Man Held Over Killing Of Continuity IRA Leader

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of former dissident republican leader Tommy Crossan.

The 43-year-old was shot dead at a fuel depot in an industrial complex near the Peter Pan centre in West Belfast on Friday - the sixteenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) tweeted: "Serious Crime Branch detectives investigating the murder of a 43-year-old man in West Belfast yesterday have arrested a 26-year-old man."

Detective Superintendent John Roberts appealed for information about a red BMW spotted near the murder scene.

Politicians have condemned the killing

He said: "It was a brutal and barbaric attack. He sustained several gunshots to the upper body and I'm appealing for any information from anybody who knows who was involved in this terrible murder to contact police."

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the shooting.

He said: "The small minority of people who want to continue terrorising the community need to understand that they will not be allowed to drag Northern Ireland back to the dark days of the past.

"They must be hunted down and brought to justice."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: "The people behind this killing are criminals and will further no cause through this shooting.

"Whoever carried out this act has nothing to offer the community and have no role to play in our future."

Mr Crossan was the Continuity IRA's former leader and was believed to have been the subject of a death threat from his former allies.

He had been expelled from the group some years ago and was jailed for conspiracy to murder Royal Ulster Constabulary officers following a shooting at a police station in West Belfast in 1998.

The organisation has opposed the peace process which largely ended three decades of violence and transformed the region.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teachers' Strike Possible If Talks Break Down

By Emma Birchley, Sky News Correspondent

Teachers are considering a fresh walkout just weeks after strike action forced schools across England and Wales to close.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) meeting for their annual conference today will debate the possibility of industrial action next term unless "significant progress" is made in talks with the Government.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We have a motion that's going to be put to delegates which envisages industrial action in late June if we don't make progress in the talks with the Government in May.

"But the first priority is for a minister to actually come to those talks and we'd like to make progress on a list of things."

That list includes performance-related pay due to be introduced from September, heavy workloads and pensions.

The national walkout on March 26 saw 12% of schools shutting their doors, according to the Government, but thousands more were disrupted.

Any further strike action would be held in the week starting Monday, June 23 after the majority of GCSEs and A Level exams are over. However, some exam boards have papers scheduled for that week.

Teachers gathering for the conference called on Education Secretary Michael Gove to listen to their concerns.

"Certainly I will be thinking about voting to strike," said one. "Where I work people are concerned about the work loads, targets and the pressure Government puts on teachers."

Last month's national walkout organised by the NUT

Another told Sky News: "If Mr Gove would just listen to us and negotiate with us then strike action wouldn't go forward but he has to listen to us."

A poll commissioned by the NUT shows that two thirds of parents support teachers' right to strike.

But for the Lamberti family it smacks of double standards.

Mother-of-two Clare Lamberti said: "We applied for a day's holiday to take the girls away for the weekend and they turned it down.

"They said it would disrupt their education but obviously a day here and a day there for strikes, that's going to disrupt their education.

"One rule for them ... one rule for us obviously."

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) is also holding its conference this weekend.

Both unions will be discussing concerns over the growing number of unqualified teachers taking classes.

Of 7,000 teachers surveyed, 53% told the NASUWT they worked alongside unqualified staff. That rose to 61% in academies.

But in a separate poll by the NUT, 82% of parents said schools should only employ qualified teachers.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Car Catches Fire In Longleat's Lion Enclosure

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

A family have been rescued by safari park rangers after their car caught fire in the middle of the lion enclosure.

The drama unfolded at Longleat, Wiltshire, which was packed with visitors enjoying the long Easter weekend at the time.

George Lear, 16, from Bristol, was just a few cars away when the blaze broke out.

"We saw all the lions were staring at something and we turned around to see a smoking car," he said.

"Once the rangers had realised, they quickly escorted people from the smoking car to their own, blocked off the roads and moved the other cars away.

Lions are able to wander close to cars as they pass through their enclosure

"The car then slowly caught fire before the whole thing went up, leaving the place filled with black smoke."

Mr Lear said the lions were about 150 metres away from the car at the time.

"They kept their distance but didn't take their eyes off the fire and smoke," he said.

"The rangers were pushing them back but they were reluctant on moving away and looked interested."

No-one at Longleat Safari Park was available for comment when contacted by Sky News.

However, it is thought the fire was put out quickly, with no reports of injuries to any people or animals.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aberdeen: Boy Found On Fire After 'Petrol Game'

A seven-year-old boy who suffered serious burns while playing in an Aberdeen street may have been set on fire in a game that went tragically wrong.

Preston Flores, who is believed to have suffered 80% burns, was reportedly playing with friends in Bedford Avenue when he was engulfed in flames.

The children are believed to have taken a petrol can from the back of a van shortly before the fire started, local newspaper The Press and Journal reported.

A police spokesman confirmed petrol was involved but said there was no evidence to suggest the "tragic incident" was a deliberate act.

Witnesses described hearing screams and said the youngster's clothes stuck to his body as neighbours tried to douse the flames.

One relative told the Daily Record that Preston had been "mucking about" with mates before his clothes caught fire.

"I've never seen anything so horrible in my life," the family member said.

"The flames were covering his whole body."

Preston was initially taken to the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital but was moved to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh overnight.

He is being treated in a specialist unit, where his condition is described as critical.

Chief Inspector Nick Topping, the local Police Scotland area commander, said: "We're grateful for the continued assistance we've received from the local community to help us piece together the events leading up to this incident.

"We've spoken to a number of residents about what they saw or heard which has been very helpful and important to our inquiry."

He added: "Our investigation into this tragic incident will continue and I'd reiterate that so far there's been no evidence of any deliberate act."

Anyone who saw what happened or has information that may assist the police inquiry is asked to contact officers on the 101 non-emergency number.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Runner's Second Marathon Half Faster Than Mo's

Organisers of the London Marathon are looking into how one of the competitors ran the second half of his race faster than Mo Farah.

Jason Scotland-Williams is recorded on the event's official website as running the marathon in 3hrs and 8mins.

The first half of his race took 2hrs 7mins, according to the Virgin Money London Marathon results list.

During his second 13.1 miles, he was able to accelerate so much that he crossed the finish line after another 1hr 1mins.

His second half was completed four minutes quicker than Britain's double Olympic champion, who took 1hr 5mins to cover the same distance.

The amount of time it took Mr Scotland-Williams to complete every 5km was also listed up to the halfway stage, but several of the later 5km 'splits' are missing.

The listing on the website gives the estimated times, but is unable to provide accurate figures.

The Sun newspaper claimed there are allegations that the runner jumped the barrier just after the half-way point and rejoined the race at a later stage.

The suggest is that by missing out a portion of the race, Mr Scotland-Williams was able to post an unusually fast time.

Split times of Jason Scotland-Williams and Mo Farah compared.

A spokeswoman for the Marathon confirmed to Sky News that an investigation into Mr Scotland-Williams' times was underway.

She said: "We are aware that unfortunately a few runners take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon ... decide to take short cuts.

"We have a number of anti cheating measures in place during the event itself to remove such runners , and then post event when we analyse split times from our extensive timing points around the course.

"This process is one of many that take place post event and usually takes between 10-15 working days to conclude.

"Runners who are found to have cheated are removed from the results and banned from future London Marathon events."

The Sun approached Mr Scotland-Williams to ask him to explain the discrepancy but he swore at them and refused to comment further.

In 2011, runner Rob Sloan was spotted catching a bus free ride at about the 20-mile (32km) mark of the Kielder Marathon in Northumberland.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Teen Killed In Syria 'No Danger' To UK

The father of a Brighton teenager who was killed fighting in Syria has told Sky News his son was "no danger" to the UK.

Abdullah Deghayes and his older brother Amer travelled to Syria without their parents' permission, Abubaker Deghayes said, adding that they only found out about the 18-year-old's death through a message on Facebook.

They thought the student was visiting family in Libya.

Amer was also wounded in the fighting when he was shot in the stomach.

"I think if somebody has a just cause and he believes in it he should do it," Mr Deghayes said.

