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  • ECU ‘using Galileo as negotiating tactic’

    Video EU ‘using Galileo as negotiating tactic’

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  • Sturgeon flummoxed by means of hummingbird question

    Sturgeon flummoxed via hummingbird question
  • Foie gras imports could also be banned after Brexit, UK minister shows

    Ducks being raised for Foie Gras production in Bulgaria Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Symbol caption Geese being raised for foie gras production in Bulgaria

    A luxury French food made by power-feeding ducks or ducks may well be banned from being imported to the united kingdom after Brexit, a minister has hinted.

    British farmers are banned from generating foie gras – which means fatty liver – on cruelty grounds.

    But eating places and retail outlets are allowed to import the pate-like substance below EUROPEAN loose-marketplace rules.

    Environment Minister George Eustice informed MPs that might change when Britain left the european, in March next year.

    He was responding to a choice from Conservative Henry Smith, who instructed MPs foie gras was once “merciless to supply, unhealthy to devour and it’s pricey to purchase” and it used to be time to prohibit “this outdated practice”.

    Symbol copyright Getty Images 98% of duck foie gras imports to the united kingdom come from France France produced about EIGHTY THREE% of the world’s duck foie gras and 25% of its goose foie gras, MPs had been told Manufacturing is banned in some ECU member states however it remains to be produced in Hungary, Bulgaria, Spain and Belgium India become the primary u . s . a . to prohibit foie gras imports in 2014 Many UNITED KINGDOM shops have banned the sale of foie gras, together with Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose – and each Houses of Parliament However it is still to be had to shop for online and is served in pubs and restaurants Image copyright PA

    French legislation states that foie gras “belongs to the safe cultural and gastronomical background of France”, Farming Minister George Eustice told MPs.

    “While we’re a member of the european Union, as Mr Smith pointed out, we’re required to observe law which places regulations at the advent of measures that impair the movement of products within the european marketplace.”

    But, he stated: “once we leave the ecu Union, we do certainly have a possibility to appear at restrictions on gross sales alongside the lines that Mr Smith talked about.”

    Mr Eustice brought there have been no boundaries to an “moral ban” on imports underneath Global Trade Agency regulations, and some nations, comparable to India, had brought one in.

  • Len McCluskey’s coming for me, says Tom Watson

    Tom Watson

    Labour’s Tom Watson says Unite industry union leader Len McCluskey is attempting “to take me out as deputy leader”.

    He instructed the BBC’s Nick Robinson the union leader was “coming for me” – however he used to be not likely to be “bullied” out of his job.

    He mentioned he desired to “deliver everybody back together” within the party.

    Mr McCluskey has previously accused Mr Watson of behaving like a “low-finances remake of the Godfather” over claims of a difficult left plot to take over Labour.

    His place of business declined to comment on Mr Watson’s latest claims.

    Mr Watson, who was elected deputy chief of the party on the related time Mr Corbyn was leader in September 2015, is believed to have come stressed to denounce Labour MPs who had backed a vote of no trust in Mr Corbyn.

    “I felt very tough there, because Unite funded my campaign, they did not nominate me, and that i assume he felt that I, in some way, used to be obligated to him personally.

    “And my legal responsibility used to be to the Labour Celebration. You May seriously criticise me for taking the incorrect position, and that is the reason fair, however I Am not going to be bullied by way of Len McCluskey.

    “I undoubtedly wasn’t going to be bullied by way of Rupert Murdoch, so I’m no doubt not going to be bullied by means of Len McCluskey. And i believe he discovered that very tough.”

    The MP, who fought a long-running combat with Mr Murdoch’s newspaper crew over telephone hacking, stated he felt he used to be being persecuted via Mr McCluskey.

    “Yes, he’s coming for me. They’re upping their delegates and all of that,” he said.

    “what will be, shall be. He Is powerful sufficient, if he desires to take me out as deputy leader, he most likely could, but that is as much as him. I’m just going to get on and take a look at and bring everyone again in combination and do what i can as best possible i can.”

    Listen: Nick Robinson’s Political Thinking podcast

    There is no formal mechanism for eliminating the Labour Birthday Celebration deputy leader.

