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'Santa's bone' proved to be correct age - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Christmas comes early for researchers as a fragment of bone is confirmed to date from the era of St Nicholas.
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Family & Education
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The bone claimed to be from St Nicholas has been radio carbon tested for the first time
A fragment of bone claimed to be from St Nicholas - the 4th-Century saintly inspiration for Father Christmas - has been radio carbon tested by the University of Oxford.
The test has found that the relic does date from the time of St Nicholas, who is believed to have died about 343AD.
While not providing proof that this is from the saint, it has been confirmed as authentically from that era.
The Oxford team says these are the first tests carried out on the bones.
Relics of St Nicholas, who died in modern-day Turkey, have been kept in the crypt of a church in Bari in Italy since the 11th Century.
But the popularity of the saint, and the associations with Christmas, have seen many fragments of bones being taken to other locations, raising questions about how many of these are authentic.
The tests in Oxford have been carried out on a fragment of pelvis, which had been in a church in France and is currently owned by a priest, Father Dennis O'Neill, from Illinois in the United States.
St Nicholas figures meeting in southern Germany this week, at the start of the Christmas season
The radio carbon dating tests, for the Oxford Relics Cluster at Keble College's Advanced Studies Centre, have confirmed that the bone is from the correct era for St Nicholas.
Prof Tom Higham, a director of the centre, says this is unlike many such relics which often turn out to be much later inventions.
"This bone fragment, in contrast, suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself," says the Oxford archaeologist.
There are hundreds of other bones claimed to be from St Nicholas, including a collection in a church in Venice.
And the researchers now want to use DNA testing to see how many bones are really from a single individual - and how many might be linked to the bone tested in Oxford.
The Oxford team are interested in whether the part of the pelvis they have tested matches the relics in Bari, where the collection does not include a full pelvis.
Dr Georges Kazan, co-director of the centre at Keble College, says: "It is exciting to think that these relics, which date from such an ancient time, could in fact be genuine."
For the researchers, this might seem like Christmas has come early. But the findings cannot provide evidence that this is definitely from the real St Nicholas.
"Science is not able to definitely prove that it is, it can only prove that it is not, however," says Prof Higham.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42239197
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Argentina stolen baby reunited with relatives 40 years on - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Born while her mother was in captivity, the 40-year-old woman only found out about her identity now.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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A woman taken from her mother as a newborn in Argentina has been reunited with her relatives by campaign group Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo.
Adriana, 40, who asked not to have her surname released, was identified after she took a DNA test.
Her DNA matched those of relatives of her parents, who disappeared under Argentina's military rule.
Adriana is the 126th child found by the Grandmothers, who campaign for victims of the "Dirty War".
Speaking at a news conference, Adriana said that when the couple who had brought her up died, she was told by someone that she was not their biological child.
"I found out on a Saturday and on the Monday I had already gone to the Grandmothers, I wanted to know if I was the daughter of people who had disappeared, more than anything because of my date of birth," she said referring to the hundreds of children who were taken from left-wing activists under military rule between 1976 and 1983.
She took a DNA test but, after four months, still no match had been found in the database the Grandmothers keep of relatives of those who disappeared or were murdered by the military regime.
"I began to think I had been abandoned, given away, sold, that they hadn't wanted me," said Adriana about her biological parents.
But on Monday she finally got a call from the National Commission for the Right to Identity (CONADI) telling her they had information they would like to give her in person.
Adriana went there straight away and was told she was the daughter of Violeta Ortolani and Edgardo Garnier.
Activists held up pictures of Adriana's parents, who disappeared in 1977
The couple had met as engineering students in the city of La Plata, where they were also active in a left-wing student group.
Ms Ortolani was detained by the military in December 1976 when she was eight months pregnant.
Adriana was born in captivity in January 1977. Mr Garnier was detained a month later while he was searching for his missing partner and child.
Neither Violeta Ortolani nor Edgardo Garnier, who were 23 and 21 years old at the time of their detention, were ever seen again. They are two of some 30,000 people who disappeared during military rule.
Mr Garnier's mother never stopped looking for her missing grandchild and has been a key figure in the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo.
She could not attend Tuesday's news conference but Adriana said she had already spoken to her by phone.
"She is beautiful inside and out and such a personality." Adriana said. "Love is stronger than hate, always."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42247318
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Sean Rigg death: Police will not face charges, CPS rules - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The family of Sean Rigg, who died at Brixton police station, call the decision "shameful".
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London
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Sean Rigg died from a heart attack in police custody in 2008
Five police officers will not face prosecution after the death of a mentally ill man in custody, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has ruled.
Sean Rigg's family said it was "shameful" the CPS had upheld its decision from 2016.
The musician, 40, died from a heart attack at Brixton police station in south London in 2008.
In 2012 an inquest jury found that police used "unsuitable" force after arresting Mr Rigg.
The CPS chose not to authorise charges against any of the officers last year because the evidential threshold was not met.
A review began at the request of Mr Rigg's family.
Mr Rigg's sister, Marcia Rigg, said in a family statement: "It is shameful that the CPS should yet again find there is insufficient evidence.
"After years of vigorous campaigning to highlight the flaws in this wretched and unfair judicial system, there is no justice in the UK for families like mine.
"Any hope has been crushed."
In the weeks before his death Mr Rigg, who had paranoid schizophrenia, had not taken his medication.
Marcia Rigg believes the police have not been held accountable over her brother's death
He was held down for eight minutes in the "prone position" after his arrest in Balham for attacking passers-by and officers in August 2008. He fell ill in a police van and died in custody.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Met Police are still liaising over whether any officer has a misconduct case to answer.
Daniel Machover, the family solicitor, said: "As the police continue to pose a danger to those suffering from mental ill health, it is saddening that the CPS has failed to bring charges that would help to bring about change and accountability."
A CPS spokesperson said: "A full review of the evidence, including new material provided by the IPCC, was undertaken by a specialist CPS prosecutor who was not involved in the original decision.
"The review has now concluded and has upheld the original decision not to authorise charges in relation to the death of Mr Rigg, on the basis that the evidential test in the code for crown prosecutors is not met."
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said in a statement: "The MPS has been notified by the Crown Prosecution Service that the decision not to prosecute any police officer in connection with the death of Sean Rigg has been reviewed and upheld.
"The MPS has responded to the IPCC about its findings in relation to whether any officer involved has a case to answer for either misconduct or gross misconduct. We await the IPCC's further response and continue to liaise in line with the regulations that govern police conduct matters.
"We will do all we can to progress matters as quickly as possible."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42254576
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Posing as a schoolgirl to expose online groomers - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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How going undercover as a 14-year-old revealed the dangers children using streaming apps can face.
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A BBC investigation has found online streaming apps used by children to make live broadcasts are being infiltrated by men trying to groom them.
Internet safety campaigner Qudsiyah Shah posed as a 14-year-old girl to find out what kind of dangers children could be exposed to on such services.
It comes as the National Crime Agency says it arrested more than 190 men across the UK in a single week in connection with sexual offences against children.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42243733
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McDonald's hijab row: Teenager says apology 'not enough' - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The 19-year-old Muslim student was told by a security guard that her hijab was a "security threat".
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London
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A woman has criticised McDonald's after she was told to remove her hijab because it posed a "security threat".
The 19-year-old Muslim student, who wants to remain anonymous, was approached by a security guard at a London branch of the fast food chain.
McDonald's says it has suspended the security guard and is investigating the matter. It added that the restaurant was managed and owned by a franchisee.
But the student told BBC Asian Network "it's not enough".
"They basically said that the security guard was employed by a third-party company and so what they're trying to say is, 'We don't condone his conduct but we can't be held responsible because we're not the people who hire them'.
"But if you're going to use a separate company you need to be aware of what kind of policies they have, especially in a city like London."
The student was with her friend Sabrina at the Holloway Road restaurant in north London on 30 November.
In video footage recorded on her mobile phone, a black security guard can be heard saying: "If you just don't mind taking it off," to which the 19-year-old responds: "It's not just a matter of taking it off, I wear it for religious reasons and I'm not ashamed of it.
"I live down the street," she adds. "This is a hate crime."
She told the BBC: "You would expect someone of colour to be more sympathetic to a minority that is persecuted.
"That just reflects how current this issue is - almost anyone could actually believe that I am a security threat."
Sabrina shared the video on Twitter, and had an overwhelming response.
"A white British national... stood up for her," said Sabrina.
"People on social media were praising the man who defended her.
"As a non-hijab wearing Muslim, I recognise my privilege in society.
"Discrimination that I might face isn't necessarily as overt.
But her friend said she would not be deterred from wearing the hijab.
"If you want to dress modestly, you should have the right to dress modestly and it shouldn't be politicised," said the 19-year-old.
"It's my choice. If I want to cover my hair, I should have the right to cover my hair."
McDonald's UK chief executive Paul Pomroy said in a statement: "I am deeply sorry that this happened, and am taking the matter very seriously.
"We welcome people of all faiths and do not have any policy which restricts or prevents anyone wearing a hijab, or any other religious attire, in our restaurants.
"The restaurant involved is managed and owned by Amir Atefi, a franchisee.
"Mr Atefi is proud of his diverse workforce, and was upset and concerned to hear how one of his valued customers has been treated."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42242272
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Warning over eating raw dough due to E. coli risk in flour - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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US food chiefs have updated guidelines after investigating an E. coli outbreak caused by flour.
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Health
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against eating raw dough, batter or cake mixture because of the risk of E. coli from flour.
The FDA updated its guidelines following an investigation into an E. coli outbreak in the US in 2016 where flour was found to be the cause.
Cooking the flour kills any bacteria that can cause infections.
The FDA says commercially made cookie dough ice-cream products are OK as manufacturers use treated flour.
In 2016, dozens of people across the US were made sick by a strain of bacteria called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121, that was linked to flour.
A mill in Kansas City, Missouri, was found to be the probable source of the outbreak and ten million pounds of flour were recalled.
Previously there have been warnings about eating raw dough and cake mixture due to the presence of raw eggs that can pose a risk of salmonella.
The UK Food Standards Agency advises against eating raw dough "because it may not be safe".
But Leslie Smoot, a senior adviser for the FDA, says flour alone is also a risk.
"Flour is derived from a grain that comes directly from the field and typically is not treated to kill bacteria."
Bacteria from animal waste in the field could contaminate the grain, which is then harvested and milled into flour.
E. coli O121 can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhoea (often bloody) but most people recover within a week.
In rare cases it can cause a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Young and elderly people and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of complications.
The FDA says we should not eat or taste any raw biscuit dough, cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42236702
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Jeremy Hunt hits out at Facebook kids' app - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The health secretary told the social network to "stay away from my kids" with its app for under-13s.
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UK Politics
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Jeremy Hunt has told Facebook to "stay away from my kids" after it launched a new messaging app aimed at children.
The social network announced on Tuesday it was testing Messenger Kids in the US for those under 13 who cannot sign up for its full service.
The health secretary took to Twitter to condemn the new tool, saying the firm had promised to prevent under-age use of its product.
"Instead they are actively targeting younger children," he wrote.
"Stay away from my kids please Facebook and act responsibly!"
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 Jeremy Hunt 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.
According to the BBC's North America technology reporter, Dave Lee, the prevention methods to stop under-age children using Facebook are "trivial", meaning more than 20 million under-13-year-olds are thought to be using the network.
Messenger Kids is a simplified version of Facebook's existing messaging app which needs parents to approve any contacts added by their children.
Once confirmed to be safe, friends can do live video chats, send pictures and text each other.
The firm said it offered a more appropriate app, which parents could allow their children to use on tablets and smartphones.
It has not responded directly to Mr Hunt's tweet, but in a blog post, Facebook's Loren Cheng said the company had spoken to thousands of parents and dozens of experts in child development and online safety.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42242389
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Ventura fire: Thousands evacuated in southern California - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The fast-moving fire is bearing down on the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula.
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US & Canada
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Some 27,000 residents were forced to flee their homes in the middle of the night as a fast-moving wildfire ripped through southern California.
Several thousand homes are under mandatory evacuation in the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula, some 70 miles (115 km) north of Los Angeles.
Firefighters warned the fire was moving so fast they were unable to contain it.
Fanned by high winds, the fire swept through tens of thousands of acres in a matter of hours.
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County, promising to attack the fire "with all we've got".
It was earlier reported that one person died in a traffic accident while trying to flee the blaze, but Ventura County Fire Capt Steve Kaufmann has since told the Associated Press that no body was found in an overturned car.
Officials said one firefighter was injured. They also said 150 structures had been destroyed, and more than 260,000 people were without power.
Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze, named the Thomas Fire, but fire chiefs admitted they were fighting a losing battle.
"The prospects for containment are not good. Really, Mother Nature is going to decide," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen earlier told reporters.
More than 1,000 firefighters are now battling the fires, which have burned 45,500 acres. Authorities have warned of widespread smoke and advised people with health conditions, the elderly and children to stay indoors in affected areas.
Forecasters say ferocious Santa Ana winds and low humidity will continue for a few days, making for extremely dangerous conditions.
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 VCFD PIO 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.
Residents of Santa Paula and Ventura received mandatory evacuation notices via their phones and from emergency workers going house to house.
"My son is a firefighter and I'm not going to wait around for someone to rescue me," June Byrum told CBS, saying her 91-year-old father, husband and dog had already left for a safe place.
Santa Paula has 30,000 residents, while Ventura's population is about 110,000. Both are in Ventura County.
Another fire broke out early on Tuesday local time closer to Los Angeles, in Sylmar. Homes have been damaged and more than 400 firefighters have been deployed there.
The Ventura County fire is believed to have broken out close to Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula at some time after 18:00 local time on Monday (02:00 GMT).
It was quickly fanned by gusts of up to 70mph (115 kph) that burned through dry brush.
California has been hit hard by wildfires in recent months. At least 40 people were killed when fires ripped through parts of northern California's wine region in October. Some 10,000 structures were destroyed.
At least 150 structures are believed to have been destroyed by the blaze
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42235052
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Russian doping: IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics - BBC Sport
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2017-12-06
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The International Olympic Committee bans Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
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Last updated on .From the section Winter Sports
Russia has been banned from competing at next year's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang by the International Olympic Committee.
But Russian athletes who can prove they are clean would be allowed to compete in South Korea under a neutral flag.
It follows an investigation into allegations of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Games hosted by Russia in Sochi.
"This should draw a line under this damaging episode," the IOC said.
The decision has been widely condemned in Russia, with some politicians urging a boycott of the Games, though other officials have welcomed the chance for 'clean' athletes to take part.
IOC president Thomas Bach and his board - who made the announcement in Lausanne on Tuesday - came to the decision after reading through the findings and recommendations of a 17-month investigation headed up by the former president of Switzerland, Samuel Schmid.
The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has been suspended but the IOC said it will invite Russian clean athletes to compete in February under the name 'Olympic Athlete from Russia' (OAR).
Despite repeated Russian denials, the Schmid report has found evidence of "the systemic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system" which back up previous allegations of government involvement in cheating in the run-up to and during the Winter Olympics almost four years ago.
Bach said: "This was an unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport. This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system."
The Games in South Korea, which start on 9 February, will now be without one of the powerhouses of Olympic sport.
• None Who gets Russia's medals in Pyeongchang?
• None Russian doping - how we got here
This entire investigation was instigated by whistleblowing doctor Grigory Rodchenkov, who was director of Russia's anti-doping laboratory during Sochi 2014.
He alleged the country ran a systematic programme of doping and claimed he had created substances to enhance athletes' performances and switched urine samples to avoid detection.
The World Anti Doping Agency (Wada) enlisted the services of Canadian law professor and sports lawyer Dr Richard McLaren to look into the allegations.
The McLaren report concluded 1,000 athletes across 30 sports benefitted from the doping programme between 2012 and 2015.
Wada obtained what it said was a Russian laboratory database which it felt corroborated McLaren's conclusions, while re-testing of Russian athletes' samples resulted in a host of retrospective bans and stripping of medals.
Last week, another IOC commission, led by Swiss lawyer Denis Oswald, gave its full backing to evidence provided by Dr Rodchenkov.
What else has the IOC ruled?
As well as the Olympic Committee ban, the IOC has also decided to ban Russia's deputy Prime Minister and former Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko from all future Olympic Games. He is currently the lead organiser for the 2018 World Cup, which is being staged in Russia next summer.
In his report to the IOC executive board, Schmid says Mutko, as the then minister for sport, "had the ultimate administrative responsibility for the acts perpetrated at the time".
Responding to the report, Fifa said the IOC ruling had "no impact" on preparations for the World Cup.
Football's world governing body added that it "continues to take every measure at its competitions to ensure football remains free from doping" and every player will be tested next summer and "the analysis of all doping samples will be carried out at Wada laboratories outside Russia".
• None No accreditation for any official from the Russian ministry of sport for the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018
• None Former Deputy sports minister, Yuri Nagornykh, is excluded from any participation in all future Olympic Games
• None Dmitry Chernyshenko, the former CEO of the organising committee Sochi 2014, is withdrawn from the Co-ordination Commission Beijing 2022
• None ROC President Alexander Zhukov is suspended as an IOC member, given that his membership is linked to his position as ROC president
• None The ROC is fined 15 million dollars (£11.2 million) to reimburse the costs of the investigations and to contribute to the establishment of the Independent Testing Authority (ITA)
• None If Russia "respects and implements" what the IOC has called for, the sanctions may be lifted in time for the closing ceremony.
How can clean Russian athletes get to Pyeongchang?
The IOC will allow athletes from Russia to compete individually or as part of a team in South Korea, providing they wear an OAR uniform. The Olympic Anthem will be played in any ceremony.
A specialist panel appointed by the IOC will decide whether an athlete can compete by following these rules:
• None Athletes must have qualified according to the qualification standards of their respective sport
• None Athletes must not have been disqualified or declared ineligible for any violation of anti-doping rules
• None Athletes must have undergone all the pre-Games targeted tests recommended by the Pre-Games Testing Task Force
• None Athletes must have undergone any other testing requirements specified by the panel to ensure a level playing field
Action taken so far
• None A total of 25 Russians have so far been banned from the Olympics for life on the recommendation of the IOC commission
• None The first part of the McLaren report was when Wada called on the IOC to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics
• None instead asking individual sporting federations to rule on their participation
Wada has not called again for the IOC to ban Russia, but recently declared that the country remains 'non-compliant' with its code.
• None Russia 'not to blame' for Sochi scandal
The IPC will make public its decision on the potential participation of Russian athletes at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in London on 22 December.
President of the ROC, Alexander Zhukov, said there was positive and negative news from the IOC's decision.
He welcomed the invitation for clean athletes to compete in South Korea but does not agree with the ruling that they must compete under a neutral flag.
"If, as proposed, the temporary restrictions are lifted on the last day, then on the last day Russian athletes will compete under their flag with all the athletes from the rest of the world," he told reporters in Lausanne.
He said a final decision on participation is still to be made.
Russian politicians and athletes were united in their condemnation of the IOC decision.
The deputy chairman of Russian parliament's defence committee, Frants Klintsevich, said Russian athletes should not take part in the Olympics in 2018 if they are not allowed to compete under the national flag.
"I don't know what Russia's decision will be in the end, but in my view, a great power can't go 'incognito' to the Olympics," state-owned RIA Novosti news agency reported him saying.
Igor Morozov, another politician said "hybrid war" had been declared on Russia by the IOC decision.
The head of Russia's speed-skating body Alexei Kravtsov said it should be down to the athletes themselves.
"My opinion is that every athlete should decide for themselves whether to take part under a neutral flag or not," R-Sport reported. "But there is an admittance procedure, and that in itself is humiliating."
Russian bobsleigh federation president Alexander Zubkov said on Tuesday he was "shocked" by the decision.
Zubkov was stripped last month of the two gold medals he won at the 2014 Sochi Games and banned from the Olympics for life over alleged doping violations.
Russian state broadcaster VGTRK has said it will not broadcast the winter Olympic games if the Russian team is not participating.
• None Life on the run for Russian whistleblower
John Jackson, who led Great Britain's men's bobsleigh team in Sochi in 2014, and could now be awarded a bronze medal because of Russian doping bans thanked the IOC for the ruling.
"I believe it is the correct decision to allow the clean athletes of Russia to compete under a neutral flag," he said.
British sports minister Tracey Crouch tweeted that she was "pleased" with the announcement.
"We believe that this decision goes a long way towards protecting the interests of clean athletes," said Wada vice-president Linda Hofstad Helleland.
Jim Walden, a lawyer representing whistleblower Rodchenkov, said the decision "sends a powerful message that the IOC will not tolerate state-sponsored cheating by any nation".
"Dr Rodchenkov personally agrees with the IOC's determination that innocent athletes should compete as neutrals," he added.
What could a Winter Olympics look like without Russia?
The Olympics ban for Russia, who had finished top of the Sochi 2014 medal table, could potentially leave opportunities for gold, silver and bronze open to several other nations.
It is not yet clear how many Russian athletes, if any, will seek to compete under a neutral flag.
Other athletes are considering appeals against their doping bans.
Russia were among the favourites for gold in men's ice hockey following the National Hockey League's decision to withdraw its players from Pyeongchang.
At the last six Winter Games, Russian figure skaters won 14 of the 26 gold medals available and occupied 26 of the 75 podium places.
'Some concessions, but still dark day for Russia' - analysis
The punishment is unprecedented in Olympic history. This is a proud sporting superpower that uses such events to promote its image to the world. Not this time.
The hosts of next year's World Cup have just become an international pariah, with the life ban given to deputy prime minister and head of Russia 2018 - Vitaly Mutko - hugely embarrassing for Fifa - an IOC member federation.
Many will say the IOC should have done this 18 months ago before the Rio Olympics, and that both they and WADA should have acted more decisively years ago when reports of Russian cheating first emerged. And could the IOC have been tougher, given the scale of the cheating and the damage done to clean athletes?
The fact that those athletes who meet the criteria and can take part will be called 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' seems a concession to the country. Why not just 'Neutral Athletes'? President Bach also suggested the Russian flag may be flown at the closing ceremony in South Korea.
Yet this is still a dark day for Russian sport and President Vladimir Putin is now understood to be considering whether to boycott Pyeongchang 2018 altogether and forbid any Russian athletes to compete.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/42242007
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PC James Dixon: Tributes paid to 'hugely respected' officer killed in crash - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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PC James Dixon, whose wife is heavily pregnant, died in a collision on the A4 in Berkshire.
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Berkshire
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An on-duty police officer who died along with a 91-year-old woman in a crash on the A4 in Berkshire was due to become a father.
PC James Dixon, whose wife Samantha is heavily pregnant, died when his motorcycle was in collision with a car near Hare Hatch on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old had appeared in the Sky TV programme Road Wars.
The pensioner, who was a passenger in the car, was also killed while the female driver was taken to hospital.
The incident, which happened on Bath Road, has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
PC James Dixon died after the motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a car on Bath Road near Hare Hatch
The IPCC said PC Dixon was on a training exercise and was not responding to an emergency or pursuing the vehicle he collided with.
He was also not involved in any other pursuit and his unmarked police bike did not have flashing lights or sirens on.
PC Dixon, known as "Dixie" to friends, was based at Loddon Valley police station, near Reading.
Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to PC Dixon and the elderly woman during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
She said: "I'm sure the whole house will wish to join me in offering condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of police constable James Dixon from Thames Valley Police who was killed while on motorcycle duty yesterday..."
Tributes to PC Dixon have been posted in comments on Thames Valley Police's Facebook page, with many referring to watching him on the Sky 1 TV series Road Wars.
PC James Dixon was a "hugely respected" officer and had served 18 years "in a variety of roles" in the force
Thames Valley Chief Constable Francis Habgood said PC Dixon was a "hugely respected" officer and had served 18 years "in a variety of roles" in the force.
All the force's flags will fly at half-mast for the next week as a mark of respect to PC Dixon.
Jo Gill said: "Goodnight Dixie, you really were one of the funniest and best blokes I worked with. You are un-replaceable and my heart goes out to Your family both blood and blue."
Dave Bulger added: "Stand down Dixie, I can't believe you're gone mate. It was a real pleasure to know you and my heart goes out to your family and loved ones."
On Twitter, Ryan Sheehan said: "Growing up I was a big fan of PC James 'Dixie' Dixon and his @tvprp colleagues as they featured in #RoadWars.
"It's well respected officers like PC Dixon that inspire me to be a police officer..."
Road Wars followed 14 members of Thames Valley Police's roads policing officers from 2003 to 2010.
PC Dixon, who grew up in Winchester, is believed to have taken part in several series of the programme and was filmed with his partner "Yorkie".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-42249569
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Jerusalem: Trump move prompts negative world reaction - BBC News
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2017-12-06
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital is met with a wave of disapproval.
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Middle East
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US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv has been met with a wave of disapproval.
Leaders from within the Arab and Muslim worlds, and from the wider international community, were swift to criticise the move. Some warned of the potential for violence and bloodshed as a result.
The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.
The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem.
Israel occupied the sector, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.
The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.
Mr Trump said his decision was a "recognition of reality", and that the US was "not taking a position on any final status issues".
President Mahmoud Abbas said the decision was tantamount to the US "abdicating its role as a peace mediator".
"These deplorable and unacceptable measures deliberately undermine all peace efforts," he said in a speech broadcast after Mr Trump's announcement.
He insisted that Jerusalem was the "eternal capital of the state of Palestine".
The leader of the Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, called for a new "intifada", or uprising.
"The American decision is an aggression against our people. It's a declaration of war against our Palestinian people," he told a news conference in Gaza.
"We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy," he added.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the US announcement was a "historic landmark" and that Mr Trump's decision was "courageous and just".
Mr Netanyahu said the speech was "an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn't include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel". The city had "been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years", he added.
In a speech on Thursday, he said: "President Trump has inscribed himself in the annals of our capital for all time."
"His name will now be linked to the names of others in the context of the glorious history of Jerusalem and our people... We are already in contacts with other countries that will declare similar recognition," he said, adding: "It's about time."
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the move, saying it was "throwing the region into a ring of fire".
"What do you want to do Mr Trump? What kind of an approach is this? Political leaders exist not to create struggles but to make peace," he said.
His Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter that "the decision is against international law and relevant UN resolutions".
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Saudi Arabia's King Salman told Mr Trump by telephone on Tuesday that the relocation of the embassy or recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital "would constitute a flagrant provocation of Muslims, all over the world".
"The US move represents a significant decline in efforts to push a peace process and is a violation of the historically neutral American position on Jerusalem."
Those views were echoed by Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who warned against "complicating the situation in the region by introducing measures that would undermine chances for peace in the Middle East".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Why the ancient city of Jerusalem is so important
The Arab League called it "a dangerous measure that would have repercussions" across the region, and also questioned the future role of the US as a "trusted mediator" in peace talks.
Iran said the decision risked a "new intifada", or uprising. Its foreign ministry said the US had clearly violated international resolutions.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah called for joint efforts to "deal with the ramifications of this decision" and a Jordanian government spokesman said Mr Trump was violating international law and the UN charter.
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said the peace process would be set back decades, while Qatar's Foreign MinisterSheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said the move was "a death sentence for all who seek peace".
Pope Francis said: "I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city's status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions."
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said President Trump's statement "would jeopardise the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians".
Mr Guterres said Jerusalem was "a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties".
Such negotiations must take "into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinians and the Israeli sides," he said.
The European Union called for the "resumption of a meaningful peace process towards a two-state solution" and said "a way must be found, through negotiations, to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, so that the aspiration of both parties can be fulfilled".
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the announcement "has a very worrying potential impact."
"It is a very fragile context and the announcement has the potential to send us backwards to even darker times than the ones we are already living in," she added.
"The worst thing that could happen now is an escalation of tensions around the holy places and in the region because what happens in Jerusalem matters to the whole region and the entire world."
French President Emmanuel Macron said Mr Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital was "regrettable". He called efforts for "avoid violence at all costs."
German ChancellorAngela Merkel's spokesman said on Twitter that Berlin "does not support this position because the status of Jerusalem can only be negotiated within the framework of a two-state solution".
