Zanzibar Acid Attack Victim Tweets Her Thanks

Zanzibar Acid Attack: Two Held

Updated: 4:59pm UK, Friday 09 August 2013

Two girls from London who had acid thrown in their faces on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar have arrived back in Britain.

:: WARNING: This story contains a graphic image depicting acid burns

A medevac plane carrying Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, landed at RAF Northolt at lunchtime and the pair were taken away in two ambulances.

They were then transferred to the specialist burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and reunited with their families.

The teenagers were attacked by two men on a motorbike as they walked through the historic capital Stone Town on Wednesday night.

The acid was splashed over their faces, chests, backs and hands.

Their arrival back in Britain came as a Zanzibar police chief told Sky News that five people have been questioned over the acid attack.

Regional police commander Mkadam Khamis said two of the suspects are being detained for further interrogation while the other three have been released.

Police on the island have also offered a reward of 10 million Tanzanian shillings (£4,000) for information leading to any arrests. 

Sky News Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lisa Holland said there were some suggestions that one of the people held was a local shopkeeper who had been in an altercation with one of the girls a few days before.

But she added that the motive remained unclear - with other reports of eyewitnesses saying the acid was not intended for the British teenagers but someone else walking down the road.

The pair, who had been volunteering at an orphanage on the island, were taken to hospital in Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland, before being flown home.

Miss Gee's mother Nicky Gee told Sky News her daughter had suffered burns to her "whole face and her whole body" in the "vicious attack".

A photograph released by the girls' families showed the injuries Miss Gee of them suffered in the attack.

The girl is shown wearing an open striped shirt and a silver necklace. What appear to be acid burns are clearly visible on her chin, neck and upper chest.

Miss Trup also reportedly received horrific burns and was said to be "inconsolable".

The young women, who are from north London and were planning to start university in the autumn, were enjoying the last week of a trip as volunteer teachers to the predominantly Muslim island when a corrosive substance was thrown at them.

The trip had been organised by i-to-i Travel, which is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and runs gap year trips to parts of Africa, Asia, central and South America and Australia.

Trips to teach in Zanzibar, based in Stone Town, start at £669 for two weeks, according to its website.

In its latest statement, i-to-i Travel confirmed the girls had been repatriated to the UK and said: "We welcome the proactive investigations being carried out by local authorities in Zanzibar and continue to liaise with them.

"We wish the girls a fast and full recovery and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time."

The organisation added that it had advised all its customers still in Zanzibar "to remain vigilant" and anyone due to fly out there this weekend had been given the option to volunteer at a different project, but all had chosen to continue to travel to Tanzania.

The Foreign Office travel advice for Tanzania warns that although most visits to the country are trouble-free, "violent and armed crime is increasing".

The advice, available on its website, says: "Mugging, bag snatching (especially from passing cars) and robbery have increased throughout the country."

It adds: "In Zanzibar, incidents have taken place in Stone Town and on popular tourist beaches."

Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania's president, is reported to have visited the women at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam and promised that the men responsible for the "shameful" attack would be found.

Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean around 22 miles off the mainland.

The semi-autonomous region of Tanzania is predominantly Muslim and has been the scene of some religious violence in recent years.

Earlier this year two Christian leaders were killed and in November a cleric was treated in hospital after an acid attack. This is the first such assault on foreigners in the popular tourist destination.

A further announcement from the police in Zanzibar regarding the case is expected later today.

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Chris Huhne Lands Top Job At Energy Firm

Disgraced former MP Chris Huhne has landed a lucrative job at a US energy firm just months after being released from prison.

The ex-energy and climate change cabinet secretary has become the European manager of Zilkha Biomass Energy, according to the company's website.

He is reported to be on a salary of £100,000 for the two-day-a-week position, which will raise questions about the links between politics and business.

Huhne and ex-wife Vicky Pryce were released from jail in May after serving 62 days of an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.

They lied about who was driving when the politician was due to receive penalty points in 2003 so that he could avoid a driving ban.

Vicky Pryce is writing a book about prison

The truth emerged only years later after the then senior Lib Dem left his wife of 26 years for another woman and Pryce approached the press to get her revenge.

Huhne finally admitted his guilt on the day his trial was due to start, after failing to have the case thrown out.

Having already resigned from the Cabinet when he was charged, he then quit as a Lib Dem MP and privy councillor.

Pryce pleaded not guilty, claiming she was forced to take the points by her then husband, but her story was ultimately rejected.

Huhne's biography on the Zilkha Biomass website details his work as a Government minister and previous careers in finance and journalism but does not mention his fall from grace.

It says he was appointed in July "with the remit of growing the business in the European Union".

And it hails the politician, once tipped as a future Lib Dem leader, as "one of the pioneers in calling for political action to deal with global warming".

The move has been given the go ahead by the Advisory Commission on Business Appointments, which advises the Prime Minister about former ministers' new jobs.

This is despite him being Energy Secretary until last year and having access to privileged Government information.

According to The Sun, he also met representatives from Zilkha Biomass during his time as Secretary of State.

The committee reportedly concluded that he had not been involved "in the development of policy, award of grants or regulatory work" that might have affected the company.

A spokesman told The Sun that Huhne "was not aware of any contractual relationship between his former department and ZBE and had no access to commercially sensitive information about any competitors".

Huhne had been keeping a low profile since his jail term, which he described as a "humbling and sobering experience".

Both he and Pryce, with whom he has three children, have to wear electronic tags.

Pryce, a former top economist who last month had her honour for government service revoked by the Queen, is working on a book about her experiences called Prisonomics.

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Belfast: 56 Police Hurt In 'Mindless Anarchy'

Police have confirmed the number of officers injured during rioting in Belfast was 56.

Four officers needed hospital treatment with one being kept in after the violence overnight on Friday.

Northern Ireland's chief constable described the loyalist rioters who wrecked parts of central Belfast as indulging in mindless anarchy.

Matt Baggott said protesters attacked police with missiles, including scaffolding poles and paving stones ripped up from a main shopping district.

He warned that the "prisons would be bulging" once the police had identified and arrested those responsible.

Cars burn after the riots in Belfast city centre

The violence erupted in the Royal Avenue area, a usually busy commercial street close to City Hall, as more than a thousand loyalist demonstrators gathered to protest at a republican rally to mark the 42nd anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The republican parade was rerouted but some sectarian clashes still occurred as the march passed close to the loyalist protesters.

Northern Ireland's Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton had earlier said the violence had been started by "crowds intent on creating disorder."

Water cannon is used to disperse protesters during rioting in Belfast

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers described the violence and attacks on police as "shameful".

She told Sky News: "I blame the people who came out on the streets and carried out this disgraceful violence. The UK government stands fairly and squarely behind Matt Baggott and his officers in Northern Ireland.

"If people on the streets think this is defending a cause then they are completely mistaken. This is not the way to support Britishness.

A loyalist is arrested by riot police in the centre of Belfast

"They are not going to achieve anything from this other than a criminal record."

After a number of years of relative calm following the IRA ceasefire in the 1990s, Northern Ireland has seen increasing outbreaks of violence and sectarian protest. 

Last month parts of Belfast were consumed by more rioting, predominantly loyalist, when Orangemen were banned from parading past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

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Schoolboy Harry Whitlam Hit By Tractor Dies

A schoolboy has died after being hit by a tractor at a farm visitor attraction.

Harry Whitlam, 11, died on Friday hours after the incident at Swithens Farm in the Rothwell area of Leeds.

