical oversight and this development will result in dreadful threats to women's health."
SPUC said it had received detailed legal advice from an advocate who specialises in human rights cases, who said that under the law the medication could not be taken without some form of medical supervision.
The advocate stated: "In my view, the taking of the abortifacient drugs must be done under the supervision either of a registered medical practitioner, or by some other suitable member of staff who is acting under the control of a medical practitioner.
"It cannot be done by a patient unsupervised, at home or elsewhere."
He added: "As the approval anticipates the patient administering the drug to herself without medical supervision, that approval proceeds upon a misdirection as to the requirements of the 1967 Act, and is accordingly unlawful."
The tablet will be given out at a clinic but can be taken at home
Mr Deighan added: "Our advice is clear and we really have no alternative but to challenge these proposals which go to the core of our beliefs in the right to life for unborn children and the health and wellbeing of their mothers."
The government plans are not a change to abortion law but to powers available within the Abortion Act 1967.
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We've worked hard to ensure women are always able to access clinically safe services.
"Scotland is the only part of the UK to offer women the opportunity to take misoprostol at home, when this is clinically appropriate, a decision that allows women to be in control of their treatment and as comfortable as possible during this procedure."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42378048
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Rocket rumbles give volcanic insights - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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Scientists install sensors at the Kennedy Space Center that would normally be used to monitor volcanoes.
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Science & Environment
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An "upside down volcano" (L) and an "upside down rocket" (R)
What do volcanoes and rockets have in common?
"Volcanoes have a nozzle aimed at the sky, and rockets have a nozzle aimed at the ground," explains Steve McNutt, a geosciences professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
It explains why he and colleague Dr Glenn Thompson have installed the tools normally used to study eruptions at the famous Kennedy Space Center.
Comparing the different types of rumblings could yield new insights.
In the case of rockets, the team thinks their seismometers and infrasound (low-frequency acoustic waves) detectors might potentially be used by the space companies as a different type of diagnostic tool, to better understand the performance of their vehicles; or perhaps as a way to identify missiles in flight.
In the case of volcanoes, the idea is to take the lessons learned at Kennedy and fine-tune the algorithms used to interpret what is happening in an eruption.
It might even be possible to develop systems that give early warnings of some of the dangerous debris flows associated with volcanoes.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Glenn Thompson and Steve McNutt: "Kennedy has strong signals to test equipment "
"It all started really as a way to test and calibrate our equipment," says Glenn.
"We don't have any volcanoes in South Florida - obviously. But Kennedy provided some strong sources, and it also gave our students the opportunity to learn how to deploy stations and work with the data."
The team has now recorded the seismic and acoustic signals emanating from about a dozen rockets.
Most have been associated with launches; a few have been related to what are called static fire tests, in which the engines on a clamped vehicle are briefly ignited to check they are flight-ready.
But perhaps the most fascinating event captured so far was the SpaceX pad explosion in September 2016.
This saw a Falcon 9 rocket suffer a catastrophic failure as it was being fuelled.
Many people will have seen the video of the spectacular fireball. But Glenn's and Steve's equipment caught information not apparent in that film.
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For example, they detected more than 150 separate sub-events in the infrasound over the course of 26 minutes.
These were likely individual tanks, pipes or other components bursting into flames.
Of course, the SpaceX explosion was an unusual occurrence, and it is the more routine activity that most interests the team. And some clear patterns are starting to emerge in their study of "upside down volcanoes".
"As the rocket gets higher and higher and accelerates, we see a decrease in the frequency in the infrasound - that's basically a Doppler shift because the source is moving away from us," says Steve.
"And then you get a coupling of the signal in the air into the ground and this produces seismic waves recorded on the seismometer.
"So, we get some common features between the infrasound and the seismometer, but then there's a little separation of the energy between the two."
A deadly pyroclastic flow heads down the flanks of the Soufrière Hills volcano in Montserrat
There is a lot still to learn, but the pair think they can distinguish the different types of rockets - to tell a Falcon from an Atlas from a Delta.
There are subtle but significant divergences in their spectral signatures, which almost certainly reflect their distinct designs and modes of operation.
Where in particular the rockets could have instruction for volcano monitoring is in describing moving sources.