Both China and Russia also expressed their concern that the move could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said her government disagreed with the US decision, which was "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region".
"The British embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," a statement said.
"Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and longstanding: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. In line with relevant [UN] Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories."
Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said the move was "reckless" and had taken a "hammer blow" to the peace process. "He is setting it back decades," she added.
• None Jerusalem is Israel's capital, Trump to say
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42250340
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Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow - BBC Sport
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2017-12-06
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Philippe Coutinho scores a hat-trick as Liverpool thump Spartak Moscow to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
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Last updated on .From the section European Football
Philippe Coutinho scored a hat-trick as Liverpool became the fifth English club to qualify for the last 16 of this season's Champions League with a thumping victory over Spartak Moscow at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's Group E leaders came into the game knowing they needed to avoid defeat to be sure of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2008-09 - and Coutinho gave them the lead with a fourth-minute penalty after Mohamed Salah was fouled by Georgi Dzhikiya.
They doubled their advantage after a superb move 11 minutes later, Coutinho tapping home from Roberto Firmino's pass.
Firmino netted himself to make it 3-0 at half-time, and Sadio Mane's sublime volley extended the lead.
Coutinho completed his first hat-trick for the club with a deflected shot, and Mane added the sixth before Salah completed the rout.
Liverpool's victory means this is the first time five English teams have qualified for the Champions League last 16 in the same season.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham will join the Reds in Monday's draw at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Asked if his side would be a threat in the last 16, Klopp said: "If we perform like this, if we are that clinical, then yes.
"If we perform like this then it is obviously a threat, 100%."
• None Read more: English teams dominate - but can one of them win it?
• None Listen to BBC Radio 5 live's Football Daily podcast: 'The Premier League is back'
This is a huge result for Liverpool, who failed to advance from the group stage on their previous two appearances - in 2009-10 and 2014-15.
Klopp's side were close to qualifying last month, but Guido Pizarro poked home in the third minute of added time as Sevilla came from 3-0 down to snatch a dramatic draw.
There was no second-half collapse this time as the Reds produced another attacking masterclass to ensure they progress in Europe's most prestigious club competition.
Spartak had held the Reds to a draw in Moscow but were blown away on Merseyside as Klopp once again unleashed Coutinho, Salah, Firmino and Mane from the start.
The quartet had scored 12 of their team's 16 goals in five previous group games - and they were once again in ruthless mood.
Dzhikiya clumsily hauled down Salah to allow Coutinho to score before the Brazilian made it 2-0 after finishing a delicious move started by Mane and involving Salah and Firmino.
Firmino made it six goals in as many group games before the goal of the night by Mane - an exquisite volley from James Milner's inch-perfect cross.
Coutinho's hat-trick goal came from a deflected shot off Salvatore Bocchetti before substitute Daniel Sturridge teed up Mane for the sixth and Salah pounced from close range for the seventh.
Having beaten Brighton 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday, Liverpool have now scored 12 goals in two games.
Who can Liverpool face in the last 16?
Liverpool emerge from the group unbeaten but despite finishing top and being seeded they could still face a European heavyweight in the next round.
Among the unseeded teams the Reds could face are holders Real Madrid, five-time winners Bayern Munich and Italian champions Juventus.
They cannot face a team from the same country so will avoid Chelsea, and also cannot be drawn against Sevilla, who advance from Group E as runners-up following a 1-1 draw with Maribor.
The other teams they could be paired with are Swiss club Basel, Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto.
"I don't mind too much who we get - usually I always get Real Madrid so we will see," added Klopp.
"There are a lot of really strong teams. This year is quite special. Not often you can face Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but Juventus and all the others.
"We will not be happy when we see who we face in the next round, but we will be ready."
Analysis: 'Great on the eye - but it gets hard now'
Liverpool can score goals and that's the hardest part of the game - but coming up against opposition in the next round their defence might struggle.
You can still see Liverpool scoring but will they be strong enough at the back to deal with that quality?
Liverpool are great on the eye but it starts to get hard now.
• None Coutinho's penalty was Liverpool's fastest goal in a Champions League game at Anfield (three minutes 51 seconds).
• None Spartak have lost 23 of their past 29 Champions League away games (W5 D1).
• None Liverpool became the fourth English side to top their Champions League group this season - it is the first time since 2006-07 that four English teams have finished first in a single group campaign.
• None Klopp's team are now unbeaten in their past eight Champions League games, winning three and drawing five.
• None Salah has scored more goals in all competitions this season than any other Premier League player (18).
Liverpool will look to cement their place in the Premier League's top four when they host neighbours Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield on Sunday (14:15 GMT).
• None Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané.
• None Attempt saved. Fernando (Spartak Moscow) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Liverpool 7, Spartak Moscow 0. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by James Milner with a headed pass.
• None Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from very close range is too high. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
• None Emre Can (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
• None Attempt missed. Lorenzo Melgarejo (Spartak Moscow) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Andrey Eshchenko.
• None Offside, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho tries a through ball, but Mohamed Salah is caught offside. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42242178
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Ed Sheeran picks up MBE at Buckingham Palace - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The singer is honoured at Buckingham Palace for services to music and charity.
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Ed Sheeran has picked up his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
The singer was awarded his gong for services to music and charity.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-42270389
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Deptford double murder: Strangled father was sex offender - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The murders of Noel Brown and his daughter Marie could be linked to a sex attack in 1999, police say.
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London
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Marie Brown and Noel Brown were found dead on 4 December
A father who was found strangled along with his adult daughter at his London home was a convicted sex offender, police have said.
Noel Brown, 69, and Marie Brown, 41, were found in Deptford on Monday.
Police said a link to the 1999 sex attack was an "obvious line of inquiry" but they had no evidence that revenge was the motive for the murders.
They also revealed Mr Brown's attacker had tried to dismember his body. No arrests have been made.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area following the murders.
Police say Noel Brown had been to a betting shop on the last day he was seen alive
The bodies were found after Ms Brown's family reported her missing when she failed to come home after going to check on her father.
Police said Mr Brown had served a long prison sentence for the sex attack.
Det Supt Paul Monk said there were "no signs of forced entry to the property" and police were trying to establish "if the suspects or suspects were known to Noel and if Marie disturbed them."
Post-mortem examinations found she and her father died as a result of strangulation.
Det Supt Paul Monk said it was "a deeply distressing time for Noel and Marie's family as they come to terms with their loss."
He said Mr Brown was "well known and liked locally" and was last seen alive on 30 November in his local betting shop, Paddy Power, in Deptford High Street.
"There has been speculation that his murder was as a result of a large gambling win, however at this time there is no evidence to suggest this was the case," he said.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42264659
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Daisy Ridley: Social media is bad for mental health - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The Star Wars actress says becoming famous has made her reconsider how she lives her life.
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Entertainment & Arts
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Daisy Ridley deleted her social media after becoming famous
Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley says becoming famous made her delete her social media.
The 25-year-old, who stars as Rey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, quit Instagram earlier this year.
In an interview with Radio Times, she says she did it because of how bad it is for mental health.
Ridley says: "The more I read about teenage anxiety, the more I think it's highly unhealthy for people's mental health."
She adds: "It's such a weird thing for young people to look at distorted images of things they should be."
Ridley's big break came in 2014 when she was cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Before that she had only had minor roles in Casualty and Mr Selfridge.
She says her "life suddenly got a bit different" after being cast in the sci-fi film franchise.
"I'm definitely recognised more, but I find the whole taking pictures thing weird," she says.
"I'd prefer to have a conversation than someone asking for a picture, but I guess people feel the need to prove they've had the interaction through social media."
Ridley with her co-stars Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega and director Rian Johnson.
Ridley deleted her social media in September, following the likes of celebrities like Adele, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, who have all deleted their accounts in the past after being overwhelmed by the online world.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42250542
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Brexit 'affecting London's talent pool' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The chief executive of Standard Chartered Bank says the capital will "take hits" from Brexit.
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Business
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. 'We're preparing for the worst', says Standard Chartered boss Bill Winters
The UK's ability to attract talent is already suffering, following the vote to leave the EU, according to the boss of the UK's fifth-largest bank.
Standard Chartered is "preparing for the worst" from Brexit, chief executive Bill Winters told the BBC.
The UK-headquartered bank is in the process of turning its Frankfurt branch into a subsidiary requiring additional capital, licences and staff.
He said this was "inconvenient and expensive" and will damage London.
"London will take hits in the context of Brexit… I think big parts of the euro-denominated corporate banking business will be forced into Europe.
"It's possible that through the Brexit negotiations that there is some sort of extended passporting rule [ability of banks to sell services across Europe from a UK base] but none of us are expecting that quite frankly, or preparing for that.
"We have to prepare for the worst… let's hope for the best, but we're prepared for the worst."
Mr Winters said he would be happy to take the tens of millions of pounds he has spent on Brexit contingency planning and "flush it down the toilet" if it meant he could carry on as before and maintain the bank's current structure.
The mood music from the UK has already affected the bank's ability to attract the best and brightest talent according to Mr Winters.
"We have already had some setbacks for the talent pool in London through the restriction on student visas. That's already a problem.
"Some of the best talent that we can have in the UK marketplace is coming from students that have chosen to study here and then stayed for some extended period afterwards… We've noticed that's been impacted already.
"More through a sense from non-UK [people] that this might not be such a hospitable place any longer - it's more psychological than contractual."
Official numbers bear this out. After a decade of uninterrupted growth, applications from EU students for places at UK universities dropped by more than 7% last year, according to UCAS, even though their right to stay on and work is, as yet, unaffected.
A Department for Education spokesperson said it was taking action to provide certainty for students.
"We have confirmed that EU students starting their courses in the academic year 18/19 or before will continue to be eligible for student loans and home fee status and will have a right to remain in the UK to complete their course," they added.
Bill Winters says US President Donald Trump is wrong to allow China to grow its economic influence
Standard Chartered is not a High Street bank here in the UK.
It is probably best known here as Liverpool FC's shirt sponsor but it is a well-known financial brand in Asia, the Middle East and Africa and has a front row seat when it comes to financing global trade and investment.
It provides advice and cash to grease the wheels of commerce within and between some of the world's fastest-growing markets.
Former Wall Street banker Mr Winters is convinced the US under Donald Trump is making a big mistake in allowing China to grow its global economic influence in areas from which the US is retreating - as demonstrated when it dropped out of a trade mega deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"They're creating effectively a multi-regional trading bloc creating these markets in much the same way that the US and UK created markets in Europe after the Second World War during a period of so much devastation.
"They are creating markets where they will be less dependent on Europe…the US is taking itself out of some of the key discussions for them and then actual trade agreements where the US could continue to have an extremely benevolent influence that it has had for decades. I think we have got to be extremely careful about that - and the UK does as well."
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Mr Winters understands risk. He was part of a major report into the stability of the UK financial system commissioned by the government after the financial crisis. He believes the banks are much more secure than they were a decade ago but that has presented another type of risk.
A lot of banks have seen their profitability, their earning power reduced.
They have been forced to hold more shock-absorbing money in reserve and that has meant their earning power per pound of the capital they set aside has diminished.
Meanwhile, technology companies are coming along and doing lots of the things banks like to charge for - like foreign exchange and making payments - and doing them more cheaply and conveniently.
Many experts think banking's next crisis is the competition from nimble tech firms that don't have all the expense associated with being a bank.
This is one reason why many banks' shares (including Standard Chartered) - are trading at roughly half the price they appear to be worth on paper.
The idea that banks can't make enough money may seem perverse but any business that can't earn a sufficient return on the capital provided by investors is ultimately doomed as investors will take their capital away.
Mr Winters, however, is confident that banks are here to stay.
"For my thirty five years in banking I've started every year with people saying there is some enormous competitive threat looming - and they are right - there always is. But if you serve your customers as best you can you will stay relevant"
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42257277
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Middle East media reacts to 'slap of the century' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Many regional newspapers condemn the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
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Middle East
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Headlines in Arab and Turkish newspapers are crowded with strident criticism and expressions of dismay in response to President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Those in the Israeli press welcome the move, saying it should never have taken decades to happen.
"Thank you Mr President for this brave and historic decision. Thank you for applying your famous common sense to such a critical declaration on such a crucial issue," says one commentator in the Israeli newspaper, Yisrael Hayom.
Another, in Maariv, says Trump "broke the fear barrier".
"It is time to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” says Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth
"Trump is right: The world's refusal of 70 years to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been a stupid mistake," says a commentator in Yedioth Ahronoth. "The claim that the speech harms the peace process is untenable, because there is no peace process."
The paper printed the full text of Mr Trump's speech, dubbing it "The Jerusalem Declaration" - echoing the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which expressed the British government's support for a Jewish national home in Palestine and paved the way for Israel's creation.
"Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in the same breath watered down the American commitment to the two-state solution," says an editorial in the broadsheet Haaretz. "It is clear that America will not 'rescue Israel from itself' and will not bring about the end of the occupation."
The view from the Palestinian territories is rather different. A headline in the Palestinian Authority-owned newspaper Al-Hayat al-Jadidah calls the US move the "slap of the century".
Palestinian Al-Hayat al-Jadidah featured the announcement prominently on its front cover
An editorial in the paper warns that "the gates of hell will be opened in the region", echoing a statement made by the Islamist group Hamas.
There are also calls for effective and measured responses.
"Why should we not launch a calm intifada (uprising) and return to long-lasting negotiations?" asks one commentator in the pro-Fatah Al-Ayyam newspaper. "It would be better for us to wager on our political achievements and not on a third intifada."
A commentator in the pro-Hamas biweekly Al-Risalah echoes this: "We should reject the US and Israeli pressure, and move to enhance Palestinian national reconciliation until we achieve national unity. The least we can do is to concentrate all our energies and to overcome our differences in order to protect Jerusalem and reject the new US decision."
"For you, the city of prayer, I pray" - Al Jazeera responded to the speech by showing the Fairouz song, Flower Among Cities
The main Arab TV news channels are running special coverage of the announcement, reporting on the international reaction and reflecting on Jerusalem's place in Arab culture.
An evocative song by the well-known Lebanese singer Fairouz, Flower Among Cities, has been played by some channels, including Al Jazeera. In it Fairouz sings about the loss of Jerusalem, and about the Palestinians' hope that they will one day return to it.
Al Arabiya TV showed footage of a Christmas tree with its lights turned off in Ramallah
At the top of its morning bulletin, the Saudi-funded Al Arabiya TV cited the kingdom's official response expressing its "deep regret" over Mr Trump's decision and urging his administration to reconsider.
It highlighted demonstrations and strikes being held by Palestinians and reported that the lights on Bethlehem's Christmas tree had been switched off in protest.
In Egypt, Al-Dustur's front page says: "Announcing the death of the Arabs". Another daily complains that "Trump gives what he doesn't own to those who don't deserve it".
In Turkey, articles accuse Trump of going "crazy" and "pouring petrol on fire".
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42264307
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Trump says US recognises Jerusalem: The speech in full - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The full text of the US president's speech in which he recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
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Middle East
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Trump says his Jerusalem decision is in the best interest of peace
US President Donald Trump announced in a speech on Wednesday that Washington was officially recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Here is the full transcript of what he said, as released by the White House.
When I came into office, I promised to look at the world's challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking. We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the past. Old challenges demand new approaches.
My announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
In 1995, Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act, urging the federal government to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem and to recognise that that city - and so importantly - is Israel's capital. This act passed Congress by an overwhelming bipartisan majority and was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the Senate only six months ago.
Yet, for over 20 years, every previous American president has exercised the law's waiver, refusing to move the US embassy to Jerusalem or to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.
Presidents issued these waivers under the belief that delaying the recognition of Jerusalem would advance the cause of peace. Some say they lacked courage, but they made their best judgments based on facts as they understood them at the time. Nevertheless, the record is in. After more than two decades of waivers, we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result.
Therefore, I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.
I've judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is a long-overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement.
Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital. Acknowledging this as a fact is a necessary condition for achieving peace.
It was 70 years ago that the United States, under President Truman, recognised the State of Israel. Ever since then, Israel has made its capital in the city of Jerusalem - the capital the Jewish people established in ancient times. Today, Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residence of the prime minister and the president. It is the headquarters of many government ministries.
For decades, visiting American presidents, secretaries of state, and military leaders have met their Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem, as I did on my trip to Israel earlier this year.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Why the ancient city of Jerusalem is so important
Jerusalem is not just the heart of three great religions, but it is now also the heart of one of the most successful democracies in the world. Over the past seven decades, the Israeli people have built a country where Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and people of all faiths are free to live and worship according to their conscience and according to their beliefs.
Jerusalem is today, and must remain, a place where Jews pray at the Western Wall, where Christians walk the Stations of the Cross, and where Muslims worship at al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, through all of these years, presidents representing the United States have declined to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In fact, we have declined to acknowledge any Israeli capital at all.
But today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more, or less, than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It's something that has to be done.
That is why, consistent with the Jerusalem Embassy Act, I am also directing the state department to begin preparation to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This will immediately begin the process of hiring architects, engineers, and planners, so that a new embassy, when completed, will be a magnificent tribute to peace.
In making these announcements, I also want to make one point very clear: This decision is not intended, in any way, to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement. We want an agreement that is a great deal for the Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians. We are not taking a position on any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties involved.
The United States remains deeply committed to helping facilitate a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides. I intend to do everything in my power to help forge such an agreement. Without question, Jerusalem is one of the most sensitive issues in those talks. The United States would support a two-state solution if agreed to by both sides.
In the meantime, I call on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, including the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif.
Above all, our greatest hope is for peace, the universal yearning in every human soul. With today's action, I reaffirm my administration's longstanding commitment to a future of peace and security for the region.
There will, of course, be disagreement and dissent regarding this announcement. But we are confident that ultimately, as we work through these disagreements, we will arrive at a peace and a place far greater in understanding and co-operation.
This sacred city should call forth the best in humanity, lifting our sights to what it is possible; not pulling us back and down to the old fights that have become so totally predictable. Peace is never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach.
So today, we call for calm, for moderation, and for the voices of tolerance to prevail over the purveyors of hate. Our children should inherit our love, not our conflicts.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Palestinians and Israelis react to US plan to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital
I repeat the message I delivered at the historic and extraordinary summit in Saudi Arabia earlier this year: the Middle East is a region rich with culture, spirit, and history. Its people are brilliant, proud, and diverse, vibrant and strong. But the incredible future awaiting this region is held at bay by bloodshed, ignorance, and terror.
Vice-President Pence will travel to the region in the coming days to reaffirm our commitment to work with partners throughout the Middle East to defeat radicalism that threatens the hopes and dreams of future generations.
It is time for the many who desire peace to expel the extremists from their midst. It is time for all civilised nations, and people, to respond to disagreement with reasoned debate - not violence.
And it is time for young and moderate voices all across the Middle East to claim for themselves a bright and beautiful future.
So today, let us rededicate ourselves to a path of mutual understanding and respect. Let us rethink old assumptions and open our hearts and minds to possible and possibilities. And finally, I ask the leaders of the region - political and religious; Israeli and Palestinian; Jewish and Christian and Muslim - to join us in the noble quest for lasting peace.
Thank you. God bless you. God bless Israel. God bless the Palestinians. And God bless the United States. Thank you very much. Thank you.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42264868
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Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow - BBC Sport
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2017-12-07
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Philippe Coutinho scores a hat-trick as Liverpool thump Spartak Moscow to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
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Last updated on .From the section European Football
Philippe Coutinho scored a hat-trick as Liverpool became the fifth English club to qualify for the last 16 of this season's Champions League with a thumping victory over Spartak Moscow at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's Group E leaders came into the game knowing they needed to avoid defeat to be sure of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2008-09 - and Coutinho gave them the lead with a fourth-minute penalty after Mohamed Salah was fouled by Georgi Dzhikiya.
They doubled their advantage after a superb move 11 minutes later, Coutinho tapping home from Roberto Firmino's pass.
Firmino netted himself to make it 3-0 at half-time, and Sadio Mane's sublime volley extended the lead.
Coutinho completed his first hat-trick for the club with a deflected shot, and Mane added the sixth before Salah completed the rout.
Liverpool's victory means this is the first time five English teams have qualified for the Champions League last 16 in the same season.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham will join the Reds in Monday's draw at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Asked if his side would be a threat in the last 16, Klopp said: "If we perform like this, if we are that clinical, then yes.
"If we perform like this then it is obviously a threat, 100%."
• None Read more: English teams dominate - but can one of them win it?
• None Listen to BBC Radio 5 live's Football Daily podcast: 'The Premier League is back'
This is a huge result for Liverpool, who failed to advance from the group stage on their previous two appearances - in 2009-10 and 2014-15.
Klopp's side were close to qualifying last month, but Guido Pizarro poked home in the third minute of added time as Sevilla came from 3-0 down to snatch a dramatic draw.
There was no second-half collapse this time as the Reds produced another attacking masterclass to ensure they progress in Europe's most prestigious club competition.
Spartak had held the Reds to a draw in Moscow but were blown away on Merseyside as Klopp once again unleashed Coutinho, Salah, Firmino and Mane from the start.
The quartet had scored 12 of their team's 16 goals in five previous group games - and they were once again in ruthless mood.
Dzhikiya clumsily hauled down Salah to allow Coutinho to score before the Brazilian made it 2-0 after finishing a delicious move started by Mane and involving Salah and Firmino.
Firmino made it six goals in as many group games before the goal of the night by Mane - an exquisite volley from James Milner's inch-perfect cross.
Coutinho's hat-trick goal came from a deflected shot off Salvatore Bocchetti before substitute Daniel Sturridge teed up Mane for the sixth and Salah pounced from close range for the seventh.
Having beaten Brighton 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday, Liverpool have now scored 12 goals in two games.
Who can Liverpool face in the last 16?
Liverpool emerge from the group unbeaten but despite finishing top and being seeded they could still face a European heavyweight in the next round.
Among the unseeded teams the Reds could face are holders Real Madrid, five-time winners Bayern Munich and Italian champions Juventus.
They cannot face a team from the same country so will avoid Chelsea, and also cannot be drawn against Sevilla, who advance from Group E as runners-up following a 1-1 draw with Maribor.
The other teams they could be paired with are Swiss club Basel, Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto.
"I don't mind too much who we get - usually I always get Real Madrid so we will see," added Klopp.
"There are a lot of really strong teams. This year is quite special. Not often you can face Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but Juventus and all the others.
"We will not be happy when we see who we face in the next round, but we will be ready."
Analysis: 'Great on the eye - but it gets hard now'
Liverpool can score goals and that's the hardest part of the game - but coming up against opposition in the next round their defence might struggle.
You can still see Liverpool scoring but will they be strong enough at the back to deal with that quality?
Liverpool are great on the eye but it starts to get hard now.
• None Coutinho's penalty was Liverpool's fastest goal in a Champions League game at Anfield (three minutes 51 seconds).
• None Spartak have lost 23 of their past 29 Champions League away games (W5 D1).
• None Liverpool became the fourth English side to top their Champions League group this season - it is the first time since 2006-07 that four English teams have finished first in a single group campaign.
• None Klopp's team are now unbeaten in their past eight Champions League games, winning three and drawing five.
• None Salah has scored more goals in all competitions this season than any other Premier League player (18).
Liverpool will look to cement their place in the Premier League's top four when they host neighbours Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield on Sunday (14:15 GMT).
• None Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané.
• None Attempt saved. Fernando (Spartak Moscow) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Liverpool 7, Spartak Moscow 0. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by James Milner with a headed pass.
• None Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from very close range is too high. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
• None Emre Can (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
• None Attempt missed. Lorenzo Melgarejo (Spartak Moscow) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Andrey Eshchenko.
• None Offside, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho tries a through ball, but Mohamed Salah is caught offside. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42242178
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Stanley Johnson: 'Is Boris still foreign secretary?' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42260810
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Anger at Chancellor's disability employment comments - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Disability groups call for apology after Philip Hammond's comments on disabled people and work.
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UK
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The Chancellor has been criticised by a disabled charity for saying high levels of disabled people in the workforce may have had an impact on productivity.
Speaking to the Treasury Committee, Philip Hammond said the UK should be "extremely proud of high levels of participation by disabled people".
But he said that may have had an impact on the UK's overall productivity.
Disabled charity Scope called for an apology, saying the comments were "unacceptable and derogatory".
Last month the government announced plans to get a million more disabled people into work within a decade.
Anna Bird, director of policy and research at Scope, said Mr Hammond's comments "fundamentally undermine the government's policy and the ambition set out by the prime minister just a week ago".
She called on him urgently to withdraw the remarks.
Office for National Statistics figures show that disabled people remain twice as likely to be unemployed as their able-bodied peers.
Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, shadow minister for disabled people, tweeted: "As a disabled person I am shocked and appalled that Philip Hammond is trying to blame me and other disabled people for the Tories' economic failure.
"He should apologise immediately for this disgraceful comment."
She said the disability productivity gap had been "stuck at 30 odd percent" since 2010 and she called for a massive investment strategy and education programmes.
Sophie Morgan, a disability rights campaigner and presenter, expressed her anger on Twitter.
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She was joined by inclusion expert Mik Scarlet, who responded to Mr Hammond by documenting his journey to work.
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Storm Caroline disrupts travel and closes schools - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Rail and ferry services are cancelled and dozens of schools are closed as the storm passes.
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Highlands & Islands
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Travel is disrupted due to high winds, and low-lying areas of coastline are hit by large waves
Rail and ferry travel has been disrupted and dozens of schools have been shut in Scotland due to Storm Caroline's strong winds.
The Met Office has amber "be prepared" and yellow "be aware" warnings in place for Thursday's storm for Scotland.
Yellow warnings have been issued for snow, ice and wind on Friday and Saturday for large parts of the UK.
Some rail services have, however, now been restored as the worst of the storm moved away.
The West Highland line re-opened and speed restrictions were lifted on Inverness - Aberdeen route.
A bus came off a road in Orkney as high winds hit the islands
Mountaineering Scotland has reported gusts reaching 116mph on the summit of Cairn Gorm mountain in the Cairngorms.
Winds gusting to 91mph have also been recorded at Dounreay nuclear site in Caithness, which was closed for the day at 13:00 because of the bad weather.
High winds in Orkney have seen wave heights of up 45ft (14m) being recorded at the European Marine Energy Centre's Billia Croo wave test site.
The Met Office updated its yellow warning for snow and ice on Thursday to include southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.
An image of Storm Caroline captured by the University of Dundee Satellite Receiving Station
Scrabster Harbour in Caithness where winds have been gusting to 91mph
The ferry, Hamnavoe, leaving Scrabster in Caithness for Orkney on Thursday morning
A railway track at Patterton was blocked by a trampoline
All schools on Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in the Western Isles have been closed to pupils as a precaution.
Electricity company SSE Networks confirmed power has been safely restored to more than 11,500 customers.
The main areas affected were the Western Isles, north west Highlands, Caithness, Moray, north east Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Shetland.
As of 16:00 about 4,600 homes remained without power, mainly in Caithness, Orkney and Shetland.
The company said teams were working to restore power where it was safe to do so.
In the Highland Council area, more than 50 schools, which include nurseries, primary and secondary schools, were closed because of the weather.
A council spokeswoman confirmed Wick Campus - including Wick High School, Newtonpark Primary School and High Life Highland Leisure facilities - will remain closed on Friday after the gym roof was damaged.
All schools in Orkney were closed from 11:30.
In Shetland, where police have warned of debris on roads in Lerwick and issues affecting the A970, all schools were closed from lunchtime and will remain shut on Friday.
Two schools in Moray were also closed early because of the weather.
Sandbags in Macduff on the Aberdeenshire coast following warnings of high tides, strong winds and large waves
Work to clear up debris from a wind-damaged tree in Inverness
A wet and windy scene on Shetland where all schools closed from lunchtime
Rail services between Glasgow Central and Neilston were disrupted for almost two hours after a trampoline blew onto the track at Patterton in East Renfrewshire.
At the height of the storm, the bus company Stagecoach said it had to suspended its services in the north of Scotland.
Ferry operators Caledonian MacBrayne and Serco Northlink warned of continuing disruption to routes on Scotland's west and north coasts.
Ferry sailings to and from Shetland were cancelled on Thursday night.