The tractor driver, a 48-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.

The farm is open to visitors, although a statement on its website said the collision was on the "working part of the farm".

Local reports suggested Harry suffered head injuries from the tractor's trailer as the vehicle was reversing.

It is thought Harry was hit by a reversing tractor trailer

The 11-year-old, who lived in the Wakefield area, was apparently a farm hand at the premises where his mother also worked.

Officers were called at 9.20am on Friday by the ambulance service who were already at the scene.

He was flown to Leeds General Infirmary but died on Friday night following complicated emergency surgery.

Joanna Baron, who was at the farm with her four-year-old son, told the Yorkshire Post: "I can't believe it. It's awful. We come here a lot and it's such a lovely place to be. It's shocking."

Detective Superintendent Scott Wood, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We are continuing to investigate what has been a tragic incident with the Health and Safety Executive and are still appealing for witnesses."

The tractor driver has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Swithens Farm, which describes itself as a "friendly place with a focus on families, fun and fabulous fresh food", has remained open.

A statement posted on its website said: "There was a tragic accident on Friday 9 August and our thoughts are with Harry's family.

"We're still not sure of the full circumstances but the accident happened on the working part of the farm.

"The farm shop, cafe and petting farm are open to the general public and we are trying to run the business as normal."

:: Anyone who saw the collision should contact West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047 or via 101.

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Eid: British Muslims Join In Celebrations

Peace has been the theme of one of the biggest celebrations for the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Up to 15,000 people gathered at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, south London, for the largest Eid al Fitr celebration in the UK.

The event - at the largest mosque in western Europe - follows a month of fasting for Muslims.

It was organised for the British-based Islamic group Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK.

Celebrations at Baitul Futuh Mosque, Morden

His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad - the leader or 'Khalifa' of the 8m-strong Ahmadiyya branch of Islam - delivered an hour-long sermon shown live on television and translated into seven languages.

Rafiq Hyat, national president of the Ahmadiyya community in the UK, said the group's main message on Eid was one of peace.

"His Holiness has always encouraged all the various communities to come together in peaceful dialogue and try and achieve peace in this world through justice," he said.

"He feels the only way we are going to have peace in this world is if there is justice from all sides and once we have justice we will have peace."

The main message was one of peace

Mr Hyat said: "I have lived in London most of my life and I feel that London is one of the most tolerant cities in the world now, it is one of the most cosmopolitan cities.

"In fact, in this mosque, 5,000 people gathered to say prayers for Drummer Lee Rigby's family after his demise.

"We stood shoulder to shoulder with the British people to mourn the death of one of our soldiers."

There was tightened security at the event following attacks on the Ahmadiyya in countries such as Pakistan, where they are regarded as having abandoned Islam.

His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad - Khalifa' of the Ahmadiyya

In June, Home Secretary Theresa May praised the Ahmaddiya at an event in the House of Commons marking the centenary of their establishment in the UK.

The branch of Islam was founded in the late 19th century in India, but its leader has been based in Britain since 1984 as a result of persecution in Pakistan.

Hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world have been celebrating Eid al Fitr by attending mass prayers and feasting.

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Revealed: The UK's Most Wanted Tax Fugitives

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business and Economics Correspondent

A rogues' gallery of the UK's most wanted tax fugitives has been released in an effort to collect hundreds of millions of pounds in unpaid duty.

One year on from releasing the details of the UK's 20 most sought-after tax criminals, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has now added the names and photographs of 10 more fugitives to that original target list.

Those on the list are being pursued for a range of crimes, including VAT fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

Together, their crimes have cost the taxpayer close to £720m.

Among the new names on the list are Michael "Arthur" Fearon, who is wanted in connection with evasion of excise duty on nearly £8.4m of cigarettes, and is believed to be in the Republic of Ireland.

Chancellor George Osborne says tax evasion 'will not be tolerated'

Anish Anand, who is believed to be in the UK, is wanted in relation to £6m VAT and film tax credit fraud, while Michael George Voudouri is wanted in connection with a £10m VAT fraud. He is believed to be in Northern Cyrpus.

And Sumir Soni (aka John Soni, John Miller, Samir Soni, Bhader Singh), who is believed to be in Kenya, is wanted in connection with evading duty of £3.6m from the illegal sale and distribution of alcohol, and the illegal importation of nine million cigarettes.

Anthony Judge, who was wanted for his role in over £350,000 of tax fraud and had been on the run for 10 years, was detained at Heathrow Airport last month as he attempted to enter the UK on a forged passport.

He is the second of HMRC's most wanted to be captured since the rogues' gallery was first published.

In May, John Nugent was apprehended in the US after the authorities there saw the list.

The gallery has been viewed more than 1.5 million times, with new intelligence received from the public on the current whereabouts of 17 of the 20 named on the original list.

HMRC has also launched an interactive map of the world to illustrate where the tax fugitives are believed to be.

The crimes of those on the list have cost the taxpayer £720m

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Our message is clear, tax fraud and evasion is illegal and will not be tolerated.

"The Government has stepped up HMRC's enforcement activities to enable them to pursue tax cheats relentlessly around the world."

"This new list will help put more tax fraudsters in the spotlight and bring them to justice."

The Chancellor has faced public outrage in recent months over the number of large, multinational corporations operating in Britain that pay little or no corporation tax on earnings which can top billions of pounds each year.

Yet some tax experts say HMRC is missing the real problem in tackling tax avoidance.

Richard Murphy, of Tax Research UK, told Sky News: "The problem is very large companies who aren't paying very large amounts of tax that they might owe because of skilful tax avoidance by accountants and lawyers.

"The second problem is actually ordinary people avoiding and evading income tax by putting cash in their pockets … paying their builders, their plumbers, their cleaners, their tutors and everybody else without tax being paid and that is a massive problem in our economy.

"But the big problem is not this form of crime of which this list is being published about."

Taxpayers Alliance chief executive Matthew Sinclair said part of the difficulty was with the UK's "hugely complex and fundamentally dysfunctional tax system".

He said reforming taxes to make them simpler would reduce the scope for evasion and free up HMRC resources to focus on fraud.

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IPCC To Investigate Newport Double Shooting

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are to look into contact between police and two people found shot in Newport on Thursday.

A 46-year-old woman died and a 49-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after the incident.

Police said they were not looking for anyone else.

Investigations are continuing. Police have now said it involved an estranged couple.

Armed officers were called to Seabreeze Avenue in Newport, South Wales, at 8.40am on Thursday after neighbours reported hearing three gunshots.

They found the pair lying in the road. A gun was later recovered from the scene.

Detectives said the two people involved had previously been in a relationship, which had "come to the attention" of police in the past.

Chief Inspector Huw Nicholas, of Gwent Police, said on Thursday that the force was still trying to establish exactly what happened.

He said: "While I am limited as to what I can say about the people involved, what I can say is it is known that they had previously been in a relationship which had come to the attention of police.

"For this reason we have referred the matter to the IPCC.

Newport is in south Wales

"Residents are obviously shocked and distressed ... and we have officers and Community Support Officers in the area who will be available to speak to residents as required."

The couple were taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. The woman died, while the man underwent surgery.

It is understood a post-mortem examination on the woman will be carried out on Friday.

The IPCC confirmed it would be examining Gwent Police's previous contact with the man and woman.

Officials say this is standard procedure in incidents such as the shooting.

A spokesman said: "There is a police murder investigation into the shooting of the 46 year-old woman and this will take priority.

