Stephen Sutton's Teen Cancer Appeal Tops £2.5m

A terminally-ill teenager has smashed all records on fundraising website JustGiving, as donations to his charity appeal surged past £2.6m.

Stephen Sutton originally set out to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust but soon upped his target to £1m, as celebrities including Jason Manford, Stephen Fry and Russell Brand gave their support.

By Saturday afternoon the 19-year-old had raised £2.6m, with more than 106,000 people pledging their support.

Writing on his Facebook page, on which he published a bucket list of things he wants to do before he dies, Stephen said: "I've always been a firm believer that people are 'good' and to see people come together in the way they have is incredibly touching and heart-warming.

Donations to Stephen's JustGiving page have soared past £2.4m

"Thank you from me and thank you from every young cancer patient who will benefit invaluably from the money raised."

Stephen, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, said he was "feeling well" and was in a "stable" condition after his health worsened last weekend.

"The tumours in my body are still rife and dangerous, but I feel so lucky to just still be here," he added.

"In fact, I feel completely privileged to be in a position where I can help make such a difference to other people's lives."

Stephen, who was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the age of 15, has also released a 10-minute YouTube video called When Life Gives You Cancer, featuring interviews with his mum, his school teachers and his best friend.

Stephen (C) with friends and celebrities at a Teenage Cancer Trust event

His head teacher, Stewart Jones, said: "Stephen is the most amazing person I've ever met, let alone the most amazing student."

Tim Dowling, who runs the sixth form college at Stephen's school, added: "He's very special because he refuses to let his illness beat him or govern the rest of his life."

As donations continued to flood in, JustGiving itself donated £50,000 to Stephen's appeal.

The website stands to make more than £62,000 from the 5% fee it charges charities for online donations.

In a message posted alongside its donation, it wrote: "Stephen, we think you're amazing. It's been a privilege supporting your fundraising. You've now broken all records on JustGiving, so here's a special donation from us."

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James Attfield Murder: Appeal For CCTV Pair

Police investigating the murder of a man stabbed more than 100 times have said they want to speak to two people seen on CCTV.

James Attfield, 33, died in a park in Colchester, Essex, in what has been described as a "senseless and frenzied" attack.

Detectives are keen to trace a woman who was seen in an image on March 29 at 12.36am, and again with a man on another image at 2.19am.

Officers are trying to piece together Mr Attfield's movements between the evening of March 28 and when he was found the following morning just before 6am.

Mr Attfield was treated at the scene by paramedics in Castle Park, but died from his injuries.

The victim, known as Jim to his family, had 102 separate wounds on his arms, hands, back, neck and head, police revealed.

Police want to trace this woman seen on CCTV on March 29 at 12.36am

The father-of-five suffered a severe brain injury after he was hit by a car four years ago, and had not been in contact with his children since.

His mother, Julie Finch, has described her son as a "bit of a loner" who was "in the process of rebuilding his life" when he died.

Releasing the CCTV images, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett, of Essex Police, said: "I would urge these two people to come forward or if anyone recognises them I would ask them to get in touch with the inquiry team."

The man is described as white, of stocky build and appears tall with long legs.

The only description given of the woman is that she is white.

Police say they were sitting at opposite ends of a bench and it is not certain if they know each other, although they may have been a couple who had a row earlier in the evening and were sitting apart not talking to each other.

About 10 metres away from where this couple sat, there was a man sitting on the grass who was white, aged in his 30s and wearing a dark jacket and possibly jeans.

This may, or may not, have been Mr Attfield, a police spokesman said.

Three other people who were also spotted in the area on CCTV and came forward voluntarily have been ruled out the probe by police - as have a total of six people caught on CCTV walking through the park.

A further 17 people have yet to come forward.

A man and a woman from Colchester, both aged 27, have been bailed until May 9.

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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British Teenager Dies After Tribal Drug Ritual

By Alex Watts, Online Producer

A British backpacker has died after taking a hallucinogenic drug during a tribal ritual in Colombia.

Henry Miller, 19, was in a remote rainforest area, near the town of Mocoa, with other tourists when he drank yage with a local tribe.

The psychedelic drink, also known as ayahuasca, is made from leaves and is used by native people in South America for healing and spiritual purposes.

Mr Miller took the drug on Sunday without any effects. He took it again on Tuesday and was found dead later.

Mr Miller took the drug in a rainforest outside Mocoa, southwest Colombia

Filip Goematre, owner of Casa del Rio hostel, where the teenager was staying, told Sky News: "Lots of people come to this area to take the yage drug, which is part of an indigenous ritual.

"But I am not a fan of it. I prefer people come here to enjoy the Amazon and look at the animals and nature.

"Henry came here last week and heard about the drug from other tourists and got motivated to do it.

"I'm not involved in the drug and do not promote it in anyway. But it's an indigenous ritual and involves drinking juice from a medicinal plant. One of the effects of it is to hallucinate.

"Henry stayed at the hostel for seven days. He did it (the drug) once on Sunday night, and on the Tuesday he was travelling on.

Yage brings on vivid hallucinations and supposedly spiritual experiences

"But he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to do the ritual. There is a police investigation going on and an autopsy is being carried out on his body, but it looks like the drink.

"It's an intoxicant, and hundreds of people do it and a couple of times people die. It's not considered dangerous, but it can happen."

Mr Miller, from Bristol, travelled with a group of eight people to land belonging to a local shaman, according to the Daily Mail.

After taking the drug, he reportedly started "lashing out with his hands and feet" and then "made weird animal noises, pig sounds and at one point he tried to fly".

The shaman's family told the other tourists they would look after him, but when they woke up in the morning Mr Miller was not there, the paper quoted one of the group as saying.

Police arrived and showed them a picture of Mr Miller's body, which was said to have been found by a dirt road.

The teenager had stayed at Casa del Rio hostel for seven days

A spokesman for the Foreign Office told Sky News: "We are aware of the death of a British national on April 23 in Colombia. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this very difficult time."

Henry Miller's parents Elizabeth and David, and brother Freddie issued a statement to the Bristol Post, saying: "In the last 48 hours we received the exceptionally sad news that our son Henry has died whilst travelling in Colombia.

"We are being informed of the circumstances through the Foreign Office. He was in the remote Putumayo region.

"We understand that he took part in a local tribal ritual recommended by the hostel that he was staying at.

"The ritual involves a drink made from local plant infusions. We are awaiting further information from the foreign office but it is likely that a reaction to this drink was the cause."

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Roehampton Murder: Teenager Appears In Court

A boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man stabbed during a break-in.

The 15-year-old appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Scotland Yard said.

Although the victim has yet to be formally identified, police believe the dead man to be Martin Thomas.

The 39-year-old, of Huntingfield Road, Roehampton, southwest London, was found seriously injured by police and paramedics on Tuesday evening.

An air ambulance crew attended, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem revealed he died from a stab wound that punctured his lung.

A second teenager has also been arrested in connection with the murder, and is being questioned at a south London police station.

Detectives have been keen to trace three men seen loitering in the area before the man was killed.

Anyone with information should call police on 0208 721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Five Die As UK Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan

Five people have died after a UK helicopter crashed in Afghanistan and Sky sources say all those on board are believed to be British.

