IAAF president Lord Coe says that the Russian authorities have “grasped the enormity of the challenge” as they tackle doping in the country. The IAAF has banned Russian athletes from all competition in the wake of allegations of state-sponsored doping. “The tough decision we made is starting to bear fruit,” he said. The World Anti-Doping … Read more
The government’s Brexit strategy will come under scrutiny when an official policy document setting out its plans is published later. The White Paper, which was promised after pressure from MPs, comes after the Commons voted to allow the PM to begin the Brexit process. MPs backed the European Union Bill by 498 votes to 114 … Read more
Actor Gorden Kaye, who was best known for his role in the long-running BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!, has died aged 75. The star’s former agency confirmed to BBC News he died at a care home on Monday morning. Kaye played cafe owner Rene Artois on the hit show, which centred on the fictional exploits of … Read more
Theresa May was told about a recent Trident test happening when she became prime minister, Downing Street has said, following reports a missile went off course. Labour and the SNP are urging the government to explain whether a test firing from HMS Vengeance went wrong. The incident reportedly happened a few weeks before MPs voted … Read more
Tiny West African nation The Gambia is currently in the news because of a dispute over last month’s elections. The country is one of only two countries that officially have “The” attached to its name. English language expert David Crystal told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme why. Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of … Read more
Severe flood warnings are in place on England’s east coast and homes are being evacuated as emergency services brace themselves for a storm surge. There are 17 of the Environment Agency warnings – meaning there is a threat to life – in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Residents in Jaywick, Essex, and Great Yarmouth, Norfolk have … Read more
The ex-MI6 officer believed to be behind the Trump memos was hired by England’s 2018 World Cup bid team. It is understood Christopher Steele gathered information on football body Fifa and other countries bidding to host the tournament, mainly Russia. Mr Steele was hired through the London-based company he co-founded, Orbis. The England football connection … Read more
Israel’s ambassador to the UK has apologised after a senior member of his staff was secretly filmed saying he wanted to “take down” Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan. Israeli Embassy senior political officer Shai Masot made the comment in footage filmed in a London restaurant and obtained by the Mail on Sunday. He told … Read more
Hamza bin Laden, a son of Osama bin Laden, has been officially designated a global terrorist by the United States. Hamza, who is now in his late 20s, was named an official member of al-Qaeda in 2015 and is seen as a possible successor to his father. Since then, he has called for attacks against … Read more
Downing Street has called the UK’s new ambassador to the European Union a “seasoned and tough negotiator”, who will bring “energy” to Brexit talks. Sir Tim Barrow takes on the role with discussions with the EU expected to start soon and promised to work for the “right outcome”. He replaces Sir Ivan Rogers, who quit … Read more
Sir Ivan, who was appointed to the role of permanent representative by David Cameron in 2013, had been expected to play a key role in Brexit talks expected to start within months. The Foreign Office said it would not give reasons for his departure at the moment. Last month the BBC revealed he had privately … Read more
A leading US Republican says she fears for the future of her seven grandchildren with Donald Trump in the White House. Christine Todd Whitman, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under George W Bush, accused Mr Trump of ignoring compelling science. And she warned that his threat to scrap climate protection policies puts … Read more
The link between what bosses are paid and a company’s financial performance is “negligible”, new research finds. The median pay for chief executives at Britain’s 350 biggest companies was £1.9m in 2014 – a rise of 82% in 11 years – the study by Lancaster University Management School found. However, performance as measured by return … Read more
The Queen will say she draws strength from “ordinary people doing extraordinary things” in her annual televised Christmas Day address. Volunteers, carers, community workers and good neighbours are unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special, she will say. She will also praise the achievements of the UK’s Olympians and Paralympians. The address was recorded … Read more
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has died at he age of 99 after suffering a heart attack, her husband has confirmed. On the point of tears, Frederic von Anhalt told the AFP news agency his wife had passed away at home, surrounded by her friends and family. “Everybody was there. She didn’t die alone,” he said. … Read more
Four ex-footballers have appeared together in an emotional interview to tell of their torment after being abused as children by a coach. Andy Woodward, who was the first to go public last week, wept as Steve Walters, Chris Unsworth and Jason Dunford spoke of being abused by ex-Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell. Mr Unsworth said … Read more
A 14-year-old girl who wanted her body to be preserved, in case she could be cured in the future, won a historic legal fight shortly before her death. The girl, who was terminally ill with a rare cancer, was supported by her mother in her wish to be cryogenically preserved – but not by her … Read more
The government says it “does not recognise” a leaked memo suggesting it has no overall plan for Brexit. A government source said the document was an unsolicited pitch for work from a consultancy firm. Obtained by The Times, it warns Whitehall is working on 500 Brexit-related projects and could need 30,000 extra staff. And it … Read more
The government has no overall Brexit plan and a strategy may not be agreed for six months, a leaked memo prepared for the Cabinet Office suggests. The memo – obtained by The Times and seen by the BBC – warns Whitehall is working on 500 Brexit-related projects and could need 30,000 extra staff. However, there … Read more
Canadian singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen has died aged 82. The news was announced on his official Facebook page, but no details about the cause of death were given. “It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away,” the statement said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin … Read more