Royal Baby: World Watches As Due Date Arrives

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The eyes of the world will be on St Mary's Hospital's Lindo Wing today as Kate's presumed due date arrives.

Kensington Palace has refused to comment on speculation July 13 is the Duchess' due date, conceding to reporters only that the baby is due "in July".

But that hasn't stopped the media frenzy outside the hospital.

"We've been looking at that baby bump for the past seven months and so you've got to be here to make sure you get the shot," CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata told Sky News.

He added: "The US' fascination with William and Kate goes back to their wedding day and that fairytale romance. Everyone loves Kate, and now it's the royal birth and we haven't seen one like this in 30 years. They are the closest thing we have to a royal family."

While television crews, photographers and journalists from around the world await that all important first family photo, publications such as Harper's Bazaar prepare to chronicle a moment which will be pored over for generations to come.

Kate on her last solo public engagement before giving birth

Sacha Slater, deputy editor of Harper's Bazaar, said: "We all build our excitement as the event approaches.

"In December we were just wishing her the very best, hoping it all goes well.

"Now it's actually going to happen, we're getting very excited ourselves about what we can do to reflect the excitement of our readers and stimulate the whole baby frenzy the world's going to go into in the next few days."

And that must be a daunting prospect, according to Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine.

"Kate will be find it completely terrifying to come to hospital and see the world waiting for her," she said.

"Diana came out with William in her arms and when she saw the press she was terrified. She got in the car and once around the corner and she just burst into tears."

Security checks around the Lindo Wing are perhaps a sign the royal private birthing suite is soon to be occupied.

Contradicting that, however, are Prince William's plans to join his brother Prince Harry at a charity polo match in Gloucestershire on Sunday.

The Duke of Cambridge is understood to be keen to honour a match that will benefit two of his patronages: homelessness charity Centrepoint and Child Bereavement UK.

In reality the only thing we can be sure of is the future King or Queen will be born when they are good and ready.

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Dartmoor Deaths: Mum And Son Fall From Rocks

Police investigating the deaths of a woman and her young son, who died after falling 100ft from rocks on Dartmoor, have discovered a child's body at her home.

A murder investigation has been launched after the 24-year-old woman, named in reports as Katharine Hooper, and her five-year-old son Joshua died at Haytor in Devon - one of Dartmoor's most famous landmarks which is popular with walkers and climbers.

The body of a two-year-old boy, believed to be her youngest son Samuel, was later found at her home address in Dukes Close, Paignton.

Joshua was found with his mother

Neighbour Tracey Cole, told the Western Morning News: "The whole community is feeling utterly shocked and devastated. This is a close-knit community.

"We always looked after each other, especially because of the kids. With Kat we were always in and out of each other's houses. We would see each other every day.

Samuel's body was found at the family's home

"I really don't understand what happened. Kat was totally and utterly devoted to her children."

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: "We are keeping an open mind about all three deaths, but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Katharine with Samuel

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information or might have been in the Haytor area earlier today, Friday."

An air ambulance, a police helicopter and members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group were called to the scene at 11.50am.

The family's home (Pic: Google Street View)

The Dartmoor National Park Authority asked members of the public to avoid visiting the area due to the tragedy.

Tributes were paid to the mother and child by members of the emergency services.

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team tweeted: "The team were called to assist at a tragic incident at Haytor today. Our thoughts are with the family."

Post-mortems are due to take place. Police said the next of kin have been informed.

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Hayfever Soars As Pollen Becomes More Potent

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The number of adults developing hayfever has soared since the 1990s, new research has shown for the first time.

Swedish scientists found that between 1994 and 2009 the proportion of adults reacting to timothy grass - one of the main causes of hayfever - almost doubled from 12% to 21%.

Even adults in their 50s are at risk, with a 10% increase in the proportion having positive skin prick tests for common allergy triggers.

The study is published in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.

British specialists say the results mirror anecdotal reports from NHS allergy clinics that the number of older sufferers is rising - and they develop more severe symptoms.

Andrew Williams, a consultant allergy nurse at Homerton Hospital in east London, told Sky News: "When I started most of the patients would be my age or younger.

"But now there is a whole age range. Not just late teens and 20s. We are seeing people having hayfever for the first time in their 40s, 50s and even 60s."

Winnie Crabb has become a sufferer only recently

Winnie Crabb first started suffering from a runny nose and itchy eyes when she was 33.

She said: "I thought it was something you grow up with.

Pollen levels have been very high

"I know you get exposed to something and become allergic to it in childhood. But I was very surprised. I'm not happy at all."

Scientists don't know for sure why hayfever is increasing.

Beverley Adams-Groom of the National Pollen Research Unit said cleaner lifestyles may be changing our immune systems.

But climate change could also be playing a part.

Ms Adams-Groom said: "There is some suggestion that pollen is becoming more potent with global warming.

"There is more CO2 in the atmosphere and plants enjoy CO2.

"Climate change is also allowing plants to grow better and produce more pollen."

The unit has recorded the highest pollen levels in several years over the last few weeks.

The cold spring delayed plant growth so much that trees and grasses have released their pollen in a single burst, sending airborne concentrations to extraordinarily high levels.

But Ms Adams-Groom said there is some good news for sufferers.

The latest forecast is for pollen levels to start to decrease this weekend - and the season could be over altogether in southern parts of the UK in a week or so.

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Belfast Violence: 400 Extra Police Deployed

Around 400 extra police officers have been sent to Northern Ireland after sectarian tensions in Belfast spilled over into violence that left 32 police officers and an MP injured.

More than 600 officers from forces in England, Scotland and Wales were already in the region supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) operation.

Trouble flared in the north of the city on Friday as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

Officers attempting to enforce the ban were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon were used to disperse the crowd and around 20 non-lethal rounds, known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles, fired.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near the police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during the fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

The disorder spread to east Belfast during six hours of violence.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott on Saturday condemned those responsible for the trouble.

"The scenes were both shameful and disgraceful," he said.

"We said that we were resolved to uphold the rule of law and the Parades Commission determination not to allow the return parade past the Ardoyne shop fronts. We did that. We did so impartially. We did so firmly.

"I cannot praise highly enough the courage, the professionalism and the restraint of my PSNI colleagues, and those from England, Wales and Scotland who joined us in making sure the rule of law was upheld."

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

He also criticised those within the Orange Order who had called for protests, saying they needed "to reflect on whether they provided the responsible leadership asked for by myself and by the (main political) party leaders".

"Some of their language was emotive and having called thousands of people to protest they had no plan and no control and, rather than being responsible, I think the word for that is reckless."

The Republic of Ireland's deputy premier and minister for foreign affairs Eamon Gilmore added: "The violence and disrespect for the rule of law we witnessed in Belfast last night is an affront to the decent people of that city and of this island.

"The rule of law must be respected, even when people disagree with lawful decisions."

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers also condemned the riots and said there was no justification for the trouble.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

"This sort of behaviour does nothing to promote 'Britishness' or the pro-union cause," she said.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300-metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area had been able to walk the contested route out, but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Thirty-two officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, described the events as "shocking" and said the community had been "effectively terrorised".

"I think some of the scenes that we witnessed were shocking ... I hope now in the cold light of day that common sense will prevail," he said.

Mr McGuinness rejected claims of a "cultural war" being waged against the Orange Order, arguing that if that were the case, there would not have been a peaceful protest by thousands allowed in Londonderry on Friday.

"Leadership needs to be given by politicians, it needs to be given by the leadership of the Orange Order, and some of the absolutely blood-curdling remarks that were made over the course of the last 24 hours need now to be seen against the backdrop of contributing to the violence that we saw," he added.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly also blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go, but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson also called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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Heatwave: Hottest Day Of The Year So Far

It has been the UK's hottest day of the year so far after temperatures reached 30.0C at Heathrow and Exeter airports, according to the Met Office.

The provisional figures topped the previous high of 29.9C recorded at Edenfel, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland last Monday.

The heat has prompted warnings from health authorities urging the public to take care in the potentially "dangerous" heatwave conditions.

The hot spell shows no sign of ending with temperatures set to remain in the mid-to-high 20s well into next week.

The Saltburn Inclined Tramway at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

Although temperatures in London have soared, Sky News Weather Presenter Jo Wheeler said many other places would be a few degrees cooler with isolated thunderstorms expected over northern England and the East Midlands.