    But Mr Watson is understood to be troubled that Unite is engaged in a takeover of the birthday celebration, with the appointment of Unite officials to key roles, equivalent to new normal secretary Jennie Formby and Mr McCluskey’s chief of body of workers, Andrew Murray, who has been seconded to the chief’s place of business.

    Karie Murphy, who used to be Unite’s favoured candidate within the 2013 variety row sooner than the Falkirk through-election, is Mr Corbyn’s chief of body of workers, while Amy Jackson, a former Unite professional, is his political secretary.

    Mr Watson has additionally clashed with Mr McCluskey over the union chief’s fortify for the professional-Corbyn power workforce Momentum and efforts by local party activists to de-make a selection a few Labour MPs.

    Mr McCluskey has spoken of his disappointment on the death of his friendship with Mr Watson, however has additionally accused him of participating in “a dull and somewhat sinister coup” to get rid of Mr Corbyn.

    In September closing 12 months, he called for a female deputy chief to be brought in to paintings along Mr Watson.

  • Brexit: MPs say PM must honour ‘assurances’ over Parliament’s position

    Image copyright AFP

    Politics is often concerning the big image, however occasionally it’s a pageant for pedants.

    Believe me, in Westminster, there is a very very difference between the promise of extra serious chat about something with the likelihood of a transformation – and a promise in truth to do something different, particularly if it is made by means of the occupant of Number 10.

    So just hours after the concession, (or non-concession) very, very darkish mutterings started from folks who were persuaded by what they concept used to be a promise.

    Read Laura’s complete blog

    What the Brexiteers are announcing

    Eurosceptic MPs have criticised moves to give Parliament more energy as Brexit approaches, saying this would be used to “spoil” the uk’s EU departure.

    Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, a number one Brexit backer, mentioned the concessions could “get back to haunt” the government if they amounted to a veto over the terms of the uk’s departure.

    He instructed the BBC that rebels had been looking for a “wrecking movement”, pointing out: “It not just has the risk of stopping Brexit, it’s without a doubt going to make the negotiating place of the government considerably diminished.

    “it is massively irresponsible, and that i can’t consider that those that are perpetrating this don’t know precisely what they’re doing. And, for me, it’s a betrayal of the British other folks.”

    Tempers flare in Commons

    The EU Withdrawal Bill is now back within the Space of Commons, with MPs debating the rest of the Lords amendments.

    These include a requirement to seek club of the eu Economic Area – an association like Norway’s that would stay the united kingdom part of the european single marketplace. this is adverse by both the Conservative and Labour leaderships, despite the backing of some professional-EU MPs in both parties.

    There could also be an modification requiring the government to report back to Parliament on steps taken to negotiate a customs union with the eu.

    The executive has rejected this one too, and has proposed an alternative amendment referring to a new “customs arrangement” which used to be thought to have prevented the chance of a rise up on that subject.

    Tempers flared in the Commons as MPs discussed immigration, with Speaker John Bercow interesting to members to “recognize” each and every other’s arguments.

    Ms Soubry said she used to be “appalled” at a speech from Labour’s Caroline Flint and accused her of no longer appreciating the price of immigrants.

    Ms Flint had argued for brand new immigration controls, pronouncing people wanted to have the option to “flip the tap on and stale after we make a selection”.

    She stated she was no longer against all immigration but that her constituents sought after a “honest and managed system”.

    Earlier some MPs claimed an amendment passed on Tuesday night time could have implications for the federal government’s most popular business choices after Brexit.

    Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the amendment, which devoted the federal government to avoiding any “physical infrastructure, including border posts, or assessments and controls” in Northern Ireland after Brexit.

    He said this meant one among the government’s proposals for replacing the customs union – a generation-primarily based technique to minimise border delays – could be “illegal” if it comes to any border infrastructure exams.

    Dominic Grieve agreed, pronouncing: “not just do we have to stay in a sort of customs arrangement amounting to a union, however we are also going to need to have a high degree of regulatory alignment because in a different way the existence that occurs alongside the border might be not possible because of different laws on each side.”