A rocket is a very well understood physical process. Its properties and parameters - such as the size of the nozzle orifice, the thrust, the trajectory and the distance - are all precisely known.
The related seismic and acoustic signals should therefore serve as templates to help decipher some of the features of eruptions that share similar behaviours.
Good examples of rapid movement in the volcano setting are the big mass surges like pyroclastic flows (descending clouds of hot ash/rock) and lahars (mud/ash avalanches).
An objective of the team is to improve seismometer and infrasound systems' characterisation of these dangerous phenomena.
This could lead to useful alerts being sent to people who live around volcanoes.
"Assuming you can find a few safe places to put your instruments that are reasonably close, you'd get your advance warning," said Steve.
"What you'd be doing then is getting the time and the strength of the signal and then watching it evolve to figure out which direction it's going.
"If you can do that successfully then you can forecast with a couple of minutes in advance things like lahars and pyroclastic flows downstream."
Glenn added: "I worked on [the Caribbean island of] Montserrat during the crisis from 1995 to 2011, and we did have a rudimentary system even then for tracking the pyroclastic density currents coming down the slopes of the volcano.
"It wasn't quite a real-time application, but we hope with this kind of work that we can improve those algorithms and make them more of an automated alarm system."
The equipment at Kennedy has been temporary, but the team is looking for a permanent installation.
Like everyone, Glenn and Steve are particularly looking forward to the launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy vehicle in the New Year.
The Heavy should produce nearly 23 meganewtons of thrust at lift-off, more than any rocket in operation today.
It is sure to make for some interesting seismic and infrasound signals.
Glenn Thompson and Steve McNutt detailed their work here at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42362334
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Police investigate four baby deaths at South Korea hospital - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Family members say they had concerns about the health of the infants before they died.
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Asia
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Police are investigating the deaths of four newborn babies who died within 90 minutes of each other in an intensive care ward in South Korea.
The babies all went into cardiac arrest while lying in incubators at Seoul's Ewha Womans University Medical Centre.
Staff performed CPR but efforts to revive the babies were unsuccessful, a hospital official said.
Family members told local media they were concerned about the health of the infants before they died on Saturday.
They said the babies all had bloated stomachs and difficulty breathing. Hospital staff say they do not know what caused the cardiac arrests but told police they did "not seem to have originated from a contagious cause."
Officials said the four babies had already died by the time police arrived at the hospital, which is in the Mok-dong area of western Seoul.
The 12 remaining babies who were in the intensive care unit at the time of the incident have either been discharged or transferred to other hospitals.
Police have been searching the hospital. They said autopsies are expected to be conducted on Monday to determine the babies' cause of death.
South Korea has spent about $70bn (£53bn) trying to boost the country's birth rate over the past decade, handing out baby bonuses, improving paternity leave and paying for infertility treatment.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42385484
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Trump Putin call: CIA helped stop Russia terror attack - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Vladimir Putin phoned Donald Trump to thank him for the information provided.
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Europe
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Information provided by the CIA helped Russian security services foil an attack on St Petersburg's Kazan cathedral, US and Russian leaders say.
President Vladimir Putin phoned Donald Trump to thank him for the information, the White House and Kremlin confirmed.
The attack was allegedly planned to take place on Saturday, Russia says.
A White House statement said "terrorists" were captured prior to an attack "that could have killed large numbers of people".
Russia's FSB security service said in a statement on Friday that it had detained seven members of a cell of Islamic State supporters and seized a significant amount of explosives, weapons and extremist literature.
The cell was planning to carry out a suicide attack at a religious institution and kill citizens on Saturday, the FSB statement said (in Russian).
The group was preparing explosions targeting the cathedral and other public places in Russia's second city, the Kremlin statement said on Sunday.
Mr Putin told Mr Trump that Russia's special services would hand over information on terror threats to their US counterparts, it added.
Mr Putin had asked the US president to pass on his thanks to the CIA director and the operatives involved, both countries said.
US intelligence agencies, including the CIA, believe that Russia tried to sway last year's US presidential election in favour of Mr Trump - claims rejected by the Republican.
A special counsel is investigating whether anyone from the Trump campaign colluded.