Mr Deghayes' family thought he was visiting relatives in Libya

"I think as a Muslim that my son is a martyr."

The student is the nephew of Omar Deghayes, who was held by the United States as an enemy combatant at Guantanamo Bay detention camp between 2002 and 2007 after he was arrested in Pakistan. He was released without charge.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national and are urgently looking into it."

The situation in Syria is currently so volatile the UK does not have a representative there, making it difficult to establish the facts.

The government currently advises against all travel to Syria and says it cannot offer consular services.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "On Monday, April 14, we received information that an 18-year-old Brighton man had been killed in Syria in recent weeks.

Omar Deghayes, Abdullah's uncle, was once held in Guantanamo Bay

"The circumstances of this reported death remain unclear and we are in contact with the family."

The teenager's Facebook page says he was a student at Longhill High School, at Rottingdean, near Brighton.

It adds that he intended to be a University of Brighton student from 2015 and works for Adidas.

Messages on Mr Deghaye's Facebook page suggest he left the UK in February.

On April 4, messages were posted saying "may God protect him".

As news of his death in Syria emerged, friends posted tributes on social networking sites.

Finn Langford said: "Feels so weird that your actually gone rip Abdullah Deghayes gone but never forgotten sleep tight mate xxx."

The Syrian civil conflict has been raging for more than three years

Harry Hall posted: "Never forgett you brother, love ya."

Louise Tierney said: "Miss you like mad! Love you mate forever in my heart."

Nezar El-bayouk posted on Twitter: "R.I.P. To My Boy Abdullah Deghayes. Jannah InshAllah!"

Another woman, Miss'Newland, posted: "R.I.P this is such a shock, can not get my head around it. Everyone's gonna miss you Abdullah Deghayes. much love xxx"

Around 400 Britons are believed to have gone to Syria over the last two years, authorities believe, many of them to join the civil war, with an estimated 20 having died.

The Foreign Office website says: "British nationals in Syria should leave now by any practical means."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy, 14, Charged With Raping 10-Year-Old Girl

A 14-year-old boy is due to appear in court charged with raping a 10-year-old girl.

West Mercia Police said the teenager has been charged with rape and attempted rape.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear at Telford Magistrates' Court later.

It comes after a girl was sexually assaulted at an isolated spot on disused land in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The offence occurred near the Arc car wash centre, off St Michael's Street, between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on April 11.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

House Price Increases Create 'Generation Rent'

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

The booming housing market is causing a generation of young people to become increasingly pessimistic about their chances of getting on the property ladder, according to a new study.

Halifax's 'Generation Rent' report found that despite the launch of schemes like Help to Buy to give a boost to people with small deposits, 36% of 20 to 45-year-olds felt they have no realistic prospect of owning their home in the next five years.

Around half of those polled in England, Scotland and Wales agreed Britain will become a nation of renters in the next generation and 20% of people aged 23 to 27 said they have no desire to own their own home.

A fifth of people surveyed said they had no desire to own their own home

Caroline Hill, 23, told Sky News she would rather rent than buy.

"I can see myself being able to buy in the future but I'm just really not interested in doing so," he said.

"My parents have always been renters and I think that has had a big effect on the way I feel about it."

Danny Palmer, 27, is frustrated the market is running away from him.

"I think it's going to be really difficult for me to get onto the property ladder purely because rent these days is taking up about 40% of my salary, and that's before bills, living costs and anything else," he said.

Estate agents say high prices mean potential buyers are moving into rentals

Halifax mortgages director Craig McKinlay, said: "We may be heading towards the point where the aspiration to own a nice home will be replaced by the aspiration to simply live in one.

"It seems that people are now beginning to accept a lifetime of renting and this would not only change the way the property ladder looks in the future, it could even bring into question whether or not it will exist at all for some people."

The report warned that any future collapse in the number of first-time buyers - the "life blood" of the housing market - will have a knock-on impact on people trying to move up the property ladder.

If some existing home owners are unable to trade up because of a lack of potential buyers for their property, the market will be brought to a standstill, the report warns.

Woking estate agent Yassar Latif, said: "People who were thinking of buying, but have been let down by the rise in prices, have moved towards rentals now."

The Government has said that Help to Buy and plans to build more houses should ease the problem. But despite this, only around 30% of the people polled believed Help to Buy was working.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Peaches' Funeral At Same Church As Her Mother's

Peaches Geldof: From Wild Child To Doting Mum

Updated: 12:33pm UK, Tuesday 08 April 2014

Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof was just 11 when she lost her 41-year-old mother Paula Yates in an accidental heroin overdose in 2000.

As the second daughter of Bob Geldof and Yates, much of her life was lived in the public eye as the family coped with the tragedy and she started to make a name for herself as a model and journalist.

She left home aged 16 and began a career which included writing for UK newspapers, Elle magazine and presenting TV shows including OMG!

Ms Geldof received constant attention from the paparazzi, and tabloids often compared her to other troubled young celebrities Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty.

She admitted to experimenting with drugs and was often labelled as a "wild child".

In August 2008 Ms Geldof married rock musician Max Drummey in Las Vegas but the pair separated in 2009.

But it was meeting second husband Tom Cohen and the birth of their first son, Astala Dylan Willow, which triggered her transformation from a partying socialite to doting mother.

The couple married in 2012 at St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence Church in Kent, where Ms Geldof's parents got married and her mother's funeral was held.

She said she felt Yates was "watching over" her that day.

She told Hello magazine: "I feel her presence all the time but especially today.

"Mum loved family celebrations and she would adore Tom and the fact that we've married here.

"I know that she is watching over me and feeling so happy for us."

The couple's second son, Phaedra Bloom Forever, was born last year and will turn one on April 24.

Ms Geldof spent a lot of time discussing parenting techniques and was an avid believer in attachment parenting, appearing on This Morning in a head-to-head debate with Apprentice star Katie Hopkins.

Midge Ure, Scottish musician and co-organiser of Band Aid with Bob Geldof, told Sky News Ms Geldof had become an "earth mother" figure, like her own mother Paula Yates.

"They embraced this whole motherhood thing so incredibly well, after what had maybe been ropey beginnings. They had completely found their niche in life."

Mother & Baby magazine announced in February that Ms Geldof was to be their new columnist.

A spokesman said it was after she had completed what they called, a "mama metamorphosis" from party girl to working mother. The magazine was to feature her attempts to juggle parenting, work and family.

A tribute posted online by the magazine reads: "We are extremely saddened at the tragic news that Peaches Geldof has died. Our hearts and sympathies are with her family and two little boys."

Ms Geldof's Twitter and Instagram accounts were full of photos of her sons, dogs and husband.

Her last tweet, posted on Sunday at 10.17am, was a photograph of her and her late mother with the message "Me and my mum."

But her tweets also got her into some trouble.

Last year she apologised for breaking a court order and tweeting the names of the two women whose babies were abused by rock star Ian Watkins.

She tried to explain her actions by saying she had assumed the names were already "public knowledge".

The women's names were tweeted to her 160,000 followers after she reportedly read them on a US-based website. She later said: "I deleted my tweets, however, and apologise for any offence caused."

Ms Geldof's last public appearance was at a fashion show in London on April 3.

A statement from Ms Geldof's father and sisters - Fifi Trixibelle and Pixie and half-sister Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily - said they were "beyond pain" following her death on Monday.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Dead As Boat Capsizes In Devon

One person has died and another has been injured after a boat capsized at Bideford Bar, north Devon.

It is understood the boat capsized in the river estuary around two miles offshore and a lifeboat was dispatched to the scene from nearby Appledore.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that one person died, and another was being treated by ambulance crews.

The condition of the injured person is unknown. Police are in the process of informing next of kin.

In another tragedy, a person was killed in a microlight crash, also in Devon.

The light aircraft came down at Colyton in the east of the county near Lyme Regis, police said.

A spokesman said: "Two people were on board and one person has been confirmed as deceased at the scene."

More follows...