The victims were military service personnel who were killed in the south of the country, said the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The ministry said it was investigating the circumstances of the incident but could not confirm the nationality of the troops who died.

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today.

"The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified."

Kandahar provincial police spokesman Zia Durrani said the helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district, about 30 miles from the Pakistan border.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known but it was not believed to have involved any enemy action.

If the victims were confirmed to be British, it would be the worst UK air crash in Afghanistan since September 2006, when a Nimrod surveillance aircraft exploded in mid-air while supporting Nato ground operations near Kandahar.

All 14 servicemen on board that aircraft were killed.

Saturday's incident was the bloodiest day for international troops in Afghanistan this year.

It brings the number of foreign troops killed in the war-hit country in April to seven. A total of 23 have died in 2014.

Nato is preparing to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan at the end of this year, 13 years after the US-led invasion to topple the Taliban for sheltering al Qaeda leaders.

Concerned family members of military service personnel can contact the MoD on 08457 800 900.

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UKIP Stands By 'Women Stay At Home' Official

Has Cameron Been Proved Right About UKIP?

Updated: 4:10pm UK, Friday 25 April 2014

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Some years back, David Cameron famously described UKIP members as "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists".

After the star of a UKIP TV ad was suspended for saying Islam is evil and Africans should kill themselves, and a party official said "cash-strapped Moslems should have multiple wives", has the PM eventually been proved right?

Amid the latest spate of UKIP racism and sexism scandals, I'm told that some senior Tories are now claiming "the one good thing about UKIP is that it's cleansed our party of the loonies".

David Challice, a UKIP official and activist in the West Country, mocked Islamic law and attacked "the lunacy of muliculturalism" in an advert placed in the Exeter Express and Echo newspaper.

He has also described the Greeks as "vile" and said women should not go out to work, though he says it was a joke. Hilarious!

Nigel Farage says Andre Lampitt's remarks, including claiming Ed Miliband is "not a real Brit" and was "only born here", were repellent and has suspended him as a UKIP candidate only days after he appeared in an election broadcast.

He still got his nomination papers in just in time, however, and will still be a candidate in Merton, south London.

But the party is standing by Mr Challice. Poisoned Challice? Not according to UKIP.

A spokesman said: "UKIP is not a party that believes in public debate and conversation being stifled by an obsession with political correctness.

"So the threshold for which the mere expression of opinion merits disciplinary action should be set high.

"That threshold was quite obviously breached in yesterday's furore but it is has certainly not been today."

The joke about his wife went like this: "Since the snow came back all she's done is look through the window. If it gets any worse I'll have to let her back in again." Boom, boom!

It has also emerged that a "British builder" in a UKIP poster accusing EU workers of taking UK jobs is an Irish actor, Dave O'Rourke from Dublin, who migrated to this country.

And UKIP has also had to defend its European manifesto after it featured a woman called Lizzy Vaid pledging to vote for the party, without mentioning she is an assistant to Mr Farage and UKIP's events manager.

A party becoming accident-prone? Looks like it, but I doubt Mr Farage and the UKIP high command mind very much.

After all, here we are talking about them and not the Conservatives, Labour or Lib Dems.

Will potential UKIP voters be scared off? Probably not.

Many will no doubt believe that being insulted by Mr Cameron is a badge of honour and be more, rather than less, tempted to vote UKIP on May 22.

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Hillsborough Disaster Slurs 'From Whitehall'

Relatives of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster say claims government computers were used to post insulting messages about the tragedy are "deeply upsetting".

The Cabinet Office says its urgently investigating the reports in the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

It claims anonymous alterations to the Wikipedia page about the tragedy were made from IP addresses used by Whitehall departments, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Treasury and the Office of the Solicitor General.

The newspaper said revisions to the online encyclopaedia began five years ago on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, and again in 2012.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: "We thank the Liverpool Echo for bringing this to our attention.

"This is a matter that we will treat with the utmost seriousness and are making urgent inquiries.

"No one should be in any doubt of the Government's position regarding the Hillsborough disaster and its support for the families of the 96 victims and all those affected by the tragedy."

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed and another 766 people injured on overcrowded terracing at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield at an FA Cup semi-final on April 15, 1989.

Among the reported amendments to the Hillsborough Wikipedia page was an insertion saying: "Blame Liverpool fans" - deeply upsetting to victims' families who have been campaigning for more than 20 years to establish the truth behind the tragedy. 

Margaret Aspinall, from the Hillsborough Family Support Group, told the Echo: "I don't even know how to react, it's just so sad.

"I hear something like that and it upsets me a great deal, it makes me incredibly sad. I'm glad somebody has found out about it but I'm frightened to be honest that we haven't known until now."

Many relatives refused to accept that the fans' deaths were accidental and accused police of covering up exactly what happened.

In a victory for victims' families who never accepted the official version of events, the High Court in 2012 quashed the original coroner's verdicts and called for fresh inquests to be held due to new evidence.

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Bogus Social Worker Examines Newborn

An investigation has been launched after a woman claiming to be a social worker called at a house in Gloucestershire and examined a baby.

The woman, carrying a fake ID badge and a black zip-up folder, visited a new mother in Quedgeley on Wednesday at around 2pm claiming to be from Gloucestershire social services.

She told the mother there were concerns about the welfare of her four-month-old son.

The woman then listened to the child's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

Detective Inspector Andy Dangerfield, of Gloucestershire Police, said: "We don't know what the motivation for this was but clearly it is very concerning.

"Our inquiries are ongoing. We have visited houses in the area to warn local people and would urge everyone to be vigilant.

"Remember, do not accept people into your house unless you are 100% sure you know who they are."

The woman is described as white with "slightly tanned skin" and dark shoulder-length bobbed hair.

She is in her late 20s or early 30s and is around 5ft 6ins tall.

Police said she had freckles on the left side of her face and was wearing a black trouser suit with a cream v-neck blouse with frills at the front.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire County Council said: "When a social worker calls at your house you will be shown an ID badge, and the reasons for the visit will be explained to you.

"If you doubt whether the visit is genuine, you should call Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425000 and the visit will be verified."

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Paedophile Teacher: New Details About Attacks

Child Predator: Husband And 'Popular Teacher'

Updated: 11:44am UK, Thursday 24 April 2014

The serial child predator at the centre of an FBI investigation had a wife and two adult children and was a popular teacher among his students, officials have said.

William James Vahey travelled the world for four decades before his suicide in a Minnesota motel last March.

While teaching, he also served as coach on various school sports teams.

The FBI said he was a "popular and highly respected teacher".

"He had access to children because of his position of trust," said FBI special agent Patrick Fransen.

"He created a system that gave him the opportunity and the means to molest children."

The FBI says he may have carried out child molestation on an unprecedented scale, often drugging his victims.

Vahey told investigators he suffered molestation as a child and went on to prey on boys.

The New York native graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, according to a resume cited by the FBI.

He received a master's degree in curriculum development from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont.

At the time of his death, he was 64, approximately 6ft (182cm) tall, and weighed about 190 pounds (86kg).

He was teaching ninth-grade world history and geography at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua.

Vahey maintained two residences, one in London, where he had taught at an elite school, and another on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the FBI said.

