Flooding Fund: £2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

Families 'Confident' In Thai Murder Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 06 Desember 2014 | 22.12

The families of two young Britons murdered in Thailand say they are "confident" in the work being carried out to solve the "atrocious crimes".

Students David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were found dead on a beach on the holiday island of Ko Tao in September.

Two Burmese bar workers are accused of the murders, but claim they were tortured by the Thai police to secure a confession.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the allegations.

The families of Mr Miller and Ms Witheridge have issued statements thanking Metropolitan Police detectives for reviewing the case, and calling for the investigation to be allowed to take its course.

Ms Witheridge's family said: "We would like to thank the officers who travelled to Thailand to review the case and the Royal Thai Police for facilitating their visit."

They added: "We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes and want to remind both press and public that they do not have the full facts to report and make comment on at this stage.

"Our thoughts, as always, are with the Miller family. Together we stand united and focused on seeing a fair and transparent trial process to bring about justice for our beautiful children."

Mr Miller's family said: "We would like to express our relief that progress is being made in Thailand and this case is finally coming to court.

"We would like to reiterate our gratitude to the UK Metropolitan Police, who received the co-operation of the Royal Thai Police in undertaking an independent review into the investigation."

And while "support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal" they urged the public not to "jump to conclusions" and said the "suspects have a difficult case to answer".

They added: "The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing. They must respond to these charges, and their arguments must be considered with the same scrutiny as those of the prosecution.

"Please remember that this is above all a story of two wonderful young people, David and Hannah, killed in the prime of their lives in a senseless and brutal way."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victim's Family Sue Abuse Doctor's Hospital

By Emma Birchley, Sky News Reporter

The mother of boy sexually abused by his doctor is taking legal action against the hospital that employed him, claiming more should have been done to keep him safe.

The child, who is 14 now, suffers from a serious blood disorder and started visiting paediatric haematologist Dr Myles Bradbury at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge when he was eight.

"I thought he was nice to me and he helped me out if I was having trouble at school," he said.

But when he was about 10, the abuse began.

"He told me take off my trousers and take off my pants as well and told me to lie on the bed and then he said he was going to look for bruises and he touched my privates."

The boy feared what Bradbury was doing to him was not right, but decided to trust him as he was a doctor.

He estimates he was abused more than 40 times, sometimes when his parents were on the other side of the curtain.

But his mother believes a system should have been place to ensure her son was not left unsupervised with Bradbury.

She said: "I think they should have had more staff so when the doctor is in the room by themselves with the patient they should have somebody with them. I think that's where it went wrong.

"It makes me sick, angry, stressed.

"It just hurts to think about it.

"If you don't put it in the back of your mind it just haunts you and you just can't bear to see your son suffer so much."

She insists the case being brought against the hospital is not about the money, but to make sure that no other children fall victim to a predator like Bradbury.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to 25 offences involving 18 boys.

On Monday he was jailed for 22 years, prompting more families to come forward for the first time.

One mother has contacted the same firm of solicitors that is representing the 14-year-old's family, along with two other victims.

Renu Daly, from Neil Hudgell Solicitors, said: "What we are hoping to achieve is that these families get some sort of compensation to ensure sure their children are looked after in the future to get over the suffering that they have had.

"Also we would hope the trust would take heed, and other trusts, to ensure there is a policy across the board… where there is appropriate supervision."

A spokesman from Addenbrooke's said it would inappropriate to comment on any legal action at this stage, but confirmed an independent investigation into the abuse at the hospital is due to start later this month.

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Shoppers Urged To Support Small Shops Today

UK shoppers are being encouraged to "shop small" today to support Small Business Saturday, which aims to boost smaller enterprises.

The event, now in its second year, is backed by hundreds of trade organisations and more than 60 local councils are showing their support by waiving parking charges for the day.

Last year, independent businesses took £468m across the UK on the day and #SmallBizSatUK trended on Twitter all day.

Business and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: "There's never been a better time to start a business and I am proud that the Government has thrown its weight behind small business.

"This Saturday we have a first-rate opportunity to celebrate the hard working heroes of our economy and I will be shopping small throughout the day whilst visiting my family in Nottingham.

"Let's make this year's Small Business Saturday even better than the last."

To encourage the nation to get involved again this year, supporters of the initiative have been rallying the British public.