The two leaders most recently met at a summit in Vietnam last month
While Mr Trump categorically denies colluding with Russia, he has talked about the importance of working together "constructively".
Sunday's conversation between the two presidents marks the second time the two men have spoken in a week.
On Thursday they discussed North Korea and Mr Trump thanked Mr Putin "for acknowledging America's strong economic performance" in his annual press conference, according to the White House.
The White House said that the two leaders agreed in Sunday's phone call that the co-operation was "an example of the positive things that can occur when our countries work together".
An explosion on St Petersburg's metro system in April killed at least 13 people and is thought to be linked to jihadists.
Returning militants from Syria pose a real threat to Russia, the head of the FSB was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
Security services had already prevented 18 terrorist attacks in 2017, Alexander Bortnikov said in comments reported by Itar-Tass news agency.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42386258
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Five drivers traced over fatal Tulse Hill hit-and-run - BBC News
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2017-12-17
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The drivers of two lorries and three cars have been spoken to after a woman was struck and killed.
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London
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The victim was hit on a pedestrian crossing on the South Circular Road
Five drivers who may have been involved in a hit-and-run which killed a woman in south London have all been traced.
The 29-year-old Polish national was hit by a lorry on a pedestrian crossing on Norwood Road, Tulse Hill, on Monday.
It is thought she was then struck by another lorry and up to three cars. None of the drivers stopped at the crash site, the Met said.
The identity of the victim, who was staying in Wandsworth, has not yet been released.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.
The 49-year-old driver of the first lorry was interviewed under caution earlier in the week.
The driver of the second car - a 52-year-old man - was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and released under investigation.
Police said the drivers of the first car and second lorry have now been spoken to, as has the driver of a third car which officers believe may also have struck the woman.
None of the three have been arrested.
The force is appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 06:50 GMT and when the lights were on green.
Acting Det Sgt Alastair Middleton, said: "Even though we have traced all the vehicles that we believe were involved, I continue to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision and the moments afterwards to contact us immediately.
"We are particularly interested in any dashcam footage that may have captured some of the incident before or after the collision."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42378366
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Bijan Ebrahimi: Police 'failed' murdered man for years - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Bijan Ebrahimi was considered an "attention seeker" when he reported crimes against him, the police watchdog says.
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Bristol
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Bijan Ebrahimi was considered an "attention seeker" - he was told to "shut up" by a police officer
A disabled Iranian refugee repeatedly reported death threats and racial abuse to police for seven years before being brutally murdered, a report has found.
Bijan Ebrahimi was beaten to death and set alight on a Bristol estate amid false claims he was a paedophile.
The IPCC said he had been treated "consistently differently from his neighbours" in what could be "racial bias, conscious or unconscious".
Avon and Somerset's police chief said "we failed him in his hour of need".
Mr Ebrahimi's sisters, Mojgan Kahayatian and Manisha Moores, said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report showed "how terrible a life he had during those last few years".
Mr Ebrahimi was killed by his neighbour Lee James in Brislington in July 2013.
Bijan Ebrahimi was brutally murdered outside his flat in Brislington in July 2013
Three days before his death, police arrested Mr Ebrahimi following complaints he had taken pictures of children near his home. However nothing suspicious was found and he was released without charge.
These false allegations led to what Mr Justice Simon called during James's sentencing "a vigilante crime" and "an act of murderous injustice".
During the fatal attack, James repeatedly stamped on the victim's head shouting "have some of that".
Evidence gathered by the IPCC uncovered "poor responses" by police for at least seven years before the murder and repeated failures to protect him or record crimes against him.
In 73 of the calls Mr Ebrahimi made between 2007 and 2013, he reported incidents of racial abuse, criminal damage and threats to kill.
But police failed to record crimes on at least 40 occasions, the watchdog said.
The report also found there was "consistent systematic failure" by call handlers, who breached standards on recording crimes, identifying hate offences and repeat victims.
IPCC commissioner Jan Williams said: "Bijan Ebrahimi self-identified as a victim of race hate crime, but was never recognised as a repeat victim of abuse who needed help.
"Instead, his complaints about abusive neighbours were disbelieved and he was considered to be a liar, a nuisance and an attention seeker."