In 1969, Vahey was arrested in California on six counts of child molestation.

He pled guilty to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, followed by five years' probation.

The conviction required Vahey to register with California's sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

However, Vahey eluded that requirement.

Officials said he had not renewed his registration as a sex offender since 1970. He went on to pursue his teaching career in Nicaragua, the UK, Venezuela, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Iran, Spain, and Lebanon.

His victims are believed to be multinational as many of those schools were attended by the children of American diplomats or military personnel stationed overseas.

Vahey coached boys on middle school, varsity boys' basketball, softball, flag football, and soccer, among other things.

He also served as activities director, student council adviser, cooking club adviser and forensics adviser. 

He often accompanied students on cultural studies or sports trips, the FBI said.

Vahey killed himself two days after agents in Houston sought a warrant to search a computer thumb drive belonging to him.

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Parents Weep In Court Over Dead Children

A mother arrested over the deaths of her three disabled children has appeared before magistrates accused of their murders.

Tania Clarence wept in the dock as she was remanded in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

She spoke only to confirm her name, age and address and no formal plea was entered.

The 42-year-old is accused of three counts of murder between April 20 and April 23 this year.

A bail hearing will be held on April 29 before she appears at the Old Bailey on May 9.

Gary Clarence is pictured with his twin sons and their New Malden home

Her husband, Gary Clarence, 43, also broke down in tears as he sat in the public gallery during the brief hearing. A group of people, thought to be family and friends, supported him during the proceedings.

He was in his family's native South Africa with the couple's eight-year-old daughter when he heard about the deaths.

Sky News Reporter Joe Tidy, who was in the courtroom, said: "When Tania Clarence walked in the 42-year-old broke down immediately and began to cry when she looked over to the public gallery.

"She could barely read her name, her date of birth and her address details.

"Gary Clarence arrived ahead of proceedings and sat in the public gallery. He had tears in his eyes and was greeted with lots of support and hugs from people who seemed to know him in the gallery."

Fiona Abbott, chairwoman of the bench, said: "For these three charges you will be sent to the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on May 9.

"There will be a bail application at the Central Criminal Court at 10am on April 29."

Police were called to the house on Tuesday night

Tania Clarence was arrested after her four-year-old daughter, Olivia, and three-year-old twin sons Ben and Max were found dead at the family's home in New Malden, southwest London, on Tuesday night.

Post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital on the three children on Thursday. They are understood to have had spinal muscular atrophy.

The life-limiting genetic condition is also known as floppy baby syndrome and leaves children with little or no control of their movement.

Mrs Clarence is originally from South Africa and moved to Britain with her husband some years ago.

The couple moved into their £1.2m house around six months ago after the property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

A neighbour of the family, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

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Man Arrested Over Teenager's 1992 Murder

Police have arrested a man over the murder of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.

Johanna Young was 14 when she went missing from her home in Watton, Norfolk, on December 23, 1992.

A man in his 40s from the Watton area has now been arrested, said Norfolk Police.

"The man remains in custody and police inquiries continue," said a spokesman.

Johanna's body was found in the town on Boxing Day, lying face down in water. She was covered in scratches and partially clothed.

A post-mortem examination found she had died from drowning and a fractured skull.

Her parents alerted police when her alarm clock rang out at 6am on Christmas Eve - the time she was due to get up for her paper round.

The arrest comes after her parents launched a new appeal for information late last year, saying they wanted "closure".

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Gym Fees 'Could Stop Mortgage Approvals'

By Ed Conway, Economics Editor

Homebuyers could find themselves turned down for a mortgage because of their gym memberships, phone bills and pension payments, under new rules introduced this weekend, experts have warned.

Mortgage advisers said new restrictions introduced under the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) would drastically increase the intrusiveness of checks undergone by applicants.

The warning coincided with advice from economists, who claim the rules could dampen down activity in the housing market.

The new rules, part of a push to prevent lenders handing out loans to those unable to afford them, will stipulate banks and building societies must inspect customers' spending commitments to ensure they can keep up their monthly payments.

Those commitments might include items as innocuous as informal club memberships, according to Peter Marriott of Westexe Mortgage Solutions.

He said: "They might have a gym membership, they might be contributing to a pension plan - anything that's deemed by a mortgage lender to be a commitment could be held against them as an ongoing expense, which would in turn affect the affordability and the lender's decision on how much they can borrow."

The MMR changes will also mean lenders have to test whether homebuyers will be able to afford their mortgage payments if interest rates rise sharply, to 7% or above.

The Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee has recommended it should be able to change the suggested stress test rate in future, giving it an extra lever to influence house prices.

The changes come amid growing consternation about rising house prices.

According to the Office for National Statistics, house prices across the UK have increased by 9.1% in the past year.

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Barclays Board Face Angry Shareholders At AGM

Senior management of Barclays bank have faced angry shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting, with its chairman forced to defend its bonus payments.

Sir David Walker told shareholders there would have been an exodus of top executives if it did not raise bonus levels.

The meeting, held at London's Royal Festival Hall and attended by 840 people, was the scene of successive hostile questions and jeering from the audience.

Laughter erupted after one angry investor told the board of directors: "We're paying for Manchester United but we are getting Colchester United."

Outside the venue, protesters took potshots at the board over bonuses and alleged tax haven support.

In 2012 Sir David Walker told MPs that banking culture must change

Despite the criticism, the proposals to pay £2.4bn in bonuses in 2013 were rejected by just 24% of shareholders who voted while a resolution to pay bonuses of 200% salary in future was overwhelmingly supported.

Standard Life - with a 1.9% stake in the bank - went public ahead of the vote and said it would not support the remuneration committee's proposals.

Standard Life governance and stewardship director Alison Kennedy said its remuneration report recommendations had harmed the bank's brand.

"We are unconvinced that the amount of the 2013 bonus pool was in the best interests of shareholders," she said.

"Particularly when we consider how the bank's profits are divided amongst employees, shareholders and ongoing investment in the business."

CEO Antony Jenkins did not take a bonus last year over the pay furore

On Tuesday, Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman revealed the board would receive a mixed response from its powerful institutional investors.

The chairman told the AGM the bank was losing staff to US rivals as they paid up to 15% more.

He said the resignation rate for senior Barclays employees in the US almost doubled in 2013, amid increasing rejection of job offers at his bank.

Sir David said: "The challenge was the need for damage limitation and franchise protection... Despite all the reservations that have been expressed, I remain confident in my view that we took the right decision."

Chief executive Antony Jenkins also faced the hostile shareholders.

He has come under increasing criticism for bonus awards approved under his tenure.

Mr Jenkins is reviewing the future of the group's investment bank and will unveil the details on May 8.

As previously revealed by Kleinman, the CEO is expected to axe thousands of jobs to cut costs and help improve returns.

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Dying Teen Cheered By 'Phenomenal' Donations

A terminally ill teenager whose JustGiving page raised more than £1m for charity in 24 hours says he is "still fighting".

Stephen Sutton saw his fundraising campaign for the Teenage Cancer Trust reach more than £1.6m between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The surge in donations came after comedian Jason Manford took up the cause and tweeted details to fellow celebrities, who contributed and passed the message on. Donations are still flowing in.

