Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 17 Januari 2015 | 22.11
Fears are growing for a student who went missing after a night out with friends in Durham two days ago.
Euan Coulthard, 19, has not been seen since the early hours of Thursday and friends say he has not responded to emails, texts or online messages.
Shopkeepers in Durham have put up posters and fellow students have joined searches for the popular student, who comes from Nottingham.
Police have been searching the banks of the River Wear and mountain rescue experts have also been involved in checks of steep wooded areas.
Mr Coulthard is a member of Durham University's St Mary's College and was out on Wednesday evening, celebrating a friend's 21st birthday at an Italian restaurant.
He went to the Love Shack nightclub and was seen leaving alone. He was last spotted on CCTV crossing Framwellgate Bridge.
Mr Coulthard is 5ft 9ins tall, of average build, with light brown hair. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a denim jacket and a beige patterned shirt.
Chief Inspector Sue Robinson said: "For the first two days of the search the river was one metre higher than normal and fast running.
"At the first possible opportunity to enter the water and to search we have. I have every hope that he will be found."
A man has appeared in court charged over a series of arson attacks in South Oxfordshire.
Andrew Main, 47, of Roke Marsh Farm, Roke, Wallingford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The charges relate to fires in Crowmarsh Gifford and Roke Marsh Farm in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The South Oxfordshire Council offices, a funeral parlour and a thatched cottage were targeted, along with a building at the farm.
Twenty-seven fire crews were sent to the infernos - all reported within less than 10 minutes of each other, just after 3am.
A witness described seeing a burnt-out car in the foyer of the council headquarters, while aerial images show a collapsed section of roof on the charred remains of the building.
An army bomb disposal team was also dispatched amid fears of unexploded gas canisters at one of the sites.
Main, who appeared at the short hearing wearing a plain grey tracksuit, nodded when asked if his personal details were correct.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on January 30.
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Video:Latest Sky News Weather Forecast
Travel disruption looks set to continue as warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice have been issued for large swathes of the UK.
The mercury will drop below freezing across much of the UK later, down to a low of -9C (16F) in the Scottish glens and -5C (23F) in southern England this weekend.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "Widespread sharp frosts will form each night over the weekend and early next week, with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
"There will be further wintry showers, with rain and hail at low levels, sleet and snow over the higher ground.
The level three severe cold weather alert issued by the Met Office
"The higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England can expect a further 2-5 cm (up to two inches), with perhaps a slight covering at lower levels."
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground.
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Gallery: Snow And Ice Hit Parts Of UK
Snow and icy conditions are hitting many parts of the UK - and temperatures are set to plunge well below zero in many areas.
These pictures were taken in Cumbria, one of the areas hit by snowfall
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Northern England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to get up to two inches of snow this weekend
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Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground
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Dr Angie Bone, of Public Health England's extreme events team, urged people to help vulnerable relatives and friends keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
"Our advice is that when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over."
Age UK urged older people to "take basic precautions" and called on the Government to "commit to improving the energy efficiency of homes across the country" in a bid to end preventable winter deaths.
Heavy snow has already caused disruption on roads, rail and at airports, and police have warned motorists to only to travel if necessary.
In Scotland on Friday, snow up to 5ft deep in parts left drivers stranded overnight on the A9 route to the Highlands.
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
Trains were cancelled between Perth and Inverness and there were delays at Glasgow Airport.
A van driver died when a tree fell on top of his vehicle in Co Antrim and a three-year-old child and an elderly woman were among three injured when a pallet was blown from a lorry in east Belfast during strong winds.
Winds of 101mph were reported in Great Dunsell, Cumbria - the highest in the UK - while other exposed areas also saw speeds of above 70mph.
The strong winds caused disruption on railways in Kent and Birmingham, and part of Glasgow city centre was closed off after metal sheeting fell from the roof of a hotel.
:: Send your cold snap pictures and video to news@sky.com
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We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Latest Sky News Weather Forecast
Travel disruption looks set to continue as warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice have been issued for large swathes of the UK.
The mercury will drop below freezing across much of the UK later, down to a low of -9C (16F) in the Scottish glens and -5C (23F) in southern England this weekend.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "Widespread sharp frosts will form each night over the weekend and early next week, with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
"There will be further wintry showers, with rain and hail at low levels, sleet and snow over the higher ground.
The level three severe cold weather alert issued by the Met Office
"The higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England can expect a further 2-5 cm (up to two inches), with perhaps a slight covering at lower levels."
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground.
1/7
Gallery: Snow And Ice Hit Parts Of UK
Snow and icy conditions are hitting many parts of the UK - and temperatures are set to plunge well below zero in many areas.
These pictures were taken in Cumbria, one of the areas hit by snowfall
]]>
Northern England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to get up to two inches of snow this weekend
]]>
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground
]]>
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Dr Angie Bone, of Public Health England's extreme events team, urged people to help vulnerable relatives and friends keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
"Our advice is that when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over."
Age UK urged older people to "take basic precautions" and called on the Government to "commit to improving the energy efficiency of homes across the country" in a bid to end preventable winter deaths.
Heavy snow has already caused disruption on roads, rail and at airports, and police have warned motorists to only to travel if necessary.
In Scotland on Friday, snow up to 5ft deep in parts left drivers stranded overnight on the A9 route to the Highlands.
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
Trains were cancelled between Perth and Inverness and there were delays at Glasgow Airport.
A van driver died when a tree fell on top of his vehicle in Co Antrim and a three-year-old child and an elderly woman were among three injured when a pallet was blown from a lorry in east Belfast during strong winds.
