BusyBodyQueen
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Summer Blockbuster
When it comes to the UK election, Americans have hardly been grabbing the popcorn. Box office it is not. And up against the summer blockbuster of the Trump presidency it looks more like a village hall production - the vicar's daughter playing the lead.
Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is "taking back control" - to borrow the wildly successful, emotive phrase coined by those in the UK campaigning to leave the EU last year.
Michael Cohen
President Donald Trump's lawyer has received requests for information from two congressional panels investigating alleged Russian political meddling.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Cheese-rolling Races
Thousands of spectators have attended the traditional cheese-rolling races at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire.
Alex Cruz
BA chief executive Alex Cruz says he will not resign and that flight disruption had nothing to do with cutting costs.
He told the BBC a power surge, had "only lasted a few minutes", but the back-up system had not worked properly.
He said the IT failure was not due to technical staff being outsourced from the UK to India.
Trudeau and Pope
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Pope Francis to apologise for the role of the Catholic Church in a Canadian school system where indigenous children were abused for decades.
Monday, May 29, 2017
The Square
Art world satire The Square, directed by Ruben Ostlund, has won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Second Day at Heathrow
More than a third of British Airways flights from Heathrow have been cancelled as thousands of passengers were disrupted for a second day.
The airline was hit by a worldwide computer system power failure on Saturday, causing cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers.
All long-haul services will fly from Heathrow, but with delays, BA said.
The airline urged people to check the status of flights before before travelling to the airport.
Europe, Trump and Brexit
Europe can no longer "completely depend" on the US and UK following the election of President Trump and Brexit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel says.
Mrs Merkel said she wanted friendly relations with both countries as well as Russia but Europe now had to "fight for its own destiny".
It follows the G7's failure to commit to the 2015 Paris climate deal, talks Mrs Merkel said were "very difficult".
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Milkybars
Milkybars are about to get milkier, as the recipe changes for the first time in 81 years.
Milk will replace sugar as the treat's main ingredient, as the white stuff content is boosted from 26% to 37.5%.
Nestle said the new recipe bars - with sugar cut by 0.7g - will be in stores by the end of the month.
British Airways
Serious problems with British Airways' IT systems have led to thousands of passengers having their plans disrupted, after all flights from Heathrow and Gatwick were cancelled.
Six Against One
Leaders of the G7 group of rich nations have failed to agree a statement on climate change.
Six world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris accord, the world's first comprehensive deal aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions.
However, the US has refused to recommit to the agreement, saying it will make a decision next week.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Cliff Richard and Police
Sir Cliff Richard and South Yorkshire Police have settled a legal fight over reports naming him as a suspected sex offender.
G7 in Taormina
Leaders from the group of leading industrial nations, the G7, have called on internet giants to crack down on extremist content.
They warned internet service providers and social media companies to "substantially increase" their efforts.
But the summit in Taormina, Sicily, failed to agree on climate change.
Benefit Gig By Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is to return to Manchester to play a benefit gig for the victims of the attack at her concert on Monday.
Friday, May 26, 2017
USS Dewey
A US warship has sailed close to an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, the first challenge to Beijing's claim to the waters since President Donald Trump took office.
According to unnamed sources cited by US media, the USS Dewey passed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef.
Annie and Lucy Dixon
Two sisters have been awarded £300,000 by the National Lottery despite their winning scratchcard being ripped in half while they celebrated.
Lucy Dixon, 46, of Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands, said it had been folded in her pocket and was torn when she jumped in the air with 38-year-old Annie.
Trump and Media
US President Donald Trump has said leaks of the investigation into the Manchester Arena attack to American media are "deeply troubling".
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Rodrigo Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte has said martial law on Mindanao island could be extended across the Philippines, while the army fights Islamist militants.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande's concerts at London's O2 Arena on Thursday and Friday have been cancelled following the Manchester suicide bombing.
Lionel Messi
A 21-month jail term handed down last year to Barcelona and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi has been confirmed by Spain's Supreme Court, but he is unlikely to go to prison.