His sister Mojgan said the family had been "devastated" by his death and the police had "failed" him.
"It was so hard to see Bijan all these years suffering and his voice never listened to," she said.
"He was always waiting on police, he was thinking it's their duty to care for him and protect him so he didn't think it was up to us.
"He never gave up and he always thought he was in a country that police was there to protect people and he couldn't see anything beyond that."
Bijan Ebrahimi was murdered near his home in Brislington, Bristol
2007 - 9 reports made, the number recorded as a crime is unknown
Ms Williams said police accepted the neighbours' versions of events at face value and viewed Mr Ebrahimi as the culprit rather than the victim.
She described Mr Ebrahimi's faith in the force despite their repeated rejection of his version of events, as a "sad, poignant fact".
The commissioner added: "We found evidence that Bijan Ebrahimi had been treated consistently differently from his neighbours, to his detriment and without reasonable explanation.
"Some of the evidence has the hallmarks of what could be construed as racial bias, conscious or unconscious."
PC Kevin Duffy and PCSO Andrew Passmore were convicted of misconduct and jailed
PC Kevin Duffy and PCSO Andrew Passmore were jailed last year for misconduct over their dealings with Mr Ebrahimi. They and two other police officers were also dismissed from the force.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: "We failed [Mr Ebrahimi] in his hour of need and I am unreservedly sorry for the pain his family have suffered in the last four years.
"Some of these failings were systematic but it's important to acknowledge that the actions of a very small number of individuals had a catastrophic effect."
Bristol's elected mayor, Marvin Rees said this was "a horrific case which highlighted the need for many things to change". He said the city council is "very sorry for any shortcomings that are identified".
Mr Rees added he had been assured the council's current practice "meets the needs of vulnerable people" and that the authority would be looking "very closely" at the IPCC report.
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Avon and Somerset Police has since implemented changes across its systems relating to culture, anti-social behaviour and vulnerability.
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: "There is nothing that can do justice to the collective failure to protect Mr Ebrahimi and to treat him as a victim of hate crime.
"Over the past four years I am satisfied that the constabulary has recognised the mistakes that were made and put in place wide-reaching changes which are already embedded today."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40494218
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi takes $450m on opening weekend - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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It is the second biggest grossing opening weekend in North America.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The Last Jedi had the second biggest grossing opening weekend in North America
The latest Star Wars film generated more than $450m (£337m) in global ticket sales on its opening weekend.
The movie dwarfed its nearest rival - the computer-animated comedy Ferdinand, which took $13m (£10m).
The total for The Last Jedi includes $220m (£165m) from box offices in the US and Canada, placing the film second in the all-time list for North America.
It trails behind the 2015 release Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opened with a record-breaking $248m (£185m).
In third place, the Disney/Pixar animation Coco brought in just over $10m (£7.5m) during its fourth weekend in North American cinemas.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the eighth instalment of the 40-year-old space saga and is directed by Rian Johnson, whose credits include Brick and Looper.
Daisy Ridley stars as Rey, a survivor toughened by life on a harsh planet
It sees Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.
British actors Daisy Ridley and John Boyega also return from The Force Awakens.
The film has been widely praised by critics, and has a score of 93% on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes.
Will Gompertz, the BBC's Arts Editor, gave it four out of five stars and said it was "packed with invention, wit, and action galore".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42387021
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Grenfell Tower fire: safety rules failing, says review - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The leader of a review into building regulations after Grenfell is 'shocked' by safety practices.
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UK
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The Grenfell Tower fire claimed the lives of 71 people in June 2017
Building regulations are leaving room for shortcuts, the woman leading a review into fire safety after the Grenfell Tower blaze has said.
In her interim report, Dame Judith Hackitt said she was "shocked" by some of the practices she had seen, calling for better enforcement to "hold to account those who try to cut corners."
She said a "cultural change" was needed instead of "doing things cheaply".
The government says it accepts all of the report's recommendations.
The independent review follows the 14 June fire, which killed 71 people.
A final report is expected in spring next year.
Dame Judith's report said the fire in the west London block - in which many people also lost their homes - "should not have happened in our country in the 21st century".
Her review is aimed at making sure similar events do not happen in the future, rather than investigating the specific circumstances at Grenfell.