Winds of 101mph were reported in Great Dunsell, Cumbria - the highest in the UK - while other exposed areas also saw speeds of above 70mph.
The strong winds caused disruption on railways in Kent and Birmingham, and part of Glasgow city centre was closed off after metal sheeting fell from the roof of a hotel.
:: Send your cold snap pictures and video to news@sky.com
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Breaking News: Eurostar Cancels All Trains After 'Lorry Fire'
The head of the EU's police agency Europol says there are no guarantees that another Paris-style terror attack can be prevented despite increased security measures.
Rob Wainwright told Sky News that it has become "extremely difficult" to deal with the threat posed by Islamist extremists.
It comes as David Cameron vowed to tackle what he called the "poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is turning too many young minds".
Europol's boss Rob Wainwright speaking to Sky News
He was speaking following two days of talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington where they said a new group would be set up to exchange information and expertise to tackle the terror threat.
There are fears about the spread of terrorism after last week's Paris attacks that left 17 people dead and the arrest of more than two dozen people in anti-terror raids in Belgium, Germany and France.
Video:'Important Discussions' On Terror
Mr Wainwright admitted that stopping every potential attack was "very difficult" but vowed to "prevail" and said there was a determined action by police to disrupt cells.
He said: "Even in countries like France that have some of the most well-equipped counter-terrorist capabilities in the world, still it is possible for terrorist attacks to take place.
"This means that stopping everything is very difficult. Containing the threat fully is very difficult but I'm sure we will prevail in the same way as societies have prevailed against other forms of terrorism in the past."
Video:Cameron And Obama On Terror Threat
The Prime Minister wants to be able to better track suspected terrorists without undermining civil liberties and admitted there was an inability to interrupt their communications.
He pushed for tougher requirements for internet firms to alert authorities to suspicious online exchanges, ban encrypted communications and store data.
A report last year into the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby concluded that Facebook failed to pass on information that could have prevented his death.
Video:PM: No 'Safe Space' For Terrorists
Mr Wainwright said the terror threat was "very serious" and a "large-scale problem" across many European countries and there could be thousands of suspects radicalised online and through their experiences in Syria and Iraq.
The PM said dealing with extremism meant combating the threat in those conflict zones but also "dealing with terrorism in our own midst".
He said he had some "important discussions [with Obama] about how we combat the poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is turning too many young minds towards this.
Video:Rabbi: Jewish Exodus In Paris
"And crucially how to make sure that we are still able legally to intercept the communications of terrorists and stop them before they create mayhem and murder.
"This is controversial. We have to get it right. There's always been an inability in extremism to interrupt the communications of terrorists and to stop them doing what they plan.
"I think it's important we maintain those capabilities in the future."
Video:Online Intelligence Snooping Fears
The Prime Minister's policy proposals have caused concern on both sides of the Atlantic about the prospect of security efforts encroaching on privacy.
The two leaders also agreed to stage cyber "war games" and establish a joint "cyber cell" to boost both countries' resistance to hack attacks.
All Eurostar trains have been cancelled for the rest of the day after a reported fire in the Channel Tunnel.
Passengers are facing hours of delays after Eurostar said smoke had been detected in the north tunnel and services were suspended in both directions.
The company, which runs passenger services linking St Pancras in London with Paris and Brussels, said all trains were returning to their original stations and the tunnel was closed.
Kent Police said there had been a lorry fire at the French end of the tunnel.
Information board shows cancelled trains at Gare du Nord station
However, a spokesman for Eurotunnel, which runs car and freight services between Folkestone and Calais in France, said there was not a truck fire but a carbon dioxide alarm had gone off.
The firm tweeted: "Passenger and freight services are currently suspended in both directions.
Video:Passengers Hit By Eurostar Alert
"CO2 detectors have been activated in one tunnel; we are currently awaiting feedback from teams in Tunnel."
No-one was believed to be hurt in the incident that was being dealt with by French authorities.
A Kent Police spokesman said: "A lorry fire has led to the closure of both bores of the Channel Tunnel.
"The fire was at the French end of the tunnel and is being dealt with by the French authorities. There are no reported injuries.
"However, rail passengers are advised to expect significant delays whilst the vehicle is being recovered and fumes are cleared from the tunnels."
A warning to customers on the Eurostar website said: "We are sorry but we are unable to run any further trains today because Eurotunnel has been closed due to smoke detected in the north tunnel.
"If you were planning to travel today, we advise you to postpone your journey and not to come to the station."
In March, hundreds of Eurostar passengers were delayed after a lightning strike triggered a fire in a building close to the entrance to the tunnel in Kent.
Although there was no damage to the track, four trains in and out of England were affected.
Three eventually reached their destination but the fourth, which had been heading to Paris, was forced to turn back to London.
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 16 Januari 2015 | 22.11
The Met Office has issued a level three cold weather alert for much of the UK, with warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice.
Amber watch levels are in place for northeast and northwest England, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber as temperatures are set to fall to as low as -8C from Friday into the weekend.
"Be aware" warnings for ice and snow are also in place across Wales, the West Midlands, northwest, and west and northwest Scotland.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "It will turn much colder across the UK and Ireland over the next few days, with the return of widespread sharp frosts by night.
"Temperatures over the snowfields in Scotland will fall to lows of -8C (18F), whilst southern England and Wales will see lows of -4C (25F).
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
"There'll be a widespread frost each night, with icy stretches forming on untreated surfaces.
"Most places will also see a drop in day-time temperatures, with parts of Scotland remaining sub-zero over the weekend and into the first part of next week.
