Scottish Labour Leader In Shock Resignation

Ed Miliband's leadership has come under fire again with the resignation of Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont, as she claimed her colleagues "do not understand the politics they are facing".

The Glasgow MSP used her exit to criticise the party's leadership across the UK, and accused Westminster of trying to manage Scotland "like a branch office of London".

She added: "Colleagues need to realise that the focus of Scottish politics is now Holyrood, not Westminster.

"There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs… the nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed."

Ed Miliband gave credit to Ms Lamont for her role in the referendum

It marks another setback for Ed Miliband ahead of next year's General Election - already, a group of Scottish Labour activists are pushing for their party to enjoy complete autonomy from London.

Speculation over Ms Lamont's leadership has grown since the referendum, with one senior aide confessing Scottish Labour needed to rediscover its "sense of purpose".

Video: Labour: Scotland Is Still Our Focus

Nicola Sturgeon, due to become the First Minister in November once she replaces Alex Salmond as leader of the SNP, warned that "Scottish Labour really is in meltdown" if rumours of its tensions with Westminster were true.

Ms Lamont alluded to this in her resignation letter to Jamie Glackin, chair of the Scottish Labour Party.

She wrote: "Some, including senior members of the party, have questioned my place in this new phase. In order that we can have the real discussion about how we take Scottish Labour forward, I believe it would be best if I took myself out of the equation and stepped down as leader."

In reaction to Friday's news, a Scottish Conservative spokesman said: "Johann Lamont's resignation has shown the complete chaos at the heart of Ed Miliband's operation in the starkest possible terms.

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1. Gallery: Who Will Be The Next Scottish Labour Leader?

   Some of the politicians tipped to succeed Johann Lumant: Anas Sarwar is the MP for Glasgow Central, and will assume the role of acting leader of the Scottish Labour Party until a ballot takes place

2. Kezia Dugdale became an MSP for the Lothian Region in 2011, and also writes a column for the Daily Record, the same newspaper used by Johann Lumont to criticise the Labour Party

3. Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, has also been tipped for the role. He returned to front-line politics by encouraging the public to vote No in the independence referendum

4. Jim Murphy had insisted he was not going to begin a leadership challenge against Johann Lumont, but all that could now change now she has resigned

5. Douglas Alexander, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, already has a meaty role in Westminster as shadow foreign secretary

6. Jenny Marra is another MSP who entered Holyrood in 2011. She is deemed to have an outside chance of becoming the Scottish Labour leader

"The man isn't fit to run a village fete, never mind the UK."

In a statement, Mr Miliband said: "Johann Lamont deserves significant credit for the successful No vote in the Scottish referendum campaign.

"She has led the Scottish Labour Party with determination."

Earlier this week, Scottish Labour was described as "going through a period of reflection" after the referendum, which saw large numbers of the party's supporters vote to leave the UK, despite the overall majority of Scots backing the union.

Video: Fall-Out Over Scottish Referendum

Ms Lamont, who took over as leader in December 2011, is the second Scottish party leader to resign since September's vote - and made her comments during a Daily Record interview.

The first to quit, Alex Salmond MSP, said: "The fact that Scottish Labour are now going to have their fifth leader since the SNP took office in 2007 indicates that their problems are not about personalities - they are much more deep-seated than that.

"It was always very clear that Johann Lamont was never able to be meaningfully in charge of Labour in Scotland, and that is laid bare in dramatic fashion in her resignation comments."

Gordon Brown, who is one of the favourites to succeed the mother-of-two, said: "I am sorry to hear than Johann has resigned.

Video: Gordon Brown On Devolution

"She brought determination, compassion and a down-to-earth approach to the leadership and deserves great credit for taking on the challenge after 2011.

"I wish her well in the future."

Meanwhile, Tony Blair, another former Labour Prime Minister, has had to deny rumours that he privately believes Mr Miliband will not win the next General Election.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Human Remains Are Missing Student Hannah Graham

Police say remains found in a dried-up creek in rural Virginia are those of British-born student Hannah Graham.

