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Morning top 5: DUP blamed for stalling Stormont talks; UK MPs to vote on Brexit deal

Talks to restore power-sharing in the North stalled last night, with the DUP being blamed for hol...
Newstalk
Newstalk

06.40 20 Dec 2019


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Morning top 5: DUP blamed for...

Morning top 5: DUP blamed for stalling Stormont talks; UK MPs to vote on Brexit deal

Newstalk
Newstalk

06.40 20 Dec 2019


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Talks to restore power-sharing in the North stalled last night, with the DUP being blamed for holding up progress.

Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith said he is "deeply disappointed".

The party claimed yesterday more work was needed to get to a "fair and balanced" deal.

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Tánaiste Simon Coveney, meanwhile, insisted there is still a deal to be done.

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British MPs are voting later on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, which he wants to get through parliament by the end of January.

The British prime minister insisted his proposals will bring about a "new dawn" for Britain.

It's expected to pass easily following Mr Johnson's landslide victory in the general election last week, which saw the Tories secure an 80-seat majority.

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The Department of Children and Youth Affairs says 1,382 creches across the country have been offered quotes by Allianz, the last insurer for the sector left in the market.

It is urging creche owners to reassure parents they have cover for the New Year after the other major insurer pulled out of the market earlier this year.

The Government has announced a €1,500 payment to help childcare providers cope with any increased insurance premiums.

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Australia's prime minister has apologised for taking a holiday to Hawaii, as bushfires ravage the eastern coast of Australia.

Hundreds of people have been protesting outside Scott Morrison's home in Sydney.

Meanwhile two volunteer firefighters were killed in the country after a tree fell on their fire truck, which then rolled over and crashed.

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Donald Trump is demanding his day in court - without delay - after he was impeached on Wednesday.

The US president tweeted he wanted "an immediate trial" and again attacked Democrats, who have questioned how it will be managed.

They want details of witnesses and testimony before allowing the process to begin in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Main image: A roundtable meeting at Stormont in Belfast with (left to right) Conor Murphy, Michelle O'Neill, Arlene Foster, Edwin Poots, Colum Eastwood, Robbie Butler, Steve Aiken, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith and Tánaiste Simon Coveney. Picture by: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images

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