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Asghar Farhadi

From Iran to Cannes, the director who won’t be silenced

Asghar Farhadi

Clare Foges

Myth of the Iron Lady must not lead Mrs May astray

Clare Foges

Heavyweight hope

Interview: Hughie is off the wall but more rational than Tyson

Heavyweight hope

Sturgeon to seek second independence vote for Scotland

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Nicola Sturgeon will formally seek permission from Westminster to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, the Scottish first minister said today. Ms Sturgeon said that she wanted a new vote on leaving the UK between autumn next year and the spring of 2019. The SNP leader said that she...Nicola Sturgeon will formally seek permission from Westminster to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, the Scottish first minister said today. Ms Sturgeon said that she wanted a new vote on leaving the UK between autumn next year and the spring of 2019. The SNP leader said that she...Nicola Sturgeon will formally seek permission from Westminster to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, the...

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EU workers must stay, Oxford heads tell May

The heads of 35 Oxford colleges are pleading with MPs to allow European Union citizens the right to stay after Brexit as they claim that an exodus of academics has already begun. The leaders of Britain’s oldest university have made their appeal before a Commons vote on the Article 50 bill that will trigger the country’s exit from the EU.The heads of 35 Oxford colleges are pleading with MPs to allow European Union citizens the right to stay after Brexit as they claim that an exodus of academics has already begun. The leaders of Britain’s oldest university have made their appeal before a Commons vote on the Article 50 bill that will trigger the country’s exit from the EU.The heads of 35 Oxford colleges are pleading with MPs to allow European Union citizens the right to stay after Brexit as they...

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Strikes spread as Northern and Merseyrail drivers stay at home

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One of the most damaging rail strikes in decades escalated today when train drivers refused to cross picket lines – forcing the cancellation of up to eight in ten services. Train timetables were affected across northern England when members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out as part of a...One of the most damaging rail strikes in decades escalated today when train drivers refused to...One of the most damaging rail strikes in decades escalated today when train drivers refused to...

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Tensions rise ahead of Dutch elections

The far right in the Netherlands has demanded that all 400,000 ethnic Turks there be stripped of their dual citizenship amid rising tensions before the country’s elections on Wednesday. Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party, described Turks...The far right in the Netherlands has demanded that all 400,000 ethnic Turks there be stripped of...The far right in the Netherlands has demanded that all 400,000 ethnic Turks there be stripped of...

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Turkish rallies cancelled in Europe over Erdogan row

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Turkish referendum rallies have been cancelled in three more European countries amid an escalating row between Ankara and the Netherlands. After police in the Netherlands broke up a rally on Saturday in support of granting President Erdogan more powers, sparking an accusation from him that the...Turkish referendum rallies have been cancelled in three more European countries amid an escalating row between Ankara and the Netherlands. After police in the Netherlands broke up a rally on Saturday in support of granting President Erdogan more powers, sparking an accusation from him that the...Turkish referendum rallies have been cancelled in three more European countries amid an escalating row between Ankara and the...

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Post-election chaos could propel Wilders into a no-lose situation

Even if he loses, Geert Wilders could be a winner after the elections on Wednesday. With his bouffant peroxide hair and strident Muslim-bashing, Mr Wilders has helped to fracture traditional Dutch politics to the point where the country could become ungovernable. Opinion polls yesterday put him and his Freedom Party in second place, just...Even if he loses, Geert Wilders could be a winner after the elections on Wednesday. With his bouffant peroxide hair and strident Muslim-bashing, Mr Wilders has helped to fracture traditional Dutch politics to the point where the country could become ungovernable. Opinion polls yesterday put him and his Freedom Party in second place, just...Even if he loses, Geert Wilders could be a winner after the elections on Wednesday. With his bouffant peroxide hair and...

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Record number of children killed in Syria last year

At least 652 children were killed in Syria last year, the highest number yet in the country’s six-year civil war, according to a United Nations report. There were reports of persistent attacks on schools, hospitals, playgrounds, parks and homes in 2016, with aid workers describing the conflict between the Syrian...At least 652 children were killed in Syria last year, the highest number yet in the country’s...At least 652 children were killed in Syria last year, the highest number yet in the country’s...

