News Daily: US sanctions over spy poisoning and cash-strapped council cuts

News Daily: US sanctions over spy poisoning and cash-strapped council cuts

US sanctions over spy poisoning

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The US has announced it will impose sanctions on Russia over the nerve agent attack on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the UK. The state department says the US has determined Russia broke international law by using chemical or biological weapons in the attack in March. It had expelled dozens of Russian diplomats shortly after the poisoning but, as the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue points out, it previously stopped short of formally declaring Russia had broken international law.The sanctions come into force later this month and target exports of sensitive electronic components and other technologies. Britain is welcoming the move, but Russia's not happy - describing the sanctions as "draconian". The Kremlin has denied involvement in the attack.Here is a recap of what happened to the Skripals in Salisbury and what nerve agents can do to the body.

Cash-strapped council set to approve massive cuts

Drastic cuts to jobs and services are expected to be approved by councillors in Northamptonshire when they meet later to consider a plan to deal with a £70m budget shortfall.The struggling county council has already said it would likely have to reduce services for vulnerable adults and children, which sparked a warning from the Children's Commissioner for England that there could be "catastrophic consequences" as a result. Waste management and road maintenance are also in line for cuts.Other councils are facing similar issues, with East Sussex planning to strip back services to "the legal minimum". 

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