She said the whole system of fire safety regulation regarding complex and high-rise buildings was "not fit for purpose", and left room for those who wanted to take shortcuts to do so.
She called for a whole new system of enforcement and regulation for high-rise and complex buildings.
But she added this did not mean buildings were unsafe, with major building failures "very rare" and many people in the housing system doing the right thing.
The six-month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire was marked earlier this month with a silent candlelit march
Key problems Dame Judith found included regulations that were too complex and unclear; a lack of clarity about roles in design, construction and maintenance and a lack of a clear system to help residents raise concerns.
Dame Judith said a "tremendous amount of work" had been done by central government and the fire and rescue service since Grenfell to reassure residents.
But she called for a culture change across the entire industry and those parts of government that oversee it.
A national memorial service was also held at St Paul's Cathedral
Although separate from the public inquiry into the tragedy, being headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the review will run in parallel and add to his inquiry where it can.
In a statement to MPs, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid said the government agreed there was a need for a change in culture and a more effective system "to encourage people to do the right thing and hold to account those who try to cut corners".
He added: "We fully support this direction of travel that has been signalled in Dame Judith's report.
"Achieving cultural change will inevitably take time, but while Dame Judith explores these issues further, she has also identified a number of areas where we can make a start today."
He went on to discuss measures that the government has already taken. "While Dame Judith continues her vital work, we are continuing to support wider work to make existing buildings safer," he said.
"In the past six months, we have overseen a comprehensive set of fire safety tests on cladding components and systems," he said, adding that fire services had now inspected every residential tower block thought to be at risk.
But Labour said the recommendations should have been implemented after a fire at Lakanal House, south London, in 2009, which left six dead.
Shadow housing secretary John Healey said ministers had to start acting on existing recommendations immediately, rather than waiting for the final Hackitt report.
Lord Gary Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association, said the report "reinforces our warnings about the complexity and confusion in the current system".
He said the government should take action straightaway to work with councils and the industry to take the process of reform forward.
Dame Judith is due appear in front of the Commons' local government committee to discuss the report.
• None Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety- terms of reference - GOV.UK The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42392138
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BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017: World 10,000m champion Mo Farah wins - BBC Sport
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2017-12-18
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Sir Mo Farah is voted Sports Personality of the Year 2017 after winning his third successive world 10,000m title.
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Last updated on .From the section Sports Personality
World 10,000m champion Sir Mo Farah has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017.
The 34-year-old, a four-time Olympic champion, won his third successive world 10,000m gold medal in London in August - despite almost falling twice late in the race.
He becomes the first long-distance runner to win the Sports Personality award since Paula Radcliffe in 2002.
World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea was second and two-time Paralaympic champion Jonnie Peacock third.
Farah, who could not be at the ceremony in Liverpool, was presented the award on video link by stepdaughter Rhianna.
• None 'I can't stop staring at the trophy' - Farah shocked to win
• None How the night unfolded in pictures, video and on social
Former Liverpool and Scotland striker Kenny Dalglish announced the award at a sold-out Echo Arena after a public vote.
Farah, who was at the Sir Mo Farah Track in London, looked genuinely surprised to be named the winner before the video link cut out.
Former sprinter Michael Johnson stepped in to say a few words on Farah's behalf.
"It's well deserved," the American four-time Olympic champion said. "This year he came into his home championships, his last race on the track, and still delivered.
"Over the years he's dominated, he's out there by himself and always got the tactics right."
'I cannot believe I have won'
Farah, one of 12 contenders for the award, has been shortlisted five times before and enjoyed his previous highest finish of third in 2011.
After the show went off air, Farah spoke to those inside the arena.
Appearing close to tears, Farah said he was shocked to win because of the quality of the other athletes up for the award.
"It is pretty amazing and hard to think about," he said.
"I didn't imagine I was ever going to win this but anything can happen. If you work hard you can achieve your dreams.
"I am sorry I could not be there. My kid has been not well.
"I just cannot believe I have won."
A third successive World Championships 10,000m gold medal was the highlight of a year in which Farah also won a world 5,000m silver, missing out on a fifth major championships distance double in a row.