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

M26 Pile-Up: Lorry Driver Held After Two Killed

A 45-year-old lorry driver has been arrested after two people died in a pile-up involving five vehicles on the M26.

Two French nationals, aged 22 and 16, lost their lives in the collision and seven other people were taken to hospital.

Two lorries, two cars and a box van were involved in the crash on the west-bound side of the road on Wednesday morning.

The accident closed the carriageway for the day before it finally reopened at 4am on Thursday.

Many Twitter users reported being stuck in the resulting traffic jams for several hours.

The Red Cross sent its emergency teams to help those stranded, many of whom found themselves in stationary cars in unseasonably warm April weather.

Chief Inspector Matt Kendall from Kent Police said: 'We appreciate that some members of the public were inconvenienced for some time but, in light of the tragic circumstances of the incident, we had a duty to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation at the scene.

"We worked with other emergency services to free traffic from the area and to reopen the road as quickly as possible.

"We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or the events prior to the collision, to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit urgently on 01622 798 538."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tube Workers To Strike For Five Days

Tube workers in London are to take five days of strike action in the coming weeks over ticket office closures.

Members of the RMT union will walk out from 9pm on Monday April 28 for two days and again from 9pm on Monday May 5 for three days.

The first two days of action will take place before a May Day event in London in memory of former RMT leader Bob Crow, and politician and campaigner Tony Benn, who died within days of each other last month.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said assurances given when the union suspended a planned strike earlier this month had been "ripped up and thrown back in our faces".

Mr Cash blamed Tube management for "cynically wrecking" long-running talks aimed at settling a dispute over the closure of ticket offices and subsequent job losses.

The scene at Clapham Junction during February strikes

He said: "Staff are furious that while senior management pay and staffing levels are being allowed to roar ahead the jobs and pay of the core, station-based staff, who are the interface with the travelling public are being torn to ribbons.

"The assurances that were given at the time RMT suspended the original action for a proper evaluation of the cuts plans have been ripped up and thrown back in our faces.

"As a result, RMT has no option but to put on further strike action in the expectation that the management will now halt these dangerous cuts plans and engage in meaningful and serious talks on the future of a tube network running at full tilt, with further demands in the pipeline, which needs more staff and not less to operate safely."

London Underground responded to the announcement by reiterating there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of any ticket office closures.

They say the RMT has failed to put forward "any credible alternative".

London Underground has urged the RMT to continue with talks

"Over the past eight weeks, we have met with our trade union colleagues on over 40 occasions, listening to their concerns and making significant changes as a result," said chief operating officer Phil Hufton.

"I've committed to looking at ways to ensure that no one will lose pay and no supervisor will have to apply for their own job.

"There will be no compulsory redundancies and all requests for voluntary redundancy will be honoured.

"However, the RMT leadership has rejected these changes and has not put forward any credible alternative proposals.

"Next week, we will sit down again with the Aslef, TSSA and Unite unions for further discussions on our plans and how we can meet the needs of our customers in 21st century London.

"I urge the RMT to join us, rather than threaten further unnecessary disruption to Londoners. All a strike will achieve is to lose those who take part pay for each day of action."

Workers from the TSSA rail union - including Transport for London managers and supervisors - have also voted to go on strike in a separate row over pay.

The majority of Londoners reacting to the news on Twitter were frustrated.

"The rest of us have to endure cuts: why not you?" wrote @FluffyRona. "Meanwhile, those people who've paid for a service during the #tubestrike will not get what they've paid for: how is that helpful?"

Another tweeter, @pretentiouscarp, posted: "Another tube strike announced, this time a FIVE day strike. Fun times. Hmmm."

More follows...

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

David Cameron Says Britain 'Should Do God'

Britain should be more confident about being a Christian country and use faith to "get out there and make a difference to people's lives", David Cameron has said.

In his strongest comments on his faith yet, the Prime Minister admits he, like many, does not manage to attend church regularly.

But he says it is time for the church to play a greater role in politics and society.

His comments, in an article for the Church Times, follow a number of run-ins with prominent Christian figures about the Government's welfare reforms.

Mr Cameron said: "I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives.

"First, being more confident about our status as a Christian country does not somehow involve doing down other faiths or passing judgment on those with no faith at all.

"Many people tell me it is easier to be Jewish or Muslim in Britain than in a secular country precisely because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths, too.

"Crucially, the Christian values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, and love are shared by people of every faith and none - and we should be confident in standing up to defend them."

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster was critical of welfare reform

Mr Cameron said he had "felt at first hand the healing power of the Church's pastoral care" and Christians knew how "powerful faith can be in the toughest of times".

Earlier this year the church intervened in politics when 27 Anglican bishops wrote an open letter to warn thousands of people were being forced to rely on food banks because of the coalition's benefit reforms. It followed sharp criticism from Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols.

In his article, Mr Cameron acknowledged that welfare was "controversial".

However, he defended his stance saying: "I sometimes feel not enough is made of our efforts to tackle poverty. Of course, we have been through some tough economic times in turning our country around over the past few years."

Mr Cameron's attempt to reintroduce religion into politics is starkly at odds with that of former Downing Street incumbent Tony Blair, whose former spin doctor memorably said: "We don't do God."

In 2008, Mr Cameron said that, as Boris Johnson had once said, "his religious faith is a bit like the reception for Magic FM in the Chilterns: it sort of comes and goes".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Earthquake Shakes Rutland Residents Awake

A 3.2-magnitude has rattled residents of Oakham in Rutland, with some describing it as a feeling like an "explosion" or "massive bang".

The tremor in one of the most geologically-active areas of the UK shook people awake after being triggered at a depth of 2.5 miles at 7.07am.

Former English rugby union player Austin Healey and Strictly Come Dancing star tweeted: "We've just had an earthquake in Oakham. The house was shaking for about 10 secs."

Sara Dodd, from Whissendine, tweeted that it "felt like an explosion but without any sound".

Another resident  - identified as Ali W - wrote on Twitter: "It was different to the last one ... A massive bang rather than a shake."

"I even thought a train had crashed at the back of us," she added.

Annie Wiffen chose to make a joke of it in her tweet: "Come to mum's for one night and a potential lie in and get woken up stupidly early by an earthquake. Got to laugh!"

The British Geological Survey aid seismologists were analysing data from the earthquake.

Julian Bukits of the BGS told Sky News: "The earthquake was mainly felt in the Melton Mowbray and Oakham area, with reports of it being felt as far south as Wellingborough."

He said the UK experienced around 200 earthquakes a year and the Rutland area was one of the areas where they were more common than other parts of Britain.

"The last one of comparable size - 4.1 - occurred in October 2001," Mr Bukits said.

He added that there were recordings of similar quakes in the 18th century with Leicester feeling a 4.1 earthquake in 1750.

"Compared with the recent magnitude 8.2 earthquake near Chile on 1 April, today's Oakham earthquake is about 100,000 times smaller in ground movement," he said.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Co-op Admits 'Disastrous Year' Amid £2.5bn Loss

The embattled Co-operative Group has confirmed a loss of £2.5bn for 2013, in what it described as a "disastrous year".

The loss comes on the back of a £529m figure recorded in its 2012 results.

Interim group chief executive Richard Pennycook said: "2013 was a disastrous year for the Co-operative Group, the worst in our 150-year history.

"Today's results demonstrate that but they also highlight fundamental failings in management and governance at the group over many years.

"These results should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who doubts just how serious the challenges we face are."

It said most of the losses were from "discontinued operations" of its banking arm, which totaled £2.1bn.

Group sales were £10.5bn, down from the £11bn recorded in the previous year.

Profit from its food division were down 8% at £247m but it also recorded a goodwill impairment charge of £226m for its purchase of Somerfield stores.

The Co-operative Group consists of a number of divisions

However, it recorded more encouraging figures for some other divisions.

General insurance profit jumped from £13m in 2012 to £33m last year.

The pharmacy chain, which is being offered for sale, saw profit rise by about a fifth to £33m.

And its funeral services business saw sales up 3% to £370m and profit up £2m to £62m.

