United Kingdom

    Theresa May is planning on making the case to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) a central aspect of her 2020 election campaign, according to reports. She would reportedly plan to transfer the rights from the international body into British law, to be applied by the Supreme Court. Ms May will be looking for a solid mandate from the British public and a stronger majority in Parliament to proceed with the controversial process of leaving the ECHR. Critics have said the move, which goes further than David Cameron’s plans for a Britsh Bill of Rights, would weaken the rights of citizens. A government source told The Telegraph: A clean break [from the ECHR] is by far the best option and, if we put it in the manifesto, even those Tory MPs who are squeamish about...

    Dozens of people have been arrested in a crackdown on nail bars suspected of committing immigration offences. A total of 97 people were arrested, while businesses were warned they could face fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker. Some 14 people were also identified as potentially being at risk of modern slavery. The week-long Operation Magnify aimed to target risk industries in which ministers claim employers are exploiting foreign workers. The Immigration Enforcement initiative took place from 27 November to 3 December and saw officers visit more than 280 businesses across the UK. It comes after Theresa May promised tougher immigration rules in her first conference speech as Conservative leader. Immigration minister Robert Goodwill said: “This operation sends a strong...

    Baml expects sterling to rise to $1.29 by the end of the year, while Morgan Stanley believes sterling will climb to $1.26 against the dollar by the end of next year and $1.45 by the end of 2018. The pound faces a rollercoaster ride next year as policymakers start the process of leaving the European Union, analysts have warned. The expected triggering of Article 50 in the first quarter of 2017 is predicted to push down the value of sterling against a basket of major currencies, dragging it to a 32-year low against the dollar. The start of two years of formal Brexit negotiations with Brussels is expected to push the pound down by more than 5pc against the dollar and euro from current levels of $1.2290 and €1.1764, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Baml), Morgan Sta...

    George Michael with partner Fadi Fawaz George Michael's heartbroken boyfriend has said that he found the star dead in bed on Christmas Day. The 53-year-old pop icon died at his riverside home in the Oxfordshire village of Goring-on-Thames and his partner Fadi Fawaz has revealed on Twitter he found the body. Mr Fawaz said:"ITs a xmas i will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning.. I will never stop missing you xx [sic]" Mr Fawaz's has repeated "I will never stop missing you xxx" on his description on Twitter. His revelation comes as fans continue to leave flowers and tributes outside the former Wham! frontman's homes in Goring and Highgate. And there has been a surge in purchases of his music. On Sunday night there were six Georg...

    Councils were given permission to carry out more than 55,000 days of covert surveillance over five years, including spying on people walking dogs, feeding pigeons and fly-tipping, the Guardian can reveal. A mass freedom of information request has found 186 local authorities – two-thirds of the 283 that responded – used the government’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) to gather evidence via secret listening devices, cameras and private detectives. Among the detailed examples provided were Midlothian council using the powers to monitor dog barking and Allerdale borough council gathering evidence about who was guilty of feeding pigeons. Wolverhampton used covert surveillance to check on the sale of dangerous toys and car clocking; Slough to aid an investigation ...

    Pop superstar George Michael's death at the age of 53 from suspected heart failure is being treated by police as unexplained but not suspicious. The 53-year-old has died peacefully at home, his family said on Sunday night. It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period, Michael's family said in a statement released by Thames Valley Police. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage. Michael died at his home in Goring, England. His publicist, Cindi Berger, said he had not been ill. Michael's manager, Michael Lippman, says the cause of death was heart failure. Thames Valley Police were...

    The Queen will use her Christmas Day broadcast to deliver an upbeat message with the theme of inspiration, highlighting the importance of learning from ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Reflecting on the past 12 months, Her Majesty will say in her festive message: I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special. They are an inspiration to those who know them. Every year her pre-recorded message is broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day and shown in all Commonwealth countries. It is written by the Queen - drawing on her own experiences over the past year, often with a strong religious message reflecting her faith. It is on...

    Theresa May has used her Christmas message to urge Britain to be bold as it looks to find a new place for itself in the world after Brexit. The Prime Minister called for people in the country to come together after what has been one of the most destabilising years in modern history. Ms May also spoke of her childhood memories of growing up in a vicarage and what it means to be working at Christmas. She said: Coming together is also important for us as a country. As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future. And, with our international partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase prosperity and face the challenges to peace and...

    Dr Sellers had dreamed of going into space ever since he saw images of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbiting the Earth in 1961 Piers Sellers, a British-born climate scientist for Nasa who remained optimistic about the fate of the Earth despite the grim climate change models he oversaw and who gained American citizenship to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, has died in Houston. He was 61. The death was confirmed in a statement by Nasa Administrator Charles Bolden. Dr Sellers, who had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in October 2015, went public with his diagnosis in a New York Times column in January 2016. He wrote that while he had hoped he would see solutions to the problem of climate change in his lifetime, he was devoted to continuing his...

    Only 29% of the 2,028 people surveyed said they were confident of the government. Employees in the UK are not confident that the government would be able to negotiate a favourable Brexit trade deal, according to a report published on Friday. The Glassdoor Brexit survey revealed that only 29% of the 2,028 people surveyed said that they were confident of government's ability to negotiate a good deal. The survey by the recruitment firm showed that even regions that had majorly supported the leave campaign had low confidence in this regard. More from IBTimes UK • UK workers optimistic despite Brexit fears, expect pay raise in 2017 – Randstad Workmonitor survey • UK private sector growth ends the year on a high, reveals CBI survey • Jobs growth will continue into 2017 despite c...