"A further statement will be issued by the IPCC early next week."

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BA Compensation After Saudi Flight Horror

British Airways has promised compensation after hundreds of Heathrow-bound passengers reportedly endured an horrific experience on a faulty plane that led to fights in Saudi Arabia.

The Boeing 747 had to return to Riyadh twice because of a recurring wing flap problem.

Describing the scenes after the second landing, passenger Dean Jones told the online Daily Mail there was "mayhem" as a BA worker tried to deal with more than 300 passengers while other ground crew allegedly "hid' in a back office.

He went on: "Fights broke out and the military turned up."

The letter to passengers from BA. Pic. Hetaf Bin Saedan

Mr Jones said that on the first return to Riyadh on Wednesday "there was screaming and crying and we hit the runway with a massive bang".

He said passengers had to make their own way to accommodation, before being told to return to the airport at 3am for a flight on the same plane that eventually took off at 8.45am.

Around 30 minutes in, the wing flap problem recurred. Mr Jones said: "This time people were even more frightened. Women were crying. People were being sick."

After landing, around 70 passengers refused to leave and called for an official to explain what was happening.

A BA spokesman said today: "We apologise to customers for their experience, and we sent a replacement aircraft to fly them to the UK.

"Our customer service teams are contacting customers directly to offer compensation, expenses and complimentary tickets as a gesture of goodwill.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our first concern and due to a technical problem, the decision was taken to return the aircraft to Riyadh.

"Our crew and customer service teams did everything they could to care for customers, and we provided overnight hotel accommodation."

Another BA plane suffered an 'air scare' in May when an engine caught fire

The incident first began 48 hours before a BA aircraft bound for Hong Kong returned to the airport because of technical problems understood to involve the left wing's landing gear.

In May, a BA flight caught fire as it flew over central London - leading to a dramatic emergency landing at the west London hub airport.

According to an official accident investigation, doors on both engines had been left unlatched during maintenance.

They then fell off as the aircraft left the runway, puncturing a fuel pipe on the right engine.

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Zanzibar Acid Attack Teens Back Home In UK

Two girls from London who had acid hurled in their faces on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar have arrived back in Britain.

:: WARNING: This story contains a graphic image depicting acid burns

A medevac plane carrying Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, landed at RAF Northolt at lunchtime and the pair were taken away in two ambulances.

They were then transferred to the specialist burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and reunited with their families.

An ambulance meets the plane carrying the teenagers

The teenagers were attacked by two men on a motorbike as they walked through the historic capital Stone Town on Wednesday night.

The acid was splashed over their faces, chests, backs and hands.

Their arrival back in Britain came as a Zanzibar police chief told Sky News that five people have been questioned over the acid attack.

Regional police commander Mkadam Khamis said two of the suspects are being detained for further interrogation while the other three have been released.

The horrific burns suffered by Katie Gee

Police on the island have also offered a reward of 10 million Tanzanian shillings (£4,000) for information leading to any arrests. 

Sky News Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lisa Holland said there were some suggestions that one of the people held was a local shopkeeper who had been in an altercation with one of the girls a few days before.

But she added that the motive remained unclear - with other reports of eyewitnesses saying the acid was not intended for the British teenagers but someone else walking down the road. 

The pair, who had been volunteering at an orphanage on the island, were taken to hospital in Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland, before being flown home.

The terrified girls were taken to hospital on the mainland

Miss Gee's mother Nicky Gee told Sky News her daughter had suffered burns to her "whole face and her whole body" in the "vicious attack".

A photograph released by the girls' families showed the injuries Miss Gee of them suffered in the attack.

The girl is shown wearing an open striped shirt and a silver necklace. What appear to be acid burns are clearly visible on her chin, neck and upper chest.

Miss Trup also reportedly received horrific burns and was said to be "inconsolable".

Katie Gee's mother, Nicky, told Sky News her daughter was badly burned

The young women, who are from north London and were planning to start university in the autumn, were enjoying the last week of a trip as volunteer teachers to the predominantly Muslim island when a corrosive substance was thrown at them.

The trip had been organised by i-to-i Travel, which is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and runs gap year trips to parts of Africa, Asia, central and South America and Australia.

Trips to teach in Zanzibar, based in Stone Town, start at £669 for two weeks, according to its website.

In its latest statement, i-to-i Travel confirmed the girls had been repatriated to the UK and said: "We welcome the proactive investigations being carried out by local authorities in Zanzibar and continue to liaise with them.

One of the girls is escorted at the airport in Zanzibar

"We wish the girls a fast and full recovery and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time."

The organisation added that it had advised all its customers still in Zanzibar "to remain vigilant" and anyone due to fly out there this weekend had been given the option to volunteer at a different project, but all had chosen to continue to travel to Tanzania.

The Foreign Office travel advice for Tanzania warns that although most visits to the country are trouble-free, "violent and armed crime is increasing".

The advice, available on its website, says: "Mugging, bag snatching (especially from passing cars) and robbery have increased throughout the country."

The family home of Kirstie Trup in north London

It adds: "In Zanzibar, incidents have taken place in Stone Town and on popular tourist beaches."

Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania's president, is reported to have visited the women at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam and promised that the men responsible for the "shameful" attack would be found.

Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean around 22 miles off the mainland.

The semi-autonomous region of Tanzania is predominantly Muslim and has been the scene of some religious violence in recent years.

Earlier this year two Christian leaders were killed and in November a cleric was treated in hospital after an acid attack. This is the first such assault on foreigners in the popular tourist destination.

A further announcement from the police in Zanzibar regarding the case is expected later today.

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Mafia Boss Domenico Rancadore Re-Arrested

Mafia boss Domenico Rancadore, who was held in London after 19 years on the run, has been re-arrested on a new European arrest warrant.

The 64-year-old, who faces a seven-year jail sentence in Italy, has been appearing before Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The warrant for his arrest was re-issued after a judge raised concerns about the document used to bring him before the court.

When the new warrant was read to him and he was asked if he wanted to be extradited, Rancadore replied: "No."

Rancadore was arrested by British police at his suburban home in Uxbridge, west London, under a European arrest warrant.

The father of two had been living in the UK as a househusband under the alias Marc Skinner since 1993 while his wife Anne ran a travel agency to support the family.

He tried to flee through the back door of his home in Manor Waye when police arrived, but came face to face with a waiting detective constable.

He initially gave police his false name - Skinner is his wife's maiden name - but eventually came clean.

The same court heard at an earlier hearing that Rancadore has a heart condition and was taken to hospital by police when he began suffering chest pains.

The former teacher, whose wife and daughter were in court, came to the UK in 1993 after being acquitted at the end of a three-year court case linked to Mafia allegations.

His lawyer told the court he had lived "a blameless life" in Britain.

Rancadore is facing prison for being part of a criminal organisation between 1987 and 1995.

He was "a man of honour" in the Cosa Nostra, controlling Trabia, near Palermo in Sicily, the court heard.

More follows...

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Big Baby: Brit Mum Has Heaviest Born In Spain

A British woman has given birth to the biggest ever baby born naturally in Spain, a hospital has said.

Maxime Marin, 40, did not even need an epidural - a painkiller delivered into the spine during childbirth.

The baby girl called Maria Lorena Marin weighed 13lb 7oz (6.095kg) which is about twice the size of an average baby.

Hospital Marina Salud in the Mediterranean city of Denia said she was in "perfect health" following the straightforward delivery.

