Jewish Chronicle 'Sorry' Over Gaza Appeal Ad

The Jewish Chronicle has been forced to apologise after it ran an advert for a charity's Gaza appeal, saying it was a "purely humanitarian gesture".

The paper said it was sorry if readers were upset at the decision, adding that space would be provided in next week's paper for anyone who wished to express their objections.

The ad was placed by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for charities such as Oxfam, the British Red Cross and Action Aid.

The paper published the ad last week

An anonymous Facebook page was created, calling for a boycott of the Jewish Chronicle, claiming aid to Gaza is used by Hamas to fund "rockets" and "terror tunnels".

"At a time when anti-Semitism is at an all-time high since the Nazi's were around, Israel is facing boycott after boycott and pressure from all around the world to stop defending itself," it said.

"It is now well stated … that all money raised in these appeals is given to the 'Government' of Gaza who just happen to be Hamas (an accepted terror group) whose sole purpose is the destruction of Israel and to kill Israelis."

But many Facebook users reacted angrily to the page, insisting the money was not given to Hamas but used to buy humanitarian aid which was then shipped to Gaza.

"Kicking up a fuss about some well-meaning folk trying to help women and children is going to do nothing to help the very regrettable rise in anti-Semitism, quite the opposite in fact," said one.

"The money is used to buy food, medical aid and other essentials for the civilian population, and the material is then shipped to Gaza. There's no way Hamas get anything," said another.

A spokesperson for the Jewish Chronicle (JC) said: "We have received complaints from readers angry at the decision (to run the ad).

A Palestinian family wait to cross from Gaza into Egypt

"We apologise for the upset caused. In response, the JC will be running a free advert encouraging readers to donate to a range of charities supporting Israel."

After the Facebook page appeared, DEC tweeted pictures of its charities delivering what it said were mattresses, blankets and nappies to communities in Gaza.

Hamas and its allies want an end to a blockade on Gaza that has been enforced by Israel and Egypt. Israel says it is worried the group would use any relaxation of the blockade to re-arm. 

A ceasefire in the region is holding after Israel launched airstrikes in the early hours of Thursday morning in response to rocket fire aimed at the country from Gaza late on Wednesday night.

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Woman Held After Baby Suffocates In Oldham

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of a baby of "barely three weeks old" by lying on the child.

The 55-year-old woman is being questioned over the death of a child by "overlaying" - a term used when a baby is believed to have been suffocated when somebody lies on them while asleep.

Police were called after paramedics found the baby was "unresponsive" at an address in Lychgate Court, Oldham.

The infant was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital but was pronounced dead some time later.

Detective inspector Dave Moores, said: "This is an absolutely tragic case in which a baby who is barely three weeks old has died.

"Any death of a baby is always extremely upsetting and keenly felt by family members and even the wider community.

"An investigation is under way and we are committed to identifying how and why this baby died.

"We also have officers supporting family members at what is clearly a very distressing time for them."

The arrested woman, who is understood to be related to the child, remains in custody.

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Boris 'Would Win 2015 Target Seat For Tories'

More than half of voters in an area seen as a prime target for Boris Johnson would vote for him if he stood there in 2015, a poll has found.

A survey in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency suggests the London Mayor could add 10% to the Conservative party's share of the vote if he stood there.

The poll of 1,000 people in the seat being vacated by former deputy chief whip John Randall was carried out by prominent Tory donor Lord Ashcroft.

Mr Randall held the seat with a 11,216 majority in 2010, making in an attractive option that would allow Mr Johnson to capitalise on his popularity with Londoners.

Mr Johnson could challenge Theresa May and George Osborne to succeed the PM

The former MP for Henley has remained tight-lipped about his preference for a seat since announcing that "in all probability" he would try to find somewhere to stand in next year's General Election.

The deadline for would-be candidates to submit their application to the local party is August 28.

When asked who they planned to vote for, 42% of those in the west London constituency said Conservative, 28% Labour and 19% UKIP.

But when offered Mr Johnson as their candidate, the Tory vote rose to 52%, with Labour and UKIP dropping to 23% and 16% respectively.

Tory donor Lord Ashcroft said Mr Johnson had a "unique ability both to galvanise Tories and appeal to supporters of other parties".

The assertion was backed up by 53% of those polled agreeing that Mr Johnson was "different to most politicians, and in a good way".

Only 7% said he was different "but in a bad way".

Mr Johnson has vowed to combine the jobs of MP and Mayor for the last year of his term at London's City Hall if returned to the Commons - but a third of those who backed him in the poll said they would like to see him quit his current post if elected.

Since his announcement earlier his month, Mr Johnson has been installed as favourite to succeed David Cameron as party leader if the Tories fail to win the election or the PM steps down.

He remains behind David Cameron in terms of who would make the best prime minister by 36% to 33% - but well ahead of Ed Miliband on 19% and Nick Clegg on 10%.

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Airport Reopens After Crashed Plane Moved

Flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport have resumed after a plane which crash landed was cleared away from the scene.

South Yorkshire Police told Sky News they believed the wheels of the aircraft did not come down properly as it made its approach.

Pictures showed the small plane tilted to one side with its wing tip in the air and a fire engine on the scene.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it took one person to hospital with minor injuries.

Investigators arrived at the airport on Saturday morning to inspect the aircraft, which came to a halt adjacent to the runway.

A statement from the airport said: "We are pleased to confirm that the runway at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield reopened at 14.45pm this afternoon.

"The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) have visited the airport and the LinksAir flight, LNQ207, which experienced problems with its undercarriage on landing, has now been moved from the runway area.

"The first departure from Doncaster Sheffield Airport will be the Wizzair flight to Bucharest at 15:30pm.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers affected by the incident which occurred last night."

LinksAir is a small UK airline operating British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft, and runs scheduled flights from Doncaster Sheffield, Belfast City and The Isle of Man.

Other operators using the South Yorkshire airport include First Choice, Thomas Cook, Flybe and Thomson.

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Screams As 35 Sick Migrants Found In Container

A dead man was among 35 immigrants found in a container at Tilbury Docks after crew were alerted by "banging and screaming".

Police have launched a "homicide" investigation after the man was discovered with 34 sick children and adults hiding in a container on a P&O ferry.

Police at the scene in Tilbury Docks

At least seven of those treated at three different hospitals with "significant health problems" were children.

At a press conference at Tilbury Docks, Essex Superintendent Trevor Roe said the man's death was being treated as a crime.

Seven ambulances were sent to the scene and Basildon Hospital said on its Twitter feed that it was "responding to a major incident".

The East of England Ambulance service confirmed a hazardous area response team had also been sent to the scene.

Eighteen patients were taken to Basildon Hospital, nine to London Whitechapel Hospital and seven to Southend Hospital.

Some were suffering from severe dehydration and hypothermia.

A police officer at the scene said they are still trying to determine the nationalities of those involved but they are believed to be of Indian origin, possibly Punjab.

Basildon Hospital is responding to a "major incident"

Essex Police were called after the people were found on the container, which arrived on a ship from Zeebrugge in Belgium and was being unloaded at 7.35am.

Natalie Hardy, from P&O Ferries, said the immigrants were in a container on board the Norstream, a commercial vessel.

She said the ship was scheduled to leave Zeebrugge last night at 10pm and arrive at Tilbury today at 6am.

It was carrying 64 containers, 72 trailers and five lorries and drivers.

The suspected immigrants were found at Tilbury Docks

Ms Hardy said: "They (port authorities) found 35 clandestines on a container in the ferry.

"They had been in there overnight, because the ship was an overnight freight ferry.

"This morning when they went to unload containers there was a noise heard, a banging. One unfortunately was dead and others were taken to hospital."

A spokeswoman for Public Health England said it was not involved in the response to, investigation of or anything to do with the incident at Tilbury Docks.

She said: "If it was ebola, health care professionals are so alert at the moment to signs and symptoms that should there have been anyone who was showing symptoms we would have been notified immediately.

"I think we can be confident that we are not dealing with that."

Police are dealing with the incident alongside staff from Port of Tilbury, UK Border Force and the East of England Ambulance Service, the spokesman said.

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New CCTV Footage Of 'Panicked' Burglary Suspect

Police have released new CCTV footage of a suspect wanted over a burglary that left a man with "life-changing" injuries.