Artist Sir Peter Blake, who created the sleeve design for the Beatles' album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, created a piece of celebratory art featuring more than 60 UK shopkeepers with the tools of their trade.

Model Daisy Lowe will lend her support at an independent shop today.

She said: "I'm passionate about small, independent shops and have picked up some of my most treasured outfits from one-of-a-kind boutiques. I'm normally asked to model for big brands, but I jumped at the chance to be involved in Small Business Saturday and show my support for small, independent businesses too.

"I hope people around the country get involved and join me in shopping small."

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High Street Failing Disabled, Report Says

One in five high street stores has no disabled access, according to a government-backed audit of more than 30,000 businesses.

A study by DisabledGo also showed a third of department stores did not have an accessible toilet and only 15% of retailers had hearing loops for the partially deaf.

Researchers visited and assessed 27,000 high street shops and 3,716 restaurants in an audit backed by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Among other findings were that two in five food outlets had no accessible toilet, only 23% had menus in large print for the visually impaired and only 9% hearing loops.

Just 57 eateries, 14% of the total, listed information on accessibility on their website.

Lack of training for staff to help cater for disabled people was another shortcoming.

DisabledGo did not name any of the retail or restaurant chains visited.

Chairman Barry Stevenson said: "We are pleased that many retailers have invested significantly in improved accessibility in the last 10 years, but the majority are still not doing enough.

"It's entirely unacceptable for disabled people, their family, friends and carers not to be able to access all high street shops and facilities.

"Disabled people are not asking the earth - just that management do what's reasonable and think more about how they can help disabled customers better."

He added: "It doesn't need to cost a fortune to do the right thing - and it could be the deciding factor for disabled customers between you and a competitor."

The study estimated disabled people could spend up to £200bn this Christmas.

Minister for disabled people Mark Harper said: "Everyone deserves to be able to go Christmas shopping or enjoy a festive meal or drink with their friends or colleagues. Disabled people are no exception.

"I'm calling on the retail and hospitality industry to look at what more they can do to better cater for disabled people."

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Police Misusing Spying Powers, MPs Say

Spying laws are not fit for purpose and need to be overhauled, a group of MPs have said.

A report by the Home Affairs Select Committee said the laws have been used to spy on journalists, adding this was not acceptable and could stop whistleblowers from coming forward.

Police are failing to record the professions of individuals who have had data accessed under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), it said.

The comments come after it emerged police investigating the Chris Huhne speeding points scandal secretly obtained the phone records of a journalist and one of his sources for the story.

In another instance the Metropolitan Police used the Act to obtain The Sun's newsdesk telephone records and those of its political editor to try to identify who had leaked the so-called Plebgate story.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: "RIPA is not fit for purpose.

"Using (it) to access telephone records of journalists is wrong and this practice must cease.

"The inevitable consequence is that this deters whistleblowers from coming forward."

He went on: "The recording of information under RIPA is lamentably poor, and the whole process appears secretive and disorganised, without proper monitoring of what is being destroyed and what is being retained.

"We are concerned that the level of secrecy surrounding the use of RIPA allows investigating authorities to engage in acts which would be unacceptable in a democracy, with inadequate oversight."

The Committee has called on the Home Office to hold a consultation on an amended RIPA Code of Practice with special provisions for dealing with privileged information, such as journalistic material.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The law hasn't kept pace with advancement in technology and it needs to be proportionate.

"Access to communications data is vital to the police and intelligence agencies in their fight against terrorism, child abuse and other serious crimes.

"But it is also important that there are strong checks and balances in place to ensure this data is not used inappropriately."

Emma Carr, director of lobby group Big Brother Watch, said: "It is now abundantly clear the law is out of date... and the recording of how the powers are used is patchy at best. The public is right to expect better."

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Can 'Sophie' Uncover Stegosaurus Secrets?

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 04 Desember 2014 | 22.12

Scientists are hoping the world's most complete skeleton of a Stegosaurus can help uncover the secrets of the species.

Sophie the Stegosaurus has been welcomed into her new home - London's Natural History Museum's Earth Hall.

At 18ft long (5.6 metres) and 9.5ft tall (2.9 metres), Sophie is relatively small compared with the largest of her species which measured up to 29ft (nine metres).

