Brexit Supreme Court appeal will hear Welsh views

The Welsh and Scottish governments will be involved in the court case over how Brexit should be triggered.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by the UK government against a High Court ruling that Theresa May must consult Parliament over the process.

Counsel General Mick Antoniw welcomed news of the permission to intervene.

He said it was not about whether the UK leaves the EU, but to "reinforce the importance of Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law".

The UK government claims that the prime minister can invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to launch the formal two-year process of leaving the European Union using crown prerogative.

But Welsh and Scottish ministers have objected, claiming the same method could be used to undermine devolution unless the appeal fails.

"This case raises issues of profound importance not only in relation to the concept of Parliamentary Sovereignty but also in relation to the wider constitutional arrangements of the United Kingdom and the legal framework for devolution," said Mr Antoniw, AM for Pontypridd and the Welsh Government's senior legal adviser.

"This case is not about whether the UK leaves the EU or not," he added.

"The people have voted for the UK to leave the EU, and the UK will leave.

"The sole legal question at issue is whether the UK government can, as a matter of constitutional law, use the prerogative powers to give notice of withdrawal from the European Union.

"In the Supreme Court, the Welsh Government will seek to reinforce the importance of Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law: core, established principles of British constitutional law."

Plaid Cymru's external affairs spokesman Steffan Lewis also welcomed the development, saying: "Wales' voice must be heard as crucial decisions are taken over our country's future."

The Supreme Court is expected to start its deliberations on 5 December. The case will take about four days with a ruling in the new year.

Mr Antoniw will not take part himself but will be represented by leading counsel Richard Gordon QC and junior counsel Tom Pascoe.

A spokesperson for the UK government said: "It is a matter for the Supreme Court which applications to intervene are accepted.

"The UK government's position remains the same, and we will be taking strong legal arguments to court next month."

Sir Terry Wogan Pudsey tribute cartoon raises £1,300 for Children in Need

A cartoonist's tribute to Sir Terry Wogan showing Pudsey Bear in mourning attracted worldwide interest as it was auctioned off for Children in Need.

The original of Darren 'Birdie' Bird's painting showing the mascot "paying his respects" to Sir Terry went under the hammer on BBC Radio Suffolk.

Bidders included a regular listener from New York. A last-minute offer of £1,300 saw it sold to an Ipswich man, who wanted to remain anonymous.

Mr Bird said he was "very proud".

He said: "The fact that it's done what it's done, I can't put it into words.

"Every single one of those £1,300 is going to Children in Need and if that makes Sir Terry happy somewhere then I'm a very proud man today."

Mr Bird, from Ipswich, created the A3 watercolour on the morning news broke that Sir Terry had died

It features Pudsey with a tear running down his face and his usually colourful eye patch is black.

Mr Bird's design was adopted by the official Children in Need charity and went viral on social media.

Friday's Children in Need show will be the first since Sir Terry died in January.

It will feature a special tribute to the presenter.

Jo Cox tried to shield face during shooting, jury hears

MP Jo Cox tried to shield her face with her hands as her killer shot her in the head, the Old Bailey has heard.

The 41-year-old Batley and Spen MP received 15 stab wounds and was shot three times in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June.

In statements read to the jury, ambulance staff told of how they gave the "unresponsive" MP emergency treatment at the scene, but she was pronounced dead at 13:48 BST.

Thomas Mair, 53, denies her murder.

Mr Mair, from Birstall, also denies grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon - a dagger.

'Multiple stab wounds'

Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said that Mrs Cox had died "as a result of multiple stab and gunshot wounds".

Jurors were shown computer-generated images of the body as he gave evidence in court.

Dr Shepherd catalogued the stab wounds, including to the victim's chest cavity, stomach and hand, some of which he said had been inflicted with between "moderate and severe force".

The court also heard there had been a wound to her left hand that was a "through and through" entry and exit bullet hole.

Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC asked: "It could be consistent with the hand being raised to the face and the bullet going through?"

Dr Shepherd replied: "Indeed. It could be with any of the injuries but I think it makes more sense that the hands were up covering the face and the bullet has gone through the right hand and... into the head."

He continued: "I concluded that she received multiple stab wounds to the back, front and left side of the chest and abdomen.

"The stab wounds had penetrated her heart, left lung, stomach and liver."

One person shot in Portland at anti-Trump protest

Thousands take to the streets for a third night in cities across the United States

Protesters demonstrating against the election of Donald Trump gathered in several US cities for a third night on Friday, hours after the president-elect praised their “passion”.

