5th January 2016
Senior government figures in Germany are voicing their growing support for David Cameron’s campaign to rewrite the terms of Britain’s EU membership, including backing the most contentious point – curbing benefits for non-national European citizens working in the UK.
Senior government figures in Germany are voicing their growing support for David Cameron’s campaign to rewrite the terms of Britain’s EU membership, including backing the most contentious point – curbing benefits for non-national European citizens working in the UK.
6th January 2016
Hilary Benn denies being 'muzzled' in Labour reshuffle
Remarks at odds with party leadership on day in which three junior shadow ministers resign in protest as Jeremy Corbyn struggles to assert authority
Hilary Benn denies being 'muzzled' in Labour reshuffle
Remarks at odds with party leadership on day in which three junior shadow ministers resign in protest as Jeremy Corbyn struggles to assert authority
6th January 2016
North Korea nuclear test: UN vows new measures. The UN Security Council says it will begin work immediately on new measures against North Korea, after Pyongyang said it had tested a hydrogen bomb.
North Korea nuclear test: UN vows new measures. The UN Security Council says it will begin work immediately on new measures against North Korea, after Pyongyang said it had tested a hydrogen bomb.
7th January 2016
The UK faces a "cocktail" of serious threats from a slowing global economy as 2016 begins, Chancellor George Osborne has warned.
Speaking in Cardiff, Mr Osborne said this year is likely to be one of the toughest since the financial crisis.
The UK faces a "cocktail" of serious threats from a slowing global economy as 2016 begins, Chancellor George Osborne has warned.
Speaking in Cardiff, Mr Osborne said this year is likely to be one of the toughest since the financial crisis.
8th Jan 2016
‘Secret’ police files relating to Green Party peer ‘deleted in highly irregular cover up’
A Scotland Yard intelligence unit that spies on political campaigners, shredded files relating to Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones to stop her from discovering the extent of the police monitoring of her activities, an officer has claimed.
Exposing a “highly irregular” cover-up, whistleblower Sgt David Williams claims the police unit improperly destroyed Jones’ files stored in its secret database of “domestic extremists.”
‘Secret’ police files relating to Green Party peer ‘deleted in highly irregular cover up’
A Scotland Yard intelligence unit that spies on political campaigners, shredded files relating to Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones to stop her from discovering the extent of the police monitoring of her activities, an officer has claimed.
Exposing a “highly irregular” cover-up, whistleblower Sgt David Williams claims the police unit improperly destroyed Jones’ files stored in its secret database of “domestic extremists.”
In a four-page letter addressed to the peer, the ex-officer said: “I didn’t become a police officer to monitor politicians or political parties, nor to pay casual disregard to policy and procedure.”
9th January 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has proposed changes to make it easier to deport asylum-seekers who commit crimes, after the New Year's Eve sex attacks on women in Cologne.
10th January 2016
Sean Penn interview with El Chapo causes controversy.The Obama administration and a US presidential hopeful have criticised Sean Penn's interview with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
Sean Penn interview with El Chapo causes controversy.The Obama administration and a US presidential hopeful have criticised Sean Penn's interview with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
11th January 2016
Singer David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of his era, has died of cancer at the age of 69. A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully, surrounded by his family" after an "18-month battle with cancer".
Singer David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of his era, has died of cancer at the age of 69. A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully, surrounded by his family" after an "18-month battle with cancer".
12th January 2016
Today it's the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt...
If we need a reminder of why we should be focusing fire on the government – not the internal machinations of the opposition – then today is it. England’s junior doctors have been driven into their first national strike for four decades. Usually politicians and the media attempt to unpick the legitimacy of the strike: with 98% of those balloted by the British Medical Association (BMA) having backed a walkout, they daren’t.
Today it's the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt...