She is the first complete dinosaur specimen to go on display at the Natural History Museum in nearly 100 years.

Professor Paul Barrett, the museum's chief dinosaur scientist, found Sophie while attending an international fossil fair in the US.

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Gallery: New Home For Sophie The Stegosaurus

Sophie the Stegosaurus has a new home at London's Natural History Museum

Her stunning presence dominates the Earth Hall - at 18ft long and 9.5ft tall

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22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

MPs To Debate Marine A's Murder Conviction

MPs are to debate the fate of a Royal Marine who was jailed after shooting dead an injured insurgent fighter in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Alexander Blackman, who was originally known as Marine A, was convicted of murder by a court martial in November 2013.

The insurgent had earlier been injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter.

Sgt Blackman shot his victim in the chest at close range before saying the line adapted from Shakespeare: "There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil, you ****. It's nothing you wouldn't do to us."

He then turned to two comrades who were with him at the time and said: "Obviously this doesn't go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention."

He was convicted partially on the basis of a recording of the event obtained from a helmet camera carried by one of his fellow marines.

The killing happened in 2011 in Helmand province while Blackman was serving with 42 Commando, which is normally based in Plymouth.

A government e-petition calling for Sgt Blackman's immediate release and the quashing of his conviction has now obtained more than 107,000 signatures - beyond the 100,000 required to prompt consideration for a parliamentary debate.

Conservative Oliver Colvile, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, has secured the three-hour general debate on the basis that the sergeant "defended his country from a terrorist".

Parliamentary time has been reserved for 26 January by the Backbench Business Committee.

At the point when the e-petition passed 10,000 signatures, the Service Prosecuting Authority released a statement saying: "After a public trial in front of a Court Martial, at which he was legally represented, Marine A was found guilty of murder, and two other Royal Marines were found not guilty of the offence.

"The identity of the victim does not change that verdict.

"It would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene in this independent judicial process."

During his trial, Sgt Blackman denied murder, saying he believed the victim was already dead and he was taking out his anger on a corpse.

He was given a life sentence with a minimum of 10 years by a court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire, and "dismissed with disgrace" from the Royal Marines after serving with distinction for 15 years

An attempt to get his conviction overturned at the Court Martial Appeal Court failed although his minimum term was cut to eight years because of the combat stress disorder he was suffering at the time.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vicar And Daughter Held In Baby Murder Probe

A vicar, along with his wife and daughter, are being questioned by police over the suspicious death of a baby boy.

Rev Jim Percival was arrested, together with his 28-year-old daughter, Ruth, on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.

Police say they are no longer being questioning on suspicion of sex offences.

Rev Percival's wife Susan faces questions only about the alleged concealment.

Officers have been granted an additional 30 hours to talk to them after they were held on Tuesday in Freckleton, Lancashire, where Rev Percival is the vicar of Holy Trinity CE Church.

Officers had been called to a property - thought to be the vicarage - on 25 November, in response to reports that a woman had suffered a stillbirth.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: "When police attended, the body of a newly-born baby boy was discovered at the address and an investigation was launched.

"The baby's mother, a 28-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was treated and later released.

"Following numerous inquiries, the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious. A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death is currently inconclusive."

One of their neighbours said: "They are a quiet family. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant."

The Diocese of Blackburn has confirmed it "is aware of the situation regarding Rev Jim Percival and his family" and is working "closely" with police.

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Thailand: Men Charged With Killing Britons

Two men have been charged in connection with the murders of two British tourists on an island resort in Thailand.

Saw Lin and Win Saw Htun, both 21-year-old bar workers from Burma, are accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in September.

Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao.

Post-mortem examination results showed both died from blows to the head, Ms Witheridge had been raped and Mr Miller had also drowned.

A garden hoe with Ms Witheridge's blood on it was found near the bodies and investigators say Mr Miller had been attacked with a blunt object.

Thai police were following several lines of inquiry, including "sexual jealousy" and an argument in a bar.

At one point, a cash reward of £4,000 was offered for information.

The two suspects were charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to rape, as well as robbery, by a public prosecutor at the Provincial Court on the island of Ko Samui.

Neither man appeared in court to hear the charges - they will be able to enter a plea at the next hearing, a police spokesman said.