Serco Northlink is also advising customers that both of Friday's passenger sailings from Lerwick and Aberdeen are under review with a high probability of cancellations.
The crew of the ferry Hamnavoe that left Scrabster in Caithness earlier on Thursday, had to seek shelter in Scapa Flow in Orkney having been unable to berth in Stromness.
A seal in wind-blown sand at Newburgh beach in Aberdeenshire
Due to concerns about large waves during the storm, all personnel have been taken off the North Sea platform Ninian Southern off Shetland and production shut down.
CairnGorm Mountain snowsports centre near Aviemore was closed on Thursday because of the expected high winds.
Blustery conditions at Invergordon in an image taken by BBC Weather Watcher Winkers
It has emerged that, as the storm approached Scotland, bad weather caused a gangway connected to a North Sea oil platform to separate from an accommodation vessel.
The gangway between the Safe Boreas and the Mariner platform east of Shetland automatically disconnected due to worsening weather conditions.
Statoil said no-one was injured, but it did leave 36 workers, who were on the neighbouring Noble Lloyd Noble rig unable to get back to the accommodation vessel. They made the short journey on Thursday morning by helicopter.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42256808
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Dexter Fletcher to direct Freddie Mercury biopic - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Bafta-nominated Dexter Fletcher will take on Bohemian Rhapsody following the firing of Bryan Singer.
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Entertainment & Arts
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Fletcher's appointment followed the departure of Singer, who was accused of being "unreliable"
Directing duties for Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury film biopic, have been taken on by Eddie the Eagle's Dexter Fletcher, after the firing of Bryan Singer.
The actor turned Bafta-nominated director was previously set to direct the Mercury film only to leave the project in 2014.
20th Century Fox said production would resume next week.
Rami Malek will play the Queen singer in the film.
It is expected to be released in December 2018 as planned.
The troubled project has faced a series of setbacks since it was first announced in 2010.
Singer's departure was confirmed this week, with a source attributing his exit to "a pattern of unreliable behaviour on set".
The Usual Suspects director said he was disappointed to leave the film, which he described as "a passion project".
In a statement issued through his lawyer, Singer said he had asked for time off to deal with a "pressing" family matter.
"Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services," he continued.
Filming has been taking place in the UK, with Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello and Gwilym Lee starring as Queen's other members.
Before turning to directing, Fletcher was best known for his roles in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and ITV's Press Gang.
He made his directorial debut in 2011 with urban drama Wild Bill, for which he was nominated for a Bafta Film Award, and also directed Sunshine on Leith in 2013.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42263697
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Brexit: PM urged not to let Eurosceptics 'dictate' talks - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Theresa May is urged not to allow Eurosceptic MPs in her party to "dictate the terms" of the talks.
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UK Politics
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Downing Street has insisted it is still confident of a first-phase Brexit deal before next week's summit
Theresa May has been urged not to allow Eurosceptic MPs in her party to "impose their own conditions" on negotiations amid signs of fresh Tory infighting.
Nineteen Tory MPs who back a "soft Brexit" have written to her saying it is "highly irresponsible" for anyone to dictate terms which may scupper a deal.
It follows some Tories backing the DUP's decision to oppose a draft deal on the future of the Irish border.
The PM has spoken to the DUP's Arlene Foster to try to break the deadlock.
The DUP says there is "more work to be done" if it is to agree to plans for the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic after Brexit - a prerequisite for talks to move on to their next phase.
Irish PM Leo Varadkar, who also spoke to Mrs May on Wednesday, said he was willing to consider any new proposals, suggesting the UK might put something forward within the next 24 hours.
And the BBC understands the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states, who received an update from chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday, are "waiting for something from London" in the next 48 hours.
The BBC's Adam Fleming said Mr Barnier and the member states agreed there must be clarity within 48 hours for them to have enough time to consult with their capitals about draft guidelines for phase two of the talks.
At a summit next week, European leaders will decide whether enough progress has been made in the negotiations on Ireland, the UK's "divorce bill" and citizens' rights so far to open trade talks.
In their letter, the 19 MPs - who largely backed Remain in the 2016 referendum - say they support the PM's handling of the negotiations, in particular the "political and practical difficulties" relating to the Irish border.
But they hit out at what they say are attempts by some in their party to paint a no-deal scenario in which the UK failed to agree a trade agreement as "some status quo which the UK simply opts to adopt".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Citizens' rights, the Irish border and money are the three big negotiation points
"We wish to make it clear that we are disappointed yet again that some MPs and others seek to impose their own conditions on these negotiations," the MPs, including former cabinet ministers Stephen Crabb, Dominic Grieve, Anna Soubry and Nicky Morgan - write.
"In particular, it is highly irresponsible to seek to dictate terms which could lead to the UK walking away from these negotiations."
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It urges the PM to "take whatever time is necessary" to get the next stage of negotiations right.
On Tuesday, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith argued the time was fast approaching for the UK to consider walking away from the talks if the EU did not allow negotiators to proceed to the next phase - in which future trade and security relations will take centre stage.
The suggestion of "regulatory alignment" between Northern Ireland and the European Union and any continuing role for the European Court of Justice has also concerned some Eurosceptic Conservative MPs.
On Monday Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - whose support the PM needs to win key votes at Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU.
The DUP said the proposals, which aimed to avoid a "hard border" by aligning regulations on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, were not acceptable.
This has left the UK government racing to find an agreement suiting all sides in time for next week's summit.
The Irish PM said he was willing to consider any new proposals from the UK
The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the Irish government, which has said it wants firm guarantees that a hard border can be avoided, was playing a "dangerous game" with its own economy.
At a press conference with his Dutch counterpart on Wednesday, Irish PM Leo Varadkar insisted he wanted the talks to move beyond consideration of divorce issues to the future.
"Having consulted with people in London, she (Theresa May) wants to come back to us with some text tonight or tomorrow," he said. "I expressed my willingness to consider that."
In a separate development, Chancellor Philip Hammond has suggested the UK could pay the so-called Brexit bill, regardless of whether or not there is a subsequent trade agreement with the EU.
He told MPs on the Treasury Committee he found it "inconceivable" that the UK would "walk away" from its financial obligations as "frankly it would not make us a credible partner for future international agreements".
On the issue of the divorce bill, a No 10 spokesman said the government's position remained that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and that applies to the financial settlement".
Reports have suggested the UK has raised its financial offer to a figure of up to 50bn euros (£44bn).
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42260252
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UK City of Culture 2021: Coventry wins - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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It will hope to get a major boost from hosting the year-long celebration of arts and performance.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The winning city was announced in the current UK City of Culture, Hull
Coventry has been chosen to be the UK's City of Culture for 2021.
The bid team said their plans were "about changing the reputation of a city" as well as hosting a year of cultural celebration.
The title is awarded every four years and Coventry will hope to emulate the success of Hull, which is UK City of Culture this year.
The other places in the running for the title were Swansea, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland.
Coventry is the birthplace of Philip Larkin, one of England's finest poets, electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire and best-selling author Lee Child. It's also the home of the Two Tone ska movement through bands like The Specials and The Selecter.
Venues will include Warwick Arts Centre, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and the Belgrade Theatre, which launched the Theatre In Education movement in 1965. It's also the home of the UK's first Shop Front Theatre and boasts the UK's largest free family music festival with the Coventry Godiva Festival.
Coventry's bid team said the city had "constantly reinvented itself to survive".
It has suffered from the decline of its status as the heart of the British motor industry, and it was devastated by bombing during the World War Two.
It will hope to learn from Hull, whose status as UK City of Culture has boosted the local economy by an estimated £60m.
Hull has also seen more than £1bn of investment since being chosen to hold the 2017 title four years ago, and the year's artistic programme has been a hit with both residents and critics.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. UK City of Culture: Five things about Coventry
Laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said the economic impact would "be huge for the city and the West Midlands".
"This is a win for Coventry, a win for young people and a win for diversity," she said.
"It's been a bid by and for the people of Coventry. It has brought so many people and organisations together and this is just the start."
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Arts minister John Glen said it was "an incredible opportunity for Coventry to boost investment in the local economy, grow tourism and put arts and culture centre stage".
He said: "In 2017 I have seen the truly transformative effect this prestigious title has had on Hull.
"The city has embraced City of Culture and in doing so has demonstrated how culture, the arts and heritage can bring communities together. I look forward to seeing what Coventry has in store in 2021."
He also congratulated the unsuccessful towns and cities for their "excellent" bids.
Coventry will be the third UK City of Culture - after Hull and Londonderry, which held the title in 2013.
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As part of the prize, Coventry will have access to a £3m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The UK City of Culture scheme is separate from the European Capital of Culture. The UK was due to have a turn choosing a city to hold that title in 2023, with Leeds, Dundee, Milton Keynes, Belfast/Derry and Nottingham all bidding.
But the European Commission recently confirmed that the UK will lose the right to have a host city after it leaves the EU in 2019.
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Why Jerusalem matters - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The city's importance explained, as the controversial US embassy move to the city goes ahead.
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The controversial US embassy move to Jerusalem is going ahead amid celebration and protest. The BBC's Yolande Knell explains why the city is so important.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42247428
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Irish border: New draft Brexit plan could break deadlock - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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There are "serious ideas" on the table, a source says, as talks over the Irish border go into the night.
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UK Politics
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Disagreements remain over how the Irish border should be treated after Brexit
Brexit negotiations are continuing into the night in a fresh push to reach agreement over the Irish border.
The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg has been told there are "serious ideas" on the table that the different parties are broadly content with.
Additional wording has been added to reassure the DUP, whose opposition on Monday led to talks breaking down.
UK PM Theresa May could travel to Brussels early on Friday if a deal is reached.
European Council President Donald Tusk is due to make a statement at 0650 GMT, prompting speculation that a deal is close.
European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted: "We are making progress, but not yet fully there," adding: "Tonight more than ever, stay tuned."
But a Democratic Unionist Party source urged caution, saying the team were "still working".
All sides want progress on the issue ahead of a crucial summit next week, so talks can move on to the future relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit.
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What happens to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been among the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations.
On Monday, the DUP - whose support the UK prime minister needs to win key votes in Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU.
They included aligning regulations in Northern Ireland with those in the Republic so as to avoid border checks.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. "However many times you phrase it, we're not going to be making any comment"
The DUP insists it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland was treated differently from the rest of the UK.
The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, which is an EU member, wants a guarantee that there will be no hard border between it and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
The UK, which is due to leave the EU in March 2019, wants to open talks on a new free trade deal as soon as possible.
The EU will only agree to discuss this when it judges that enough progress has been made on the "separation issues" - the "divorce bill", expat citizens' rights and the Northern Ireland border - that have been the subject of negotiations so far.
So the UK is trying to settle the Northern Ireland border issue before EU leaders meet next week.
• None Johnson to EU: 'Go whistle' over exit bill
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42273941
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Senator Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct claims - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The Democrat admits no wrongdoing, calls himself a "champion of women" and attacks President Trump.
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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. Franken attacked Donald Trump and Roy Moore in his resignation speech
Democratic Senator and ex-comedian Al Franken has said he plans to quit "in the coming weeks" after string of sexual harassment allegations.
"I am proud that during my time in the Senate that I have used my power to be a champion of women," the Minnesota senator said from the US Senate floor.
His speech came a day after nearly 30 Democrats called on him to resign.
He would be the most prominent lawmaker to resign amid a wave of misconduct claims against high-profile figures.
Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives Ethics Committee launched sexual harassment investigations into two Republican congressmen.
Trent Franks of Arizona announced he was resigning as the inquiry was announced.
Mr Franken arrived at the Capitol holding hands with his wife
He acknowledged having made two female congressional aides "uncomfortable" by asking them about surrogacy when he and his wife faced infertility.
The committee also said it would investigate Blake Farenthold, who used $84,000 (£62,000) of taxpayers' money to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit with his former spokeswoman.
Over in the Senate, Mr Franken told his colleagues on Thursday: "Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.
"I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice."
The former Saturday Night Live comic and two-term senator has apologised to several women who have accused him of groping and sexual harassment, but he faced mounting pressure to step aside after a new allegation surfaced on Wednesday.
Mr Franken said some of the claims against him "are simply are not true", but added that women "deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously".
He also referenced the sexual misconduct allegations that have been levelled against President Donald Trump and Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
"I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party."
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Mr Franken is not the only US politician to have found himself engulfed by sexual harassment in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Michigan Democrat John Conyers announced he would resign amid claims of sexual harassment made by his congressional aides.
Seven women have come forward to accuse Mr Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge, of sexual misconduct decades ago.
Several Democratic female senators - including some who called for Mr Franken's resignation a day earlier - hugged the lawmaker after his speech.
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Fellow Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar thanked Mr Franken on Facebook, calling him a "friend to me and many in our state".
"Nothing is easy or pleasant about this," she wrote, "but we all must recognise that our workplace cultures - and the way we treat each other as human beings - must change."
The decision to fill the vacancy left by Mr Franken will fall to Democratic Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, who said in a statement he has not determined who will replace him.
"I extend my deepest regrets to the women who have had to endure their unwanted experiences with Senator Franken," he said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42271979
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Coveney stands firm on Irish Brexit position - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Talks to end an impasse continue, with the European Council chief set to address the issue on Friday.
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Northern Ireland
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European Council president Donald Tusk is to make an announcement about Brexit at 06:50 GMT on Friday
The core Brexit issues on which Ireland reached agreement earlier this week are not changing, the country's foreign minister has told the Irish parliament.
Dublin would look at new proposals but its core position needed to remain intact, said Mr Coveney.
Negotiations between the UK government, the European Commission and the Irish government continued on Thursday.
European Council president Donald Tusk is now due to make an announcement about Brexit at 06:50 GMT on Friday.
On Monday, the UK and EU failed to strike a deal in Brexit talks when the DUP objected to the wording of a text on the future operation of the border.
It is unlikely the current phase of negotiations will be wrapped by the end of Thursday, says the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg.
There is no sense of any real momentum in the talks, despite the hard work of all sides, she told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.
The real difficulty for UK PM Theresa May is that disagreement on a post-Brexit Irish border has sparked division within the Conservative Party on the differing versions of Brexit that could be tolerated by different parties, she added.
The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds MP left talks with representatives on the Conservative Party in Whitehall earlier on Thursday evening without comment.
Dublin's core issues are protecting the Good Friday Agreement, maintaining the integrity of the European single market and the all-island economy.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Would you notice if you crossed the Irish border? (Video from 2017)
Mr Coveney told the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Thursday morning that sensitive negotiations were ongoing and he would not make any statement that might create difficulties.
But he was insistent the Republic would not support anything that might lead to a hard border on the island of Ireland.
"The Irish government's position hasn't changed," he said.
The Irish government has demanded a written agreement from the UK that there will be no return to a hard border - one involving checkpoints or barriers - after Brexit.
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Earlier, the Irish prime minister said the UK government planned to suggest a new wording for a Brexit deal on the Irish border within the next 24 hours.
Leo Varadkar said he had spoken by phone to UK PM Theresa May on Wednesday, adding that he wanted to move things forward and had indicated his willingness "to consider any proposals that the UK side have".
"Ultimately, it is up to them to come back to us, given the events that happened on Monday," he said.
On Monday, Mr Varadkar said he was "surprised and disappointed" a deal had not been reached, after the UK had agreed a text that met Irish concerns.
"I want us to move to phase two - if that is possible - next week, but the absolute red line that has been there for some time remains," he said.
"My responsibility as taoiseach (Irish PM) is to protect our fundamental national interest and that is the rights of Irish citizens in Ireland and Britain, and also the avoidance of a return to a border between Northern Ireland and Ireland."
The EU has agreed that Brexit talks cannot proceed to phase two - dealing with trade - until the Republic of Ireland is satisfied with a UK guarantee on the border issue.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland is treated differently from the rest of the UK.
Mrs May's Conservative Party currently relies on the support of the DUP's 10 MPs to keep its minority government in power at Westminster.
Earlier, veteran Conservative MP Ken Clark said the government had made a "pig's ear" of the border negotiations.
"They agreed this regulatory compliance on both sides, which is what a free trade deal requires, but unfortunately they didn't make it clear that's the whole of the United Kingdom," he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had a 15-minute phone call with Theresa May on Wednesday
"I quite understand that in Ulster people don't want a different arrangement from the whole of the United Kingdom and to have new protectionist barriers on the Irish Sea."
He added: "They should have kept the DUP completely in the loop and discussed it with them and explained it with them as it went along.
"It's no good just reaching agreement with the taoiseach and then present it to the DUP who appear to have got the idea that somehow this was a special arrangement for Ulster."
The chair of Westminster's Brexit committee, Labour MP Hilary Benn, said it was right to describe Monday's deal collapse of as "a shambles".
He was speaking on a visit to the Irish border as part of a one-day fact-finding mission.
A group of 14 cross party MPs are meeting local business leaders in County Armagh as well as representatives from the police, customs, and staff from the North-South Ministerial Council.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's leader north of the border, Michelle O'Neill, said there could not be any "rollback" by the Irish government on its position, urging Dublin to be "very alert".
Mrs O'Neill added that the DUP did not represent the "majority view" in Northern Ireland.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42258681
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Uber's licence suspended in Sheffield - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The taxi app firm failed to respond to official requests about its management, the city council says.
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Business
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Uber has had its licence suspended in Sheffield after it failed to respond to official requests about its management, the city council has said.
The firm, also fighting a ban in London, can still operate in Sheffield until 18 December and can appeal against the decision, the council said.
If it decides not to appeal, the suspension will come into force.
Uber said that an "administrative error" by the council was to blame and hoped to resolve the issue soon.
Uber is still fighting its ban in London after it lost its licence there in September.
Transport for London, which has criticised the firm's record over reporting criminal offences and carrying out driver background checks, decided not to renew Uber's London licence after it deemed the firm "unfit" to run a taxi service.
A Sheffield City spokesperson said: "Uber's licence was suspended last Friday (29 November) after the current licence holder failed to respond to requests, made by our licensing team, about the management of Uber.
"We received a new application, for a licence to operate taxis in Sheffield, from Uber Britannia Limited, on 18 October 2017 which we are currently processing."
The council said an operator's licence could not be transferred and that the new application would be dealt with by the council's licensing department.
An Uber spokesperson said: "We informed Sheffield City Council on 5 October that we would need to change the name on our licence as the named individual would soon be leaving the company.
"The council told us they couldn't change the name on the licence, as most other councils have done, and that we would instead have to apply for a new one."
Uber said it had submitted an application for a new licence which was still being processed.
"While we are in regular contact with the council, we did not receive the correspondence the council refers to as they sent the letters to an incorrect address," the spokesperson said.
"We hope this administrative error can be quickly resolved so we can continue serving tens of thousands of riders and drivers in Sheffield."
Uber added that if the new application could not be approved by 18 December, the firm would of course appeal against its suspension.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42270020
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Hamilton musical wows first London audience - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The first UK performance of the Broadway hit leaves audience members singing the musical's praises.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The first UK performance of Broadway hit Hamilton has left audience members singing the hip-hop musical's praises.
Self-proclaimed "theatre addict" Alex Packer called the performances from the London cast "faultless", and Jen Waller called the evening "truly special".
The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye said it had been "the best first preview of a musical [he'd] seen since Miss Saigon".
In the Telegraph, meanwhile, Veronica Lee said the show at the Victoria Palace theatre "went without a hitch".
The opening of the show had been put back a fortnight, due to delays in the venue's extensive restoration.
Previews continue until 21 December, when the Tony-winning musical will have its official opening night.
"Saw the first performance of @HamiltonWestEnd tonight and it literally blew my mind," tweeted "serial theatregoer" Daniel Lewis.
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His sentiments were echoed by David Cambridge, who said he felt "so privileged to see the very first UK performance".
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First staged in New York in 2015, Hamilton uses hip-hop and rap to tell the life story of one of America's founding fathers.
The role of Alexander Hamilton is played in London by Jamael Westman, a 25-year-old Rada graduate with only two other professional stage credits to his name.
Rachelle Ann Go, Rachel John and Christine Allado play "the Schuyler sisters"
According to the Evening Standard, whose editor George Osborne was among Wednesday's audience, Westman gives "a superlative performance".
"He absolutely smashed it," agreed Frank Ikenye on Instagram. "Wouldn't think this was only his 3rd production."
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Hamilton is already one of the hottest tickets in London, prompting its producers to bring in a paperless ticketing system to combat touts.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42263705
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$450m 'Leonardo painting' heads to Louvre Abu Dhabi - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Salvator Mundi, reputedly by Leonardo da Vinci, was sold for a record sum in New York this month.
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Entertainment & Arts
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The painting has been cleaned and restored from the image on the left to the one on the right
A 500-year-old painting of Christ believed to be the work of Leonardo da Vinci is heading to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum has said.
The newly-opened museum announced the news without specifying whether it had bought the painting at auction this month.
Media reports say it was purchased by a Saudi prince.
The work - known as Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World) - was sold in New York for a record $450m (£341m).
It was the highest auction price for any work of art.
The unidentified buyer was involved in a bidding contest, via telephone, that lasted nearly 20 minutes.
The New York Times reported that it was bought by Saudi prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud, citing documents the newspaper had reviewed.
Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 and there are fewer than 20 of his paintings in existence.
Salvator Mundi, believed to have been painted sometime after 1505, is the only work thought to be in private hands.
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The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum opened earlier this month in the United Arab Emirates.
It cost £1bn to build the museum over the past 10 years.
It holds 600 artworks permanently and 300 loaned from France. The museum pays Paris hundreds of millions of dollars for this as well as for the use of the Louvre name and managerial advice.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42260985
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Labour's Lord Bassam to quit as chief whip over expenses - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Lord Bassam is to stand down in New Year amid scrutiny of his travel claims.
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UK Politics
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Labour's chief whip in the House of Lords is to stand down in the New Year following criticism of his expenses.
Lord Bassam has referred himself to the standards watchdog and agreed to repay the cost of travel to and from his Brighton home since 2010.
The peer, who also had a £36,366 allowance for staying overnight in London, says he has not been told he has broken any rules.
But he said it would have been "more appropriate" not to claim the money.
Labour said Lord Bassam, who is a member of Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet, would make way once a successor had been elected in January or February.
A spokesman said the peer had already referred himself to the Lords standards commissioner to determine whether he had broken the peers' code of conduct.
After the Mail On Sunday reported Lord Bassam claimed the £6,400 annual cost of travelling to and from his home in Brighton, the former leader of Brighton Council said he would not submit such claims again.
According to the paper, Lord Bassam is one of a small number of front bench peers also entitled to the Lords office holders allowance. This is because of his role as chief whip and because his main home is not in London.
The payment is included in his salary and designed to cover "expenses in staying overnight away from their main or only residence".
In a statement, Lord Bassam said: "With my home outside of London, I have been in receipt of the relevant office holders allowance for the opposition chief whip in the Lords.
"At the same time, in accordance with rules laid down by the House, I have claimed costs for my regular travel to and from Parliament.
"While I have not been advised that any breach of the rules has taken place, waiving the right to such travel claims would perhaps have been a more appropriate response on my part.
"I will not be submitting any further claims in this way, and instead use the office holders allowance to cover those additional costs. I will also discuss with House officials the steps necessary to repay previous travel claims."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42260258
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Person of the Year: Time honours abuse 'silence breakers' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Women and men who broke silence on sexual harassment and abuse are named Time's Person of the Year.
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US & Canada
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Clockwise from top: Actor Ashley Judd, pop singer Taylor Swift, former Uber engineer Susan Fowler, corporate lobbyist Adama Iwu and Isabel Pascual, a strawberry-picker from Mexico (not her real name)
Time magazine has named "the Silence Breakers" - women and men who spoke out against sexual abuse and harassment - as its "Person of the Year".
The movement is most closely associated with the #MeToo hashtag which sprung up as allegations emerged against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
But Time says the hashtag is "part of the picture, but not all of it".
"This is the fastest-moving social change we've seen in decades," editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said.
He told NBC's Today programme that it "began with individual acts of courage by hundreds of women - and some men, too - who came forward to tell their own stories".
Two celebrities are featured - Ashley Judd, one of the first to speak out against Mr Weinstein, and pop singer Taylor Swift, who won a civil case against an ex-DJ who she said had grabbed her bottom.
They are shown alongside Isabel Pascual, a 42-year-old strawberry picker from Mexico (not her real name); Adama Iwu, a 40-year-old corporate lobbyist in Sacramento; and Susan Fowler, 26, a former Uber engineer whose allegation brought down Uber's CEO.
But many more people are identified as part of the movement behind the cover shot.
This "moment", the magazine says, "doesn't have a leader, or a single, unifying tenet. The hashtag #MeToo (swiftly adapted into #BalanceTonPorc, #YoTambien, #Ana_kaman and many others), which to date has provided an umbrella of solidarity for millions of people to come forward with their stories, is part of the picture, but not all of it...
"The women and men who have broken their silence span all races, all income classes, all occupations and virtually all corners of the globe."
But, it says, collectively they have helped turn shame into outrage and fear into fury, put thousands of people on to the streets demanding change, and seen a slew of powerful men held accountable for their behaviour.
Those featured include Tarana Burke, the activist who created the #MeToo hashtag more than a decade ago, the actor Alyssa Milano who helped it explode on social media last October, actor Terry Crews, a group of hotel workers who have filed a lawsuit against their employer, State Senator Sara Gelser, an anonymous hospital worker who fears losing her job if she speaks openly, and Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News journalist whom Donald Trump accused of having "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever" after she moderated a debate during the presidential campaign.
Ironically, President Trump - whose election Ms Kelly said was a "setback for women" that helps explain the #MeToo movement - was named as runner-up for Person of the Year this year, having been given the title last year.
In 2006, the Person of the Year was simply "You", reflecting the importance of user-generated internet content.
The magazine's tradition - begun in 1927 as "Man of the Year" - recognises the person who "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year".
The great majority of people selected have been individuals - but by no means all. In 2014, "Ebola fighters" were recognised while in 2011 "The Protester" acknowledged the significance of the so-called Arab Spring.
It was in 1950, the magazine explains, that the "mould was broken" and "The American fighting-man" was chosen, to be followed by Hungarians in 1956 and later on Scientists, Americans under 25 and Mr and Mrs Middle America.
In 2006, the Person of the Year was simply "You", with a mirror cover design, reflecting the importance of user-generated internet content.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42254219
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Brexit border talks entering critical 24 hours - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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EU and UK sources suddenly sound more cheerful - but the DUP are not yet fully on board.
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UK Politics
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Not yet. But, but, but, after two days where it has felt that there has been very little movement indeed, tonight, the atmosphere has changed.
Well-placed sources on the EU and UK sides sound suddenly cheerful.
New language to add to the agreement that failed to persuade the DUP at the start of the week has been discussed approvingly in London, Brussels and Dublin.
And on Thursday evening, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's spokesman posted this:
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But the DUP, who blocked the deal on Monday, humiliating Theresa May, are not yet fully on board.
Until their support can be guaranteed, don't expect Theresa May to get on the plane.
They are no strangers to taking their time, and making the most of their maximum moments of leverage.
It is possible that Theresa May could, by Friday evening, have been to Brussels and back, and have an agreement approved that would allow the Brexit talks to move on to the next phase.
It's also possible that this latest plan will fall foul of her Belfast allies and indeed, some figures in her own party.
A senior source told me on Thursday: "If she can't solve it in the next couple of days, how could she solve it in the next month?."
The next 24 hours are critical not just to the talks, but to Theresa May's future.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42274667
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Oxford student Lavinia Woodward fights suspended sentence - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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"Extraordinarily able" Lavinia Woodward was given a suspended term for stabbing her boyfriend.
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Oxford
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Lavinia Woodward had ambitions to become a surgeon
An "extraordinary" University of Oxford student who avoided jail for stabbing her boyfriend is trying to appeal against her suspended sentence.
Lavinia Woodward, 24, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at Christ Church college after drinking heavily.
Judge Ian Pringle QC suspended her 10-month jail sentence and at an earlier hearing said he believed immediate custody would damage her career.
She has now applied for permission to take her case to the Court of Appeal.