Thousands took to the streets in Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, voicing anger at Trump’s inflammatory and often deeply controversial campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and women.

Early on Saturday, one person was shot while crossing Morrison Bridge in Portland after an hours-long demonstration, police said. It was not immediately clear what condition the person was in.

“Everyone needs to leave the area immediately,” police said on Twitter, and they asked witnesses to come forward.

Earlier in the night, protesters blocked traffic and threw objects at police dressed in riot gear who responded with pepper spray and flash-bang devices. At one point, police pushed protesters back and appeared to take at least one person into custody, according to footage on a local NBC affiliate.

Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Los Angeles, blocking traffic as they waved signs in opposition of Trump and chanted “We reject the president elect” and “Whose streets? Our Streets”.

Several thousand activists marched through downtown Miami, with a few hundred making their way onto a highway, halting traffic in both directions.

Anti-Trump demonstrators have voiced concerns that his presidency, due to start on January 20th, would infringe on Americans’ civil and human rights.

They cited his campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations the former reality-TV star sexually abused women.

Protesters in various cities have chanted slogans, including “No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and carried signs reading “Impeach Trump”.

White supremacist groups including the Kulx Klan (KKK) have praised Trump’s election, and some civil rights advocacy groups have reported a spike of attacks on minorities following Trump’s victory on Tuesday.

Trump has rejected the KKK’s support.

Most of the protests across the country, which have also taken place in Washington, DC, have been largely comprised of young adults and college students.

With the country evenly divided, many voters were shocked by the result given that opinion polls failed to predict Trump’s triumph. The Republican Party also managed to maintain its majorities in both houses of Congress in Tuesday’s vote.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she doesn't accept England's victory of 3-0 against Scotland

After England's victory of 3-0 against Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said that she doesn't accept the results. As she is the first Scottish minister, this attitude reflects badly on Scotland and could lead to more of an increase of both teams clashing more than they did at Wembley tonight.

This could just be another way of her having the spotlight of the media as article 50 ended up going her way. It seems like she is that type of person that everything has to be perfect for them. This shows a high level of self interest and not the interest of the Scottish people.

With this self interest it shows that we don't live in a democracy, here at the UK, but instead we live in a dictatorship and I wouldn't be surprised if Sturgeon attempted to claim that the game was rigged.

Robert Vaughn, Man from UNCLE actor, dies aged 83

Vaughn was also famous for his role as Lee in the Magnificent Seven, and television roles in Hustle and Coronation Street.

The iconic actor died after a battle with acute leukaemia, his manager, Matthew Sullivan, told the BBC.

Vaughn died in New York on Friday morning surrounded by his family, he said.

The actor, who was "a few months shy of 84" had been seeking treatment for his leukaemia, Mr Sullivan said.

"He was a great human being. I enjoyed every day of working with him," he said.

Vaughn had only recently finished two projects - an appearance on Law and Order: SVU, and a starring role in the upcoming film Gold Star, about a young woman caring for her dying father.

Famous films Vaughn worked on included Bullitt and Towering Inferno, both with Steve McQueen, and he took the role of the villain in Superman III.

He was also well-known in Britain for his 1970s appearance as Harry Rule in the ITV series, The Protectors.

The plot featured three wealthy individuals getting together each week, usually in exotic locations, to solve crimes and protect the innocent.

Though extremely popular, it was later described by Vaughn in his autobiography as "tasteless junk".

Decades later, he would have anther hit UK series with Hustle, a BBC series in which he played elderly con man Albert Stroller, responsible for setting up potential targets for a younger generation of grifters.

He is survived by his wife Linda and two children, Cassidy and Caitlin Vaughn.

On social media, fans paid tribute to his work.

"Robert Vaughn, such a fine actor, one of the best Columbo villains (no higher praise than that) and an utterly charming man," tweeted Stephen Fry.

Actor Jon Donahue said: "As an 80s kid, I grew up with Superman III... Robert Vaughn was a badass!" referencing Vaughn's role as Superman's nemesis.

Gavin Free, creator of the YouTube series The Slow Mo Guys paid tribute to Vaughn's work ethic. "I got to work with him on Hustle five years ago. He did his own slow mo stunts that day while in his late 70s," he wrote.

