Plus, who will get the coronavirus vaccine first?
| Trade talks to resume despite UK rejecting EU ultimatum |
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| | | This week's trade talks with the EU have been overshadowed by an escalating row over proposed laws that could allow the UK to renege on parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The EU is threatening legal action, while Conservative backbenchers are trying to scupper the government's plans. But ministers are pressing on, insisting the law is necessary to protect the UK's integrity. Despite all that, the trade talks will resume on Monday. And the UK's representative David Frost insists his negotiators "remain committed" to reaching a deal. However, both sides say significant differences remain. As our Europe editor Katya Adler sees it: "Despite time and trust running out on both sides, neither the EU nor the UK seem to want to be the first ones to walk out the door." The latest row revolves around the Internal Market Bill, which - if made law - would give UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods that are due to come into force from 1 January, if no UK-EU trade deal is agreed. Notably, it affects the Northern Ireland Protocol - an element of the withdrawal agreement designed to prevent the return of customs posts, or other infrastructure it's feared might jeopardise peace, along Northern Ireland's border with the Republic of Ireand. Our Reality Check explains in detail. The Newscast team discusses the situation. | |
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| Furlough must be extended, say MPs |
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| The furlough scheme has helped pay for up to 9.6 million jobs. But the job retention scheme is due to end on 31 October and ministers now face calls for a "targeted extension". Without it, say MPs on the Treasury Select Committee, we could see long-term mass unemployment and viable firms going bust. "The key will be assisting those businesses who, with additional support, can come through the crisis as sustainable enterprises, rather than focusing on those that will unfortunately just not be viable," says chairman Mel Stride. Currently, companies are being offered a £1,000 bonus for every furloughed worker still in a job at the end of January. And the Treasury says: "We will continue to innovate in supporting incomes and employment." | |
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| Fake driving licences offered online for £600 |
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| Scammers on social media are offering "full driving licences" for £600, a BBC News investigation reveals. The fraudsters claim they have access to driving test centres, which allows them to book and pass practical driving tests without clients being present. However, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency warns this is impossible. Any screengrabs sent by the scammers - apparently showing clients' status updated to "full driving licence" - are fakes. Read how the investigation unfolded. | |
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| | | | | In the last weekend of August, when Emma Heathcote-James had been looking forward to a relaxing bank holiday break, she instead found herself fighting to save her company's reputation. She had just discovered the Instagram page for her beauty-product business, which she had spent 12 years building up, had been cloned. "We discovered that they spent the entire evening on bank holiday Monday contacting hundreds of our followers, who had entered our latest competition, saying they had won and asking for PayPal details," Emma says. At least one of her customers responded but she does not know how many more were affected or who lost money. And trying to persuade Instagram to remove the fake page proved frustrating. | |
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| | Jane Wakefield | Technology reporter, BBC News | |
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| | | | UK-EU trade talks make several front pages again. In a "sharp escalation of tensions", the European Commission has warned Boris Johnson to withdraw clauses in the UK's Internal Market Bill that could breach last October's Brexit withdrawal agreement, says the Financial Times. The Daily Telegraph describes the EU's stance as a "20-day ultimatum". However, under the headline "Britain shall not be moved", the Daily Express says the prime minister will "face down" the threats. The ultimatum has set up a "bitter EU divorce", says the i. However, the Times says Mr Johnson's stance faces opposition from up to 30 of his own MPs. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail describes the cabinet as "at war" over restrictions limiting social gatherings in England to six people. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's move to exempt children under 12 from the rule has "piled the pressure" on the PM, says the Metro. | |
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| | | Amazon Expert killed by arrow from indigenous tribe |
| | | | | | Oregon More than 500,000 people flee dozens of infernos |
| | | | Belgium Ex-king's love child seeks royal rights and titles |
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| If you do one thing today |
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| If you listen to one thing today |
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| If you read one thing today |
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| | | 1980 Armed robbers steal the Marlborough diamond in a £1.4m raid on a London jewellers - watch our archive report about their subsequent capture. |
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