The Somali-born Londoner received a knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in November.
He bowed out from his track career with a 5,000m victory at the Diamond League event in Zurich in August, and will now concentrate on road races.
Farah took the prize with 83,524 votes - 2,957 more than second-placed Rea, while Peacock took third with 73,429, just 18 more than boxer Anthony Joshua.
After moving to England aged eight to join his father Mukhtar, the young Farah's talent was soon spotted (1/6)
Northern Ireland's Rea became the first rider to clinch three successive World Superbike titles, breaking American Colin Edwards' 15-year record for the number of points scored in a season.
He was also made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
"To be called out not third, and then second was incredibly strange, and a big surprise," Rea told BBC Sport NI.
"I had a word with my wife beforehand and she asked me if I was nervous and I was like 'no not really'. I was just happy to be here. I never in my wildest dreams believed that people would get behind me that much and it's an incredible way to cap 2017.
"It's been a dream come true to win not one world championship but now three on the bounce and to cap it off at the end of the season with this, before I start my preparations for 2018, is just incredible."
Third-placed Peacock won the T44 100m final in London in 10.75 seconds for his second world title after success in Lyon four years earlier.
The two-time Paralympic champion, who had his right leg amputated below the knee as a five-year-old after contracting meningitis, also became the first disabled contestant in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show this year.
"It's been a slightly strange year for me and tonight has been absolutely surreal," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I think watching everybody do their piece, you see the incredible athletes we have in this country.
"Every single person I was saying 'right, they're above, so are they' - just incredible names - so yes, it was a bit of a shock."
Helen Rollason Award: Sunderland fan and club mascot Bradley Lowery, whose bravery touched the hearts of many people, died aged six from a rare form of cancer in July.
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden helped England win the Under-17 World Cup and took the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.
Unsung Hero: Volunteer Denise Larrad for her fundraising work. The 55-year-old has had one sole aim - to get the people of Hinckley in Leicestershire active.
Lifetime Achievement: Former heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill won Olympic gold at London 2012 and a silver at the Rio Games four years later.
Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: Tennis player Roger Federer won the award for a record fourth time after claiming his eighth Wimbledon title and 19th Grand Slam in 2017.
Coach of the Year: Sprint coaches Benke Blomkvist, Stephen Maguire and Christian Malcolm helped GB's men's 4x100m team to World Championship gold.
Team of the Year: England women's cricket team produced a stunning fightback to beat India and win the World Cup in July.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds opened the show in Liverpool and then later introduced the Unsung Hero award with a cover version of the Beatles classic All You Need Is Love.
Rea arrived on stage on his superbike, while, like Farah, contenders Johanna Konta, Lewis Hamilton and Chris Froome joined on video link.
However, Farah's son Hussein stole the limelight when the runner was interviewed in the build-up, desperate for cuddles with his world champion dad and drawing a laugh from the crowd back in Liverpool as stepdaughter Rhianna stepped in on child-minding duties, only for Mo's microphone to then fall off.
There were plenty of other former winners present at the Echo Arena, from Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to Sir Steve Redgrave.
And Liverpool's finest were also in attendance, boxer Tony Bellew and new Everton manager Sam Allardyce on hand to present the Team of the Year prize.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/42387099
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Appeal over death of Commons deputy speaker's daughter - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Natalie Lewis-Hoyle's father, the Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle, said her death was "devastating".
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England
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Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, 28, was found unconscious at an address in Beeches Road, Heybridge
The daughter of the Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle has died, prompting an appeal for information about her final hours.
Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, 28, was found unconscious at an address in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex, on Friday morning.
Her mother, Maldon councillor Miriam Lewis, said her daughter's phone was missing and urged anyone who spoke to her the night before to contact police.
Mr Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley, said the family was "truly devastated".
He wrote on Twitter: "Our family will never be the same without our loving granddaughter, sister & aunty. Thank you for the kind support we've received, it is overwhelming."
Ms Lewis asked anyone contacted by "Natty" on Thursday night to get in touch with police and said that her daughter's phone had possibly been left on a train from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich.
She wrote on Facebook: "It is with unbearable sadness that I have to announce the sudden death of my beautiful, much-adored daughter Natalie.