If we need a reminder of why we should be focusing fire on the government – not the internal machinations of the opposition – then today is it. England’s junior doctors have been driven into their first national strike for four decades. Usually politicians and the media attempt to unpick the legitimacy of the strike: with 98% of those balloted by the British Medical Association (BMA) having backed a walkout, they daren’t.
13th January 2016
In his final state of the union address, Obama makes the case for his legacy.
Jon Sopel, the BBC's North America editor wrote, "Without the verbal dexterity or phrase-making elan that have been his oratorical hallmark - I could sum it up crudely as: "It was a pile of steaming ordure when I got here, but it's really pretty good now.""
In his final state of the union address, Obama makes the case for his legacy.
Jon Sopel, the BBC's North America editor wrote, "Without the verbal dexterity or phrase-making elan that have been his oratorical hallmark - I could sum it up crudely as: "It was a pile of steaming ordure when I got here, but it's really pretty good now.""
14th January 2016
Alan Rickman, one of Britain's best-loved actors, has died at the age of 69. The boy from Acton, the proto Benedict Cumberbatch and the gentleman who "redefined the big screen villain".
Alan Rickman, one of Britain's best-loved actors, has died at the age of 69. The boy from Acton, the proto Benedict Cumberbatch and the gentleman who "redefined the big screen villain".
14th January 2016
The so-called Islamic State (IS) was behind a series of explosions and gun attacks in the capital Jakarta, an IS-linked news agency and police say. At least two civilians and five attackers died in the assaults, described as an attempt to mimic the deadly Paris attacks. Coordinated blasts hit several locations, including a Starbucks cafe at a shopping centre near the presidential palace and UN offices.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the attacks as an act of terror, "Our nation and our people should not be afraid, we will not be defeated by these acts of terror, I hope the public stay calm. We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people."
The so-called Islamic State (IS) was behind a series of explosions and gun attacks in the capital Jakarta, an IS-linked news agency and police say. At least two civilians and five attackers died in the assaults, described as an attempt to mimic the deadly Paris attacks. Coordinated blasts hit several locations, including a Starbucks cafe at a shopping centre near the presidential palace and UN offices.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the attacks as an act of terror, "Our nation and our people should not be afraid, we will not be defeated by these acts of terror, I hope the public stay calm. We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people."
15th January 2016
Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has attacked Ted Cruz over his birth in Canada, saying it raised questions about his presidential eligibility. In the latest Republican debate broadcast on Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, Mr Trump told his rival: "There's a big question mark over your head."
16th January 2016
With Roger Ailes Absent, Fox News Is Drifting — There Isn’t Even a ‘Trump Strategy’
For the past two decades, Rupert Murdoch allowed Fox News chief Roger Ailes to occupy one of the most unique — and powerful — perches in American politics and media: running a right-wing political operation under the guise of a 24-hour news network. As long as the profits rolled in, Murdoch virtually never meddled in Ailes’s world — even when his own family protested. “He lets me run it, he doesn’t bother me much,” Ailes boasted of Murdoch as recently as April 2015. But that laissez-faire era seems to be over.
By Gabriel Sherman
With Roger Ailes Absent, Fox News Is Drifting — There Isn’t Even a ‘Trump Strategy’
For the past two decades, Rupert Murdoch allowed Fox News chief Roger Ailes to occupy one of the most unique — and powerful — perches in American politics and media: running a right-wing political operation under the guise of a 24-hour news network. As long as the profits rolled in, Murdoch virtually never meddled in Ailes’s world — even when his own family protested. “He lets me run it, he doesn’t bother me much,” Ailes boasted of Murdoch as recently as April 2015. But that laissez-faire era seems to be over.
By Gabriel Sherman
18th January 2016
Chris Evans 'suffers car sickness' as it's revealed Top Gear has no confirmed release date.
Chris Evans 'suffers car sickness' as it's revealed Top Gear has no confirmed release date.
17th January 2016
Iran "has opened a new chapter" in its ties with the world, President Hassan Rouhani said, hours after international nuclear sanctions were lifted.