"Monday looks to be the coldest day, with temperatures struggling to get much above 2C (36F) and winds making it feel even colder.
"The cold weather will be accompanied by wintry showers, bringing the risk of hail, sleet and snow just about anywhere over the next few days, although coastal areas will mostly see rain."
Dr Angie Bone of Public Health England's extreme events team urged people to help vulnerable family and friends to keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
Cameras have been allowed to film inside the top-secret Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) for the first time.
Supervised filming was allowed in the organisation's 24-hour operation centre, which monitors events around the globe.
The access was granted as David Cameron pushes to give agencies such as GCHQ access to encrypted communications.
Allowing outsiders into Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is an incredibly rare occurrence.
Outsiders are very rarely allowed past the building's tight security
So much so that signs are put up around the building warning staff against having sensitive conversations in the visitors' vicinity.
The organisation is responsible for signals intelligence - the gathering of intercepted communications and electronic signals.
The data gathered by the golf ball-shaped monitoring stations at some RAF airbases is sent to GCHQ where it is decrypted and analysed.
There are also thought to be intercepts on data cables in and out of the country.
At first glance, GCHQ looks like a typical office complex.
But the building itself is an imposing doughnut-shape ringed by razor wire-topped fences.
The main circular internal corridor is known as "the street" - it's an airy thoroughfare filled with busy workers.
It reflects the scale of the operation - GCHQ is Cheltenham's biggest employer.
Offices close to the inner circle look out onto the circular garden in the centre of the structure.
The enclosed outdoor space is deliberate – it's thought the design limits how much sound from conversations can carry upwards towards any spy satellites above.
Inside the doughnut, there's a small museum housing the first Enigma decoding machine, which cracked German codes during the Second World War.
Also on display are the notes on JRR Tolkien's application to join the Bletchley Park codebreakers.
GCHQ was established after the First World War and its very existence was not acknowledged until the 1980s.
In 2013, National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that it collects all online and telephone data in the UK under a programme known as Tempora.
A former owner of a painting has lost a High Court battle in a dispute over whether it was by the hand of the Italian artist Caravaggio.
Lancelot William Thwaytes, whose family acquired the work known as The Cardsharps in 1962, sued auction house Sotheby's alleging he was given negligent advice.
Mr Thwaytes, who inherited the painting from his art collector cousin, sold it through Sotheby's for a hammer price of £42,000 in December 2006 after it was catalogued as the work of a "follower" of Caravaggio.
The painting was bought by Mrs Orietta Adam, the partner of renowned scholar Sir Denis Mahon.
On 10 November, 2007 - at his 97th birthday party - Sir Denis declared his belief that the old master had created the work himself in about 1595 and valued it at £10m.
Following his death, it went on loan to the Museum of the Order of St John at Clerkenwell, London, and is currently insured for £10m.
The painting shows a young, privileged man falling victim to a pair of cheats during a game of cards
Caravaggio was born in Milan
Lawyers for Mr Thwaytes argued at a hearing last October that Mr Thwaytes had sought Sotheby's full advice and wanted "certainty" about the nature of the painting before putting it up for sale, but the advice he was given was "negligent".
They accused Sotheby's of not consulting enough top experts or sufficiently testing the painting before the sale.
But Mrs Justice Rose, sitting in London, ruled there had been no negligence by Sotheby's, which disputed the claim that the work was by Caravaggio.
The judge ruled Sotheby's experts had reasonably come to the view that the quality of the painting "was not sufficiently high to indicate that it might be by Caravaggio".
Sotheby's countered that many leading art specialists did not believe the work was by the Milan-born artist and it would never have sold for the millions suggested by those supporting Mr Thwaytes.
It was also the unanimous opinion of specialists in the auction house's own old masters painting (OMP) department that it was an anonymous copy of Caravaggio's Cardsharps displayed in the Kimbell Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, which was universally acknowledged to be by the old master.
Today the judge ruled the auction house had been entitled to rely on "the connoisseurship and expertise of their specialists in the OMP department in assessing the quality of the painting."
The judge said they were highly qualified and examined the painting thoroughly.
A former children's home manager has been found dead weeks before he was due to stand trial over alleged historical sex abuse.
John Stingemore, 72, was found at his home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on Wednesday afternoon.
Police called to the property following concern about his health found him collapsed and he was declared dead at the scene.
Sussex Police said the death was not suspicious.
A post-mortem examination has yet to take place and the case has been passed to the coroner.
Stingemore was due to stand trial next month at Southwark Crown Court charged with a string of indecent assaults on children.
The charges came following an investigation into alleged abuse at Grafton Close Children's Home in Hounslow, west London.
The home is at the centre of Operation Fernbridge, a Met police probe launched last year into an alleged VIP paedophile ring operating out of the Elm Guest House in Barnes, south London.
A teenager has been arrested in Merseyside following cyberattacks on Sony PlayStation and Xbox systems last year.
The 18-year-old was held in Southport after a joint British and FBI-led operation on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material.
He was also detained for alleged threats to kill, the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) said.
It was unclear whether the arrest related to the Christmas Day attack on Xbox and Sony which left millions of users offline.
Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, the national policing lead for cyber security at the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said it was a "significant" arrest.
He said: "This arrest demonstrates that we will pursue those who commit crime with the false perception they are protected within their own homes or hiding behind anonymous online personas."
Investigators, supported by the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU), said the operation also focused on alleged "swatting" offences.
Swatting involves individuals giving hoax information online to law enforcement agencies in the US.
The information suggests a threat exists so police respond with tactical units.