The case prompted a debate about inequality in the criminal justice system after Judge Pringle deferred her sentence to give her a chance to prove she was no longer addicted to drugs and alcohol.
He had described Woodward as "an extraordinarily able young lady" and said sending her to prison would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon.
In his sentencing remarks he said there were "many mitigating features" of the case, and she had shown "a strong and unwavering determination" to rid herself of her addictions.
Woodward has voluntarily suspended her studies at Oxford until the end of her sentence, when she will face a disciplinary procedure if she decides to return.
Woodward stabbed her then boyfriend in the leg with a breadknife
Oxford Crown Court heard Woodward attacked her then boyfriend, whom she met on dating app Tinder, while he was visiting in December 2016.
She became angry when he contacted her mother on Skype when he realised she had been drinking.
She threw a laptop at him and stabbed him in the lower leg with a breadknife, also injuring two of his fingers.
Woodward then tried to stab herself with the knife before he disarmed her.
Judge Pringle said Woodward faced a possible maximum sentence of three years in prison for a "category two" offence of unlawful wounding.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) rejected three complaints against Judge Pringle in connection with the case.
A judge must now look at Woodward's application and decide whether to grant her permission to appeal.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-42265869
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'Stark' increase in overweight youngsters - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The highest rise in carrying excess weight occurs between the ages of seven and 11, data suggests.
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Health
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There is a "stark" increase between the ages of seven and 11 in the proportion of children in the UK who are overweight or obese, new data suggests.
The study of nearly 12,000 children found 25% were overweight or obese at age seven, rising to 35% at 11.
Between 11 and 14, there was little change, however, which researchers say may be because children of this age are making more of their own food choices.
Campaigners are calling for more action on weight issues in younger children.
Researchers from the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) at the UCL Institute of Education analysed information on nearly 12,000 of the children taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study, who were born in 2000 and 2001 and have had their weight and height measured at the ages of three, five, seven, 11 and 14.
Rates of excess weight varied by nation, with nearly 40% of young people in Northern Ireland obese or overweight compared with 38% in Wales and 35% in both Scotland and England.
The levels showed little change up to the age of seven, but then made a big jump in the next four years.
At the age of seven, 25.5% of the boys were overweight or obese - but this proportion rose to 36.7% four years later.
With the girls, 23.7% were carrying excess weight at seven - but 33.9% were overweight or obese at 11.
However, at 14 the boys' proportion had dropped to 34.1%, while the girls' had risen slightly to 36.3%.
The data, which was collected between January 2014 and March 2015, also revealed a link between young people's weight and their mothers' level of education.
Nearly 40% of 14-year-olds whose mothers had no qualifications above GCSE level were overweight or obese, while the proportion was 26% among those whose mum had a degree or higher qualifications.
Also, children who were breastfed as infants, and those whose parents owned their own home, had lower odds of carrying excess weight at 14.
Dr Benedetta Pongiglione, co-author of the study, told the BBC that while it did not investigate the reasons for the levelling off in rising obesity in 11- to 14-year-olds, trends suggested why this had occurred.
"We know that that age of early to mid adolescence is a time where children start to make more decisions on their own, which can imply different... physical activity, diet and other choices," she said.
"Peer pressure also plays a bigger role in their lives.
"From what we observe, maybe the time between seven and 11 is when parents take most of the decisions."
Prof Mary Fewtrell, nutrition lead at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Caroline Cerny, from the Obesity Health Alliance, both called for restrictions or a 21:00 watershed on junk-food advertising.
Prof Fewtrell said a range of measures should be considered, including "statutory school-based health education in all schools and robust evaluation of the soft drinks and sugar reduction programme".
Ms Cerny said it had to be made "easier for families to make healthier choices".
She added: "Children can see up to nine junk-food adverts in just 30 minutes while watching their favourite shows, and we know this influences their food choices and how much they eat."
Prof Emla Fitzsimons, another co-author of the study, said: "Children who are overweight or obese face an increased risk of many health problems later in life, including cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.
"There is still a worryingly high proportion of young people in this generation who are an unhealthy weight."
The government has plans to try to cut childhood obesity, with a tax on sugary drinks coming into force on 1 April 2018.
Independent think tank the Centre for Social Justice has suggested it follows the example of Amsterdam, which is the only European city to have lowered obesity rates in the past five years with a variety of programmes - mainly through schools.
Childhood obesity rates have also fallen in New York after a poster campaign on the subway system.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42250152
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Google's 'superhuman' DeepMind AI claims chess crown - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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An algorithm developed by the DeepMind team claims victory against a world-beating AI chess program.
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Technology
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Google says its AlphaGo Zero artificial intelligence program has triumphed at chess against world-leading specialist software within hours of teaching itself the game from scratch.
The firm's DeepMind division says that it played 100 games against Stockfish 8, and won or drew all of them.
The research has yet to be peer reviewed.
But experts already suggest the achievement will strengthen the firm's position in a competitive sector.
"From a scientific point of view, it's the latest in a series of dazzling results that DeepMind has produced," the University of Oxford's Prof Michael Wooldridge told the BBC.
"The general trajectory in DeepMind seems to be to solve a problem and then demonstrate it can really ramp up performance, and that's very impressive."
DeepMind has previously won a series of Go games against some of the world's top human players
DeepMind has previously defeated several of the world's top human players of the Chinese board game Go, as well as teaching itself how to play video games including Pong and Space Invaders.
The London-based team is currently trying to develop a system that can beat humans at the space strategy game Starcraft, which is seen as being an even more complex challenge.
Google is not commenting on the research until it is published in a journal.
However, details published on Cornell University's Arxiv site state that an algorithm dubbed AlphaZero was able to outperform Stockfish just four hours after being given the rules of chess and being told to learn by playing simulations against itself.
In the 100 games that followed, each program was given one minute's worth of thinking time per move.
AlphaZero won 25 games in which it played with white pieces, giving it the first move, and a further three in which it played with black pieces.
The two programs drew the remaining 72 games.
DeepMind described the level of performance achieved as being "superhuman".
Google highlighted that Stockfish 8 had previously won 2016's Top Chess Engine Championship. The software was first released in 2008 and has been built on by volunteers in the years since.
The open source project has been beaten by another program, Komodo, in two major computer chess challenges this year.
Even so, one human chess grandmaster was still hugely impressed by DeepMind's victory.
"I always wondered how it would be if a superior species landed on earth and showed us how they played chess," Peter Heine Nielsen told the BBC.
AlphaGo Zero's latest achievements do not rest on chess alone.
The paper says it was also triumphant in the Japanese board game Shogi versus a leading artificial intelligence program named Elmo, after two hours of self-training.
The AlphaZero algorithm won 90 games, drew two and lost eight.
Furthermore, after eight hours of self-training it was also able to beat the previous version of itself at Go - winning 60 games and losing 40.
Shogi is sometimes known as Japanese chess
Prof Wooldridge noted that all three games were fairly "closed" in the sense they had limited sets of rules to contend with.
"In the real world we don't know what is round the corner," he explained.
"Coping when you don't know what is coming is much more complicated, and things will get even more exciting when DeepMind moves on to more open problems."
The University of Bath's AI expert Prof Joanna Bryson added that people should be cautious about buying too deeply into the firm's hype.
But she added that its knack for good publicity had put it in a strong position against challengers.
"It's not only about hiring the best programmers," she said.
"It's also very political, as it helps makes Google as strong as possible when negotiating with governments and regulators looking at the AI sector."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42251535
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Ian Paterson: Independent inquiry into breast surgeon - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson carried out hundreds of botched operations on his patients.
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Birmingham & Black Country
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An independent inquiry is to be held into the malpractice of breast surgeon Ian Paterson, who carried out hundreds of botched operations.
It will aim to learn lessons from the case and improve care, the Department of Health said.
Paterson was found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent in April after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court. He had his initial 15-year jail term increased to 20 years in August.
The inquiry will begin in January.
The DoH said the scope of the inquiry was likely to consider:
Health Minister Philip Dunne said: "Ian Paterson's malpractice sent shockwaves across the health system due to the seriousness and extent of his crimes, and I am determined to make sure lessons are learnt from this."
Paterson, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, was jailed in May after an eight-week trial.
Paterson was found guilty of wounding patients at Spire private hospitals
The court heard from nine women and one man who were treated in the private sector at Little Aston and Parkway Hospitals, run by Spire Healthcare, in the West Midlands between 1997 and 2011.
His sentence was increased by Court of Appeal judges who found his initial sentence was unduly lenient.
One of Paterson's victims, James Fernihough, welcomed news of the inquiry, but said: "I think it's a bit late, it should have been looked into a long time ago."
Mr Fernihough, 43, of Wall Heath, West Midlands, who had three lumpectomies in 12 months but later learned the procedures were unnecessary, added: "This should never happen again."
The inquiry follows a pledge by former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in which he committed to hold a "comprehensive and focused inquiry".
It will be informed by the victims of Paterson and their families and chaired by the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42265738
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California wildfires: Nearly 200,000 flee as new blaze spreads - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Some 200,000 residents have been evacuated and a state of emergency declared for a new blaze in San Diego
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US & Canada
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Nearly 200,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes in California as firefighters battle several raging wildfires.
Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Diego on Thursday after a new blaze spread from 10 acres to 4,100 acres in just a few hours.
Three firefighters have been injured and about 500 buildings destroyed.
One death has been reported - a woman's body was found in a burned-out area in Ventura County.
But an official told the Ventura Country Star newspaper that the death, in the town of Ojai, may have been the result of a car crash not related to the fire.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump issued a state of emergency in California, which will free up funding to "help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict on the local population".
About 5,700 firefighters have been battling the brushfires, officials have said, with firefighters drafted in from neighbouring states to help.
The Thomas fire in Ventura County remains the largest, burning 180 square miles so far
The Thomas fire in Ventura County to the north of Los Angeles remains the largest of the blazes and has spread as far as the Pacific coast.
It has consumed 180 square miles (466 sq km) since it broke out on Monday, and destroyed more than 430 buildings, fire officials said.
A BBC correspondent in Ojai says the blaze is burning in the hills all around and more than 100 fire engines have been seen driving through the town centre.
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A Reuters news agency photographer in San Diego county, site of the Lilac fire, described seeing propane tanks under houses explode like bombs.
Some 450 elite racehorses in the area were let loose from their stables to escape to safety, the Associated Press news agency reports. Officials say at least 25 thoroughbreds died in the blaze.
By Thursday afternoon local time, California's fire service said the blaze had forced the evacuation of 189,000 residents.
Firefighters rescued both a work of art and the family Christmas tree from this Bel Air home
Most homes in Bel Air cost millions of dollars
California is entering its fifth day battling dangerous wildfires driven by extreme weather: low humidity, high winds and parched ground.
Authorities have issued a purple alert - the highest level warning - amid what it called "extremely critical fire weather".
The powerful desert-heated Santa Ana winds have been fanning the flames.
Both the The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Getty Center museum announced that they would reopen on Friday.
Firefighters battling the Skirball fire had slept at the Getty overnight on Thursday.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Drivers filmed the flames from their cars near Bel Air
One in four schools in Los Angeles were also closed.
In the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Bel Air, firefighters were seen removing artwork from luxury homes on Wednesday as the Skirball Fire raged.
The neighbourhood is home to celebrities and business leaders from Beyonce to Elon Musk.
Singer Lionel Richie cancelled a Las Vegas performance for Wednesday evening, saying he was "helping family evacuate to a safer place".
An estate and vineyard owned by Rupert Murdoch also suffered some damage.
The media mogul said in a statement: "We believe the winery and house are still intact."
The Los Angeles Times said Mr Murdoch paid nearly $30m (£22m) for the property four years ago.
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Another blaze north of Los Angeles, the Creek fire, was 20% contained and covered some 15,323 acres.
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42263237
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Man 'cements microwave to head' in Wolverhampton - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Fire crews took an hour to free the man who "could have suffocated" in the prank.
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Birmingham & Black Country
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Crews took an hour to free the man
An internet "prankster" had to be freed by firefighters after cementing his head inside a microwave oven.
West Midlands Fire Service said it took an hour to free the man after they were called to a house in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton.
Friends had managed to feed an air tube into the 22-year-old's mouth to help him breathe, the service said.
Watch Commander Shaun Dakin said the man "could quite easily have suffocated or have been seriously injured".
The fire service said the mixture had been poured around the man's head, which was protected by a plastic bag
Mr Dakin said: "He and a group of friends had mixed seven bags of Polyfilla which they then poured around his head, which was protected by a plastic bag inside the microwave.
"The oven was being used as a mould and wasn't plugged in. The mixture quickly set hard and, by the time we were called, they'd already been trying to free him for an hour and a half."
Crews from the technical rescue team helped with taking the microwave apart, he added.
"It took us nearly an hour to free him," added Mr Dakin.
"All of the group involved were very apologetic, but this was clearly a call-out which might have prevented us from helping someone else in genuine, accidental need."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42271150
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Poppi Worthington inquest: Expert casts doubt on abuse theory - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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There was no clear evidence of sexual abuse, a pathologist tells the toddler's inquest.
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Cumbria
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Some important items were lost or never recovered, including Poppi's last nappy and her pyjama bottoms, the inquest heard
An expert witness has cast doubt on suggestions toddler Poppi Worthington was sexually abused in the hours before her death.
Dr Nat Cary, a consultant forensic pathologist, told the inquest there was no clear-cut evidence of trauma implying third-party involvement.
His evidence contradicted the findings of Dr Alison Armour, who was called as a witness earlier in the week.
Poppi died suddenly at a house in Barrow on 12 December 2012.
No-one has been prosecuted.
Although he did not carry out his own post-mortem examination, Dr Cary said he had formed his opinion after studying photographs and slides.
He told the hearing in Kendal he discounted Dr Armour's assertion that marks found near Poppi's fallopian tube were bruises from sexual penetration.
Dr Cary said they were "of no consequence" and would have occurred naturally in the five days between the youngster's death and her examination by Dr Armour.
Although he said he could not "absolutely exclude" penetration, Dr Cary said he would have "expected very obvious injury and there wasn't anything of the sort".
He said he could not be sure how the 13-month-old had died.
There could have been an "element of asphyxia" but there was no sign she had struggled against restraint, he said.
"Just because you don't find a natural cause it doesn't mean there isn't one," he said.
He told Leslie Thomas QC, representing Poppi's father Paul Worthington, there was no evidence of a criminal act directly or indirectly causing Poppi's death.
The presence of blood "needs to be explained" but there was only the "possibility that something happened", he said.
Dr Nat Cary (seen here at a crime scene in Ipswich in 2006) said Poppi's death was not necessarily criminal just because it was unexplained
In answer to further questions, he said it was not possible to say whether an injury to Poppi's leg was deliberate or accidental and, if the latter, whether it was not witnessed by a parent or seen but ignored.
The coroner David Roberts asked Dr Cary if Poppi's case affected the way he now carried out his work in other cases.
Would he, for example, look for marks like those seen in Poppi, he asked.
Dr Cary said: "Yes, I would have a better look than I used to."
The sheet from the double bed where Poppi was placed at the time of her collapse was not recovered, the inquest heard
The inquest was told earlier that vital evidence from Poppi's final hours was lost or never found by police.
Catherine Thundercloud, a retired Cumbria Police officer, said it would have been "imperative" to get statements from people in the house and Poppi's aunt, Tracy Worthington, as quickly as possible.
She had been asked to review the evidence as part of an Independent Police Commission Complaint (IPCC) investigation.
Sheets, equipment and gloves used by paramedics and hospital staff should have been retained, she said.
But a number of these items had not been kept, the inquest has heard.
Alison Hewitt, counsel for the coroner, asked Ms Thundercloud what officers should have known before they searched the house.
Ms Thundercloud said they should have had first accounts from the parents and details from hospital staff about what had happened.
The inquest has heard the first police search began before first accounts had been gathered from Mr Worthington.
Paul Worthington has always denied harming his daughter
Ms Thundercloud said: "Unless you've read what he said you can't do a proper strategy."
She said those failures may have resulted in "vital evidence being lost".
The account from Mr Worthington would have shown the pyjama bottoms, which have never been found, were needed, she said.
Mr Worthington's laptop and both parents' mobile phones should also have been seized, she said.
Ms Thundercloud said there had been "a lot of failings by police" and "missed opportunities" in the first two days of the investigation.
A proper log of the investigation was not kept so it was "very difficult" to see "the rationale of what was done and not done," she said.
In 2016, High Court family judge Mr Justice Peter Jackson ruled Poppi was probably sexually assaulted by her father shortly before she died.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-42252052
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Impact assessments of Brexit on the UK 'don't exist' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Labour calls it a "shambles" but David Davis says impact assessments would be of "near zero" use.
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UK Politics
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The government has not carried out any impact assessments of leaving the EU on the UK economy, Brexit Secretary David Davis has told MPs.
Mr Davis said the usefulness of such assessments would be "near zero" because of the scale of change Brexit is likely to cause.
He said the government had produced a "sectoral analysis" of different industries but not a "forecast" of what would happen when the UK leaves the EU.
The Liberal Democrats said impact assessments were urgently needed while the SNP called it an "ongoing farce".
Mr Davis said a "very major contingency planning operation" was in place for Brexit.
Opposition MPs have been on the trail of the "Brexit impact assessments" for months. And when David Davis told them they didn't exist, they were quick to highlight some similar-sounding studies he had referred to in the past:
Downing Street told journalists: "We have been clear that the impact assessments don't exist. They're a specific thing in Whitehall terms. We think we have complied with the terms of the motion."
At Wednesday morning's Brexit committee hearing, chairman Hilary Benn asked whether impact assessments had been carried out into various parts of the economy, listing the automotive, aerospace and financial sectors.
"I think the answer's going to be no to all of them," Mr Davis responded.
When Mr Benn suggested this was "strange", the minister said formal assessments were not needed to know that "regulatory hurdles" would have an impact, describing Brexit as a "paradigm change" of similar impact to the financial crash, which could not be predicted.
"I am not a fan of economic models because they have all proven wrong," he said.
David Davis has probably not done the Brexit cause a huge bundle of good this morning. First, his frank admission that no impact assessments have been completed will inevitably be seized on by critics to argue Team May simply haven't done the basic spadework.
Second his suggestion that he doesn't have the resources for this, and anyway some of the work his officials have done wasn't much good, is hardly a ringing endorsement of his Brexit department.
Third, Mr Davis probably didn't help his own reputation by telling the committee he had been handed two chapters of the 850 pages of analysis but hadn't read them. At times Mr Davis even chided the committee over the time they were taking.
Fair enough the Brexit secretary had a cold - but at times he sounded thoroughly frazzled and cheesed off. Not a great look.
There has been a long-running row over the government's Brexit studies and their publication.
MPs have been pushing for the documents to be published, and on 1 November the Commons passed a motion to release "Brexit impact assessments" to the Brexit Committee of MPs.
In response, the government said this motion "misunderstood" what the documents actually were, but has since provided an edited set of reports to the committee.
David Davis said the impact of Brexit on different sectors had not been assessed
Mr Davis told the MPs this represented "getting as close as we can to meeting what we took to be the intent of Parliament".
A "quantitative economic forecast of outcome" does not exist, he said. "That is not there. We have not done that. What is there is the size of the industry, the employment and so on."
Mr Davis also said there was no "systematic impact assessment".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Jeremy Corbyn asks: "Do they exist, or don’t they?"
During PMQs, Prime Minister Theresa May repeated Mr Davis' line that "sectoral analysis", not "impact assessments" had been drawn up, adding that the government would not give a running commentary on the negotiations.
"This really is a shambles," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said.
Later, Chancellor Philip Hammond was asked whether the Treasury had produced analysis of the potential economic impact of Brexit.
He said his department had "modelled and analysed a whole range of potential alternative structures between the EU and the UK, potential alternative arrangements and agreements that might be made".
Appearing before the Treasury Select Committee, he suggested these could be made public when a Brexit deal has been agreed, but said to do so at this stage would be "deeply unhelpful to the negotiation".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42249854
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UK City of Culture: Broken train causes MP's rush to Hull - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Dozens of passengers were aboard the 09:48 London to Hull service when the engine failed.
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Humberside
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The London to Hull service broke down between Peterborough and Grantham
The arts minister had a last-minute rush to announce the next UK City of Culture after the train he was on was stranded for hours.
John Glen MP revealed Coventry as Hull's successor live on The One Show, but his train from London to the city broke down near Peterborough.
Dozens of passengers were aboard the 09:48 service, with Hull Trains blaming a "catastrophic engine failure".
Hull Trains apologised to those on board the service.
The BBC previously reported Phil Redmond, chair of the UK City of Culture panel, was to fill in for the MP due to his delayed journey, but Mr Glen arrived in Hull in the nick of time.
Passengers were helped off the stricken train and moved on to another
Engineers initially thought the train had struck something, but it later emerged it had suffered engine problems.
A Hull Trains spokesperson said: "We have now been able to move passengers on to another train which will take them to Peterborough and on to their destinations."
In a tweet, the Conservative MP for Salisbury praised the staff onboard the service for being "magnificent" and said he had filled his time by writing Christmas cards. ;
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-42273167
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Cheers and a sing-song: Australian MPs back gay marriage - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Same-sex marriage will become legal in Australia after MPs passed a historic bill.
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Same-sex marriage will become legal in Australia after MPs passed a historic bill.
The result follows a decade of often bitter debate on the issue and a controversial national poll.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42264928
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Bitcoin breaks through the $16,000 mark - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The digital currency has seen its value more than double in the last month in a volatile journey.
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Business
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At the start of the year Bitcoin was valued below $1,000
Bitcoin has breached the $16,000 mark, extending the digital currency's record-breaking surge.
The cryptocurrency began the year below $1,000 but continues to rise despite warnings of a dangerous bubble.
According to Coindesk.com, Bitcoin reached $16,663.18 (£12, 358.35), having soared over 50% in a week.
The new high comes days before the launch of Bitcoin futures on two exchanges, including the world's largest futures exchange, CME.
Spread betting firm CMC Markets said the rise had all the symptoms of a bubble market, warning "there is no way to know when the bubble will burst".
There are two key traits of Bitcoin: it is digital and it is seen as an alternative currency.
Unlike the notes or coins in your pocket, it largely exists online.
Secondly, Bitcoin is not printed by governments or traditional banks.
A small but growing number of businesses, including Expedia and Microsoft, accept bitcoins - which work like virtual tokens.
However, the vast majority of users now buy and sell them as a financial investment.
The digital currency's rapid ascent from around $1,000 at the start of the year has put it in the spotlight.
Critics have said Bitcoin is going through a bubble similar to the dotcom boom, whereas others say it is rising in price because it is crossing into the financial mainstream.
Financial regulators have taken a range of views on the status of digital currencies and their risks.
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority warned investors in September they could lose all their money if they buy digital currencies issued by firms, known as "initial coin offerings".
But last week a US regulator agreed to let two traditional exchanges, CME Group and CBOE Global Markets, begin trading in Bitcoin-related financial contracts.
The announcement from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that it will allow investors to buy and sell "future" contracts in bitcoins - an agreement to buy the crypto-currency, for example, in three months time at a certain price - was seen as a watershed moment for Bitcoin.
Cambridge Global Payments director of global product and market strategy Karl Schamotta said that move was behind the latest rally: "The perception in households around the world that the CME and the CBOE are providing legitimacy to Bitcoin is really what is driving the massive rally here."
But Leonhard Weese, president of the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong, said the rise in Bitcoin's value was "mostly motivated by fear of missing out and greed".
Bitcoins are created through a complex computer process known as mining, and then monitored by a network of computers across the world.
A steady stream of about 3,600 new bitcoins are created a day - with about 16.5 million now in circulation from a maximum limit of 21 million.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42260211
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Primark removes 'dangerous' Christmas candle from sale - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The move comes after a mother raised concerns about the potential fire hazard on Facebook.
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UK
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The £5 Christmas candle began to burn an hour after it was first lit
A picture of a Primark candle bursting into flames has gone viral, after a mother-of-three took to Facebook to raise awareness of the potential hazard.
Jenny Ferneyhough purchased the £5 candle - which she said developed into "massive flames" after an hour of burning - in Manchester on Saturday.
The 33-year-old's Facebook post has been shared 145,000 times.
Primark said it is removing the product from sale and investigating the matter.
Mrs Ferneyhough, a Manchester City Council benefits officer, said she lit the candle - in the shape of a Christmas tree - after putting her three children to bed.
She said the flame had spread from the wick to the whole candle within an hour.
Jenny Ferneyhough, left, was with her husband Evan when the candle burst into flames
She said: "Obviously everyone knows not to leave a flame unattended, but if you went to the loo, a couple of seconds later it could have burst into flames.
"If it [develops into] a massive flame when anything else is around it, it could be very dangerous."
Speaking to the BBC, she added that she was especially concerned about people lighting the candle "around neighbouring decorations" during the festive period.
Mrs Ferneyhough sent the pictures to Primark, who replied to say they were "very concerned" about the discovery.
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A company spokesperson has since said the product is being removed from sale, while the complaint is investigated "as a matter of urgency".
Mrs Ferneyhough said she was "reassured" by the massive response she had received to her post, less than 24 hours after posting the picture.
She added the main reason for sharing the pictures was to raise awareness of the potential issue with the candle, and to stop people from lighting it unattended.
"My husband went into the Manchester store to take a picture of the packaging, and a mum and her daughter said they'd seen the photo I shared of it in flames," she added.
• None This is how to pronounce Primark
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42269648
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School attendance and absence: The facts - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Why do pupils not attend school? BBC Stories has been finding out.
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Stories
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The overall pupil absence rate is 4.5%, according to the latest figures from the Department for Education. One in 10 of those school children are classed as "persistently absent".
A persistently absent child is one who misses school for at least 10% of the time.
Secondary schools had a higher rate of persistent absence than primary schools. And overall, unauthorised absence, whether persistent or not, also increased.
Such statistics are just one of the reasons the BBC Stories team decided to look behind the numbers to make a series of films about why children don't attend school.
Taking to the streets in cities across the country, the team asked children themselves why they skipped classes. They gave a range of reasons including anxiety, depression, bullying and having little interest in the subjects they are taught.
Many said they wanted more support at school and some wished they could go back and "just start all over again".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. 'School's dead man, it's the same lessons every day'
According to the Department for Education's latest statistics, sickness was the main reason for absence in the autumn 2016 and spring 2017 terms. But illness rates remained the same as the previous year at 2.7%. Unauthorised absences, however, rose, including unauthorised family holidays.
It is important to note that overall school absences in England declined since the same period a decade earlier, as did the percentage of pupils who were persistently absent.
Bath and North East Somerset is one of England's wealthiest local authorities
But what's most surprising is where truancy was at its highest. While high deprivation indicators based on health, crime, education and crucially income are commonly linked to high truancy, a closer look shows this isn't necessarily the case.
Bath and North East Somerset is one of England's wealthiest local authorities, according to deprivation indices, but it had one of the highest levels of truancy in 2015 to 2016.
At the other end of the scale Manchester, a city which ranks highly on deprivation levels, had one of the lowest levels of truancy.
Manchester had one of the lower levels of truancy
If you compare middle income areas, again there are contrasts. Norfolk and Herefordshire are very similar overall when you look at health, crime, education and income but the truancy rate in Norfolk in 2015 to 2016 was much higher than in Herefordshire.
So, how reliable is the data? Pupil absence in England is measured at local authority level and deprivation by district so we can only look at the picture as an average with variation within each area.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland record pupil absence in different ways.
In Wales, overall absence increased in 2016 to 2017 from the previous year - unauthorised absence and persistent absence also increased. However, persistent absenteeism in Wales was less than half of what is was eight years earlier.
In Scotland, attendance rates are recorded only once every two years. In 2014 to 2015, the overall attendance rate improved since the previous report but the unauthorised absence rate also increased.
In Northern Ireland, the overall attendance rate in 2015 to 2016 remained unchanged from the previous year at 94.6%.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-42254527
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: Johnson to urge Iran to free prisoner - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The foreign secretary's trip to Tehran will see him urge the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
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UK
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Boris Johnson will urge Iran to free British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from jail when he visits Tehran.