    Labour’s whips’ administrative center stated it expected 8 votes to take place from 19:30BST.

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  • The Tory psychodrama over Brexit invoice

    Anti-Brexit demonstration outside Parliament Symbol copyright Getty Images

    Ministers want you to ignore the Tory psychodrama, but frankly, that may be what it appears like we’re stuck in the center of.

    that is an try at a elementary summary of what came about – from what i have been advised – after a barmy afternoon.

    For this to make sense, here’s a reminder of what happened earlier within the week.

    Ministers win key Brexit bill vote after concession PM ‘must honour assurances’ Tory rebels reject Might’s Brexit compromise

    By Means Of approximately 1400 BST the haggling among Dominic Grieve and the solicitor general, representing the government, was once just about concluded to Grieve’s satisfaction.

    The Remain-leaning possible rebels had a model of the promised compromise that stored Theresa May’s bacon earlier within the week. and so they were pleased with it.

    Image copyright AFP Image caption Dominic Grieve has described the federal government’s compromise as “unacceptable”

    By 1600 BST, that was once no longer the case.

    The Ones pushing for a transformation had been instructed the federal government wanted something else, to make the movement “unamendable”.

    Omit the technicalities, that would principally imply the overall “significant” vote could, in impact, be a take-it-or-go away-it vote, a possible vote of no confidence within the top minister.

    I’m instructed they made it crystal transparent they’d by no means accept it.

    But then, “inexplicably”, that ended up within the final version that was revealed, ahead of they had noticed it.

    Their suspicion: Brexiteers had positioned the kybosh on it all.

    A senior Brexiteer informed me that they were not those who had put a spanner in the works. they are saying they only noticed it at the final minute, and weren’t thinking about haggling over the deal.

    Image copyright AFP Image caption Bother ahead? Theresa Would Possibly may just face another showdown next week

    Others beg to differ despite the fact that, suggesting that they had been advised the issue was that “Jacob Rees-Mogg, had to see it” and it has been suggested that Brexit Secretary David Davis was once instrumental in converting the plan.

    What does that all imply even though?

    The hardcore Remainer rebels are apoplectic, feeling they have got been betrayed by means of the prime minister, who has damaged the promise she gave them to circumvent defeat.

    And it units the scene for an additional showdown in Parliament next week when the prime minister might discover which facet of her celebration has the stronger unravel.

    What happened today is probably going to have driven the two sides additional apart.

    This complete process is meant to be in regards to the political divorce between the eu and the uk.

    every now and then it is the negotiation among the 2 aspects of the Tory celebration which are more bitter than any of that would be.

  • Pension finances ‘game-changing’ for £1.3bn tidal lagoon bid

    Artist's impression of the lagoon across Swansea Bay Symbol copyright TLP Symbol caption An artist’s impact of the lagoon across Swansea Bay

    The world’s first tidal energy lagoon could be part-funded via cash from pension pots.

    The £1.3bn Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon seems on the subject of being thrown out via the united kingdom govt over costs.

    The sticking element is that they are not prepared to pay Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) the associated fee it desires for power.

    But with the be offering of £200m on the table from the Welsh Executive, backers hope the use of pension funds may just assist to push the scheme beforehand.

    Managers of the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) can be writing to the Welsh and UNITED KINGDOM governments to confirm their backing of the scheme.

    TLP had up to now requested for a 90-yr settlement with the united kingdom executive with an average strike value of £89.NINETY in step with megawatt hour. the brand new nuclear energy station at Hinkley Aspect C in Somerset used to be given a strike worth of £92.50/MWh for 35 years.

    In January 2017, a UK executive-commissioned file published by means of former energy minister Sir Charles Hendry recommended that tidal lagoons may just play “a value-effective position in the united kingdom’s energy mix”.

    Lagoon ‘has introduced executive new deal’ Tidal lagoon go-beforehand ‘down to numbers’

    three hundred and sixty five days later, the Welsh Executive presented the venture “really extensive funding” to help scale back the subsidy required.

    But the uk government has frequently refused to commit to the venture pronouncing it “need to be reasonably priced”.