Stephen signed off from his Facebook page on Tuesday, saying: "It's a final thumbs up from me! I've done well to blag things as well as I have up till now, but unfortunately I think this is just one hurdle too far."

However, by Thursday he had returned with a cheerful posting.

The teenager's "bucket list"

"Hi everyone, it's Stephen here- still here and still fighting!!! Throughout the whole journey I've been realistic about my position and at my last post I genuinely thought I was a goner.... But hey, I'm still here!!

After talking more about his worsening condition, the 19-year-old wrote of his delight at the success of the campaign.

"I am in high spirits and blessed to have so much love and support around me," he wrote.

"To get to see the million-pound fundraising target being reached was just phenomenal!"

Stephen, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the age of 15.

Fundraising £1m for the cancer charity was part of a bucket list of 46 things to do before he died.

His wish list also included hugging an elephant, crowd-surfing in a rubber dinghy, playing the drums at a Wembley cup final, getting a tattoo and appearing on a TV drama programme.

The donations grew by £1m in one day

Manford said he thinks the teenager's continuing positive attitude was behind people's desire to give.

"That's what got their imaginations going really," the comedian said.

"It was that he just had such joy for life.

"He wasn't bitter about leaving the party early, he was just happy that he was ever invited at all. He's 19, which is no age at all."

As for Stephen himself, he is still fighting.

"The plan is to take things day by day. Just keep on keeping on like I always have. I will try and update when I can, but my health and staying alive is obviously my main priority at the moment aha," he wrote online.

"The battle is physically and mentally very demanding, but I am happy - and that's the main thing!"

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Firefighters To Strike For Three Days In May

Firefighters across England and Wales will stage three days of strike action in May, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said.

The strike action is set to take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend as the FBU's dispute with the Government over pensions continues.

Members will walk out for five hours from noon on May 2, between 2pm and 2am on May 3, and between 10am and 3pm on May 5.

Firefighters carried out a series of strikes last year to protest against the Government's plans for a later retirement age, and changes to pensions.

Matt Wrack has accused the Government of 'burying its head in the sand'

Further strike action was then put on hold while talks were held.

The union argues that firefighters in their late 50s face being sacked or seeing their pension reduced by half because of changes in the retirement age.

Matt Wrack, general secretary at the FBU, accused the Government of "burying its head in the sand".

"After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes account the unique occupation of firefighting, the Government is still burying its head in the sand," he said.

"Several members of Government were only too keen to praise firefighters during the winter floods, but their words amount to nothing when they simultaneously ignore issues that threaten the future of firefighters and their families.

"Nevertheless, we remain totally committed to resolving the dispute through negotiation, and are ready to meet to consider a workable proposal as soon as possible."

The FBU said a ban will also be put on voluntary overtime across England and Wales from 3pm on May 4 until noon on May 9.

In Scotland, there will also be a ban on voluntary oertime between noon on May 2 and noon on May 9.

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Moyes Breaks Cover On Manchester United Exit

David Moyes has spoken out on his sacking by Manchester United, saying he is "proud" to have managed the club but frustrated about the team's results.

While he expressed gratitude to Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's fans and coaching staff, a reference to United's players was conspicuous by its absence.

"To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud," said a written statement.

"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter finals of this year's Champions League."

But the League Managers Association, which issued the statement on his behalf, said it was "very disappointed" and "sad" about the way Moyes was axed.

Ryan Giggs, 40, is manager until the end of the season

The Scot was sacked on Tuesday after a series of defeats left the team with no hope of qualifying for the Champions League next season, and languishing in seventh place in the Premier League.

"Performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," says Moyes.

The 50-year-old admits the job was "immense" and a "significant challenge" but that he "never had a second thought about taking (it) on".

Moyes' side lost 2-0 at his former club Everton at the weekend

His failure to say thank you to the players comes after a series of rumours during the season of disquiet among some of the club's top talent over his tactics and training methods.

The League Managers Association made no bones about its views on the sacking.

Chief Executive Richard Bevan said: "The LMA is very disappointed with the nature of David's departure from Manchester United and to read extensive reports in the press, confirming David's sacking, before David himself had been spoken to officially by the club.  

"(Moyes) has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism ... It is therefore sad to see the end of David's tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner."

Moyes was hand-picked by outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson after 11 years at Everton, where he guided the team to five top-six finishes.

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the favourites to take over at Old Trafford

But the burden of expectation seems to have weighed heavy and the team have lost 11 league games this season - including six losses at home and lacklustre defeats to bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Moyes signed a six-year contract but is now set for a pay-off of around £4m - a year's salary - after less than a year in charge.

United legend Ryan Giggs has taken the reins until for the last few games of the season but Louis van Gaal, manager of the Dutch national side, is the bookies' favourite to land the full-time job.

Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti is also tipped as one of the leading contenders.

Manchester United's American owners, the Glazer family, are thought to be ready to bankroll a summer spending spree of £150m or more as the club pushes for a swift return to the top of the game.

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1,000 Pupils Caught With Weapons In Schools

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

Almost 1,000 pupils were caught with weapons including guns, axes and a meat cleaver in schools in the last three years, a Sky News investigation has found.

New figures show 981 children have had weapons confiscated on school premises since 2011.

They include at least 80 primary school children, the youngest of whom was an eight-year-old caught with a knife.

Some 36 pupils were found with an assortment of guns, including two hand guns, seven air-powered weapons and 27 BB guns.

Of those found with weapons, 329 caught with items including an axe, a cut-throat razor and a stun gun were charged with a criminal offence.

One 18-year-old, who is taking part in a young offender's programme in London, said: "I carried a weapon ... but only because of the environment I was in.

"My generation is a bit wild ... so it's a normal thing to carry a weapon because you know everyone else is. It's making it fair, basically."

Campaigners warned the scale of the problem is likely to be much worse, as 21 of the UK's 52 police forces did not supply figures requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Data from West Midlands Police, which alone recovered weapons from 538 people during the same period, was not included because it also accounts for colleges and universities.

The figures raise questions about whether schools and the Government have failed to tackle the problem.

Jayne Walmsley, whose son Luke was murdered at a Lincolnshire school in 2003 aged 14, said: "Something is happening to the society we live in.

"We need to think and educate these kids. It's got to stop. We've got to do something about it."

Patrick Regan, CEO of charity XLP, which was founded in response to a school stabbing, added: "There's a culture of fear that needs to be broken down."

The Government said it had given teachers powers to take action if they suspect a pupil has brought a weapon into school.

"Teachers can now search pupils without consent, confiscate prohibited items and use force to remove disruptive pupils from the classroom when necessary," a spokesman for the Department for Education said.

"We've also given heads the final say on expulsions by removing the right of appeal panels to put pupils back in the classroom."

However, Chris Douglas, a youth worker with St Giles Trust, which engages with young people caught up in crime, warned the use of weapons is a growing problem.

"We're not hearing about stabbings because they're becoming more common," he said.

Last year, a study by UCL and charity Kids Company found half the young people working with the organisation had seen someone shot or stabbed in their community in the past year.

In 2009, the then-Government announced new measures to curb the problem of weapons in schools after a spate of attacks against children.