Ms Marin said she expected the baby, born after 41 weeks, to be "big but not that big" as her three older children each weighed more than 9lb 14oz (4.480kg) at birth.

She brushed off the five-hour labour as "simple", while the newborn's Colombian father, Jaime Marin, said everything went well.

Dr Javier Rius, head of gynaecology at the hospital, said in his 40 years of practice he had never known a baby born naturally to weigh so much.

Earlier this year, a Californian woman gave birth to a child weighing even more than Maria.

Mum Maxime Marin and her newborn Maria (Pic: Hospital Marina Salud)

Jayden Sigler was 13lb 14oz (6.293kg) when he was delivered by Caesarean section.

And George King became one of the heaviest babies born naturally in England when he was delivered earlier this year weighing 15lb 7oz (7.002kg).

Almost two-thirds of babies born in England and Wales in 2010 weighed between 6lb 9oz (2.976kg) and 8lb 13oz (3.997kg), according to the Office for National Statistics.

Of the 700,000 children born during that year, more than 460,000 were in this range.

The heaviest baby ever born weighed 23lb 12oz (10.773kg) in Canada in 1879, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

But the baby, whose mother Anna Bates had giantism - a condition characterised by excessive growth and height significantly above average, died 11 hours later.

In 1955 a baby boy weighing 22lbs 8oz (10.206kg) was born to Carmelina Fedele in Aversa, Italy.

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Newport Shooting: Woman Dies And Man Injured

A woman has died after a shooting incident which also left a man in hospital.

Armed officers were called to Willenhall Street in Newport, South Wales, at 8.45am where they found the pair in a serious condition.

They were both been taken to the city's Royal Gwent Hospital but the 46-year-old woman later died.

The 49-year-old man remains in hospital where he had been undergoing surgery.

A spokesman for Gwent police said officers were called to the scene after reports of gunshots being fired.

He said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"The 46-year-old female has since died and the 49-year-old male remains in surgery at this time.

"It is not believed anyone else is involved in the incident and both of those involved were known to each other.

"Officers have recovered a firearm from the scene.

Newport is in South Wales

"Officers are supporting family members at this time. Willenhall Street remains cordoned off for police to carry out inquiries."

Local residents have spoken of their shock at the incident on a quiet residential street.

Witnesses told local media they saw two possible victims lying on the floor on either side of a car.

Councillor Majid Rahman, 25, who represents the Victoria ward, said some residents had gone to help after the shooting.

Mr Rahman said: "Some of the residents went up to the people to see if they were okay and to see if they could help. Others saw them through their home windows.

"Everyone in the area is shocked and saddened by what has happened. Residents have told me that they had seen the people around the area before.

"I don't know who they are or where they lived, there doesn't seem to be a lot of information at the moment."

Mr Rahman described Willenhall Street as a quiet, residential "new-build area".

He added: "There are no real crime issues in the area, apart from some minor anti-social behaviour. Nothing like this has ever happened round here before."

Forensic police officers are at the scene.

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Teen Suicide: Site Refuses To Answer Questions

Staff at ask.fm - the Latvian-based website where a teenager was bullied before she took her own life - have refused to tell Sky News about its system for reporting abuse.

It comes as the father of victim Hannah Smith called for the website's owners to be charged with manslaughter.

And businesses including Vodafone, Phones 4u, Specsavers, Laura Ashley, DialAFlight and Universelook as well as charities Mind and Save The Children have pulled their advertising on ask.fm amid "deep concerns over cyber bullying". 

The 14-year-old girl from Lutterworth, Leicestershire, took her own life on Friday after being abused on the social networking site.

Dave Smith has accused the website owners of not caring that "teenagers are dying and killing themselves".

Speaking to the Daily Mirror in his first on-camera interview since Hannah's death, Mr Smith said: "The people that run it should get done for manslaughter or murder because you try contacting them and they don't care.

"These websites should be got rid of, if nothing else they need to be regulated and they need to stop people from doing this."

"If David Cameron was sitting here now I would want to know why he hasn't done something about this six, 12 - two years ago. Modern technology has gone on but the laws have stuck the same."

Hannah Smith (L) and her best friend Georgia Clarke

Ask.fm allows users to post anonymous questions and messages but has been criticised for not doing enough after several other teenagers took their lives - apparently after receiving abuse on the site.

Hannah committed suicide after repeated messages encouraging her to kill herself and criticising her appearance.

Sky's Ian Woods approached an employee in Riga, Latvia and asked to see the system for how the firm moderates its messages and how it reports and tackles abuse.

But the worker said the correspondent should speak to an official from the company.

Mr Smith and Hannah's stepmother Deborah said people needed to think more about the effect of their online posts as it emerged their elder daughter Jo has also been the target of abuse on the site.

David Smith and and Hannah's stepmother Deborah (Pic: Mirror)

"How could you?", Mrs Smith said. "People need to stop and think. You can't just sit behind a keyboard and type something and think that doesn't matter. There's a complete lack of emotional intelligence."

Mr Smith added: "There's something not right with the world today that people can tell someone to die so many times that they actually do it."

The Prime Minister David Cameron has promised the Government would look at any action it can take to stop future tragedies like Hannah's death, which he called "an absolutely appalling case".

He also said: "The people that operate these websites have to step up to the plate and show some responsibility."

Ask.fm has called her death a "true tragedy" and said it is cooperating with Leicestershire Police's investigation.

In a statement the site said it actively "encourages users and their parents to report any incidences of bullying", either by using the in-site reporting button, or via the website's contact page.

"All reports are read by our team of moderators to ensure that genuine concerns are heard and acted upon immediately - and we always remove content reported to us that violates our Terms of Service," the statement added.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org.

:: BeatBullying.org is also available for advice and support.

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Mafia Boss Domenico Rancadore Held In London

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

A Mafia boss on the run for 19 years has been arrested in London, Italian police have confirmed.

Domenico Rancadore, 64, was one of Italy's most wanted criminals and had been sentenced to seven years in jail in his absence for Mafia association.

He was head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police said.

Italian detectives knew he was living in London and had failed to have him arrested in the past because the crime of Mafia association is not recognised by authorities in Britain.

However Sky sources said "circumstances changed" in recent weeks and police were able to move in.

Rancadore was arrested as he returned to the home in Uxbridge, west London, that he shares with his wife Anna Maria, 60, and children Giuseppe, 36, and Daniela, 33.

It is thought he initially attempted to escape but was quickly caught and overpowered by unarmed Scotland Yard officers.

Domenico Rancadore was living in a typical suburban London street

Rancadore, nicknamed "u profissuri" (the teacher) because he was a qualified PE teacher before turning to a life of crime, following in the footsteps of his father Giuseppe, who was also a top Mafia boss and given a life sentence.

He was running a travel agency with his wife and said by Italian police to be "living a golden life" in Britain, with a comfortable home as well as top of the range Jaguar and Mercedes cars.

Rancadore's wife - the daughter of the Italian consul - was born in London, as were his two children.

According to Italian media, Rancadore was living so openly in London he was even collecting his pension - considering himself untouchable because his conviction was not recognised.

He was said to be still running his criminal activities despite being more than 1,000 miles away from Palermo.

Italian police sources said he was using the alias "Marco Skinner" and had no official documents in his real name.

He went on the run in 1994 after being jailed by a court in Palermo, Sicily, where he ran the Caccamo and Trabia areas on the outskirts of the city in the 80s.