The suspect is seen removing a pair of surgical gloves as he walks across a car park within minutes of the attack at a home in Wimbledon, south London.

Detectives described the man as being "panicked" in the footage from the Wimbledon Theatre car park, shortly after 10pm on August 11.

The man is believed to be part of a four-member gang involved in the violent burglary at the £2m home of Paul Kohler, 55, who is head of law at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Paul Kohler (l) was left with severe injuries after the attack

The balaclava-clad gang had barged into the home of Mr Kohler and demanded money.

The men violently assaulted father-of-four Mr Kohler and attempted to tape his 50-year-old wife to a chair.

The alarm was raised by one of the couple's grown daughters and her boyfriend, who barricaded themselves in an upstairs room and called 999.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Kohler told the Evening Standard: "The first punch in the hall took my eye out, I thought I had lost the eye at that stage because it stopped functioning.

"But I just kept thinking of my wife and daughter and her boyfriend upstairs.

The man was spotted removing a pair of surgical gloves

"They got me on the floor but I managed to stand up and at one stage and trade blows with them."

Response team police arrived within minutes and apprehended two men, however the other two fled the scene on foot.

Detective Inspector Dan O'Sullivan, of Merton Burglary Squad, said: "This new piece of CCTV is crucial in the identification of one of the outstanding suspects, and we are calling to anyone who recognises this man to come forward.

"It is my firm belief that this man and his other outstanding associate would have been stained with blood spatter from the violent attack inside the house."

The last images of the suspect as he leaves the area in SW19

It is still not known in which direction the fourth man headed after leaving the scene in Kings Road, SW19.

Both suspects are believed to be of Eastern European heritage and aged between 20 and 30.

Police are also keen to speak to anyone who saw a silver Volkswagen two-door cabriolet style car which was believed to have been used by the gang.

Mr Kohler continues to receive treatment for multiple facial injuries, including a fractured eye socket, and bruising to his body and limbs.

The two men apprehended during the raid have appeared before magistrates charged with grevious bodily harm and aggravated burglary, and remanded in custody until August 27.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call the Met on 020 8649 3159. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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'Mum Arrested' After Girl Drowns In Hotel Pool

The mother of a three-year-old girl who drowned in a hotel swimming pool near Blackpool has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The youngster is believed to have been staying with her parents at the Dalmeny Hotel, St Annes, when she got into difficulty in the water on Thursday morning.

She was pulled from the swimming pool and taken to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in a critical condition but died later.

The hotel's owner Chris Webb told Sky News that several other guests witnessed what happened in the pool and gave statements to the police.

Two guests tried to revive the girl before paramedics arrived.

It is understood that the girl's mother was in the pool at the time.

Police confirmed a 40-year-old woman, from Galashiels, Scotland, was arrested on suspicion of murder and child neglect. She remains in police custody.

Witness Carole Greenwood, who has lifeguard qualifications, told Sky News that she tried to rescue the child.

"Children in swimming pools should be looked after by their own parents. It is not necessary to have lifeguards necessarily because they are there to prevent accidents.

'Parents needs to be aware children can't swim, they are not strong swimmers and they need to wear flotation aids, especially little children."

Ms Greenwood said lifeguards had not been on duty because it was not the policy of private pools.

"Obviously I am devastated for this poor little girl, it's very sad.

"At the time, you are quite shocked because all your training is now coming into action.

"It's something you think you'll never, ever do, but I am satisfied I helped out in this case."

A guest called Darren, who did not want to give his surname, also told Sky News he had seen the girl and her family having dinner at the hotel - and witnessed the paramedics arrive.

"I saw them come out of the ambulance with what looked like a defibrillator," he said.

"My daughter saw the little girl being carried out by somebody."

He said the pool had been shut and "lots of police" had been at the hotel.

He described how he later saw the girl's mother being led away by officers.

Detective Inspector Nick Connaughton, of Blackpool CID, said: "This is a tragic situation where a young girl has lost her fight for life.

"We are now treating this sad death as suspicious and are investigating just how the child came into difficulties in the pool."

The Dalmeny Hotel, which overlooks St Annes beach, is described as a family-friendly resort with a heated indoor pool, a spa and three restaurants.

The hotel refused to comment.

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Murder Suspect Dewani 'Fit To Stand Trial'

A South African court has ruled that murder suspect Shrien Dewani is fit to stand trial for the honeymoon murder of his wife.

A mental health panel in South Africa unanimously decided that the 34-year-old businessman is not mentally ill and should be tried in October.

He is accused of the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani, in Cape Town.

Her sister, Ami Denborg, said: "It's a relief for all of us. We've been waiting quite a long time for this.

Sister Ami Denborg said the decision was a 'relief'

"I know this autumn is going to be tough for us but we still want the trial to start so that we can get the information we need, we can get to know what really happened.

"It feels like we're moving forward. It's still a long way to go but at least we're taking steps in the right direction, and this feels like a huge step in the right direction."

Announcing the decision, Judge John Hlophe said the trial date had been set for October 6.

"The draft handed in by the state is hereby made an order of the court," said Judge Hlophe, after receiving an expert assessment which stated Dewani was not mentally ill.

Anni Dewani's body was found in an abandoned car

Director of public prosecutions Rodney de Kock told the Western Cape High Court: "The accused is not mentally ill.

"The accused is not certifiable in terms of the Mental Health Act."

The South African Press Association reported that Dewani's lawyer, Francois van Zyl, said the mental health panel had made a unanimous decision.

The panel included members such as Professor Tuviah Zabow, who was appointed by the court as a psychiatrist for Dewani.

"We are in agreement. There is no objection," Van Zyl said.

Dewani, whose family attended court, is expected to appear again on September 9 for a pre-trial hearing, before his trial starts on October 6.

The millionaire, from Bristol, is accused of ordering Anni's murder during their honeymoon in November 2010.

She was shot in the neck as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Dewani, who has not yet entered pleas, faces charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

He has previously claimed that the couple were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu township.

He says he was released unharmed but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day.

His trial date follows a protracted legal battle over the seriousness of his mental health problems.

Dewani has been detained in a hospital in Britain for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and was extradited from the UK in April to face trial.

A panel of three psychiatrists and a clinical psychologist assessed Dewani's mental health over 30 days.

Three men have been convicted and jailed over Mrs Dewani's death, including taxi driver Zola Tongo, who was given 18 years after admitting his role in the killing.

Xolile Mngeni, who prosecutors claim was the hitman, was convicted of premeditated murder over the shooting.

Another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, pleaded guilty to murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.

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Festival Called Off After Fork Lift Truck Death

A music festival has been cancelled after a man died in an accident involving a fork lift truck at the site.

The 33-year-old was setting up the Surround Festival near Stroud, Gloucestershire, on Thursday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Sallywood Farm site in Horsley at around 12pm.

Surround Festival, featuring a range of world class electronic and live acts, was due to start on Saturday.

In a statement, the organisers confirmed one of the team members had died while working.

"The incident involved someone highly experienced in their role, operating equipment they were fully trained to use," they said.

"It was an exceptionally unfortunate accident. Our thoughts are with their friends and family at this difficult time, and we are working closely with local authorities.

"We understand that this is deeply disappointing to everybody expecting to come, as it is for us. We fully intend to make refunds to all ticket holders and are working very hard to get our refund procedure in place.

"We hope you understand if there is a delay in responding to communications, it has been a difficult time and we are doing everything we can. Full details regarding the refund procedure will be announced as soon as possible."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

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Salmonella Outbreak Cause Under Investigation

More than 150 people have been hit with salmonella poisoning, in an outbreak affecting several parts of the UK.

A third of the cases - 55 - have been in Hampshire, with a single east Asian restaurant linked to around two in five of those.

There have also been 43 cases of salmonella in the West Midlands, with another 33 in Cheshire and 25 in London.

All but two of the Cheshire cases are linked to a takeaway restaurant, while 34 of the West Midlands cases are connected to Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital.

A colony of salmonella (Pic CDC)

Public Health England (PHE) said the outbreak was in "isolated clusters" and had been "managed locally".

Genetic tests suggest a single source may be responsible.

Consultant epidemiologist Dr Paul Cleary, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are working with our colleagues across PHE, at the Food Standards Agency, in local authorities and with other public health organisations in Europe to investigate the cause of this outbreak.