There were plans to introduce airport-style metal detectors as part of a violent crime action plan.

But campaigners are concerned the issue has disappeared from public discourse, leaving children vulnerable.

"Sometimes it's a bit like banging your head on a brick wall," Mrs Walmsley said.

"Schools won't admit to the problem because all they want is more pupils for more money."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eight Renewable Energy Projects Get Go-Ahead

Plans for eight renewable energy projects - expected to generate enough clean power for three million homes - have been approved by the Government.

Contracts for schemes including offshore wind farms and the conversion of coal-fired power stations to run on biomass, are set to support 8,500 jobs and attract up to £12bn in private investment.

Once built, the projects will contribute around 4% of the nation's total energy supply.

The schemes - five of which are offshore wind farms - are being taken forward under the Government's Contracts for Difference (CfD), under which generators and developers receive a fixed price for the electricity they produce for 15 years.

These contracts aim to give investors the guaranteed income they need to pay the up-front costs of major new construction projects.

Government measures are set to increase household bills by 2%, but energy secretary Ed Davey said the policy would bring down overall costs.

He told Sky News: "It's a real boost to green energy and will help ensure we have green energy too."

"It will really add to our electricity supply, we reckon about 4% of our total capacity. So it is really helping to ensure we can keep the lights on and do it in a green, affordable way."

Mr Davey has also confirmed that the Government is looking at changing trespass laws to enable companies to carrying fracking under private land.

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Budget Deficit Drops By 6% In Last Year

The UK budget deficit has fallen to its lowest level since the financial crisis five years ago.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the shortfall in tax revenues over Government spending fell to £107.7bn in the 12 months to the end of March.

The figure showed a drop in the deficit of 6.42%, from £115.1bn the year before.

It was slightly lower than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility, in the March Budget delivered by Chancellor George Osborne.

The ONS said borrowing in March dropped by 41% to £6.7bn, amid a plan by the Government to eliminate the deficit entirely by 2017-18.

The latest figures exclude the impact of the Royal Mail pension scheme since the postal service was privatised in October.

It also does not take into account the Bank of England's liquidity boosting scheme, known as quantitative easing.

The ONS says Britain's net public sector debt now stands at £1.27bn, which equates to 75.8% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The figures come as the European Union's statistical agency, Eurostat, said governments across the 28-country bloc recorded lower budget deficits in 2013.

This was due to lower spending and a partial economic recovery that shored up revenues.

Eurostat said budget deficits across the 18-nation eurozone fell from 3.7% of annual GDP in 2012 to 3% last year.

For the entire EU, which also includes non-euro currency members such as Britain, the agency said deficits shrunk from 3.9% to 3.3%.

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Murder Probe As 'Disabled' Children Found Dead

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three young children were found dead at a house in southwest London.

Officers discovered the bodies when they were called to a large, semi-detached home in Thetford Road, New Malden, at around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Sky sources say the three children - a four-year-old girl and two three-year-old boys - were disabled and had "life-limiting genetic conditions".

The 42-year-old woman arrested was taken to hospital with minor injuries and later discharged. She is in custody at a south London police station.

Gary Clarence and his sons, and their Victorian house in Thetford Road

Chief Superintendent Glenn Tunstall told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

He said specialist detectives are providing support to the family.

Sky's Joe Tidy, at the scene, said a South African couple - named locally as Gary and Tania Clarence - moved into the house with their four children around six months ago.

They moved in after the £1.2m property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

Mr Clarence, a director at Investec Bank, and his eldest child are abroad, and are travelling back today.

His company said in a statement: "Gary Clarence is a valued colleague and has worked with us for many years.

Flowers and toys have been left outside the house

"We do not know the facts at this time but our thoughts are with the Clarence family.  We are doing all that we can to help Gary and his eldest child and ask that their privacy is respected."

Officers removed evidence bags from the property this morning. It is unclear whether the children's bodies are still inside the house.

Post-mortem examinations are to take place later.

Neighbour Michele Bacchus, 38, said two "very, very upset" women had asked to use her toilet last night, an hour after four police cars and an ambulance arrived.

The women, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s, said they were relatives of the Clarence family and had come from Cobham, Surrey.

Police are investigating the incident in New Malden

One had a South African accent and the other was too upset to speak, she said.

Another neighbour, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, said she had been in the house "once or twice" and described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

"They'd got every kind of equipment they could possibly get for those children," she told Sky News.

"One I never saw out of a wheelchair; she was in her buggy. The other two were moving about with difficulty."

She said the family had help from a nanny and a maid.

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Man Charged With Two-Year-Old's Murder

A man has been charged with murder over the death of a two-year-old girl in Fife.

Officers were called to a property in Croftangry Road in Kelty around 6.30pm on Sunday after a "report of concern" for the child.

Madison Horne was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy but was later pronounced dead.

Tributes to Madison have been left at the house in Kelty

A 26-year-old man will appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court later after he was charged with the girl's murder.

Teddy bears and flowers have been pinned to the fence of the Croftangry Road house.

One message reads: "Rest in peace little Madison, now you're in the arms of the angels."

A doll left at the scene has the message: "Heaven has gained another angel. Rest in peace little one."

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Thousands Of Hospital Kidney Deaths 'Avoidable'

At least 1,000 hospital patient deaths in England each month from a "silent killer" kidney condition are "avoidable", it is claimed.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) can go unnoticed by medical staff but "good basic care" would save those lives, according to a study commissioned by the NHS.

Researchers found AKI leads to more than 30 excess deaths a day, or between 15,000 and 40,000 a year, and is five times more prevalent in English hospitals than previously thought.

Medical staff need to make sure patients are hydrated and those having surgery should not go without water for longer than two hours, say experts.

Severe dehydration is one of the main causes of the condition, which involves a loss of kidney function and can cause the heart, lungs and brain to stop working properly.

It can lead to rapid deterioration. Many patients die and those who do recover are at increased risk of long-term kidney disease.

AKI can affect people with no history of kidney disease and can occur in people who are already ill with conditions such as heart failure or diabetes, and those admitted to hospital with infections.

AKI can also develop after major surgery, such as some kinds of heart surgery, because the kidneys can be deprived of normal blood flow during the procedure.

It costs the health service over £1bn every year and is responsible for nearly eight times as many deaths as superbug MRSA at its peak, the study found.

Maura Murray had serious problems with her kidneys

Report co-author Professor Donal O'Donoghue, consultant renal physician at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, said: "These deaths are avoidable.

"This is completely unacceptable and we can't allow it to continue. Good basic care would save these lives and save millions of pounds for the NHS.

"Doctors and nurses need to make elementary checks to prevent AKI. In general, people who are having surgery shouldn't be asked to go without water for longer than two hours.

"Sometimes that is unavoidable but then medical staff need to check their patients are not becoming dehydrated."

Two years ago, Maura Murray's kidneys all but failed. She fell ill at home having had surgery on a broken leg. The sickness led to severe dehydration and renal failure, or AKI.

Ms Murray says six GPs failed to see the signs and in the end it was her husband who called an ambulance.

She told Sky News: "Why didn't somebody listen to me in the first place? Why did I suffer from dehydration? I'm sure some of the doctors should have known what was wrong."