The North of the UK has seen the best temperatures over the last few days, with the highest recording in the region of 29.2C in Branham, Yorkshire, on Friday.

A warning issued by the Met Office has been escalated to a level three alert for Yorkshire and the Humber, while level two alerts are in place across most of England.

"Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases," the alert said.

A spokesman for Public Health England (PHE) said: "Level two alerts are triggered as soon as the Met Office forecasts that there is a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days to have a significant effect on health.

"This will normally happen two to three days before a heatwave is expected to occur. As most deaths occur in the first two days, this is an important stage at which to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential heatwave."

Portstewart Strand on the Causeway coast - 60 miles north of Belfast

Dr Angie Bone, head of the PHE's Heatwave Plan, said: "Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks.

"The elderly and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible."

More than 11 million motorists are planning to hit the road this weekend, according to the RAC.

Popular spots include the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall, the south coast of England, and Yorkshire.

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Teachers' Unions Announce One-Day Strikes

Teachers will stage a one-day national walkout in the autumn in an ongoing row over pay, pensions and workload.

Every region in England and Wales will be affected by rolling regional strikes in the week beginning September 30 and the week beginning October 14, the NASUWT and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said.

This will be followed by a one-day, all-out national strike before the end of the autumn term.

The announcement comes just weeks after the two unions staged a regional walkout in the North West.

The government has condemned the action.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The secretary of state needs to take seriously the very deep concerns and anger of teachers and school leaders."

She added: "The secretary of state has the opportunity to avoid further national strike action by demonstrating that he is willing to engage seriously on the issues that we have put to him."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: "Strike action is always a last resort for teachers and they are very well aware of the difficulties that this causes for parents and pupils. Teachers, however, have been left with no option.

"If we do not take a stand now to defend the profession, then the consequences for teacher recruitment and education will be disastrous for all."

Under the Government's reforms, due to come into effect from this autumn, teachers' pay will be linked to performance in the classroom - with schools setting salaries, rather than following a national framework.

Changes have also been made to public sector pensions.

Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to both unions in March to say he was willing to meet them to discuss their dispute, but also insisting that the "direction of travel" on both of their key issues - pay and pensions - is "fixed".

A Department for Education spokesman said: "We are very disappointed that the NUT and NASUWT have announced they will be taking further strike action, which less than a quarter of teachers actually voted for.

"Industrial action will disrupt pupils' education, hugely inconvenience parents and damage the profession's reputation in the eyes of the public at a time when our reforms are driving up standards across the country.

"It is disappointing that the NUT and NASUWT are opposing measures to allow heads to pay good teachers more. We have met frequently with the NUT and NASUWT to discuss their concerns and will continue to do so."

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Litvinenko: No Inquiry Into Spy's Death

The widow of poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko says she is "shocked and disappointed" that the Government has refused to set up a public inquiry into his death.

Coroner Sir Robert Owen earlier told a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice that his request to the Justice Secretary for an inquiry, in place of an inquest, had been turned down.

Sir Robert previously ruled that vital secret evidence could not legally be considered as part of a normal inquest and asked the Government to hold an inquiry instead.

His call was backed by Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina, who was at the hearing.

She said after the decision that although it was a blow, she was still "optimistic" that the full circumstances around her husband's death would be exposed.

Referring to the Government, which she branded "impolite and rude", she said: "Were they trying to protect the Russian state? Were they trying to protect national security secrets?"

Mrs Litvinenko believes her husband was poisoned on orders from the Kremlin

Mr Litvinenko, 43, was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 while drinking tea at the Millennium Hotel in London's Grosvenor Square in 2006.

The family believe he was working for MI6 at the time and was killed on the orders of the Kremlin.

Ben Emmerson QC, representing Mrs Litvinenko, said there had been an "utter lack of professionalism" in the way the Government handled the request for an inquiry.

"The repeated catalogue of broken promises is a sign of something gone awry," he said.

Alex Goldfarb, a Litvinenko family friend, said: "It's absolutely transparent that the Russian government is behind this murder.

"There's some sort of collusion behind the scenes with Her Majesty's Government and the Kremlin to obstruct justice."

Mr Emmerson said the family wants a judicial review into the decision not to hold an inquiry on the grounds of "irrationality".

Sir Robert had determined that he could not hear evidence linked to the alleged involvement of the Russian government in public after the Foreign Office said it wanted to keep some information secret.

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NHS Computers With Patient Data Sold On Ebay

An NHS trust has been fined £200,000 by the data watchdog after it sold an old computer which contained the personal details of more than 3,000 patients.

The sensitive information was left on the computer sold by a data destruction company employed by NHS Surrey.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) was tipped off after a member of the public bought the second-hand computer online.

Sky News understands that some of the PCs were sold on the internet auction site eBay.

The company had been employed by NHS Surrey since March 2010 to wipe and destroy its old computer equipment.

The company carried out the service for free, with an agreement that they could sell any salvageable materials after the hard drives had been securely destroyed.

The ICO said: "On 29 May 2012 NHS Surrey was contacted by a member of the public who had recently bought a second-hand computer online and found that it contained the details of patients' treated by NHS Surrey.

"The organisation collected the computer and found confidential sensitive personal data and HR records, including patient records relating to approximately 900 adults and 2000 children."

The watchdog added: "After being alerted to the problem, NHS Surrey managed to reclaim a further 39 computers sold by the trading arm of their new data destruction provider.

"Ten of these computers were found to have previously belonged to NHS Surrey; three of which still contained sensitive personal data."

The ICO's investigation found that NHS Surrey had no contract in place with their new provider, which clearly explained the provider's legal requirements under the Data Protection Act, and failed to observe and monitor the data destruction process.

NHS Surrey mislaid the records of the equipment passed for destruction between March 2010 and 10 February 2011, and was only able to confirm that 1,570 computers were processed between 10 February 2011 and 28 May 2012.

The data destruction company was unable to trace where the computers ended up, or confirm how many might still contain personal data.

Stephen Eckersley, ICO Head of Enforcement, said: "The facts of this breach are truly shocking. NHS Surrey chose to leave an approved provider and handed over thousands of patients' details to a company without checking that the information had been securely deleted.

"The result was that patients' information was effectively being sold online. This breach is one of the most serious the ICO has witnessed and the penalty reflects the disturbing circumstances of the case.

"We should not have to tell organisations to think twice before outsourcing vital services to companies who offer to work for free."

NHS Surrey was dissolved in March 2013 with some of their legal responsibilities passing to the NHS Commissioning Board.

The board will be required to pay the penalty by July 22 or serve a notice of appeal by July 19.

The full penalty is eventually paid into the Treasury's Consolidated Fund.

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Police Investigate 'Loud Bang' Near Mosque

Several streets have been sealed off by police after residents reported hearing a loud bang near a mosque.

West Midlands Police said officers were alerted to reports of the bang in Tipton at 1.06pm and were investigating reports that nails and other debris had been found.

No injuries have been reported but a cordon has been set up in the Binfield Street area of the town, a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said: "Police have been called to Binfield Street in Tipton this afternoon following reports of a loud bang.

"A cordon has been set up and the immediate area is being evacuated as a precautionary measure while police investigate what caused it.

"Some residents have reported finding debris in the area and finding nails.

"This is being investigated by forensic officers at the scene."

Among the road closures are parts of Sedgley Road East, Dudley Port, Jays Avenue, Tudor Court, Park Lane East, Crompton Road and Victoria Road.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area is urged to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

West Midlands Police are still investigating an explosion which occurred near a mosque in the Caldmore area of Walsall on June 21.

The remains of a home-made explosive device were found on June 22 in an alleyway adjoining the Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre in Rutter Street, Caldmore.

The earlier incident, in which no-one was injured, forced the overnight evacuation of around 150 people from their homes in the surrounding area.

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Fangio F1 Car Fetches Record £19.6m

A classic Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz has become the most expensive car to be sold at public auction after fetching more than £19m.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 was the racecar driven by five-times F1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio when he clinched his second title in 1954.

The Argentine drove the 2.5-litre car to victories in the 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix races, the first successive triumphs achieved by the Mercedes-Benz team in its post-war comeback.

The single-seater auctioned by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, West Sussex. 

The previous world record for the most expensive car sold at public auction was a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which went for more than £10m in California in 2011.

More follows...