Electronic and digital devices were seized by officers who arrested the teenager in Boundary Street, Southport.
Craig Jones, head of the cyber crime unit at SEROCU, said: "We are pursuing cyber criminals using the latest technology and working with businesses and academia to further develop specialist investigative capabilities to protect and reduce the risk to the public.
"Cyber crime is an issue which has no boundaries and affects people on a local, regional and global level."
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 15 Januari 2015 | 22.11
Five British actors have been nominated for Oscars - along with the films The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything.
The eight films shortlisted for best picture are: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory Of Everything and Whiplash.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne are the Brits battling it out for best actor - they ae up against Steve Carell for Foxcatcher, Bradley Cooper in American Sniper and Michael Keaton in Birdman.
Cumberbatch starred in The Imitation Game, while Redmayne took on the role of Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Fellow British star David Oyelowo was snubbed for his role as Martin Luther King Jr in Selma.
Redmayne told Sky News the nomination was "amazing, amazing".
Video:British Talent Oscar Contenders
"You know as you can imagine, it's our job as actors to tell interesting stories about interesting people.
"They don't come more extraordinary than Stephen Hawking," he said.
Cumberbatch said: "I am knocked for six by this. So excited and honoured to receive this recognition.
Overall, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Birdman lead the nominations with nine each.
The nominees for best actress include Brits Rosamund Pike for Gone Girl and Felicity Jones for The Theory of Everything.
Also nominated are Marion Cotillard, Julianne Moore and Reese Witherspoon. Jennifer Aniston missed out on a nomination for her role in Cake.
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Gallery: Who's In The Running For An Oscar?
Steve Carell transformed himself for Foxcatcher and has been recognised for his performance
Eddie Redmayne is nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything
BP has cut 300 North Sea oil jobs as its looks to save costs amid the plunging cost of oil.
Of those to be laid off, 200 are BP workers with the others affected in contractor roles.
BP briefed workers in Aberdeen today on its plans, which it had previously said would result in $1bn (£630m) of restructuring costs this year.
BP is keen to ensure its business in the North Sea remains competitive and sustainable for the long term as Brent crude costs hover below $50 per barrel - down from $115 last June.
Trevor Garlick, regional president for BP North Sea, said: "We are committed to the North Sea and see a long- term future for our business here.
Video:19 Dec 2014: Oil City Price Fears
"However, given the well-documented challenges of operating in this maturing region and in toughening market conditions, we are taking specific steps to ensure our business remains competitive and robust, and we are aligning with the wider industry.
"Whilst our primary focus will be on improving efficiencies and on simplifying the way we work, an inevitable outcome of this will be an impact on headcount and we expect a reduction of around 200 staff and 100 contractor roles.
"We have spoken to staff and will work with those affected over the coming months."
It made its announcement 24 hours after the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, warned that falling oil prices represented a "negative shock" for the Scottish economy - but a "net positive" for the UK as a whole, given benefits for consumers.
The North Sea oil and gas sector employs over 400,000 people.
Holyrood's energy minister has called for UK Government action, saying the employment threat had produced the "the most serious jobs situation Scotland has faced in living memory."
The energy secretary Ed Davey said: "The recent sharp reductions in oil prices are very challenging for companies active in the North Sea and that's why I'm here in Aberdeen today to meet with industry leaders to address the challenges the North Sea industry faces both in the short and longer term as a matter of priority.
"The threat to jobs has been brought home by the news from BP today. We have great sympathy with all those directly affected.
"BP is a significant investor and employer in the North Sea and the UK Government recognises the importance of the North Sea sector, both in terms of thousands of Scottish jobs it supports and its overall benefit to the whole UK economy."
In addition to the cuts at BP, Shell and Tullow Oil have been among other oil firms scaling back their investments worldwide.
Video:Why BP IS Cutting UK Jobs
Tullow, which has a focus on Africa, reported on Wednesday that its gross annual profits were expected to fall by more than half on 2013, it was taking a writedown of $600m due to asset revisions and cutting 2015 investment by $200m.
It also raised the prospect of major job losses - warning that: "A major internal review of Tullow's organisation is ongoing which will lead to substantial long-term cost savings and efficiencies across the group."
Tullow added that it expected to announce the details at its full-year results on 11 February.
Its share price rose 3.2% in early trading when markets opened for business on Thursday while BP saw a 2.3% boost.
Mining and energy stocks generally recovered some ground following sharp falls on Wednesday.
Unions however warned of the potential for long-term damage to the country's energy capacity as a result of falling investment.
The RMT claimed tens of thousands of jobs were at stake.
Its general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "In the wake of the current price slump, RMT is demanding that Westminster and the Scottish Parliament adopt a crisis management approach to ensure sustained production, maintenance of infrastructure, retention of skills, and a robustly regulated regime in the future.
"If immediate action isn't taken then we risk turning today's crisis into longer term damage that would threaten the very core of our offshore industry.
"This is no time for playing politics when the security of UK energy supplies is on the line."
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Video:Sky News UK Weather Update
Hundred-mile-an-hour winds and heavy snow have brought misery to people travelling around the country.
The Environment Agency issued 149 flood alerts and 32 flood warnings across England and Wales, while 21 flood warnings and seven flood alerts were in place north of the border.
Operation stack on the M20 for lorries hoping to cross the Channel
Some drivers on the A9 in Scotland were stranded overnight after snow gates from Blair Atholl to Ralia were closed - the traffic began to move again by convoy at around 10am.
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Louise Blakelock said: "The conditions have been extremely difficult and agencies are working to clear the route as safely and quickly as possible.