Donald Trump and Barack Obama meet at White House

Barrack Obama said he was "encouraged" by their "excellent" and "wide-ranging" conversation, lasting over an hour.

During the election campaign, Trump vowed to dismantle Obama's legacy and he has previously questioned his US citizenship.

Obama, meanwhile, had called Trump "uniquely unqualified".

But following Trump's shock defeat of Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's election, Obama appealed for national unity and said he was "rooting" for him.

After Thursday's behind-closed-doors meeting in the White House, Obama said: "My number one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful."

He said they had discussed domestic and foreign policy and he had been "very encouraged" by Trump's interest in working with President Obama's team on issues facing the US.

Tump said he would "very much look forward" to dealing with President Obama in future.

"I have great respect, the meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half, and it could've, as far as I'm concerned, it could've gone on for a lot longer," the president-elect said.

"We discussed a lot of different situations - some wonderful and some difficulties."

As president-elect, he is entitled to get the same daily intelligence briefing as President Obama, which includes information on covert US operations and other data gathered by America's 17 intelligence agencies.

Mr Trump's team is understood to be focused on quickly filling key national security posts.

Donald Trump tells Theresa May : UK is special

Downing Street have said that Donald Trump had spoken of his close connections with the UK while Theresa May congratulated him on his win.

Donald Turump said the UK was a "very, very special place for me and for our country".

Boris Johnson has urged Trump's critics to stop the "whinge-o-rama" and be "positive about the possibilities".

Trump has contacted a number of world leaders in the wake of his surprise victory in the US presidential race, including those of Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, Israel, Turkey, India, Japan and South Korea. May is thought to have been the ninth leader he called.

Downing Street confirmed that Trump and May had since spoken on Thursday and had agreed that "the US-UK relationship was very important and very special and that building on this would be a priority for them both".

"President-elect Trump set out his close and personal connections with, and warmth for, the UK. He said he was confident that the special relationship would go from strength to strength."

Earlier, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg told the BBC's World at One he saw both Brexit and Trump's election as a "triumph of optimism for people in America, who believe in the American Dream and believed that the liberal elite were taking it away from them" while in the UK he believed it was "about feeling that the UK could stand on its own two feet".

But former Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "I think we should be deeply worried about the implications for many of the things that we care about ... tackling climate change .. dealing with problems in the Middle East ... his attitude to Russia."

Putin Plots with Trump

Not even 5 hours prior Trump's victory, Vladimir Putin has already phoned the President wanting to "chat". It was clear from the beginning that both of these people were close, but is Putin taking advantage of Trump for his own benefit?

We know that Russia had attempted to get involved in the election, as proven by the FBI, and Trump defended him in the final debate. Even though, he did say he didn't agree with his interference.

What is Vladimir Putin planning with President Trump? Can they both be trusted? Is Putin using Trump to initiate a third world war?

Only time will tell, stay tuned for more updates.

Trump wins USA election 2016

Republican candidate, Donald J Trump, wins the presidency of 2016-2020. He managed to gain at least 270 seats by winning key states such as Florida, Iowa, Ohio and North Carolina. This meant that another President Clinton was highly unlikely.

Many Clinton supports at the Clinton HQ are devastated at the result with a spokesman saying "the result looked like it was going in our favour...but we've all been proven wrong."

The more seats Mr Trump gains the more likely the wall is seeming a reality. Certain people across the world claim that "this is the start of world war 3."

Donald Trump is going to be the first president that his advisor is going to be himself.

An America Citizen said that "we're making history" while another citizen said "there is already a wall and our children are going to carry on voting and we're ready to mobilize."

"I feel good about it and didn't feel it was a surprise. Ashamed to vote for Donald Trump but he is the lesser of two evils. People are very quick to say Donald Trump isn't the right choice. I was upset when Trump didn't win more seats."
This was a quote from a Trump supporter who voted for Trump to be President.

Hillary Clinton tried to catch up by winning Nevada boosting her seats to 215 but she didn't manage to gain the electorate majority in more states. Due to the close result it means that Donald Trump has a weak mandate.

The financial markets were hoping for a Hillary Clinton win. This election was very much like Brexit as the whole country is split and the markets start to dip which means that this election wasn't good for democracy. It is predicted that all the main markets will be down by at least 4%.

The US dollar also falls against many major currencies and Japan's Nikkei 225 briefly plunges 6.1%. Putin was hoping Trump would win as it would mean that America could work with Russia. This means that the UK will now have to befriend Russia. London futures fall more than 4.0%.