Local police claim they have admitted the killings, but there has been international concern about the way the case has been handled by the Thai authorities.

The two men were paraded in front of cameras after apparently making confessions.

But they later withdrew them, saying they had been tortured during their interrogation - claims denied by the police.

Concerns have also been raised that the pair have been framed.

In October a petition signed by more than 100,000 people was handed in at 10 Downing Street demanding a new, independent investigation.

British detectives have flown to Thailand to assist officers there with the case.

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Tulisa Case: 'Fake Sheikh' Convictions Probed

Twenty-five criminal convictions linked to undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood are being re-examined, the CPS has said.

It follows the collapse of the case against pop singer and former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos.

The CPS says it will now contact defendants or their representatives in 25 past cases in which Mr Mahmood has been involved. They will hand over "disclosure packs" with material that may undermine those convictions.

A CPS spokesperson said: "We are providing this information to defence representatives to allow them to consider whether there is any basis for their client's case to be referred to the Court of Appeal or to the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC)."

Mr Mahmood, also known as 'The Fake Sheikh' because of an identity he assumed during several of his investigations, was suspended from The Sun On Sunday after the Contostavlos trial collapsed.

The judge in the trial said there were grounds for believing that Mr Mahmood had perjured himself.

Three live cases in which he was involved have also been dropped.

Details of the 25 historical cases that are being re-examined have not been released by the CPS, but Mr Mahmood was involved in the following cases which resulted in convictions...

:: Cricket spot-fixing. Mr Mahmood posed as an Indian businessman to expose certain members of Pakistan's cricket team taking bribes from a bookmaker.

:: John Alford drugs case. The London's Burning actor was convicted of supplying drugs to Mr Mahmood who was posing undercover.

:: Earl of Hardwicke drugs case. Joseph Yorke received a suspended two-year prison sentence for supplying cocaine after a 'Fake Sheikh' operation.

More follows...

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Lee Rigby Killers' Appeals Thrown Out

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 03 Desember 2014 | 22.12

Two men found guilty of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in May last year have been refused leave to appeal.

Michael Adebolajo's application for permission to appeal to have his conviction overturned and whole-life sentence reduced was thrown out by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas and two other judges in London.

Lord Thomas, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Openshaw, also dismissed a challenge to the minimum term of 45 years behind bars for co-accused Michael Adebowale.

The British-born Muslim converts who became Islamic fanatics ran 25-year-old Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives in a frenzied attack in Woolwich, south London.

Delivering his judgment, Lord Thomas said the killers' sentences were "just" punishment for the "horrific and barbaric" murder.

The pair had "gloried" in what they had done, he said.

Adebolajo's attempt to challenge his conviction was "misconceived" and "completely hopeless", he added.

Members of Fusilier Rigby's family gasped with relief and there were tears in court as the decision was announced.

Adebowale watched the proceedings via video link from Broadmoor.

Adebolajo had waived his right to do the same from Frankland Prison, Country Durham.

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Gallery: In Pictures: Fusilier Lee Rigby

Lee Rigby was 25 years of age and came from Manchester.

He had been on an attachment in the capital, working as a recruiter.

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Search For Missing Mother And Baby In Bristol

Police are urgently hunting for a mother and her newborn baby daughter who have gone missing from a maternity hospital.

Charlotte Bevan left Bristol Maternity Hospital between 8.30pm and 9pm last night with her four-day-old baby girl, Zarnee Teanna.

The 30-year-old did not have a coat or shoes, and is believed to have been wearing hospital slippers.

Her baby was wrapped only in blankets.

A friend has described her disappearance as "out of character". Writing on Avon and Somerset Police's Facebook page, Isaac Jack McCardle said: "I really hope they are both safe and are all reunited soon."

The baby's father, Pascal Malbrouck, has written on Facebook: "My daughter has gone missing with her mum Charlotte Bevan please if any one has got any info or has seen her please contact me."

Ms Bevan is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall and of average build with dark wavy hair.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman has appealed for anyone who sees them to call 999 immediately.

"We are concerned for both Charlotte's welfare and that of her baby, and are urging Charlotte to let us know that she and her baby are alright," the spokesman said.

"Officers have been searching the city centre throughout the night and appeals have been put out to bus drivers and taxi drivers and those travelling into work on early shifts this morning to lookout for Charlotte and her daughter."

