B c cabinet ministers 2020

The political chaos of Brexit is threatening to bring down British Prime Minister Theresa May , a matter of days before she is due to host President Donald Trump on his controversial first visit to the U.K. The sudden resignation of Brexit Minister David Davis over May's roadmap for leaving the European Union left the prime minister facing attacks from both inside and outside her Conservative Party. Trump's visit already threatens to embarrass May as Trump is kept away from massive protests, forcing the president to spend most of his time outside London . But with the latest cabinet emergency, it is possible May will not even be prime minister when the unpopular president arrives. The resignation of the Brexit minister threatens to open a chasm in May's Conservative—or Tory—government, with moderates calling for a "soft" Brexit on one side and extremists lobbying for a "hard" Brexit on the other. The split between the two camps has been evident since May replaced David … [Read more...] about Will Theresa May still be prime minister when Donald Trump visits the U.K?

Iran's foreign minister warned Saturday on a visit to Damascus that Turkish military action in Syria would destabilise the region after Ankara threatened to launch a new offensive on Kurds in the country's north. "Any Turkish military action in the north of Syria would be a destabilising element in the region," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told a press conference in Damascus, according to a simultaneous translation from Farsi to Arabic. Iran is a major ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and an important trading partner for Turkey. However, Tehran is eager to find a diplomatic solution to prevent Ankara from invading. Turkey has launched successive offensives in Syria since 2016 targeting Kurdish militias as well as Islamic State group jihadists and forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this year he wanted to encourage one million Syrian refugees to return to their country by building the housing and … [Read more...] about Iranian foreign minister opposes “any military action” in Syria

Boris Johnson’s move to extend tariffs on imported steel by two years — a probable breach of World Trade Organisation rules — was welcomed by protectionist MPs from both sides of the political aisle. Industry also predictably lauded the decision, saying it will be protected from artificially cheap imports. Much like fishing, steel carries with it a disproportionate amount of political focus compared to its size — in 2020 the £2bn it contributed to the economy was the equivalent of just 0.1pc of total economic output and 1.2pc of manufacturing. But as the industry likes to point out: everything is made of steel. The metal goes into cars, aircraft, new buildings and the machinery that forms almost everything else. Without it, steel insiders say the logic of having a manufacturing industry in the UK would be considerably weaker — a fact that will not be lost on the Prime Minister. The move was pegged as an effort to “protect the steel sector”, Trade Secretary Anne-Marie … [Read more...] about With the Tories in turmoil, steel helps Boris Johnson show his mettle

When German electronic band Kraftwerk released the iconic song "Autobahn" in 1975, they were celebrating freedom of movement on freeways where drivers could speed without limit. But these mythical superhighways are today a source of increasing division as the climate crisis demands countries curb road transport emissions. Though the autobahn's origins are wrongly ascribed to Hitler — he completed the first highways with forced labor, but they were a Weimar-period invention — today their legend is associated with Germany's failure to meet its climate obligations. Transport generates over 20% of German greenhouse gases. It was also one of only two sectors to fail its annual emission reduction targets in 2021.  Yet new road construction projects — as opposed to low-emission electric railways or bicycle highways — dominate the 2030 federal transport plan. Some 850 kilometers (528 miles) of autobahns are on the drawing board. Activists call out autobahn 'disaster' Opposition … [Read more...] about Autobahn: Germany’s roads to nowhere

Thousands of pensioners will be able to more easily claim a free TV licence under a new shake-up confirmed by the Government. Free TV licences for over-75s were axed in 2020, except for those who claim Pension Credit . Under the current rules, everyone who is entitled to a free TV licence must send documentation to the BBC to prove they are in receipt of Pension Credit. But as part of a revamp of the system, the BBC will soon be able to verify this information with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It will mean, in most cases, households will only need to apply online or over the phone without any need to supply additional paperwork. A statutory instrument has been laid in Parliament today to amend the Television Licences Act 2000. Pensioners over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence ( Image: Getty Images) The changes to the application process are expected to come into effect next year. A full colour TV licence … [Read more...] about New DWP shake-up will make it easier for pensioners to claim a free TV licence

