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Former Chancellor Alistair Darling, known for his role in steering the UK through the 2008 financial crisis, has passed away at the age of 70.
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Claudia Winkleman, the host of a Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2, has announced that she will be leaving the show in March 2024 to spend more time with her family. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has been announced as her replacement.
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Former Chancellor Alistair Darling has passed away at the age of 70. Darling was widely respected for his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis and his role in steering the UK economy through the dark days of bank runs and collapses. He was also known for his cautious approach and ability to bring a bracing dose of scepticism to every conversation.
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Former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock is facing a two-day grilling at the official inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic, where he will be questioned about his decisions and response to the virus.
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A British soldier, Major Kevin McCool, has been killed while off duty in Kenya. He was attacked while on a motorcycle trip away from the army base. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed his death but has not released any details about the circumstances. Major McCool was described as an exceptional person and soldier, loved and respected by those who knew him. His death is being mourned by his family, friends, and colleagues.
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Google's AI division DeepMind has developed a neural network tool called GNoME, which has discovered 2.2 million new crystals. Approximately 380,000 of these crystals are stable enough for developing next-generation technologies, such as better electric car batteries and superconductors for ultra-efficient computers. The discovery of these materials could revolutionize industries and open up new avenues for future discoveries.
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A new report by the UK government's Department for Education's Unit for Future Skills reveals that professionals in London's finance and insurance sectors are predicted to be among the first to feel the impact of AI. The report highlights that professional jobs involving clerical work or roles in finance, law, and business management are at higher risk of exposure to AI. Other sectors, including property, education, and administration, are also expected to be highly impacted. However, the growing popularity of AI could also lead to the creation of new professions in the future.
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Prominent figures in law, politics, and diplomacy are remembered for their contributions and impact.
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Realtor.com predicts some relief for the housing market in 2024, with a slight decline in mortgage rates and a dip in home prices. However, the overall forecast remains mixed, as the challenges from 2023 are expected to persist. While there may not be a major breakthrough, Chief Economist Danielle Hale believes that 2024 will be a step in the right direction, with the housing market no longer getting worse.
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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with Foreign Secretary David Cameron and King Charles, have faced backlash for taking separate private jets to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
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Abu Dhabi state-backed vehicle RedBird IMI has notified The Daily Telegraph's board and the UK government of its intention to activate a call option that will convert loans secured against the Telegraph titles and Spectator magazine into shares. The move comes after the launch of a regulatory probe by the UK government to prevent the removal of key journalists from their posts. The government has been notified about RedBird IMI's move to exercise its option to take control of the shares. The activation of the call option does not mean immediate control of the broadsheets by RedBird IMI.
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Nigel Farage's participation in the reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here has sparked controversy and mixed reactions.
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Doorbell footage shows the last moments of Brianna Ghey, a transgender teenager who was allegedly murdered by two teenagers in Cheshire.
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Romance fraudsters are targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly middle-aged women, in scams that result in significant financial losses.
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Everton will take on Manchester United in their first match since being docked 10 points for breaching the Premier League's Profit & Sustainability rules. Despite the setback, Everton manager Sean Dyche believes the decision to deduct points was disproportionate. Everton, currently in 19th place, have shown resilience in recent matches, with only one loss in their last five league games. However, they face a tough challenge against a Manchester United side in good form.
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Taylor Swift's publicist has denied rumors that the singer secretly married her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. The denial came in response to a rumor circulated by the celebrity gossip account Deuxmoi, claiming that Swift and Alwyn had a non-legal ceremony in 2020 or 2021. Swift's publicist called out Deuxmoi for spreading false information and causing pain and trauma.
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Octavius Black, the CEO of workplace training company MindGym, will step down from his role and become executive chairman as the company faces challenges in the market. MindGym has experienced delays and cancellations in staff training due to layoffs and restructuring among its technology clients, leading to a first-half loss of £13 million. The company's share price has also fallen by more than half this year. Black will be succeeded by Christoffer Ellehuus, the president of Korn Ferry.
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Fashion trends for the upcoming party season include statement skirts and extra-long coats.
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Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of Willy Wonka in the prequel film 'Wonka', directed by Paul King. The film explores the backstory of the eccentric chocolatier before he became world-famous for his sweets. Early reactions from the world premiere in London have praised Chalamet's performance and described the film as a 'sweet treat'.
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BBC Newsnight, a long-running current affairs show, is set to be cut to a 30-minute interview, debate, and discussion program as part of the BBC's plan to save money. More than half of Newsnight's 60 jobs will be eliminated, and the program will no longer have dedicated reporters or investigative reports. The changes come as the BBC faces financial challenges and shifting audience habits towards online news consumption.
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Pontins, the UK's worst-rated holiday camp company, has closed its sites in Prestatyn and Camber Sands with immediate effect, causing disruption to holidaymakers' Christmas plans.
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A head teacher in Berkshire, England, took her own life after her school was downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' by Ofsted, according to an inquest.
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Train drivers in the UK are continuing their industrial action over a long-running pay dispute with 14 train operators. The drivers, represented by the unions Aslef and RMT, are demanding pay increases and reforms to working practices. The RMT union has reached a settlement with the train companies, accepting a pay deal and job security guarantees. However, Aslef members are still planning strikes, with a week-long overtime ban and rolling walkouts scheduled. The dispute has caused disruption to train services and is a significant issue for both the workers and the train operators.
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Train drivers belonging to the Aslef union have voted to continue their strike action for the next six months as part of a long-running dispute over pay. The strikes, which began on 1 December, will affect train companies on a rolling basis, with an overtime ban also imposed. The union is determined to secure a pay rise for its members, who have not had an increase in nearly five years. Passengers are advised to check for cancellations and disruptions to their travel plans.