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Belfast Bonfires Piled High Ahead Of Parades

Huge bonfire towers will be set ablaze in Belfast at midnight as police brace themselves for possible violence surrounding the annual Orange Order parades.

The fire stacks, made with tyres and wooden pallets, are adorned with Union Flags and some are more than 100ft high.

They will be lit as Protestant loyalists begin July 12 celebrations to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne, which saw the Catholic King James defeated by King William of Orange in 1690.

It comes as unionist anger intensifies over a decision to ban an Orange Order parade past a sectarian flash point that has been the scene of serious rioting in recent years.

Orangemen will be allowed to march past the Ardoyne shops on the Crumlin Road in the morning, but the Parades Commission adjudication body has banned them from taking the same route back in the afternoon.

Residents have complained that the annual march causes them huge inconvenience.

Dissident republicans called off a major protest against the parade in the wake of the Commission's decision.

The Orange Order has branded the ruling "ludicrous" but urged supporters not to react with violence.

Matt Baggott, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, has revealed he is drafting in an extra 630 police officers from forces across the UK to help keep the peace on the streets over the Twelfth.

He denied claims that the unprecedented move was an indication he was concerned about serious disorder in places such as Ardoyne but said the scale of this year's Twelfth event was unique.

A total of 550 parades are due to take place throughout Northern Ireland on Friday with 43 deemed to be contentious.

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Stuart Hall Sentence Sent To Court Of Appeal

The Attorney General has referred the sentence of disgraced BBC presenter Stuart Hall to the Court of Appeal for review after complaints it was too lenient.

The 83-year-old former It's A Knockout presenter was jailed for 15 months in June after admitting indecent assaults on 13 girls.

The attacks spanned three decades and involved children aged as young as nine.

More than 150 people came forward to demand that the Attorney General's Office consider Hall's sentence for referral.

An AGO spokeswoman said: "Having carefully reviewed this case, the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC MP, has decided to refer the sentence of Stuart Hall to the Court of Appeal for review.

"The case will in due course be heard by three Court of Appeal judges who will decide whether or not the sentence is unduly lenient and whether they should increase the sentence."

The length of the jail term was immediately criticised as "unduly lenient" by shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry, who urged Mr Grieve to look at the matter.

Hall was given an OBE in 2012

"A sentence of 15 months does not appear to reflect the gravity of his crimes, which included a sexual assault on a girl as young as nine," she said after the review was announced.

"Fifteen months is substantially less than the maximum sentence that was available to the judge and it is right that it is being looked at again.

"We need to be confident that the criminal justice system takes child abuse seriously.

"Only that way will victims feel confident that they can come forward."

Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, also added to calls for the sentence to be referred.

The Court of Appeal usually lists cases referred for being unduly lenient in about five to seven weeks.

Harrowing details of the sex abuse suffered by Hall's victims were described during his trial at Preston Crown Court.

The prosecution told how a 13-year-old victim was assaulted after they had played tennis, when he is said to have told her: "Sometimes thank you was not enough in words."

He told a 10-year-old girl to cuddle him "like she would one of her teddies" after he had given her steak and champagne, the court heard.

He preyed on a nine-year-old girl while she was in bed.

Another victim, who was 17 at the time, was attacked while dressed as a cheerleader for the filming of It's A Knockout.

Hall initially told police his victims were lying as part of a "vendetta" against people in the public eye.

When arrested last December over three claims of indecent assault, he described the allegations as "nonsense".

He told an officer one of the complainants was "a complete and utter liar".

Hall, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, went on to issue an impassioned on-camera denial of any wrongdoing, describing the allegations against him as "cruel".

More women came forward as a result of publicity and Hall later admitted 14 indecent assaults on 13 girls between 1967 and 1987.

Hall was a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century. Last year he was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours for his services to television and charity.

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Taser Death: Jordan Begley Dies In Manchester

A man who died after police shot him with a Taser has been named locally as Jordan Begley.

The 23-year-old suffered a "medical episode" and died after police fired at him with the stun gun in Manchester.

Police were responding to a disturbance in Beard Road, Gorton, at about 8.15pm where a man was armed with a knife.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "Officers were dispatched immediately and arrived in eight minutes.

"On arrival, a Taser was discharged to detain a 23-year-old man.

"At this time it is unclear what happened but at some point afterwards the man suffered a medical episode.

"Paramedics performed first aid on the man at the scene before he was taken to hospital where he sadly died."

ACC Shewan said help has been provided for Mr Bagley's family.

"Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting his family during this very difficult time," he said.

A forensic tent was put up in the road

A friend of Mr Bagley's said: "I think he has some problem with his heart."

The friend, who did not want to be named, also said that eight armed response officers attended the family home.

"They turfed his mum outside and then went in and battered him," said the friend.

"There were about eight armed response officers went in.

"He didn't have a knife though. I know for a fact he would not have had a knife.

"There was no need to use a Taser on him."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "There's a lot of bad boys around here but Jordan was one of the good guys."

Another neighbour, Kirstie Porter, said she saw Mr Begley being brought out of the house and put into an ambulance.

A police cordon surrounded 10 houses in the street

"Paramedics were working away on the CPR with the doors open," she said.

"Everybody was out in the street, all the neighbours.

"There was police everywhere, loads of vans turned up, there was police all over with guns all over.

"The ambulance was there for about five or 10 minutes and then it drove off.

"His mum and brother were sobbing in the street."

After Mr Begley's death, a police cordon surrounded 10 terraced houses at the end of Beard Road.

A forensic tent was put up in the road within the cordon which was guarded by uniformed officers, a police van and two patrol cars.

Mr Begley's death has been reported to the coroner and to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

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Herbie Hide Faces Arrest After Court No-Show

Former world champion boxer Herbie Hide is facing arrest after he failed to turn up in court on drug charges, saying he was suffering malaria in Nigeria.

The 41-year-old, who is accused of conspiring to supply cocaine, was supposed to be at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday morning.

With his client apparently thousands of miles away, his barrister Michael Clare had to tell the court: "His wife Helen telephoned my instructing solicitor to say he was suffering from malaria and was in a clinic in Nigeria.

"Last night a doctor who said he was treating Mr Hide in Nigeria called and said he would email a medical report this morning.

"No medical report has been forthcoming yet."

Hide, 41, was given permission to leave the country for seven days at an earlier hearing, the court heard.

However, his failure to appear in court means he is now in breach of his bail terms.

Herbie Hide with his WBO belt in 1995

Recorder Maureen Baker issued a warrant saying that Hide had been warned before that he would need a doctor's report if he had to miss court because of illness.

It means Hide faces being arrested, detained and brought before the court at the earliest opportunity.

Hide's co-defendant, Ben Sharman, 22, of Howe Lane, Poringland, Norfolk, admitted conspiracy to supply a class A drug, offering to supply a class A drug and offering to supply a class B drug.

Sharman, who was remanded in custody, denied supplying cocaine to Hide.

Hide, of Long Lane, Bawburgh, near Norwich, held the World Boxing Organisation version of the heavyweight title twice.

He was arrested earlier this year after being filmed by undercover reporters from The Sun.

The pair are expected to stand trial in October.

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Shard Protest: Activists Climb London Landmark

Six protesters from Greenpeace have evaded security at London's Shard skyscraper and are attempting to climb to the top.

Officers were called at 4.20am when the activists, who are from the UK, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Holland and Belgium, began to ascend the 72-storey building.

A statement from Greenpeace said the action was part of their campaign against oil and gas drilling in the Arctic and that the activists carried out a safety assessment beforehand. 

The climbers scaling the Shard

The women were able to access the Shard from the roof of nearby London Bridge station, after months of planning and training.

The campaigners said they chose the Shard because of its proximity to oil company Shell's three London offices.

"Shell is leading oil companies' drive into the Arctic, investing billions in its Alaskan and Russian drilling programmes," Greenpeace said in a statement.

The lead climbers are understood to be 'free climbing' (scaling the building without assistance) but are fixing safety ropes as they make their way to the summit. 

The women attracted the attention of police and passers-by

Greenpeace are streaming live video of the attempt from a camera worn by one of the climbers.

A statement on the Greenpeace UK Twitter account said: "Look up London. We're attempting to scale the Shard, Europe's tallest skyscraper."

The women are understood to be planning to unveil protest artwork "that captures the beauty of the Arctic" if they manage to reach the summit, which could take them all day.