"We are making good progress and hope to have more conclusive evidence shortly.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and if there is any further public health action necessary then we will ensure this takes place."

Symptoms of salmonella, which is often associated with poultry and eggs, include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally vomiting and fever.

Most people recover without medical treatment, although doctors say it is important to drink plenty of water.

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Record Numbers Off To Uni As A* Grades Rise

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

A record number of students have been accepted into university, with a rise in the number achieving top marks in their A-level exams.

Ucas, the organisation which handles the admissions process, said 396,990 young people had been awarded places on degree courses - up 3% on last year.

Meanwhile, the number of students achieving at least one A* grade rose 0.6% to 8.2%, although the number gaining an A grade or above fell by 0.3%.

The overall pass rate also fell for the first time in 32 years, with the number of students achieving an A*-E grade down 0.1% to 98%.

Girls from Newcastle High School celebrate their A-level results

Students who received lower grades are expected to enjoy unprecedented access to university, with up to 30,000 new places created.

A decision by the Government to abolish the cap on student numbers could have a dramatic effect on this year's cohort, with fierce competition among universities seeking to attract school leavers.

Some were offering cash "scholarships", while others were offering reductions on accommodation and free tablet computers.

Mary Curnock-Cook, chief executive of Ucas, told Sky News: "Compared with their brothers and sisters two or three years ago, students will feel it's a little easier (to get into university)."

Coventry University, which is offering £1,000 cashback, said the giveaways did make a difference but did not unduly influence students.

Deputy vice chancellor Ian Marshall said: "Most students come to university on the basis of the subject they are interested in and the reputation of the institution."

The decision to expand the number of student places comes amid increasing concern about quality assurance in higher education and job prospects for graduates, with recent figures showing almost half of graduates were in non-graduate level jobs.

However, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: "This shouldn't be about ever higher numbers - it should be about ever higher standards.

"An A-level is still a significant achievement ... and we want an A-level that future employers and universities have confidence in."

Rhasan Brunner, who received an offer to study at London Goldsmith's University, said he was deferring his place to take an apprenticeship.

The 19-year-old, who studied at Brooke House Sixth Form College in Hackney, northeast London, said students should think twice about doing degrees, which now cost up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees alone.

"That debt is going to stay over their head for quite a long time," he said.

"Plus jobs are really rare and scarce and quite competitive nowadays, so it doesn't really guarantee you a job after university."

Access to university has been expanding since the 1960s, when a report by economist Lionel Robbins advocated opening up higher education to all those who qualified by virtue of ability and attainment.

Two years ago, the Government abolished the cap on students with the highest grades, essentially paving the way for the expansion of the elite Russell Group of universities.

But the new expansion for students with lower grades - which could also include an additional 60,000 extra students next year - has prompted concerns about quality.

Jude Heaton, from Teach First, a charity set up to end inequality in education, said: "The risk is we create a two-tier system, where pupils from richer backgrounds go to the most selective institutions ... (while) people from poorer backgrounds have an almost second tier university education."

Earlier this week, social mobility charity Sutton Trust warned students from disadvantaged backgrounds are 10 times less likely to apply to the UK's 13 most selective universities.

There are also reports that today's results will confirm a deepening of the gender divide, as girls continue to shun STEM - science, technology, engineering and maths.

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Yolo And Humblebrag Make Oxford Dictionary

A Listicle Of The New Online Words

Updated: 1:23pm UK, Thursday 14 August 2014

OxfordDictionaries.com in its latest quarterly update giving an insight into current language usage trends. Here are some of the words.

:: Amazeballs
This refashioning of "amazing" originated on YouTube and was popularised by Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton

:: Baller
Originally used to refer to successful basketball players, this complimentary term has been used in two songs by girl group Destiny's Child

:: Bare
Another way of saying "very"

:: Binge-watch
In the world of Netflix, Binge-watch refers to excessive or over-indulgent watching of a TV series

:: Bro hug
This hug between two men combines a handshake with a one-armed hug, striking the balance between love and machismo

:: Catfish
Popularised in a 2010 documentary film and the MTV series that followed, "catfish" refers to someone who uses a fake social media identity, often to pursue deceptive online romances

:: Clickbait
Sensational Internet content designed to attract attention.

:: Cotch
This originally Jamaican word is slowly replacing "chill" and refers to resting somewhere or "hanging out"

:: Cray
Crazy, but without the Z. Popularised by a song by Kanye West and Jay-Z, the word is often used twice for extra effect ("That's cray cray")

:: Doncha
Possibly originally from the Pussycat Dolls song "Don't cha", this is slang for "Don't you". Doncha love all these new amazeballs words?

:: Hench
This is the buzzword used nowadays in place of "well-built" or "muscly". Bodybuilder Tiny Iron is known for his slogan "Get Hench or die trying". Time to hit the gym and get hench?

:: Hot mess
This one's been around for a long time and referred to food for soldiers in the 1800s; today it refers to an attractive person in a state of disarray.

:: Humblebrag
Arrogance made to look like self-deprecation, this might be used to mean "fake modesty".

:: Listicle
Merge the words "list" and "article" and you have a listicle; an article made up of a list. You may have seen one on Buzzfeed … you might say this is a listicle.

:: Live-tweet
#Providing #live #coverage #of #an #event #via #Twitter.

:: Mansplain
This refers to a man speaking condescendingly to a woman on the assumption that she knows less than he does about the topic in question. It has even been used to describe Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.   

:: Neckbeard
Also often referred to as "neard", this refers to a person whose facial hair is primarily on their chin and neck. It has also been popularised as an internet term referring to unattractive internet users.

:: Side boob
The bared breast as seen from the side – used when discussing women and men.

:: SMH
This acronym expresses disapproval and can either stand for "Shaking my head" or "So much hate".

:: Vape
Using an electronic cigarette instead of smoking.

:: Zonkey
A zonkey is a hybrid of a zebra and a donkey. It's actually part of a whole class of zebra hybrids, called zebroids – the first step towards zebmen?

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Lib Dems In Tax Cut Manifesto Pledge

People would be able to earn at least £12,500 before paying income tax under proposals included in the Liberal Democrats manifesto.

The move would mean those on the minimum wage of £6.50 an hour would not have to pay any income tax and it would be worth £400 each year to a basic rate taxpayer - helping around 30 million people.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said the personal allowance increase would come by the end of the next Parliament.

Lib Dems have been keen to make it clear they were the driving force behind the increase of the personal allowance from £10,00 to £10,500 in April 2015, which was announced in the Budget.

Mr Alexander said cutting income tax as a "top Liberal Democrat priority".

He said: "It was on the front page of the 2010 Liberal Democrat manifesto and we have fought to keep it on the agenda at every budget.

"By April next year we will have delivered a tax cut to over 26 million people worth £800 a year to a typical basic rate taxpayer and taken over three million out of tax altogether.

"Now we want to go even further and lift the amount of money people can earn before paying income tax to £12,500."

The Tories' Just Not Up To It campaign

The manifesto pledge comes as Labour has been running a "summer campaign", in which the party has been highly critical of the coalition's policies across all departments.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have been running an online offensive targeting Ed Miliband.

They have launched a website under the title Just Not Up To It, which includes an interactive map showing the Labour MPs who have made disparaging comments about their leader.

Commenting on the Lib Dems' manifesto pledge, shadow treasury minister Cathy Jamieson said nobody would believe a word the Liberal Democrats said about tax.

She said: "They backed the Tories in giving a huge tax cut to millionaires while breaking their promise not to raise VAT on everybody else."

She added that Institute for Fiscal Studies figures showed families would be on average £973 a year worse off by next year because of the tax and benefit changes since 2010.

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Medical Chiefs 'Call Time On Failing GP Services'

GP services that continue to offer poor care to patients will be shut down, health regulators have said.

Surgeries are set to receive Ofsted-style ratings - where they will be deemed to be outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field, said from October failing practices will face being put into special measures.

Those given the lowest rating face closure if they fail to make the necessary improvements.

"Most GP practices provide good care," Prof Field said.

"We have confirmed this in our pilot inspections so far. But we can't allow those that provide poor care to continue to let their patients have an inadequate service.

"I want to do all I can to drive up standards in those that are not providing the services people deserve."