Mafia fugitive Gianfranco Techegne was arrested at a post office in 2012

He was said to have been involved in the so-called Mafia Wars 30 years ago but was never directly convicted of murder.

A police source in Rome told Sky News: "Rancadore is a senior Mafia figure and his arrest is highly significant. Obviously we would like to pass on our thanks to colleagues in London who carried out the arrest."

Palermo prosecutor Vittorio Teresi said the Italian authorities would be seeking to have Rancadore extradited.

He said: "We asked several times for him to be arrested through the European Arrest Warrant but the procedure was never carried out because the British authorities wanted clarification of his committed crimes."

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano welcomed the arrest and said: "We have ensured that another on the run criminal has been consigned to the country's jail system."

During one investigation, a Mafia supergrass called Gaetano Lima reportedly told investigators: "Rancadore is dangerous, I can assure you of that. I know that because I brought him up."

It is not the first time a Mafia gangster has been arrested in London.

In 2006, Raffaele Caldarelli was held in Hackney where he was running a shoe shop and in 2012 cop killer Gianfranco Techegne was held outside St James's Park post office.

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Zanzibar Acid Attack: 'Get My Daughter Home'

The mother of one of the British teenagers injured in an acid attack on the island of Zanzibar has appealed for help to get her daughter home.

Nicky Gee told Sky News that she was desperately trying to get her daughter, Katie, safely back to the UK after two men on a motorcycle threw acid over her and a friend, both aged 18, in a late night assault.

She said that her daughter had suffered burns to her "whole face and her whole body" but that she was struggling with the Foreign Office and the insurance company  to get them flown home.

Katie Gee had been volunteering as a teacher

Mrs Gee said that she had spoken to her daughter on the phone following the attack, which was carried out as the two girls walked through the historic capital Stone Town on Wednesday night.

She said: "We are having a real problem trying to get them home at the moment."

Miss Gee and her friend Kirstie Trup, both from London, had been on a four-week trip to the Indian Ocean island working as volunteers at an orphanage.

Kirstie Trup was also injured in the attack

They were walking through the town towards the end of their stay when they were attacked.

The acid substance was splashed their faces, chests, backs and hands and they were flown to hospital in Dar es Salaam, where they have been treated for their injuries.

The attack came at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as people began to celebrate the Eid holiday.

Mrs Gee made it clear, however, that both of the girls were aware of how to behave appropriately in a Muslim country and had been correctly dressed for Ramadan.

The street in Stone Town where the attack took place

A Foreign Office spokeman said: "We are doing all we can to get the insurance company to organise the Medivac. It is completely their responsibility. We are doing what we can to expedite that. 

"We don't have planes at the Foreign Office. There is no commercial alternative so it has to be a Medivac. We have consular officials with the girls and we arranged transport for them between Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam."

The two teenagers were with the volunteering organisation i-to-i and had been due to return home from the island, a popular destination for gap-year travellers, to the UK on Sunday.

In a statement the organisation said: "The motive for the attack is as yet not known and we will await the report from the local authorities in Zanzibar before any comment can be made.

"The female clients had been volunteer teachers on Zanzibar and were in the final week of their trip.

"The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us and our own investigation will be launched as soon as it is possible to do so."

Deputy Police Commissioner Mkadam Khamis said: "Police in Zanzibar have launched a manhunt, and we ask for public assistance in identifying the attackers."

He added: "The motive for the attack on the volunteers, aged 18 years, has not been established."

Saleh Mohammed Jidawi, a senior health ministry official, said that the women's wounds were "not life threatening".

The assault is the first against foreigners in the popular tourist destination, however, there have been a series of local attacks in the archipelago, mainly on grounds of religion.

Zanzibar is 22 miles off Tanzania

A Muslim cleric was subjected to an acid attack in November. In February a Catholic priest was shot dead and in December another priest was shot and wounded.

But police described the attack on the British teenagers as an "isolated incident" and refused to link it to rising religious tensions between Muslims and Christians.

The Zanzibar Minister for Information and Tourism, Ali Mbarouk, said: "We should cooperate with other government sectors to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

"I beg our nationals in any way this is not something they should be doing because tourism is the strong pillar of our economy so if we do such acts we are killing our economy and our livelihoods in general so it is not an honourable thing to do it's a bad thing and it's supposed to be condemned by all citizens of Zanzibar."

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Herne Hill Flood As Water Main Bursts

Residents woke up to find their properties several feet under water in a scene one man described as "apocalyptic".

The street was covered by water several feet deep. Pic: Crispin Sugden

The flooding hit Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill, south London, due to a burst water main and people were being advised to stay in their homes.

Fire crews, using special dingy-style boats, have been working to clear the water estimated at one metre deep and covering about 100 metres (328ft) of road.

The water comes in one house. Pic: Crispin Sugden

One of those affected by the flooding was Simon Eckel, landlord of the Half Moon pub.

He told Sky News the cellar was totally immersed in water up to 3m (9ft) high and there had also been about a metre (3ft) of water on the ground floor at one point.

Pic: Crispin Sugden

He said: "There's mud everywhere. I started hearing a car alarm about 5.15am and thought someone was trying to break in.

"Water was pouring into the cellar and it kept on rising."

Fire crews at the scene. Pic: Oscar Eckel

Mr Eckel estimated the cost of the damage would run into many thousands of pounds.

Another local resident Crispin Sugden tweeted: "Epic burst water main. For a second it was apocalyptic."

London Fire Brigade said: "Fire crews are attending a suspected burst water main on Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill.

A van tries to make its way through the water. Pic: Oscar Eckel

"Over 100m of road is flooded, and the water is a metre deep in some places. The large water main has now been switched off and the water is slowly receding."

The Half Moon pub was among the properties hit. Pic: Oscar Eckel

A spokesperson said: "Our crews are well equipped to deal with floods, and we have lots of specialist skills and equipment used at the scenes of incidents like this one.

"The most important thing for us is making sure that people are safe, so people who live in the affected street are being advised to stay in their homes until the water is cleared.

Pic: Oscar Eckel

"Then we will be helping to clear water out of basements, homes, and local businesses."

"Two fire engines from Brixton and West Norwood fire stations are at the scene with two fire rescue units from Lewisham and Battersea fire stations. Fire crews are using special dinghy-style boats to get around the flooded area."

An aerial image of the flooding. Pic: Met Police

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Bristol Zookeeper Suspended For 'Punching' Seal

A zookeeper has been suspended after allegedly punching a seal.

Bosses at Bristol Zoo Gardens have launched an investigation into what happened.

It has been alleged that a senior animal keeper lashed out at the South American fur seal, which belongs to the same family as sea lions, when handlers tried to weigh it and it refused to co-operate.

A source told The Sun: "The keepers were weighing the sea lions. The senior keeper had taken one off the scales and put the next sea lion on - but the junior keeper forgot to recalibrate the scales.

"As he went to take it off the sea lion then put its flipper on the scales and it is alleged the senior keeper hit it."

The zoo's head vet has examined all of the seals at the popular tourist attraction and they remain on public show in their enclosure.

A Bristol Zoo Gardens spokeswoman said: "A senior animal keeper at Bristol Zoo Gardens has been suspended pending further investigation of an alleged animal welfare incident that has recently come to light.

"As this is an ongoing investigation, Bristol Zoo is currently unable to discuss the details of the incident.

"However, the zoo has acted rapidly and comprehensively by instigating an immediate, formal and extensive investigation in line with its internal policies and legal welfare requirements.