Video:Snow Stops Vehicles On A9
"It was necessary to close the road due to the extreme weather conditions to ensure the safety of motorists and also allow the workforce to safely clear the route."
In England, high winds and heavy rain all along the south coast of England caused significant delays for rail travellers on lines operated by South West Trains and South Eastern Trains, with trees and flooding blocking the tracks.
Ferry crossings at the Port of Dover have also been subject to delays because of the weather, with Kent Police implementing emergency measures to back up freight traffic along the M20 near Dover in anticipation of reduced capacity at the port.
Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "West to southwesterly winds will increase this afternoon and evening over the Irish Sea into Wales and northern England with squally gusts making driving dangerous over higher routes.
"As the low pushes away northeastwards later there will also be gale force northwest winds spreading across northern Scotland, and for a time it will also be very windy along the north coast of Ireland.
1/36
Gallery: Amber Alert For Snow In Britain
Snow on the A9 near Dunkeld in Scotland
A dusting of snow on the South Pennines
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Snow on the Northumberland border, as more winter weather swept across the UK bringing disruption to rush-hour traffic
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A gritter in heavy snow near Allendale, Northumberland
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The view from Defynnog after heavy snow in the Brecon Beacons National Park, south Wales
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A Met Office "be aware" weather warning for rain and strong winds is in place for the whole of England, Wales, Ireland and central and southern Scotland.
Thousands of homes were left without power in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, with the gale force winds and heavy rain coming during a week of severe weather in the principality, which has included snow, giant hailstones and a tornado.
Drivers around the UK are being urged to prepare for bad weather in the coming days.
Darron Burness, from the AA's severe weather team, said: "The reality is that while you can have your car completely prepared for winter, you can't control what goes on around you.
"If there's an accident ahead or a lorry jack-knifes, you're probably not going anywhere in a hurry, so you need to be prepared for that.
1/18
Gallery: Twin Snow Showers Bring Disruption To Parts Of UK
Snowy roads in Ebbw Vale, South Wales. Pic: Elizabeth Sullivan
A snowman in Caithness. Pic: Brian Milligan
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"Likewise, if you break down in a vulnerable location, say on the hard shoulder or blind bend, it's too dangerous to stay in the vehicle, regardless of the weather.
"If you're just wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as our patrols have seen this week, you're going to have a cold wait."
He added: "Flooding could be an issue as the snow gives way to rain. If in any doubt, don't risk crossing a flooded road or ford - just turn round and find an alternative route."
The new weather system is being triggered by the Atlantic cyclone dubbed Storm Rachel.
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100mph Winds And Snow Wreak Havoc Across UK
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Video:Sky News UK Weather Update
Hundred-mile-an-hour winds and heavy snow have brought misery to people travelling around the country.
The Environment Agency issued 149 flood alerts and 32 flood warnings across England and Wales, while 21 flood warnings and seven flood alerts were in place north of the border.
Operation stack on the M20 for lorries hoping to cross the Channel
Some drivers on the A9 in Scotland were stranded overnight after snow gates from Blair Atholl to Ralia were closed - the traffic began to move again by convoy at around 10am.
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Louise Blakelock said: "The conditions have been extremely difficult and agencies are working to clear the route as safely and quickly as possible.
Video:Snow Stops Vehicles On A9
"It was necessary to close the road due to the extreme weather conditions to ensure the safety of motorists and also allow the workforce to safely clear the route."
In England, high winds and heavy rain all along the south coast of England caused significant delays for rail travellers on lines operated by South West Trains and South Eastern Trains, with trees and flooding blocking the tracks.
Ferry crossings at the Port of Dover have also been subject to delays because of the weather, with Kent Police implementing emergency measures to back up freight traffic along the M20 near Dover in anticipation of reduced capacity at the port.
Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "West to southwesterly winds will increase this afternoon and evening over the Irish Sea into Wales and northern England with squally gusts making driving dangerous over higher routes.
"As the low pushes away northeastwards later there will also be gale force northwest winds spreading across northern Scotland, and for a time it will also be very windy along the north coast of Ireland.
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Gallery: Amber Alert For Snow In Britain
Snow on the A9 near Dunkeld in Scotland
A dusting of snow on the South Pennines
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Snow on the Northumberland border, as more winter weather swept across the UK bringing disruption to rush-hour traffic
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A gritter in heavy snow near Allendale, Northumberland
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The view from Defynnog after heavy snow in the Brecon Beacons National Park, south Wales
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A Met Office "be aware" weather warning for rain and strong winds is in place for the whole of England, Wales, Ireland and central and southern Scotland.
Thousands of homes were left without power in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, with the gale force winds and heavy rain coming during a week of severe weather in the principality, which has included snow, giant hailstones and a tornado.
Drivers around the UK are being urged to prepare for bad weather in the coming days.
Darron Burness, from the AA's severe weather team, said: "The reality is that while you can have your car completely prepared for winter, you can't control what goes on around you.
"If there's an accident ahead or a lorry jack-knifes, you're probably not going anywhere in a hurry, so you need to be prepared for that.
1/18
Gallery: Twin Snow Showers Bring Disruption To Parts Of UK
Snowy roads in Ebbw Vale, South Wales. Pic: Elizabeth Sullivan
A snowman in Caithness. Pic: Brian Milligan
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"Likewise, if you break down in a vulnerable location, say on the hard shoulder or blind bend, it's too dangerous to stay in the vehicle, regardless of the weather.
"If you're just wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as our patrols have seen this week, you're going to have a cold wait."