A skull and bones were discovered in a heavily wooded area five weeks after the 18-year-old vanished in Charlottesville, a college town about 100 miles southwest of Washington DC.

Her parents, John and Sue Graham, said in a statement: "When we started this journey together we all hoped for a happier ending.

"Sadly that was not to be. We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter.

"Although we have lost our precious Hannah, the light she radiated can never be extinguished."

The University of Virginia student, who moved from Britain to the US when she was five, vanished on September 13 after a night out with friends.

Matthew was the last person to be seen with Hannah, police said

She left an off-campus party alone and then texted a friend saying she was lost, police said.

In CCTV footage, she was seen walking and running unsteadily past a pub and a service station and then on to a block of bars, restaurants and shops.

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1. Gallery: Hannah Graham Search In Rural Area

   Police are scouring the area where remains that might belong to missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham were found

2. The Albemarle County area is home to horse farms

3. Officers sifted through autumn leaves in the heavily wooded area looking for clues

4. Police have blocked off roads

5. Forensic experts must examine the remains

6. Ms Graham, who is British-born, was last seen on 13 September

7. Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr, 32, has been charged with abduction

Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr, 32, the last person seen with her, has been charged with abduction with intent to defile her.

The area where her remains were found is six miles (10km) from where 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington's body was found after she vanished in 2009.

Police said forensic evidence connects Matthew to Ms Harrington's killing.

DNA also allegedly links him to a sexual assault in northern Virginia in 2005.

On Monday, he was indicted with rape and attempted murder over that case.

Matthew, who weighs 270 pounds (122kg), was an operating room technician at the university's hospital.

Friends said they were shocked the "gentle giant" could be suspected of murder.

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Schools Urged To Give Body Confidence Lessons

By Enda Brady, Sky News Correspondent

Schools are being urged to hold lessons in body confidence as a new survey reveals that one in four Britons is depressed by their appearance.

A new project called Be Real aims to tackle the issue which campaigners say is trapping millions of people in the UK in an unhealthy cycle of depression, short-term dieting, cosmetic intervention and eating disorders.

"Low body confidence is a critical public health issue that we cannot ignore," said Caroline Nokes MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Body Image.

"It affects everyone - all ages, both sexes - and starts as young as five years old.

Health campaigners say Britain is facing an obesity crisis

"Be Real wants to change attitudes to body image, and help all of us, whatever our size, ethnicity or ability, to put health above appearance and be confident with how we look and feel."

Ms Nokes visited Therfield School in Leatherhead, Surrey, and spoke to Year 8 pupils as part of her work to raise awareness of the issue.

Video: 'Radical' Plan Unveiled To Save NHS

"Through this campaign, we're driving change through three priority areas," she said.

"We want to ensure children and young people are educated about body confidence from an early age, to promote healthy living and wellbeing over weight loss and appearance."

She said Be Real also wanted to "encourage the media, business and advertisers to recognise diversity and positively reflect what we really look like".

Video: Losing 3% Of Weight 'Achievable'

A survey of 2,000 adults across the UK found 26% were "depressed" by how they look, while 28% said they refused to exercise because of body anxiety and 20% skipped meals to lose weight.

More than one in seven people have considered cosmetic interventions and almost a fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds are currently taking muscle building supplements to improve their physique.

"Too often the way we look becomes a measure of who we are and there is a growing pressure to achieve an aesthetic ideal that few of us can live up to," said Denise Hatton, chief executive of youth charity YMCA England.

Video: NHS-Funded Classes To Fight Fat?

"When we feel bad about how we look, we make bad choices about our health and are stopped from achieving our full potential.

"We are seeing this amongst young people, both boys and girls, across the country and urgently need to help them become confident about who they are and what they look like."

YMCA youth ambassador Kelsey Hibberd, who helps young people in Southend, Essex, was bullied in her teens and says she would be "thrilled" if body confidence lessons were offered in schools.

Video: 'Sinister' Body Image Culture

"It would mean that young people are learning really valuable life lessons and are not just being judged on grades," she told Sky News Online.