Published 25 June Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Celebrities, sports fans and politicians have led tributes to former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration following his death at the age of 71. Mr Gration joined the BBC in 1978 and Look North in 1982. He presented his last show in 2020. He had also reported for Match of the Day and Grandstand and commentated on Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Cricket fans at the Headingley test match on Saturday joined in a round of applause for the broadcaster. Yorkshire County Cricket Club was among those from the world of sport to pay tribute to Mr Gration, who was a club board member between 2013 and 2015. In a statement, it said: "As a lover of cricket, he was often seen at Headingley and other local grounds either with microphone in hand, or for the love of the game. "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with … [Read more...] about Harry Gration: Tributes pour in for Ex-BBC Look North presenter

Media mogul Richard Desmond is reviving plans for a controversial £1bn housing development in London’s docklands even after the Government blocked the scheme. Accounts filed this week revealed the businessman has held early-stage discussions with lenders to bankroll the Westferry Printworks scheme on the Isle of Dogs. Mr Desmond’s holding company, Northern & Shell, said bankers had signalled their support for the project. Ministers blocked the 1,500-home development in November last year, overturning the decision of former housing secretary Robert Jenrick. Mr Jenrick’s verdict, which contradicted the advice of the planning inspector, was quashed after a High Court case filed by Tower Hamlets found “apparent bias” in favour of the businessman. The minister had exchanged text messages with Mr Desmond, a former adult magazine tycoon, shortly before the plans were approved. That approval came a day before Tower Hamlets Council brought in a new tax that would have cost the … [Read more...] about Richard Desmond revives £1bn Isle of Dogs development blocked by Government

Rape victims’ trials are being delayed for up to nine months by “tenuous” and “disproportionate” searches of their medical, council and even school records, a review by the Attorney General has found. Some victims are waiting months while police and prosecutors carry out “intrusive” searches of “third party” records for personal details that turn out to be irrelevant to the trial. In an interview with The Telegraph, Suella Braverman , QC, cited the case of a rape victim where searches of her carer’s records added nine months to the case yet the resulting evidence was “not relevant to the trial.” “The longer it takes, the more likely it is that the victim will drop out,” she said. This week she will propose a reform package to curb delays including sweeping away unnecessary searches, reducing time-consuming redaction of video and written evidence that can take police officers away from rape investigations for days and earlier disclosure of evidence by lawyers. It is … [Read more...] about Scouring of rape victims’ medical and school records delaying trials by up to nine months

The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that Russian forces have "liberated" all of Ukraine's Luhansk region. The ministry on Sunday said Russian forces had captured Lysychansk, the last major Ukrainian-held city in Ukraine's Luhansk province. Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin that Russia's troops and members of a local separatist militia "have established full control over Lysychansk and some nearby settlements," according to a post on the ministry's Telegram channel. "The total area of ​​the territories liberated over the past day amounted to 182 square kilometers," the post said. Control of Lysychansk would bring Moscow closer to its stated goal of seizing all of Ukraine's Donbas region. Ukraine's military did not immediately provide a response, but on Saturday, Ukrainian authorities had said that Lysychansk remained under Ukrainian control. Early on Sunday, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said Russian forces were gaining a … [Read more...] about Moscow claims control over Luhansk region as missiles hit border towns

Meghan Markle will visit the United States to see her friends and family without Prince Harry. Us Weekly reported that Markle's trip would take place before the couple undertook a royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, planned for October. This would coincide with the Invictus Games, the Paralympic-style competition for military veterans which was founded by the prince and is due to be held in Sydney from October 20 through October 27. The couple are said to be keen to go the United States together next year, so that Meghan can introduce Harry to "everything she loves about the U.S," and as a way to highlight and strengthen ties between the countries. Markle's solo trip would be an unofficial one, the magazine reported. Earlier in July, the couple visited Dublin on a two-day trip in which they met the Irish president and prime minister and were mobbed by fans. Days earlier, Markle's half sister, Samantha Markle, criticized her sibling on Twitter after … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle is heading to the U.S. alone to visit her friends and family for the first time since her wedding