    In March, Trade Secretary Greg Clark told MPs the united kingdom government does not wish to “shut the door” on the Swansea lagoon.

    However, with stories suggesting it is about to close with First Minister Carwyn Jones saying it will be “some other kick within the enamel” for Swansea after rail electrification to the city was once deserted in advance this 12 months.

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  • Ogmore Beach: Mom and child stuck in sand rescued

    A wide angle shot of Ogmore Beach on a sunny and clear day Symbol copyright Colin Wilcox Image caption The RNLI’s annual summer time patrols of Ogmore Seaside don’t get started till 30 June

    A mother and her three-12 months-antique child needed to be rescued upon getting caught up to their knees in sand on a seashore.

    Emergency crews were known as to Ogmore Seaside, Vale of Glamorgan, at noon on Wednesday after the pair become trapped.

    The girl and child had been pulled to safety earlier than the “speedy, incoming tide” came in.

    RNLI officers stated it highlighted the dangers of soppy sand and those must carry a means of calling for help.

    Lifeguards manager Matt Childs stated: “We determined to make use of a rescue board to make a bridge across the comfortable sand to succeed in them.

    “The infant used to be passed over to the lifeguards first, and the lady was then capable of loose herself pulling on the rescue board after which crawled across it to safety.

    “we might always counsel that in case you are heading out to the coast, always carry a method of calling for assist, despite the fact that you’re no longer planning on going into the water.”

  • Kingdom muddle fines at Zip Global may just ‘damage tourism’

    Litter being picked up Image copyright Getty Pictures Symbol caption Some Zip World customers have been issued with £SEVENTY FIVE penalties for shedding litter

    A row has broken out after a controversial safety firm fined visitors to an journey park who dropped clutter on non-public land.

    Visitors to the Zip World Fforest in Betws-y-Coed were passed mounted penalty notices by means of council-hired Kingdom.

    The company mentioned it had permission from Conwy Council to be there, because the muddle could blow on to public land.

    Owner Sean Taylor said the fines may placed people off traveling north Wales.

    He stated the company had their very own clutter pickers, and so they had “by no means had” an issue with litter.

    Symbol copyright Getty Images

    Kingdom are shriveled via the council to regulate problems within the borough including dog fouling, littering and smoking in smoke-free zones.

    Conwy Council said that they had a duty to maintain the county “as free from clutter as imaginable” at any location.

    Motion to prevent muddle ruining Barry Island and Porthcawl beaches Conwy’s four-weekly bin collection plans get ‘no’ vote Plastic pollution: Clutter in Cardiff rivers ‘shocking’

    “Littering and dog fouling is unacceptable at any region; it’s not most effective anti-social but additionally unlawful,” a spokeswoman said.

    “we’re aware of Mr Taylor’s considerations and have presented to satisfy with him at his convenience to discuss.”

    Anglesey council’s agreement with Kingdom recently came to an finish, while Flintshire are taking into consideration terminating its agreement due to concerns about “overbearing behaviour”.

  • Probe after ‘terrifying’ hearth guts Pontypridd automotive repair shop

    Image caption Smoke might be noticed billowing from miles away

    Mr Davies stated he noticed “thick, black smoke” coming from the location, and there has been a nasty scent within the air.

    “there was particles coming from the smoke itself, sizzling ash saved landing on me – i have a hollow in my t-blouse,” he advised BBC Radio Wales.

    “It was very surreal, not something you could possibly see every day but terrifying at the time.

    “It was a nastier odor than rubber, the odor cannot be defined nevertheless it wasn’t very pleasant, let’s placed it that approach.”

    Crews from Pontypridd, Caerphilly, Whitchurch and Abercynon attended the blaze.

    The ultimate fireplace engine left the scene at 04:00 BST on Thursday morning.

    Symbol caption The devastation left behind through the hearth on the business property on Pentrebach Street in Pontypridd Symbol caption The A4054 road was once closed each ways and thick black smoke can be seen for miles. Nearby citizens have been also suggested to close their home windows. Image caption South Wales Fire and Rescue Carrier crews have been in a position to leave the scene within the early hours of Thursday morning.

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