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Boris Johnson asks UK to 'move on' from Brexit as MPs debate withdrawal bill Prime minister says it’s time to drop ‘old labels of leave and remain’, but Labour will oppose billLatest politics news - live updatesBoris Johnson has called on the British public to discard the labels of leave and remain as MPs prepared to take a historic step towards withdrawing the UK from the EU.The prime minister was opening the debate on the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill (Wab), MPs’ first opportunity to vote on Brexit since last week’s general election. Continue reading... Go to Source

Andrew Bailey appointed head of Bank of England Sajid Javid announces head of Financial Conduct Authority as replacement for Mark CarneyLive: Chancellor appoints Andrew Bailey new Bank of England governorAndrew Bailey, the head of the UK financial watchdog, has been named as the next governor of the Bank of England.The chancellor, Sajid Javid, announced the replacement for Mark Carney, who is due to stand down from the role at the end of January after six and a half years in the job. Bailey is the current chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK weather: rail lines and roads flooded after heavy rain Persistent downpours cause transport disruption with weekend washout forecastHeavy rain and flooding have caused severe disruption in parts of southern England, forcing one rail operator to advise against travelling by train.Some areas of the UK have had more than 50mm of rain in a day and a half. The village of Cardinham in Cornwall had 52mm of rain in 36 hours, while an area further inland, outside Launceston, got 53.4mm. Libanus in the Breacon Beacons, south Wales, had 43mm. Continue reading... Go to Source

Scott Morrison apologises for taking holiday during Australia's bushfire crisis Prime minister says he ‘deeply regrets’ any offence caused by him taking leave during fires, and he will return to Sydney Fire threat sweeps across NSW, Queensland and South Australia – follow live updatesScott Morrison has apologised for going on holiday while Australia is in the grip of an extended bushfire crisis and a record-breaking heatwave.In a statement on Friday morning the prime minister explained he had brought forward his leave with his family due to the need to travel to Japan and India in January. Continue reading... Go to Source

Democratic debate: Buttigieg becomes target as candidates clash in Los Angeles Klobuchar questions mayor’s political experience as Warren condemns his fundraising tacticsThe final Democratic presidential debate of the year brought together seven 2020 candidates in California on Thursday for an at times heated argument over their qualifications, policy proposals and paths to the White House.On the heels of Donald Trump’s impeachment, the debate, hosted by PBS NewsHour and Politico, opened with the historic events in Washington the day before but quickly pivoted to key issues for Democratic voters, such as social injustice and climate change. Facing repeated attacks was Pete Buttigieg, the South Bend, Indiana, mayor, who has been rising in the polls in early primary states. ...

Queen's speech: PM points to harder Brexit and 10-year rule Johnson government outlines tougher laws on sentencing and constitutional reformFollow all the latest political news – liveBoris Johnson has set out his vision for the Tories to govern for the next decade as he published a Queen’s speech that points the way towards a harder Brexit and sweeping constitutional reforms.The prime minister claimed that he wanted his programme for government to last for more than one parliament, describing it as a “blueprint for the future of Britain”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ketamine-like drug for depression gets UK licence Psychiatrists divided on ‘game-changing’ esketamine due to potential for addictionA radical ketamine-like drug has been licensed for use in the UK for severe depression, a decision that offers hope to the millions of patients for whom conventional treatments have failed.Esketamine, taken as a nasal spray, is one of the first rapid-acting drugs for depression and the first in decades that is thought to work in a fundamentally different way in the brain. However, psychiatrists are divided on the benefits, with some hailing esketamine as a game-changer and others raising fears about the potential for addiction and abuse. Continue reading... Go to Source

Democratic debate: candidates face off in Los Angeles – live updates Candidates taking the stage at Loyola Marymount University will seek to break through as impeachment dominates the headlinesFull story: seven candidates seek their star momentAnalysis: why California is now a primary powerhouse 11.53pm GMTThe debate is taking place in Los Angeles, a city where the escalating homeless crisis has become a public health emergency. LA experienced a 16% increase in homelessness this year, with a total of 36,000 people now homeless across the city, including 27,000 without shelter. Related: Workers on frontlines of homeless crisis tell Trump: 'We don't need tough talk' 11.44pm GMTThose tuning in to watch tonight’s Democratic debate might have a question when the participants take t...

Clive Lewis joins race to be Labour leader pledging to 'unleash' party Shadow Treasury minister says he wants to go further than Jeremy Corbyn in giving power to Labour membersClive Lewis: ‘I’m standing to be leader so the truth can be heard’Clive Lewis has declared his candidacy for Labour leader, with a pledge to go further than Jeremy Corbyn in giving party members a say on policy and the selection of MPs. Related: I’m standing to be Labour leader so the truth can be heard | Clive Lewis Continue reading... Go to Source

NSW bushfires: RFS names two firefighters killed south-west of Sydney Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, both fathers of young children, died when their truck overturned near Buxton while fighting the Green Wattle Creek blaze A “tight-knit” western Sydney volunteer firefighting brigade has been devastated after two firefighters were killed in the battle to contain a blaze that ripped through villages south-west of the city.Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, from the Horsley Park brigade, were in a truck convoy near the town of Buxton late on Thursday when a tree fell into their path, causing the vehicle to roll off the road. Continue reading... Go to Source