P&O Ferries: Government Eases Row Over 'Rogue' Operator Claim

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Government Eases Row Over 'Rogue' Operator Claim

  • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds clarifies that P&O Ferries is not a 'rogue operator'
  • Louise Haigh's comments about the company did not reflect the official government position
  • DP World to attend UK investment summit and announce £1bn investment
  • Expansion of London Gateway port to create hundreds of jobs in Thurrock
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The Dramatic Win of House Speaker Mike Johnson: An Inside Look

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Mike Johnson Wins House Speaker Race
Louisiana's Mike Johnson secured a win for House Speaker with the help of Reps. Keith Self and Ralph Norman. In a surprising turn of events, Self and Norman switched their votes at the last minute, giving Johnson the majority he needed to win.

Norman's Role in Johnson's Victory
South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, one of the lawmakers who switched votes, spoke to President-elect Donald Trump about his priorities. Norman's decision to switch his vote played a crucial role in Johnson's victory.

A Dramatic Turn of Events
The race for House Speaker was filled with drama and uncertainty. But in the end, Mike Johnson emerged as the winner, thanks to the last-minute support of two key lawmakers.

DHS Prepares for Possible Government Shutdown as Funding Deadline Looms

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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warns of serious consequences for the department if Congress fails to pass legislation funding federal agencies before the funding deadline. TSA employees, FEMA workers, and Border Patrol agents could be impacted, and a shutdown could delay disaster relief for states hit by extreme weather events.

Avoiding a Government Shutdown: Latest Updates

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Congressional Action to Avert a Government Shutdown
Congress has introduced a stopgap bill to fund the government until spring, as lawmakers work to reach an agreement before the midnight shutdown deadline.

Key Considerations in the Bill

  • Temporary Funding: The bill provides temporary funding to keep the government running.
  • Spring Deadline: The new deadline for a long-term funding solution is set for spring.

Stay informed with the latest updates on the government shutdown and congressional efforts to prevent it. Be the first to know with browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.

House Speaker Mike Johnson Gives Update on Spending Bill Negotiations: Avoiding a Government Shutdown

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House Speaker Mike Johnson has given an update on the spending bill negotiations to avoid a government shutdown. The bill, set to be voted on by the House on Friday, includes a continuing resolution through mid-March, as well as just over $100 billion in disaster relief aid for victims of storms Helene and Milton, and assistance for the agriculture industry. The aim is to bypass regular House procedures and get the legislation straight to a chamber-wide vote, but this requires the support of at least two-thirds of the House chamber, making Democratic support critical. The bill will then head to the Senate for approval.

Kroger-Albertsons Merger Blocked by Federal Judge

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In a major blow to Kroger and Albertsons, a federal judge has blocked their $24.6 billion merger. The ruling, in favor of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), found that the proposed union would lessen competition for grocery shoppers. The FTC had argued that the merger would eliminate head-to-head competition between the top two traditional grocery chains, leading to higher prices for shoppers and reduced bargaining leverage for unionized workers. Kroger and Albertsons had tried to convince the judge that selling off 579 of the stores would preserve competition, but the effort was unsuccessful. The ruling essentially scuttles the merger, which would have seen Kroger own approximately 5,000 stores across the US.

Storm Darragh Aftermath: Thousands Left Without Power, Two Dead

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Storm Darragh's Aftermath Leaves 66,000 Without Power and Two Dead.
Storm Darragh caused widespread destruction across the UK, leaving tens of thousands of homes without power and disrupting train lines. Two men died when trees fell on their vehicles in separate incidents. Hundreds of flood alerts were in place, and as many as 134 flood alerts remain in force.

Key Points:

  • 66,000 people are still without power
  • Two men died when trees fell on their vehicles
  • Hundreds of flood alerts were in place
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Major Rail Disruptions Expected Across the U.K. Today!

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Big Trouble on the Rails Today!
Bad news for commuters in the U.K. today!

A nationwide fault is causing major disruptions across the rail network.

What's Going On?
The communication system used between train drivers and signallers is affected.

What Does That Mean?
Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later.
Some may also be subject to cancellations or alterations.

What Should You Do?
Passengers are being advised to check before they travel.

Stay Updated!
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app.
You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to update it as more details become available.

Vietnamese Real Estate Tycoon Faces Death Sentence for Fraud

Truong My Lan to Raise $9 Billion or Face Execution

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A Vietnamese court has upheld a death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan.**

Why?
For her role in a $12 billion financial fraud - the biggest on record in Vietnam.

What happens next?
Lan can request a review of the case and commute her sentence to life imprisonment if she raises 75% of the sums she embezzled, which totals $9 billion.

Stay tuned for updates.

UK House Prices Surprisingly Soaring!

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UK house prices have defied expectations and are growing at their fastest annual rate in nearly two years. The average property now costs £268,144, close to the record high of £273,751 reached in August 2022. This surge is attributed to economic conditions, including low unemployment and above-inflation wage rises. However, a mortgage is far more expensive now due to rising interest rates. The Bank of England warns that around half of UK's mortgage holders face higher rates over the next three years.

