Oversize lorries causing ‘bedlam’ on rural roads

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, said there had been a “spate of accidents” recently. And it said councils “urgently need tougher powers” to tackle the issue. But the government said police already had the “necessary power to take action” and it had “no plans” to give local authorities more powers. Driving …

Around the Globe, a Desperate Flight From Turmoil

For an earnest young Christian named Ben Lowe, revelation came on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in Africa. A relentless warming of the lake was reducing the catch of fish, the people were going hungry — and he had learned of scientific evidence that climate change was to blame. For the Rev. Brian Sauder, who …

Nato force commitment extended, says defence secretary

Mr Fallon told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show 1,000 troops would be sent next year and 3,000 in 2017, chiefly in response to the threat posed by Russia. He accused Vladimir Putin of “sabre-rattling” and said it was important for the UK to commit to Nato’s mission. Tory backbenchers and US officials have expressed concerns …

Hackers From China Gained Top Access to U.S. Systems

WASHINGTON — For more than five years, American intelligence agencies followed several groups of Chinese hackers who were systematically draining information from defense contractors, energy firms and electronics makers, their targets shifting to fit Beijing’s latest economic priorities. But last summer, officials lost the trail as some of the hackers changed focus again, burrowing deep …

Q&A: What Britain wants from Europe

The official UK government position is that a referendum will be held by the end of 2017 but Downing Street sources have said: “If we can do it earlier we will.” There is speculation David Cameron is planning to hold the vote in 2016 to avoid a clash with French and German elections in 2017. …

Teens arrested as 300 attend Dagenham house party

Police were called to Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, at 23:00 BST on Saturday after reports of a street fight. Officers recovered three large knives, scissors and cannabis from the “large and unpredictable” crowd, they said. Two boys aged 17 and 15 were arrested - one on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and the other on …