One of the climbers is Victoria Henry, 32, a Canadian living in London. 

The group of six women began their climb at 4.20am. Pic: Greenpeace

"We'll try to hang a huge art installation 310m up that will make Shell think twice before sending their rigs into the Arctic," she said.

"It's going to be really hard work, it's going to be nerve-shredding for all of us and we may not succeed, but we're going to do everything we can to pull it off."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We were called at 4.20am today to a group of protesters attempting to climb up the Shard. We are in attendance and monitoring the situation along with British Transport Police."

Climbers Sabine, Sandra, Victo, Ali, Wiola & Liesbeth. Pic: Greenpeace

A Shard spokesman said: "The Shard continues to work with the emergency services and we are in constant discussion with the Greenpeace representatives to ensure the safety of the protesters.

"We have asked them to stop climbing and come back into the building as what they are doing is dangerous. We take security, health and safety of all our occupiers and visitors to the building extremely seriously.

"The protestors have gained access in the early hours of the morning through an adjacent building and what they are doing is extremely dangerous."

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Danny Nightingale Guilty Of Gun Possession

A former special forces sniper has been found guilty of illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and 338 rounds of ammunition.

Sergeant Danny Nightingale was convicted by a five-person court martial board in Bulford, Wiltshire.

The 38-year-old of Crewe, Cheshire, had pleaded not guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm between November 26, 2007 and September 16, 2011.

He also denied possession of the ammunition on or about September 16, 2011.

The items, said to be brought back from Iraq, were recovered by civilian police in September 2011 in the rented house the father-of-two shared with another SAS soldier, known only as Soldier N.

The pistol was found in Sgt Nightingale's wardrobe and the ammunition was under his bed in a plastic box.

Sgt Nightingale, who was serving in Afghanistan at the time, said he had no knowledge of them being in his bedroom and said someone else had put them there.

"I have physical or tangible memory. I have no recollection of receiving the gun," he told the court martial.

He said he was a "diligent" soldier who would not have "randomly" stored ammunition at home.

He had originally pleaded guilty to the two charges in November last year and was sentenced to 18 months' military detention.

Sgt Nightingale appealed against that sentence and it was reduced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for a year.

The Court of Appeal later quashed Sgt Nightingale's original convictions and a fresh trial was ordered.

The ex-SAS sniper was released on bail after Wednesday's verdict.

Sentencing was adjourned pending a Court of Appeal judgement on the sentencing powers of the court.

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Deadly West London Flat Fire 'Suspicious'

The Metropolitan Police have said they are treating a fire which led to the deaths of two people and tore through neighbouring flats in Heston, west London, as suspicious.

Some 58 firefighters and officers were called to the blaze, which broke out above a shop near the junction of Church Road and Heston Road, at around 1.40am.

Firefighters said three people jumped out of the burning building

Three people are believed to have jumped from the second floor of the burning building before fire crews arrived.

A woman found in the street was pronounced dead at the scene, while two men, aged 18 and 37, are being treated for multiple injuries at St Mary's Hospital in central London.

Firefighters found the body of another person during a search of the flat.

Local roads have been closed around the flats

The names of those killed in the fire, which was spotted by police officers during a routine patrol, have not yet been released.

Kudzanayi Taziwa, who was in the building at the time, told Sky News: "I heard a loud bang. When I opened the window, I saw some shattered windows on the ground and I thought there had been a car crash. That's when I realised there was a body on the floor."

The cause of the blaze is under investigation by police and fire officers.

London Fire Brigade sent eight fire engines to the scene

It is thought to have started inside one of the flats before spreading to neighbouring properties, damaging half of the roof of the building and parts of the second floor.

Around 50 people who were evacuated from their homes were taken to a nearby village hall.

The local council is attempting to find emergency accommodation for anyone unable to return.

The deadly fire happened overnight

Road closures are also in place while firefighters investigate the blaze.

Officials from Hounslow borough council are at the scene and police officers from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command have been contacted.

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BBC Boss 'Shocked' Over Bumper Pay-Offs

BBC bosses are being grilled by MPs over how senior staff were given hefty pay-offs that often breached the corporation's own guidelines.

Director-general Tony Hall and chairman of the BBC Trust Lord Patten are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, along with human resources director Lucy Adams and trust member Anthony Fry.

The session in the House of Commons comes after a National Audit Office (NAO) report showed huge payments, of hundreds of thousands of pounds in some cases, were made even though executives were not always entitled to the money.

Lord Patten began by telling the group of cross-party MPs that it was "a question of shock and dismay for us" when it emerged that staff had been paid more than they were contractually owed in some cases.

George Entwistle was paid £450,000 for being in the top job for 54 days

Asked why he did not know some pay-offs had gone beyond what was contractually needed, Lord Patten appeared to suggest former director-general Mark Thompson should be called to give evidence.

He told the committee: "If you call a previous director general of the BBC I will be as interested as you are why we didn't know."

Speaking about Mr Thompson's eventual successor George Entwistle, who stood down after a few weeks in the job amid the Jimmy Savile sex scandal, Lord Patten said his pay-off of £450,000 was necessary to prevent a potentially larger bill if they had got bogged down in legal argument.

He said: "We would have fetched up paying more than we in fact had to pay him."

The pay-offs to Mark Byford and Caroline Thompson have been criticised

Lord Patten admitted Mr Entwistle was paid for an extra 20 days work for the BBC to help manage the transition to a new director-general but "as it happened he wasn't required to do anything".

Lord Patten also revealed that the BBC Trust has been pressing for an overall pay reduction since 2009.

He suggested to the MPs that some of the payments had been approved to "get people out of the door" after the BBC decided to cut the number of senior managers it employed.

He agreed with committee member Austin Mitchell MP that the size of some of the payments had discredited the licence fee and said: "It's not only the licence fee payer that has been shocked by what's happened, it's people who work for the BBC".

Roly Keating handed back his pay-off

According to the NAO in the three years up to last December, the BBC spent £25m on severance payments for 150 high-ranking staff.

And since 2005, the corporation has made payments totaling £60m to more than 400 senior managers.

Among the pay-offs criticised was one to former chief operating officer Caroline Thomson, who left last year with £670,000 - more than twice her salary.

And former deputy director-general Mark Byford was paid £949,000 when he left two years ago.

But the former BBC2 controller, Roly Keating, who was given a £375,000 pay-off, returned the money after learning it had not been properly authorised.

Lord Patten says he was shocked at the NAO's findings

Ms Adams, who is paid a salary of £320,000, said Mr Byford had an expectation of a payment in lieu of notice of 12 months because it had become "custom and practice" at the BBC.

She said she raised the possibility of a cap on redundancy payments in 2011, adding: "I was well aware this was unsustainable".

Mr Fry told the committee that some BBC staff were "out to lunch" in regard to how much they expected senior executives to be paid, and some people had got "unreasonable" salaries and pay-offs.

He said members of the trust, which is the governing body of the BBC, were not always included in all decision making.

There were times when "people like me were asked in not particularly pleasant words to get back into our box," he added.

Lord Patten said the BBC would publish the full cost of the Pollard review into a dropped Newsnight investigation which featured allegations of sexual abuse by the late TV presenter Savile next Tuesday.

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Missing Teen Hollie: Body Found In Sea

Police investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl who was last seen in difficulty in the sea have recovered a body.

Hollie McClymont, from Glasgow, was reported missing after going swimming off Barry Island in South Wales on Sunday.

More than 40 specialist officers were deployed in the search for the missing teenager, as well as a helicopter and coastguards.

Chief Inspector Marc Lamerton, of South Wales Police, confirmed that a body had been recovered in Fontygary, a small seaside village three miles southwest of Barry.

"The body has not been formally identified," he said.

"But the family of Hollie McClymont, who was reported missing on Sunday afternoon, have been informed of this development and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Steffan Wiliam, a Barry resident and Plaid Cymru councillor at the local Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "This is awful, awful news - the nightmare scenario we have all been worrying about.

"If it is confirmed that it is the missing teenager, this is the most awful news we could have had."

Hollie had gone to South Wales with her mother, Sarah, for a holiday.

Police said they chose the area because they have relatives there.

The teenager was seen getting into difficulty at about 2.45pm on Sunday at Whitmore Bay, a popular destination for sun-seekers.