Messi and his father Jorge, who manages his finances, were both convicted in 2016 of defrauding Spain of €4.1m (£3.5m; $4.6m) in taxes.
Jorge Messi's jail term was reduced because he paid some of the taxes.
In Spain, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
John Brennan
Former CIA Director John Brennan has said an investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and the Kremlin is "well-founded".
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Labour and Tuition Fees
Labour says it would bring forward its pledge to scrap tuition fees to include students starting university in England this autumn if it wins the election.
Vic Reeves
They've seen Peter Kay, Norman Wisdom and Sir Ian McKellen. Now Corrie's cobbles are to play host to another famous face - comedian Vic Reeves.
Trump, Netanyahu and Iran
US President Donald Trump has told Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Iran will never have nuclear weapons.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Church of England's Investment
The Church of England's investment success has pushed it into the top ranks of the world's best performing funds of its type last year.
The fund made a 17.1% on its 2016 investments, more than double the 8.2% it made in 2016, according to the Church Commissioners annual report.
The Meyerowitz Stories
The director of a second film at the centre of a row over Netflix's place at Cannes said he always intended for it to be seen on the big screen.
Noah Baumbach said he made The Meyerowitz Stories "as I make all my movies, with the expectation it will be shown on the big screen".
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Postcards Signed by Enid Blyton
Three postcards featuring and signed by the popular children's author Enid Blyton have fetched £180 at auction.
Labour and Pensioner Vote
Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to protect pensioners from Conservative "attacks" on their income as he steps up his push for older voters.
Trump in Saudi Arabia
The US says it has signed deals worth more than $350bn (£270bn) with Saudi Arabia as Donald Trump begins his first foreign trip as president.
The agreements included an $110bn arms deal, which the White House described as the single biggest in US history.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Antonio Conte
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been given his own emoji on Twitter.
It comes ahead of the Premier League champions' final match against Sunderland on Sunday.
Princess Mako
When the Japanese emperor's granddaughter marries law firm employee Kei Komuro next year, her life will undergo a dramatic change.
Princess Mako, 25, will lose her title and leave the cloistered imperial household to live with her husband in the outside world.
Real Nut Job
US President Donald Trump told Russian officials that firing FBI director James Comey eased "great pressure" on him, US media report.
Friday, May 19, 2017
May and Mainstream Britain
Prime Minister Theresa May has promised a "mainstream government that would deliver for mainstream Britain".
Trump and Mueller
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the decision to appoint a special counsel to oversee the inquiry into Russian influence on his election.
"This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history," he tweeted on Thursday morning.
His reaction differed from Wednesday when he was quoted in a White House statement as saying: "I look forward to this matter concluding quickly."
Former FBI director Robert Mueller has been selected to lead the inquiry.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Tim Farron and Brexit
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said "people not politicians" should have the final say over the terms of Brexit.
US Stock Markets and Trump
US stock markets were set for their worst day in months over fears political controversy surrounding President Trump will blunt his ability to deliver tax and regulatory reform.
Putin, Trump and Russia
Vladimir Putin has waded into the growing row surrounding US President Donald Trump and his links to Russia.
US media say Mr Trump passed on classified information to Russian officials last week, but Mr Putin says this is not the case.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Facebook and Ban in Thailand
Thailand has backed off from a threat to ban Facebook for failing to block illegal content, including posts critical of the monarchy.
Inflation Rate in UK
The UK's inflation rate rose last month to its highest since September 2013, official figures show.
Inflation now stands at 2.7% - up from 2.3% in March - and above the Bank of England's 2% target.
Trump and Facts
US President Donald Trump has defended his "absolute right" to discuss sensitive material on terrorism and airline safety at a meeting with Russia's foreign minister.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Helpers of Edward Snowden
Hong Kong has rejected the asylum claims of a group who helped shelter US whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Skirts as Uniforms for Boys
Boys could be allowed to wear skirts at a north London private school if a plan for gender neutral uniforms comes in.