He added: "Flooding could be an issue as the snow gives way to rain. If in any doubt, don't risk crossing a flooded road or ford - just turn round and find an alternative route."
The new weather system is being triggered by the Atlantic cyclone dubbed Storm Rachel.
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Assault charges against West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison have been dropped at Manchester Crown Court after CCTV proved the central allegation was false.
The 21-year-old, currently with West Ham United, was accused of hitting Reah Mansoor, 19, and her mother Parveen, 39, after a night out at a Manchester nightclub last July.
A trial was due to take place later this month but the charges were dropped on Thursday and Morrison - who was not in court - was found not guilty.
Prosecutor Guy Mathieson said Morrison's defence team had recovered CCTV footage of the first alleged assault outside the One Central nightclub.
The footage showed that Morrison had not hit his ex, as was alleged, and she had "slumped" to the floor on her own.
She also withdrew her statement alleging he later assaulted her outside her home. Her mother was also reluctant to proceed with the alleged assault on her, the court heard.
Hundreds of firefighters have been tackling three major blazes in South Oxfordshire, as police arrested a man on suspicion of arson.
The 47-year-old is being held in connection with the fires, including one that has devastated the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council offices.
Twenty-seven fire crews were sent to separate infernos at a thatched home in Rokemarsh and a funeral parlour and the council offices in nearby village Crowmarsh Gifford - all reported within less than 10 minutes of each other, just after 3am.
A bomb disposal officer at the council offices
A witness described seeing a burnt-out car in the foyer of the council headquarters, while aerial images show a collapsed section of roof on the charred remains of the building.
An army bomb disposal team is on the scene amid fears over unexploded gas canisters at the site.
Video:Council Office Fire From The Air
Howard Chadwick Funeral Service and the council offices are next to each other in Benson Lane and the funeral director suggested the blazes had been started deliberately.
Neil Cox, 73, told the Oxford Mail: "I live right next to the funeral home and at about 3.15am I heard a noise so I came out and saw a car drive away quickly, down into the council building.
"The offices of the funeral home were on fire, so I phoned the owner, Howard, called the fire service and we tried putting it out with fire extinguishers.
"My understanding is they broke the window in the front door, popped the cap off a gas canister and threw a match in there."
Mr Cox's son and co-owner of the funeral home, Alistair Cox, said: "I think it's a case of mistaken identity, they probably thought the home was a gatehouse to the council. I've got no idea why they set fire to the council building."
Video:Thatched Cottage Up In Flames
Another co-owner, Sandra Chadwick, told the Oxford Mail "no funerals have been cancelled and no bodies of the deceased have been damaged" as a result of the fires.
Thames Valley Police that it was "believed that a vehicle collided with" the council offices before the fire started there.
"At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and are believed to be suspicious," the force said.
"This is being investigated as a criminal act and is not thought linked to any terrorist activity. There are cordons in place at all three scenes and residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
"Nobody is reported injured as a result of these fires, however following the fires the structures of the buildings are being examined.
Video:First Pictures Of Oxfordshire Fire
"A 47-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody."
Karl Mitchell-Shead, who filmed footage of the council office fire, earlier told Sky News: "The roof has collapsed in places and the other half is well and truly alight.
"I got there pretty early in the operation. Police weren't really there. You can't get anywhere near it now.
"The funeral parlour is the last house to the main entrance to the council site. The thatched house is about a mile away."
Journalist Marcus Chippendale told Sky News: "There are still some flames coming from the building.
1/21
Gallery: South Oxfordshire District Council Fire
A bomb disposal officer looks into a car at the South Oxfordshire District Council offices in Crowmarsh Gifford following a fire at the offices
Fire crews have been tackling three major fires in South Oxfordshire, including one at the district council offices in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford. Pic: Karl Mitchell-Shead
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 14 Januari 2015 | 22.11
Parts of the UK are experiencing snow and icy conditions as commuters are warned to expect travel disruption today.
The Met Office issued an amber "be prepared" warning across central and southern Scotland, with Wales, Northern Ireland and much of England also on alert.
Network Rail suspended four train routes in advance of snow, while the AA warned drivers to be aware of "treacherous conditions".
In Wales a rare phenomenon called 'thundersnow' reportedly caused problems overnight, with warnings of more bad weather on the way.
Snow alerts cover much of the UK on Wednesday
Thundersnow occurs when thunder and lighting combine with a snowstorm and usually appears in late winter.
Sky News weather forecaster Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "The next 48 hours could see treacherous driving conditions for most of the UK and Ireland with the risk of ice and snow and then severe gales.
Video:Sky News UK Weather Update
"Heavy snow will fall through the Central Belt, Fife and Perth and Kinross, with 10cm (4ins) or more over the highest ground.
"Elsewhere, a covering of snow is possible, even over the higher ground in southern England, whilst 2-5cm (2ins) is likely above 100m (330ft)."
The warnings follow fierce storms last week which left 120,000 homes without power in Scotland.
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Gallery: Amber Alert For Snow For Britain
The view from Defynnog after heavy snow in the Brecon Beacons National Park, south Wales
2015. More than 100 schools and nurseries have been shut and many roads closed as snow and wintry weather swept across the UK and Ireland
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Video:Blair Sorry Over IRA Letter Blunder
Tony Blair has said the Northern Ireland peace process would have collapsed if he had not agreed to send "letters of comfort" to IRA terror suspects.
The former prime minister has told the Northern Ireland Select Committee the controversial distribution of the letters to so-called "on the runs", stating they were no longer wanted for past crimes, were not an "amnesty" and were "not secret".