The foreign secretary is expected to travel to Iran in the next few days.
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been in prison since April 2016 after being accused of spying. She denies the claim.
Supporters of the 38-year-old from London say that she recently had a health assessment to see if she was fit enough to remain in prison.
Mr Johnson's Tehran trip will see him raising the cases of other dual nationals being held in Iran.
He will also discuss British concerns over Iranian involvement in conflicts in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Yemen.
In November Mr Johnson apologised in the Commons after telling a committee of MPs that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been teaching journalism in Iran.
He retracted "any suggestion she was there in a professional capacity".
Critics complained that the foreign secretary's initial comments could lead to her five-year jail term being increased.
Mr Johnson met her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, in November to discuss calls for her to be provided with diplomatic protection.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been visiting Iran with her daughter Gabriella when she was arrested
Mr Ratcliffe told BBC News his wife was due back in court on Sunday to face possible new charges and it was important Mr Johnson would be in Iran around the same time to "make clear that he thinks Nazanin is innocent and should be home with her family".
He said: "I don't know if I'm expecting him to be able to unlock it all, and she comes out with him, but it can only be a good thing that he is there".
Mr Ratcliffe said he had wanted to accompany Mr Johnson but the Foreign Office felt his presence would be "too political".
When Boris Johnson arrives in Tehran this weekend, the foreign secretary will be required to perform some nifty diplomatic footwork even before he comes to address the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
For relations between Britain and the Islamic Republic of Iran are delicate at the best of times.
It is only six years since a mob stormed and sacked Britain's embassy in Tehran.
And to some in Iran, Britain will always be seen as the "Little Satan", a former imperial power that meddles in their country's affairs at America's bidding.
Both the UK and Iran have now restored diplomatic relations. But good relations are a work in progress.
So this visit, Mr Johnson's first, is designed above all to stabilise what has at times been a difficult relationship, a trip that was planned long before the case of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe became a frontline political issue.
The mother had been visiting Iran with her daughter Gabriella when she was arrested last year.
The child has been living with her maternal grandparents in Iran for the last 20 months.
Mr Ratcliffe has not seen his daughter during his wife's incarceration.
There were concerns about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's health after lumps in her breasts were discovered but those were found to be non-cancerous.
Richard Ratcliffe and Boris Johnson met at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in November
In November Mr Ratcliffe said: "She talks about being on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I absolutely believe that's true.
"I think it's important I don't exaggerate anything in the media and I'm not melodramatic, but she is in a difficult place."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42269649
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David Davis questioned over Brexit impact assessments - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Brexit Secretary David Davis had previously said the government had done 57 studies on 85% of the UK economy about the impact of Brexit.
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The government has not carried out any impact assessments of leaving the EU on the UK economy, Brexit Secretary David Davis has told MPs.
Mr Davis had previously said the government had done 57 studies on 85% of the UK economy about the impact of Brexit.
BBC News had a look in its archives.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42260350
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Man saves rabbit from California wildfires - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Footage captures the moment a motorist stops to rescue a wild animal amid California wildfires.
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Footage has captured the moment a man stopped his car to rescue a wild rabbit from wildfires in California.
The incident took place on 101 freeway in La Conchita.
More than 150 homes have been destroyed in the Ventura area, near Los Angeles, and 50,000 people evacuated.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42271223
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HMS Queen Elizabeth: UK's biggest warship commissioned - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The Queen described "HMS Queen Elizabeth" as the best of British technology and innovation
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The biggest and most powerful warship ever built for the Royal Navy has been officially commissioned.
At a ceremony in Portsmouth, the Queen described "HMS Queen Elizabeth" as the best of British technology and innovation.
The ship is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-42267110
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HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royals attend aircraft carrier ceremony - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Captain Jerry Kyd said the commissioning of the flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth was "a proud day".
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
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The Queen has officially welcomed the UK's new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, at a ceremony to commission it into the Royal Navy fleet.
The monarch boarded her namesake ship in Portsmouth to see the Royal Navy White Ensign raised on the vessel for the first time.
Princess Anne, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones also attended.
The ceremony took place on the giant hangar deck of the £3.1bn carrier.
HMS Queen Elizabeth and its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales are the most expensive in the Royal Navy's history.
HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into Portsmouth in August following extensive preparations at the naval base.
The navy initially estimated both ships would cost £3.5bn to build but the total figure was revised to £6.2bn.
About 3,700 guests attended the event, which came more than three years after the vessel's official naming ceremony in Rosyth when the Queen broke a bottle of whisky on its hull.
During the ceremony, the commissioning warrant was read, and the Blue Ensign, which has been flying from the ship until it is formally handed over to the Royal Navy, was replaced with the White Ensign, raised by 20-year-old Able Seaman Ellie Smith from Hull.
Addressing the assembled guests and ship's company, The Queen described the ship as "the most powerful and capable ship ever to raise the White Ensign".
"At the forefront of these responsibilities will be the men and women of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, supported by the Army, Royal Air Force and by coalition partners.
"As the daughter, wife and mother of naval officers, I recognise the unique demands our nation asks of you and I will always value my special link to HMS Queen Elizabeth, her ship's company and their families," she said.
The White Ensign was raised to symbolised the ship's commissioning into the fleet
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, said: "We have been on a long, complicated - but committed - journey to get to this point and commissioning the ship is a key milestone.
"The point of the big grey ship is it's enormously big, flexible, capable and adaptable."
As part of the ceremony, a 8ft-long (2.44m) cake replica of the ship was cut. As is traditional, it was carried out by the youngest member of the ship's company - Callum Hui, 17 - and the captain's wife Dr Karen Kyd.
Callum Hui and Dr Karen Kyd cut the cake at the commissioning of HMS Queen Elizabeth.
This is a big day for the Royal Navy. A chance to look to the future and, at least for a moment, forget about recent defence cuts and fears of even more.
After successfully completing her sea trials HMS Queen Elizabeth will be commissioned into service. For the first time she'll raise the White Ensign - officially becoming a Royal Navy Warship. But, this is still another milestone not the end of her journey.
Flight trials will begin next year and her first proper deployment with jets on board isn't planned until 2021. It's also still not clear how many of the new F35 jets she'll carry.
Certainly fewer than the 36 she was built for, with each jet costing around £100m. The Royal Navy believes the carrier - the first of two - will be a potent symbol of British military power. But it's already struggling with limited resources.
Capt Jerry Kyd called the ceremony the "culmination of a number of years of real excitement".
He said: "The first sailing from Rosyth was only nine months ago, we have come a long way.
"The first entry into Portsmouth was in the summer and here we are today accepting the ship into Her Majesty's fleet formally.
"So, it is right at the top, it is the latest milestone, many more to come, but hugely exciting and a very proud day."
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The 900ft-long (280m) carrier cannot currently deploy planes but F-35B Lightning fighter jets are due to make their first trial flights from the carrier's deck next year, with 120 air crew currently training in the US.
Preparations for the arrival of the flagship of the fleet and its 700-strong company led to more than 20,000 items, ranging from a human skull to sea mines, dredged up from Portsmouth Harbour.
The Ministry of Defence said specialist dredging vessels had removed 3.2 million cubic metres of sediment - equivalent to 1,280 Olympic swimming pools - during the dredging operation carried out to deepen the harbour mouth to enable the Queen Elizabeth to reach Portsmouth naval base.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-42256046
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Fashion models expose sexual harassment - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Models who have been sexually harassed while working tell the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme their stories.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The fashion industry is failing to deal with the problem of sexual harassment, the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme has been told.
In the UK, professional agencies represent about 12,000 models.
The Association of Model Agents (AMA) said member agencies "do everything within their power to protect them".
Here are some of the models' stories.
"One example I can think of was for a jeans brand. I turned up at the shoot, got the clothes on, got my make-up done, and then the make-up artist then left and I was left with the photographer.
"And we did the shoot and I went to the bathroom for a break. I came back and the photographer was on his knees, where I was supposed to be standing, and I stepped in and he just grabbed me by the legs and wanted me to then perform an act on him.
"And I just froze. I think the trouble is that you just freeze in these situations as it came out of nowhere.
"I didn't tell anyone about it, I just went on the bus home, shaking.
"My first thought was 'Am I going to get paid for this now?' as he might go and tell my agent and then I wouldn't get paid for it, so I just kept quiet."
"I was sexually assaulted by a stylist on a well known hair brand.
"He grabbed me by the throat, grabbed me in-between my legs, and he told me my body was disgusting.
"I couldn't get out, I didn't have keys, I didn't have a phone. I pushed him away when he tried to kiss me.
"He ended up masturbating lying next to me.
"I told his boss, but he didn't do anything because I hadn't gone to the police.
"He's still working now in the industry with female models, around models all day."
Other accounts from models who did not want to be identified:
The Association of Model Agents said member agencies had "a huge duty of care to their models and do everything within their power to protect them.
"We do not send them to meetings at hotels or private addresses with clients or photographers who we do not know.
"Further, we do our best to educate models on what is and is not appropriate, professional behaviour."
"There was a pretty popular photographer who wanted to shoot me. But because we were in separate states, he wanted me to send nude photos of myself to him.
"I remember him asking me and me kind of knowing, 'I know I don't know much about the industry yet, but I'm pretty sure I don't have to send you a nude photo for you to be able to tell what type of model you want.'
"I tried to appease him but do it my way and I sent him photos of myself in my bikini. And he lashed out at me via text message, saying, 'If you aren't ready for the real modelling world, don't waste my time.'
"A photographer came to shoot me in my home town. As we were scouting for a location, he asked me to pull the car over.
"I'm still young, still 17-18, and he kissed me. And I remember being like, 'This is not OK.'"
Watch the Victoria Derbyshire programme on weekdays between 09:00 and 11:00 on BBC Two and the BBC News channel.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42230705
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California wildfires surround LA freeway - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Drivers filmed the flames on the 405 near Bel Air, as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
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Homes are being consumed by large fires spreading across the southern California countryside.
Firefighters are tackling the blaze as residents flee the affected areas, but attempts at controlling the spread of the fire have been unsuccessful.
Drivers filmed the flames from their cars on the 405 near Bel Air.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42256916
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What Trump's Jerusalem decision means for peace - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The BBC's Lyse Doucet explains what the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital means for peace.
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Tearing up convention, US President Donald Trump has recognised Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.
The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet breaks down what the decision means for Middle East peace.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42260141
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UK snow: Ice could add to travel disruption as temperatures drop - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Significant snowfall is forecast for the weekend, with warnings some communities could be cut off.
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UK
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Weather warnings are still in place in large parts of the UK, amid concern that icy conditions could cause travel delays and "cut off" some rural areas.
The Met Office said snow showers would continue to affect parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and parts of the Midlands.
A few centimetres of snow is likely but up to 20cm is possible in some areas.
There are yellow "be aware" warnings for parts of the country, with an amber "be prepared" alert in place on Sunday.
The Midlands, Wales, northern and eastern England and the far north of Scotland are most likely to have heavy snow early on Sunday morning.
According to BBC Weather, a 10cm spread of snow will initially mount in the Midlands and eastern England, before gradually becoming lighter and patchier throughout the day and into Sunday evening.
Birmingham Airport have warned passengers travelling on Sunday morning to allow more time for their journey as a result.
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Meanwhile southern parts of England and Wales could face heavy rain and gale force winds of up to 70mph (112km/h), the Met Office said. Icy surfaces are likely to be an "additional hazard", it added.
Highways England have urged drivers to "prepare for every eventuality", recommending they carry warm clothing, food, drink, required medication, boots, a shovel and a torch.
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Temperatures are likely to reach lows of -10C (14F) in some parts of Scotland and Wales, particularly in rural areas.
The heaviest and most frequent snow showers are forecast to affect mainly north east Scotland.
On Sunday "there is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off", the Met Office said.
The Met Office have issued yellow and amber weather warnings for Sunday
Only a small proportion of power cuts affecting homes and businesses across the Midlands, south west England and south Wales are related to the weather, Western Power Distribution said.
All current outages are set to be restored by 23:00 GMT on Saturday, ahead of further possible power cuts on Sunday due to the expected snowfall.
Meanwhile in Scotland, where 18,000 households had been without power, electricity supplies have been restored.
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Highways officials have reported "hazardous" driving conditions and police in Shropshire in the West Midlands advised against driving unless "absolutely necessary".
There are delays to some flights at Manchester Airport and it advises passengers to check with their airline before travelling.
The final day of Lincoln Christmas market has also been cancelled over safety concerns about the expected snowfall.
In the Brecon Beacons, one family made the most of an opportunity for a snowball fight
But it still was not cold enough for trousers in Greater Manchester
Have you experienced any disruption? Please share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42272554
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India newborn 'mistakenly' declared dead passes away - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The baby was handed over in a plastic bag but his parents saw him move on their way to his funeral.
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India
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The incident sparked outrage and a debate over the quality of private healthcare
A premature baby who was "mistakenly" declared dead by doctors in India's capital Delhi has died in another hospital where he was being treated.
The doctors at the privately run Max Hospital had pronounced the baby dead hours after his twin, who was stillborn on 30 November, at 22 weeks.
The parents said the baby was alive while on their way to his funeral.
Their father told reporters that he would not take the child's body home unless the two doctors were arrested.
The incident sparked outrage and a debate over the quality of private healthcare which is often costly.
The two doctors were fired by the hospital on Sunday after an inquiry. The hospital also sent its condolences to the parents after hearing that the baby had died.
"Our deepest condolences are with the parents and other family members. While we understand that survival in extreme preterm births is rare, it is always painful for the parents and family. We wish them the strength to cope with their loss," it said.
The state health minister, Satyender Jain, has said the hospital's licence could be cancelled if a probe found it guilty of medical negligence.
The Delhi police said on Wednesday that it had transferred the case to its crime unit.
The incident came to light when the parents noticed one of the babies squirming inside the plastic bag that doctors had placed the infants in.
According to the twins' grandfather, the stunned family rushed the newborn to a nearby hospital where they were told that their baby was still alive, local media reported.
This was the second instance in recent months where a private hospital in India has been called out for negligent care. Last month, a girl died of dengue fever in another hospital and the parents allege they were overcharged for her treatment.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-42261796
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Sean Rigg death: Police will not face charges, CPS rules - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The family of Sean Rigg, who died at Brixton police station, call the decision "shameful".
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London
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Sean Rigg died from a heart attack in police custody in 2008
Five police officers will not face prosecution after the death of a mentally ill man in custody, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has ruled.
Sean Rigg's family said it was "shameful" the CPS had upheld its decision from 2016.
The musician, 40, died from a heart attack at Brixton police station in south London in 2008.
In 2012 an inquest jury found that police used "unsuitable" force after arresting Mr Rigg.
The CPS chose not to authorise charges against any of the officers last year because the evidential threshold was not met.
A review began at the request of Mr Rigg's family.
Mr Rigg's sister, Marcia Rigg, said in a family statement: "It is shameful that the CPS should yet again find there is insufficient evidence.
"After years of vigorous campaigning to highlight the flaws in this wretched and unfair judicial system, there is no justice in the UK for families like mine.
"Any hope has been crushed."
In the weeks before his death Mr Rigg, who had paranoid schizophrenia, had not taken his medication.
Marcia Rigg believes the police have not been held accountable over her brother's death
He was held down for eight minutes in the "prone position" after his arrest in Balham for attacking passers-by and officers in August 2008. He fell ill in a police van and died in custody.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Met Police are still liaising over whether any officer has a misconduct case to answer.
Daniel Machover, the family solicitor, said: "As the police continue to pose a danger to those suffering from mental ill health, it is saddening that the CPS has failed to bring charges that would help to bring about change and accountability."
A CPS spokesperson said: "A full review of the evidence, including new material provided by the IPCC, was undertaken by a specialist CPS prosecutor who was not involved in the original decision.
"The review has now concluded and has upheld the original decision not to authorise charges in relation to the death of Mr Rigg, on the basis that the evidential test in the code for crown prosecutors is not met."
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said in a statement: "The MPS has been notified by the Crown Prosecution Service that the decision not to prosecute any police officer in connection with the death of Sean Rigg has been reviewed and upheld.
"The MPS has responded to the IPCC about its findings in relation to whether any officer involved has a case to answer for either misconduct or gross misconduct. We await the IPCC's further response and continue to liaise in line with the regulations that govern police conduct matters.
"We will do all we can to progress matters as quickly as possible."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42254576
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Mohammed Abdallah guilty of joining Islamic State - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Mohammed Abdallah received help to travel to Syria from his brother in Manchester.
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Manchester
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Mohammed Abdallah will be sentenced on Friday
A British man has been found guilty of travelling to join so-called Islamic State in Syria.
Mohammed Abdallah received help from his brother Abdalraouf, who set up a "hub" of communication for would-be fighters from his home in Manchester.
The Old Bailey heard the 26-year-old intended to meet three fellow jihadis in Syria.
Abdallah, of Westerling Way, Moss Side, Manchester, was convicted following a trial lasting more than four weeks.
He was found guilty of possessing an AK47 gun, receiving £2,000 for terrorism purposes and membership of IS.
Abdallah was remanded into custody until his sentencing on Friday.
The jury heard the defendant was assisted by his disabled younger brother Abdalraouf, who was previously jailed for helping other members of the same network.
Abdalraouf Abdallah has been in a wheelchair since he was injured in Libya at the age of 18
Abdalraouf was left paralysed after he was shot while taking part in the 2011 Libyan uprising.
His brother was outed as an IS fighter last year when an IS registration document listing him as a "specialist sniper" was leaked to Sky News by a defector.
The court heard how the defendant arrived in Britain as a refugee at the age of three after his family fled the Gaddafi regime in Libya.
Abdallah went to Burnage High School in Manchester and also attended Didsbury Mosque, where Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi was also known to have worshipped, it can now be reported.
Abdallah previously said he failed to pass any exams and was "not particularly religious", preferring to spend time drinking and smoking cannabis.
Abdallah's IS registration document was translated into English and analysed by detectives
In 2011 the brothers joined the "Tripoli Brigade" and during a bloody battle against the Gaddafi regime, Abdalraouf was shot and paralysed from the waist down.
Jurors were shown video footage of both siblings handling heavy Russian-made machine guns on vehicles in Libya.
In the summer of 2014, Abdallah headed to Syria via Libya with fellow Libyan Nezar Khalifa, 27, the jury heard.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said they planned to join IS with former RAF serviceman Stephen Gray, 34, and Raymond Matimba, 28, who were also from Manchester.
Gray was turned away in Turkey, but Matimba eventually caught up with the others and recently appeared in footage with the late IS killer Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John.
In 2016, Sky News received files from an IS defector which listed Abdallah as a specialist sniper with expertise with the "Dushka", a Russian heavy machine gun, and fighting experience in Libya.
Former RAF serviceman Stephen Gray also tried to enter Syria but was turned away in Turkey
His record, which had the IS flag in the top right-hand corner, listed his former occupation as "supermarket vendor", although jobless Abdallah told jurors he got by in Britain by stealing and selling cannabis.
The form listed Manchester recruiter Raphael Hostey, aka Abu Al-qaqa Al Britani, as a reference for Abdallah, as well as a "family friend", the Libyan narrator of an IS video entitled Demolishing Borders.
Giving evidence, Abdallah denied swearing allegiance to the jihadist group, claiming he went to Syria to help deliver $5,000 to the poor.
He said someone else must have filled out the registration form without his knowledge.
"It's true I refused to swear allegiance. They did send me to prison," Abdallah told the court.
"I was threatened with being beheaded. I was shot at. I was hit. I had bruises and a black eye."
Mohammed Abdallah is thought to be the man on the back of this truck in TV footage taken during fighting in Libya
Abdalraouf Abdallah, then aged 18, is also thought to have appeared in TV footage showing fighting in Libya
He denied knowing the man behind the Demolishing Borders IS video but admitted he knew Hostey through the Didsbury mosque.
Abdalraouf Abdallah and Gray were arrested in Manchester in November 2014.
In 2016, Abdalraouf Abdallah was found guilty of assisting others in committing acts of terrorism, and terror funding and jailed for five and a half years.
Gray, of Whitnall Street in Manchester, admitted three terrorism offences, including his attempts to travel to Syria, and was jailed for five years.
Fellow Mancunian Hostey, described as an "inspirational figure" for would-be jihadis, left the UK in 2013 and is believed to have been killed in a drone strike in 2016.
It can now be reported that Abdallah's trial was delayed in the wake of the attack on the Manchester Arena over reported links with Abedi, who attended the same mosque as the defendant and Hostey.
He too had Libyan parents, lived in Manchester, and had travelled to Libya before returning to the city to plan the May 22 attack on an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42269951
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I should be home-schooled, but I spent 10 months on Xbox - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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After Mohammed was excluded for bad behaviour, he was home-schooled - but it didn't work out.
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Magazine
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Mohammed spends his days playing computer games and looking after his granddad. He's only 14, but he hasn't been to school since December. The idea was to home school him - but things didn't quite work out like that, reports the BBC's Sue Mitchell.
He lives in a spotlessly clean Bradford semi-detached house, with pale wood flooring and deep, comfortable sofas. His mother works part time as a nursery nurse and his father is a taxi driver.
His mum admits she is totally out of her depth.
She says she agreed to try to educate Mohammed herself at the suggestion of his school, after he was excluded for bad behaviour. She wanted to keep him out of the only alternative, a pupil referral unit.
Mohammed wasn't opposed to the idea at first. "I thought it would be good because I wouldn't mix in with bad children," he says.
But it was harder than he expected. "My mum isn't a proper teacher, she just helps nursery kids. She's not a teacher for maths, science and English. I couldn't learn from her."
His dad, who works long hours, tells him that he is squandering his life opportunities. "He says: 'You've just ruined your chances' - that I could have had a good education and done my GCSEs and had a good life, but now I've wasted that," Mohammed says.
Many families say home schooling works well for them. But Mohammed is one of a growing number of children who find themselves falling out of the state education system, according to Richard Watts, the chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People's Board.
He says it's increasingly common to hear of schools "effectively putting a lot of pressure on parents to home educate their kids to get them off their rolls, particularly when exam time comes around".
Mohammed was only 13 when he was excluded from school for setting off fireworks in the corridor with other boys. "We went to a meeting, but they said there's no way of him coming back to the school," says his mum.
Mohammed had already been in trouble with the school authorities for fighting. "At school he thought they ganged up on him and called him names, trying to provoke him. Mohammed is really quiet, but if he hasn't done nothing he'll be upset by it," his mother says.
"When Mohammed first settled into secondary education he was good. I think it's that he finds it hard to settle down and so much depends on his friendship group."
By year nine it became clear that he would no longer have a place in mainstream education. It was either home education or a place at the same pupil referral unit that his older brother had attended. His family didn't want him getting into the same bad crowds as his brother.
So when the school suggested home education as the only alternative, Mohammed's mother readily agreed. "I never knew about the home schooling. I'm not that very educated myself and I'm not good with computers," she says.
The council had suggested a home education website. "We had a few links but because of my home life situation and working I hadn't enough hours. He'd be depressed every morning and I'd put him on the home education website but it wasn't working for him," says Mohammed's mum.
When she tried to get Mohammed out of bed to work, he refused.
Now she doesn't bother trying and he passes his time helping his granddad, who has a serious lung condition and needs round-the-clock care.
For a brief period he attended Raising Explorers, an after-school facility in Bradford that tutored Mohammed for a couple of hours a week.
"It was hard to start over and not mess about and think about what I'm doing and to concentrate," he says.
"When I first went to the after-school club I was new, my background was different and I made mistakes. I got put on report and was doing good, but when people disturb me I just get annoyed and retaliate back," he says. He was excluded for brawling with another boy.
Mohammed says he regrets the bad behaviour that lost him his place in a mainstream school.
"I used to go to school and do stupid things I didn't think it would come to this, I thought I'd just do it a bit and I'd have a chance. I was falling behind at school anyway, but now that I don't have school I won't have any education for my GCSEs. I do think about my future - it's not going to be good."
Out of School, Out of Sight is broadcast at 11:00 on Wednesday 4 October on BBC Radio 4, or listen again on iPlayer
Abdur Rahman, who runs a project working with excluded youngsters, says that like Richard Watts he is coming across an increasing number of cases where parents are persuaded to home educate, yet don't have the capacity to do so.
"These schools don't ask about the ability of parents to teach - that isn't part of the discussion. Schools work like businesses and it isn't about looking out for the child, it's about saying to Mum and Dad that: 'This is what you have to do because your child isn't engaging and it will keep you out of trouble.' It's a strategy that the schools are increasingly using."
The inspection of home education is carried out by local government officials, but it is a voluntary register and although numbers are thought to be growing, there is no real idea of how many families are doing this. It's because so little is known about the extent and quality of home education, that Lord Soley recently introduced a private members bill aimed at bringing in a mandatory registration system.
He says that there are concerns about the quality of education some youngsters are receiving. There is also a cost for schools who take back pupils like Mohammed when home education hasn't worked.
"These pupils who fall behind have disruption to their own education outcomes, but then if they go back into schools they cause problems across the board as they try to catch up. It isn't helping them and it isn't good for the schools when it doesn't work," he says.
Bradford Council is currently discussing school options with Mohammed and his family. A spokesman says the details of individual cases cannot be discussed, but any parent has the right to choose to home educate their child at any stage of their formal education.
"Local authorities can give advice but have no role in deciding whether this should happen," the spokesman continues.
"When the local authority becomes aware of an electively home-educated child, we offer a home visit or to meet at another venue. The local authority has no statutory duty to monitor the quality of home education on a routine basis. However, we always work to keep contact with parents to ensure our information about the child is kept up to date.
"All parents of electively home-educated children can contact our home education team at any time and parents can apply to the local authority for a school place at any point. The local authority will always look to work with the district's schools to find a solution which works for the child and their parents."
Mohammed's mum is currently trying to get her son back into school.
"I want him to do his GCSEs and go further, to study and move on to what he wants to do - instead of just finishing with no qualifications in a cruel world. I want him to try hard and I've told him, but there's nothing else I can do. Mohammed says he'll do anything to go back to school and to study," she says.
Mohammed agrees. He says he desperately wants to be back in the classroom.
"When I used to go to school I used to be around other children and I was happy. Now I'm by myself and it's just boring alone, I don't like it."
Join the conversation - find us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41476718
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Ballon d'Or 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to win fifth award - BBC Sport
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2017-12-07
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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo joins Lionel Messi on five Ballon d'Or awards by winning the 2017 title.
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Last updated on .From the section European Football
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or award for the fifth time - and the second year in a row.
Victory took the 32-year-old Portugal international level with 30-year-old Argentine Messi, who won the most recent of his five awards in 2015.
Messi's ex-Barcelona team-mate Neymar, now at Paris St-Germain, was third.
Last season, Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win the Champions League and their first La Liga title since 2012.
Ronaldo added the 2017 Ballon d'Or to those he won in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, and Messi is the only other recipient of the award since 2009.
"This is something I look forward to every year," he said, after receiving the award on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
"Thanks to my Real Madrid team-mates. And I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level."
The 2016-17 campaign was a stellar season for the former Manchester United player.
After helping Portugal win Euro 2016, he scored 42 goals for Real in all competitions as they won their 33rd La Liga title and 12th European Cup.
He scored twice in a 4-1 Champions League final win over Juventus and netted 25 times in 29 league games as Los Blancos finished three points ahead of Barcelona.
• None Quiz: How well do you really know Messi and Ronaldo?
What is the Ballon d'Or?
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 173 journalists from around the world.
It has been awarded by France Football every year since 1956, but for six years it became the Fifa Ballon d'Or in association with world football's governing body and was awarded to the world's best player.
However, Fifa ended its association with the award in September 2016.
At Fifa's awards in October, Ronaldo was named the world's best male player and also named in the Fifpro World XI.
How did Premier League players do?
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante was the highest-placed Premier League player, finishing eighth. The France international won his second successive top-flight title last season and was named both the PFA and Football Writers' player of the year.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane, the only Englishman on the shortlist, finished 10th, Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was 14th and Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard was 19th.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was 23rd while team-mate and playmaker Philippe Coutinho was 29th.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42269979
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Ladbrokes Coral in talks over takeover by GVC - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The UK's biggest High Street bookmaker is in "detailed" talks about being taken over by online rival GVC.