The regime could also see more doctors referred to the doctors' regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC).

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, added: "Whenever CQC's new inspection system raises concerns about the competency of individual GPs, the matter will be referred to the GP's local responsible officer and if necessary to the GMC.

"Family doctors are now subject to regular checks, but the inspections in England are bound to expose areas of weakness as well as good practice."

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee said: "It is important not to create a counter-productive blame culture based on isolated examples that would wrongly damage patient trust in wider GP services.

"We need to focus on providing support and enabling improvement in those GP practices that need help."

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Cliff Richard's Home Searched Over Sex Claim

Police have searched Sir Cliff Richard's home in connection with a sex offence allegation dating back to the 1980s in Sheffield - which the singer has dismissed as "completely false".

South Yorkshire Police officers gained entry to the 73-year-old star's private art deco estate in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire and arrived there this morning without any warning.

A search warrant was granted after a historical claim of a sexual nature was made involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time.

No-one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present, the force said.

Police searched the singer's home in Sunningdale, Berkshire

Speaking out earlier as officers searched his home for several hours, Sir Cliff said: "For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. The allegations are completely false.

"Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.

"However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press.

"I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will co-operate fully should the police wish to speak to me.

"Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."

Sir Cliff performing at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said Sir Cliff, who was knighted in 1995, was not warned about the search by officers, who removed several items from the singer's house.

"Police say they didn't have to break in. They were let in by, presumably, somebody who is looking after the house," he said.

"Last week, Sir Cliff was at his home in Portugal where he held a concert at his wine estate.

"He owns a vast property there with a vineyard where he produces wine.

"We don't know if he is still there, but he has said in the past that he spends his summers in Portugal and his winters in Barbados, where he owns another property.

The star last week at his Portugal concert. Pic: Len Port/Algarve Newswatch

"Police have given very few details of the allegation, but I am told it is said to have happened in Sheffield.

"They do suggest that more information will be given if a suspect is arrested.

"One other thing to point out is that this isn't part of Scotland Yard's investigation into historical sex crimes - Operation Yewtree - launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

"Whether the initial allegation was made to the Metropolitan Police and passed on to South Yorkshire, that's a possibility. But this is very much a South Yorkshire Police investigation."

Sir Cliff was born Harry Webb in Lucknow, India, in 1940. His hits include Summer Holiday and The Young Ones.

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Teachers Plan 'Parent-Friendly' League Tables

Headteachers are planning to publish their own set of league tables - which they say will be fairer to schools than the present system.

The current system, the Association of School and College Leaders says, serves the Government's "political aims rather than pupils' needs".

Under plans drawn up by the ASCL and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), parents will be able to judge a school not just by qualifications but by the ethos of the school itself.

Tables will cover GCSE results, extra-curricular activities, the curriculum and other details such as class sizes and subjects. The groups say that is what parents want.

"We are educating the whole child," said the ASCL's deputy general secretary Malcolm Trobe, "not just taking them through the exams".

Final grade exams are not published in the DfE's data

He believes the Government's tables do not accurately reflect schools' actual achievements.

"For example, the league tables judge on the first entry grade, and not what is actually achieved," he said.

"So, the first grade may be a D, whereas the student's final result may be a B. It's unfair to the school not to include that."

The alternative tables will also be more concise, Mr Trobe explained.

"The DfE's tables are a myriad of columns and data which we think parents will find difficult to understand," he said.

"Ours aim to give parents the information they want in a clear and concise way they can readily understand, with the final examination grades included which, we believe, is an important piece of information that is missing at present."

Teachers believe extra-curriculum activities should be included in tables

The alternative tables are due to be published at the same time as the DfE's, in January.

NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby said the Government's data often failed to address pupils' needs.

"Schools must be accountable, but the Government's performance tables have become a sledgehammer to crack the system - too often serving political aims rather than pupils' needs and driving the wrong decisions," he said.

"This initiative will, over time, give parents stable, accurate and neutral information about schools.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "We agree that information about school performance should be freely available to parents.

"That's why we have taken steps to make our league tables clearer and, in addition to our data, all schools must publish extensive information on their website - including pupil progress."

The news of the change comes as parents and children anxiously await A level results, which are due to be published on Thursday.

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Petition To Stop Ched Evans' Sheffield Return

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

Almost 60,000 people have signed an online petition urging Sheffield United not to re-employ disgraced footballer Ched Evans.

The striker is due to be released from prison in the autumn after serving a sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman.

Campaigners say his return to Sheffield would send out a damaging message about rape. 

Speaking exclusively to Sky News his girlfriend says he should be allowed to return to professional football.

Jurors found Evans guilty following a two week trial in 2012.

The Prosecution argued that when Evans had sex with his victim in a hotel bedroom she was too drunk to consent.

His friend and fellow footballer Clayton MacDonald was cleared of the same charge, but Evans was given a five-year sentence following a unanimous guilty verdict.

He will be released in October after serving half of his term.

Alan Smith, who is a member of the Sheffield United Supporters Club executive, told Sky News that he's been given an assurance that Evans will be returning to Bramall Lane.

He believes that most fans will welcome the club's former top goal-scorer back.

"He has served his time, he has served his sentence and we would have him back. Good players like that have got to carry on playing and if not for Sheffield United it would be for someone else, and we would regret that," he said.

But Rape Crisis England and Wales say they are seriously concerned about reports of Evans' possible return.

The organisation does not usually comment on specific cases, but has made a rare exception in appealing to the Sheffield club.

Director of communications Katie Russell said: "It is of course any convicted criminal's right to serve their sentence and then go back into employment. We absolutely stand by that.

"But at the same time we would urge Sheffield United to think very carefully about the message that they send when they immediately re-employ someone who's been convicted of such a very serious crime.

"If they choose to do that, which is their right, we urge them to seriously consider the impact that will have on huge numbers of their supporters and we urge them to make a very strong statement condemning sexual violence, condemning violence against women and girls and making it clear that misogyny, sexism, violence and sexual violence in particular won't be tolerated within football."

Ched Evans' girlfriend Natasha Massey told Sky News that he is determined to clear his name and rejected the possibility of being "in denial" about his guilt.

"At the time I was devastated. I was heartbroken, but the fact that Ched got charged with this crime, that kind of took over the fact that he had cheated so I dealt with that myself," she said.

"It wasn't nice for the whole world to know what happened. My boyfriend had sex with another woman and that wasn't nice for the world to see, but I stood by Ched and still do.

"If Ched wasn't a professional footballer we wouldn't be having this conversation, because that was his job before he went to prison.

"That's part of the whole rehabilitation process when you leave the prison and you go back to work. All Ched wants to do is go back to work, do the job that he loves, play football, score goals and then just come home and have a family life."

Ched Evans' attempts to overturn his conviction have twice been rejected, but his legal team has now referred his case to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission in another effort to clear his name.

Sheffield United have refused to comment on reports that manager Nigel Clough has been to visit Evans in prison but has confirmed that the club was in contact with him "subsequent to his conviction".

Although some Blades fans at the club's Bramall Lane ground said they did not want the player back the majority - both men and women - said his return would be welcomed.

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Bank Gives Latest Signal On Rate Rise Timing

The governor of the Bank of England has said that weak wage growth will be more closely watched in relation to the timing of interest rate rises.

At a news conference to outline the Bank's quarterly Inflation Report, Mark Carney insisted that rises in bank rate - when they began - would be limited and gradual and he believed the financial markets broadly shared that timetable.

Economists and markets are expecting the first increase - from its historic low of 0.5% - either late this year or in early 2015.

A key factor in the decision-making timetable will be the public's ability to absorb interest rate rises, given current weak wage growth. 

Just an hour after it was confirmed that pay including bonuses slipped 0.2% in the second quarter compared to a year ago, the Bank announced it had slashed its forecast for wage growth in 2014 from 2.5% to a below-inflation 1.25%.

The Report signalled that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets bank rate, would place an increasing emphasis on the weak pay data in deciding when to raise interest rates.

Mr Carney refused to go further, insisting there would not be a "magic number" for wage growth that would prompt a hike.

The Bank's predictions for the wider economy were better, with UK growth figures upgraded from 3.4% to 3.5% for 2014 and unemployment was expected to drop more quickly, falling below a rate of 6% this year.