It is believed Ms Bevan was wearing a long black top and black trousers when she disappeared from the hospital on Southwell Street.

The spokesman added Ms Bevan "may appear confused and worried".

"Her baby is inappropriately wrapped for the cold weather in blue and white striped and coloured blankets," he said.

Police have confirmed they have received several reports of sightings of Ms Bevan, including around the hospital, where an area has been cordoned off.

A University Hospitals Bristol spokeswoman said hospital staff had no reason to believe Ms Bevan was going to leave the hospital.

"Charlotte Bevan was due to be discharged from St Michael's Hospital tomorrow (Thursday, 4 December), but elected to leave yesterday for reasons unknown to us," she said.

"Charlotte was recovering from the birth of her baby, and there were no indications that she was planning to self-discharge.

"Charlotte and her baby were seen by staff at 8.30pm; when staff went to check on her at 9.05pm they found Charlotte and her baby missing and immediately sounded the alarm.

"We are working closely with other agencies to establish that Charlotte and her baby are safe."

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Russell Brand Threatens To Sue Over Rent Row

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has threatened to take legal action over a report containing claims about his housing arrangements.

The comedian and actor, who has been campaigning over the rising cost of homes in the UK, has been also been adding his voice to anti-capitalist protests.

A report in The Sun newspaper made claims in connection with the home Brand rents in London and a firm registered in the British Virgin Islands, a region considered a tax haven.

In a post directed at the paper and owner Rupert Murdoch - chairman and CEO of 21st Century Fox, which owns a 39.1% stake in Sky, parent company of Sky News - Brand wrote: "Hey... I'm gonna sue you and give the money to #NewEraEstate and JFT96."

Earlier this week, the author of the best-selling book Revolution joined hundreds of residents and supporters of the New Era estate in east London, to protest against a takeover by a US investment firm which, the residents fear, could lead to a huge hike in rents.

JFT96 stands for justice for the 96 in reference to the number of football supporters who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

Brand, 39, was caught up in a row with Channel 4 journalist Paraic O'Brien at Downing Street when the reporter asked how much Brand himself paid in rent and suggesting the housing problem was being worsened by the super-rich buying property in London.

The celebrity became agitated at the challenge and pointed his finger in the journalist's face, calling him "a snide".

During the interview, Brand told the reporter: "I'm not interested in talking to you about my rent, mate. I'm here to support a very important campaign."

When asked about the value of his home, he went on: "It's rented. We don't know the value, you would have to talk to my landlord.

"Blessedly, I can afford my rent and I'm prepared to stand up for people that can't."

Brand later discussed the interview on his YouTube news channel, likening it to a "quarrel at a jumble sale".

The comic and actor said: "I shouldn't be allowed on television. I'm so easily wound up. What does it matter to me, what have I got to lose, just from this one bloke?

"But I'm a volatile person."

He went on: "When you talk to a journalist I sort of think it's a combination of boring and really annoying, and my personality type is not well suited to that kind of environment."

O'Brien wrote on Twitter: "Is it my job to test tension between private circumstances and publicly held views of celebrities? Yes."

Westbrook Partners, the US investment firm involved in the New Era buyout, responded on Monday to claims of "social cleaning... forcing ordinary, working-class people out of London".

In a statement, the company said: "There will be no changes to their residential leases and no increases in rents during the first half of 2015."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne Announces Historic Stamp Duty Reform

Historic changes to one of the UK's "most damaging" taxes have formed the centrepiece of George Osborne's Autumn Statement.

The Chancellor said he was abolishing the "slab rate" of stamp duty - which means huge increases in tax when house values enter a new band.

In future, he said, the tax would apply progressively to the part of the property in each band, like income tax.

The new rates will see house-buyers pay 0% on the first £125,000 then 2% on the portion up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5m and 12% on anything above that.

Mr Osborne said the changes - effective from midnight - would save £4,500 on the cost of an average home and cut stamp duty for 98% of house-buyers.

He said: "It is a fair, workable, lasting reform to the taxation of housing."

The Chancellor also announced a plan to cut the cost of air travel for millions of families by abolishing air passenger duty for children under the age of 16 over the next two years.

There was a boost for motorists, with a pledge to keep fuel duty frozen.