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Business
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Gambling giant Ladbrokes Coral is in "detailed" talks over a takeover by online rival GVC over a deal that could value the group at up to £3.9bn.
Under the proposals, GVC - which owns the Bwin and Sportingbet brands - would hold 53.5% of the combined group.
Ladbrokes Coral became the UK's biggest High Street bookmaker following last year's merger of Ladbrokes and Coral.
The maximum price GVC will pay will depend on the outcome of the government's review of gaming machines.
Ladbrokes Coral shares jumped 23% on news of the talks, while GVC's were up by 4%.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has said it will cap the size of stakes gamblers can make on fixed-odds betting terminals, amid concerns they may harm vulnerable people.
Ministers proposed that bets on the machines be cut from a maximum of £100 a spin to somewhere between £2 and £50.
GVC and Ladbrokes Coral said that the review could impact on the profitability of Ladbrokes Coral's UK business.
Under the proposed takeover deal, GVC will pay 160.9p for each Ladbrokes Coral share, which would value the company at £3.1bn.
However, if the outcome of the government's review of gaming terminals is favourable to the gambling industry, and imposes a higher limit on fixed odds bets, then GVC will pay Ladbrokes Coral shareholders a so-called "contingent value right" (CVR) of up to 42.8p per share. When added to the original payment, this could value the company at up to £3.9bn.
The takeover of Ladbrokes Coral could go ahead before the government announces the result of its review. Following the outcome, GVC would then pay the CVR to Ladbrokes Coral shareholders.
GVC and Ladbrokes Coral have previously held talks about a takeover, but they broke down.
"GVC got lucky at the third attempt and Ladbrokes Coral shareholders can count their winnings," said Neil Wilson, senior market analyst at ETX Capital.
"Whilst this deal was always likely, most had thought GVC would wait until the government's triennial review of fixed odds betting terminals was finished before it would happen."
The "tie-up has always made sense", he added.
Isle of Man-based GVC "has little debt and has the global and fast-growing online presence, Ladbrokes Coral has the physical footprint, High Street name and sports book".
Under takeover rules GVC now has until 4 January to decide whether to make a firm offer for Ladbrokes Coral or to withdraw.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42263157
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Terrorists have nowhere to hide, says defence secretary - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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British armed forces will "bring destruction" to jihadists, says Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
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UK
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Gavin Williamson: "We want to drive them out of Iraq and Syria"
The UK will "bring destruction" to those who fight for so-called Islamic State, the defence secretary has said.
Gavin Williamson said British armed forces were "making sure terrorists have nowhere to hide" across the globe.
Speaking at the commissioning of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, he said UK forces were driving IS out of Iraq and Syria.
He earlier told the Daily Mail: "Quite simply, my view is a dead terrorist can't cause any harm to Britain."
Mr Williamson had said no British citizen who has fought for so-called Islamic State should be allowed back into the UK.
At least 800 Britons have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight for IS and 130 of those have been killed in conflict.
Mr Williamson, who took over as defence secretary last month, said the £3.1bn carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was "part of our armoury" in dealing with terrorism.
"We will be able to deploy her any place in the globe," he said.
"We will destroy and bring destruction to these evil death corps such as Daesh and that's what British forces have continuously been doing."
He said it was important for the UK to tackle terrorism in "ungoverned spaces" abroad, after forces had spent the last few years driving jihadists from Iraq and Syria.
"We've also got to be realistic, as where we have taken territory from them: Where are they going to go? Where are they going to try and strike Britain next?" he said.
Reyaad Khan, from Cardiff, was killed by an RAF airstrike in Syria
Speaking to the Mail, Mr Williamson said British fighters who had fled to other countries would be found and stopped from returning to the UK, adding that there would be no "safe space" abroad for them either.
"We have got to make sure that as (they) splinter and as they disperse across Iraq and Syria and other areas, we continue to hunt them down," he said.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Killing all jihadists is "not a serious grown up policy response", says Lord Macdonald
Lord Macdonald, the former director of public prosecutions, said suggesting dead terrorists could not cause any harm to Britain was a "juvenile response".
"We can't simply say that everyone who has gone to Iraq will be hunted down and killed," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One programme.
Mr Williamson's predecessor Sir Michael Fallon said in October that British IS fighters in Syria and Iraq had made themselves "a legitimate target" who could end up on "the wrong end of an RAF or USAF missile".
His comments came after it was reported that British IS recruiter Sally-Anne Jones had been killed in a US drone strike in Syria in June.
And Rory Stewart, the minister for international development, said the "only way" to deal with British IS fighters in Syria is "in almost every case" to kill them.
He said they can expect to be killed because of the "serious danger" they pose to the UK's security.
Max Hill QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, said there should be some allowance for "young and naive" individuals who were "simply brainwashed", for example as teenagers, but insisted that even these people should be prosecuted if they committed serious criminal offences.
Under British and international law, an aspiration to eliminate all known British IS recruits will take a little more consideration than simply launching a drone laden with fire-and-forget missiles.
In war, soldiers have immunity from prosecution for killing on the battlefield, unless they have committed a war crime. But the UK is not at war with the IS network - so the same immunity is not automatically available for counter-terrorism purposes.
There has to be some other legal basis for justifying the killing.
Two years ago, the government sent a three-paragraph letter to the United Nations Security Council setting out the case for killing Cardiff extremist Reyaad Khan.
That strike was legal under the "inherent right of self-defence", it said, because the 21-year-old had been directing "imminent armed attacks".
MPs have pushed for more information on the decision-making process, that some critics say could amount to an unreviewable secret power to launch "extra-judicial executions."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42260814
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Momentum under investigation by Electoral Commission - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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The Electoral Commission is investigating Labour-backing Momentum over spending at the 2017 election.
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UK Politics
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The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the Labour-supporting Momentum group broke finance rules during the 2017 general election.
The elections watchdog says its probe will consider if Momentum's returns included accurate donation information.
It said questions over compliance risked harming voter confidence.
Momentum said: "Much of the Electoral Commission investigation refers to a series of administrative errors that can be easily rectified."
It said it would fully comply with the investigation.
The grassroots movement was set up to support Jeremy Corbyn's successful 2015 leadership bid and now campaigns for Labour.
It was registered as a non-party campaigner during the snap 2017 general election in June.
Bob Posner, the Electoral Commission's director of political finance, regulation and legal counsel, said: "Momentum are a high profile active campaigning body.
"Questions over their compliance with the campaign finance rules at June's general election risks causing harm to voters' confidence in elections.
"There is significant public interest in us investigating Momentum to establish the facts in this matter and whether there have been any offences."
The Electoral Commission said the investigation would look at whether or not Momentum accurately recorded donations and payments relating to the 2017 campaign.
It would also consider whether a return failed to include all invoices and payments of more than £200.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Mr Posner said: "Once complete, the commission will decide whether any breaches have occurred and, if so, what further action may be appropriate, in line with its enforcement policy."
Under rules in place since 2000, non-party campaigners who wish to undertake "targeted spending" - intended to influence people to vote for one particular registered political party or any of its candidates - have to do so within prescribed limits.
The limits - £31,980 in England, £3,540 in Scotland, £2,400 in Wales and £1,080 in Northern Ireland - applied during the regulated period 9 June 2016 to 8 June 2017.
Registered non-party campaigners are only entitled to spend above these limits if they have the authorisation of the political party they are promoting, the commission said.
"It is an offence to spend above the statutory limits without the party's authorisation," it said. "Should the party provide authorisation for a higher spending limit, any spending by that non-party campaigner up to that limit would count towards the party's national spending."
Momentum said it "put a lot of effort and resources into detailed budgeting and financial procedures during the election to ensure full compliance".
"Our election campaign was delivered on a low budget because it tapped into the energy and enthusiasm of tens of thousands of volunteers across the country.
"We have a good working relationship with the Electoral Commission, and will fully comply with the investigation going forward."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42264630
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Prince Charles bomb plot: Real IRA leader jailed - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Dissident republican jailed for more than 11 years for plotting attack during prince's visit to Ireland.
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Europe
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Prince Charles visited County Sligo in the Republic of Ireland in May 2015
A dissident republican leader who plotted a bomb attack during Prince Charles' visit to Ireland has been jailed for more than 11 years.
Seamus McGrane 63, from Little Road, Dromiskin in County Louth was found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation.
McGrane had pleaded not guilty at Dublin's Special Criminal Court.
He was secretly recorded discussing explosives and a target of "military significance" in a Dublin pub.
Passing a sentence of 11-and-a-half years in prison, the judge said McGrane's previous conviction for IRA membership was an aggravating factor.
His case is linked to that of Donal Ó Coisdealbha, who was sentenced to five-and-a-half years last December.
Seamus McGrane was found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation
He was convicted of possession of explosives in the run-up to Prince Charles' May 2015 state visit to the Republic.
McGrane met Ó Coisdealbha a number of times in the Coachman's Inn pub near Dublin airport early in 2015 to plan a bomb attack.
Police had installed listening devices and McGrane was recorded discussing strategy and experiments with explosives, as well as his involvement in training people in the dissident movement, whom he had sworn in as members.
Detectives heard McGrane instructing Ó Coisdealbha to "reactivate" a man he called "the science graduate" so as to get advice on explosives.
McGrane was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin
He told him to contact somebody whom he called the "motorbike man" to collect the explosives, to clean out the cylinder and return the bike, but not to dispose of it.
McGrane also told Ó Coisdealbha the target was to have "military significance" and he referred to someone "coming on the 19th" - the same day Prince Charles arrived in Ireland.
The recordings heard him refer to an attack on Palace Barracks - the MI5 headquarters in Northern Ireland - on 12 April, 2010, and to a bomb on a railway line.
The presiding judge said that there was "the clearest evidence of directing an illegal organisation".
The judge said that police had discovered "a veritable arsenal of weapons and explosives substances" in hides on land adjoining McGrane's house, which included ammunition, a revolver, mortar parts and bomb making components.
Only one other man has been convicted for directing terrorism in the Republic of Ireland - Michael McKevitt who was jailed for 20 years in 2003.
In a landmark civil case in 2009, the High Court in Belfast ruled McKevitt and three other men were responsible for the 1998 Omagh bomb that killed 29 people and unborn twins.
McKevitt did not face criminal charges in relation to the Omagh bombing.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41977719
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South Live: Thursday 7 December - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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All the latest headlines from across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
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Video caption: CCTV footage of Simon Smith walking in Reading on Saturday when a bus hit him. CCTV footage of Simon Smith walking in Reading on Saturday when a bus hit him.
A man will appear in court after a double-decker bus hit a pedestrian on a pavement in Reading.
Cheikh Daouda Senghor, 40, from St Johns Road, Wallingford, has been reported for summons for dangerous driving, Thames Valley Police said.
CCTV footage from 24 June, showing Simon Smith being knocked down in Gun Street before getting up and walking into a bar, went viral.
Mr Senghor is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on 14 December.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-hampshire-42228057
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Jerusalem: Trump move prompts negative world reaction - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital is met with a wave of disapproval.
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Middle East
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US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv has been met with a wave of disapproval.
Leaders from within the Arab and Muslim worlds, and from the wider international community, were swift to criticise the move. Some warned of the potential for violence and bloodshed as a result.
The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.
The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem.
Israel occupied the sector, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.
The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.
Mr Trump said his decision was a "recognition of reality", and that the US was "not taking a position on any final status issues".
President Mahmoud Abbas said the decision was tantamount to the US "abdicating its role as a peace mediator".
"These deplorable and unacceptable measures deliberately undermine all peace efforts," he said in a speech broadcast after Mr Trump's announcement.
He insisted that Jerusalem was the "eternal capital of the state of Palestine".
The leader of the Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, called for a new "intifada", or uprising.
"The American decision is an aggression against our people. It's a declaration of war against our Palestinian people," he told a news conference in Gaza.
"We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy," he added.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the US announcement was a "historic landmark" and that Mr Trump's decision was "courageous and just".
Mr Netanyahu said the speech was "an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn't include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel". The city had "been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years", he added.
In a speech on Thursday, he said: "President Trump has inscribed himself in the annals of our capital for all time."
"His name will now be linked to the names of others in the context of the glorious history of Jerusalem and our people... We are already in contacts with other countries that will declare similar recognition," he said, adding: "It's about time."
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the move, saying it was "throwing the region into a ring of fire".
"What do you want to do Mr Trump? What kind of an approach is this? Political leaders exist not to create struggles but to make peace," he said.
His Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter that "the decision is against international law and relevant UN resolutions".
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Saudi Arabia's King Salman told Mr Trump by telephone on Tuesday that the relocation of the embassy or recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital "would constitute a flagrant provocation of Muslims, all over the world".
"The US move represents a significant decline in efforts to push a peace process and is a violation of the historically neutral American position on Jerusalem."
Those views were echoed by Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who warned against "complicating the situation in the region by introducing measures that would undermine chances for peace in the Middle East".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Why the ancient city of Jerusalem is so important
The Arab League called it "a dangerous measure that would have repercussions" across the region, and also questioned the future role of the US as a "trusted mediator" in peace talks.
Iran said the decision risked a "new intifada", or uprising. Its foreign ministry said the US had clearly violated international resolutions.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah called for joint efforts to "deal with the ramifications of this decision" and a Jordanian government spokesman said Mr Trump was violating international law and the UN charter.
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said the peace process would be set back decades, while Qatar's Foreign MinisterSheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said the move was "a death sentence for all who seek peace".
Pope Francis said: "I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city's status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions."
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said President Trump's statement "would jeopardise the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians".
Mr Guterres said Jerusalem was "a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties".
Such negotiations must take "into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinians and the Israeli sides," he said.
The European Union called for the "resumption of a meaningful peace process towards a two-state solution" and said "a way must be found, through negotiations, to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, so that the aspiration of both parties can be fulfilled".
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the announcement "has a very worrying potential impact."
"It is a very fragile context and the announcement has the potential to send us backwards to even darker times than the ones we are already living in," she added.
"The worst thing that could happen now is an escalation of tensions around the holy places and in the region because what happens in Jerusalem matters to the whole region and the entire world."
French President Emmanuel Macron said Mr Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital was "regrettable". He called efforts for "avoid violence at all costs."
German ChancellorAngela Merkel's spokesman said on Twitter that Berlin "does not support this position because the status of Jerusalem can only be negotiated within the framework of a two-state solution".
Both China and Russia also expressed their concern that the move could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said her government disagreed with the US decision, which was "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region".
"The British embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," a statement said.
"Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and longstanding: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. In line with relevant [UN] Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories."
Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said the move was "reckless" and had taken a "hammer blow" to the peace process. "He is setting it back decades," she added.
• None Jerusalem is Israel's capital, Trump to say
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42250340
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Croydon tram crash: Report says driver 'probably dozed off' - BBC News
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2017-12-07
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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A report into the crash which killed seven people claims "stronger windows" could have saved lives.
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London
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Seven people were killed when a tram derailed near to Sandilands in November 2016
The driver of a tram which derailed in Croydon had probably dozed off moments before the fatal crash, an official report has found.
Seven people died and more than 50 were injured in the derailment in south London in November last year.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch also found action was not taken following a similar speeding incident just days before the tragedy.
The 174-page report has made 15 recommendations to improve tram safety.
These include the creation of a dedicated safety body for UK tramways, a better understanding of risk of trams and the introduction of stronger windows and doors on trams.
Investigators say all the fatalities and many of the serious injuries were caused by passengers being thrown out of carriage windows.
The tram was running from New Addington to Wimbledon via Croydon, and was on the approach to Sandilands tram stop soon after 06:00 on 9 November 2016.
A previous report said although the speed limit approaching the junction was 12mph, the tram had been travelling at an estimated speed of 45mph.
Investigators found the tram derailed while travelling at three-and-a-half times the speed limit
The report said the most likely cause for the driver not applying the brakes was "a temporary loss of awareness of the driving task during a period of low workload, which possibly caused him to micro-sleep".
It adds: "It is also possible that when regaining awareness, the driver became confused about his location and direction of travel."
Tests found no drugs or alcohol in the driver's system and no medical abnormalities were identified in him.
Simon French, RAIB's chief inspector of rail accidents, added: "There is no direct evidence of the driver closing his eyes or being asleep."
When interviewed as part of the investigation, the driver said he had "no recollection" and "couldn't explain what happened", according to Mr French.
A criminal investigation is being led by the British Transport Police (BTP) who arrested the driver on suspicion of manslaughter.
The 43-year-old man, from Beckenham, remains on bail, a BTP spokesman said.
The RAIB report also found management were not aware of previous incidents involving late braking on the approach to Sandilands.
Some of this was down to a "reluctance of some drivers to report their own mistakes", the report said.
On 31 October a passenger raised concerns about a tram which went "too fast" round a bend near Sandilands.
The driver of that tram applied the hazard brake, but the driver did not report the incident.
The RAIB said on Thursday, that tram "came close to coming off the tracks."
People were "ejected" from the carriage and some became trapped and crushed as the speeding tram ground to a halt, the report found.
The RAIB is advising tram operators throughout the UK to make sure windows are fitted with stronger glass.
London's Transport Commissioner Mike Brown said: "Since the incident we have introduced a wide range of additional safety measures to make sure such a tragedy can never happen again.
A stone plinth has been built as a memorial to the victims
"These include new signage and warning systems for drivers, additional speed restrictions, enhanced speed monitoring and an upgrade of the CCTV recording system.
"An in-cab driver protection device has been trialled and is now fitted to every tram, meaning that any sign of driver distraction or fatigue results in the driver being alerted immediately. Work to install a system to automatically reduce tram speeds if required is also underway."
The Croydon tram service is run on behalf of TfL by Tram Operations Limited, a subsidiary of FirstGroup.
Tim O'Toole, FirstGroup's chief executive officer, extended his condolences to the victims and added: "The RAIB concluded that management of fatigue was not a factor in the incident, nor did a speeding culture contribute to it.
"Nevertheless, over the past year we have taken a series of actions, working closely with TfL on whose behalf we operate the system, to implement additional measures including enhanced speed monitoring and restrictions, improved signage and renewed guidance on fatigue management."
What is totally damning is how fundamentally broken the reporting and complaints process was at the tram operator run by First Group.
Drivers were afraid to report for fear of recriminations and when passengers complained - such as after a speeding incident on 31 October just 10 days before the crash - the investigation was glacial.
The families of those who died are heartbroken and outraged that opportunities to stop speeding incidents were missed.
In fact, the complaints procedure has been deemed so broken, TfL has taken it away from FirstGroup and brought it back in house.
Again this will raise huge questions about the fragmentation of the transport industry and I'm sure questions about the role of privatisation and companies operating concessions on behalf of public bodies.
Despite the RAIB publishing its findings, there are still other separate investigations being carried out in parallel with each other.
TfL has commissioned its own probe into the disaster, while the Office for Road and Rail (ORR) is looking at whether there were any health and safety breaches which contributed to the crash.
In response to the report, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "This was a preventable accident, seven people lost their lives and they shouldn't have done so. It's really important we learn lessons."
The driver's union ASLEF's Finn Brennan said tram drivers still have a "fear" of being sacked if they "report being tired or sick".
He added "management culture" at Tram Operations Ltd meant mistakes were not listened to and acted on properly.
Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon Central, said: "Our first thoughts will always be for the victims' families.
"They will be reliving this tragedy yet again, and it will be another difficult day for them. The most important thing we can do for them is show that lessons have been learned and make sure this never happens again."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42253785
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Brexit deal: As it happened - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Updates as they came in after European Commission recommended "sufficient progress" had been made in Brexit talks.
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UK Politics
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Most Brexit-suppporting Tories seem to be happy about what's been agreed although some are picking the odd hole in the documents.
Former Welsh Secretary David Jones is worried about the implications if there is no agreement on how cross-border trade in Ireland is regulated.
In such a scenario, he tells Radio 4's World at One the UK will be fully aligned to existing EU single market rules relating to North-South co-operation - a situation he thinks would hamper efforts to strike trade deals with other countries after the UK leaves.
Quote Message: The worry about that is of course that it could relate to very important areas such as, for example, agriculture which we would want to throw into the mix in negotiating a free trade agreement with a third country. And if this was to persist it could severely handicap our ability to enter into those free trade agreements so I think we do need to see that particular provision refined." The worry about that is of course that it could relate to very important areas such as, for example, agriculture which we would want to throw into the mix in negotiating a free trade agreement with a third country. And if this was to persist it could severely handicap our ability to enter into those free trade agreements so I think we do need to see that particular provision refined."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-42276855
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So, did 'soft Brexit' just win? - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The government and the EU might be claiming success today – but as Donald Tusk said, the tough stuff starts now.
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Business
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The agreement commits both sides to an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic
"The test of a first-rate intelligence," F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Crack-Up, "is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function."
Today the British government and the European Union are making a fist of passing that test.
Reading the joint report between the UK and the EU, it is clear that the most important section when considering the economics of Brexit is the section on Ireland.
The document commits both sides to an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and that there will be "no new regulatory barriers" between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
It also commits to the UK leaving the EU's single market and customs union.
These two positions appear to be in contradiction.
If Britain does become a "third country" - that is trading with the EU as other non-EU countries outside the single market and the customs union do - then border controls will be necessary.
And that open border will become very much more closed.
There is at least a partial way around this conundrum.
And it necessitates the comprehensive free trade deal the British government has said it wants.
And at least closely mirroring customs arrangements we presently adhere to as members of the EU's customs union.
That equates for many with a "soft Brexit" and is the trajectory many economists argue would be best for the UK economy.
This is because, if there is no free trade agreement, it is difficult to see how Theresa May's government could maintain "full alignment with the rules of the internal market and the customs union which support north-south co-operation [on the island of Ireland]" which the joint report commits the PM to.
And still say that Britain has left the EU.
This document has been described as the "withdrawal deal".
But it is actually far more importantly a signal of what the future might hold.
And that appears to be a relationship where the UK closely follows the EU's single market and customs union rules despite not being a formal member of either.
Which might very well constrain Britain's ability to sign free trade deals with other countries outside the EU.
The government will have to find a way through that if it is not to make Liam Fox's job as international trade secretary redundant.
And in its deliberate ambiguity (every side needs to be able to claim victory) today's joint agreement leaves that debate for another day.
The EU has said it wants to move urgently onto discussing and agreeing transition arrangements to be applied once Britain has officially left the union in March 2019.
That now looks like being Phase II of this process.
And from there, onto mapping out an agreement on free trade which will be put in place after the transition period has expired.
That has been seen as good news by businesses which need clarity on the trade rules they will be required to play by.
And the more "frictionless" that trade is, many believe, the better for the economy.
What today's deal has revealed is that there is a genuine desire - it appears from both sides - to get that free trade deal nailed down.
"One should be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise," Fitzgerald wrote.
Today, the UK and the EU have moved the process of Brexit significantly forward.
Even if the end point is still shrouded in much uncertainty.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42281217
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Middle East media reacts to 'slap of the century' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Many regional newspapers condemn the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
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Middle East
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Headlines in Arab and Turkish newspapers are crowded with strident criticism and expressions of dismay in response to President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Those in the Israeli press welcome the move, saying it should never have taken decades to happen.
"Thank you Mr President for this brave and historic decision. Thank you for applying your famous common sense to such a critical declaration on such a crucial issue," says one commentator in the Israeli newspaper, Yisrael Hayom.
Another, in Maariv, says Trump "broke the fear barrier".
"It is time to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” says Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth
"Trump is right: The world's refusal of 70 years to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been a stupid mistake," says a commentator in Yedioth Ahronoth. "The claim that the speech harms the peace process is untenable, because there is no peace process."
The paper printed the full text of Mr Trump's speech, dubbing it "The Jerusalem Declaration" - echoing the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which expressed the British government's support for a Jewish national home in Palestine and paved the way for Israel's creation.
"Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in the same breath watered down the American commitment to the two-state solution," says an editorial in the broadsheet Haaretz. "It is clear that America will not 'rescue Israel from itself' and will not bring about the end of the occupation."
The view from the Palestinian territories is rather different. A headline in the Palestinian Authority-owned newspaper Al-Hayat al-Jadidah calls the US move the "slap of the century".
Palestinian Al-Hayat al-Jadidah featured the announcement prominently on its front cover
An editorial in the paper warns that "the gates of hell will be opened in the region", echoing a statement made by the Islamist group Hamas.
There are also calls for effective and measured responses.
"Why should we not launch a calm intifada (uprising) and return to long-lasting negotiations?" asks one commentator in the pro-Fatah Al-Ayyam newspaper. "It would be better for us to wager on our political achievements and not on a third intifada."
A commentator in the pro-Hamas biweekly Al-Risalah echoes this: "We should reject the US and Israeli pressure, and move to enhance Palestinian national reconciliation until we achieve national unity. The least we can do is to concentrate all our energies and to overcome our differences in order to protect Jerusalem and reject the new US decision."
"For you, the city of prayer, I pray" - Al Jazeera responded to the speech by showing the Fairouz song, Flower Among Cities
The main Arab TV news channels are running special coverage of the announcement, reporting on the international reaction and reflecting on Jerusalem's place in Arab culture.
An evocative song by the well-known Lebanese singer Fairouz, Flower Among Cities, has been played by some channels, including Al Jazeera. In it Fairouz sings about the loss of Jerusalem, and about the Palestinians' hope that they will one day return to it.
Al Arabiya TV showed footage of a Christmas tree with its lights turned off in Ramallah
At the top of its morning bulletin, the Saudi-funded Al Arabiya TV cited the kingdom's official response expressing its "deep regret" over Mr Trump's decision and urging his administration to reconsider.
It highlighted demonstrations and strikes being held by Palestinians and reported that the lights on Bethlehem's Christmas tree had been switched off in protest.
In Egypt, Al-Dustur's front page says: "Announcing the death of the Arabs". Another daily complains that "Trump gives what he doesn't own to those who don't deserve it".
In Turkey, articles accuse Trump of going "crazy" and "pouring petrol on fire".
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42264307
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Primary school evacuated after fire breaks out - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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More than 30 firefighters are tackling the blaze at Cairneyhill Primary School near Dunfermline.
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Edinburgh, Fife & East Scotland
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More than 200 pupils have been evacuated from a primary school in Fife after a large fire broke out.
At least 30 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze at Cairneyhill Primary School near Dunfermline.
Pupils and staff were all "safe and well" and were moved to a nearby church hall, Fife Council said.
Local residents were asked to keep their windows closed and stay away from Northbank Road while emergency service workers dealt with the blaze.
The fire, which broke out just after 13:00, was later contained by the fire crews, some parts of the school were badly damaged.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. A fire broke out in a Fife primary school on Friday lunchtime
More than 200 pupils were evacuated from the school when the fire broke out
Firefighters remained at the scene on Friday evening to check for any hidden fire spread.
Group manager Richie Hall, the incident commander, said: "It was a challenging environment but they did a tremendous job through difficult conditions to find that source, contain the fire - and then fight it.
"Their efforts meant that the fire, located in the centre of the building, was prevented from spreading any further.
"They are now searching for any further pockets of fire to ensure the building is made absolutely safe."
Mr Hall commended firefighters for their efforts in bringing the incident to a "swift and safe" conclusion.
He added: "I must also pay credit to both the children and the school staff who evacuated quickly and calmly, and made their way to a place of safety."
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 Fife Council 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.
The children were looked after at Cairneyhill parish church hall until they could be collected by parents.
There are around 223 pupils on the roll at the primary school, with approximately 48 in its nursery, according to its website.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-42284463
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Man held over House of Lords disturbance - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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Police arrest a man in the House of Lords after a debate is interrupted by shouting.
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UK Politics
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Peers were debating the role of education in society when shouts were heard
A man has been arrested in the House of Lords after a debate was interrupted by shouting.
The man was held on suspicion of common assault and criminal damage, following the incident in the public gallery.
Labour peer Lord Giddens was speaking in a debate on Friday morning when he paused as a shout was heard, noting a "continuing disturbance from outside".