One factor supporting those who would argue for an earlier rate rise was a quicker-than-expected narrowing in the key measure of wasteful spare capacity - or slack - in the economy.

Mr Carney said it had fallen to around 1% of GDP, despite the fall in real wages, due to strong employment numbers.

He told reporters: "In light of the heightened uncertainty about the current degree of slack, the committee will be placing particular importance on the prospective paths for wages and unit labour costs."

Sterling fell more than 1.5% against the dollar in the wake of the governor's comments.

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Elderly Couple Found Shot Dead In Herefordshire

An elderly man and woman found dead at their home in Herefordshire died from gunshot wounds, police have confirmed.

The bodies of John Knott, 71, and 70-year-old Elizabeth - known as Anne - were discovered at their home in Pow Green, Ledbury, on Monday morning.

A post-mortem examination revealed each had died from a single gunshot wound.

Their family had contacted police after being unable to get hold of the couple.

Detective Inspector Richard Rees said: "Police visited their home on Monday after concerns were raised by their relatives.

"Sadly, a search of the property found them both deceased. They each had a single shotgun wound, which the post-mortems have now confirmed were the cause of death.

"A shotgun registered to Mr Knott was recovered at the scene.

"At this stage of our investigation there is no evidence of any third-party involvement and we can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings."

At the time of Mr Knott's death, he was opposing a planning application for a travellers' site near his home.

The proposal for The Willows was to change the use of the land from agriculture to "a one-family travellers' site, with stationing of one static mobile home, two touring caravans, new access, ablution block and septic tank".

Six weeks ago, Mr Knott wrote a letter to Herefordshire Council objecting to the application.

A Herefordshire Council spokeswoman said: "The planning application for The Willows near Bosbury is still going through the due process and no decision has been made at this time.

"A decision is expected by the end of the month."

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Woman Cleared Of Knickers Plot For Jihadis

A 27-year-old woman who tried to smuggle cash in her knickers on a flight to Turkey has been cleared of funding jihadists in Syria.

Nawal Msaad tried to take 20,000 euros (£15,830) in rolled-up notes on a flight from Heathrow to Istanbul in January, the Old Bailey heard.

She did it for her friend Amal El-Wahabi, 27, whose husband Aine Davis, 30, asked for the money, after leaving Britain to join jihadists in Syria last year.

The plot failed when the cash, which had been hidden inside a condom, fell out of her underwear at the departure gate.

Ms Msaad, from Holloway, north London, and El-Wahabi, from northwest London, both denied making money available with "reasonable cause to suspect that it would or may be used for the purposes of terrorism".

The jury cleared Ms Msaad but convicted El-Wahabi after deliberating for five days.

El-Wahabi is the first Briton to be convicted under terror laws of funding jihadi fighters in Syria.

She wept in the dock as the jury returned its guilty verdict, saying: "I can't breathe, no, I cant breathe."

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Panda Tian Tian Expecting, Says Edinburgh Zoo

It looks as though Tian Tian the panda is pregnant and may give birth at the end of this month, Edinburgh Zoo says.

The female half of the panda duo - Yang Guang is the male - is spending more and more time asleep, according to officials.

They have been watching her since she was artificially inseminated on April 13.

Tian Tian has a lack of appetite and is very sleepy

Iain Valentine, director of pandas, said: "The latest scientific data suggests Tian Tian the giant panda is now pregnant and that implantation has taken place; therefore, she may give birth at the end of the month.

"This is all very new and complex science and we still have a bit of time to go yet, as like last year, the late loss of a cub remains entirely possible."

The zoo's live webcam says Tian Tian is unlikely to be seen in the lead up to a possible birth.

"She is experiencing an increase in progesterone levels, which she will experience whether pregnant or pseudo pregnant, and this gives her a lack of appetite and make her very sleepy," it reports.

"If she is pregnant it is important we actively encourage her to spend as much time as possible in her off show den, where her cubbing box is, as this is the ideal area for her to give birth in."

Tian Tian, whose name means Sweetie, and Yang Guang - Sunshine - arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in 2011 on loan from China for a decade.

She was expecting last year but lost the cub late on in the pregnancy.

Pregnancy in pandas is notoriously difficult to predict so it will be known for sure only when Tian Tian gives birth.

Two colleagues from China are due to travel to Scotland within days, the zoo said.

 

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Criminal Probe Into Manchester's Police Chief

Greater Manchester Police's top officer is subject to a criminal investigation over a "poorly handled" inquiry into a suspected sex offender, the police watchdog has said.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy has been served with criminal and gross misconduct notices following investigations, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

A serving detective superintendent and a detective chief inspector have also been handed the same type of notices in relation to the investigation into the alleged sex offender.

The watchdog said a fourth officer, who is retired, will also be served with criminal and gross misconduct notices over the case.

Sir Peter, who joined the police in 1981, issued a statement, saying: "As a chief constable, you face making complex decisions on a daily basis about many high-risk and challenging situations.

"It is right that this decision-making is scrutinised and that I am held to account as part of this investigation."

One of the investigations relates to the victims of Harold Shipman

The IPCC has carried out three investigations - one was about the sexual abuse investigation, another looked into claims concerning serial killer Harold Shipman's victims and a third probed allegations against a detective chief inspector.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney has been served with a gross misconduct notice for his oversight in the disposal of body parts belonging to Shipman's victims.

It has been previously reported that tissue samples were taken from 12 of Shipman's female victims in order to confirm the cause of death.

They were stored for a number of years, but in 2011 police decided to "respectfully dispose" of the samples without letting the women's families know.

Relatives of Shipman's victims are being kept informed as the probe progresses and a major incident room has been set up, the IPCC said.

The investigation was prompted by allegations made by a whistleblower.

Investigators at the IPCC said they have a sizeable number of GMP documents which relate to all three inquires and interviewed the whistleblower.

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'Bedroom Tax' Suicide: Brother Defends Policy

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

The brother of a woman who killed herself after becoming "stressed and anxious" over the Government's so-called "bedroom tax" has defended the policy.

Kevin Owens said his sister should have moved out of the three-bedroom council house where she was living alone into a smaller property on offer and given "somebody else a chance" of a family home.

Mr Owens was speaking after the inquest into the death of his sister Stephanie Bottrill, 52, who died after walking in front of a lorry on the M6 motorway on May 4 last year.

The Birmingham coroner's court heard that the day before her death, Ms Bottrill had visited her GP with her daughter, Laura, 23, and said she was unhappy because she felt under pressure to make a decision about moving house due to social housing reforms.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has defended the policy

The former postal worker said she was "happy" to move to a smaller property but that she had been given just 30 minutes to make a decision. She felt she had not been given enough time to think it through "hence the suicide plan".

The housing changes introduced by the Government mean that those living in social housing deemed too large for their needs have to pay a "tax" on "spare" bedrooms or move to a smaller home.

Ms Bottrill's son, Steven, who was not present at the inquest, had previously told journalists that his mother had left a note saying she had killed herself because she was struggling to pay the "bedroom tax". 

But Mr Owens said after the inquest he did not think she had been given 30 minutes to make a decision and that she had attempted suicide before and on this occasion the housing changes could have been the "excuse she was looking for".

He said: "She wasn't prepared to give someone else a chance as far as I can see and for social housing to work it's a system that people need to take their turn and when it's their turn they need to pass those houses on."

The Lib Dems withdrew their support for the housing changes

He added: "When you're adequately housed by successive governments and your needs are met then you must give somebody else a turn. It's terrible that people in this country are cramped into one and two bedroom flats with children while other people sit on three bedroom houses."

The inquest was told that Ms Bottrill, of Solihull, had been suffering with stress and depression "on and off" since 1993. In 1995 she had taken an overdose. In 2010 she said she had "dark thoughts" following a dispute with a neighbour.

The coroner Zafar Siddique recorded a verdict of suicide and said it was clear from the note Ms Bottrill had left that "because of the housing changes she felt under considerable anxiety and stress".

A spokesman for Solihull Council said Ms Bottrill had contacted them about the move and that she would not have been asked to make a decision in 30 minutes.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or CALM on 0800 58 58 58.

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Three Brothers Missing After Going On Bike Ride

Police in Sunderland are trying to find three brothers who went missing on Monday afternoon.