"Natalie is my only child, my mini-me. Please help me find out what happened to her in the hours before her death."
Essex Police said the death was "not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner".
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42384573
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Cyril Ramaphosa is elected ANC leader - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa is the new leader of the ANC.
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Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected as the new leader of South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC).
But who is he and what does the result mean for South Africa?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42366484
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Deeside fire: Gateway to Wales Hotel blaze probe begins - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Nearly 50 guests were evacuated as fire tore through the Gateway to Wales Hotel in Deeside.
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North East Wales
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Dozens of people were evacuated from the hotel and surrounding properties
An investigation has begun after a fire engulfed a Deeside hotel, prompting the evacuation of almost 50 people.
The blaze destroyed the first floor, roof and most of the ground floor of the Gateway to Wales Hotel on Welsh Road near Queensferry in Flintshire.
The alarm was raised at about 04:30 GMT and 60 firefighters worked to put the fire out by 12:00. Nobody was injured in the blaze.
Roads and a nearby school were closed because of billowing smoke.
North Wales fire service said all 47 guests and a member of staff had been accounted for.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Stuart Millington, of the fire service, said guests were safe thanks to the smoke alarm
Stuart Millington, senior operations manager at the fire service, said they all got to safety after the hotel's smoke alarms went off.
"Our fire investigators are speaking to local residents and to people in the building," he said.
"The building is quite badly damaged and therefore their ability to get in and take their investigation safely will take some time."
Twenty firefighters remained at the scene on Monday afternoon, damping down the building.
The fire is causing significant smoke in the area
Hotel guest Barbara from Heywood in Greater Manchester, who had been visiting her son to exchange Christmas presents, praised the night manager for carrying her disabled brother-in-law out of the burning hotel.
"By the time we got outside the whole roof was alight, " she said.
"We're very, very lucky and thankfully it wasn't full. It had a lot of people in but it wasn't full. So everyone got out."
The Gateway to Wales Hotel - pictured before the fire - has about 40 bedrooms
Stacey Roberts, 26, who was staying in the hotel with her six-month-old son and partner, said: "The alarm stopped and then started again.
"No member of staff was seen, no sprinklers went off - if it wasn't for a gentleman shouting through the corridors 'fire, fire'... I dread to think. We're all traumatised."
Danny Lawton, who lives in a block of flats next to the hotel with his girlfriend and their baby, said he was woken at 05:00 by police banging on the door.
"When we went outside you couldn't tell it was a winter night as the heat coming off the fire was immense," he said.
"When we came outside the whole roof and top floor was on fire on the side facing our building."
The roof of the hotel has been destroyed
Station Road and the exit slip road on the A494 eastbound carriageway at the A548 has reopened but traffic is reported to be slow in the area, while nearby Sealand Primary School was closed for the day.
Councillor Christine Jones, who lives on Welsh Road, said the fire must have been "dreadful" and "so frightening" for guests.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it sent four ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, two duty officers and a hazardous area response team.
The fire is causing disruption on nearby roads
• None Fire hotel guests safe 'thanks to alarm' Video, 00:00:34Fire hotel guests safe 'thanks to alarm'
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-42391118
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Twitter suspends Britain First leaders - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The leader and deputy of a far-right British political group's Twitter accounts are frozen.
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Technology
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The Britain First Twitter account and that of its two leaders have been blocked
Twitter has suspended the accounts of two leaders of a British far-right group shortly after revising its rules on hate speech.
Paul Golding, Britain First's leader, and Jayda Fransen, his deputy, can no longer tweet and their past posts no longer appear.
The organisation's official Twitter page has suffered the same fate.
It appears that three of Ms Fransen's posts that President Trump retweeted have gone from his feed as a result.
The messages had featured anti-Muslim videos and proved highly controversial when the American leader shared them in November.
British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said it had been "wrong for the president to have done this".
Ms Fransen and Mr Golding were arrested earlier this week over separate behaviour relating to Northern Ireland.
Twitter announced in October that it planned to take a tougher stance against hate symbols as well as those who posted messages that glorified or condoned violence.
It has now said that those who express an affiliation with groups that use or celebrate violence to achieve their aims will be permanently suspended.