"Your body is just a shell, it's not a measure of you, your intelligence, your morals or your values. I'd be thrilled if these lessons went nationwide into every school in Britain."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clooney's In-Laws Stage Wedding Do In Bucks

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

George Clooney and new wife Amal had the wedding of the year but it seems they are not ready to stop celebrating with another party planned in Buckinghamshire.

Amal's parents, Baria and Ramzi Alamuddin, are believed to be hosting a party at Danesfield House Hotel near Marlow for guests who could not make the Italian ceremony.

Sky News understands the hotel is in lockdown for 24 hours with staff having to hand in their phones to ensure no details are leaked.

It has led to speculation that A-list stars could attend, with locals hoping for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie after they missed the Venice wedding.

Entertainment journalist Ashley Pearson told Sky News: "By all accounts, Amal's parents are rather traditional and they wanted to throw a wedding for their daughter as most people planned to do.

"There's every belief that her parents are footing the bill for this party despite they fact that she is now married to a multi-millionaire.

George and Amal Clooney pictured in Venice after their wedding

"This is for their friends, their family friends as well as Amal's colleagues who couldn't make it to Venice."

She added the Italian wedding "became such a spectacle in the end" and "I think this is something that is going to be much more private".

Video: Third Clooney Wedding Party In UK?

A marquee has been put up in the hotel's 65 acre grounds with the on site Michelin-starred chef expected to cater for guests.

The grounds are accessible by helicopter for those who do not want to drive.There is also a spa for those wanting to relax.

The management has refused to confirm who is hosting the private event.

Video: Clooneys Are All Smiles In Venice

The spot is a perfect choice for British-Lebanese lawyer Amal who grew up near-by and is believed to have bought a home with US actor Clooney down the road in Sonning.

People living in Marlow were very excited when they spoke to Sky News.

One said: "It's nice thing for the community. I'm sure everyone's very happy for them because I know she's a local girl and she went to a local school."

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1. Gallery: Clooney And Bride: First Appearance Since Tying The Knot

   The morning after: Actor George Clooney and his new wife Amal Alamuddin have made their first appearance since tying the knot

2. They left their seven-star hotel in Venice for a luxurious trip around the romantic Italian city

3. It is rumoured the couple are planning a second civil ceremony on Monday

4. But for now, the glamorous couple are enjoying their first day of married life

5. They took a water taxi on a tour of the Grand Canal in Venice

6. The couple posed for photographs, with the paparazzi keen to get the first snaps of the famous bachelor as a married man

7. Clooney and human rights lawyer Alamuddin wed in the glamorous Aman Canal Grande Venice on Saturday

8. Clooney was pictured making his way to a gala dinner ahead of the lavish ceremony

9. As were a number of the celebrity guests...

10. ... including actor Bill Murray

12. U2 frontman Bono flashes his trademark salute

13. Anna Wintour was also among the guests

15. Matt Damon, one of several A-listers invited

16. Ahead of the wedding, Clooney and his Lebanon-born British fiancee were photographed on a water taxi taking a tour of the floating city

17. The couple arrived at the hotel on a boat appropriately called 'Amore'

18. The world's media has descended on Venice but the pair seemed happy to pose for photos

19. Clooney with businessman Rande Gerber who was his best man

20. Ms Alamuddin was seen carrying a hat box displaying the letters A and G and the word Venice to mark the occasion

Another said: "It's all very exciting. It's fantastic. I think it'll bring some business to Marlow as well."

Video: Post-Wedding Bliss For Clooney

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Fourth Man From Portsmouth Dies In Syria

A jihadist fighter has become the fourth man from the same British city to be killed in Syria.

Mehdi Hassan, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, had travelled to the conflict-hit country with a group of four other men in October last year.

A photo of the 19-year-old's body emerged on Twitter on Friday.

His family have confirmed his death, Abdul Jalil, chairman of the Portsmouth Jami Mosque, told Sky News.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Syria.