"Michelle Barrows, head of veterinary services, has examined the seal family and all individuals are behaving normally, engaging happily and playfully with keepers and guests in their enclosure.

"The animal has been, and continues to be, on full public show.

"Bristol Zoo would like to make it very clear that it has a zero tolerance towards such behaviour and takes its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation seriously."

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Missing Rania Alayed: Police Hunt For Campervan

Detectives investigating the murder of mother-of-three Rania Alayed have released a picture of a white campervan they believe could be connected to her disappearance.

Greater Manchester Police also revealed it had been searching a stretch of the A19 near Thirsk in North Yorkshire for her body.

The white campervan travelled from Manchester to that area of the A19 at about the same time the 25-year-old mother disappeared.

Ms Alayed was reported missing from her home in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, on July 2, having been last seen in public on the evening of June 7.

Her husband, Ahmed Khatib, and brother-in-law, Muhanned Mahmood Al Khatib, have been charged with her murder.

Police want to speak to anyone who saw this campervan on Saturday June 8

Police believe the campervan stopped at a layby on the northbound carriageway by the side of the A19 between 3am and 5am on Saturday June 8.

They have sent out letters to 350 motorists who are known to have driven in the area at that time to see if they have any information on the campervan.

Ms Alayed previously lived in Cleveland and moved to Manchester in January.

Her disappearance was described by the police as "extremely out of character".

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Marsh, of Greater Manchester Police's major incident team, said: "I cannot begin to imagine the hurt Rania's family are experiencing knowing she is still missing.

Officers believe the campervan stopped at a layby on the A19

"Since Rania disappeared in June we have been working tirelessly to find her, and will continue to do so.

"We are hoping to hear from anyone who saw this white campervan and, in particular, if they saw it parked by the side of the road or in a layby.

"I understand there might not be anything unusual about a campervan parked on a layby in the early hours and I recognise it might not have struck you as significant at the time.

"However, we have reason to believe that Rania's body could be located near to this stretch of road and this is where we have been concentrating our searches.

"I am also interested to hear from anyone walking in the area or working who may have seen some suspicious activity or come across any unusual areas of ground such as a disturbance, cut vegetation.

"The area in question is in excess of 15 miles long and we have a large amount of ground to cover."

He added: "We believe that Rania was taken from Manchester up to the stretch of road that we're searching, in that campervan."

He described the vehicle as white, old, with blue writing on the side, with the registration F864 RJB.

Anyone with information on the movements of the campervan, or who saw Ms Alayed after 7pm on June 7, is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 4711.

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One Of UK's Most Wanted Captured In Restaurant

Armed police swooped on and arrested a wanted fugitive while he was dining at a restaurant in North Wales.

Police in Spain want to question Darren O'Flaherty over the murder of Dublin holidaymaker John O'Neill in the Costa del Sol in 2010.

And officers in the UK want to speak to him in relation to a 2006 knifepoint kidnap of a lorry driver in Yorkshire.

O'Flaherty, 39, from Merseyside, was arrested at around 7.15pm on Tuesday in a restaurant in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, by North Wales Police, in a joint operation with Merseyside Police.

Chief Inspector Jeff Moses, of North Wales Police, said: "This is a significant arrest following close working between ourselves and Merseyside Police.

"Due to the nature of the offences and the circumstances, it was necessary to utilise highly trained armed officers from North Wales Police to effect the arrest."

Mr O'Neill was in Coco's Bar, in the resort of Benalmadena, near Torremolinos, with friends for a wedding when he was killed in July 2010, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Witnesses said a man in the bar grew increasingly angry over having to wait to use the toilet and began kicking the cubicle door, which led to an argument.

It is understood Mr O'Neill intervened, acting as peacemaker. The man stormed out of the bar, only to return a short time later with a gun, which he used to shoot the plasterer - who had a three-year-old son and a nine-month-old daughter.

O'Flaherty was one of the suspects identified as part of Operation Captura - a campaign targeting British criminals thought to be hiding in Spain.

The operation was launched in October 2006 and, to date, 52 of the 65 people featured have been arrested.

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CPS Suspends Lawyer From Sex Abuse Cases

A prosecutor reported to have called a teenage sex attack victim "predatory" has been suspended from working on other cases involving sexual offences.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had already called the comment about the 13-year-old girl apparently made during a court case in London "inappropriate".

Following an outcry from children's charities and campaigners, it has now started looking at Mr Colover's overall involvement in sexual offence prosecutions.

The CPS, which has received several formal complaints, said he would not be instructed on any ongoing or future cases involving sexual offences while it investigates.

Neil Wilson, 41, was given an eight-month suspended sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Monday after admitting sexual activity with a child.

Judge Nigel Peters also called the girl 'predatory' as he passed sentence

Mr Robert Colover reportedly told the court: "The girl is predatory in all her actions and she is sexually experienced."

Passing sentence, Judge Nigel Peters then said he had taken into account that the girl looked and behaved "a little bit older" than she was.

"The girl was predatory and was egging you on. That is no defence when dealing with children but I am prepared to impose a suspension," he said.

Wilson, now living in York, had watched the girl strip out of her school uniform at his home in Romford, Essex, before she performed a sex act on him.

Police also found images of child abuse and bestiality at his home.

He admitted two counts of making extreme pornographic images and one count of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Peters told him: "Allowing her to visit your home is something we have to clamp down on and in normal circumstances that would mean a significant term in prison."

The Office for Judicial Complaints has also received a number of complaints about his remarks and says they will be considered.

The Attorney General is already looking at the case and will decide if it should ask the Court of Appeal to consider whether the punishment was unduly lenient.

A petition started by the founder of EveryDay Victim Blaming, who is known only as Jo, calling for a review of the sentence has received 15,000 signatures. 

'Completely appalling': Caroline Criado-Perez

She wrote on the Change.org website: "I'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I could have been that 13-year-old girl who the judge and prosecutor described as 'predatory'.

"I have seen first-hand how this kind of victim-blaming prevents women from coming forward and protects men who commit these crimes."

Earlier, the CPS had admitted the language used by its prosecutor was "inappropriate".

A spokesman said: "The transgressor in this case was the defendant and he bears responsibility for his criminal acts."

David Cameron said the CPS was "absolutely right". "It isn't appropriate. We need a criminal justice system that stands up properly for victims," he said.

"The victims of crime should always be at the centre of our thinking and I am pleased the CPS has made that statement.

"I am also pleased that the Attorney General has said he is personally going to look into this case."

The NSPCC warned that the case was part of a wider pattern about how child sex abuse cases are treated in the courts.

Alan Wardle, head of corporate affairs, said: "It was quite clear in the case the predator was the man who was in the dock, not a 13-year-old child, and it is quite clear that a 13-year-old child cannot be complicit in her own abuse.

"Making sure that judges and barristers in all these cases are properly trained and understand the nature of child sexual abuse and how children are groomed in these sort of cases is important."

A spokesman for Barnardo's added: "It is plain wrong to imply in any way that the experiences of sexually exploited children are something they bring on themselves."

Victim Support's chief executive Javed Khan said: "Victims of sexual abuse should be praised for their bravery in coming forward, not censured and have their credibility called into question - least of all by the prosecution.

"It is traumatic enough for anyone who is brought to court to face their abuser, but particularly so when this is a young vulnerable person. It is completely unacceptable for victims to be blamed in any way for the abuse they have suffered."