Mr Osborne said some death taxes would be abolished - allowing savers to pass on pensions and ISAs to loved-ones tax fee.

And he promised to "revolutionise" support for post-graduate students with the introduction of government-backed student loans of up to £10,000.

The Chancellor used the statement to trumpet the Conservative-led government's economic credentials, telling Parliament: "Our long-term economic plan is working."

He said the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had revised up the British economy's growth forecast to 3% and told MPs the UK was now enjoying "more balanced" growth.

On the controversial issue of the deficit, Mr Osborne was cheered by his own MPs jeered by the opposition benches as he revealed better than expected figures.

He said the OBR's forecasts show borrowing is falling and would continue to fall until a budget surplus is achieved in 2018/19.

Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said the Chancellor's policies had left workers £1,600-a-year worse off.

He said: "For working people there is a cost-of-living crisis and that squeeze on living standards is not only hitting family budgets - it has also led to a shortfall in tax revenues."

He accused Mr Osborne of missing his targets on clearing the deficit and reducing the national debt, but not telling MPs by how much.

The Chancellor warned that in the coming years there would have to be "very substantial" spending cuts.

He vowed to claw back money from those who pay "paid too little" tax - including multinationals, who will face a 25% tax on profits generated in the UK, which are then shifted overseas.

He claimed the tax would raise £1bn over the next five years, while changes to tax rules for banks would raise another £4bn over the same period.

He said the Government's policies would mean the richest 20% paying more tax than the remaining 80% put together - which he claimed proved the Tory slogan: "We're all in this together".

There was a promise of help for small businesses - with a doubling of Small Business Rate Relief and a review of the structure of business rates.

Many of the measures announced had been trailed ahead of the speech - such as a plan to repay the national debt incurred to fight the First World War.

The Chancellor also mentioned multi-billion pound investments in road building and flood defences, which had been outlined in recent days.

And he attempted to head off criticism of the Conservatives' record on the NHS with a promise to invest £2bn-a-year in the health service and use a windfall from bank foreign exchange rate rigging fines for GP services.

He also announced Northern Ireland is set to get the power to set its own corporation tax rate to compete with Dublin.

Other measures announced included tax breaks for orchestras and children's TV companies and a £6bn investment in research facilities to boost Britain's scientific community.

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UK And World Set For Hottest Year On Record

By Isobel Lang, Sky News Weather Presenter

This year is on course to be the hottest on record both for the UK and globally, with human impact the likely cause, say experts.

The UK's mean temperature from the beginning of January to late November is 1.6C above the long-term average, making it the warmest in records dating back to 1910, according to the Met Office, although a cold December could change this.

This year is also set to be one of the warmest on record in the Central England Temperature series, which stretches back to 1659 and is the longest instrumental temperature series in the world.

Around the world, the year is set to be one of the hottest, with global temperatures around 0.57C above the long-term average of 14C from January to October, just ahead of the previous record set in 2010 of 0.56C.

If November and December follow suit, 2014 is likely to be the hottest year on record, ahead of 2010, 2005 and 1998, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said.

The Met Office has cautioned against placing too much emphasis on a single record temperature and long-term climate change.

But a new research technique indicated breaking the record is much more likely to occur as a result of human greenhouse gas emissions.

Peter Stott, head of climate attribution at the Met Office, said: "Our research shows current global average temperatures are highly unlikely in a world without human influence on the climate.

"Human influence has also made breaking the UK temperature record about 10 times more likely."

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: "More record warm temperatures in the UK and across the world are yet more evidence that we need to act urgently to prevent dangerous climate change.

"UK actions such as our doubling of renewable electricity and our stretching targets for cutting carbon are a good start but we must be frank and acknowledge there is more to do."

It has also been one of the wettest year's for the UK on record, with 1162 mm of rain between 1 January and 25 November.

Average rainfall in December would make 2014 the fourth wettest year in records dating back to 1910.

But a very wet month could still break the UK record set in 2000 of 1337 mm.

Experts say world temperatures show there is "no standstill in global warming".

WMO secretary-general Michel Jarraud said: "What we saw in 2014 is consistent with what we expect from a changing climate - record-breaking heat combined with torrential rainfall and floods destroyed livelihoods and ruined lives."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flooding Fund: Â£2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 02 Desember 2014 | 22.11

Flooding Fund: £2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

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More than 1,400 projects will receive a share of £2.3bn to protect against flooding for 300,000 homes.