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Man fined after quokka-kicking video goes viral

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A 21-year-old gas field worker who laughed as he filmed his friend brutally kicking a trapped quokka, has been fined...A 21-year-old gas field worker who laughed as he filmed his friend brutally kicking a trapped...A 21-year-old gas field worker who laughed as he filmed his friend brutally kicking a trapped...

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Hit-and-run bus driver kills 38 in Haiti

A bus driver is on the run after killing up to 38 people in Haiti when he sped away from a crash and ploughed into...A bus driver is on the run after killing up to 38 people in Haiti when he sped away from a crash...A bus driver is on the run after killing up to 38 people in Haiti when he sped away from a crash...

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Wood Group takeover of Amec puts jobs at risk

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Thousands of employees are facing an uncertain future as a result of John Wood Group’s all-share takeover of Amec Foster Wheeler. The deal to create a British engineering champion values Amec Foster Wheeler at about £2.3 billion. Amec Foster Wheeler shares rose by 15 per cent to 563p in morning trading and those in Wood Group gained 4.4 per cent to 785½p. The...Thousands of employees are facing an uncertain future as a result of John Wood Group’s all-share...Thousands of employees are facing an uncertain future as a result of John Wood Group’s all-share...

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Rivals circle wounded housebuilder Bovis

Bovis Homes was at the centre of a takeover battle last night that could value a merged business at nearly £2.5 billion.Bovis Homes was at the centre of a takeover battle last night that could value a merged business at nearly £2.5 billion. The housebuilder confirmed that it had rebuffed an initial approach from Galliford Try, the construction and housing group, about a merger but remained in talks about a possible deal. It also said...Bovis Homes was at the centre of a takeover battle last night that could value a merged business at nearly £2.5 billion. The...

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Froome: Without Brailsford there is no Team Sky

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After weeks of silence, Chris Froome has finally issued a statement in support of Dave Brailsford, the embattled head of Team Sky. A large number of Team Sky riders tweeted their backing for Brailsford last week. The succession of messages followed a story published by cyclingnews.com that...After weeks of silence, Chris Froome has finally issued a statement in support of Dave Brailsford, the embattled head of Team Sky. A large number of Team Sky riders tweeted their backing for Brailsford last week. The succession of messages followed a story published by cyclingnews.com that...After weeks of silence, Chris Froome has finally issued a statement in support of Dave Brailsford, the embattled head of Team Sky.

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French superclubs to merge next season

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Racing 92 and Stade Francais, the past two winners of the Top 14, have announced that they are to merge next season to form a super club based in Paris. The new club will seek to attract bigger crowds from a “population pool unmatched in France”, playing its home games at the newly constructed Arena 92, which will have a capacity of 32,000...Racing 92 and Stade Francais, the past two winners of the Top 14, have announced that they are to merge next season to form a super club based in Paris. The new club will seek to attract bigger crowds from a “population pool unmatched in France”, playing its home games at the newly constructed Arena 92, which will have a capacity of 32,000...Racing 92 and Stade Francais, the past two winners of the Top 14, have announced that they are to merge next season to form a...

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The try that no team in the world could have stopped

England’s third try was as close as rugby gets to perfection. Its combination of technique, timing and stunning athleticism all bundled together was a present for the ages. Anthony Watson scored the try but the seven-pointer was the property of the team, tinkered with on the training field, displayed to the general...England’s third try was as close as rugby gets to perfection. Its combination of technique...England’s third try was as close as rugby gets to perfection. Its combination of technique...

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Son rises above the racist chants with a display of beauty

Tottenham 6 Millwall 0

Towards the end of this FA Cup quarter-final mismatch, Tottenham Hotspur fans sang about going to Wembley, to which 3,600 visitors from League One responded with “que sera, sera, we’re going to Shrewsbury”. It elicited brief amused applause from the home support but otherwise, there was no love...Towards the end of this FA Cup quarter-final mismatch, Tottenham Hotspur fans sang about going to Wembley, to which 3,600 visitors from League One responded with “que sera, sera, we’re going to Shrewsbury”. It elicited brief amused applause from the home support but otherwise, there was no love...Towards the end of this FA Cup quarter-final mismatch, Tottenham Hotspur fans sang about going to Wembley, to which 3,600...