Coastguards said they were not alerted for an hour, something they said they were "dumfounded" by.

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Fake Ecstasy: Seventh Death Linked To Pills

A teenager has died after taking "dangerous" fake ecstasy tablets - the seventh reported death linked to the pills.

Police say the tablets circulating in Scotland contain toxic chemicals with potentially fatal effects.

In the latest case, an 18-year-old woman died in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, on Tuesday morning.

Three male friends aged 18, 21 and 25 were admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Doctors are still treating the 25-year-old.

In recent weeks there has been a rise in the number of people who have died after taking a tablet that they thought was ecstasy. The majority of these were people in their early 20s.

Police in the west of Scotland have identified the pills as green in colour and stamped with a crown logo and say some have been found to contain a dangerous stimulant called Methoxyamphetamine, also known as PMA.

They are also warning of a white pill with the Mitsubishi logo imprinted on it, found to contain the chemicals 5IT or AMT, and a yellow tablet with a star logo.

Officers in the north of Scotland recovered a large quantity of fake ecstasy tablets at a house in Aberdeen on Tuesday. These tablets are also green but with the Heineken logo.

There are also warnings of a white pill with a Mitsubishi logo

Superintendent Grahame Clarke, from Police Scotland's western division, said: "An investigation is under way and our inquiries have so far revealed that the woman, along with three friends, had taken what they thought were ecstasy tablets.

"The tablets were described as green with a Rolex crown logo stamped on them.

"Public warnings have been issued recently in relation to the dangers of taking ecstasy, or indeed tablets being passed off as ecstasy. They are illegal and could contain a cocktail of toxic ingredients.

"We have yet to establish if this particular pill is to blame for the death of this young woman, but the fact that she and her friends took pills described as green and with a Rolex stamp on it causes us real concern.

"The exact contents of the pills are unknown but they could contain dangerous chemicals."

People taking the fake pills can experience symptoms including high temperature, aggression and muscle pains as well as hallucinations and excitability, medics said.

Richard Stevenson, a doctor in emergency medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said: "These symptoms are treatable if help is sought early. I would urge anyone who begins to feel unwell or feels a more intense high than usual after taking any drug which they think is ecstasy or not to seek immediate medical help."

Police are keen to get the warning across ahead of this weekend's T in the Park music festival in Balado, Perth and Kinross.

Drugs "amnesty bins" will be available at the entrance to the campsites where illegal substances can be disposed of without risk of prosecution, police said.

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Dismembered Body Identified: Son Arrested

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Police have named a woman whose dismembered body was found in a shallow grave in Edinburgh as 66-year-old Phyllis Dunleavy from Dublin.

A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with her murder.

Sky News understands that the man arrested is James Dunleavy, the son of the dead woman.

He was arrested in Edinburgh on Monday evening and is due to appear in court later today.

The woman's remains were discovered last month by a cyclist on Corstorphine Hill, overlooking Edinburgh.

In an effort to establish who she was, detectives published the image of a facial reconstruction.

They also displayed pictures of rings that were found with the woman's body and published details of her dental work in dentist trade magazines.

Police identified the body as Phyllis Dunleavy several days ago but her name has only just been made public.

Sky sources say that Ms Dunleavy was identified after relatives in Ireland recognised her from the facial reconstruction put together by scientists at Dundee University.

They produced the facial likeness using the dead woman's skull.

Detectives highlighted the fact that she had undergone extensive dental treatment, pointing out that her teeth had veneers and implants.

The investigation team received more than 30 calls from members of the public as far afield as Israel after releasing the reconstruction image.

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'Troll' Jailed For 200 Facebook Death Threats

A man from South Shields who threatened through Facebook to kill 200 people in the US has been jailed for 28 months.

Reece Elliot posted the messages on an online memorial page for a girl from Tennessee who had been killed in a car crash.

Using a false profile, Elliot, 24, wrote: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster. Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast.

"I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself. So you want to tell the deputy, I'm on my way.''

The court heard the father-of-one had also directed abusive messages at the deceased girl, who was a popular pupil at Warren County High school.

"I'm glad the fat bitch is dead. Let's drink to drink driving. No-one gives a sh*t that she's dead, get over it."

One 15-year-old girl, whose identity cannot be reported due to her age, was told: "You have been chosen tomorrow at school to receive one of my bullets."

With heightened sensitivities following the Newtown shooting in which 20 children were killed, schools in Warren County went into lockdown and 3,000 pupils missed school the next day.

Inquiries made by the FBI and Homeland Security traced the username to Reece's address in Newcastle.

Judge James Goss QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, told Reece the offences were driven by "no more than self-indulgent nastiness".

The judge took into account Elliott's early guilty plea and genuine remorse in passing a sentence of 28 months.

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Dale Cregan Investigators Make 300 Arrests

A gangland crime investigation set up after Dale Cregan ambushed and shot two police officers has led to 300 arrests.

Operation Challenger was launched to tackle criminal gangs and feuding families across Manchester after the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.

The probe targeted criminals involved in a 10-year turf war after Cregan - who had already murdered father and son David and Mark Short - lured the young officers to their deaths in September 2012.

Greater Manchester Police says it has seized more than £300,000 of drugs and £2m of property - making it "virtually impossible" for criminals to operate across Tameside and north and east Manchester.

The force believes its response to Cregan's murder spree is the UK's largest operation against organised crime in terms of the number of agencies involved.

Dale Cregan killed PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in an ambush

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: "The investigation into the murders of Fiona, Nicola and the Short family revealed a far-reaching web of organised criminality and extreme violence which had to be tackled.

"The historic rivalry between criminal factions fighting over reputation and territory and creating alternative systems of justice was the spark that led to the tragic events we saw last year.

"Over the past few years, we have made huge strides towards tackling organised crime. Millions of pounds worth of drugs have been seized and more than 1,500 years of jail time handed out to offenders.

"However, we know there are still criminal networks causing misery to certain communities so Operation Challenger seeks to build on our successes and permanently tackle these organised crime groups."

Cregan, 30, was jailed for life in June for shooting dead Mark Short in a pub in May 2012, killing his father David in a gun and grenade attack four months later and murdering PCs Bone and Hughes in an ambush in Abbey Gardens, Mottram.

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Elton John Forced To Cancel Hyde Park Gig

Sir Elton John has been forced to cancel a headline performance in Hyde Park after being diagnosed with appendicitis.

The star had been due to perform on Friday night, topping a bill which also features Elvis Costello and Ray Davies.

He called in doctors after being taken ill during his European tour.

Sir Elton, 66, had undergone a series of scans and blood tests in the UK and is now taking antibiotics to reduce the inflammation after which he will have surgery.

The singer's spokesman said Sir Elton would not return to touring until fully recovered from the surgery and the damage caused by the abscess.

Elton John pictured last October

"Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates," he said.

"To know that he made such super-human efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans.

"He is eager to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013."

It is the latest health scare for the chart star.

Last year, he cancelled a number of shows because of a respiratory infection; he also missed concerts due to a bout of food poisoning.

The star had a pacemaker fitted in 1999 after doctors found he had an irregular heartbeat.

Organisers have now said the Hyde Park event will be free following Sir Elton's withdrawal, and existing ticket-holders will get a full refund.

Ray Davies of The Kinks, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and others will continue to perform at the show.

Rob Hallett, the president of international live touring for show promoter AEGLive, said: "We certainly wish Elton a speedy recovery and know that he would have hated for us to cancel the whole day's events because of this.

"In the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park and the incredible weather we are having, our show goes on.

"And there's no better way to enjoy the start of our final weekend than with a free event for all to enjoy, with some excellent headline artists topping off even more great entertainment in our 10-day event."

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Royal Mail Staff To Get Free Shares In Sale

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Tens of thousands of Royal Mail staff will receive free shares worth as much as £300m as part of the privatisation of the postal operator, the Government will announce on Wednesday.

Sky News can reveal that ministers have decided after months of deliberations that Royal Mail employees will be handed the shares for free rather than at a discount.

As a further sweetener, staff will be guaranteed a proportion of the retail element of the initial public offering (IPO), meaning that postal workers could end up owning significantly more than 10% of Royal Mail.

Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, will set out the details in a statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon.

The share giveaway to staff will encompass 10% of Royal Mail's equity, in accordance with the Postal Services Act that paved the way for the sell-off of the company two years ago.