Highgate School is considering mix-and-match outfits for pupils after head teachers said that growing numbers of children were questioning their gender.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Merkel and CDU
Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) have unseated the Social Democrats in a key state election, exit polls say.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU is projected to win 34.5% of votes in North Rhine-Westphalia, compared with 30.5% for the Social Democrats (SPD).
Tecomak and Oddball
A company has apologised to a graduate jobseeker for calling her a "home educated oddball" in comments accidentally attached to an email.
The company is a Tonbridge-based Tecomak Environmental Services.
Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron has promised to restore France's global standing, as he was inaugurated as the country's youngest president at the age of 39.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Brown and May
Theresa May is "waging a war against the poor" and risks leaving the country more divided than at any time in 50 years, former PM Gordon Brown has said.
Grandparents Protest in Venezuela
Thousands of elderly Venezuelans have taken to the streets of Caracas and other cities to protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro amid a worsening economic crisis.
New FBI Director
US President Donald Trump says he could announce a replacement for fired FBI Director James Comey by late next week.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Svetlana Lokhova
When Svetlana Lokhova saw the internet light up with suggestions she was a Russian spy, she initially thought it was a joke. But the Russian-born academic soon found herself, in her words, "collateral damage" in the controversies surrounding the Trump administration and the swirl of allegations about Russian espionage.
Harry Potter Prequel
A Harry Potter prequel handwritten on a postcard by JK Rowling has been stolen in a burglary in Birmingham.
The manuscript was penned on both sides of an A5 card for a charity auction nine years ago and sold for £25,000.
Trump, Comey and Tapes
US President Donald Trump has warned fired FBI chief James Comey against leaking material to the media.
He tweeted that Mr Comey had "better hope there are no 'tapes' of our conversations", suggesting such tapes, if they existed, might contradict him.
Friday, May 12, 2017
China, South Korea and Thaad
China's president has set out his opposition to the deployment of a US missile system, in his first discussion with the new South Korean leader.
The Thaad missile system, aimed at intercepting attacks from North Korea, was made operational in South Korea last week.
Jeremy Corbyn and Manifesto
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the party's manifesto has been "unanimously agreed" and will be published "in the next few days".
Trump and Investigation
US President Donald Trump has insisted he is not under investigation, as he dismissed the FBI director he fired as a "showboat" and "grandstander".
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Alan Joyce
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has said he intends to press charges against a man who hit him in the face with a pie.
Noel Edmonds
Noel Edmonds is seeking half of a £100m compensation pot that Lloyds Banking Group has set aside for victims of a major HBOS fraud.
Trump and Comey
President Donald Trump had been considering firing former FBI Director James Comey since he was elected, a White House spokeswoman has said.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Marion Maréchal-Le Pen
Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, the niece of defeated far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, is to quit politics, French media report.
Obama Plus
Three months into the Trump administration, and in the wake of a full-scale review of the strategy deployed against IS, it is hard to see a substantial difference between the new president's approach and that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. Rather, the most significant shift may be that Mr Trump is applying the Obama recipe with more punch, more resources and greater flexibility.
'Obama Plus'
Moon Jae-in
Moon Jae-in has swept to victory in South Korea, leaving his nearest rival trailing in his wake.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Driest Winter in UK
Farmers are "increasingly concerned" about fruit and vegetable crops after the driest winter in 20 years.
Most rivers across England have been at lower levels than usual, and less than half the average amount of rain fell in the UK in April.
Theresa May and Migration
Theresa May has indicated that the Conservatives will again promise to cut net migration to the "tens of thousands" in their election manifesto.
Speaking in Harrow, she said migration levels were having an impact on public services and low-paid workers.
Macron and Brexit
The received wisdom is that the election of Emmanuel Macron as president of France is bad for Britain's Brexit negotiations.
Like much received wisdom, it may just be wrong. For the arrival of this young financier-turned politician in the Elysee could actually make a deal between Britain and the European Union easier.