Co-operative Group chair Ursula Lidbetter said: "During 2013, it became apparent that our governance had fallen far short of the standards to which we aspire as a co-operative society.

"Now is the time to put that right through fundamental reform - we have to act with urgency if we are to lay the foundations for a stronger, healthier co-operative business in the future."

The group's bank division revealed a £1.5bn capital black hole last year and then in March announced a plan to raise another £400m.

Amid risks of the bank's collapse, the group reduced its stake in the institution to 30% as private equity bondholders provided capital - raising concerns of how it would maintain its 'ethical' stance.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Official: Average Earnings Outpace Inflation

Average UK earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to February, above the inflation rate of 1.6%, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it was the first time since spring 2010 that the consumer price index for inflation had not exceeded pay increases.

It said pay increases averaged 2% in the private sector and 0.9% in the public sector.

It added the number of people out of work in the UK fell by 77,000 between December and February.

The unemployment rate of 6.9% is the lowest for five years.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Throughout the economic crisis, and now in the recovery, our labour market has shown itself to be resilient and flexible.

"These latest employment figures show that conditions are continuing to improve rapidly."

The improving statistics have eroded Labour's stance on the economic policies at the heart of the coalition Government.

Sky News Economics Editor Ed Conway said: "There are likely to be quibbles with the data and the timing, and many of them are perfectly legitimate.

"What's less in doubt is that wages and inflation are converging meaningfully for the first time since 2010.

"That implies the squeeze on incomes is in the process of coming to an end."

He added: "By the same token, families have had to withstand a whole five-year period of falling real wages, so in real terms they remain significantly less well-off than they were before the crisis.

"That damage will take some years to mend."

The ONS said the total jobless in the period stood at 2.24 million, with a record 30.3 million people in work.

A total of 691,000 people have gained employment in the last year, taking the rate to 72.6%.

It added the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month fell by 30,400 to 1.14 million.

Meanwhile, the number of people in Britain defined as economically inactive, including those caring for relatives or withdrawn from the job market, fell by 86,000 in the latest quarter to 8.8 million.

Those out of work for more than 12 months was also cut by 32,000, down to 807,000.

The jobless figure for 16 to 24-year-olds has also continued to fall, down by 38,000 to 881,000 - the lowest for five years.

The ONS said 1.42 million people are working part-time on the basis of not being able to find full-time employment.

It was a drop of 17,000 over the three months, although still 10,000 higher than the same time last year.

Esther McVey, the minister for employment, told Sky News: "More young people are in work, more women are in work, wages are going up and more and more businesses are hiring.

"It's a credit to them that Britain is working again."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ed Balls Facing Police Probe Over Car Prang

Ed Balls is facing a police investigation after hitting a car and driving off without reporting it.

The shadow chancellor was leaving the Labour rooms in Morley during a constituency visit when he damaged the car.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed officers are making inquiries into a "fail to stop collision".

Mr Balls admitted he caused the damage and has apologised to the owner of the black Peugeot 306.

He said he had turned the car round in a "tight spot" in a private drive beside the Labour rooms and hit another vehicle "parked close by".

In a statement, he said: "The turn took five or seven points and I was aware that at one point the bumpers of the two cars touched.

"I park there all the time in what is a relatively narrow drive.

"But until I was contacted the following Wednesday, I had no awareness at all there had been any damage to the other car."

Mr Balls said he had written to the owner, offering to reimburse them for the damage, and had also contacted his insurance company.

Sergeant Adrian Wright, of West Yorkshire Police, said the damage to the front wing of the car was reported on April 6, the day after the collision occurred.

It is not the first time Mr Balls' driving has come to the attention of the police.

Last year he admitted he was caught "bang to rights" speeding at 56mph in a 50mph zone on the M62 in his constituency.

In 2010 he was fined £60 and given three points on his licence after being caught using a mobile phone while driving on a dual carriageway in Milton Keynes.

At the time, he said: "It was a fair cop."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coulson Tells Trial He Heard Hacked Voicemail

Former News Of The World editor Andy Coulson has told a jury he heard voicemail messages hacked from David Blunkett's phone.

The 46-year-old told the Old Bailey the paper's then-chief reporter, Neville Thurlbeck, phoned him to say Mr Blunkett, who was Home Secretary at the time, was having an affair with a married woman.

He said Mr Thurlbeck had told him he "believed the story was true" after listening to voicemail messages.

Coulson, 46, who denies the charges against him, said he was on holiday in Italy when he took the call.

His initial reaction was one of "shock and anger" at a "direct breach of privacy", he said.

During his third day in the witness box, Coulson told the court: "I was on my way to the airport to collect my brother who was coming to stay with us. I was lost, I remember that, and I parked up on the side of the road to take the call.

"Neville told me he had a tip that David Blunkett was having an affair with Kimberly Fortier. He said he believed the story was true because he heard some voicemails.

"I was shocked because he told me he had heard some voicemail messages. I was shocked he was telling me this as well because it was in relation to David Blunkett, the Home Secretary.

"I was quite angry about it. I used reasonably colourful language, words to the effect: 'What on Earth do you think you're doing?'

"My concern was it was an apparent breach of privacy and I was concerned also that this was involving somebody who I knew. He was somebody we were broadly supportive of."

Coulson, who later became Downing Street's director of communications, told the court he ordered the reporter to stop the investigation.

However, he said that on his return, his former colleague went to the News Of The World (NOTW) offices to repitch the Blunkett story, saying it was in the public interest and playing the messages to try to convince him of that point.

The revelations were made as the journalist's barrister, Timothy Langdale QC, asked him about the NOTW's relationship with Mr Blunkett which, Coulson said, was good.

Coulson said the more he listened, the more he started to think there was "some public interest justification" in the story but he wanted time to think about it.

He told the court he later decided it was in the public interest because Mr Blunkett was "distracted" by the affair and, Coulson argued, sharing sensitive information.

Coulson insisted he had no previous knowledge of voicemail hacking, adding: "I remained shocked. This was the first and only time a voicemail had been played to me."

Coulson, of Charing, Kent, denies conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner.

He also denies conspiring with ex-royal editor Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in a public office.

All seven defendants in the phone hacking trial deny the charges against them and the case continues.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug Charges For Former Co-op Boss Flowers

Former Co-op Bank boss Paul Flowers has been charged with two counts of possession of a class A drug and one of a class C drug.

The former Methodist minister was arrested in Liverpool by West Yorkshire Police officers last year.

A police spokesman said: "Paul Flowers, 63, of Hollingwood Drive, Bradford, has been charged with two offences of possession of a class A drug and one offence of possession of a class C drug.

"He has been bailed to appear before Leeds magistrates on May 7."

Mr Flowers stepped down as chairman of the Co-op bank in June last year.

Clare Stevens, from the CPS' Yorkshire and Humberside Complex Casework Unit, said: "We have carefully considered a file of evidence gathered by West Yorkshire Police in relation to alleged criminal offences committed by Paul Flowers in Bradford in November 2013.

"Following a review of the evidence, I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Paul Flowers with possession of class A and class C drugs relating to an incident on November 9 2013."

Paul Flowers will appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court on May 7.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

School Places: Parents Warned About 'Crisis'

Families are facing a "growing crisis" when it comes to getting their children into primary schools, the head of a teaching union has said.

The warning comes as figures indicate tens of thousands of youngsters have missed out on their first choice of school.

One school in Bristol was so oversubscribed it had 4,000 applicants competing for just 40 places.

Council across England have been warned they must increase school capacity by 20% by 2016 if they are to cope with the increasing number of children.

Dr Mary Bousted, of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, accused the Education Secretary Michael Gove of failing to deliver on his main responsibility "to provide school places for the nation's children".

For the first time parents across the country learned whether their children had secured places at the school of their choice on the same day.

Dr Mary Bousted says the Government is failing children

The picture emerging on National Offer Day showed significant disparities across the country, with an expected one in five children missing out on their first choice in areas such as Bristol and London.

According to the Local Government Association, some areas - Costessey in Norfolk, Purfleet in Essex and central Croydon in south London - will see 75% more pupils than school places by next year.