He "defended completely" agreeing to the controversial letters and said an agreement on how to treat those wanted for terrorist crimes during the troubles "was critical to the peace process" and "became fundamental".
The case against John Downey collapsed
Mr Blair told MPs that had he not agreed to send the letters then Sinn Fein would have walked away from the Good Friday Agreement.
He said: "Without having done that we would not have a Northern Ireland peace process."
1/12
Gallery: Hyde Park Bombing: July 1982
A police forensic officer examines the remains of the IRA car which contained the Hyde Park bomb
Images of dead horses and wrecked cars added to the shock for people reeling from the human cost of the atrocity
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Wrecked cars are removed from the scene
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The flag-draped coffin carrying Lt Anthony Daly, the Blues and Royals officer killed in the bombing along with three other soldiers
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A memorial stone marks the location of the 1982 bombing
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The letters from the Police Service of Northern Ireland sparked uproar last year when it resulted in the collapse of the Hyde Park bomb trial at the Old Bailey.
John Downey, who denied murdering four soldiers in the 1982 bombing, had received a letter in error informing him he was no longer being pursued in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
During his trial, it emerged that 187 people had received similar assurances - the majority of them republicans who had never been charged or who had been convicted but then escaped.
Mr Blair said the Downey letter had been a mistake and should not have been sent "if the scheme had been properly applied".
He accepted responsibility for not putting in place a proper procedure, which led to some fugitives being sent letters in error, and apologised to the people who had been affected.
Video:'Downey Letter Was A Mistake'
However, he said he would not apologise for the letters sent to those wanted terrorist suspects who it was concluded by the authorities at the time should have received them.
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, those convicted of terrorist offences were released from prison early but those who had gone "on the run" were not considered eligible.
In 2006, after an attempt to establish a formal scheme for "on the runs" failed, Mr Blair wrote to Gerry Adams outlining plans to resolve the issue, "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
The scheme had been reported publicly but victims' families said they felt "devastatingly let down" by the collapse of the Downey case - and Northern Ireland's First Minister threatened to resign.
MPs questioned Mr Blair's claim that had he not made the agreement "over on the runs" the peace process would have collapsed saying that Lord Mandelson, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, had told the committee the Good Friday Agreement was not at stake.
1/9
Gallery: IRA Suspect Amnesties: Key Players
Following the Good Friday Agreement and the release of 400 loyalist and republican paramilitary prisoners, the question about what to do with on-the-run IRA suspects, wanted for crimes before April 10, 1998, continued to needle the Tony Blair Government
In 2006, Mr Blair wrote to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams telling him the Government was working on a solution for dealing with the suspects in question
]]>
Mr Blair said that he agreed with the inquiry carried out by Lady Justice Hallet, which concluded that the letters were not an amnesty and that the scheme was lawful but called Mr Downey's letter a "catastrophic mistake".
And he urged the Government to tread with care in Northern Ireland because the situation was still difficult.
He told the committee: "I am saying to the people in Government now: 'You have inherited a peace process that worked so be careful with it because it's fragile still.'"
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Blair: Sorry Over IRA Fugitive Letter Blunder
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Video:Blair Sorry Over IRA Letter Blunder
Tony Blair has said the Northern Ireland peace process would have collapsed if he had not agreed to send "letters of comfort" to IRA terror suspects.
The former prime minister has told the Northern Ireland Select Committee the controversial distribution of the letters to so-called "on the runs", stating they were no longer wanted for past crimes, were not an "amnesty" and were "not secret".
He "defended completely" agreeing to the controversial letters and said an agreement on how to treat those wanted for terrorist crimes during the troubles "was critical to the peace process" and "became fundamental".
The case against John Downey collapsed
Mr Blair told MPs that had he not agreed to send the letters then Sinn Fein would have walked away from the Good Friday Agreement.
He said: "Without having done that we would not have a Northern Ireland peace process."
1/12
Gallery: Hyde Park Bombing: July 1982
A police forensic officer examines the remains of the IRA car which contained the Hyde Park bomb
Images of dead horses and wrecked cars added to the shock for people reeling from the human cost of the atrocity
]]>
Wrecked cars are removed from the scene
]]>
The flag-draped coffin carrying Lt Anthony Daly, the Blues and Royals officer killed in the bombing along with three other soldiers
]]>
A memorial stone marks the location of the 1982 bombing
]]>
The letters from the Police Service of Northern Ireland sparked uproar last year when it resulted in the collapse of the Hyde Park bomb trial at the Old Bailey.
John Downey, who denied murdering four soldiers in the 1982 bombing, had received a letter in error informing him he was no longer being pursued in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
During his trial, it emerged that 187 people had received similar assurances - the majority of them republicans who had never been charged or who had been convicted but then escaped.
Mr Blair said the Downey letter had been a mistake and should not have been sent "if the scheme had been properly applied".
He accepted responsibility for not putting in place a proper procedure, which led to some fugitives being sent letters in error, and apologised to the people who had been affected.
Video:'Downey Letter Was A Mistake'
However, he said he would not apologise for the letters sent to those wanted terrorist suspects who it was concluded by the authorities at the time should have received them.
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, those convicted of terrorist offences were released from prison early but those who had gone "on the run" were not considered eligible.
In 2006, after an attempt to establish a formal scheme for "on the runs" failed, Mr Blair wrote to Gerry Adams outlining plans to resolve the issue, "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
The scheme had been reported publicly but victims' families said they felt "devastatingly let down" by the collapse of the Downey case - and Northern Ireland's First Minister threatened to resign.