Hateful imagery - such as the Nazi swastika - can still be posted, but will initially be hidden behind a "sensitive media" warning, that visitors must disable to proceed. However, such content will no longer be allowed on a person's profile page.
Those that featured examples will be asked to remove them. Repeat violators will be banned.
The company said the move would "reduce the amount of abusive behaviour and hateful conduct" on the network.
"If an account's profile information includes a violent threat or multiple slurs, epithets, racist or sexist tropes, incites fear, or reduces someone to less than human, it will be permanently suspended," it explained.
"We plan to develop internal tools to help us identify violating accounts to supplement user reports."
Twitter has promised a more robust system to appeal against decisions, but said that it was still in development.
The company is not commenting about the action it is taking against individual accounts citing "privacy and security reasons".
That has left it to others to play detective and report who else has been suspended. Many are using the hashtag #twitterpurge to do so.
US accounts that appear to have fallen foul of the new rules include:
Several other members of the so-called alt-right have tweeted that fans should sign up to Gab.ai - a social network that pitches itself as a free speech alternative to Twitter - if they too are suspended.
Generation Identity, a pan-European nationalist group that opened a British branch last month, has also had its UK and Ireland Twitter account suspended.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42402570
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Trump: Russia and China ‘rival powers’ in new security plan - BBC News
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2017-12-18
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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He outlines "four pillars" of new plan, which no longer labels climate change a threat.
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US & Canada
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Analysis: Trump's plan to confront - and sometimes work with - US rivals
US President Donald Trump has outlined his new national security strategy, labelling China and Russia the primary threats to US economic dominance.
His speech - which was based on his platform of "America First" - attacked the "failures" of past foreign policy.
He criticised Pakistan and North Korea, and how previous administrations approached other world powers.
The US faces a new era of competition, the US president said at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington.
Russia and China are "rival powers", he said, but the US must attempt to build a "great partnership with them".
As an example of this new spirit of co-operation, Mr Trump referred to a phone call of thanks he received from Russian President Vladimir Putin for intelligence the CIA provided to the Kremlin about an alleged terror plot.
But there was harsher language for Russia and China in the new National Security Strategy document itself, published before the speech, which called them "revisionist powers".
Mr Trump described "four pillars" to his new plan but made no mention of human rights or climate change, his critics noted.
The four themes are protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, demonstrating peace through strength and advancing American influence.
The 68-page document, which White House officials began work on 11 months ago, suggests a return to Mr Trump's campaign promises.
It explicitly states that "the United States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating or economic aggression".
Mr Trump will renew his call for a wall on the southern border
Referring to his election victory during the speech, he said that in 2016 voters chose to "Make America Great Again".
Previous American leaders had "drifted" and "lost sight of America's destiny" he said, standing before a backdrop of American flags.
"Now less than one year later I am proud to report that the entire world has heard the news and has seen the signs," he said.
"America is coming back and America is coming back strong."
National security strategies are usually released without fanfare, but President Trump wanted to make an event out of this announcement, which builds on his America First campaign priorities.
So the document emphasises the economy and fair trade as security issues, as well as tough border controls and immigration policies.
Mr Trump's decision to call out Russia and China as global competitors reflected the wariness within his administration about these two "revisionist powers".
The president himself shifted quickly to talk about his recent phone calls with President Vladimir Putin, with whom he seeks a closer relationship. But the text of the document goes into quite biting detail about Russia's alleged interference in domestic politics, and about Chinese economic practices that anger the Americans.
That was part of an overall theme that emphasised competition more than co-operation in international relations.
It signalled engagement with the world rather than an isolationist retreat, but on more muscular terms than his predecessors.
He named the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal among his successes in office.
Mr Trump also said that wealthy countries must recognise that they need to "reimburse" the US for the costs of defending them.
He criticised North Korea for their repeated nuclear missile tests, and Pakistan for not doing enough to tackle Islamic extremism.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
He also outlined his campaign promise to build a wall on the southern border, as well as reform of the immigration visa system, which he said is necessary to defend the homeland.
The new policy stresses economic security but does not recognise climate change as a national security threat.
His predecessor Barack Obama in 2015 declared climate change an "urgent and growing threat to our national security".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42401170
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