The increasing squeeze on school places has been blamed on a rising birth rate and the impact of immigration.

Dr Mary Bousted said: "We know there is a growing crisis in primary school places and we know the Government, for all the money they say they are throwing at the problem, simply haven't got the mechanism (or) the ability to plan school provision where it's needed.

"They have divested themselves of the levers to manage this situation."

She added: "It's no surprise there's a crisis in primary school places, because Michael Gove has divested himself of his first key responsibility, which is to provide school places for children."

The Department for Education said it has given councils more than £5bn to establish new school places, with more than 260,000 created already.

But Lydia Gibbs, primary teaching and curriculum lead for the Reach Academy in Feltham, west London, said: "There is a shortage of primary school places throughout the country.

"There is a sense of competition that parents would love to have their children come to our school. I know that because we were oversubscribed for reception places."

Last year the school had 160 applications for just 60 primary school places.

Bristol Cathedral School received 100 applications for each of its 40 places.

Lou Birbeck, whose twin girls failed to win spaces there, said it was hardly surprising her application had been unsuccessful, given the level of competition.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coulson 'Knew Nothing' Of Milly Dowler Hacking

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

Former News of the World Editor Andy Coulson has denied he played any part in the hacking of the mobile phone messages of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

It was the revelation the Sunday tabloid had accessed the 13-year-old's voicemail messages, after her disappearance in 2002, which led to the closure of the newspaper.

The Old Bailey phone hacking trial has heard how Andy Coulson was the News of the World's deputy editor at that time of the teenager's disappearance, but had taken charge of the paper as then editor Rebekah Brooks was on holiday in Dubai.

Giving evidence for a second day in the witness box, Mr Coulson said he had never engaged in illegal hacking activity, nor known about attempts to tap into the Dowlers' messages.

Milly Dowler was abducted on her way home from school in 2002

The 46-year-old was asked by his legal counsel, Timothy Langdale, what his reaction might have been had he known that anyone at the newspaper had hacked into the schoolgirl's phone messages.

Mr Coulson said: "I would have been very concerned. My instinctive reaction would have been to think this was interference in a police investigation."

The witness said he was aware of the practice of phone hacking in "very vague terms. I think it was in the ether. It was something that was gossiped about maybe".

He was asked: "Were you ever party to or in agreement with phone hacking at the News of the World?"

Coulson said: "No I was not."

Rebekah Brooks was away on holiday when Milly Dowler went missing

In the spring of 2002, Coulson said he was not aware that to access someone else's voicemail messages was a crime.

But he said: "I would have thought it was intrusive, I would have thought that it was a breach of privacy, and I also would have thought that it was lazy journalism.

Coulson resigned from the News of the World in 2007 shortly after a hacking scandal involving the paper's former royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire.

He went on to become David Cameron's Downing Street communications director, before having to resign from that job in the wake of the Milly Dowler hacking revelations.

He is charged with conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and Stuart Kuttner and conspiring with Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in public office.

Seven defendants are on trial at the Old Bailey, all deny the charges against them.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nigel Farage: 'Expenses Claims Are Erroneous'

Nigel Farage has hit back over EU expenses claims saying as an MEP he can spend his taxpayer-funded allowances as he likes.

The UKIP leader is facing an investigation over how he uses £15,500 of yearly allowances he receives from the European Union, according to The Times newspaper.

The money was used to run his constituency office in Lyminster, West Sussex, according to UKIP records, however, he pays no rent as the property was gifted to him by party supporters.

Speaking to Sky News he said The Times' claims were "erroneous", adding that under EU rules he did not have to account for how he used the £60,000 of allowances he had received since 2009.

He said like all MEPs he was given a general allowance of £3,580 a month to spend "as I see fit" and he did not have to provide receipts.

Mr Farage accused the newspaper of "conflating" his EU allowances with the row over expenses claimed by MPs at Westminster, which he said was an entirely different matter.

He said: "I haven't bought a house or vintage wine."

Farage: 'I haven't bought vintage wine'

Mr Farage told Dermot Murnaghan: "They are not expenses. We don't actually claim for anything. I have not claimed for an office. I have not claimed this figure of £15,000.

"The Times, who are the pro-establishment newspaper have deliberately tried to conflate the expenses row at Westminster, where people have been using taxpayers' money to buy houses and make large capital gains with the way the system works in the EU.

"I'm not defending the system, I want it to end but I get given, as does every other British MEP, £3,850, every month to spend in the UK and in my constituency as I see fit."

Mr Farage said there was a list of "expenses" and he could spend the money on newspapers, on books, hotel rooms and restaurants.

He added: "We do not have to provide any receipts, any explanation for how that money is spent so what The Times has written is wholly erroneous."

The Times quoted former office manager David Samuel-Camps as saying it only cost £3,000 a year to run Mr Farage's office, rather than the £1,000 the UKIP leader claims.

However, Mr Farage pointed out Mr Samuel-Camps had written to the newspaper complaining that he had been misquoted and stating it cost £8,400 a year to run the office - closer to Mr Farage's figure.

When asked what the allowance had been spent on, Mr Farage claimed the annual electricity bill was £3,000 - the average bill for a family home is only £1,000 - and said this was because of the machines.

He also said the money was spent on burglar alarms, insurance and dealing with his increasingly heavy postbag.

In a robust response to the newspaper story on the UKIP website the party claimed the story was politically motivated because of its success in polls over the weekend.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Imperial Tobacco To Close Nottingham Factory

Up to 900 jobs are to be lost under plans by Imperial Tobacco to close factories in Nottingham and Nantes in France.

The company said it wanted to shut both its production plant and distribution centre in Nottingham, which together employ around 540 people - almost a third of its UK workforce.

The move would represent an end to cigarette production in the UK.

Its statement blamed "declining industry volumes in Europe, impacted by tough economic conditions, increasing regulation and excise and growth in illicit trade".

Imperial, whose brands include Golden Virginia and Lambert & Butler, said the Nottingham factory has capacity to make 36 billion cigarettes a year but will only produce 17 billion in 2014.

It said production would be moved to other European factories and distribution outsourced.

The Nantes plant, which employs 320 staff, would suffer the same fate while its research facility at Bergerac was also under threat.

The company said it was working on the proposals with unions.

Chief executive Alison Cooper said: "These projects are an essential part of securing the sustainable future of the business.

"The prospect of job losses is always regrettable and we will be doing all we can to support employees and ensure that they are treated in a fair and responsible manner."

The company, which has 46 manufacturing sites worldwide, closed a cigar factory in Bristol in 2010.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Direction Fans Could Be Refused Gig Entry

One Direction's young fans who have bought tickets for the first date of their tour next month are being warned they could be turned away.

Strict age limits at Sunderland's Stadium of Light mean under 12s will not be allowed to enter on May 28 if they have bought a standing ticket.

And anyone under the age of 16 must be with an adult.

Sunderland AFC, which plays at the venue, says the restrictions are in force to ensure fans are safe and stewards will turn anyone away who has the wrong ticket.

Under-12s will be only allowed in seated areas, and fans are advised to carry ID with their age, particularly if they look younger than they are.

The Where We Are world tour sold out in a matter of minutes and some fans may have failed to notice the restrictions in the clamour to buy a ticket.

Anyone with the wrong one is advised to contact their booking agent.

The stadium shows are a step up from the arena dates the band played last year on their Take Me Home tour.

The head of security and safety at Sunderland, Paul Weir, said: "The age restrictions are laid down by the promoter to ensure the safety of everyone attending the show, which is a very different dynamic to anything we have staged at the Stadium of Light previously.

"The GA (general admission) pitch standing area is not a suitable environment for under 12s and anyone who doesn't meet the age requirements will not be allowed to enter the stadium. We would advise fans to check their tickets carefully in advance to avoid any issues on the day."

One Direction, made up of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, are playing eight dates in the UK in May and June, including three nights at Wembley Stadium.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crohn's Sufferer Loses Fertility Funding Fight

A Crohn's disease sufferer has lost a High Court challenge to win funding for her eggs to be frozen before she has chemotherapy.