At an overall valuation of between £2.5bn and £3bn, that would value the employees' stake at up to £300m.

Roughly 150,000 of Royal Mail Group's 165,000 staff are expected to be included in the share distribution, with workers at the European parcels subsidiary GLS likely to be excluded from the deal.

A rough valuation of employees' windfalls would mean each eligible member of staff could receive shares worth more than £2000, although that would depend on the value of Royal Mail's shares when it floats on the London stock exchange.

UK-based staff will not receive all of the shares on the day that Royal Mail becomes a public company - assuming that a flotation is able to proceed. Under the Act, the Government pledged to hand 10% of the company to staff by the time the state's shareholding is reduced to zero, a process that could take several years. Whitehall sources said the share giveaway to staff would take place in several tranches.

Members of the public will also be able to buy shares in Royal Mail through intermediaries, a website and possibly through Post Office branches, although a deal has not yet been finalised with the Post Office, which is now a separately-owned organisation.

People close to Mr Cable, who has been working alongside Michael Fallon, the Business Minister, on the privatisation plans, dismissed the prospect of a 'Tell Sid'-style public information campaign such as those which accompanied the major state sell-offs of the 1980s.

Ministers hope the free share offer and the guaranteed component of the retail offering will be sufficient sweeteners for staff as union bosses continue to oppose the privatisation.

The Government is expected to attempt to sell up to 60% of Royal Mail in the initial phase of the privatisation, although that will depend on the demand from City institutions.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Royal Mail both declined to comment ahead of Wednesday's announcement.

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Bull Terrier 'Bites Head Off Harmless Pet'

Police have seized a Staffordshire bull terrier which allegedly bit the head off a family pet dog in a vicious attack.

Gemma Antell claimed her pet Pomeranian, Elvis, was decapitated outside the home of her mother-in-law in Warrington on Saturday after the larger dog entered the front garden, dragging its handler behind it.

Ms Antell says her family were left traumatised by the attack

After the attack on Elvis, a member of the public took a picture of the Staffordshire bull terrier and the woman holding its leash, whose arm was covered in blood. 

Gemma posted the picture onto Twitter in an attempt to identify the owner.

"The dog literally ripped his head off," Ms Antell said in a post on Facebook. "It ripped Elvis in half. It is my son's birthday and my kids are in tears and my whole family are traumatised.

"The worst part of this is the dog 'owners' witnessed the attack and just walked off saying it was not their fault.

"Two poor children witnessed the attack as well as my mother-in-law and passers-by. I have added (to Facebook) the two photos of the incident as well as photos of poor Elvis who is obviously a tiny harmless family pet.

"The next time this happens it might not be a family pet it could be a local child!!!"

After the owner was identified, police visited an address at midnight on Sunday where they seized a white Staffordshire bull terrier.

Cheshire police have confirmed they are investigating the incident and have asked for witnesses to call them on 101 or to ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Chief Inspector Darren Hebden, said: "This was a horrendous attack and was clearly very distressing for the owners to witness.

"I am aware of pictures that have been circulated on social media which will undoubtedly cause concern for the community but can I reassure people that we have now seized the offending dog so there is no risk to the general public.

"We will be speaking to the owners in due course and will do all we can to deal with the incident appropriately within the guidelines of the law. Extra patrols will be in the area to talk to concerned residents and address any issues in the area."

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Zara and Mike Tindall Expecting First Child

The Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall is expecting a baby with her husband Mike Tindall.

Princess Anne's daughter, who married the former England rugby union international in a private ceremony in July 2011, will give birth in the New Year.

The birth will follow the keenly anticipated arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby, which is expected in the coming days.

However, because Zara Tindall does not hold a royal title, her baby will not be called his or her 'royal highness'.

An official statement said: "Mr and Mrs Mike Tindall are very pleased to announce that Zara Tindall is expecting a baby in the New Year.

"The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall, and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"This baby will be the first child for Mike and Zara and the third grandchild for The Princess Royal."

Mike and Zara Tindall married in Edinburgh in July 2011

Zara, 32, is an accomplished sportswoman and last year won an Olympic silver medal as part of the equestrian eventing team.

She competed at the weekend at the Barbury International Horse Trials, said Sky News' Royal Correspondent Paul Harrison.

The child will be Princess Anne's third grandchild, as her son, Peter Phillips, has two daughters.

Zara Tindall, who is currently 14th in line to the throne, met her husband at the 2003 rugby World Cup in Australia.

The couple married in Edinburgh two years ago in a ceremony attended by all the senior royals.

But, just months later, the rugby player was fined and booted out of the 2011 World Cup squad over a team night out.

He apparently took part in a "dwarf tossing" competition with fellow players and was seen embracing an ex-girlfriend.

Tindall's fine was eventually reduced and his suspension set aside after an appeal found he did not intentionally mislead the team's management.

Zara and Mike Tindall currently live on Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

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Missing Barry Island Teen: Shoreline Search

Efforts to find a 14-year-old girl last seen "in difficulty" in the sea are now focusing on the shoreline at low tide.

Rescue crews started looking for the unnamed teenager after she was reported to be struggling in the water at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island.

It is believed she may have been in trouble up to an hour before the first emergency call was made at about 3.45pm on Sunday.

"We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search," Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea, said.

"If you see someone in difficulty in the water, you should call 999 and ask for the coastguard immediately. Any delay means vital search and rescue time is lost."

Three lifeboats, a police helicopter and an RAF search and rescue helicopter joined the search for the youngster, who is believed to have been on holiday in the area.

The beach at Whitmore Bay

Beaches between Porthkerry, Barry and Sully Island were expected to be searched this afternoon.

"We don't believe she was that far out in the water," Mr Jones said. "We're going on the assumption that she has not come out of the water.

"If she is still in the water, as the time passes by, our concerns grow even deeper."

Police are also investigating the possibility the girl may have gone missing after making it back to dry land, and they have been checking the address where she was staying and speaking to friends who were in the water with her.

The missing girl is 5ft 7ins, of average build and with long black hair, and was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress.

Local councillor Steffan Wiliam said the coastline around Barry Island was "generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards", although he added: "You always have to be sensible on the beaches here."

Whitmore Bay is part of an enclosed stretch of coastline although the tidal range - the difference between high and low tide - is one of the highest in the world.

Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, said the beach was "relatively busy" on the hottest day of the year so far, despite many families and tourists deciding to stay indoors to watch Andy Murray's match at Wimbledon.

Sue Voss, of Pencoedtre, Barry, said locals were aware of how treacherous the tides can be.

She said: "We are all hoping that she is found safe. So terrible for the family."

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Harlem Shake Video Lands PCSOs In Hot Water

A group of police community support officers has been reprimanded by bosses at Scotland Yard after posting a video of themselves doing the Harlem Shake on YouTube.

The transport PCSOs were punished after the video, filmed as part of the internet dance craze, was posted online in February.

The footage shows one officer in a crash helmet dancing alone, before his colleagues start prancing around.

With blue lights flashing in the background, one can be seen with a traffic cone on his head, dancing up against a police van.

Six PCSOs received written warnings over the video, which was filmed on police premises and is entitled Metropolitan Police Harlem Shake, while a seventh resigned.

That officer was facing gross misconduct proceedings over a number of issues as well as the video.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The MPS does not condone unprofessionalism in the workplace.

"We expect high standards from all our staff. Appropriate misconduct procedures have been taken regarding those involved and the matter is now closed."

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Sniper Nightingale's Housemate 'Took Guns Home'

By David Bowden, Defence Correspondent

The estranged wife of a soldier - who shared a house with Danny Nightingale - has told a court martial her husband regularly brought weapons and ammunition into the family home.

Former SAS sniper Nightingale is on trial for illegal possession of a pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition found in his bedroom. He denies they were his.

Nightingale's lawyers maintain they belonged to his housemate, who is also an SAS soldier and is known only as N.

N's wife, who cannot be identified, says N twice fired a small black gun out of a window.

She said she once spotted a Glock pistol case in the back of N's Land Rover, which was similar to one found in Nightingale's room containing a pistol.

She said she was "too terrified" to open the case after her husband told her she wasn't to look inside.

The court heard their children would not stay alone with N, so his wife would have to accompany them to Nightingale's home.

Their son would sleep in Nightingale's room but she would sleep downstairs because N kept a gun in his bedside table, the court was told.