But environmental group Friends of the Earth has suggested that figure is not high enough and there is still a £500m shortfall in the flood defences budget in the next parliament.

The spending includes major investment in areas including the Humber Estuary, with £80m set to be spent, and £196m for the Thames Estuary.

Ministers will also commit to spending £15.5m on flood defences in Somerset in the next six years - including £4.2m on the Somerset Levels which were hit badly by flooding last winter.

The Government has come under fire over funding for flood defences.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "We all saw the destruction and heartache caused by flooding last year and that is why this investment is vital to build up Britain's defences for the future.

"The projects we are announcing today will protect some of the country's most at risk locations ensuring that we will be as prepared as possible for future severe weather."

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Gallery: Somerset Flooding - Before & After

Before: a farm in West Yeo, near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

After: The flooded farmland in West Yeo

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Before: The village of Moorland near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

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After: Flooded properties in Moorland

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Before: Walton-On-Thames, Surrey

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But he admitted it was not new money, telling Sky News: "This is an Autumn Statement that's not a giveaway, where everything that we are doing is paid for.

"These capital allocations on the flood defences the roads...we set that out last year and that's a choice we have made within the amount of money we have available."

Officials said the six-year programme, announced ahead of the Autumn Statement on Wednesday, would help prevent more than £30bn of economic damage.

Other projects which stand to benefit include more than £17m going to Tonbridge, Yalding and surrounding communities in Kent; £73m for a barrier at Boston, Lincolnshire; £42m for the Oxford western conveyance scheme and £47m for coastal defences in Rossall, Lancashire.

Friends of the Earth (FOE) said documents from regional flood and coastal committees showed there were £1.6bn of viable projects that were not getting the go-ahead.

FOE Campaigner Guy Shrubsole said: "A year after Britain's wettest winter ever, the Chancellor's leaked flood defence plans simply don't hold water.

"Faced with rising sea levels, the Government needs to be investing far more in flood defences to protect households and prevent climate change from the outset."

Shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle said: "Communities at risk of flooding won't buy Government spin on what is simply a re-announcement of capital funding confirmed a year ago.

"This is not new money - at the beginning of this Parliament David Cameron cut the flood protection budget by over £100m a year. As a result we are playing catch up on flood defences."

:: Watch Sky News for the Chancellor's Autumn Statement live on Wednesday, 3 December, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.

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Written By Unknown on Senin, 01 Desember 2014 | 22.11

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

Former care home boss John Allen has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 11 years.

For decades Allen, 73, ran children's homes in and around Wrexham, North Wales, and routinely subjected youngsters to sexual and violent abuse.

Last week, he was convicted by a jury at Mold Crown Court of committing historical sexual offences against 18 boys and one girl, aged between seven and 15, at his residential care properties between 1968 and 1991.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Openshaw said: "There have no doubt been more prolific offenders but seldom can there be so many grave offences committed on so many victims over a long period of time, causing so much anguish and misery."

The judge said that at its height, 120 boys were sent into his care at Bryn Alyn by 14 different local authorities. The court also heard that later some girls were given accommodation.

Mr Justice Openshaw said most of those who were abused came from "dysfunctional, chaotic" backgrounds and needed care and protection.

Instead, they were abused by a "powerful man" whom one victim described "as like a god".

Many of Allen's victims who had given evidence during the trial returned to the court to see him sentenced.

In an exclusive interview last week, two of the men who were repeatedly abused in care told Sky News: "It is very significant for us all because it is a time to move on.

"I have already decided to move on, the words come easy but the actual actions will take some time," one of the men said.

The pair revealed other victims have recently come forward. "I know people who have disclosed to me recently from Bryn Alyn who will never get the platform we had," one of the men said.

"We weren't just there for ourselves the platform was for others who are sadly no longer with us because they have took their own lives, or because they just couldn't muster the physical strength to go through the process."

Allen, of Needham Market, Suffolk, was given a discretionary life sentence for seven serious sexual assaults.

He was given concurrent terms of 10 years for 23 indecent assaults and two years for an act of gross indecency with a child. Allen was cleared of two other serious sexual assaults.