More mistakes were then made in hospital. A lack of trained staff meant a routine replacement of her drip was delayed by two days.

Ms Murray added: "So I was left without fluids or antibiotics until the Monday morning until another nurse could put a cannula in my arm. So even though they knew I was dehydrated I was very ill and I was without fluids."

A spokesman for NHS England said: "We have taken steps to ensure the NHS puts in place coherent long-term plans to reduce avoidable deaths in our hospitals, and to improve the way data is used in decision making.

"Health research based on real life evidence like this is vitally important for NHS commissioners in choosing where to target their resources, and we thank Insight Health Economics and NHS Improving Quality for carrying it out."

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Aberdeen Boy Burned In 'Petrol Game' Dies

A seven-year-old boy who was badly burned in an Aberdeen street last week has died in hospital.

Preston Flores is believed to have suffered 80% burns after he was set on fire while playing a game with friends in Bedford Avenue around 2pm on Good Friday.

In a statement released through police, his mother, Luisza, said: "Preston's family want to inform the public that their precious little boy has passed away and is at rest.

"He meant the world to his family and will always be deeply missed and loved.

"Preston was a special little boy and his loss has ripped our family apart."

The statement added: "On behalf of our family I would like to thank everyone for their support but would ask that we are now allowed to grieve in peace for Preston."

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

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

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

Preston and his friends were playing on Bedford Avenue

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

Preston was initially taken to the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital but was moved to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where he died.

Preston attended Sunnybank School. Its acting headteacher Michelle McKay said: "Preston was a lively and competitive little boy who loved football, PE and all sorts of outdoor activities, as well as board games, baking and building with Lego.

"He was a fun-loving boy with a great sense of humour and lots of friends.

"He loved his family too, and was always sharing with us the latest news about his new baby brother.

"This is a tragic time for his family, for the school and for everyone connected to it. We are all so saddened by what has happened.

"This is a strong and close-knit community, however, and so we are all supporting each other and I am sure that, together, we will find ways of coming to terms with our loss."

Detective Inspector Lorna Ferguson, of Police Scotland, said: "Our thoughts are with Preston's family, friends and the Bedford community at this sad time."

A report into the tragedy will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course as is usual procedure.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family Court 'Revolution' To Help Children

A new Family Court to deal with divorce and child custody proceedings is due to be introduced in England and Wales.

The court will replace the previous three-tier system as part of a "revolution" in family justice.

Another significant change is a 26-week time limit on care proceedings aimed at protecting children.

It follows the Family Justice Review in 2011, which found vulnerable and damaged children were having their "futures undermined".

Care and supervision cases have taken an average of 56 weeks.

Conservative Edward Timpson, children and families minister, said: "Every child deserves a safe and stable home - no matter what their background or starting point in life.

"The new 26-week time limit will reduce unnecessary delays by ensuring that judges focus on the facts without getting caught up in unnecessary evidence or bureaucracy.

"These reforms will mean a swifter system where children's best interests are placed - where they rightly should be - at the heart of decision making."

There will be a 26-week limit on court proceedings involving children

Expert evidence will now be allowed only when necessary in family proceedings concerning children.

Compulsory family mediation meetings for separating couples are also being introduced.

Liberal Democrat family justice minister Simon Hughes said: "For too long children have suffered from excessive delays and confrontational court battles.

"Our reforms will keep families away from negative effects of battles or delays in court and make sure that when cases do go to court they happen in the least damaging way."

Sir James Munby, president of the Family Division of the High Court, said the scale of the changes could not be overstated.

"Today marks the largest reform of the family justice system any of us have seen or will see in our professional lifetimes," he said.

"Taken as a whole, these reforms amount to a revolution. There has been, indeed there had to be, a fundamental change in the cultures of the family courts. This is truly a cultural revolution."

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Coulson Denies Hearing Sienna Message To Craig

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has told the hacking trial he was never played a voicemail left on Daniel Craig's phone by Sienna Miller, which exposed the actors were having an affair.

Coulson, also a former Number 10 spin doctor, denied the allegations made by former NOTW journalist Dan Evans that he was present when a tape of the message left on the James Bond star's phone was played.

Giving evidence in his defence for a fourth day in the Old Bailey trial, Coulson said he was not even in the office on the day Evans claimed he played the tape, referring to his diary on the September 27, 2005, that showed he was instead at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

James Bond star Daniel Craig

Coulson also said he believed information on the Miller-Craig affair may have come from Miller's mother.

He added: "People in and around celebrities - their relatives, their agents, their PRs - will talk to newspapers."

He said he had asked staff working on the story not to refer to Miller's then-boyfriend Jude Law as either a "sex addict" or a "love rat" in copy due to the paper's relationship with sources in his camp.

Coulson said he also believed Law was aware that some of those close to him were talking to the media.

Sienna Miller had left a voicemail on the star's phone

Their identities were not disclosed in court, but it has already been reported that a relative of Law had been supplying information about him.

Evans has already admitted hacking phones while working at the News of World, claiming it was the main reason he was recruited in January 2005.

Evans, 38, has also claimed that Coulson knew about his activities and told him a voicemail he taped from Miller to Craig exposing their alleged affair was "brilliant".

Coulson said he could not remember having any specific dealings with Evans after his recruitment but said they may have spoken.

Miller and her then-boyfriend Law in 2003

He told the court: "I am sure we would have spoken to each other.

"If a new member of staff arrives I would normally make the point of saying hello and having a chat with them.

"I am sure that happened, but none (conversations) stick in my memory."

Coulson, 46, of Charing, Kent, is charged with conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner, and conspiring with former Royal editor Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in a public office.

All seven defendants deny all charges against them.

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Nurse 'Lost Her Job Over Christian Beliefs'

A nursery nurse has said she lost her job after telling a gay colleague her beliefs on homosexuality as a Christian.

Sarah Mbuyi said she made the comment after she was asked about her Christian beliefs by a co-worker at New Park Childcare in Highbury, north London, in January.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is assisting Ms Mbuyi, said the Government has "seriously let down" the Christian community.

Ms Mbuyi is claiming unfair dismissal on the grounds of religious discrimination.

She said: "When I said 'no, God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to Him as you are', she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager."

During an internal disciplinary hearing she claimed her colleague had alleged she raised the issue of homosexuality of a number of occasions. She was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Ms Mbuyi added: "My disciplinary hearing was hopelessly one-sided because they put my accuser's claims to me as fact, without any forewarning and so I wasn't prepared.

"It seemed to me they had already made up their minds to justify sacking me, before hearing my side of the story."

Ms Williams called for Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene in the case.

She said: "Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love and concern for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by a dominating cultural correctness.

"Sarah's case demonstrates the confusion we're experiencing in current times.

"David Cameron has given public recognition of the enormous positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on our nation but he wants to mould Christianity to his political agenda."

In an article for the Church Times this week, Mr Cameron said Britain should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country".

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teachers Warn Of 'Constant' CCTV Surveillance

Teachers say they are being subjected to constant surveillance by CCTV cameras in schools which are supposed to be used to keep pupils safe.

A poll conducted by the NASUWT union has revealed 8% of 7,500 members questioned said classroom cameras record their lessons. They felt the footage was being used by school leaders to monitor their performance.