MPs questioned Mr Blair's claim that had he not made the agreement "over on the runs" the peace process would have collapsed saying that Lord Mandelson, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, had told the committee the Good Friday Agreement was not at stake.
1/9
Gallery: IRA Suspect Amnesties: Key Players
Following the Good Friday Agreement and the release of 400 loyalist and republican paramilitary prisoners, the question about what to do with on-the-run IRA suspects, wanted for crimes before April 10, 1998, continued to needle the Tony Blair Government
In 2006, Mr Blair wrote to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams telling him the Government was working on a solution for dealing with the suspects in question
]]>
Mr Blair said that he agreed with the inquiry carried out by Lady Justice Hallet, which concluded that the letters were not an amnesty and that the scheme was lawful but called Mr Downey's letter a "catastrophic mistake".
And he urged the Government to tread with care in Northern Ireland because the situation was still difficult.
He told the committee: "I am saying to the people in Government now: 'You have inherited a peace process that worked so be careful with it because it's fragile still.'"
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Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement (1998), people convicted of paramilitary offences were released early from prison. The scheme did not apply to those who had not been charged or who had been convicted but escaped. Given that they could not return to the UK, they became known as "on the runs".
What are "letters of comfort"?
Sinn Fein thought fugitives should be allowed to return without fear of arrest but the British government's attempt to devise a formal scheme was opposed by Unionists and, ironically, by Sinn Fein because the arrangement would have included British soldiers. The solution was a letter informing "on the runs" they were no longer wanted.
How did the letters come about?
In 2000, Tony Blair asked Gerry Adams to provide names to be considered by the attorney general, police and director of public prosecution. In 2002, the attorney general warned the scheme could not become an amnesty. In 2006, Mr Blair wrote secretly to Mr Adams, outlining mechanisms to resolve the issue, "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
How did the scheme work?
In 2007, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began reviewing the cases of those wanted in connection with terrorist offences to establish if there were grounds for arrest. Peter Hain MP, then Northern Ireland secretary, wanted the scheme kept secret but the PSNI prepared a media statement for use in the event of it leaking.
How did it become public?
In February 2014, John Downey went on trial, charged with killing four soldiers in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing. When he produced a letter, stating that he was not wanted by the PSNI or any other police force, the judge ruled that the Donegal man could not be prosecuted. It had been issued in error.
How many letters were issued?
Of the 288 names submitted for consideration, 156 people received a "letter of comfort" and 31 were informed in some other way that they were not wanted for questioning. Drew Harris, now Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI, told the Northern Ireland Select Committee that 100 of the recipients are suspects in 300 murder cases.
What did the first inquiry find?
When Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, threatened to resign over the issue, David Cameron announced an inquiry. Lady Justice Hallet concluded that the letters were not an amnesty and the scheme had been lawful. But she found "significant systemic failures" in how it operated and branded Mr Downey's letter a "catastrophic mistake" by the PSNI.
What is the Northern Ireland Select Committee considering?
What is the background to, and origins of, the scheme, and what was its purpose and intended effect? Who constitutes an "on the run", and what are the legal implications of the scheme? What are the political implications of the scheme and were errors made? What impact has it had on victims and relatives?
Former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is awake in hospital, three weeks after he was injured in a collision with a lorry.
His wife, Gemma Carlisle, said on Twitter last night: "Thank you again for asking after Clarke. He's still in hospital but is getting better & stronger each day."
She was asked by another Twitter-user: "Is he awake yet Gemma? Hope he's well soon from a football fan."
Mrs Carlisle replied: "Yes."
The 35-year-old former Professional Footballers' Association chairman was seriously injured following the collision on the A64, near York, on 22 December and remains in a Leeds hospital.
North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and appealed for witnesses.
Footballers, former clubs, organisations and charities have used social media to send messages hoping Carlisle makes a quick recovery.
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that Carlisle was charged with failing to provide a sample on 20 December - days before his serious injuries - and is due to appear in court later this month.
The Home Secretary has warned that terrorists could attack the UK at any time and that Britain's armed forces could be deployed in the event of a Paris-style attack.
Theresa May added that the police and security services needed powers provided in the blocked Communications Data Bill to protect the public and save lives.
She insisted the legislation was not a bid to allow the Government to "snoop" on the content of emails but to allow the police and security services to find out who was contacting whom.
But her comments to MPs come days after Britain's most senior policeman said an attack on Britain is "unlikely".
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he was confident the police and security services already have the powers needed to keep people safe.
Video:Terror: Is Britain Prepared?
In an exclusive interview with Sky News he said the public should remain calm.
"I don't think (an attack) is likely but I think we all know it's a possibility," he said.
"The threat level is severe and so therefore that means a terrorist attack is possible.
"We do our best together with the security services to make sure the terrorists don't succeed and that we keep people safe. To date, that's broadly what we've been able to achieve."
In a statement to the House of Commons, Ms May said: "This is not - as I have heard it said - 'letting the Government snoop on your emails'.
"It is allowing the police and the security services, under a tightly regulated and controlled regime, to find out the 'who, where, when and how' of a communication but not its content.
"(This would allow police to) prove and disprove alibis, identify associations between suspects, and tie suspects and victims to specific locations.
"It is too soon to say for certain, but it is highly probable that communications data was used in the Paris attacks to locate the suspects and establish the links between the two attacks.
"Quite simply ... if we want the police and the security services to protect the public and save lives, they need this capability."
Two days ago David Cameron said that, to help the security serivces monitor terrorist communications, he would move to ban encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp and iMessage if he wins the general election in May.