"The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria, where all UK consular services are suspended.

"As we do not have any representation in Syria, it is extremely difficult to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries.

"And our options for supporting British nationals there are extremely limited."

On Tuesday, it emerged a third Portsmouth man, Manunur Roshid, had been killed.

The 24-year-old was understood to have joined up with fighters from the Islamic State (IS).

Two of his companions, Ifthekar Jaman, 23, and Muhammad Humidur Rahman, 25, had already died.

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Eleven Held After 'Vulnerable' Woman Raped

Eleven people, including a 12-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl, have been arrested over the rape of a "vulnerable" woman in her own home.

Police are appealing for information following the serious sexual assault in the Anfield area of Liverpool.

The victim was taken to hospital after the attack and was described as being in a distressed state.

Detectives believe the 43-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted by a group of males.

The suspects include a 12-year-old boy and three 13-year-old boys.

The other males who were held were three aged 15, and individuals aged 16, 18 and 19.

All 10 males, who come from the Anfield, Walton, Everton and Old Swan areas, and the 15-year-old girl have all been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Paramedics had called police after they went to a property in Ullswater Street and reported a woman had been subjected to a sexual offence at 4.20pm on 24 September.

Detective Superintendent Tim Keelan, said: "The victim has been distressed by her ordeal and is being supported by specialist officers.

"This was an appalling attack on a woman in her own home and we would urge anyone who has information, which could help us bring those responsible to justice, to come forward.

"It is possible that some of those who were in the flat on the day may have talked to people, including friends or family, about what happened and if they have we would urge them to contact us."

Anyone with information should contact the specialist Unity team on 0151 777 1382, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Economy: Third Quarter Growth Slows To 0.7%

UK economic growth slowed in the third quarter of the year, according to the first official estimate of GDP for the period.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) measured Gross Domestic Product growth of 0.7% in the period, down from output growth of 0.9% in the previous three months.

It charted a slowdown in manufacturing, saying expansion - at 0.3% - was its weakest for 18 months amid concerns for the world economy and the euro area in particular - the country's biggest trading partner.

The service sector, which accounts for more than 75% of the country's total output, showed growth of 0.7% during the three months to September - down from 1.1% in the previous quarter.

Construction output continued to grow

It meant, the ONS said, that annual growth was 3%, down from 3.2%, though total economic output was 3.4% bigger than its pre-crisis peak in 2008.

All the figures are subject to revision but the status quo still leaves manufacturing 4.1% behind and construction 8.2% short of their peaks.

Video: Govt 'Out Of Touch' On Economy

Construction output grew 0.8% in the third quarter.

The performance was widely expected by economists, given forecasts suggesting the eurozone may slip back into recession.

The data for the service sector suggests businesses will be more wary about spending while consumers remain hit by weak wage rises.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Today's strong growth figures show that the UK continues to lead the pack in an increasingly uncertain global economy.

"With all the main sectors of the economy growing, it's clear that our recovery is broadly based.

"But the UK is not immune to weakness in the euro area and instability in global markets, so we face a critical moment for our economy.

"If we want to avoid a return to the chaos and instability of the past, then we need to carry on working through our economic plan that is delivering stability and security."

Labour's shadow chancellor Ed Balls responded: "For all George Osborne's claims that the economy is fixed most people are still not feeling the recovery.

"Working people are over £1,600 a year worse off since 2010 and these figures now show a concerning slowdown in economic growth too.

"We need a strong and balanced recovery that works for all working people, not just a few at the top."

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Briton Dies During Bangkok Cosmetic Surgery

A British woman has died while having cosmetic surgery in Thailand, according to officials.

The English woman, who has not been named but is aged in her 20s, died while under anaesthesia during a procedure at a clinic in Bangkok.

Police were called to the scene at around 11pm on Thursday and said the woman had stopped breathing after receiving the anaesthetic.

Lieutenant Chaleang Inthip said the woman was undergoing a corrective procedure after visiting the clinic for surgery on 14 October. 

She was reported to have been unhappy with the initial results and was having corrective work to her tailbone area.