The survey comes as delegates attending the union's annual conference in Birmingham discuss a motion suggesting there is too much surveillance of teachers.

Teachers have complained the cameras are being used to judge performance

It says the monitoring is unreasonable, without justification, and adds little value to pupils' progress.

The motion adds: "Its impact is to stifle creativity in education, disempower teachers, put procedure before purpose and increase the workload of teachers."

One teacher said of their school: "CCTV has been used against staff to imply they are handling a situation incorrectly even though the CCTV has no sound."

Another said: "In my school it has been used specifically with newly qualified teachers that the senior leadership team think are not performing well."

Nearly 90% of teachers who have CCTV in their classroom say they cannot switch the cameras off and 40% claim the recordings are monitored by school leaders and the footage used to make judgments about staff performance.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "Teachers are already wrestling with excessive monitoring, masquerading as classroom observation, carried out by senior management and a host of other people regularly visiting their classrooms.

"The stories teachers recounted to us in the survey are a shocking catalogue of professional disrespect and unacceptable intrusion.

"No other professionals are subjected to such appalling treatment; no one should be subjected to the stress and pressure of being watched constantly. Lab rats have more professional privacy."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Islamist Extremism 'A Deadly Problem For Charity'

A charities' watchdog has warned that Islamist extremism is the "most deadly" problem the sector faces.

William Shawcross, chairman of the Charity Commission, said it was "ludicrous" that people convicted of terrorism offences or money laundering are not barred from setting up charities.

He told The Sunday Times the commission was taking action against any charity that was "sending cash to extremist groups in Syria" or "dispatching young Britons for training in Syria by al Qaeda or other extremist groups".

He said: "The problem of Islamist extremism and charities... is not the most widespread problem we face in terms of abuse of charities, but is potentially the most deadly. And it is, alas, growing.

"I'm sure that in places like Syria and Somalia it is very, very difficult for agencies always to know what the end use of their aid is, but they've got to be particularly vigilant."

In February, the Charity Commission was criticised as "feeble" after an investigation by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee, which found it had failed to act robustly on clear cases of abuse.

Mr Shawcross described the criticism as "completely wrong", but said the watchdog needs better funding and legal powers to improve its function.

He added he had written to the Prime Minister asking for legislation to strength its powers.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prince George Goes Walkabout With Bilbies

Prince George made his first walkabout on the Australian leg of the royal tour when he met some indigenous animals at a zoo.

The youngster looked fascinated as he was shown a bilby - a rabbit-like type of marsupial.

At one point, as he was held by his father Prince William, he held out his hand to attempt to touch the creature which was being fed by a keeper who has named the animal George in his honour.

George, dressed in a blue and white striped collared t-shirt and royal blue shorts, looked a little frustrated and waved his arms as he was unable to reach the animal, which was about a third of his size when standing on its hind legs.

Just before he was brought out for the cameras, the Royal family had been shown round the nocturnal house where several of Australia's animals who are awake during darkness are housed.

Staff said George coped well and was interested in what he saw, reaching out to a feather tailed glider and staring intently at some hopping mice and an echidna.

He was later given a soft bilby toy, which he promptly threw on the floor.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who was wearing a lemon yellow Stella McCartney skater dress, were visiting Taronga Zoo in Sydney where the new bilby enclosure will be named after their son.

The Royal couple went on, without their son, to be shown a few of the zoo koalas.

The zoo keeper who showed them round the enclosure, Paul Davies, said afterwards about George: "He was brilliant. He was regal. It was amazing how he coped with the dark environment of the nocturnal house.

"They seemed comfortable feeding (the bilby). Kate let him get really close. At one point he tried to grab the bilby by the ears.

"He was like any other child. He had a short attention span and wanted to go and look at something else. It was just like meeting any family."

Earlier, thousands of well-wishers turned out to see the Duke and Duchess mark Easter Sunday by attending a traditional church service in Sydney.

The couple arrived at St Andrew's Cathedral in the centre of the city and were greeted - as they have been throughout their tour of Australia - by officials and cheering crowds.

Kate looked elegant in a stylish dove grey Alexander McQueen coat and Jane Taylor hat, while William was in a smart suit.

If a Sunday falls within a Royal tour, visiting members of the monarchy usually attend a church service joining local parishioners.

At the cathedral's steps, the Royal couple were met by the Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, and the Very Reverend Phillip Jensen, Dean of Sydney, and chatted to the senior clerics before the service began.

The Easter service was private and the large group of media covering the event were not allowed inside.

A bilby is an endangered desert-dwelling marsupial, the name of which comes from an aboriginal language from New South Wales meaning long-nosed rat. There are only about 10,000 left in the wild.

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Farage 'Slandered' Front National, Le Pen Claims

The leader of the French Front National has claimed Nigel Farage slandered her party by calling it "anti-semitic".

Marine Le Pen, 45, told The Sunday Times Mr Farage had made "defamatory" and "extremely disagreeable" statements about her party.

Mr Farage has refused to join Ms Le Pen's right-wing alliance in the European parliament, siding with Nicolas Dupont-Aignan - a member of the EU Democrats party.

He claimed "anti-semitism is still embedded" in the FN and last week referred to the party's "compromising historic baggage", the newspaper reported.

Farage has sided UKIP with the EU Democrats led by Nicolas Dupont-Aignan

But Ms Le Pen has hit back, saying: "He is often reproached for the behaviour and comments of... his members.

"Slandering your neighbour to try and make yourself look whiter than white, it's not correct. He's doing it simply for electoral purposes."

Ms Le Pen was joined by UKIP founder Dr Alan Sked, who described Mr Farage as "alcoholic, dim and racist" in an interview with the think-tank Parliament Street.

He said: "He's got no idea. He can repeat things about how nasty the European Union is and how it's a threat to the working class but that's about it.

"Anything sophisticated is beyond his grasp."

It comes after two opinion polls showed UKIP was gaining ground ahead of European Parliament elections in May.

A poll for The Sunday Telegraph puts the party in second place in next month's European Parliament elections, three percentage points behind Labour on 30% and, crucially, pushing the Conservatives into third place.

Another, reported in The Mail On Sunday, reveals Nigel Farage could be on track to win a seat in the House of Commons. According to Survation, UKIP polled 32% in the Hampshire constituency of Eastleigh - four points ahead of the Conservatives - where the party narrowly lost out on winning in a by-election last year.

00.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Islamist Extremism 'A Deadly Problem For Charity'

A charities' watchdog has warned that Islamist extremism is the "most deadly" problem the sector faces.

William Shawcross, chairman of the Charity Commission, said it was "ludicrous" that people convicted of terrorism offences or money laundering are not barred from setting up charities.

He told The Sunday Times the commission was taking action against any charity that was "sending cash to extremist groups in Syria" or "dispatching young Britons for training in Syria by al Qaeda or other extremist groups".

He said: "The problem of Islamist extremism and charities... is not the most widespread problem we face in terms of abuse of charities, but is potentially the most deadly. And it is, alas, growing.

"I'm sure that in places like Syria and Somalia it is very, very difficult for agencies always to know what the end use of their aid is, but they've got to be particularly vigilant."