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A growing number of Americans and UK adults are resorting to 'doom spending' and 'buy-now-pay-later' schemes to alleviate their financial concerns amid economic uncertainty.
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The UK government has rejected calls to introduce a separate work visa scheme for Scotland, claiming it would create an economic migration border between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
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Discover a range of sustainable and ethical gift ideas for various interests and preferences.
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The FA's search for a national football manager in 1962 attracted 59 replies, but none were suitable. The search included a dozen replies from cranks and no managers of leading football clubs applied. The article highlights the lack of interest from top managers, including Alf Ramsey, who had just led Ipswich Town to the league title.
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Wilko stores in the UK are set to reopen under new ownership, with plans to open 300 stores in total.
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John Byrne, the acclaimed playwright and artist known for his stage-play trilogy The Slab Boys and television series Tutti Frutti, has passed away at the age of 83.
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Russia has launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine, targeting the capital city of Kyiv. The attack involved around 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones, of which 71 were destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses. The assault lasted for over six hours and caused power outages in residential buildings and institutions. At least five civilians were wounded, and several buildings, including a kindergarten, were damaged. The attack is significant as it demonstrates Russia's continued aggression in the conflict and the increasing use of advanced drone technology.
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Beyoncé's concert film 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé' offers an inside look at her record-breaking tour, featuring concert footage and behind-the-scenes moments.
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An Italian man, Filippo Turetta, has been extradited from Germany for the alleged kidnapping and murder of his ex-girlfriend, Giulia Cecchettin. Turetta was arrested in Germany after being on the run since November 11. Cecchettin's body was found with multiple stab wounds wrapped in plastic in a ditch near Venice. The case has sparked outrage in Italy and highlighted the issue of violence against women.
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Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, has died at the age of 93. O'Connor, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was a trailblazer for women in law and had a significant impact on the court during her tenure. She was known for her moderate conservatism and her ability to build consensus on contentious issues. O'Connor's death marks the end of an era and highlights her lasting legacy as a pioneer for gender equality in the legal profession.
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The UK government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced opposition and legal challenges, leading to delays in implementing the policy.
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The head of Mossad, David Barnea, has visited Qatar to help negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Talks have been described as positive and constructive, with Qatar successfully getting Hamas to release four female hostages. Israeli intelligence is conducting a major operation to locate and rescue the remaining hostages.
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A US military Osprey aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of southern Japan, with eight people on board. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge is a live experience based on the popular dystopian show, where contestants compete in a series of games for a chance to win a cash prize. The live attraction recreates the iconic games and sets from the original show, allowing fans to participate in the thrilling challenges.
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King Charles III delivers a passionate speech at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, calling for urgent and transformative action to address climate change.
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Venezuela's upcoming referendum on the disputed Essequibo region poses a threat to Guyana's control over the territory, which is larger than England and rich in oil and minerals.
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The OPEC+ alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, has postponed a meeting to discuss output cuts, causing oil prices to slump. The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, has been delayed to Thursday, with no reason given. The delay indicates difficulties within the group to reach an agreement on production cuts. Brent crude fell by as much as 5% in response to the news. The OPEC+ group had been expected to consider extending or deepening production cuts to support oil prices, which have fallen in recent weeks.
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Pakistan has launched a crackdown on undocumented Afghan refugees, resulting in mass deportations and a humanitarian crisis.
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President Biden will not attend the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, citing other global crises and political pressures. The decision could impact his reputation among young voters and raises questions about his commitment to climate change.
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North Korea has threatened the US with war if it interferes with its spy satellite, following the launch of its first military spy satellite. Pyongyang warned that any attack on its space assets would be considered a declaration of war and vowed to eliminate the viability of US spy satellites. The US Space Force's alleged hostility towards North Korea's reconnaissance satellite has been condemned by the country's defence ministry.
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Feras Al-Jayoosi, 36, from Swindon, has been charged with stalking North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson by sending multiple threatening and abusive emails about Israel and Gaza. He has been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
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A German tourist was fatally stabbed and two others were injured in a knife and hammer attack near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The attacker, a French national with a history of mental illness, shouted 'Allahu Akbar' before being arrested. The incident has raised concerns about renewed Islamist terror attacks in France.
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Several major companies, including Walmart, Disney, Apple, IBM, and Warner Bros, have stopped advertising on Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after Musk seemingly endorsed an antisemitic post. Musk responded with defiant and profanity-laced remarks, warning that advertisers could 'kill' X. X CEO Linda Yaccarino defended Musk's comments and expressed support for his vision.
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England captain Millie Bright has been ruled out of the crucial UEFA Women's Nations League matches against the Netherlands and Scotland due to a knee injury. The Lionesses need victories in both matches to have a chance of qualifying for the Paris Olympics next summer. Bright's absence is a significant blow to the team's hopes.
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Pediatric pneumonia cases have seen a significant increase in Ohio and Massachusetts, with reports of a similar illness in China causing concern. Health officials are investigating the outbreaks, but there is no evidence of a new or novel virus. COVID-19 continues to be the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths among respiratory illnesses. The surge in pneumonia cases highlights the importance of hand hygiene, covering coughs, and staying up to date on vaccines.
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Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of three people, including a Hezbollah fighter, after the end of a truce between Israel and Hamas.
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Former President Donald Trump's legal team is requesting access to internal government records and private communications related to the federal case against him in connection to the 2020 election. They argue that the information would shed light on Trump's efforts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden and claim that the charges against him are politically motivated.