The annual Archbishop of Canterbury's debate was about the role of education in building a flourishing society.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "At approximately 11:15am on Friday, 8 December police were called to reports of a disturbance within the Palace of Westminster.
"A man, believed aged in his 20s, was escorted from the premises by officers.
"He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of common assault and criminal damage and remains in custody at a central London police station. Enquiries continue."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42287627
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Man charged over rocket launcher snowman in Londonderry - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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The window display appeared at a republican group's office in Londonderry in October.
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Northern Ireland
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The window display included the message "wishing you an explosive Christmas"
A 29-year-old man has been charged after a snowman holding a rocket launcher was painted on the window of a republican support group's office in Londonderry.
The image included the message: "Wishing you an Explosive Christmas."
It appeared at the office of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association in Chamberlain Street.
The man has been charged with two counts of permitting display of anything provocative.
It follows the appearance of the display in October.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the man is due to appear at the magistrates' court in Derry on 3 January.
All charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42285433
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Anorexic student Averil Hart 'failed by every NHS body' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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University student Averil Hart's family say she starved herself to death in 10 weeks.
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Suffolk
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Nicholas Hart says his daughter Averil's "death was avoidable"
A teenager who "starved to death" in a matter of weeks was failed by "every NHS organisation that should have cared for her", a review has found.
Averil Hart, 19, died in 2012 after her anorexia rapidly worsened at university in Norwich.
Her father Nicholas said in just 10 weeks she went from being fit and healthy to "being at death's door".
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found her death could and should have been prevented.
The NHS services involved say changes have been made, with one saying it accepted the report's findings.
Averil Hart went to the University of East Anglia to study creative writing
Miss Hart, the youngest of three sisters, from Newton, near Sudbury, became unwell after her A-levels and spent 10 months as an in-patient at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
She was discharged to study creative writing at the University of East Anglia.
Miss Hart was found collapsed at the university in December 2012 and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital by ambulance but saw no specialist eating disorders clinician for three days after admission, by which time her condition had deteriorated.
She was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital on 11 December.
Overnight her blood sugar fell to very low levels, but she did not receive appropriate treatment for this and became unconscious, suffering brain damage. She died three days later.
Averil Hart's father says his daughter "literally starved to death"
The ombudsman found Miss Hart did not receive "appropriate care and treatment".
"In addition, the local investigation into her death was wholly inadequate with the organisations involved being defensive and protective of themselves, rather than taking responsibility," the ombudsman's report said.
Miss Hart's father Nicholas Hart, who lives in Newton, near Sudbury, said: "As a parent I suppose it is a great relief to finally know that the words you knew were true all along and that Averil's death was avoidable.
"It is good to know that the report itself will enable other children and families to potentially not have to go through what we have been through.
"It was a needless death, it did not have to happen. It took only 10 weeks for her to go from fit and healthy to being at death's door."
Ombudsman Rob Behrens said: "Averil's tragic death would have been avoided if the NHS had cared for her appropriately.
"Sadly, these failures, and her family's subsequent fight to get answers, are not unique.
"The families who brought their complaints to us have helped uncover serious issues that require urgent national attention - I hope that our recommendations will mean that no other family will go through the same ordeal."
Dr Bill Kirkup, who led part of the investigation, said: "I hope this report will act as a wake-up call to the NHS and health leaders to make urgent improvements to services for eating disorders so that we can avoid similar tragedies in the future."
Andrew Radford, chief executive at the eating disorder charity BEAT, said: "The PHSO report is very clear, if the eating disorder had been recognised earlier and effective and timely care was put in place, Averil Hart's death would have been prevented.
"We await a response from the Government and NHS England who must learn and take action following this tragedy, we cannot continue to fail people with eating disorders.
"We must see good, joined-up intensive home and community-based treatment for people of all ages, and in all locations across the UK. This does require the NHS to reorganise but it will deliver improved outcomes for patients and considerable cost savings to the NHS.
"It is also clear there were multiple failings across the health service in the lead-up to this tragedy, and the behaviour of each responsible part of the NHS in evading and obfuscating justice is appalling, and piled even more distress on an already distraught family. This requires further investigation and action taken to ensure it cannot be repeated.
"This tragedy demonstrates, once again, the devastation eating disorders can cause."
A spokeswoman for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital said: "We met Averil's family in 2014 to offer our sincere condolences for their sad and devastating loss.
"Since then we have taken into account the learning from this tragic event and our structure and processes have been reviewed."
As well has holding a black belt in karate, Averil Hart had travelled extensively
A spokesman for Cambridge University Hospital said: "The trust would like to repeat the apologies previously made to Averil Hart's family and accepts the findings and recommendations in the ombudsman's report.
"When Averil was transferred to Addenbrooke's in December 2012, she was already very unwell but her death, at that time, may have been avoided had failures in her care not taken place.
"A thorough investigation has been carried out, lessons have been learned from what happened to Averil and a number of changes made."
The Norfolk Community Eating Disorder unit, which was tasked with providing community care to Miss Hart, has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.
The University of East Anglia declined to comment on the report, claiming it had "been informed that legal action is pending subject to the outcome of an inquest".
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-42267778
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Brexit deal: 'fair to the British taxpayer' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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The Prime Minister said the deal has been struck after 'some tough conversations'
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European Union officials say sufficient progress has been made in the Brexit negotiations, meaning they can move on to trade talks with the UK.
Theresa May travelled to Brussels early this morning to present proposals on the so-called divorce bill, citizens rights and the Northern Ireland border.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42276577
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Fake pants seized in Christmas crackdown on counterfeits - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Authorities are using Calvin Kleins and humorous videos to warn consumers over Christmas counterfeits.
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Business
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Border officials have seized £1.5m worth of counterfeit Calvin Klein pants, along with fake Dyson fans, Superdry hoodies and Nike shoes.
The authorities are using the hauls to highlight the risk of buying cut-price, substandard counterfeits at Christmas.
The Intellectual Property Office is also using humour to fight the fakes.
It has created a Youtube series in which a couple sing about their 12 days of rashes, injuries and humiliation due to dodgy Christmas gifts.
The daily updates feature warnings about "copy floppy" boxer shorts, perfume that "smelt like sick" and "risky whisky" containing anti-freeze.
Every year dire warnings are issued over the dangers posed by fake goods, from poisonings to electrical fires.
The Intellectual Property Office hopes that by taking a more light-hearted tone they will reach consumers who have ignored their previous messages.
The couple sing about "copy floppy boxer shorts" and perfume that "smelt like sick"
In the run up to Christmas a surge in counterfeits enters the country, from designer watches to children's toys, as shoppers, keen to save money at a costly time of year, are either hoodwinked or turn a blind eye to the lack of authenticity.
And border officials step up their efforts to block them, employing huge x-ray machines to check that the items inside shipping crates match the accompanying documents.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Millions of pounds of fake goods seized ahead of Christmas
"Counterfeiters will counterfeit anything," said Sean Gigg, Border Force higher officer at Southampton Dock. "It's based on supply and demand."
"It can be anything from cosmetics to jewellery to watches to the latest toys but also undergarments as well."
Among the items seized in recent weeks are:
By highlighting the range of products seized, the authorities hope to alert consumers to the chance that if a price is too good to be true for a sought after item, the product probably isn't genuine.
While designer handbags are perennial favourites, other faked items vary from year to year following fashions, suggesting counterfeiters have an understanding of the market to match the top retail buyers.
Back in 2013 officials seized mock-versions of Beats by Dr Dre headphones and Ugg boots.
In 2015 fake - and dangerous - hoverboards were a big problem. Last year saw a lot of Harry Potter wands, Nike Air Max trainers and Pokemon, Nintendo and Minecraft cuddly toys being stopped.
The IPO said it hoped to grab attention "rather than be seen as shaking a stick" by trying a more light-hearted approach in its video this year, in the hope that it will be shared on social media.
However Ros Lynch, director of copyright and enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, said the underlying issues were ultimately very serious.
"Those involved in counterfeiting are in the business to take advantage of consumers and make huge profits in the process.
"The goods are often of inferior quality, dangerous and the proceeds can be used to fund other serious organised crime.
"Counterfeiters have a total disregard for safety or quality, and even if items look genuine at first, they may end up being a dangerous or inferior copy."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42263742
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Storm Caroline: 'Worst Isle of Man snow since 2013' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Travel difficulties and safety issues as a result of the "worst snow storms since 2013".
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Isle Of Man / Ellan Vannin
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Roads have been closed across the island
The Isle of Man's worst snow storms for four years have caused "major travel disruption" across the island, said the government.
All schools were closed on Friday as was the National Sports Centre and University College Isle of Man.
The government said the decision had been taken as a result of "travel difficulties and safety issues".
Director of Highway Services, Jeff Robinson said "it's the worst weather we've seen since 2013."
He added: "We've had relatively little snow since then so it's a bit of a shock to the system for us all."
In March 2013, thousands of livestock died on the Isle of Man after becoming buried in the heaviest snowfall for 40 years.
Manx farmers lost thousands of sheep and cattle during the snow storm of 2013
Noble's Hospital cancelled all outpatient clinics on Friday and advised people to only attend in an emergency.
Travel problems are continuing with roads closures and flight delays to and from the island.
A flight to Birmingham was cancelled and a "small number" of flights to Belfast, Liverpool and Manchester were delayed.
A spokesman at Ronaldsway Airport said some departures were held up as planes had to be de-iced.
Most flights did manage to land at Ronaldsway on Friday
Road conditions have been described as "very bad" and the Department of Infrastructure urged people to "stay indoors after dark if possible".
The Isle of Man Constabulary said its control room had been inundated with calls about road closures and problems with abandoned cars.
A force spokesman added: "It's Christmas party season at the moment so we are appealing for people to be extra mindful about making travel arrangements, especially over the weekend".
All non-urgent district nurse appointments have been cancelled, as have some GP appointments.
The government has also announced that all of its offices closed at 15:00 GMT.
The Isle of Man Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for ice and snow, which remains in place until 18:00 on Saturday.
Forecasters predict snow or hail showers throughout the day which will "affect all parts of the island".
Snow led to some delays at Isle of Man Airport
Extra help was drafted in to get hospital staff into work
A blanket of snow covered the island including the TT Grandstand
There was deep snow near Peel
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-42277864
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Brexit deal: Theresa May buys breathing space - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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No 10 has reached a critical short-term goal, and moved on from embarrassment to a temporary conclusion.
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UK Politics
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The prime minister made her decisions on Thursday night while the No 10 Downing Street Christmas party carried on.
It isn't celebration on Friday though for her government, but relief.
And her allies note that in those fraught hours she made the decision to go to Brussels even though the DUP had continued to make its objections known, despite the progress it had secured.
That may be a comfort to her internal critics who believe that Theresa May is all too often a prisoner of circumstance rather than a bold decision maker.
And after a rocky few months, Downing Street can breathe out, for once, because it reached a critical short-term goal, moving on from Monday's embarrassment to a temporary conclusion.
Brexit is the biggest political and policy project any British government has undertaken for many, many years.
As the leader of the government pursuing the policy, the prime minister's own record rises and falls with the progress of our departure from the EU.
Simply, while No 10 always maintains that she wants to focus on domestic reforms, Mrs May's fate is intertwined with these negotiations.
The deal was sealed at an early hours breakfast meeting on Friday
The talks stumble, and so does she. The negotiators muddle through, so does her leadership.
And the deal at dawn mutes the criticism of her inside her party, and restores some of the faith perhaps in Brussels.
Had it not been struck, had she not made the decision to get on the plane, there would have been serious rumblings in her party.
It might not have been the end of her leadership.
There are plenty of hopeful leadership contenders, but few who would be guaranteed to put their head above the parapet to try to push her out.
But critical Brexiteers have been conspicuous by their absence.
And Remainers are relieved that she has, as they see it, been firm in the face of some of their and the DUP's demands, and left the route pointing to a softer Brexit.
In truth, so much has not been agreed.
This is a document that to a large extent, resolves to solve problems and contradictions together in the future.
The document contains more ambiguities than pages.
And as with any compromises there are some losses, and some victories.
Over time those fault lines will appear. The two sides of the Tories' internal debates over Europe have not suddenly met in the middle.
The brooding clash has been delayed, again, allowing the prime minister to press on into the next phase.
And above all, the agreements in this document may never come to pass.
Truly, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed".
This is a big, first, political step that allows the real journey to begin.
With this progress, however limited, Theresa May buys breathing space.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42288942
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Millions 'stolen' in NiceHash Bitcoin heist - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Hackers targeted a Slovenian mining exchange in order to steal thousands of Bitcoin.
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Technology
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NiceHash was targeted by hackers in the early hours of Wednesday
"Highly professional" hackers made off with around 4,700 Bitcoin from a leading mining service, a Bitcoin exchange has said.
The value of Bitcoin is currently extremely volatile, but at the time of writing, the amount stolen was worth approximately $80m.
It said it was working hard to recover the Bitcoin for its users, adding: "Someone really wanted to bring us down."
The attack happened early on Wednesday, said NiceHash's chief executive Marko Kobal. Attackers accessed the company's systems at 01:18 CET (00:18 GMT). By 03:37 the hackers, whom the company believes were based outside the European Union, had begun stealing Bitcoin.
The theft comes as the price of Bitcoin continues to surge, dumbfounding experts and stoking concerns of a bubble.
High-stakes attacks like this are not uncommon, with several large breaches and thefts hitting Bitcoin and other related services over the past year.
NiceHash is a mining service, a company that pairs up people with spare computing power with those willing to pay to use it to mine for new Bitcoin.
Mr Kobal appeared on Facebook Live to address concerns about the hack.
"We have not abandoned you guys," he said.
He explained that an employee's computer was compromised in the attack. He added that "forensic analysis" involving local and international authorities was taking place, but did not expand on which specific agencies were involved when asked by the BBC.
The company was heavily criticised by its users who commented in droves on Facebook. Communications were complicated further when a spoof Facebook page for the company was set up and spreading disinformation about the breach.
Security issues involving Bitcoin and other related services are a frequent cause for concern for virtual currency traders.
You can reach Dave securely through encrypted messaging app Signal on: +1 (628) 400-7370
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42275523
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Brexit: Business calls for more clarity over deal - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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Despite news of a "breakthrough" deal, companies want certainty about EU citizens living in the UK.
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Business
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Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker announce progress in Brexit talks in Brussels on Friday
More clarity on the Brexit transition is needed to stop companies proceeding with contingency plans despite the progress announced on Friday, the CBI has warned.
Paul Drechsler, president of the business lobby group, said companies had begun triggering plans months ago.
However, more detail could help suspend further action by firms, he said.
Sterling was trading higher at just under $1.35 and €1.15 after the announcement in Brussels.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the "breakthrough" meant Brexit talks could now move on to the next phase.
The CBI's Mr Drechsler also called for "unconditionality" about the status of EU citizens living in the UK.
"It's an important political milestone, but clarity on transition is the most important thing from a business point of view at this stage," he told the BBC's Today programme.
The Institute of Directors (IoD) echoed the CBI's call for certainty on the rights of EU citizens.
Stephen Martin, IoD director-general, said companies urgently needed certainty about the future of EU staff in the UK.
"We have grounds to hope now that our members will be able to send their employees off for the Christmas break feeling more comfortable about their status here," he said.
"We look forward to further clarity about what the UK's objectives are for that new relationship, as well as a firm commitment on transition in the very near future."
The reaction from big business organisations has been - broadly - "phew, about time". But it's not job done on Brexit - far from it.
What companies say they need is certainty about future trading and customs arrangements with the EU, Britain's biggest trading partner. We are nowhere near such clarity.
The immediate priority for businesses is a temporary transitional deal that kicks in as the UK leaves the EU. Only that will stop companies continuing to implement any Brexit contingency plans to relocate staff or offices, leaders warn.
Some businesses say a long-term trade deal is not needed as global rules will suit the UK just fine. The government disagrees.
However, ministers have not yet spelled out in detail what they hope the future trading relationship will look like. It will have to do that soon.
Trade talks typically take years to complete. Those talks look set to be tougher than those on the divorce which - remember - have taken longer than both sides hoped.
It took seven years for the EU and Canada to negotiate a deal, the EU's most ambitious yet. The UK hopes for an even more comprehensive arrangement than that. But there isn't seven years to spare. There are just 476 days until Brexit Day.
Adam Marshall, the director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said "clarity and security" for European employees had been the biggest priority for UK companies since the referendum vote.
"We are delighted that they, as well as UK citizens living and working in the EU, now have more clarity and can plan their future with greater confidence," he said.
As attention turns to trade negotiations, the BCC said companies wanted "absolute clarity" on the long-term deal being sought.
"Businesses want answers on what leaving the EU will mean for regulation, customs, hiring, standards, tariffs and taxes."
The EEF, which represents manufacturers, said the agreement was one step forward in a complex and long process.
EEF chief executive Stephen Phipson said: "We need to pin down the transition arrangements, which will be in place after March 2019, to ensure it's business as usual for companies for as long as it takes until a final deal is reached.
"Until we get to that point, many businesses will need to prepare for any and every eventuality."
The ADS Group, the trade organisation that represents the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, called Friday's announcement "an important step".
"Continued uncertainty over arrangements for a transition period benefits no-one and it is vital that both parties make formal commitments as soon as possible to a transition lasting at least two years, allowing businesses to continue to invest in our economy with confidence," said ADS chief executive Paul Everitt.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42277295
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UK City of Culture 2021: Coventry wins - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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It will hope to get a major boost from hosting the year-long celebration of arts and performance.
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Entertainment & Arts
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The winning city was announced in the current UK City of Culture, Hull
Coventry has been chosen to be the UK's City of Culture for 2021.
The bid team said their plans were "about changing the reputation of a city" as well as hosting a year of cultural celebration.
The title is awarded every four years and Coventry will hope to emulate the success of Hull, which is UK City of Culture this year.
The other places in the running for the title were Swansea, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland.
Coventry is the birthplace of Philip Larkin, one of England's finest poets, electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire and best-selling author Lee Child. It's also the home of the Two Tone ska movement through bands like The Specials and The Selecter.
Venues will include Warwick Arts Centre, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and the Belgrade Theatre, which launched the Theatre In Education movement in 1965. It's also the home of the UK's first Shop Front Theatre and boasts the UK's largest free family music festival with the Coventry Godiva Festival.
Coventry's bid team said the city had "constantly reinvented itself to survive".
It has suffered from the decline of its status as the heart of the British motor industry, and it was devastated by bombing during the World War Two.
It will hope to learn from Hull, whose status as UK City of Culture has boosted the local economy by an estimated £60m.
Hull has also seen more than £1bn of investment since being chosen to hold the 2017 title four years ago, and the year's artistic programme has been a hit with both residents and critics.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. UK City of Culture: Five things about Coventry
Laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said the economic impact would "be huge for the city and the West Midlands".
"This is a win for Coventry, a win for young people and a win for diversity," she said.
"It's been a bid by and for the people of Coventry. It has brought so many people and organisations together and this is just the start."
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Arts minister John Glen said it was "an incredible opportunity for Coventry to boost investment in the local economy, grow tourism and put arts and culture centre stage".
He said: "In 2017 I have seen the truly transformative effect this prestigious title has had on Hull.
"The city has embraced City of Culture and in doing so has demonstrated how culture, the arts and heritage can bring communities together. I look forward to seeing what Coventry has in store in 2021."
He also congratulated the unsuccessful towns and cities for their "excellent" bids.
Coventry will be the third UK City of Culture - after Hull and Londonderry, which held the title in 2013.
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As part of the prize, Coventry will have access to a £3m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The UK City of Culture scheme is separate from the European Capital of Culture. The UK was due to have a turn choosing a city to hold that title in 2023, with Leeds, Dundee, Milton Keynes, Belfast/Derry and Nottingham all bidding.
But the European Commission recently confirmed that the UK will lose the right to have a host city after it leaves the EU in 2019.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42272675
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Why Jerusalem matters - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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The city's importance explained, as the controversial US embassy move to the city goes ahead.
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The controversial US embassy move to Jerusalem is going ahead amid celebration and protest. The BBC's Yolande Knell explains why the city is so important.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42247428
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Mohammed Abdallah jailed for joining Islamic State - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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Mohammed Abdallah received help to travel to Syria from his brother Abdalraouf, who set up a Manchester "hub".
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Manchester
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Mohammed Abdallah was convicted following a trial at the Old Bailey
A British man who travelled to Syria to join so-called Islamic State has been jailed for 10 years.
Mohammed Abdallah was helped by his brother Abdalraouf, who set up a "hub" of communication for would-be fighters from his home in Manchester.
Abdallah, of Westerling Way, Moss Side, Manchester, was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey.
He was found guilty of membership of IS, possessing an AK47 gun and receiving £2,000 for terrorism.
The judge said Abdallah had "bragged" about acquiring weapons in messages and was "totally committed" to signing up to IS.
Having seen first-hand people being maimed and killed in Libya, he was undeterred from travelling abroad again to "kill or be killed" in Syria, she said.
"There is no evidence of possession of extremist propaganda material. The evidence of your mindset is to be found in your actions.
"Your commitment to violence abroad is clear and you have not shown any sign of changing your views or attitudes," she said.
The judge added: "I do accept to some extent you acted under the influence of your brother."
The court heard Abdallah had an IQ of 68 and had a previous conviction in 2013 for assaulting a police officer while drunk or high.
Abdallah's IS registration document was translated into English and analysed by detectives
The trial heard the 26-year-old intended to meet three fellow jihadis in Syria.
He was outed as an IS fighter last year when his IS registration document listing him as a "specialist sniper" was leaked to Sky News by a defector.
In mitigation, Rajiv Menon QC said there was no evidence Abdallah was "on a mission" in the two years between leaving Syria after four weeks and the time his involvement with IS emerged.
Mrs Justice McGowan jailed Abdallah for 10 years with five years on extended licence.
The trial was told the Abdallah brothers, who had dual Libyan nationality, joined the "Tripoli Brigade" in 2011 and during a bloody battle against the Gaddafi regime, Abdalraouf was shot and paralysed from the waist down.
Abdalraouf Abdallah has been in a wheelchair since he was injured in Libya at the age of 18
In the summer of 2014, Abdallah headed to Syria via Libya with fellow Libyan Nezar Khalifa, 27, planning to join IS with former RAF serviceman Stephen Gray, 34, and Raymond Matimba, 28, who were also from Manchester.
Gray was turned away in Turkey, but Matimba eventually caught up with the others and appeared in footage with IS killer Jihadi John.
In 2016, Sky News received files from an IS defector which listed Abdallah as a specialist sniper with expertise with the "Dushka", a Russian heavy machine gun, and fighting experience in Libya.
It cited Manchester recruiter Raphael Hostey, also known as Abu Al-qaqa Al Britani, as a reference in Raqqa as well as a "family friend", the Libyan narrator of an IS video called Demolishing Borders.
During the trial Abdallah denied swearing allegiance, saying he only went to Syria to help deliver $5,000 to the poor and someone else must have filled out the form without his knowledge.
He said: "It's true I refused to swear allegiance. They did send me to prison.
"I was threatened with being beheaded.
"I was shot at. I was hit. I had bruises and a black eye."
Abdallah's trial was delayed in the wake of the attack on the Manchester Arena over reported links with bomber SalmanAbedi, who attended the same mosque as the defendant and Hostey.
He too had Libyan parents, lived in Manchester, and had travelled to Libya before returning to the city to plan the May 22 attack on an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.
In 2016, Abdalraouf Abdallah was found guilty of assisting others in committing acts of terrorism, and terror funding and jailed for five-and-a-half years.
Gray, of Whitnall Street in Manchester, admitted three terrorism offences, including his attempts to travel to Syria, and was jailed for five years.
Hostey left the UK in 2013 and is believed to have been killed in a drone strike in 2016.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42267455
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Brexit deal: Theresa May's agreement with Brussels - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Reality Check examines some of the key lines in the agreement document.
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UK Politics
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The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement that should allow them to move Brexit talks on to the next stage.
Here are some of the key lines in the agreement document.
So here's the first linguistic somersault. This agreement is designed to lock in the progress made so far, and allow technical experts to continue to work on it during the second phase of talks.
But EU negotiations always work on the principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and that raises the prospect that if the second phase runs into trouble, then what has been agreed so far could, in theory, unravel.
That is certainly not the intention on either side, but it underscores that the negotiating process still has a very long way to run - and the hardest part is still to come.
The separation agreement on citizens' rights will not fall under the direct jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (officially called the CJEU but commonly referred to as the ECJ) which was the initial demand from the European Union.
But the ECJ will continue to play a role, because this agreement says UK courts will have to pay "due regard" to its decisions on an indefinite basis.
And for eight years after Brexit, there will be a mechanism for UK courts to refer questions of interpretation directly to the ECJ.
It is a compromise, but the sort of compromise that some supporters of Brexit will find hard to stomach.
This detail on citizens' rights is important.
The agreement will apply to anyone taking up residence before the UK leaves the EU, so people could still take the decision to move next year, or even in early 2019, and they would be fully protected by it. That option will remain open for new arrivals until the day the UK leaves - currently presumed to be 29 March 2019.
In fact the European Commission argues that the "specified date" should be considerably later. In an official communication to the European Council it argues that during a transition all EU citizens should have all their rights upheld. In other words, it says, the "specified date" should not be the actual date of withdrawal, but the final day of a transition period (potentially two years later or even longer).
There are also a lot of technical details hidden in the weeds of the agreement that remain to be negotiated, and that's why some groups representing citizens who are caught up in this dilemma are far from happy.
The reaction of the European Parliament, which has taken a tough line on citizens' rights, will be important because it has to ratify the final agreement.
This is the key phrase in the long section setting out how the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will operate after the UK leaves the EU.
The preference on both sides is for an ambitious free trade agreement, which will address many of the concerns that have been raised (although questions of customs duties would still have to be addressed).
As a backstop though, the UK has guaranteed that it will maintain "full alignment" with the EU's single market and customs rules that govern cross-border trade.
It is a form of words that everyone can (just about) live with for now, but there is plenty of tough negotiating ahead.
It's not entirely clear how full alignment could be maintained without Northern Ireland staying in the single market and the customs union, especially as there is no such thing as partial membership. It is another sign that the competing demands that have been discussed this week have been sidestepped, but not fully resolved.
This sentence about the financial settlement is a bureaucratic masterpiece, and suggests that plenty of detail still needs to be sorted out behind the scenes.
For months, the money appeared to be the most intractable issue in the withdrawal negotiations, but money is easier to finesse than borders or courts.
A method for calculating the bill has been agreed, but the calculation of an exact UK share will depend on exchange rates, on interest rates, on the number of financial commitments that never turn into payments, and more.
The question of how and when payments will be made still needs to resolved, but it will be a schedule lasting for many years to come, and it is highly unlikely that anyone will ever be able to give an exact figure for the size of the divorce bill.
UK sources say it will be up to £40bn, but some EU sources expect it to be higher than that. No-one can say for sure, and both sides want to keep it that way.
Update 11 December 2017: This piece was amended to take account of the European Commission's view on the specified date for EU citizens' rights.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42280487
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Senator Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct claims - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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The Democrat admits no wrongdoing, calls himself a "champion of women" and attacks President Trump.
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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. Franken attacked Donald Trump and Roy Moore in his resignation speech
Democratic Senator and ex-comedian Al Franken has said he plans to quit "in the coming weeks" after string of sexual harassment allegations.
"I am proud that during my time in the Senate that I have used my power to be a champion of women," the Minnesota senator said from the US Senate floor.
His speech came a day after nearly 30 Democrats called on him to resign.
He would be the most prominent lawmaker to resign amid a wave of misconduct claims against high-profile figures.
Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives Ethics Committee launched sexual harassment investigations into two Republican congressmen.
Trent Franks of Arizona announced he was resigning as the inquiry was announced.
Mr Franken arrived at the Capitol holding hands with his wife
He acknowledged having made two female congressional aides "uncomfortable" by asking them about surrogacy when he and his wife faced infertility.
The committee also said it would investigate Blake Farenthold, who used $84,000 (£62,000) of taxpayers' money to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit with his former spokeswoman.