Gambling Reforms Delayed, Affecting Those with Addiction

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Communications minister Michelle Rowland's office has apologized for delaying gambling advertising reforms, causing ongoing toll on people harmed by the industry.

  • The delay is due to the need for support from the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  • The Alliance for Gambling Reform group has been campaigning for wagering changes, including removing all gambling advertising from Australian TV and banning targeted promotion material.
  • The proposed gambling ad cap is not ready to go due to sports codes' financial viability.

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Transport Secretary Resigns After Admitting Phone Offence

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Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has resigned after admitting to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013. Haigh, who has been the MP for Sheffield Heeley since 2015, took office as Transport Secretary after Labour's election win in July 2023. She had plans to 'move fast and fix things' and make huge strides to take the rail system back into public ownership. But within months, she became embroiled in a row after describing P&O Ferries as a 'rogue operator'. Haigh's resignation comes after she pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in 2014, following an investigation by her former employer, Aviva, into a missing work phone. She admitted not informing Aviva straight away that she had found her missing work phone was a mistake.

Unidentified Drones Spotted Again at US Air Bases in UK

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Unidentified drones have been spotted for the second time in a week over three US air bases in the UK.** The drones were seen overnight at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk. Authorities are yet to identify the drones or determine whether they are hostile. The US Air Force and the Royal Air Force are working together to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets. This is a developing story and more details will be published shortly.

Under-16s Social Media Ban: No Need for Personal ID, Assures Minister

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The Australian communications minister, Michelle Rowland, has pledged that users won't be required to hand over personal identification like a driver's license or passport for the under-16s social media ban. The bill, which is set to be rammed through parliament, has raised concerns about privacy implications. However, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has negotiated an amendment to ensure no compulsion for people to hand over any form of government ID. Despite these changes, some Coalition members may still vote against the bill.

Two Shootings in the UK: One Dead, Several Injured

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Two shocking shootings have taken place in the UK in the past few days. In Birmingham, one man was killed and another critically injured in a shooting on Rotton Park Road. Police have arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder. Meanwhile, in London, an eight-year-old girl and a man were seriously injured in a shooting in west London. Police are appealing for information and have launched a manhunt for the suspect. These incidents have left the communities shaken and the authorities working to ensure the safety of the public.

Beware of Storm Bert: Travel Disruptions and School Closures Across the UK

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Storm Bert** is on its way, bringing heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds to parts of the UK this weekend. Scotland is under an amber snow alert, with roads becoming treacherous and numerous schools closed. South-west England, north Wales, and northern Scotland have also experienced heavy snowfall, leading to school closures and transport disruptions. Stay safe and updated with local weather warnings and travel advice.

Trump's New Education Secretary, Migrant Mayhem, and More!

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Good morning! Here's what you need to know to start your day. Trump has tapped the former WWE CEO for education secretary, while a migrant mayhem ensues in a liberal hub. A Republican governor sees light ahead after clashing with the Biden admin, and a Dem mayor throws down a dare to the incoming Trump admin. Plus, JD Vance's Capitol Hill field trip and more!

California Minimum Wage Hike Narrowly Rejected: What It Means

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California voters have rejected a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026.** The current minimum wage in California is $16 for most workers and $20 in the fast-food sector. The healthcare sector will eventually see its minimum wage reach $25 an hour. The proposal, known as Proposition 32, was supported by 49.2% of voters, but failed to pass. Opponents had argued that it would increase costs, lead to higher taxes, and push businesses to cut jobs. **The rejection of Proposition 32 is a setback for labor unions and workers who were hoping for a higher minimum wage.

Anger Among UK Farmers Over Inheritance Tax Changes

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UK farmers are feeling betrayed and angry over changes to inheritance tax rules.
From April 2026, farmland worth more than £1m will be taxed at 20%, half the usual inheritance tax rate.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said that the real figure of farmers affected is about two-thirds, while the government claims it's only a quarter.
Farming families, particularly older farmers, may struggle to raise the money due to the need to reinvest profits in production.
Some farmers have raised the prospect of refusing to supply supermarkets in protest, but the NFU does not agree with this action.

Trump's Bold Move: Musk and Ramaswamy to Lead Government Efficiency Department

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In a surprising announcement, President-elect Donald Trump has tapped SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new "Department of Governmental Efficiency". The pair will be tasked with advising the administration on how to cut $2 trillion from government spending and dismantle bureaucracy. This decision is part of Trump's plan to shake up the government and make it more efficient. Meanwhile, French farmers are planning to push back on EU plans to strike a free trade deal with South America. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. (600 characters.)

Armed Police Arrest Man with Knives Near UK Parliament

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Breaking news!** A man has been arrested outside the Houses of Parliament in London after reports of him carrying knives. According to witnesses, he was wearing homemade armour and was quickly surrounded by armed police. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported. The area was cordoned off, and the man is now in police custody. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. **Are you at the scene? Share your experience with us!