She was found with a three inch stitched incision on her lower back.

It is understood Sompob Sansiri, the doctor who performed the surgery, did not have the correct certification.

The doctor has been arrested and charged with causing death by reckless endangerment, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' jail.

The clinic's owner, Dr Somphop Saensiri, 51, is being questioned by police.
 The clinic has been closed for 60 days.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We were informed of the death of a British national in Thailand on the 23 October. We stand ready to provide consular assistance."

Consultant plastic surgeon Michael Cadier, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said: "This tragic case highlights how, if lured by the prospect of what is essentially 'cheap surgery', patients can be left vulnerable.

"Standards for healthcare may vary, and patients frequently undergo 'consultations' with company representatives who have no medical background and are, therefore, not being given the appropriate knowledge in order to give informed consent."

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Queen Of Twitter: Monarch Posts First Message

The Queen has sent her first tweet, during a visit to the Science Museum in London.

The monarch formally opened the museum's new Information Age Galleries by touching a tablet screen to send her message around the world.

The 88-year-old tweeted through the @BritishMonarchy Twitter account, which was set up in 2009 and has 722,000 followers.

She posted: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting.  Elizabeth R."

The Queen's first tweet was confirmed by her @BritishMonarchy account

The message was pre-typed, before the Queen published it to Twitter by touching the screen in front of an audience at the event. 

The £15.6m gallery features more than 800 objects and explores how breakthroughs have transformed the way people communicate over the past 200 years.

The Duke of York is the most prolific tweeter in the royal family, signing off messages he has written on the @TheDukeOfYork account with AY, for Andrew York.

The micro-blogging site has been used by her grandson Prince Harry, who sent his first official tweet in May, but he admitted during the summer he no longer has a personal account when chatting to a group of students who were promoting his Invictus Games on social media.

The Queen and members of her family are represented on Twitter by the account @BritishMonarchy, while @ClarenceHouse covers the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chancellor Needs Hard Hat For Fight Ahead

It's a rum state of affairs when Britain is apparently punished for having a strong economy.

After all, we've spent the past five or six years telling ourselves that all we desperately need is a bit of growth.

And yet that's how things look today, with the UK fighting off an attempt by the European Union to charge it an extra €2.1bn (£1.7bn) because of the strength of its recovery.

As if to rub it in, that coincides with another set of relatively strong gross domestic product numbers, reminding us that the recovery is indeed in full train.

Now, in truth the EU charge is largely down to long term rather than short term trends - particularly revisions to long-term output levels conducted over the course of the past year or so.

Video: Osborne: Recovery At Crucial Phase

But it nonetheless begs a few questions: first, where will this money come from? Second, is the UK economy really in a position of strength?

The first question is rather awkward for the Chancellor, for while the economy is certainly growing a lot quicker than expected (today's 0.7% growth means GDP is 3% higher than a year ago, and 3.4% higher than before the recession hit in 2008), it isn't bringing in as much tax as had been hoped.

Indeed, while economists had expected the Treasury to reduce the deficit by £10bn, the latest numbers suggest it may end up the same or higher than last year.

Indeed, the OBR had been expecting income tax receipts to rise by 6.5% this year; instead they have fallen by 0.8%.

And when you factor in the extra money the Chancellor will need to pay for the new tax cuts he set out at party conference a few weeks ago, one has to conclude that there simply isn't much cash to spare.

The second question is simpler to answer. The UK economy is doing well at the moment.

Today's growth numbers were more or less in line with expectations, and every sector of the economy - services, production, agriculture and construction - grew at a fair whack in the most recent quarter.

Though don't be fooled by the optics frequently employed by the Chancellor.

Video: Govt 'Out Of Touch' On Economy

You might have assumed, given how many times you've seen George Osborne in a hard hat or (as he was today) in a car factory, that these were the sectors which really drove the recovery.

The detailed figures we got today tell a different story. Since the start of the crisis output in the construction sector is actually down by 8.2%. The output of the motor vehicle sector is, admittedly, up by 4.4% but it has driven growth far, far less than administrative and support activities, up by a whopping 27.8%.