The move came after the international nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, said Iran had complied with a deal designed to prevent it developing nuclear weapons
Iran "has opened a new chapter" in its ties with the world, President Hassan Rouhani said, hours after international nuclear sanctions were lifted.
The move came after the international nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, said Iran had complied with a deal designed to prevent it developing nuclear weapons
19th January 2016
Bernie Sanders, standing against Hilary Clinton to make Democrat candidate for the US Presidency… someone to watch.
Bernie Sanders, standing against Hilary Clinton to make Democrat candidate for the US Presidency… someone to watch.
The Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Bernie Sanders is probably the tougher candidate. Maybe the kiss of death coming from the Republican camp, or perhaps just a peck on the cheek, but the Republican National Committee also issued statements defending Sanders against criticisms from Hillary Clinton and endorsing Sanders’ arguments.
20th January 2016
Today, it was either Nawaz Sharif for Pakistan or Sarah Palin for her support of Donald Trump. The attack on students and staff at the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda seemed more important.
21st January 20116
Idris Elba tells MPs that a lack of diversity across British television is causing talented performers to be thrown on the scrapheap, and accuse the industry’s executives of not living in the real world.
Idris Elba tells MPs that a lack of diversity across British television is causing talented performers to be thrown on the scrapheap, and accuse the industry’s executives of not living in the real world.
22nd January 2016
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has warned that Europe's migration crisis is putting the EU at grave risk. He said Europe could not take all the refugees fleeing the terrible wars in Iraq or Syria. "Otherwise," he said, "our societies will be totally destabilised."
23rd January 2016
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering a possible independent presidential run and is looking at making a decision sometime in March.
24th January 2016
On a mud-spattered tour of two migrant camps in Dunkirk and Calais, Jeremy Corbyn said the UK should admit unaccompanied children immediately, and claimed that most people in Britain would happily accept more immigrants.
28th January 2016
Again, not in the news. An ole friend from back in the day in Reading who decamped to Brighton years ago.
25th January 2016
Explorer Henry Worsley dies attempting Antarctic crossing. Asked if he was "mad" to take on the challenge, he said: "What will drive me on is raising money for these wounded soldiers."
26th January 2016
This guy's not in the news. He's another Brighton chap with a good face.
26th January 2016
Vladimir Putin is defended over Alexander Litvinenko murder by Donald Trump.
27th January 2016
Justice minister Christiane Taubira resigns after fallout over terror policy. She had expressed doubts about controversial plans to strip people convicted of terrorism of their French citizenship.
30th January 2016
Denmark's previously proud record where refugees were concerned, was marred by the rightwing government of Lars Lokke Rasmussen. It approved by a substantial majority new legislation on asylum, including the “jewellery law”, which allows the authorities to confiscate valuables worth in excess of £1,000 from refugees.
31st January 2016
January hadn't finished with us yet... It still had to take Terry Wogan. Thank you Terry, because throughout 'The Troubles' in Ireland, you were the intelligent, affable and constant reminder that we Irish were just people too. The Muslim community in Britain could do with their 'Terry Wogan'.
1st February 2016
At the Francis Crick* Institute in London, stem cell scientist Kathy Niakan got the green light to genetically modify human embryos after permission was granted by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
... it was always going to happen.
*Francis Crick (1916-2004) co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule
2nd February 2016
Ted Cruz bursts Republican rival Donald Trump's bubble with win in Iowa caucus. Supporters hope will herald a rightwing resurgence.
4th February 2016
Boris Johnson has again burnished his Eurosceptic credentials by refusing to back David Cameron’s draft EU deal, declaring “there is a lot more to do” to get a good deal for Britain.
5th February 2016
Overweening egoist or anti-establishment hero? Marmite, Julian Assange will accept arrest if the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention rules against him.
6th February 2016
Brighton face
6th February 2016
The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz says "if Brits want to leave, let them leave".