Ammunition found at Nightingale's house

N has already pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing an illegal weapon and ammunition and has served a two year sentence in military custody.

Meanwhile, forensic neuropsychologist Dr Susan Young told the court that Nightingale displayed memory discrepancies only seen in 1% or 2% of the population.

Dr Susan Young, who works at Broadmoor special hospital, examined Nightingale after he suffered a near fatal brain injury after he collapsed during an ultramarathon in the Amazon Jungle.

She said his confabulation - or memory disturbance - caused him to fabricate things to compensate for his memory loss.

Dr Young said: "Any account provided by Sgt Nightingale has very likely included confabulated material and that may interfere with the accuracy of the account he's provided."

She added that his symptoms were consistent with brain trauma.

The court also heard he had developed his own coping strategies including breaking down stories into bullet points, substituting words for those he couldn't remember and making lists of things he had to do.

However, consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph has cast doubt on the extent of the lasting brain damage.

The doctor from St Mary's Hospital in London described Nightingale as "a robust individual psychologically" and not prone to confabulation.

He added the injury "was a brief insult to the brain which went very rapidly" and did not cause any long-lasting effects.

Dr Joseph said the evidence presented to the court that Nightingale cannot remember things and makes things up to fill in the gaps is inconsistent and that both cannot be correct.

The trial is continues.

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Murray's Wimbledon Win 'Makes Britain Proud'

Murray Makes History At Wimbledon

Updated: 6:33pm UK, Sunday 07 July 2013

Andy Murray has become the first Briton in 77 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, with a straight-sets victory over the world number one.

With the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders, the Scotsman beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Centre Court in a battle lasting three hours and 10 minutes.

Murray had squandered three match points before winning the championship when the Serbian netted a backhand.

The 26-year-old player, who held his trophy aloft and kissed it, said: "That was one of the toughest moments, today was unbelievably tough match.

"I don't know how I came through the final three points, I'm so glad to do it.

"I have played Novak many times and when everyone finishes playing, he will go down as one of the fighters.

"He did the same today and that is what made it tough.

"I understand how much everyone wanted to see British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it."

World number two Murray broke down in tears as his triumph sank in and climbed into the players' box to hug his girlfriend Kim Sears, coach Ivan Lendl and the rest of his support team.

But he almost forgot his mother Judy, who was sitting just behind the box, before returning to embrace her too.

"I did forget Mum, but then I did remember," he added.

"My team have stuck by me through some tough moments. This one is for Ivan (Lendl, his coach) as well, I know he did everything to try to win this one when he was playing. He's fantastic, he's been patient and I thank him."

The win makes Murray the first Briton to take the Wimbledon men's singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

Murray won his first grand slam at the US Open last year and was desperate to claim the SW19 title after losing to Roger Federer in an emotional final last year.

Thousands of people descended on the famous All-England club, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, Victoria Beckham and Wayne Rooney, while millions tuned in to watch the action on television.

On Murray Mount, fans held union flags and Scottish Saltires as they squeezed on to the steep bank to watch the tense tie.

Mr Cameron led tributes to Murray, tweeting: "It was a privilege to watch @andy--murray making history at #Wimbledon, and making Britain proud."

Djokovic was gracious in defeat.

"Congratulations to Andy you absolutely deserved it, you played incredibly," the six-times grand slam champion said.

"I know what it means to you guys in the whole country so well done. It is a great achievement. I gave it my all and it was an honour to be in this match, in this final."   

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Newlywed Brit Killed In Cancun Hit-And-Run

A newlywed has died in a suspected hit-and-run crash while he was on his honeymoon in Mexico.

Ray Cottam, 55, died in Cancun, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said.

Mr Cottam, of Middlestown, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was on holiday with his new wife Karen after their marriage at a hotel near Pontefract last Saturday, according to reports.

He reportedly worked for Fox's Biscuits in Batley, but had previously run a fish and chip shop in nearby Ossett.

Janet Barnes, 56, of Ossett, who worked with him at the chip shop and attended his wedding reception, said she was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "He was a diamond - a one in a million. He would do anything for anyone.

"Him and Karen were made for each other. It is a total shock and we still can't believe it."

An FCO spokesman said: "We were made aware of the death of a British national in Cancun, Mexico, on June 30.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

Mrs Cottam is now back home in Middlestown being comforted by family.

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Saatchi To Divorce Nigella After Neck Row

Art collector Charles Saatchi has announced he has filed for divorce from Nigella Lawson - citing her refusal to defend his reputation after he was pictured with his hand around her neck at a restaurant.

In a statement, the 70-year-old told The Mail On Sunday: "I am sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced.

"I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way."

The couple were pictured on June 9 during an argument at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, central London.

Images showed Mr Saatchi with his hand around the 53-year-old celebrity chef's throat.

Ms Lawson, the daughter of former chancellor Lord Lawson, was reportedly seen weeping following the episode. She did not make a complaint to police.

Mr Saatchi voluntarily attended a central London police station and accepted a caution, saying he did not want the incident "hanging over all of us".

But he claimed his wife has refused to answer calls after apparently leaving the family home with her two children, Cosima, 19, and Bruno, 17, from her previous marriage to journalist John Diamond, who died of throat cancer in 2001.

Mr Saatchi, who made his name in advertising, said: "This is heartbreaking for both of us as our love was very deep, but in the last year we have become estranged and drifted apart.

"The row photographed at Scott's restaurant could equally have been Nigella grasping my neck to hold my attention - as indeed she has done in the past."

Mr Saatchi insisted his actions were not violent, saying that while he had his hands around Ms Lawson's neck, "there was no pressure applied to her".

He said the pictures gave a "wholly different and incorrect implication", adding: "I am sorry that we had a row. I am sorry she was upset. I am even more sorry that this is the end of our marriage."

Ms Lawson became a household name in 1998 with her first cookery book, How To Eat. She married Mr Saatchi in 2003.

Her spokesman said: "There is no comment from Nigella."

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Crewe Alexandra Players Held Over 'Sex Assault'

Seven Crewe Alexandra football players have been released on bail after being arrested over a suspected sexual assault.

It is alleged to have taken place at a property in Redruth, a town in Cornwall where the League One club had been on a pre-season training camp.

Police made the arrests after receiving a complaint of sexual assault against a woman in her early 20s.

Three men aged 18, 19, and 35, and two aged 24 were held in Redruth on Saturday in connection with the allegation.

Later that day, a 21-year-old man was detained in Cheshire.

And on Sunday, a 20-year-old man was also held in Cheshire.

All seven suspects have been interviewed and have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

They have been told to return to police station on dates between September 30 and October 8.

A spokesman for the football club earlier confirmed some Crewe players were being held.

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Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon Title

Andy Murray has become the first Briton in 77 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, with a straight-sets victory over the world number one.

With the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders, the Scotsman beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Centre Court in a battle lasting three hours and 10 minutes.

Murray had squandered three match points before winning the championship when the Serbian netted a backhand.

Murray climbed into the players' box after his win

The 26-year-old player, who held his trophy aloft and kissed it, said: "That was one of the toughest moments, today was unbelievably tough match.

"I don't know how I came through the final three points, I'm so glad to do it.

"I have played Novak many times and when everyone finishes playing, he will go down as one of the fighters.

"He did the same today and that is what made it tough.

"I understand how much everyone wanted to see British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it."

Murray dropped to his knees after the victory

World number two Murray broke down in tears as his triumph sank in and climbed into the players' box to hug his girlfriend Kim Sears, coach Ivan Lendl and the rest of his support team.

But he almost forgot his mother Judy, who was sitting just behind the box, before returning to embrace her too.

"I did forget Mum, but then I did remember," he added.

"My team have stuck by me through some tough moments. This one is for Ivan (Lendl, his coach) as well, I know he did everything to try to win this one when he was playing. He's fantastic, he's been patient and I thank him."

Djokovic has won six grand slams

The win makes Murray the first Briton to take the Wimbledon men's singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

Murray won his first grand slam at the US Open last year and was desperate to claim the SW19 title after losing to Roger Federer in an emotional final last year.

Thousands of people descended on the famous All-England club, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, Victoria Beckham and Wayne Rooney, while millions tuned in to watch the action on television.

On Murray Mount, fans held union flags and Scottish Saltires as they squeezed on to the steep bank to watch the tense tie.