The jury were unable to reach verdicts on three counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child, all of which were allowed to lie on file.

It is the second time Allen has been convicted and sentenced at Mold Crown Court, following a previous trial over "very similar" sexual offences in 1995.

Allen has also been accused of being involved in trafficking children between the homes and paedophile rings.

The National Crime Agency's Operation Pallial, which is leading the latest investigation into the North Wales care home scandal, has not found evidence of people trafficking.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

England's Road Network To Get Â£15bn Investment

England's Road Network To Get £15bn Investment

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More than 80 new road projects have been unveiled as part of a £15bn plan to improve English motorways and trunk routes over the next five years.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin called it "the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades".

The schemes include a tunnel at the notorious bottleneck on the A303 at Stonehenge - welcomed as "truly momentous" by English Heritage.

Some £1.5bn would be spent on extra lanes on some motorways under the plans.

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Gallery: Road Map: Project Locations

Some 84 new road projects have been revealed. Blue arrows indicate motorways, yellow show A-roads. Pic: Department of Transport

A map showing some of the main routes that will be improved

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Improvements to M25 junctions, the A27 in Sussex, approaches to Liverpool and the A1 in the North East are also part of the Road Investment Strategy, which was revealed ahead of the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.

David Cameron said: "We've managed the nation's finances carefully, the money is there in the budget - this will go ahead.

"It makes sense to spend money on long-term investment, things that will make our economy grow faster and spread prosperity to every part of our country."

The projects include:

:: South West - £2bn dual carriageway for entire A303 and A358, including a tunnel at Stonehenge.

:: North East - £290m dual carriageway on A1 to Ellingham.

:: North West and Yorkshire - M62 from Manchester to Leeds will have lanes increased, and increased capacity on trans-Pennine routes between Manchester and Sheffield.

:: North West - links to Port of Liverpool improved.

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Gallery: Britain's Notorious Traffic Delay Blackspots

The A4 between Aldwych and Henleys Corner in London

The M25 between junction 10 and 15, the interchange with the M4

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The M6 between junction 7 Birmingham (North) and junction 10 Wolverhampton East

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:: South East - £350m improvement to A27 to tackle congestion at Arundel, Worthing and Lewes.

:: East - £300m to put in dual carriageway sections on A47 and improved connections to A1 and A11.

:: London and South East - A third of junctions on M25 to be improved.

:: Midlands - Improvements to M42 east of Birmingham, and improved connections to Birmingham airport, National Exhibition Centre, Enterprise Zone and High Speed 2 interchange station.

There would also be £100m of funding to improve cycling provision at 200 key locations, and a £300m environmental fund to combat carbon emission and reduce noise pollution.

But Labour dismissed the plan as a "re-announcement".

"The Government has 'announced' plans for road investment at least three times since 2013 and no additional money has been announced," said shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher.

"Barely a shovel has been used in anger on our nation's highways over the last four-and-a-half years."

There has also been an accusation that two-thirds of the improvements would come in Tory or Lib Dem areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg denied the locations had been selected for "short-term political reasons" and pointed to plans across Labour strongholds in the Pennines.

He told Sky News: "You don't make decisions like this based on a political map, you make these decisions based on the economic map and the geographic layout of our county to make sure that all parts of our country are properly linked."

Motoring groups welcomed the proposals.

AA president Edmund King said: "We can no longer ignore the inadequate resources going into the mainstay of the UK transport system - our roads - which carry 86% of passenger journeys and more than 90% of freight.

"At long last the Government has recognised that we need a long-term coherent plan for our roads."

While also welcoming the plans, the RAC said the number of road users would leap from 36 million to 43 million over the next 20 years if current trends persist.

Its director, Professor Stephen Glaister, said the country faced "massive challenges in unclogging our urban areas".

Friends of the Earth believes the Government's road plan will make the problem worse, not better.

"Once again UK transport policy is heading in the wrong direction," said senior campaigner Jane Thomas.

"Tackling congestion by building or widening roads was discredited decades ago.

"Investment in transport is urgently needed, but the priority must be better trains, buses and cycling facilities, not an expensive road-building programme that will cause more traffic and air pollution and make it harder to tackle climate change."

:: Watch Sky News for the Chancellor's Autumn Statement live on Wednesday, 3 December, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.

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