Over in the Senate, Mr Franken told his colleagues on Thursday: "Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.
"I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice."
The former Saturday Night Live comic and two-term senator has apologised to several women who have accused him of groping and sexual harassment, but he faced mounting pressure to step aside after a new allegation surfaced on Wednesday.
Mr Franken said some of the claims against him "are simply are not true", but added that women "deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously".
He also referenced the sexual misconduct allegations that have been levelled against President Donald Trump and Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
"I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party."
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Mr Franken is not the only US politician to have found himself engulfed by sexual harassment in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Michigan Democrat John Conyers announced he would resign amid claims of sexual harassment made by his congressional aides.
Seven women have come forward to accuse Mr Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge, of sexual misconduct decades ago.
Several Democratic female senators - including some who called for Mr Franken's resignation a day earlier - hugged the lawmaker after his speech.
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Fellow Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar thanked Mr Franken on Facebook, calling him a "friend to me and many in our state".
"Nothing is easy or pleasant about this," she wrote, "but we all must recognise that our workplace cultures - and the way we treat each other as human beings - must change."
The decision to fill the vacancy left by Mr Franken will fall to Democratic Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, who said in a statement he has not determined who will replace him.
"I extend my deepest regrets to the women who have had to endure their unwanted experiences with Senator Franken," he said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42271979
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Irish border: New draft Brexit plan could break deadlock - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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There are "serious ideas" on the table, a source says, as talks over the Irish border go into the night.
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UK Politics
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Disagreements remain over how the Irish border should be treated after Brexit
Brexit negotiations are continuing into the night in a fresh push to reach agreement over the Irish border.
The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg has been told there are "serious ideas" on the table that the different parties are broadly content with.
Additional wording has been added to reassure the DUP, whose opposition on Monday led to talks breaking down.
UK PM Theresa May could travel to Brussels early on Friday if a deal is reached.
European Council President Donald Tusk is due to make a statement at 0650 GMT, prompting speculation that a deal is close.
European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted: "We are making progress, but not yet fully there," adding: "Tonight more than ever, stay tuned."
But a Democratic Unionist Party source urged caution, saying the team were "still working".
All sides want progress on the issue ahead of a crucial summit next week, so talks can move on to the future relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit.
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What happens to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been among the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations.
On Monday, the DUP - whose support the UK prime minister needs to win key votes in Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU.
They included aligning regulations in Northern Ireland with those in the Republic so as to avoid border checks.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. "However many times you phrase it, we're not going to be making any comment"
The DUP insists it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland was treated differently from the rest of the UK.
The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, which is an EU member, wants a guarantee that there will be no hard border between it and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
The UK, which is due to leave the EU in March 2019, wants to open talks on a new free trade deal as soon as possible.
The EU will only agree to discuss this when it judges that enough progress has been made on the "separation issues" - the "divorce bill", expat citizens' rights and the Northern Ireland border - that have been the subject of negotiations so far.
So the UK is trying to settle the Northern Ireland border issue before EU leaders meet next week.
• None Johnson to EU: 'Go whistle' over exit bill
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42273941
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Uber's licence suspended in Sheffield - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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The taxi app firm failed to respond to official requests about its management, the city council says.
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Business
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Uber has had its licence suspended in Sheffield after it failed to respond to official requests about its management, the city council has said.
The firm, also fighting a ban in London, can still operate in Sheffield until 18 December and can appeal against the decision, the council said.
If it decides not to appeal, the suspension will come into force.
Uber said that an "administrative error" by the council was to blame and hoped to resolve the issue soon.
Uber is still fighting its ban in London after it lost its licence there in September.
Transport for London, which has criticised the firm's record over reporting criminal offences and carrying out driver background checks, decided not to renew Uber's London licence after it deemed the firm "unfit" to run a taxi service.
A Sheffield City spokesperson said: "Uber's licence was suspended last Friday (29 November) after the current licence holder failed to respond to requests, made by our licensing team, about the management of Uber.
"We received a new application, for a licence to operate taxis in Sheffield, from Uber Britannia Limited, on 18 October 2017 which we are currently processing."
The council said an operator's licence could not be transferred and that the new application would be dealt with by the council's licensing department.
An Uber spokesperson said: "We informed Sheffield City Council on 5 October that we would need to change the name on our licence as the named individual would soon be leaving the company.
"The council told us they couldn't change the name on the licence, as most other councils have done, and that we would instead have to apply for a new one."
Uber said it had submitted an application for a new licence which was still being processed.
"While we are in regular contact with the council, we did not receive the correspondence the council refers to as they sent the letters to an incorrect address," the spokesperson said.
"We hope this administrative error can be quickly resolved so we can continue serving tens of thousands of riders and drivers in Sheffield."
Uber added that if the new application could not be approved by 18 December, the firm would of course appeal against its suspension.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42270020
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Coveney stands firm on Irish Brexit position - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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Talks to end an impasse continue, with the European Council chief set to address the issue on Friday.
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Northern Ireland
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European Council president Donald Tusk is to make an announcement about Brexit at 06:50 GMT on Friday
The core Brexit issues on which Ireland reached agreement earlier this week are not changing, the country's foreign minister has told the Irish parliament.
Dublin would look at new proposals but its core position needed to remain intact, said Mr Coveney.
Negotiations between the UK government, the European Commission and the Irish government continued on Thursday.
European Council president Donald Tusk is now due to make an announcement about Brexit at 06:50 GMT on Friday.
On Monday, the UK and EU failed to strike a deal in Brexit talks when the DUP objected to the wording of a text on the future operation of the border.
It is unlikely the current phase of negotiations will be wrapped by the end of Thursday, says the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg.
There is no sense of any real momentum in the talks, despite the hard work of all sides, she told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.
The real difficulty for UK PM Theresa May is that disagreement on a post-Brexit Irish border has sparked division within the Conservative Party on the differing versions of Brexit that could be tolerated by different parties, she added.
The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds MP left talks with representatives on the Conservative Party in Whitehall earlier on Thursday evening without comment.
Dublin's core issues are protecting the Good Friday Agreement, maintaining the integrity of the European single market and the all-island economy.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Would you notice if you crossed the Irish border? (Video from 2017)
Mr Coveney told the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Thursday morning that sensitive negotiations were ongoing and he would not make any statement that might create difficulties.
But he was insistent the Republic would not support anything that might lead to a hard border on the island of Ireland.
"The Irish government's position hasn't changed," he said.
The Irish government has demanded a written agreement from the UK that there will be no return to a hard border - one involving checkpoints or barriers - after Brexit.
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Earlier, the Irish prime minister said the UK government planned to suggest a new wording for a Brexit deal on the Irish border within the next 24 hours.
Leo Varadkar said he had spoken by phone to UK PM Theresa May on Wednesday, adding that he wanted to move things forward and had indicated his willingness "to consider any proposals that the UK side have".
"Ultimately, it is up to them to come back to us, given the events that happened on Monday," he said.
On Monday, Mr Varadkar said he was "surprised and disappointed" a deal had not been reached, after the UK had agreed a text that met Irish concerns.
"I want us to move to phase two - if that is possible - next week, but the absolute red line that has been there for some time remains," he said.
"My responsibility as taoiseach (Irish PM) is to protect our fundamental national interest and that is the rights of Irish citizens in Ireland and Britain, and also the avoidance of a return to a border between Northern Ireland and Ireland."
The EU has agreed that Brexit talks cannot proceed to phase two - dealing with trade - until the Republic of Ireland is satisfied with a UK guarantee on the border issue.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland is treated differently from the rest of the UK.
Mrs May's Conservative Party currently relies on the support of the DUP's 10 MPs to keep its minority government in power at Westminster.
Earlier, veteran Conservative MP Ken Clark said the government had made a "pig's ear" of the border negotiations.
"They agreed this regulatory compliance on both sides, which is what a free trade deal requires, but unfortunately they didn't make it clear that's the whole of the United Kingdom," he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had a 15-minute phone call with Theresa May on Wednesday
"I quite understand that in Ulster people don't want a different arrangement from the whole of the United Kingdom and to have new protectionist barriers on the Irish Sea."
He added: "They should have kept the DUP completely in the loop and discussed it with them and explained it with them as it went along.
"It's no good just reaching agreement with the taoiseach and then present it to the DUP who appear to have got the idea that somehow this was a special arrangement for Ulster."
The chair of Westminster's Brexit committee, Labour MP Hilary Benn, said it was right to describe Monday's deal collapse of as "a shambles".
He was speaking on a visit to the Irish border as part of a one-day fact-finding mission.
A group of 14 cross party MPs are meeting local business leaders in County Armagh as well as representatives from the police, customs, and staff from the North-South Ministerial Council.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's leader north of the border, Michelle O'Neill, said there could not be any "rollback" by the Irish government on its position, urging Dublin to be "very alert".
Mrs O'Neill added that the DUP did not represent the "majority view" in Northern Ireland.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42258681
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Call for lung health screening in top football clubs - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Three in 10 elite footballers may be affected by exercise-induced asthma, a study has found.
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Health
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Asthma symptoms can be brought on by exercise in elite athletes
Professional footballers should be screened for exercise-induced asthma, researchers say, after a study found three in 10 could be affected.
University of Kent scientists used lung tests to identify players with symptoms and improved their fitness after treatment.
Elite athletes are known to be prone to asthma-related problems because of their high-intensity breathing.
Experts said screening made sense and could prevent later problems.
In the study, presented at a meeting of the British Thoracic Society, 97 footballers in England from two Premier League clubs, one Championship club and a League One club had their lung health tested during pre-season.
Twenty-seven players tested positive for airway or breathing problems, also known as exercise-induced asthma.
Ten of those had no previous history of asthma or airway problems.
When they were treated with appropriate medication, their symptoms - such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and coughing after playing - reduced, and their lung function improved over time.
The researchers also found that their aerobic fitness and performance on the pitch improved.
Airway problems can be treated using lung health screening, experts say
Dr John Dickinson, from the school of sport and exercise science at the University of Kent, said although top football clubs were good at screening players for heart problems, they were not carrying out tests which could identify respiratory problems - which were much more common.
"Clubs can't rely on players reporting symptoms because they are not always that obvious and sometimes they are written off as poor fitness," he said.
The researchers used medical tests to assess the footballers' breathing, airway function and how efficiently they could empty their lungs.
They were then able to detect asthma-related symptoms accurately and tailor treatment for those affected.
Improving the health of footballers' airways also has other benefits, Dr Dickinson said.
"They are less likely to pick up coughs and colds."
High rates of exercise-induced asthma have been found in other sports among elite athletes.
Experts believe it may be connected to athletes exercising regularly at high intensity which means their breathing rates are also high
When the air is cold and dry, and if there is exposure to air pollution or other allergens like pollen, this could worsen symptoms - but more research is needed to confirm this.
Dr Lisa Davies, consultant respiratory physician and chairwoman of the British Thoracic Society's board of trustees, said lungs were pivotal to exercise and life in general.
"In key sports, where the lungs are worked hard and are prone to repeat exposure to different and challenging internal and external conditions - it really makes sense to have lung health screening, so if there are any airway problems they can be treated."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42264758
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Brexit border talks entering critical 24 hours - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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EU and UK sources suddenly sound more cheerful - but the DUP are not yet fully on board.
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UK Politics
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Not yet. But, but, but, after two days where it has felt that there has been very little movement indeed, tonight, the atmosphere has changed.
Well-placed sources on the EU and UK sides sound suddenly cheerful.
New language to add to the agreement that failed to persuade the DUP at the start of the week has been discussed approvingly in London, Brussels and Dublin.
And on Thursday evening, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's spokesman posted this:
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But the DUP, who blocked the deal on Monday, humiliating Theresa May, are not yet fully on board.
Until their support can be guaranteed, don't expect Theresa May to get on the plane.
They are no strangers to taking their time, and making the most of their maximum moments of leverage.
It is possible that Theresa May could, by Friday evening, have been to Brussels and back, and have an agreement approved that would allow the Brexit talks to move on to the next phase.
It's also possible that this latest plan will fall foul of her Belfast allies and indeed, some figures in her own party.
A senior source told me on Thursday: "If she can't solve it in the next couple of days, how could she solve it in the next month?."
The next 24 hours are critical not just to the talks, but to Theresa May's future.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42274667
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Transplant baby Charlie Douthwaite 'rejecting heart' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Charlie Douthwaite was the youngest patient on the UK transplant waiting list.
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Tyne & Wear
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Charlie Douthwaite had his transplant at the Freeman Hospital
A nine-week-old baby who received a new heart may be rejecting the organ.
A Europe-wide appeal to help Charlie Douthwaite - who was born with heart defect - was launched last month and he underwent a transplant last week.
But his father Steven Douthwaite has posted on Facebook that Charlie has had a "rough few days" and may be rejecting the new heart.
Charlie, who has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, was the youngest patient on the UK transplant waiting list.
After his nine-hour operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, Charlie's mother, Tracie Wright, said the donor family had given him "a second chance at life".
Mr Douthwaite said on Facebook Charlie's blood pressure had dropped and medics suspected he had sepsis.
He also said his son had had to undergo open heart surgery again.
The post said: "Charlie has had a rough few days - we were told this could be the first stage of his body rejecting the heart, we also found out that they believe Charlie has caught sepsis so they have started him on antibiotics.
"Terrible feeling being told that his body might of been rejecting the heart, not nice living every second of your life on edge."
Charlie had to have open heart surgery when he was three days old, after being born weighing 6lb 5oz at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
A spokesman for the hospital said on Friday Charlie was "stable".
By the age of five weeks, Charlie had undergone 11 operations.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-42279055
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M5 closure: Drivers stuck for hours in freezing temperatures - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The road was shut in both directions for more than four hours amid concerns for a man on a bridge.
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Devon
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Some motorists said they were stuck on the closed motorway for more than four hours
Drivers were left stuck in vehicles for several hours in freezing temperatures as the M5 was shut in both directions.
It followed "concerns for the welfare of a man" on a bridge at junction 28, near Cullompton, at about 16:00 GMT, police said.
Just after 20:40, Devon and Cornwall Police said the man had been moved from the bridge and the road was reopening.
Richard Jones, said his wife and eight-week old baby were among those stuck in traffic in a "very cold Skoda".
The closure caused traffic jams stretching back for seven miles (11km) from the bridge, in mid-Devon.
Highways England confirmed the motorway was "fully open" at 21:43 after work to move broken down vehicles.
Many people were stranded in their cars for hours and some posted on social media to say they risked running out of fuel on the motorway.
Forecasters had predicted temperatures in the area would be going down to -1C during the night.
Police said the road was reopening just after 20:40 GMT
Sara Morgan-Broom, who was one of those stuck in the queues, said she had not moved on the motorway between 16:20 and 20:12.
Devon and Cornwall Police said there were a number of breakdowns in the area and warned surrounding roads remained busy.
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They also tweeted that the man who had been on the bridge was now receiving support from mental health professionals.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-42288965
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Northern: Bailiffs pursued rail firm over passenger compensation - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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A passenger won a legal case against Northern, but was left waiting for about £300.
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Leeds & West Yorkshire
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Phil Davies complained about how Northern dealt with passengers on his journey and later took them to court after they failed to reply
A train passenger's lengthy fight for compensation from a rail company got to the stage where bailiffs were "pursuing them at their registered office".
Phil Davies was on a Leeds to Barnsley service which "abandoned" him and 40 other passengers in Wakefield due to a signal failure.
He claimed for compensation and won a legal case, but said he was left waiting for about £300 from Northern.
Northern apologised and said the "matter had been resolved".
On an evening train on 10 June, Mr Davies was travelling to his home in Barnsley when the line suffered signal problems.
The passenger said they were left on the platform of Wakefield Westgate with no access to toilets, with a promise of a Northern representative arranging their onward journey not kept.
British Transport Police eventually advised passengers to walk into Wakefield and find a taxi.
Mr Davies said he complained, but was still waiting for a response after four weeks so began a small claims court case against the company.
In October, a court ruled in favour of his claim for £283 plus £25 court fees, as Northern did not attend the hearing.
After two weeks, Mr Davies said the bailiffs "automatically stepped in" as no payment had been made.
"It's frustrating when a big corporation just snubs a consumer - we're small and insignificant." Mr Davies said.
"Too often, the public are fobbed off by big corporations and they simply can't be bothered. It's about challenging poor standards so they're improved."
Northern said it was reviewing its procedures after the legal wrangle
A spokesman for Northern said: "We apologise for any distress and frustration experienced by our customer following the incident and his subsequent contact with Northern.
"We fully accept the judgement of the court and have made contact to ensure the matter is settled. We have also made a significant offer of compensation to our customer - which is over and above the figure set out by the court."
He added: "We are now undertaking a review of our processes to help ensure such situations do not happen again."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42283561
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Adams family gang member pays back £730,000 - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Terry Adams had previously claimed paying back the money would breach his human rights.
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London
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Terry Adams had argued it would breach his human rights to pay
A former member of one of Britain's most notorious crime gangs has paid nearly £730,000 to settle a legal battle over his criminal assets.
Terry Adams, who was associated with the north London "Adams family", had claimed he was too poor to pay.
He agreed to make the payment after being warned he would go back to prison if he did not, the BBC understands.
Adams had argued it would breach his human rights to pay, after he was jailed for money laundering in 2007.
Nick Price of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The CPS is determined to ensure that crime doesn't pay and that criminals including Adams cannot avoid paying back what they owe.
"Our prosecutors and caseworkers have worked tirelessly to secure assets from Adams, who sought to benefit from his crimes and went to extraordinary lengths to avoid paying."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42282388
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California wildfires: Nearly 200,000 flee as new blaze spreads - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Some 200,000 residents have been evacuated and a state of emergency declared for a new blaze in San Diego
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US & Canada
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Nearly 200,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes in California as firefighters battle several raging wildfires.
Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Diego on Thursday after a new blaze spread from 10 acres to 4,100 acres in just a few hours.
Three firefighters have been injured and about 500 buildings destroyed.
One death has been reported - a woman's body was found in a burned-out area in Ventura County.
But an official told the Ventura Country Star newspaper that the death, in the town of Ojai, may have been the result of a car crash not related to the fire.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump issued a state of emergency in California, which will free up funding to "help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict on the local population".
About 5,700 firefighters have been battling the brushfires, officials have said, with firefighters drafted in from neighbouring states to help.
The Thomas fire in Ventura County remains the largest, burning 180 square miles so far
The Thomas fire in Ventura County to the north of Los Angeles remains the largest of the blazes and has spread as far as the Pacific coast.
It has consumed 180 square miles (466 sq km) since it broke out on Monday, and destroyed more than 430 buildings, fire officials said.
A BBC correspondent in Ojai says the blaze is burning in the hills all around and more than 100 fire engines have been seen driving through the town centre.
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A Reuters news agency photographer in San Diego county, site of the Lilac fire, described seeing propane tanks under houses explode like bombs.
Some 450 elite racehorses in the area were let loose from their stables to escape to safety, the Associated Press news agency reports. Officials say at least 25 thoroughbreds died in the blaze.
By Thursday afternoon local time, California's fire service said the blaze had forced the evacuation of 189,000 residents.
Firefighters rescued both a work of art and the family Christmas tree from this Bel Air home
Most homes in Bel Air cost millions of dollars
California is entering its fifth day battling dangerous wildfires driven by extreme weather: low humidity, high winds and parched ground.
Authorities have issued a purple alert - the highest level warning - amid what it called "extremely critical fire weather".
The powerful desert-heated Santa Ana winds have been fanning the flames.
Both the The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Getty Center museum announced that they would reopen on Friday.
Firefighters battling the Skirball fire had slept at the Getty overnight on Thursday.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Drivers filmed the flames from their cars near Bel Air
One in four schools in Los Angeles were also closed.
In the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Bel Air, firefighters were seen removing artwork from luxury homes on Wednesday as the Skirball Fire raged.
The neighbourhood is home to celebrities and business leaders from Beyonce to Elon Musk.
Singer Lionel Richie cancelled a Las Vegas performance for Wednesday evening, saying he was "helping family evacuate to a safer place".
An estate and vineyard owned by Rupert Murdoch also suffered some damage.
The media mogul said in a statement: "We believe the winery and house are still intact."
The Los Angeles Times said Mr Murdoch paid nearly $30m (£22m) for the property four years ago.
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Another blaze north of Los Angeles, the Creek fire, was 20% contained and covered some 15,323 acres.
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42263237
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Brexit: Issue that nearly scuppered border talks - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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BBC Ireland Correspondent Chris Buckler analyses the government's handling of the Irish border.
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Northern Ireland
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The wording of the UK's Brexit deal with the EU has finally been agreed - but negotiations were nearly scuppered this week over the tinder-box issue of the Irish border.
When Theresa May appointed ministers to her specially formed Brexit Cabinet Committee it was an early sign that she had failed to realise the significance and importance of the Irish border.
I interviewed James Brokenshire shortly afterwards and he was left having to awkwardly defend his exclusion in favour of, among others, the International Development Secretary and the Conservative Party Chairman.
The truth is, during those early stages, the Prime Minister was perhaps more concerned with keeping her own party together rather than addressing the practical problems of Brexit.
The cabinet committee was a carefully balanced selection of leavers and remainers.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire was not appointed to the Brexit Cabinet committee
Besides, she seemed to reason, if you included the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how could you exclude his equivalents representing Scotland and Wales?
However, it did not go unnoticed in Dublin.
From the start there has been frustration there at what they see as internal party politicking at the expense of dealing with one of the really big issues of Brexit - the border.
In the Irish government's view, since the Brexit vote, Brussels has seemed more concerned than Westminster about the implications for Northern Ireland.
The Irish government has made it clear they do not want to see a hard border in place after Brexit
There is some sense in the UK's position.
The sticking point has never been about the free movement of people but instead the transport of goods.
The final trading deal could ultimately decide whether there is a need for customs posts on the island of Ireland.
However the Irish government is not prepared to wait until 2019.
There are currently no check points along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
And given that they could veto negotiations moving on to that vital issue of trade the UK has had to listen.
It was with that in mind a form of words was worked out in Downing Street to satisfy the Irish.
What seems bizarre is that they did not keep the DUP fully informed.
Amid all the hoopla and what was to be the early celebration of an apparent deal on Monday, unionists were left less-than-quietly fuming.
The DUP entered into a confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives after the general election in June
For weeks, they had been issuing pretty explicit warnings that Northern Ireland should not be treated any differently to England, Scotland or Wales.
The bluntest came from Sammy Wilson, the always straight-talking DUP MP for East Antrim.
He said anything else could ruin their relationship with the Conservative government, who rely on the Democratic Unionists' support at Westminster.
Sammy Wilson said Northern Ireland must not be treated differently or be left 'half in' the EU
"If there is any hint that in order to placate Dublin and the EU, they're prepared to have Northern Ireland treated differently than the rest of the UK, then they can't rely on our vote," Mr Wilson announced last Thursday.
Remember that was just days before the UK put forward the controversial text that derailed the whole deal.
Not showing the DUP those words before Theresa May travelled to Brussels seems truly remarkable, particularly as they seemed to promise that Northern Ireland would indeed be treated differently.
They won't accept Dublin having any say in day-to-day affairs north of the Border and have even accused the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of pushing a united-Ireland agenda in these tortured negotiations.
When security check points were in place it could add an extra hour to a round trip between Belfast and Dublin
The DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds recently set out the constitutional difficulties for the party in having Northern Ireland tied to the EU's regulations.
"Northern Ireland would have to have somebody else other than the United Kingdom speak for it and vote for it in the European Councils," he told me at the DUP's party conference.
"Who would that be? It would be Dublin. It would be completely unacceptable."
There have been many conspiracy theories touted, particularly in Belfast where the DUP's position is most clearly understood.
Some commentators have written pieces saying it is just not feasible that Downing Street could have got it so wrong and there must be a negotiating ploy in play here.
The reality appears to be a lot more simple.
Donald Tusk said the UK's offer on Brexit must be acceptable to the Republic of Ireland before negotiations can move on
Faced with time running out and Donald Tusk reinforcing that the Irish government had the right to veto talks from moving on to phase two, negotiators came up with the best phrasing they could find.
But there is a simple problem with that - what the DUP, London and Dublin want are mutually exclusive.
The Irish government is demanding no trading differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The DUP insists there can be no trading differences between Northern Ireland and Britain.
And the British negotiating team don't want the whole UK to be tied to the EU's trading rules.
Nigel Dodds is the deputy leader of the DUP
Early on some seemed to think that the question of the Irish border could be easily answered because no one wanted a 'hard border'.
The practical challenges meant that was never the case and a failure to grasp that at an early stage has left Theresa May in the middle of two Brexit negotiations - one with the EU and the other with the DUP.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42272292
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Wormwood Scrubs prison sees 'surge in violence' - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Inspectors find areas of the west London jail are strewn with litter, which is attracting rats.
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London
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Wormwood Scrubs is one of the UK's most iconic prisons
Chronic staff shortages, food running out and a surge in violence were among the findings of a critical prison report into Wormwood Scrubs.
Inspectors also found areas of the west London jail were strewn with litter, attracting rats and cockroaches.
Chief inspector of prisons Peter Clarke said the findings painted an "extremely concerning picture".
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the jail was recruiting staff in a bid to "urgently" raise standards.
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons' report said Wormwood Scrubs, which holds more than 1,200 men, had high levels of often serious violence, resulting in some significant injuries.
It also detailed how food routinely ran out in one wing, with staff having to source a half-used tray from another servery or distribute "mountain survival" dried food packs.
Publishing the latest assessment, Mr Clarke said: "Wormwood Scrubs is an iconic local prison serving communities in London.
"Overall, this was an extremely concerning picture, and we could see no justification as to why this poor situation had persisted since 2014.
"The governor and his team were, to their credit, working tirelessly to address the problems faced."
The MoJ said the prison had taken "decisive action" to reduce violence and was working to urgently improve conditions.
A spokesman said: "We know staffing remains an issue, so we are recruiting 120 extra officers and will cut the time taken for new recruits to begin training.
"The addition of new, senior probation staff has also led to significant improvements in resettling offenders into the community following release.
"We are pleased inspectors recognised the hard work and dedication of staff at the prison, especially in improving education and purposeful activity."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42273477
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Irish border: May in Brussels for crucial Brexit meeting - BBC News
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2017-12-08
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Details of a new proposal are expected to be set out within the hour following the meeting.
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UK Politics
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Theresa May has arrived in Brussels following overnight talks on the issue of the Irish border.
The PM and Brexit Secretary David Davis are meeting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU negotiator Michel Barnier.
Details of an agreement are expected to be set out at a joint news conference within the hour.
If the border question has been settled, talks can move on to the future of trade after Brexit.
Additional wording is understood to have been added to reassure the DUP, whose opposition on Monday led to talks breaking down.
The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, said on Friday she was "pleased" to see changes which mean there is "no red line down the Irish sea".
A senior aide to Mr Juncker, Martin Selmayr, has tweeted a picture of white smoke - the traditional way of signalling that a new Pope has been chosen - suggesting a deal may have been agreed.
The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg was told last night that there were "serious ideas" on the table that the different parties were broadly content with.
In the early hours of Friday, the prime minister's chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, tweeted: "Home for 3 hours sleep then back to work", without offering any further details.
All sides want progress on the issue ahead of a crucial summit next week, so talks can move on to the future relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit.
What happens to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been among the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations.
On Monday, the DUP - whose support the UK prime minister needs to win key votes in Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU.
They included aligning regulations in Northern Ireland with those in the Republic so as to avoid border checks.
The DUP insists it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland was treated differently from the rest of the UK.
The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, which is an EU member, wants a guarantee that there will be no hard border between it and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
The UK, which is due to leave the EU in March 2019, wants to open talks on a new free trade deal as soon as possible.
The EU will only agree to discuss this when it judges that enough progress has been made on the "separation issues" - the "divorce bill", expat citizens' rights and the Northern Ireland border - that have been the subject of negotiations so far.
So the UK is trying to settle the Northern Ireland border issue before EU leaders meet next week.
• None Johnson to EU: 'Go whistle' over exit bill
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42276189
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