Elizabeth Rose, 25, from Margate in Kent, had claimed it was "unlawful" for Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group to refuse to provide NHS-funded fertility preservation treatment for her.

Miss Rose, an artist, believes the "imminent" bone marrow transplantation and chemotherapy treatment she faces will leave her infertile.

Clinicians at King's College Hospital in southeast London had earlier applied on her behalf for funding so her eggs could be frozen in advance of the treatment.

The Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design fine art graduate argued she was the victim of a "postcode lottery" as the treatment is available to single women in other parts of the country.

Mr Justice Jay, sitting in London, who reviewed the case as a matter of urgency, said Miss Rose had suffered from a severe form of Crohn's disease since she was 14.

Her condition had worsened and doctors had recommended the course of treatment "with the expectation of bringing the disease into remission".

He said: "Unfortunately, it is a probable outcome of this gonadotoxic therapy that the claimant will be rendered infertile and suffer early onset of the menopause.

"Understandably, the claimant wishes to secure the best chance of having her own genetic children, and she therefore seeks NHS funding for oocyte cryopreservation before the chemotherapy begins."

He said her application for funding had been refused on more than one occasion,giving rise to the application for judicial review.

Miss Rose, who had worked in an art gallery before she became too ill to continue, was "in no position to afford the sum of £4,050 which is the anticipated cost of this Assistive Reproduction Technique (ART)", the judge said.

But he dismissed the action, finding in favour of Thanet CCG, saying Miss Rose had "failed to demonstrate any public law unlawfulness".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Drives Car Off 80ft Cliff - And Survives

A man who drove his car off an 80ft cliff near Brighton has walked away without any significant injuries.

The arrows show where the car veered off the cliff and landed

The driver lost control of his vehicle on the A259 just after midnight on Sunday morning.

He survived the drop because the car "miraculously" managed to clear the promenade beneath the cliff and land on water.

Some 22 emergency workers attended only to find the driver had made his way to nearby rocks without any serious injuries.

Twenty-two emergency workers arrived at the scene

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp tweeted after the incident: "Incredibly a man escaped without serious injury after his car went over the cliff near Roedean just after midnight and ended up in the sea."

Emergency crews used ladders and ropes to rescue the man.

The incident occurred in Roedean near Brighton, East Sussex

"A second ladder was installed to use as a slipway and the casualty was secured into Newhaven Coastguard's rescue stretcher and then using some of our cliff rescue equipment we were able to slide the stretcher up the ladders," a Newhaven Coastguard spokesman said.

"With nine members of various agencies on the three ropes and two of the Newhaven team at the top of the ladder we were able to bring the casualty up from the beach where they were handed into the care of paramedics.

The car was a wreck but its driver was relatively unharmed

"All the time the recovery operation was ongoing a member of the Brighton lifeboat crew who had swum ashore in a dry suit was inspecting the vehicle to check for any secondary casualties."

Brighton and Newhaven lifeboat crews made a brief sea search and two coastguard teams searched the beach in case anyone else was in the water.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Dies After Finishing London Marathon

A 42-year-old man has died after running the London Marathon.

The unnamed man collapsed after crossing the finishing line and received medical attention.

But he was pronounced dead when he arrived at hospital.

In a statement, the event's organisers, Virgin Money, expressed their "sincere condolences" to his family.

"We will not be releasing any further details of this tragic incident and would ask for your understanding in this matter," it said.

"We would like to emphasise that our immediate concern is for the family of the deceased.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time."

It was the first death at the event since 30-year-old hairdresser Claire Squires collapsed just a mile from the finishing line in 2012 before dying of cardiac failure.

She had been raising money for the Samaritans and donations to the charity soared to more than £1m in the weeks after her death.

A total of 36,000 competitors took part in the 26.2 mile event, which started at Blackheath and Greenwich parks and ended on The Mall.

Runners were advised to take on plenty of water as bright sunshine and light breeze meant conditions were warm, reaching 16C in St James's Park. 

The men's race was won by Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, while compatriot Edna Kiplagat finished first in the women's event.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blackpool Toddler Killed: Man Appears In Court

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter.

Connor Gibson, 23, is accused of the murder of toddler Kacey Hambleton, who died on Saturday after suffering serious injuries.

Mr Gibson, of Melrose Avenue, Blackpool, did not speak during the brief hearing at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

He stood in the dock wearing a blue T-shirt and black trousers. He was remanded back into custody to appear at Preston Crown Court and sobbed as he was led down to the cells.

Police were called to a house on Granby Avenue in Blackpool on Thursday and found Kacey "unresponsive". She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and was later airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

Kacey's mother, a 23-year-old from Blackpool, was also arrested on suspicion of murder but has been released on bail until July.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilbert from Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team said: "This is a terribly tragic incident where a little girl has sadly lost her fight for life and I am determined to find out exactly what has happened to her and how she has come to acquire injuries so serious that they have proven fatal.

"I personally encourage anyone who may have any information about little Kacey and the days leading up to her death to come forward to help us in what has now developed into a murder investigation."

Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org. 

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Muslim Plot' To Take Over Schools Investigated

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Twenty-five schools are being investigated in connection with an alleged plot by conservative Muslims to force out headteachers and governors.

A new chief advisor is now being appointed by Birmingham City Council to handle the at least 200 complaints received in relation to Operation Trojan Horse after an unsigned, undated document was sent to the council and teaching unions last year.

It apparently set out a blueprint for seizing control of the governing bodies of schools, and forcing out those who do not agree. It claimed to have forced a change of leadership at four schools.

Whistleblowers - including former staff - have made a number of allegations against schools in Birmingham since the accusations came to light, including one claim the teachings of an al-Qaeda-linked preacher were praised in front of pupils.

Other complaints include the alleged segregation of boys and girls in lessons and assemblies, a ban on sex education and bullying of non-Muslim staff.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he was "very, very concerned about allegations that taxpayer-funded schools have become vehicles of particular ideologies".

"I have always supported faith schools but the best faith schools use their religious identity as engines of integration rather than silos of segregation," he added.

The council's investigation, running alongside a separate inquiry by the Department for Education (DfE), is due to initially report back in May.

At a briefing, councillors said the 25 schools being investigated in Birmingham included primaries, secondaries, community schools and academies. Fifteen of the schools have so far been inspected by Ofsted.

Birmingham City Council also confirmed that it was in contact with authorities in Bradford and Manchester who had been experiencing "similar" issues.

Sir Albert Bore, the council leader, told Sky News: "It's about the day-to-day practices in schools we're concerned about, it's also the impact these allegations are having on community cohesion in Birmingham.

"Certainly there is a feeling amongst the Muslim community in Birmingham that there is a 'hue and cry' on at the present moment in time, we have to be concerned about that, just as we're concerned about what is actually happening in the schools themselves."

Councillor Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children and family services, said: "It's a whole range of allegations, some concerning the governance of schools, some concerning the quality of teaching and everything in between, covering a period of around 20 years.

"I do worry about the children in those schools, we know they've felt increasing community tensions as a result of it and a lot of people have felt marginalised and stigmatised. This is something we don't want whatsoever."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said there is no official investigation but they were being kept informed of developments.

Khalid Mahmood, Birmingham Perry Barr, MP told Sky News: "I believe fundamentally there has been a serious bid by a very small minority trying to get under the radar against the wishes of the mainstream Muslim community."

Mr Mahmood said he had been told of the "bullying and harassment" of senior teaching staff and governors at some of the schools involved.

He said: "What they were trying to do is change the theological beliefs of the majority of the Muslim community into a more hardline belief for young people coming through, and if you put all the schools together you're talking somewhere in the region of 3-4,000 children and that in a community of young people coming though is huge.

"What I've said to them is be honest and transparent. If you want to do this then apply for a free school, say this is your ethos, this is what you want to do, and this is the way to deal with it."

Children in the city have been set two pieces of homework over the summer. One is entitled "What does a good inclusive education in Birmingham look like?", the other poses the question: "What does a safe and resilient citizen of the future look like?"