Yes, President Macron is a devoted pro-European. His belief in the idea and the institutions of the EU is part of his core.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Kim Hak-song
North Korea says it has detained a US citizen on suspicion of "hostile acts" against the state.
Kim Hak-song worked at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) and was held on 6 May, state-run news agency KCNA said.
Three other US citizens are currently held in North Korea, including Kim Sang-duck, who had taught at PUST.
Amber Rudd
The home secretary has refused to say whether the Conservative manifesto will repeat their 2015 pledge to cut net migration to the "tens of thousands".
Amber Rudd told the BBC the manifesto was "not going to be identical to the last one" and said things had changed since 2015 because of Brexit.
Emmanuel Macron
Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron has decisively won the French presidential election, projected results say.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Satellite from Sriharikota
India has successfully launched a new communications satellite for South Asia from Sriharikota space centre.
The satellite, funded entirely by India, is aimed at helping regional countries boost their telecommunication and broadcasting services.
Prince Edward
The show will go on when the Duke of Edinburgh steps down from public duties as other royal family members take on his roles, the Earl of Wessex says.
But Prince Edward, the first royal to publicly comment about the decision, said the 95-year-old will not be "disappearing into the background".
Chibok Girls
Islamist militants of the Boko Haram group have released dozens of schoolgirls from a group of 276 they abducted in north-eastern Nigeria three years ago, officials say.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
US, South Korea and North Korea
North Korea has accused US and South Korean agents of plotting to kill its Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un.
Rubbish Party
A candidate for the Rubbish Party has been elected to East Ayrshire Council.
Sally Cogley has taken a seat in Irvine Valley along with Labour's George Mair and the SNP's Elena Whitham.
Ms Cogley, of Galston, East Ayrshire, was voted in just two months after she founded the party to focus on the issues of waste and littering.
General Election in UK
The Conservatives have made the biggest gains by a governing party in a local election for more than 40 years.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Prince Philip
The Duke of Edinburgh is retiring from royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Prince Philip, who turns 96 in June, made the decision himself and the Queen supported him, a spokesman said.
Mon Purse
At Mon Purse, an Australian brand, you are handed an iPad and samples of leathers, and given the chance to design your own handbag.
Trump and Obamacare
The US House of Representatives has passed a healthcare bill, bringing President Trump's pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare a stride closer.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Kimberly Process
Australia has complained to China's ambassador over what was described as "extraordinary" disruption by Chinese attendees at a diamond conference.
Australia was hosting a Kimberly Process conference on controlling conflict diamonds in Perth on Monday.
May, EU and UK
Theresa May has accused European politicians of making "threats" against Britain to try to influence the general election result.
The PM launched a stinging attack on the "bureaucrats of Brussels" in a speech outside 10 Downing Street after meeting the Queen.
Trump and Clinton
The election may be over, with Donald Trump's presidency more than 100 days old, but Hillary Clinton isn't ready to let go.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Chinese Wikipedia
China is to launch an online version of its national encyclopaedia next year, to compete with Wikipedia.
Officials said more than 20,000 people had been hired to work on the project, which will feature 300,000 entries at about 1,000 words each.
Diane Abbott
Diane Abbott says she "misspoke" when she got confused over the cost of Labour's pledge for 10,000 extra police officers for England and Wales.
Priyanka Chopra in Met Gala
The Met Gala usually draws little interest in India, but this year actress Priyanka Chopra's appearance in a vast detective trench coat outfit has inspired jokes, memes and even profound symbolic interpretations.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Trump and Kim
US President Donald Trump has said he would be "honoured" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in the right circumstances.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Immigrants in Suffolk
Seven suspected illegal immigrants have been detained after a yacht ran aground in Suffolk.
May and VAT
Theresa May says a Conservative government will not raise VAT if she wins the general election.
Trump and Kim
US President Donald Trump has described North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a "pretty smart cookie".
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