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Can and Liverpool learn how to win ugly

Jürgen Klopp conceded it was far from pretty. Indeed, at times, Liverpool’s performance was downright disfigured and yet, by the end, he was still enticed by the manner of a crucial victory. “It is the first ugly game we won. Usually when we are not at our best we have lost,” said Klopp, at last able to smile after an afternoon during which...Jürgen Klopp conceded it was far from pretty. Indeed, at times, Liverpool’s performance was downright disfigured and yet, by the end, he was still enticed by the manner of a crucial victory. “It is the first ugly game we won. Usually when we are not at our best we have lost,” said Klopp, at last able to smile after an afternoon during which...Jürgen Klopp conceded it was far from pretty. Indeed, at times, Liverpool’s performance was downright disfigured and yet, by...

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Easier for Winks to win place in England team than Tottenham

Top-flight football comes so easy to Harry Winks. He can pass and move and his distribution is superb. The biggest challenge for him is to add a physical presence to his game, as he will need that to challenge for a starting place at Tottenham Hotspur. I honestly think it might be harder for him to get a starting...Top-flight football comes so easy to Harry Winks. He can pass and move and his distribution is...Top-flight football comes so easy to Harry Winks. He can pass and move and his distribution is...

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John Surtees

Sensitive yet stubborn master of speed during the golden age of British racing who took world titles on both two wheels and four

The 1960s were the golden age of British motor racing, and the final grand prix of the 1964 Formula One season in Mexico City was a three-way showdown between Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees, each of whom had the world title in his grasp. The Duke of Edinburgh was in the country with the Queen, and representations were made to Buckingham Palace and the Foreign...The 1960s were the golden age of British motor racing, and the final grand prix of the 1964...The 1960s were the golden age of British motor racing, and the final grand prix of the 1964...

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Dick Lyon

A teenage Dick Lyon qualified for the 1940 Olympic Games as a member of the US swimming team, only for the...A teenage Dick Lyon qualified for the 1940 Olympic Games as a member of the US swimming team, only for the competition in Tokyo to be cancelled because of the Second World War. He found a rather riskier use for his aquatic talents, working for the American military as a frogman clearing mines from the Pacific. That...A teenage Dick Lyon qualified for the 1940 Olympic Games as a member of the US swimming team, only for the competition in Tokyo...

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Joni Sledge

“We are family,” sang Sister Sledge in their 1979 disco anthem. And they were family: Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy, although Kathy left in 1989 to pursue a solo career. “No matter how many times we sing [We Are Family], it always has some kind...“We are family,” sang Sister Sledge in their 1979 disco anthem. And they were family: Debbie...“We are family,” sang Sister Sledge in their 1979 disco anthem. And they were family: Debbie...

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20 best villages in Britain

To kick off our five-day series of the best places to live in the UK, here is our list of the most desirable villages (they’re not all in the country)

My Caribbean holiday with Geert Wilders

I just wanted a relaxing break with my boyfriend. Then the Dutch far‑right firebrand turned up

From Iran to Cannes to the travel ban: the director who won’t be silenced

Asghar Farhadi didn’t pick up his latest Oscar. He explains why censorship only makes him stronger

Why millennials would rather go spinning than clubbing

They’re expensive, addictive and what you wear actually matters. The rise of the mega-workout

Police investigate online death threats against political leaders

Police officers are investigating death threats and online abuse directed at Nicola Sturgeon and other Scottish political leaders. A spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed that officers were aware of the offensive messages directed at the first minister and were looking into the issue. The force...Police officers are investigating death threats and online abuse directed at Nicola Sturgeon and other Scottish political leaders. A spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed that officers were aware of the offensive messages directed at the first minister and were looking into the issue. The force...Police officers are investigating death threats and online abuse directed at Nicola Sturgeon and other Scottish political leaders.

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Land tax ‘a disincentive’ for foreign investors

An American entrepreneur has said that the SNP’s land tax could put off potential foreign investors. Terry Winters, 74, was seeking to buy a Georgian house with panoramic views of the Old Course at St Andrews for about £1.7 million, but was deterred when he learnt that the deal would cost him £162,000 in land and buildings transaction tax...An American entrepreneur has said that the SNP’s land tax could put off potential foreign investors. Terry Winters, 74, was seeking to buy a Georgian house with panoramic views of the Old Course at St Andrews for about £1.7 million, but was deterred when he learnt that the deal would cost him £162,000 in land and buildings transaction tax...An American entrepreneur has said that the SNP’s land tax could put off potential foreign investors. Terry Winters, 74, was...