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The allegations made in relation to some schools in Birmingham are very serious and we are investigating all evidence put to us in conjunction with Ofsted, Birmingham City Council and the police.

"It is absolutely vital these investigations are carried out impartially, without pre-judgment. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Marathon Runner Found Safe And Well

An athlete from Sierra Leone, who went missing after finishing 20th in the London Marathon, has been found.

The Metropolitan Police said Mami Konneh Lahun returned to her accommodation on Monday, a day after she was reported missing.

The 24-year-old had been staying at an address in Greenwich since arriving in the UK a week ago, but failed to return back following Sunday's race.

She had been due to fly home to Sierra Leone today.

Police said she has no known links to the UK and does not have a mobile phone.

Ms Konneh Lahun is reportedly Sierra Leone's fastest-ever female 5,000m and 10,000m runner.

Last year, she won the Sierra Leone and Liberia marathons.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

High UV Ray Threat Triggers Sunburn Warning

People are being advised to guard against an increased risk of sunburn due to stronger than usual ultraviolet rays normally associated with high summer.

The Met Office says the high UV levels are due to an "ozone anomaly" currently affecting the UK, where there is less of the gas in the upper atmosphere available to absorb the UV rays before they reach the ground.

The Met Office said: "This is quite normal and similar events have occurred previously around this time of the year.

"We are confident that the levels should be no higher than those of a sunny day in June.

But it added: "It is important that, if you are in an area that is particularly sunny over the next few days, you take steps to ensure that you and your family are protected from these increased UV levels.

"During the next few weeks, we will continue to keep an eye on these low ozone events (which can be seen in satellite data) in order to warn the public when they are happening."

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "UV levels are at their greatest when the sun is at its highest in the sky, so as we head into the summer months UV levels increase.

"At this time of the year, we usually expect levels of UV to be low to moderate, but today they could be higher due to an ozone anomaly affecting the UK at the moment where levels are noticeably lower than normal.

"This isn't an unusual occurrence and similar events have happened previously around this time of the year."

As well as the amount of ozone gas in the stratosphere, other key factors affecting the strength of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface are the height of the sun in the sky, and the amount of cloud, dust and pollution in the atmosphere.

So-called "ozone anomalies" occur when low-level pockets that have formed near the North Pole over winter, due to the lack of sunlight, break away.

These can sometimes pass over the UK.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

London Marathon: Mo Farah Beaten By Kipsang

Kenyan Wilson Kipsang has beaten Britain's Mo Farah to win the London Marathon, breaking the course record for the race.

Double Olympic gold medallist Farah finished in eighth place with a time of 2hrs 08mins 20secs, narrowly missing out on the British record he had targeted.

Kipsang crossed the finish line in 2hrs 04mins 27secs, beating the previous best time for the event by 13 seconds.

Farah admitted the race had been "tough" but defended his decision to switch from the track to the road and make his 26.2 mile debut in his home town.

He said: "London, this is my city, it would have been wrong to do any other marathon."

Edna Kiplagat won the women's race in a time of 2hrs 20mins 21secs.

The elite runners started ahead of 36,000 competitors tackling the course on a warm and sunny day in the capital.

Famous faces taking part include former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen, Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, and Michelin-star chef Michel Roux Jr.

The amateur field includes Katie and Polly Ryall who are aiming to set a new world record for a pair of sisters combined by beating the current 5hrs 09mins 21secs benchmark while running for the charity Sense.

British Paralympian David Weir failed in his bid to become the best wheelchair racer in the event's history as he finished second behind Switzerland's Marcel Hug.

The races started at Blackheath and Greenwich Park ended on The Mall.

Many roads in central London have been closed and some delays are expected on public transport.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blackpool Man Charged With Murder Of Toddler

Police in Lancashire have charged a man with the murder of a two-year-old girl who died on Saturday after suffering serious injuries.

Police said Connor Gibson, 23, of Melrose Avenue, Blackpool, will appear in court on Monday in connection with the death of Kasey Hambleton.

Police were called to an address on Granby Avenue, Blackpool on Thursday morning where they found the little girl in an "unresponsive" state.

Kasey died after being taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Kasey was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and later airlifted to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

A 23-year-old woman from Blackpool was also arrested on suspicion of murder and has been released on bail until July.

Lancashire Police have appealed for anyone with information relating to her death to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilbert from Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team said: "This is a terribly tragic incident where a little girl has sadly lost her fight for life and I am determined to find out exactly what has happened to her and how she has come to acquire injuries so serious that they have proven fatal.

Neighbours have left flowers on the gates of Kasey's house

"I personally encourage anyone who may have any information about little Kasey and the days leading up to her death to come forward to help us in what has now developed into a murder investigation."

Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org.  

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Drives Car Off 80ft Cliff - And Survives

A man who drove his car off an 80ft cliff near Brighton has walked away without any significant injuries.

The arrows show where the car veered off the cliff and landed

The driver lost control of his vehicle on the A259 in Roedean just after midnight on Sunday morning.

He survived the drop because the car "miraculously" managed to clear the promenade beneath the cliff and land on water.

Some 22 emergency workers attended only to find the driver had made his way to nearby rocks without any serious injuries.

Twenty-two emergency workers arrived at the scene

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp tweeted after the incident: "Incredibly a man escaped without serious injury after his car went over the cliff near Roedean just after midnight and ended up in the sea."

Emergency crews used ladders and ropes to rescue the man.

The incident occurred in Roedean near Brighton, East Sussex

"A second ladder was installed to use as a slipway and the casualty was secured into Newhaven Coastguard's rescue stretcher and then using some of our cliff rescue equipment we were able to slide the stretcher up the ladders," a Newhaven Coastguard spokesman said.

"With nine members of various agencies on the three ropes and two of the Newhaven team at the top of the ladder we were able to bring the casualty up from the beach where they were handed into the care of paramedics.

The car was a wreck but its driver was relatively unharmed

"All the time the recovery operation was ongoing a member of the Brighton lifeboat crew who had swum ashore in a dry suit was inspecting the vehicle to check for any secondary casualties."

Brighton and Newhaven lifeboat crews made a brief sea search and two coastguard teams searched the beach in case anyone else was in the water.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Doctors' Surgeries Are Told To Open All Hours

Patients will be able to visit their GPs outside of work hours under plans announced by David Cameron to boost access to family doctors.

More than 7.5 million people will have increased access to GP services as part of the £50m GP Access Fund, including late night and weekend appointments.

The plan will see extended surgery opening hours, as well as new consultation methods including video and email.

The fund will benefit patients at 1,147 GP practices across England.

The Prime Minister has also announced plans to enhance care services for the elderly.

He said some 800,000 people over the age of 75 and those with serious health complaints will receive tailored care, coordinated by one local GP.

"Back in October, I said I wanted to make it easier for people to get appointments that fit in around a busy working week and family commitments," Mr Cameron said.

"There has been a great response from doctors, with lots of innovative ideas, and we will now see over seven million patients given weekend and evening opening hours, alongside more access to their family doctor on the phone, via email or even Skype.

"This is an important step and good news for patients."

Around 500,000 people were originally thought to benefit from the cash fund, but due to high levels of interest it has been rolled out to cover more GP services, a Department of Health spokesman said.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Sky News: "The evidence I think is that for people who working hard, who have busy lifestyles, maybe working long hours, doing shift work over the weekends, often they would like to be able to contact their GP by email, and if we can find a way that doesn't overwhelm GPs, then I think that would be something that people would really welcome.

"We do recognise that GPs and nurses in the community work extremely hard.

"But I think it's a false economy if we don't invest in out-of-hospital care - because in the end if you don't look after people well when they're at home, they end up having to go to hospital and that ends up being worse for them and costing the NHS more as well."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Minute's Silence At Anfield For Hillsborough 96

An emotional minute's silence has been held at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield ground in memory of the 96 fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

Fans fell silent at 1.36pm - six minutes after the usual 1.30pm start time, to mark the time when Liverpool's match with Nottingham Forest in 1989 was called off.