In February, the Charity Commission was criticised as "feeble" after an investigation by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee, which found it had failed to act robustly on clear cases of abuse.

Mr Shawcross described the criticism as "completely wrong", but said the watchdog needs better funding and legal powers to improve its function.

He added he had written to the Prime Minister asking for legislation to strength its powers.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teachers Warn Of 'Constant' CCTV Surveillance

Teachers say they are being subjected to constant surveillance by CCTV cameras in schools which are supposed to be used to keep pupils safe.

A poll conducted by the NASUWT union has revealed 8% of 7,500 members questioned said classroom cameras record their lessons. They felt the footage was being used by school leaders to monitor their performance.

The survey comes as delegates attending the union's annual conference in Birmingham discuss a motion suggesting there is too much surveillance of teachers.

Teachers have complained the cameras are being used to judge performance

It says the monitoring is unreasonable, without justification, and adds little value to pupils' progress.

The motion adds: "Its impact is to stifle creativity in education, disempower teachers, put procedure before purpose and increase the workload of teachers."

One teacher said of their school: "CCTV has been used against staff to imply they are handling a situation incorrectly even though the CCTV has no sound."

Another said: "In my school it has been used specifically with newly qualified teachers that the senior leadership team think are not performing well."

Nearly 90% of teachers who have CCTV in their classroom say they cannot switch the cameras off and 40% claim the recordings are monitored by school leaders and the footage used to make judgments about staff performance.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "Teachers are already wrestling with excessive monitoring, masquerading as classroom observation, carried out by senior management and a host of other people regularly visiting their classrooms.

"The stories teachers recounted to us in the survey are a shocking catalogue of professional disrespect and unacceptable intrusion.

"No other professionals are subjected to such appalling treatment; no one should be subjected to the stress and pressure of being watched constantly. Lab rats have more professional privacy."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nurse 'Lost Her Job Over Christian Beliefs'

A nursery nurse has said she lost her job after telling a gay colleague her beliefs on homosexuality as a Christian.

Sarah Mbuyi said she made the comment after she was asked about her Christian beliefs by a co-worker at New Park Childcare in Highbury, north London, in January.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is assisting Ms Mbuyi, said the Government has "seriously let down" the Christian community.

Ms Mbuyi is claiming unfair dismissal on the grounds of religious discrimination.

She said: "When I said 'no, God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to Him as you are', she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager."

During an internal disciplinary hearing she claimed her colleague had alleged she raised the issue of homosexuality of a number of occasions. She was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Ms Mbuyi added: "My disciplinary hearing was hopelessly one-sided because they put my accuser's claims to me as fact, without any forewarning and so I wasn't prepared.

"It seemed to me they had already made up their minds to justify sacking me, before hearing my side of the story."

Ms Williams called for Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene in the case.

She said: "Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love and concern for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by a dominating cultural correctness.

"Sarah's case demonstrates the confusion we're experiencing in current times.

"David Cameron has given public recognition of the enormous positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on our nation but he wants to mould Christianity to his political agenda."

In an article for the Church Times this week, Mr Cameron said Britain should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country".

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Prince George Goes Walkabout With Bilbies

Prince George made his first walkabout on the Australian leg of the royal tour when he met some indigenous animals at a zoo.

The youngster looked fascinated as he was shown a bilby - a rabbit-like type of marsupial.

At one point, as he was held by his father Prince William, he held out his hand to attempt to touch the creature which was being fed by a keeper who has named the animal George in his honour.

George, dressed in a blue and white striped collared t-shirt and royal blue shorts, looked a little frustrated and waved his arms as he was unable to reach the animal, which was about a third of his size when standing on its hind legs.

Just before he was brought out for the cameras, the Royal family had been shown round the nocturnal house where several of Australia's animals who are awake during darkness are housed.

Staff said George coped well and was interested in what he saw, reaching out to a feather tailed glider and staring intently at some hopping mice and an echidna.

He was later given a soft bilby toy, which he promptly threw on the floor.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who was wearing a lemon yellow Stella McCartney skater dress, were visiting Taronga Zoo in Sydney where the new bilby enclosure will be named after their son.

The Royal couple went on, without their son, to be shown a few of the zoo koalas.

The zoo keeper who showed them round the enclosure, Paul Davies, said afterwards about George: "He was brilliant. He was regal. It was amazing how he coped with the dark environment of the nocturnal house.

"They seemed comfortable feeding (the bilby). Kate let him get really close. At one point he tried to grab the bilby by the ears.

"He was like any other child. He had a short attention span and wanted to go and look at something else. It was just like meeting any family."

Earlier, thousands of well-wishers turned out to see the Duke and Duchess mark Easter Sunday by attending a traditional church service in Sydney.

The couple arrived at St Andrew's Cathedral in the centre of the city and were greeted - as they have been throughout their tour of Australia - by officials and cheering crowds.

Kate looked elegant in a stylish dove grey Alexander McQueen coat and Jane Taylor hat, while William was in a smart suit.

If a Sunday falls within a Royal tour, visiting members of the monarchy usually attend a church service joining local parishioners.

At the cathedral's steps, the Royal couple were met by the Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, and the Very Reverend Phillip Jensen, Dean of Sydney, and chatted to the senior clerics before the service began.

The Easter service was private and the large group of media covering the event were not allowed inside.

A bilby is an endangered desert-dwelling marsupial, the name of which comes from an aboriginal language from New South Wales meaning long-nosed rat. There are only about 10,000 left in the wild.

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Farage 'Slandered' Front National, Le Pen Claims

The leader of the French Front National has claimed Nigel Farage slandered her party by calling it "anti-semitic".

Marine Le Pen, 45, told The Sunday Times Mr Farage had made "defamatory" and "extremely disagreeable" statements about her party.

Mr Farage has refused to join Ms Le Pen's right-wing alliance in the European parliament, siding with Nicolas Dupont-Aignan - a member of the EU Democrats party.

He claimed "anti-semitism is still embedded" in the FN and last week referred to the party's "compromising historic baggage", the newspaper reported.

Farage has sided UKIP with the EU Democrats led by Nicolas Dupont-Aignan

But Ms Le Pen has hit back, saying: "He is often reproached for the behaviour and comments of... his members.

"Slandering your neighbour to try and make yourself look whiter than white, it's not correct. He's doing it simply for electoral purposes."

Ms Le Pen was joined by UKIP founder Dr Alan Sked, who described Mr Farage as "alcoholic, dim and racist" in an interview with the think-tank Parliament Street.

He said: "He's got no idea. He can repeat things about how nasty the European Union is and how it's a threat to the working class but that's about it.

"Anything sophisticated is beyond his grasp."

It comes after two opinion polls showed UKIP was gaining ground ahead of European Parliament elections in May.

A poll for The Sunday Telegraph puts the party in second place in next month's European Parliament elections, three percentage points behind Labour on 30% and, crucially, pushing the Conservatives into third place.

Another, reported in The Mail On Sunday, reveals Nigel Farage could be on track to win a seat in the House of Commons. According to Survation, UKIP polled 32% in the Hampshire constituency of Eastleigh - four points ahead of the Conservatives - where the party narrowly lost out on winning in a by-election last year.

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