Day: October 14, 2019

    Botched announcements by Boris Johnson’s government are putting over a million British citizens living on the continent at the risk of “retaliatory deportations” and other consequences after Brexit, the prime minister has been warned. UK emigrants living in EU countries fear that a string of hardline statements and “domestic grandstanding” targeting migrants by British government ministers has “directly impacted” the way UK nationals will be treated by their host countries once the United Kingdom leaves. Groups representing British citizens living across the 27 EU countries have written to Boris Johnson accusing the prime minister of viewing his own citizens as “simply not a priority” and of “undermining” their legal status. They say rushed announcements by home se...

    The government has announced a proposed legislative programme dominated by post-Brexit bills and a renewed focus on law and order in an unusual Queen’s speech, one mainly used by Boris Johnson as a preview of the Conservatives’ election manifesto. The summary of planned new laws read out by the Queen to mark the new session of parliament contained 26 new or returning bills, more than a third of which relate to new arrangements following departure from the EU. Other key elements of a speech widely trailed in advance included plans for tougher jail sentences and controversial proposals to oblige people to show photographic ID before they are allowed to vote. The pre-election feel was increased earlier on Monday when, ahead of the Queen’s speech, the chancellor, Sajid...

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that any attempts to cause division in China "will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones." Xi made the remarks during a state visit to Nepal, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV. The Chinese president added that any external forces supporting Chinese division "will be deemed by the Chinese people as pipe-dreaming!" Xi's comments come as protests in Hong Kong enter into their 19th week and have recently seen an uptick in violence. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said that any attempts to drive a wedge between China and its territories will "end in crushed bodies and shattered bones." Xi made the remarks during a state visit to Nepal on Sunday. "Anyone attempting to split China in any par...

    Boris Johnson has been warned to move "further and faster" if he is to secure an agreement with Brussels by the end of this critical week in the Brexit process. EU officials said intensive talks had been "constructive," but added further concessions would needed to be made by the British side if the prime minister is to avoid requesting a Brexit extension. It comes as the Queen marked the state opening of parliament today, outlining the government's domestic agenda, including a crackdown on foreign criminals.

    The rarest 50p coins in circulation have been revealed as the Royal Mint marks half a century since the piece was introduced. The 50p coin, which entered circulation on October 14 1969, is considered to be the most collectable in Britain today, the Royal Mint said. But it is the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p design which remains the nation’s rarest coin, with just 210,000 created. Mintage figures from 2018 show the 2011 Olympic wrestling design is the second rarest 50p coin in circulation, with 1,129,500 produced. It is followed by the 2011 Olympic football design, of which 1,161,500 were created. The Royal Mint’s director of currency, Andrew Mills, said: “The official 2018 mintage figures provide a guide to the volume and variety of coins in 50p circulation today. “Coin...