CAMERON IN EU WARNING OVER JUNCKER
David Cameron has warned fellow EU leaders of “consequences” if they press ahead with plans to nominate an arch-federalist, whom Britain regards as an obstacle to reform, as president of the European Commission.
The Prime Minister insisted he was “completely unapologetic” about his outspoken opposition to the appointment of former Luxembourg premier Jean-Claude Juncker, which has left him isolated at a two-day summit of the European Council.
Mr Juncker’s nomination to the EU’s top job is expected to be confirmed in an unprecedented vote in Brussels today, breaking a decades-old tradition that the Commission chief is chosen by consensus of the EU’s national heads of government.
EU INVESTMENT BENEFITS QUESTIONED
Britain has attracted no more overseas investment as a member of the European Union than it would have done alone, research has found.
Many of the myths about the benefits of being part of the single market do not stack up, according to cross-party think-tank Civitas.
Although the UK enjoyed a boost after joining the then Common Market in 1973, the increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) was short-lived, it said.
BRITAIN TO PRESS FOR SYRIA AID
Britain will continue to press for tougher United Nations authority to bypass obstructions to getting humanitarian aid to victims of Syria’s civil war, Foreign Secretary William Hague said after the official estimate of the number now in need neared 11 million.
UN humanitarian chief Baroness Amos said the regime of Bashar Assad was more concerned with “controlling” the work of aid agencies than getting emergency supplies to victims of the fighting.
Damascus has warned that any attempt to authorise aid being sent directly into rebel-held areas from neighbouring countries - a move under discussion as part of efforts to agree a new Security Council resolution - would justify retaliation.
VOTE NO AND JOIN MISSION: MILIBAND
Labour leader Ed Miliband will today urge Scots to vote No to independence in September’s referendum so they can be part of his party’s “mission to change Britain”.
Mr Miliband will use a speech in Edinburgh to argue: “The way to think big in the 21st century is by changing the United Kingdom.”
He will set out Labour’s plans to change the economy to “make it more equal” and his party’s ambition to change society “to make it more fair”.
EX-ARCHERS BOSS TO BE HONOURED
The long-time former editor of The Archers is among those to be honoured at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today.
Vanessa Whitburn, who stepped down from the role in charge of the BBC Radio 4 show last year after 22 years in charge, will receive an OBE.
She was awarded the accolade for services to radio drama in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
TWO IN COURT ON SLAVERY CHARGES
Two people will appear in court today accused of holding four men in slavery or servitude.
Vasilica Panaghita, 54, and Cristian Panaghita, 31, are facing charges brought under the Criminal Law Act after a police raid last January.
West Midlands Police said four men were found in squalid conditions at a property in Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, on January 6 this year.
PRINCE HARRY TO BEGIN TOUR OF CHILE
Prince Harry will pay his respects to Chile’s first head of state and meet the country’s President Michelle Bachelet as his three-day tour of the nation begins today.
Harry, who has spent the past four days visiting neighbouring Brazil, will lay a wreath at a monument to Bernardo O’Higgins who helped free the country from Spanish rule during the 19th century.
Later the Prince will call on Ms Bachelet at the La Moneda presidential palace in the capital Santiago.
FIRST BIG ACTS TAKE TO GLASTO STAGE
Glastonbury-goers will be treated to their first day of big music acts today with Arcade Fire headlining the Pyramid Stage later.
Campers will be hoping for clear skies after rain dampened proceedings yesterday afternoon but are likely to be disappointed as more is forecast with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning alert.
Among the acts performing on the Pyramid Stage today are Elbow, Lily Allen and Rudimental, while others include Haim, MIA and Jurassic 5.
MURRAY STEPS UP WIMBLEDON TITLE BID
Andy Murray will return to Wimbledon today as he continues his bid for a second title at the All England Club.
The Scot faces Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain on Centre Court after matches featuring tennis aces Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams.
Murray is the only British player left in the singles tournaments after British number one Heather Watson’s campaign ended yesterday.
FRESH DOUBTS OVER RESERVISTS’ PLAN
Fresh doubts about the Government’s policy of building up the Army’s part-time reservists while cutting back the numbers of full-time regular soldiers have been raised by the former head of the armed forces.
General Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, who retired last year as chief of the defence staff, has said that he was sidelined over the plans, which will see the regular Army cut from 102,000 to 82,000 while the reserve is increased from 19,000 to 30,000.
“It was taken out of my direct chain of command, I didn’t have anything directly to do with it. I think you could say that’s because people knew I wasn’t going to be very helpful over it. But I don’t know,” he said in an interview with Parliament’s The House magazine.
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