Mr Cameron led tributes to Murray, tweeting: "It was a privilege to watch @andy--murray making history at #Wimbledon, and making Britain proud."

Djokovic was gracious in defeat.

"Congratulations to Andy you absolutely deserved it, you played incredibly," the six-times grand slam champion said.

"I know what it means to you guys in the whole country so well done. It is a great achievement. I gave it my all and it was an honour to be in this match, in this final."   

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Newlywed Brit Killed In Cancun Hit-And-Run

A newlywed has died in a suspected hit-and-run crash while he was on his honeymoon in Mexico.

Ray Cottam, 55, died in Cancun, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said.

Mr Cottam, of Middlestown, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was on holiday with his new wife Karen after their marriage at a hotel near Pontefract last Saturday, according to reports.

He reportedly worked for Fox's Biscuits in Batley, but had previously run a fish and chip shop in nearby Ossett.

Janet Barnes, 56, of Ossett, who worked with him at the chip shop and attended his wedding reception, said she was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "He was a diamond - a one in a million. He would do anything for anyone.

"Him and Karen were made for each other. It is a total shock and we still can't believe it."

An FCO spokesman said: "We were made aware of the death of a British national in Cancun, Mexico, on June 30.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

Mrs Cottam is now back home in Middlestown being comforted by family.

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Michael Parkinson: Chat Show Host Has Cancer

Chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson has revealed he is being treated for prostate cancer but has no intention of stopping working.

The television star, 78, is currently undergoing radiotherapy but is expected to make a full recovery.

Sir Michael, who was diagnosed in May after a routine medical last October, said he was confident of fighting the disease.

He said: "It was a great shock, but I have been told to expect to make a full recovery."

He told The Sun On Sunday: "Of course mortality is on the mind. But I'm not afraid.

"My wife Mary has been a tremendous support and while she has been, of course, very upset, she can see how I have approached this.

"Once she realised I wouldn't let it affect me, Mary was fine.

"I don't feel ill. And I will keep working. I have no intention of stopping working."

The presenter, affectionately known as "Parky" to his legion of fans, has been having five sessions of radiotherapy a week.

He is also backing a campaign to help raise awareness of the disease.

Sir Michael said: "All that concerns me now is for men around the country to stop and take notice of any symptoms that might save their lives.

"I'm not a softy. If you show the symptoms of this dreadful disease, get help. Men need to get themselves checked. It will save lives."

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Saatchi To Divorce Nigella After Neck Row

Art collector Charles Saatchi has announced he has filed for divorce from Nigella Lawson - citing her refusal to defend his reputation after he was pictured with his hand around her neck at a restaurant.

In a statement, the 70-year-old told The Mail On Sunday: "I am sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced.

"I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way."

The couple were pictured on June 9 during an argument at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, central London.

Images showed Mr Saatchi with his hand around the 53-year-old celebrity chef's throat.

Ms Lawson, the daughter of former chancellor Lord Lawson, was reportedly seen weeping following the episode. She did not make a complaint to police.

Mr Saatchi voluntarily attended a central London police station and accepted a caution, saying he did not want the incident "hanging over all of us".

But he claimed his wife has refused to answer calls after apparently leaving the family home with her two children, Cosima, 19, and Bruno, 17, from her previous marriage to journalist John Diamond, who died of throat cancer in 2001.

Mr Saatchi, who made his name in advertising, said: "This is heartbreaking for both of us as our love was very deep, but in the last year we have become estranged and drifted apart.

"The row photographed at Scott's restaurant could equally have been Nigella grasping my neck to hold my attention - as indeed she has done in the past."

Mr Saatchi insisted his actions were not violent, saying that while he had his hands around Ms Lawson's neck, "there was no pressure applied to her".

He said the pictures gave a "wholly different and incorrect implication", adding: "I am sorry that we had a row. I am sorry she was upset. I am even more sorry that this is the end of our marriage."

Ms Lawson became a household name in 1998 with her first cookery book, How To Eat. She married Mr Saatchi in 2003.

Her spokesman said: "There is no comment from Nigella."

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Abu Qatada Denies Terrorism Charges In Jordan

Radical preacher Abu Qatada has pleaded not guilty to terror charges - just hours after his deportation from the UK to Jordan.

After landing at an isolated airstrip near the Jordanian capital Amman, Qatada was driven by police escort to the heavily guarded State Security Court.

There he was charged by military prosecutors with conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts.

The 53-year-old denies involvement in a plot to attack American and Israeli tourists and faces a retrial.

Qatada leaves Amman's State Security Court in a police vehicle

No reporters were allowed into the hearing, but a court official said Qatada was remanded in custody for 15 days at the maximum security Muwaqqar prison, which houses dozens of convicted terrorists.

His lawyer, Taysir Diab, said he would be lodging an appeal on Monday for Qatada to be released on bail.

It is understood Jordanian authorities allowed Qatada's family to greet him on his arrival in Amman.

Home Secretary Theresa May told Sky News that she was "very pleased" to have finally succeeded in deporting the cleric.

The military plane carrying Qatada arrives at Amman Airport in Jordan

"He is now where people wanted him to be - which is not in the UK, but back in Jordan," she said.

Accompanied by four police officers, Qatada left for Jordan in the early hours on a military plane from RAF Northolt in west London.

It marks the end of an eight-year legal battle to remove Qatada, described by the Government as a "truly dangerous individual" and a "key player" in al Qaeda-related terrorism.

Sky News correspondent Mark White said: "He has been a thorn in the side of five home secretaries who have tried to get rid of him. As far as the British Government and senior politicians are concerned, there will be quiet celebration that he has finally left the country."

Qatada glances out of the military plane flying him to Jordan

Qatada used his human rights to make a series of costly challenges to moves to deport him to his native country.

The case became a national embarrassment, with critics of European human rights legislation claiming it rendered UK politicians powerless to remove someone who they believed to be a clear threat to national security.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I am absolutely delighted. This is something this Government said it would get done and we have got it done.

"It is an issue, like for the rest of the country, has made my blood boil. That this man, who has no right to be in our country, who is a threat to our country, and that it took so long and was so difficult to deport him.

"But we've done it, he's back in Jordan, that's excellent news."

The Home Office spent a total of £1.7m on legal fees from the many court proceedings.

Qatada was taken from Belmarsh to RAF Northolt under police escort

Mrs May said the Jordanian national's departure marked "the conclusion of efforts to remove him since 2001 and I believe this will be welcomed by the British public".

She added: "I am glad that this government's determination to see him on a plane has been vindicated and that we have at last achieved what previous governments, Parliament and the British public have long called for.

"This dangerous man has now been removed from our shores to face the courts in his own country.

"I am also clear that we need to make sense of our human rights laws and remove the many layers of appeals available to foreign nationals we want to deport. We are taking steps - including through the new Immigration Bill - to put this right."

Qatada had became an object of hate to many

It was a treaty signed between the UK and Jordan that finally secured Qatada's departure, giving him the assurances he needed to leave his taxpayer-funded home behind.

The agreement, announced by Mrs May earlier this year, aimed to allay fears that evidence extracted through torture will be used against the father-of-five at a retrial.

In a shock move, Qatada pledged in May to leave Britain with his family if and when the treaty was fully ratified, a process that to the relief of many concluded earlier this week.

It is understood he will be held in solitary confinement in prison, until the Jordanian authorities can put him on trial.

Jordanian information minister Mohammed Momani said the country "is keen on credibility and transparency" in handling Qatada.

Theresa May believes Qatada's departure will be widely welcomed

He added the deportation of the Palestinian-born cleric "sends a message to all fugitives that they will face justice in Jordan".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Abu Qatada should have made this decision to face justice in Jordan before, as this has dragged on far too long, but it is extremely welcome news that this saga is now at an end."

Qatada originally fled the Middle East and arrived in the UK in 1993. He was granted asylum the following year.

His increasingly radical sermons caught the attention of the security services in Britain and in numerous other countries.

A Spanish judge described him as the "spiritual head of the mujaheddin in Britain".

A number of people arrested on terrorism offences, including British born "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid, admitted seeking religious advice from him.

His sermons were found in the Hamburg flat used by a number of the 9/11 hijackers.

In 2001, on the eve of tough new British anti-terror laws allowing for the detention without trial of foreign terror suspects, Qatada went on the run, before later being arrested and held in Belmarsh prison.

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