Water firm admits sewage discharge offences

Effluent came out of a manhole and into Coundon Burn in County Durham in 2017.

Police officer recruitment drive tops 11,000

The overall provisional headcount of officers in England and Wales is now 139,908, according to Home Office figures to the end of September.

Julian Assange: US begins High Court bid to overturn ban on extraditing WikiLeaks founder

The US has asked the High Court to overturn the decision that blocked Julian Assange's extradition on spying charges. In January, a judge said the WikiLeaks founder should not be handed over as he might kill himself in a US prison. US authorities have now said Assange could serve any jail term in his home country of Australia.

Demi Lovato struggles with fan art of them looking ‘hyper feminine’: ‘That’s not me’

Demi Lovato finds it “hard” to see fan art and photos of themselves from before they came out.

Iran urges Taliban to adopt 'friendly' approach at regional meet

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul.

The Black Friday 2021 beauty and perfume deals to expect from Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier and more

Stock up on new products or get a head start on your Christmas shopping in the mammoth sale

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  Amazon announced its best-selling Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals – will you get them all?

  BGR
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  Black Friday laptop deals 2021: When does the sale start and what deals can we expect?

  The Independent

Ayesha Hazarika: Joanna Lumley’s right — we need to make real sacrifices if we’re serious about fixing climate

Everyone is getting very excited about COP26 up in Glasgow, apart from anyone who lives in Glasgow, who can look forward to all the chaos that comes from thousands of people from all over the world flying into a city to discuss how to stop other people getting on planes. The extreme weather conditions which we are seeing across the world, on these shores and indeed in our capital city, the floods we saw earlier in the year, made many of us sit up and realise that this is not a drill. There is a lot of anger and fear about climate change.

Pope OKs Canada trip to help healing with Indigenous peoples

The Vatican says Pope Francis has agreed to visit Canada to help reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples following shocking revelations of the Catholic church's role in the abuse and deaths of thousands of native children

• Canadian Bishops to Welcome Pope Francis to Canada on Historic Pilgrimage of Healing and Reconciliation

  CNW Group
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  Pope Francis agrees to visit Canada amid Indigenous school scandal

  Axios

6 rare TV shows with asexual characters, from Game of Thrones to BoJack Horseman

The TV industry has worked to broaden LGBT+ representation on televisions, but asexual characters are still few and far in between.

What was in the Budget and what does it mean for you?

The Chancellor announced significant changes to Universal Credit and alcohol duty during his speech.

Health agency denies conspiracy rumour that Fauci personally scared monkeys for experiment

Spokesperson says president’s chief medical adviser ‘is not involved and has never been involved in this study’

Mask-Off: Tories Appear Divided Over Wearing Covid Protection In Packed Commons

Of course Jacob Rees-Mogg was one of the few frontbenchers who went without a face covering.

Climate activists occupy Science Museum overnight in protest against fossil fuel sponsorship

Environmentalists oppose institution’s new Energy Revolution gallery being funded by Adani Group subsidiary with ties to coal industry

Big property developers face levy to pay for removal of dangerous cladding

Developers with more than £25 million in profit will be taxed at a 4% rate, the Chancellor said.

Stacey Abrams group donates $1.34M to wipe out medical debts

The political organization led by Democratic titan Stacey Abrams is branching out into paying off medical debts

Angelina Jolie Forgoes London's Designer Stores For H&M, And Yes She Would Like To Keep The Hangers

The Hollywood star was pictured grabbing some bargains with her 13-year-old daughter Vivienne on Oxford Street.

Tech & Science Daily: The world’s first ‘thinking’ robot

The world’s first ever ‘thinking’ robot has just been created. Using brain-like neurons grown in a lab, Japanese scientists managed to get the machine to steer its way around a small maze. A technique called ‘physical reservoir computing’ enabled it to make sense of the brain waves and dodge barriers.

UK foreign aid cuts to stay in place for at least another three years

UK foreign aid cuts to stay in place for at least another three years. Ministers say overseas budget will be capped at o.5% of gross national income until borrowing reduces

Budget 2021: Rishi Sunak’s ‘age of optimism’ is built on shifting sands

On Budget day, Chancellors also treat us to a barrage of future projections to back up their precise courses of action. Now, one or two of these 10 indeterminables are in the Government’s hands to resolve, such as Brexit.

Tamara Ecclestone and Frank Lampard targeted by burglar who looted £26m in cash and jewellery

A criminal involved in the UK's biggest ever domestic burglary has admitted a plot to smuggle £26 million worth of cash and jewellery stolen from celebrities' homes out of the country.

ABBA confirm they are retiring and new album Voyage will be their last

ABBA have confirmed they are retiring from the spotlight and their upcoming album will be their last. The four-piece Swedish pop group - who first shot to fame in 1972 and are known for hits Dancing Queen, Waterloo and Lay All Your Love on Me  - are set to release their first album in 40 years, Voyage, on November 5. Speaking to The Guardian, two members of the supergroup - Benny Andersson, 74, and Bjorn Ulvaeus, 76 - said there will be no more music from the foursome following the release and concerts.

‘They are dying’ – calls for Prime Minister to address Afghanistan’s famine

Boris Johnson said the UK could not write a blank cheque for aid while the Taliban were in control.