Caroline Criado-Perez, who received rape threats following her calls for Jane Austen to be the face on the £10 bank note, called the judge's decision "completely appalling".

She told Sky News: "It's really worrying that we're in the 21st century and we're still suggesting victims can be complicit in their abuse which is basically what calling a 13-year-old child a sexually predator is.

"I don't think you can ever call a child a sexual predator because they are a child. They are below the age of consent. We have laws specifically because of this kind of thing so that you can't say a child is responsible for her abuse.

"This adds to the horror that has happened to her. She has been abused and now we are blaming her for it. It's just unconscionable."

The Attorney General said a decision on whether the case is referred to the Court of Appeal will be made within 28 days.

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Lake Woman: Police Issue Photograph Of Dress

Detectives are hoping that a photograph of a dress worn by a woman found floating in a university lake may help to identify her.

Officers have not been able to identify the woman since her body was recovered from the beauty spot at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, on Thursday.

They have launched a nationwide search after ruling out the possibility that she was a student or member of staff at the university and say there are no links to any missing people inquiries in Norfolk, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire.

The dress is black with a large peach or cream rose pattern and a slightly gathered neckline and hem. It is a size 10 and has ties on the shoulders but has no labels indicating where it was bought.

"This is a fairly distinctive dress and we're keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a woman matching the description and wearing this item in the area around the university in the early part of last week," said Detective Inspector Richard Graveling, from Norwich CID.

"We are unable to establish where the dress was purchased and would be keen to hear from any retailers who believe they stock the item."

The woman, who was spotted floating face down in the water by an angler, was 5ft 7ins, slim and in her late 30s or early 40s. She had short, dark brown hair with a natural wave, which had been dyed auburn or dark red.

A post-mortem has failed to establish the cause of death and further tests are being carried out.

DI Graveling added: "There is no evidence at this stage to suggest the woman was the victim of violence or that a third party was involved. However, we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding the discovery."

Anyone with information should contact Norwich CID on 101.

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Football Steward Trampled In Pitch Invasion

A pitch invasion which led to a football steward being trampled by a police horse has been labelled "completely unacceptable" by police chiefs, who vowed to prosecute the troublemakers.

The behaviour towards officers and match stewards from some fans at Monday night's cup tie derby between Preston North End and Blackpool was criticised as "disgraceful".

Police said "a significant minority of determined people" from both sides were intent on causing trouble on the night and added that those identified would be tracked down and prosecuted.

Fans ran onto the pitch at the end of the local derby

The steward, wearing a hi-vis jacket, was on the Deepdale pitch helping clear Preston fans after their team's late winner near the end of the Capital One Cup game.

He was struck by a police horse as it cantered across the pitch, while another horse - also helping with crowd dispersal - seemed to clip the steward as he lay on the ground.

The steward, who got to his feet and was able to walk off the pitch, suffered a shoulder injury and was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Two people were arrested for criminal damage to one of the supporters' coaches outside the ground, with another four people held for minor offences.

The man was struck by a police horse as it cantered across the pitch

Superintendent Richard Morgan said: "The behaviour of those involved in the disorder at last night's game was completely unacceptable. There was a significant minority of determined people from both sides who throughout the day, before, during and after the game, were intent on causing problems.

"There will be a thorough investigation over the coming days and weeks and I want to be very clear that those involved in the disorder can expect a visit from the police and to be prosecuted."

The steward walked off the pitch before being taken to hospital

Match commander Chief Inspector Nick Emmett said: "The behaviour of those involved in the disorder and the behaviour of some people towards officers and stewards was absolutely disgraceful.

"This was a very difficult situation which presented significant challenges for both the club and for ourselves and we were able to bring the situation under control quickly. The disorder last night was completely unacceptable and we will be making significant efforts to locate and prosecute those involved."

The Football Association (FA) said it is investigating the matter and will liaise with both clubs and the police.

Blackpool manager Paul Ince labelled the scenes at the match as an "absolute joke".

He said he hopes that it does not take a fan getting stabbed to make football's authorities take further steps to prevent crowd trouble.

"I understand that fans get excited ... but who knows what can happen.

"We're not listening. Has someone got to be stabbed before we listen?"

Blackpool manager Paul Ince condemned the violence

The former England international continued: "I wondered if we have enough stewards.

"You see enough situations where fans run on a pitch and I can understand fans' excitement, but there have been enough frightening things that have happened to players that we need to stamp down on it.

"There were three or four hundred Preston fans, so who knows what could have happened? Has it got to take something else to happen before we listen? That's not just Preston but it's the whole football community in general. We need to knuckle down on this.

"We're disappointed as our fans were absolutely fantastic and their behaviour was impeccable. There were no louts on the pitch - unlike Preston - and we conducted ourselves in the right manner. We have to take pride from that as a club."

Preston manager Simon Grayson also voiced disappointment.

"You don't want people to be running on the pitch and I would have preferred them to stay behind as the football club might get in trouble over what's happened, but hopefully there's not been too many people seriously injured," he said.

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Two Young Men Drown In Scotland Reservoir

A man and teenager who drowned in a reservoir in Scotland have been identified by police.

The bodies of Sean Marshall, 20, and Ross Munn, 17, were pulled from Mill Glen Reservoir near Ardrossan in North Ayrshire by police divers shortly before midnight.

A search and rescue operation was launched at around 8pm on Monday night after the pair were seen getting into the water but failed to resurface.

A police underwater unit and helicopter were supported by around 10 firefighters and Coastguard staff. Two fire and rescue crews from Ardrossan and Ayr went to the scene, along with a Zodiac water rescue boat from Ayr.

Police said the families of Mr Munn, from Ardrossan, and Mr Marshall, from Saltcoats, have been told of their deaths.

The reservoir is near Ardrossan in North Ayrshire

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding what happened and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Mill Glen is a small reservoir with an earth embankment dam located about a mile northeast of Ardrossan.

Superintendent Neil Kerr warned people of the dangers of playing or swimming in open water during warm weather.

"It may look calm on the surface, but there may be strong undercurrents," he said.

"The water can also be very cold and deep, and there are often sudden drops and underwater obstacles and undergrowth that you cannot see, causing even the strongest of swimmers to get into difficulty very easily."

Flowers have been left at the scene

Carlene McAvoy, Scotland's community safety development officer for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "When the weather hots up, we understand the temptation to go swimming in open water, like a reservoir, but there are many issues that people may not be aware of.

"Things to remember are that the water might be a lot colder and deeper than you expect, and there may be strong currents and underwater debris, which may lead to even the most experienced swimmer getting into difficulties.

"Consider how you are going to get out of the water before you get in, and be honest about your swimming ability."

She advised only swimming at "properly-supervised sites", such as beaches, lidos or swimming pools.

The latest fatalities takes this summer's death toll from swimming accidents to 18.

Some 13 of those occurred during the July heatwave, which was Britain's longest spell of hot weather for seven years.

Last week a 16-year-old's body was recovered from the River Tay near Perth, just days after two teenage friends died when one of them went bathing in the River Wear at Washington, Tyne and Wear, and the other jumped in to save her.

Sussie Ahlburg died at Hampstead Heath ladies' pool

Police have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of entering rivers to cool off during the hot weather.

Meanwhile, a woman who died at a bathing pond on London's Hampstead Heath has been identified as a Swedish photographer.

Sussie Ahlburg, 50, who lived in Holborn, central London, was found in the ladies' pool yesterday afternoon after being reported missing by her family.

