News Headlines - 15 December 2019
The American government secretly expelled two Chinese Embassy officials this fall after they drove on to a sensitive military base in Virginia, according to people with knowledge of the episode. The expulsions appear to be the first of Chinese diplomats suspected of espionage in more than 30 years.
American officials believe at least one of the Chinese officials was an intelligence officer operating under diplomatic cover, said six people with knowledge of the expulsions.
Boris Johnson has drawn up plans to run a “revolutionary” government that will see ministers sacked, Whitehall departments abolished and civil servants replaced by external experts in a bid to “reshape” the economy.
Up to a third of the cabinet face the sack in a February reshuffle after Brexit so that fresh faces can be brought in to create a “transformative” government focused on the needs of working-class voters who propelled him to a landslide victory last week.
▽BBC: TV licence fee decriminalisation being considered - BBC News
Rishi Sunak confirmed Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a review of the sanction for non-payment of the ￡154.50 charge, which funds the BBC.
Prosecution for non-payment of the fee can currently end in a court appearance and potential fine of up to ￡1,000.
But the BBC warned decriminalisation could cost it ￡200m a year.
▽Rod Stewart becomes oldest male artist to top UK album chart - BBC News
The British singer's 10th chart topper You're In My Heart was released on 22 November.
But it rose to the top spot this week in a close race - with a difference of just 750 in sales between Sir Rod, Robbie Williams and The Who.
Sir Rod, who is 74 years and 11 months old, has taken the accolade from American singer Paul Simon.
▽Yuta Watanabe, Rui Hachimura make Japanese history in Grizzlies vs. Wizards
Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura made Japanese sports history on Saturday as the Grizzlies and Wizards played at FedExForum.
Both players were on the court during a stretch of second quarter play, marking the first time in NBA history that two Japanese players have played against each other in a regular season game.
Hachimura and Watanabe are teammates on the Japanese national team.