It was the latest in a weekend of fixtures which were all delayed in order to remember those who died as a result of a crush 25 years ago.

Just before the ground fell silent the huge crowd who had come to watch Liverpool take on Manchester City for Sunday afternoon's Premier League tie had been in full voice.

Thousands joined players and backroom staff to sing club anthem You'll Never Walk Alone while waving red flags and scarves in the air.

As they finished, a referee's whistle brought a hush to the ground, and many of the players and those in the crowd bowed their heads.

Among them were former manager Kenny Dalglish and striker Ian Rush, both of whom had been at the match in 1989 when the deaths occurred.

Mr Dalglish admitted after the disaster that he felt deeply affected by what had happened.

He said later: "Most of the church services finished with You'll Never Walk Alone. I couldn't sing through any of the songs or hymns. I was too choked up."

Fans in the Kop stand had been instructed to hold up coloured cards creating a mosaic that read "96 - 25 Years".

Many others in the crowd also waved banners and placard bearing slogans including "Justice For The 96".

Other events are due to take place in the coming few days, culminating in a religious service on Tuesday - the actual anniversary of the tragedy.

New inquests into the victims' deaths have recently begun after the original coroner's verdicts were quashed in 2012.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Doctors' Surgeries Are Told To Open All Hours

Patients will be able to visit their GPs outside of work hours under plans announced by David Cameron to boost access to family doctors.

More than 7.5 million people will have increased access to GP services as part of the £50m GP Access Fund, including late night and weekend appointments.

The plan will see extended surgery opening hours, as well as new consultation methods including video and email.

The fund will benefit patients at 1,147 GP practices across England.

The Prime Minister has also announced plans to enhance care services for the elderly.

He said some 800,000 people over the age of 75 and those with serious health complaints will receive tailored care, coordinated by one local GP.

"Back in October, I said I wanted to make it easier for people to get appointments that fit in around a busy working week and family commitments," Mr Cameron said.

"There has been a great response from doctors, with lots of innovative ideas, and we will now see over seven million patients given weekend and evening opening hours, alongside more access to their family doctor on the phone, via email or even Skype.

"This is an important step and good news for patients."

Around 500,000 people were originally thought to benefit from the cash fund, but due to high levels of interest it has been rolled out to cover more GP services, a Department of Health spokesman said.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Sky News: "The evidence I think is that for people who working hard, who have busy lifestyles, maybe working long hours, doing shift work over the weekends, often they would like to be able to contact their GP by email, and if we can find a way that doesn't overwhelm GPs, then I think that would be something that people would really welcome.

"We do recognise that GPs and nurses in the community work extremely hard.

"But I think it's a false economy if we don't invest in out-of-hospital care - because in the end if you don't look after people well when they're at home, they end up having to go to hospital and that ends up being worse for them and costing the NHS more as well."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

High UV Ray Threat Triggers Sunburn Warning

People are being advised to guard against an increased risk of sunburn due to stronger than usual ultraviolet rays normally associated with high summer.

The Met Office says the high UV levels are due to an "ozone anomaly" currently affecting the UK, where there is less of the gas in the upper atmosphere available to absorb the UV rays before they reach the ground.

The Met Office said: "This is quite normal and similar events have occurred previously around this time of the year.

"We are confident that the levels should be no higher than those of a sunny day in June.

But it added: "It is important that, if you are in an area that is particularly sunny over the next few days, you take steps to ensure that you and your family are protected from these increased UV levels.

"During the next few weeks, we will continue to keep an eye on these low ozone events (which can be seen in satellite data) in order to warn the public when they are happening."

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "UV levels are at their greatest when the sun is at its highest in the sky, so as we head into the summer months UV levels increase.

"At this time of the year, we usually expect levels of UV to be low to moderate, but today they could be higher due to an ozone anomaly affecting the UK at the moment where levels are noticeably lower than normal.

"This isn't an unusual occurrence and similar events have happened previously around this time of the year."

As well as the amount of ozone gas in the stratosphere, other key factors affecting the strength of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface are the height of the sun in the sky, and the amount of cloud, dust and pollution in the atmosphere.

So-called "ozone anomalies" occur when low-level pockets that have formed near the North Pole over winter, due to the lack of sunlight, break away.

These can sometimes pass over the UK.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ed Davey: World's Climate Is 'On A Precipice'

Energy Secretary Ed Davey has said the world is "looking down a precipice" as the UN urges more solar and wind power investment.

The minister, who is also responsible for climate change, told Sky News' Murnaghan programme, that the new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a "stark warning".

The report says massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are needed in the next few decades if the world is to avoid "dangerous" climate change.

Mr Davey said: "This is a stark warning that the world is looking down a precipice if we do not take action now."

"But it also says, and some good news, that the cost of renewables, things like solar and wind, are coming down, so we can go green in an affordable way."

The latest UN report is the third part of a detailed review of the way in which the world's climate is being changed by greenhouse gases and what can be done about it.

Two weeks ago the second part of the review said the impact of climate change was likely to be "irreversible" and could lead to wars.

It said that Britain would face soaring food prices, deadly floods and heatwaves, which would only be lessened if action was taken sooner rather than later. 

In the latest part of the report, the IPCC says substantial reductions in greenhouse gases will be needed, through large-scale changes to the ways we generate energy and how we use it.

It says we need to curb deforestation and start planting forests.

Emissions need to be reduced by 40% to 70% on 2010 levels by the middle of the century and to near zero by 2100 to prevent temperatures going up by more than 2C, the report said.

There will need to be a three- or four-fold increase by 2050 in the share of energy that comes from low-carbon sources such as renewables, nuclear and power plants fitted with technology to capture and store carbon underground.

By the end of the century fossil fuel power plants without carbon capture and storage will need to be virtually phased out.

A failure to take action could result in temperatures soaring 3.7C to 4.8C by 2100, the experts warned.

Mr Davey admitted that there was a split at the heart of government over plans to cut green subsidies.

But he said the government's record showed that there was agreement about what could be done.

"The coalition government actually has done more on the green economy, more on low carbon, than any predecessor.

"Britain is leading the way. Not only have we implemented action, the Energy Act 2013, to create the world's first ever low carbon electricity market; we've got the green investment bank - the first bank that's not just being judged by financial performance, but by how it is cutting carbon - and in Europe, the coalition have been leading the way to make sure Europe has the most ambitious, the toughest, greenhouse gas reduction target."

He added that the UK is the world leader in offshore wind power, with more offshore wind electricity generating capacity in the pipeline than the rest of the world put together.

Also, he said, the UK leads the world on carbon capture, which involves removing carbon dioxide from gas or coal-fired powerplant emissions and storing it underground. 

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

London Marathon: Mo Farah Beaten By Kipsang

Kenyan Wilson Kipsang has beaten Britain's Mo Farah to win the London Marathon, breaking the course record for the race.

Double Olympic gold medallist Farah finished in eighth place with a time of 2hrs 08mins 20secs, narrowly missing out on the British record he had targeted.

Kipsang crossed the finish line in 2hrs 04mins 27secs, beating the previous best time for the event by 13 seconds.

Farah admitted the race had been "tough" but defended his decision to switch from the track to the road and make his 26.2 mile debut in his home town.

He said: "London, this is my city, it would have been wrong to do any other marathon."

Edna Kiplagat won the women's race in a time of 2hrs 20mins 21secs.

The elite runners started ahead of 36,000 competitors tackling the course on a warm and sunny day in the capital.

Famous faces taking part include former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen, Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, and Michelin-star chef Michel Roux Jr.

The amateur field includes Katie and Polly Ryall who are aiming to set a new world record for a pair of sisters combined by beating the current 5hrs 09mins 21secs benchmark while running for the charity Sense.

British Paralympian David Weir failed in his bid to become the best wheelchair racer in the event's history as he finished second behind Switzerland's Marcel Hug.

The races started at Blackheath and Greenwich Park ended on The Mall.

Many roads in central London have been closed and some delays are expected on public transport.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More