Trump wins Georgia

Trump wins Georgia which means he has been given 16 more electoral seats meaning he has 244/270 needed. Only 9 more states need to be called so it's safe to say that Trump will be the next leader of the free world.

USA Election 2016 Update #4

Hillary Clinton closes the gap between with Donald Trump by getting 197 of the electoral seats while Trump has 193 Trump seats. Both candidates need 270 or more to be in the Oval Office.

Seeing how well Trump has been doing this has led to the Mexico Immigration website to crash and the wall becoming more of a reality.

Only 37 states have been called and Trump wins the state of Utah meaning he can have 6 more electoral votes. The remaining states still remain on the 50/50 boarder line as mentioned earlier.

For Hillary Clinton to get in the Oval Office, Clinton needs to turn some of her loses on their head otherwise she doesn't have a pathway to the White House. This would mean that the election would be won by Trump.

In the previous seconds it has been announced that Trump has won the state of Florida which means he is short of 48 seats.

To clarify Trump NOW has 222 seats out of 270 while Clinton only has 209.

More updates to follow

USA Election 2016 Update #3

Donald Trump still holds on to his narrow lead with 123 our of 270 votes needed while Hillary Clinton quickly catches up the votes as she manages to gain a total of 104 votes. This is only with 24 States called. America is almost half way of having their new president. America is divided with this election so whatever the outcome they will either have Clinton or a Trump presidency.

It is a close race in key States as Trump is predicted to take Texas' 38 electoral seats. Hillary Clinton has failed to make her case that she would be better for the economy as many Americans have been left behind with the economy and can't afford the taxes Clinton is wanting to impose. Florida is neck and neck with 89% of precincts in.

Stay tuned for more

USA Election 2016 Update #2

Clinton has 97 votes while Trump has 123 votes of the 270 needed. It's starting to look like Trump may get his hands on the nuclear codes. He is predicted to win the electoral seats in Virginia. Only 22 states have been called which means Clinton may stand a chance to get in the White House still.

Stay tuned to find out.

US Election 2016 UPDATE

Clinton has managed to gain 68 out of the 260 seats needed to win while Trump has gained 66 out of the 270 seats needed. Only 15 states have been counted and the deciding states are near enough 50/50. The new President will be the most unliked president in America history.

This comes after the BBC's audio cut out while informing the public about the election. This meant that the information they said was never heard therefore 'dead air'.

America is literally split 50/50 between Trump and Clinton which means from day 1 whoever gets the presidency will be defending their policies instead of making any change.

More to come. Tell me your thoughts by getting in contact

US Election 2016

As I'm writing this, it is clear that Clinton has managed to gain 68 out of the 270 seats needed while Trump has gained 37 seats.
In recent elections, the President has been elected on a very weak mandate chosen for the people by the people.

While the voting counting is still going on let's question each of the candidates manifesto's. Trump promises to build a wall on the Mexico border but refuses to pay for it. He claims that no one treats women with as much respect for women as him while he has said that women are "pigs" and "slags" and "cows" among other racist and sexit comments. This would bring his mandate into question as it can cause his accountability to be brought into question.

Where as, when Clinton was asked about Immigration in the 3rd and final debate she gave a very fague answer and that she would allow anyone bar terriorsts to enter the country. The whole e-mail scandal has been looked by the FBI multiple times so it would bring into question her relationship with the secret services of America and the FBI among the CIA if she becomes President.

Trump offered Clinton another debate which could be to boost his party as in the final debate he said that he would not accept the result unless he won it.

More to come soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

Brexiting Brexit

The British PM intends to go ahead with activating article 50 in March by appealing to the Supreme Court. It was the ruling of the High Court that the EU referendum has to be advisory which meant MPs had to debate and vote in the House of Commons. This would further result in it having to go through the House of Lords where the Conservative party don't have a majority.

However, Nigel Farage has argued that the EU referendum has the highest mandate in political history with more than 46 million electorates voting.

If Parliament don't get the result they want, they do have the chance to appeal to the European Court to determine Brexit's fate. More than likely, if this happens it would mean Brexit would take place because the EU wants Britain out since the result of the referendum.

Teresha May intends to tell the EU that Brexit is still on track despite the article 50 ruling. Due to Gina Miller, the polls now show that the majority of the electorate wants to remain inside the EU. This would then bring into question May's government and has the potential to lead to another general election