Remus, 15, Janko, 12, and 10-year-old David Matlock were last seen on a bike ride between their home at The Oaks and Mowbray Park.

The boys were expected to return to their foster parents by 8pm on Monday evening but they did not appear, nor did they answer their mobiles.

They have not gone missing before, Northumbria Police said.

The boys are Polish, but speak good English.

Remus is described as 5ft 7in, of slim build, dark-coloured hair in a big quiff at the front and shaved at the back.

He was last seen wearing joggers, baseball cap and T-shirt and a black cycling helmet.

Janko is 4ft 8in, of medium build, with fairer hair also styled in a quiff and short at the back.

He was last seen wearing smart mustard coloured chinos, converse type trainers, blue lightweight waterproof jacket with a white zip and a silver cycling helmet

David is 4ft 8in with shaggy dark brown hair. He was possibly wearing shorts and a top and a silver coloured cycling helmet.

The boys have family members in Blyth and South Shields and police have asked anyone who knows where they are to contact police on 101 quoting log number 1276. 

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Festival Death: Woman Found Hanged In Toilet

A woman who died at a music festival was found hanged in a campsite toilet, an inquest has heard.

Lisa Marie Williamson, 31, was attending the BoomTown Fair event in Winchester, Hampshire, when she was found unconscious in a toilet by security staff and medics at 1.50pm on Saturday.

Mrs Williamson, from Bromyard, Hereford, who was at the event with her husband, was taken from the Matterley Estate to hospital in Winchester but died shortly after her arrival.

The inquest, which was adjourned, heard the cause of death was hanging, with further investigation to be carried out.

The full inquest will be held in Winchester on October 7, a Coroner's Service spokesman said.

Around 38,000 people attended the four-day festival, which featured acts including Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy and Alabama 3.

Last year Ellie Rowe, 18, from Glastonbury in Somerset, died at the BoomTown festival after taking the horse tranquilliser ketamine.

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Major Rescue As 80 Dinghy Race Vessels Capsize

A major rescue operation is under way after 80 vessels capsized in strong winds during a dinghy race in Northern Ireland.

Nearly 100 people were rescued from the water after bad weather suddenly hit and caused sailing dinghies to overturn in Strangford Lough, south of Belfast.

Thirteen rescue boats and two helicopters are at the scene looking for other people in the water.

A Maritime and Coastguard agency spokesman said: "Latest information suggests that 10 people have been injured, most showing signs of hypothermia.

"Ambulance crews are treating them on scene.

A picture of the event at Strangford Lough taken on Sunday

"It's believed that all those in the water have been accounted for.

"However rescue units on scene, including the helicopters and lifeboats, are carrying out further searches to make sure."

Bernard Roddy, from the RNLI, said weather conditions were good this morning, but heavy rain and strong winds suddenly hit the area and caused vessels to capsize.

One sailor was treated for head injuries, said a spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

She said paramedics set up tents on the side of the sea loch to assess the injured and six people were taken to Ulster Hospital.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness wrote on Twitter: "Very concerned to hear of the serious boating incident in Strangford Lough.

"My thoughts & prayers are for the safety of everyone involved."

The dinghies were taking part in the Boating World Championships GP 14 event off Killyleagh.

The loch is affected by powerful tides from the Irish Sea and is popular with watersports enthusiasts and nature lovers.

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Fugitive Drug Dealer To Be Extradited To UK

One of Britain's most wanted men is to be extradited to the UK after being arrested in South Africa.

Convicted cocaine smuggler and fraudster Martin Evans was jailed for 21 years in 2006 for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

But he went on the run three years ago when he failed to return from his day release at a Wiltshire prison.

The global drug trafficker was captured by South African authorities earlier this month in a joint operation with Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Interpol.

A mugshot of Evans

Armed officers swooped on Evans as he was getting out of his car in Johannesburg, bringing an end to an international manhunt.

Evans appeared before Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg on Monday morning and told the presiding judge he would not be opposing extradition.

The 52-year-old from Pontardulais, was once an award-winning businessman and ran a successful double-glazing firm in Port Talbot, but it collapsed.

Evans turned to fraud, cheating investors in a new ostrich farm business out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Much of the money was channelled into offshore accounts in Jersey and the Bahamas and Evans was known to have a £2m villa in Marbella, and other properties in Miami and Florida.

Shortly before his trial for fraud, Evans went on the run for the first time, to Spain and then to Holland.

The NCA said it was while he was a fugitive that he masterminded a multimillion-pound drugs and money laundering operation - supplying huge quantities of cocaine and MDMA between 1999 and 2001.

Evans was caught when he tried to use a false passport to enter the US in November 2001.

He went on the run for a second time when he was released on a temporary licence to an address in Swansea in August 2011.

NCA detectives, who alerted Interpol to his whereabouts in Johannesburg, described his recapture as "a real scalp".

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Weather Warnings As Bertha Moves Up North

Officials have ordered the evacuation of some 200 homes in Scotland as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha continue to move across the country.

The evacuation took place in parts of Elgin, Moray, as the level of the River Lossie continues to rise.

Residents will be taken to a rest centre being set up at Elgin High School, Moray Council said.

A Moray Council spokesman said afternoon hours would be "critical", given a high tide expected in the early hours of the afternoon.

Large waves batter a seawall on Brighton beach

Heavy rain across the north of Scotland saw more than 30 flood warnings issued today in areas including Aberdeenshire, Moray and Caithness.

By early this morning the town of Lossiemouth, in Moray, had recorded almost an average month's rainfall in just 12 hours, while Aberdeenshire saw gusts of 50mph.

After Wales and southern England were left drenched on Sunday, northern parts braced themselves for unpleasant conditions.

A First World War fly-past over the white cliffs of Dover involving three bi-planes escorted by modern-day Tornado GR4s to commemorate those who flew and fought in the Great War has been cancelled due to unstable winds across the Channel.

On Sunday, a taxi passenger was injured when a tree crashed into a cab during a sudden storm in Hull.

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings for England and Wales, indicating flooding is expected.

While parts of England and Wales are under Met Office warnings for rain and wind, forecasters predict it is likely to clear up as the storm continues its course.

Weather brought down trees on houses and cars in Hull

Nazaneen Ghaffar, Sky News Weather Presenter, said: "Today most of Scotland and northeast England have a yellow warning from the Met Office to be aware of the rain that will affect these areas today, as the low pressure system that gave us the wet and windy weather on Sunday is still close by in the North Sea.

"A higher amber warning has been issued for the Highland and Grampian regions, with over 100mm of rainfall possible in less than 24 hours, leading to the risk of localised flooding.

"As well as the wet weather, it'll be another breezy day for all with strong winds across Scotland, gusting up to around 60mph across eastern coasts.

"Elsewhere over the UK and Ireland there will be sunny spells today but also fairly widespread showers, some of which will be heavy and thundery.

Many areas were flooded on Sunday, including parts of Grimsby

"The rest of the week looks to remain quite unsettled with further showers sometimes merging into longer spells of rain.

"By the end of the week it should become more settled but temperatures will still remain around the average or just below."

Traffic Scotland operator manager Stein Connelly said drivers in parts of the North East and Highlands & Islands are likely to face difficult road conditions due to heavy rain.

The Met Office said people should be prepared for some disruption to transport with localised flooding likely.

It said outdoor activities will also be hazardous due to heavy rain combined with strong winds.

Police Scotland said: "There is a possibility of flooding in low-lying land, roads and to rivers which could cause delays to early morning traffic.

"Police are asking that the public allow extra time for travel and if driving, to be aware of possible flooding."

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British May Use RAF Tornados In Iraq Mission

PM Urged To Recall Parliament Over Iraq Crisis

Updated: 4:05pm UK, Monday 11 August 2014

David Cameron has been urged to recall Parliament from its summer recess to address the growing crisis in Iraq.

The world has watched images from the war-torn country in horror amid reports of the displacement and slaughter of minority Christians and Yazidis by Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in northern Iraq.

A Downing Street source told Sky News the focus is entirely on humanitarian support, with no plans to recall MPs. In recent times, a recall has only been used when military options were on the table.

"The key priority is getting support to people in desperate need," the source said.

The source added Mr Cameron, who is currently on a family summer holiday in Portugal, was "in constant contact with senior ministers and officials" via phone calls and other means.