She had gone swimming at the popular site in north west London on Sunday, and relatives raised the alarm around 9.20pm that day when she did not come home.

Detectives said her death is being treated as unexplained and are appealing for witnesses who might have seen her around the ladies' pond on Sunday August 4.

She is described as five feet 10 inches tall and slim with greying hair and long legs. She was wearing a white 'Speedo' swimming hat, blue prescription swimming goggles and a dark navy/black tankini.

A post-mortem is due to take place at St Pancras Mortuary.

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NHS Review: Criminal Offences For Neglect

NHS staff should be prosecuted for wilful neglect or the mistreatment of patients, according to a major review of the health service.

Professor Don Berwick, a world expert on patient safety, also recommended new criminal offences for healthcare organisations that withhold information.

But he stressed the offences should be used only in a "very small number of cases" and that unintended errors should not be criminalised.

His report, which follows a five-month inquiry, failed to call for a statutory duty forcing NHS staff to tell patients about poor care.

"Achieving a vastly safer NHS will depend far more on major cultural change than on a new regulatory regime," it said.

It also did not recommend centrally-set minimum staff levels, calling instead for new national guidance on safe staffing numbers to be set by health regulators.

Patient groups immediately criticised the report's "broad brush" approach and claimed the "endless number of reviews" were just becoming a distraction.

Hundreds of patients were routinely neglected at Stafford Hospital

Professor Berwick, who was health adviser to Barack Obama, was asked to investigate patient safety by David Cameron in the wake of the Mid-Staffs hospital scandal.

A long-standing admirer of the NHS, he described it as an "international gem" that was the envy of countries around the world.

He told Sky News that the main thrust of his recommendations was for a "learning NHS" where hospitals know about mistakes elsewhere and can avoid repeating them.

He backed calls for a review of staffing ratios so that wards are always properly manned but insisted a single number fixed by law would not work.

He recommends that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) devise a formula NHS leaders would use to check they have the right number of staff.

"We think that's a lot smarter than a simple statutory number that would not be responsive to a local context," he said.

The expert made clear that mistakes and problems would always happen, as with any organisation, but insisted harm to patients should not be accepted as inevitable.

"By introducing an even more transparent culture, one where mistakes are learnt from, where the wonderful staff of the NHS are supported to learn and grow in their capacity to improve the NHS, and patients are always put first, the NHS will see real and lasting change," he predicted.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt added: "The report makes clear that the NHS could lead the world in patient safety.

"Nothing less is good enough for the patients and families who rely on it and this Government will back our hard-working NHS staff to make this a reality."

Earlier on Sky News, Mr Hunt said of fixed staff levels: "A targets culture where there are lots of things imposed from the centre can be very counter-productive."

However, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham declared: "All the experts are now telling the Government to get a grip on staffing levels. The time for excuses is over.

"While ministers dragged their feet, over 800 nursing jobs were lost last month alone - now totalling almost 5,000 since the election.

"David Cameron must now urgently intervene to ensure safe staffing levels in our hospitals. These dangerous cuts to nursing posts prove you can't trust the Tories with the NHS."

The report was broadly welcomed by industry groups, including the British Medical Association and Royal College of Physicians.

But the Patients Association condemned it for being too "broad brush" and failing to come up with specific, practical measures to address the NHS' problems.

Chief executive Katherine Murphy said: "This is yet another report heavy on platitudes and good intentions but light on practical solutions. It falls far short of what is needed."

Mr Hunt "may well think that this report is fantastic, but the patients and relatives that have been let down will not agree with him at all", she added.

The Government will consider the report and the Francis Inquiry's conclusions about Mid-Staffs before responding in full in the autumn.

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Two Die In Shooting On East Kilbride Farm

Two men have died and another person has been injured in a shooting at a farm.

Emergency services were called to Meadowhead Farm near East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, just after 8am.

One of the men who died has been named as 59-year-old Peter Thomspon, according to Sky sources.

A 53-year-old man who also died has not yet been named.

Mr Thompson's 36-year-old son was shot in the legs - he left the scene to drive to the nearest pub to raise the alarm.

He is now reportedly being treated for leg injuries in hospital.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and no danger is posed to the public.

Meadowhead Farm is a licensed equestrian centre which offers riding lessons and treks.

A statement on the centre's Facebook page reads: "All lessons and treks cancelled until further notice.

"Also no liveries permitted on to the yard until further notice."

Messages of condolence were posted on the site below the statement.

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Ian Tomlinson's Family Welcome Police Apology

Ian Tomlinson's family have said Scotland's Yard public apology for his death is "as close as we are going to get to justice".

Police apologised for the death at the G20 protests in 2009 as they confirmed an out-of-court settlement has been reached with Mr Tomlinson's relatives.

The 47-year-old was hit with a baton and shoved by Pc Simon Harwood during the demonstrations in the City of London and later collapsed and died.

Mr Harwood was found not guilty of manslaughter last year but was later thrown out of the police for gross misconduct after disciplinary proceedings.

In its statement, Scotland Yard paid tribute to Mr Tomlinson's widow Julia and family for enduring the pain of his death "with dignity".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner said: "I take full responsibility for the actions of Simon Harwood on 1 April 2009.

Pc Simon Harwood

"His actions fell far below the standard we expect from our officers. I accept the finding of the inquest that Mr Tomlinson was unlawfully killed.

"As the jury found, 'at the time of the strike and push, Mr Tomlinson was walking away from the police line. He was complying with police instructions to leave Royal Exchange Buildings. He posed no threat'.

"Today, I apologise unreservedly for Simon Harwood's use of excessive and unlawful force, which caused Mr Tomlinson's death, and for the suffering and distress caused to his family as a result."

Mrs Tomlinson described the last four years as "a really hard uphill battle" and said the family would never understand the trial verdict.

But welcoming the apology, she said: "It will always be painful for us that Ian died so violently, but at least he is at rest now, and the force has publicly acknowledged the truth.

"We hope that lessons have been learned and that other families will be spared the tragedy and ordeal that we have had to face.

"We loved Ian and will always keep his memory alive by talking about him and sharing our memories with each other as we finally start looking to the future again."

Immediately after Mr Tomlinson's death, officers claimed they had come under a hail of bottles as they tried to help him.

A detective inspector also incorrectly briefed a pathologist that he had fallen in front of a police van.

But the fatal encounter was caught on film by a New York hedge fund manager, who passed the footage to the Guardian newspaper.

It showed the newspaper seller walking away from a group of police officers and falling to the ground after he was hit and shoved by Mr Harwood.

The first post-mortem found he had died from a heart attack but later it was determined he had suffered internal injuries.

His widow described the video as "shocking" and said the family should never have had to go to court to establish that he was unlawfully killed.

Ms De Brunner apologised for the police's "ill-considered comments" immediately after Mr Tomlinson died and for how the family found out the truth through the press.

She also conceded mistakes were made in allowing Mr Harwood to move between the Met and Surrey Police despite a controversial disciplinary record.

The officer was due to face internal disciplinary proceedings in 2001 while working for Scotland Yard after he was accused of unlawful arrest, abuse of authority and discreditable conduct.

They were discontinued when he retired on medical grounds but he rejoined the force as a civilian worker and then became a police officer for Surrey.

He was later allowed to rejoin the Met in 2004 as part of its Territorial Support Group, specialising in public order.

"It is clear that insufficient recording and checks meant that detailed information regarding the officer's misconduct history was not shared at key points. We got it wrong," Ms De Brunner said.

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