7th Febuary 2016
Top Gear gets its first ever non-British host in Matt LeBlanc
8th Febuary 2016
MP Jack Straw now sits on panel set up to review Freedom of Information Act and is expected to propose making some information harder to access. In his final year as lord chancellor, the Ministry of Justice was the worst ranked government department for providing none of the information requested more often than any other ministry.
9th February 2016
Sir Peter Ricketts, the UK's former ambassador to Paris warned the French authorities are under pressure and would be 'very likely' to rethink border arrangements if Britain votes for #Brexit.
10th February 2016
George Monbiot is starting to hate the EU, but will vote to stay in. On jobs, health and wildlife, he believes it is often all that stands between us and unfettered corporate power.
12th February 2016
Prof Stephen Hawking says Einstein's gravitational waves 'seen' from black holes "provides a completely new way of looking at the universe. Prof Bernard Schutz, from Cardiff University, UK said "Gravitational waves go through everything. They are hardly affected by what they pass through, and that means that they are perfect messengers... With gravitational waves, we do expect eventually to see the Big Bang itself."
12th February 2016
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has dealt a blow to international efforts to secure a ceasefire and promote a negotiated solution to the war in Syria, vowing to regain control of the entire country and warning that it could “take a long time”.
17th February 2016
Fear of violence hangs over Kampala as the country heads to polls. Will they re-elect Yoweri Museveni, the man who has held power for 30yrs.
19th February 2016
Clinton and Sanders vie for black voters with eye toward critical southern states.
21st February 2016
Not from the news today. An old friend, a Reading face who let me shoot him some time ago.
25th February 2016
Outgoing Fifa president Sepp Blatter and suspended Uefa boss Michel Platini have had bans from all football-related activities upheld. They both still deny any wrongdoing and have said they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
27th February 2016
New Jersey governor and former Republican candidate Chris Christie has announced he's endorsing frontrunner Donald Trump. Christie dropped out of the 2016 presidential race after a lacklustre showing in polls and state races.
"I'm happy to be on the Trump team and I look forward to working with him," Mr Christie said. Please God, it's the kiss of death (metaphorically).
"I'm happy to be on the Trump team and I look forward to working with him," Mr Christie said. Please God, it's the kiss of death (metaphorically).
14th March 2016
Although Nobel laureate (and Guest Director of the 2011 45th Brighton Festival) Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from becoming Myanmar's next president, she will most likely be pulling the strings for Htin Kyaw who's most likely be a ceremonial president.
5th March 2016
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey’s strongman president, and his neo-Islamist party are fresh out of ideas about how to halt what looks increasingly like a slide into chaos.
Following Sunday’s terrible suicide bombing in Ankara that killed 37 people and injured more than 100, he calls for broadening the definition of terrorists in the criminal code, so that ‘supporters and abettors’ are found equally guilty.
Following Sunday’s terrible suicide bombing in Ankara that killed 37 people and injured more than 100, he calls for broadening the definition of terrorists in the criminal code, so that ‘supporters and abettors’ are found equally guilty.
23rd March 2016
The revelation that $16bn (£11bn) of oil revenue went missing in 2014 has emphasised the scale of the task facing President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts to clean up the oil sector. He's described the corruption in Nigeria's oil sector as "mind-boggling"
30th March 2018
Andrew (Boz) Bosworth's memo, made public by the Buzzfeed news site, that claimed the "ugly truth" was that anything it did to grow was justified has been made public, embarrassing the company. Both he and the company's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, have denied they actually believe the sentiment.
6th April 2018
On the tails of Donald Trump and China’s president, Xi Jinping meeting in Beijing on 9 November 2017, Washington unveiled plans to impose tariffs on $50bn in Chinese imports Tuesday, China hit back with plans to tax a matching $50bn of US products, including beef, cars, planes, soybeans and whiskey. Trump played down rade war concerns with “When you’re already $500 Billion DOWN, you can’t lose!”