The Prime Minister is expected to return from the seaside town of Cascais later this week.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who earlier chaired an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Iraq, ruled out any military action in Iraq "at the present time".

"We have a very clear convention about consulting Parliament before British forces are committed into any kind of combat, but we are not talking about that here, we are simply talking about humanitarian actions," he said.

"We don't envisage a combat role at the present time," he added.

The UK has been airdropping aid including tents, food and water in northern Iraq to help tens of thousands of displaced people across the region.

However, Tory backbencher Conor Burns said the Government's action of airdropping supplies in affected areas was "not strong enough" - and asserted the UK should join the US in airstrikes.

The Bournemouth West MP said he was not advocating a ground war, but believed Special Forces should be involved.

"I have been following this really closely for the last couple of weeks but having seen some of the images earlier I was quite seriously overcome," he said.

"These are brother and sister Christians, and this is happening to them in no small part because of our record in Iraq.

"These people are being beheaded by people from IS, and our only response is to drop some food or water on them.

"I think we should be answering positively requests from the Kurds to arm them. I think we should be looking at asylum."

The former head of the army, Lord Dannatt, also backed a parliamentary recall, insisting Britain was "watching in horror" as atrocities were committed.

"In the face of a crisis of this scale, with the potential for so much human misery, this is not the moment for decision-makers to be on holiday," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Lord Dannatt said it may be necessary to put UK troops on the ground to direct air support.

"The United States in the lead and us in support. We all bear some responsibility," he told the BBC.

"The breakdown in society in Iraq post-2003, we have some culpability for that and so it is difficult for us to say 'Not our problem'."

Tory MPs Nick de Bois and David Burrowes also joined the calls for Parliament to be recalled.

In a letter to Mr Cameron, they said the persecution in Iraq imposed "a moral obligation and a duty to our constituents to reconvene so that the escalating crisis can be properly debated".

The calls came as senior US officials announced the Obama administration has begun directly providing Kurdish forces with weapons to defend themselves against attacks by ISIS.

Meanwhile, it has been reported a Portsmouth man who went to Syria last October to fight with Islamic State militants has been killed.

Muhammad Hamidur Rahman, a 25-year-old former Primark supervisor, was reportedly part of a group of six jihadists from the British coastal city who went to fight President Bashar al Assad's forces.

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Second Minister In A Week Quits Foreign Office

Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds has resigned - six days after Baroness Warsi quit over the Government's stance on Gaza.

Downing Street insisted the move was not a protest over government policy in the Middle East.

Letters released between the Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness and Prime Minister David Cameron suggested his resignation was agreed at the time of last month's reshuffle.

Mr Simmonds also said he would not be standing as an MP at the next general election, in May 2015.

But the minister asked to continue to chair the UN Security Council, which took place last week.

Baroness Warsi quit the Foreign Office over Gaza last Tuesday

Number 10 also insisted the resignation was not linked to Mr Simmonds failing to take part in last year's vote on military action in Syria, saying he set out his reasons for that at the time.

Sky News Political Correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "On the face of it, there are a lot of questions to be asked about a second foreign office minister going.

"There is a lot going on that requires the Foreign Office to be acting at the moment and people would say it is quite an inexperienced team.

"They lost Baroness Warsi last week with her complaints over Gaza. Now Mr Simmonds is going, and there were other changes in the reshuffle including the Foreign Secretary.

"So, there are some questions about whether they have the wealth of experience they need.

David Cameron is currently away on a family holiday in Portugal

"Downing Street insists that they do and that Philip Hammond is doing an excellent job in his role as Foreign Secretary.

"We all want to hear from Mr Simmonds as to exactly what he does think about the current situation."

Mr Simmonds told Mr Cameron in his resignation letter it had been "a huge privilege" to serve in the PM's government and in his Lincolnshire constituency.

The junior minister also thanked the PM for allowing him to chair the UN Security Council meeting "as one of my last acts as a minister".

Mr Cameron said Mr Simmonds still had "much more to give" and had been an "incredibly loyal colleague, but also a good friend".

Tory MP James Duddridge will replace the Africa Minister at the Foreign Office.

Baroness Warsi last week attacked the Government's "approach and language" during the month-long conflict in Gaza as "morally indefensible".

She said: "I always said long after life in politics I must be able to stand by the decisions I took or the decisions I supported. By staying in Government at this time I do not feel I can be sure of that."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Senior UKIP Politician In 'Copy Hitler' Row

A senior UKIP politician has defended reports he urged young party members to "copy Hitler".

The Mail On Sunday acquired a recording of West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge telling prospective candidates to "pick up little moments" of Hitler's speaking style.

Mr Etheridge can be heard saying the Nazi leader was "a hateful figure who achieved a great deal".

The Mail carried its story under the headline: "UKIP urges its youth wing: copy Hitler."

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Etheridge called the article a "silly, unpleasant attack".

"Hitler was an evil, monstrous tyrant but that doesn't mean he wasn't good at public speaking," said the 44-year-old.

The Mail On Sunday front page

"I wish he hadn't been, but we must be able to discuss historical figures without being slurred as agreeing with them.

"I speak about Tony Blair, Dr Martin Luther King and President Ronald Reagan - all kinds of people who were great public speakers.

"I regret that the Mail should stoop so low - it's embarrassing for all of us."

The recording - which Sky News has verified - was made last week at a conference for UKIP's youth wing, Young Independents.

Mr Etheridge, who is also a Dudley councillor, is heard saying: "If you look back to the most magnetic and forceful public speaker possibly in history.

"When Hitler gave speeches, and many of the more famous ones were at rallies, at the start he walks, back and forth, looked at people - there was a silence, he waited minutes just looking out at people, fixing them with his gaze.

"And they were looking back and he would do it for a while. And then they were so desperate for him to start that when he started speaking they were hanging on his every word.

Bill Etheridge urged candidates to "pick up moments" from Hitler speeches

"Again, I'm not saying direct copy - pick up little moments."

Labour MP Mike Gapes told the Mail On Sunday: "I thought nothing could surprise me anymore, but this just goes to show that (Nigel) Farage has completely failed to clean up his party.

"One of his MEPs training young candidates to speak like Hitler? Simply unbelievable."

But UKIP said The Mail On Sunday's interpretation of the speech was "truly disgusting".

A spokesman added: "Bill Etheridge gave a seminar on public speaking and highlighted great speakers of the past, like Churchill, Blair, Martin Luther King and Hitler as people whose style, not content could be studied.

"It is no surprise that two national newspapers have covered this conference - The Guardian and The Mail on Sunday. One gave it a fair hearing, the other as a Tory paper is terrified by the rise of UKIP and apparently will stoop to nothing to attack the party. We are disappointed, but unsurprised.

"During a period of respectful and pensive commemoration of those who gave their lives in war, the Tory Mail on Sunday's tasteless and desperate front page attack is truly disgusting."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Trial On-The-Spot DNA Testing Machines

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

British police have begun trialling on-the-spot DNA testing, which could help trace serious criminals within hours, rather than days.

The Home Office has given extra funding to police in Lancashire and Nottinghamshire to begin operating the machines.

The machines are about the size of a small photocopier and can be transported to a crime scene and used in the early stages of an investigation.

The machine's developers, Key Forensic Services, claim the Rapid DNA technology will allow investigators to input samples from a crime scene into the machine themselves.

Any match to samples on the national DNA database will be found in less than two hours.

DNA technology helped police convict serial killer Steve Wright

Currently, police have to send DNA samples off to forensic laboratories and any match can take several days.

Key Forensic Services' Chief Executive Paul Hackett told Sky News: "It essentially duplicates what we currently do in three or four laboratories using a large number of people and a lot of instrumentation. 

"So the results are directly comparable with the current lab-based process, they're simply faster - just two hours."

As well as analysing any traces of DNA found at a crime scene, the machine will also allow investigators to take swabs from potential suspects.

These swabs can then be quickly compared with the DNA evidence recovered.

Senior police officers hope the technology will give detectives the means to identify a suspect much more quickly.

They hope it will prevent them from going on the run, or committing other offences before they are identified.

Vincent Tabak was matched to DNA found at Joanna Yeates' murder scene

West Midlands Chief Constable Chris Simms, the Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on forensic science, said: "The hope is that eventually this will become the dominant technology, that it's affordable, that it's reliable and we are in the position that at every single crime scene we're able to get DNA within a couple of hours. 

