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    UK Sergei Skripal, a former colonel of Russia's GRU military intelligence service, looks on inside the defendants' cage as he attends a hearing at the Moscow military district court, Russia August 9, 2006. Picture taken… The nerve agent used to poison ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal was likely to be extremely rare, police sources have said. Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the substance before they collapsed in a Salisbury shopping mall on Sunday, police said on Wednesday. They have classified the case as attempted murder. While London Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley did not specify the type of nerve agent used, the BBC has quoted a well-placed source as saying that the poison used was likely extremely rare. According to the s...

    Passport applications will cost more in the post than online for the first time Passport applications will cost more in the post than online for the first time after Government proposals were passed in the Commons. Fees will go up across the board, but the increases will be less steep for those applying on the internet in a bid to encourage people to use this route. Currently, a standard first adult passport or renewal costs £72.50 regardless of how the application is made. Under changes scheduled to take effect on March 27, the fee will rise to £75.50 for online applications and £85 for postal applications. Charges for children's passports will go up from £46 currently to £49 online and £58.50 in the post. The £12.50 increase for the postal service represents a ...

    Several people who were trapped at the top of Blackpool Tower have been evacuated after firefighters brought a fire in the building under control. Firefighters spent three and a half hours tackling a blaze which broke out on the roof of the iconic landmark. A number of people had been held in a safe area at the top of the building while the rest of the tower was evacuated, according to Lancashire Fire Service. There are no reported injuries. Firefighters were called to reports of a fire on the roof of one of the tower buildings at 12.39pm. It was put out at approximately 4pm. The people at the top of the tower were allowed down once the emergency services had finished checks to confirm it was safe to move them. Emergency services will maintain a presence at the ...

    Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile as they pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British Meghan Markle has been baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony with Prince Harry at her side. The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal on Tuesday evening. They were joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, but neither Prince William nor the Queen were present. Miss Markle’s baptism, which formally introduces her into the Anglican faith ahead of her wedding to Harry in two months, marks an important step on her transformation from divorced American actress to future gra...

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly DOUBLED the budget for their upcoming wedding. The nuptials, on May 19, are one of the most talked about events in the world right now. A source close to Meghan has said that a total of £400,000 has been spent on beauty and fashion for the former Suits star's big day, with the majority of it going on the dress. An insider told Look magazine: "Meghan is like any other bride preparing for her dream day. The wedding dress has been the biggest expense, and the budget has now doubled from what it originally was. It's also reported that Meghan has spent a fortune on post-wedding celebrations. The source added: Then there's the honeymoon, which is £120,000 but that is her gift to Harry. After announcing her engagement to ...

    Saudi's Crown Prince is meeting with Theresa May during a controversial visit which has sparked protests. Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, posed with the Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon ahead of talks between the pair. His visit to Number 10 came after lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Others used the hashtag #SaudiPrinceNotWelcome hashtag on social media to express their opposition to his visit. :: Who is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman? Citing anti-terrorism co-operation between the UK and Saudi Arabia, Mrs May told MPs the link between the two countries is "historic, important and has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country". She added: "Their involvement in Yemen came at the request of the...

    The Brussels analysis of the prime minister’s address, issued to representatives of all 27 member states, described her intervention as a change in tone, but not in substance, warning that all the UK’s red lines remained. And while it said the prime minister had promised clarity on Britain’s hopes for a future trading relationship, it branded the model she proposed as unworkable and double cherry-picking. It also claimed there had been zero progress when it came to ideas for customs cooperation. Like with PM May’s previous speeches, she addressed more her domestic audience, trying to bridge the gaps between the two poles of the debate on Brexit in the UK, the paper concluded. While the speech was long on aspirations, it was short on workable solutions that would re...

    Two double decker buses have crashed injuring 14 people in Manchester city centre. Police, ambulances and the fire service rushed to the scene just after 7.30am. It is understood one of the bus doors was jammed shut and some passengers were trapped inside for a brief period. The two vehicles were involved in a smash at the junction of Aytoun Street and Minshull Street, outside the Holiday Inn hotel. The fire service said 14 people are being treated at the scene for minor injuries, the Manchester Evening News reports. Part of the junction has been taped off while an investigation takes place and drivers are being warned of delays. We are assisting the North West Ambulance Service and treating a number of casualties, as well as making the scene safe. There is a co...