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Bide your time on referendum, Sturgeon is told

Nicola Sturgeon is facing pressure from inside and outside the nationalist movement to rethink her party’s campaign for another referendum on Scottish independence. Several senior figures in the Yes camp urged caution yesterday, while the Liberal Democrats made it clear that opposition to a new vote was hardening...Nicola Sturgeon is facing pressure from inside and outside the nationalist movement to rethink...Nicola Sturgeon is facing pressure from inside and outside the nationalist movement to rethink...

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Severing historical ties is no laughing matter

Most people know one thing about Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty: that he died of laughter on hearing about the restoration of Charles II. It’s not quite clear what he found so funny, but he knew the jester king pretty well...Most people know one thing about Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty: that he died of laughter on hearing about the restoration of Charles II. It’s not quite clear what he found so funny, but he knew the jester king pretty well...Most people know one thing about Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty: that he died of laughter on hearing about the...

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Pub’s gender stereotyping results in confusion

A pub in the Morayshire fishing town of Burghead. Outside, a storm is raging. Inside, my thirst is much the same. I am at the bar with Tilda Swinton, buying a round of drinks: a couple of beers, a whisky and some water for the...A pub in the Morayshire fishing town of Burghead. Outside, a storm is raging. Inside, my thirst is much the same. I am at the bar with Tilda Swinton, buying a round of drinks: a couple of beers, a whisky and some water for the...A pub in the Morayshire fishing town of Burghead. Outside, a storm is raging. Inside, my thirst is much the same. I...

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Pollution risk as VW drivers ignore recall

Seven out of ten Volkswagen owners in Ireland affected by the emissions scandal have not had their cars fixed despite a recall from the company. According to figures supplied by Volkswagen Group Ireland, 131,242 of the country’s vehicles are affected. Fixes are available for 113,113 vehicles, but...Seven out of ten Volkswagen owners in Ireland affected by the emissions scandal have not had their cars fixed despite a recall from the company. According to figures supplied by Volkswagen Group Ireland, 131,242 of the country’s vehicles are affected. Fixes are available for 113,113 vehicles, but...Seven out of ten Volkswagen owners in Ireland affected by the emissions scandal have not had their cars fixed despite a recall...

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Up to 600 Airbnb flats could be long-term lets

Almost 600 Airbnb properties in the centre of Dublin could be used as long-term rental accommodation, a housing official has said. Dáithí Downey, head of policy at Dublin city council’s housing and community services division, said it appeared that 569 properties in the capital advertised on Airbnb’s website were operated by providers with...Almost 600 Airbnb properties in the centre of Dublin could be used as long-term rental accommodation, a housing official has said. Dáithí Downey, head of policy at Dublin city council’s housing and community services division, said it appeared that 569 properties in the capital advertised on Airbnb’s website were operated by providers with...Almost 600 Airbnb properties in the centre of Dublin could be used as long-term rental accommodation, a housing official has said.

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Vatican ‘must make orders pay abuse victims’

The Vatican should put pressure on Irish religious orders to pay more into a fund for victims of abuse, Simon Harris has said. The health minister said that everyone in Ireland had been horrified by revelations of an unmarked burial site at a Tuam mother and baby home. “The Pope, and indeed religious leaders in this...The Vatican should put pressure on Irish religious orders to pay more into a fund for victims of...The Vatican should put pressure on Irish religious orders to pay more into a fund for victims of...

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Brokenshire shuns Trump for crisis talks

James Brokenshire has cancelled a trip to Washington to concentrate on critical talks to save powersharing at Stormont.James Brokenshire has cancelled a trip to Washington to concentrate on critical talks to save...James Brokenshire has cancelled a trip to Washington to concentrate on critical talks to save...

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We could do with a Fearless Girl or two

She is only a wee slip of a thing, but she stole the show on International Women’s Day last week. She appeared...She is only a wee slip of a thing, but she stole the show on International Women’s Day last week.She is only a wee slip of a thing, but she stole the show on International Women’s Day last week.

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