"I think that will then begin to revolutionise the way we investigate crime."

Developers say the portable analyser is the biggest advance in DNA profiling since the technique was introduced by the British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984.

Police first used Sir Alec's new technique in 1988 to help secure the conviction of Colin Pitchfork who raped and murdered two schoolgirls in Leicestershire.

Over the years DNA evidence has helped prosecute thousands.

It allowed detectives to connect the serial killer Steve Wright to the five women he targeted in Suffolk in 2006.

Vincent Tabak was matched to traces of DNA found at the scene of the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates in Bristol in December 2010.

But technological advances can only go so far and detectives will still have to do the leg work, according to renowned criminologist Professor David Wilson.

"Of course it's a breakthrough because of the speed, but at the end of the day even if you gather DNA results, you have to have a suspect, with which you can compare that result, so you have got to have someone who you've arrested with a view to charging," he said.

The Home Office has awarded £431,000 to help develop the faster DNA detection technique in Lancashire and Nottinghamshire. 

If successful, the technology will be rolled out to other forces.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Festival Death: Woman's Body Found In Toilet

A woman has died after she was found slumped unconscious in a toilet at a music festival by security staff and medics.

The 31-year-old was attending the BoomTown Fair event at Matterley Estate in Winchester, Hampshire, with her husband.

She was taken to hospital, where doctors tried to revive her, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Hampshire Police cordoned off the scene where she was discovered at around 1.50pm on Saturday.

The festival was being held at Matterly Estate in Winchester, Hamphire

The force said it was too early to speculate on the cause of death, adding a post-mortem examination would be conducted in due course.

The reveller's death is not believed to be suspicious at this stage.

A spokeswoman for the festival said: "BoomTown fair would like to express their sincerest condolences to the family of the young woman who was found unconscious on site.

"Our thoughts are with all her loved ones at this tragic time and the festival is doing all it can to assist those involved."

Last year, 18-year-old Ellie Rowe, from Glastonbury in Somerset, died at the festival after taking horse tranquilliser ketamine.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather Warnings As Bertha Batters Britain

The remnants of Hurricane Bertha has brought gale force winds, heavy rains and flash flooding to Britain.

The deluge landed at Cornwall in the early hours and was sweeping across the UK from the south west of the country with gusts of 45mph reported on the Isles of Scilly.

In Dorset, trees were sent crashing down by strong winds and there were reports of flooding.

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings - including three for the North Sea coast - and 34 alerts, while the Red Cross has put hundreds of volunteers on standby in response to concerns that homes in some areas will need to be evacuated.

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for much of the UK

High tides are expected around the Spa Complex in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, Harbour Road in Bridlington and parts of the North Bank of the Humber Estuary.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Heavy rain, associated with the remnants of hurricane Bertha, has already spread up across southwest England, Wales, eastern parts of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, received 21mm of rain in two hours between 4am and 6am and 15mm of rain fell in Cardiff between 6am and 7am with an area of thunderstorms now spreading across much of south Wales. 

Waves crash against the rocky coastline of Milford on Sea

"Wind gusts to around 40mph have been recorded along the south coast as the low pressure area has moved in.

"Intense thundery weather and gusty winds are now spreading into Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"As the low tracks northeast into the Midlands and northeast England the winds are likely to become stronger across much of England and Wales with 50mph gusts expected, perhaps up to 60mph in exposure, with large waves also expected along the south coast."

A woman braves the strong winds and rain in Brighton

Alister McHardy, from the Met Office, said: "Britons should brace themselves and be aware that the rainfall could bring some flooding in places. It is a quick dose of autumn in the summer."

Today's forecast means part of the RideLondon-Surrey 100 bike ride has been cancelled.

Organisers have reduced the event to 86 miles to miss out a section including Leith Hill and Box Hill, where heavy rain is predicted.

Tourists in central London battle the elements

The start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, due to get under way in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has also been postponed until Monday morning.

Hurricane Bertha has already torn through the Caribbean, with 90mph winds leaving thousands of homes without power.

Its aftermath is not as potent - but the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings telling people to "be aware" of rainfall for England, Wales and Scotland.

Brooding skies above Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. Pic: Alice Taylor

It follows flash flooding across eastern England on Friday which left more than 1,400 homes without power.

Further bad weather is expected at the start of next week.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Boxing Promoter Maloney: I'm A Woman Now

Former boxing promoter Frank Maloney - who helped Lennox Lewis become World Heavyweight Champion - has revealed he is living as a woman.

Maloney, once described as a "mental midget" by US promoter Don King, is undergoing a sex change and is now known as Kellie.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "I wasn't born into the right body. I have always known I was a woman. I can't keep living in the shadows."

Maloney guided Lennox Lewis to his World Heavyweight Championship

The 61-year-old, who announced she was ending her 30-year career in the sport in October, told the newspaper of her struggle to keep her secret in such a macho environment.

And she described how difficult it had been to tell her second wife in 2012, ending 15 years of marriage.

Maloney, who has three children, said: "What was wrong at birth is now medically corrected. I have a female brain.

"I knew I was different from the minute I could compare myself to other children. I wasn't in the right body. I was jealous of girls."

With Lewis In 1992

She said the transformation had taken place over two years and she had undergone the hormone therapy, hair removal and counselling needed ahead of corrective surgery.

Maloney said the union flag suits and the flamboyance of the life of a boxing promoter did help provide an outlet for her "feminine side" but it was not enough.

She said having to hide the urge to dress as a woman and struggling with transsexuality had triggered depression and heavy drinking.

Maloney ran as UKIP's candidate for London Mayor in 2004

Maloney, who managed Lewis from 1989 to 2001, was UKIP candidate for London Mayor in 2004 and came under fire for making homophobic comments.

She attempted to get elected as MP for Barking for the anti-European Union party in 2010.

She said she made the decision to retire last year and that she hoped the boxing world would be understanding.

"I hope society will be open minded," she said.

"I know I could have done my job in boxing as a female."

00.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather Warnings As Bertha Batters Britain

The remnants of Hurricane Bertha has brought gale force winds, heavy rains and flash flooding to Britain.

The deluge landed at Cornwall in the early hours and was sweeping across the UK from the south west of the country with gusts of 45mph reported on the Isles of Scilly.

In Dorset, trees were sent crashing down by strong winds and there were reports of flooding.

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings - including three for the North Sea coast - and 34 alerts, while the Red Cross has put hundreds of volunteers on standby in response to concerns that homes in some areas will need to be evacuated.

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for much of the UK

High tides are expected around the Spa Complex in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, Harbour Road in Bridlington and parts of the North Bank of the Humber Estuary.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Heavy rain, associated with the remnants of hurricane Bertha, has already spread up across southwest England, Wales, eastern parts of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, received 21mm of rain in two hours between 4am and 6am and 15mm of rain fell in Cardiff between 6am and 7am with an area of thunderstorms now spreading across much of south Wales. 

Waves crash against the rocky coastline of Milford on Sea

"Wind gusts to around 40mph have been recorded along the south coast as the low pressure area has moved in.

"Intense thundery weather and gusty winds are now spreading into Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"As the low tracks northeast into the Midlands and northeast England the winds are likely to become stronger across much of England and Wales with 50mph gusts expected, perhaps up to 60mph in exposure, with large waves also expected along the south coast."

A woman braves the strong winds and rain in Brighton

Alister McHardy, from the Met Office, said: "Britons should brace themselves and be aware that the rainfall could bring some flooding in places. It is a quick dose of autumn in the summer."

Today's forecast means part of the RideLondon-Surrey 100 bike ride has been cancelled.

Organisers have reduced the event to 86 miles to miss out a section including Leith Hill and Box Hill, where heavy rain is predicted.

Tourists in central London battle the elements

The start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, due to get under way in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has also been postponed until Monday morning.

Hurricane Bertha has already torn through the Caribbean, with 90mph winds leaving thousands of homes without power.

Its aftermath is not as potent - but the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings telling people to "be aware" of rainfall for England, Wales and Scotland.

Brooding skies above Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. Pic: Alice Taylor

It follows flash flooding across eastern England on Friday which left more than 1,400 homes without power.

Further bad weather is expected at the start of next week.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More