In other words, it is office workers who have driven the recovery, not people in hard hats.

It is the support staff, computer repair engineers and other white collar workers whose sectors have expanded most quickly.

But, to bring things back to the EU once again, the problem is that those office-based sectors don't make and export things overseas.

The one aspect of the economy Britain desperately needs to improve is its balance of trade, which is woefully weak - and, if anything, worsening.

Without an improvement in that, strong GDP or not, Britain's economy will remain imbalanced and potentially vulnerable to future crises.

22.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eight Headaches For Supermarket Giant Tesco

A decade ago Tesco was an investor's delight, with a share price shooting up more than 70% between 2004 and 2007, and healthy dividend payments. So what went wrong?

PROFIT WARNINGS

With 14 years as CEO to his credit, Sir Terry Leahy stepped down in 2011 after overseeing a leap in pre-tax profit from £750m in 1997 to £3.4bn in 2010. Yet less than a year into the job as new CEO, Philip Clarke issued the first profit warning in two decades as a result of a poor 2011 Christmas trading period.

CHANGING TASTES

Tesco was being squeezed by changing consumer tastes, a dislike of its cavernous and cold stores, and complaints about frosty customer service. It unveiled a £1bn revamp plan in April 2012.

AMERICAN ADVENTURE

In April 2013 it reported its first fall in annual profit for 19 years, with a post-tax profit plunging 95% to £120m, after suffering a £1.2bn charge to exit its struggling Fresh & Easy American venture.

PROPERTY BUST

It also suffered a write-down of £804m for land bought at the height of the property boom, earmarked for development but subsequently put on hold.

MEAT SCANDAL

Last year, Tesco was caught up in the biggest food fraud of the century - with some of its beef burgers found to contain up to 29% horsemeat.

Video: Tesco Investigating Profits Mistake

CLEVER COMPETITION

German discounters continue to nibble away at Tesco's customer base at one end, while M&S and Waitrose take share from consumers willing to pay more for premium products.

BIG NOT NIMBLE

Despite the woes Tesco remains the country's biggest retailer and still dwarfs its competition. Tesco is around the same size as Sainsbury's and Morrisons combined, and globally employs more than half a million people in 12 countries. But big rarely means nimble. A large number of senior staff have quit the company in recent years and 40-year Tesco veteran Mr Clarke was ousted by the board last July, after dismissing critics of his turnaround plans.

SIDELINES

Tesco wholly-owns a retail research company named dunnhumby, with offshoots including BzzAgent, KSS Retail, and Sociomantic - which sells display adverts on Facebook and mobiles.

This analysis arm crunches data from over 350 million consumers in 28 countries and sells it to corporate giants such as Coca-Cola, Shell and Procter & Gamble. The Tesco empire is huge, with numerous and competing divisions, and as a result does not always see the wood for the trees.

Dunnhumby does not trumpet the Tesco parentage on its website - but maybe it is time Tesco starts looking in-house for an answer to its woes.

Video: Tesco Profit Error: Execs Suspended

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NHS Demands Extra £8bn In Plan To Save Services

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The NHS needs an extra £8bn a year in funding and must undergo a major shake-up if it is to survive, according to a "radical" plan to safeguard services in England.

A range of measures are outlined in the report by NHS England, including a shift in resources from treating disease to preventing ill-health and a massive migration of services from hospitals into GP surgeries.

But it warns the upgrade to services will only be possible with a series of savings and an £8bn-a-year rise in government funding by 2020, to help make up a projected £30bn annual shortfall.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Sky News there was "massive pressure" on frontline services.

"We have nearly a million more over-65s than we had four years ago and doctors and nurses are working really hard," he said.

Video: NHS 'Can Bridge £30bn Funding Gap'

"What this report says ... is that we need to change the model of care, so that we're not just depending on hospitals.

"We need to be so much better at looking after people in the community and in their homes, using GP practices (and) catching people before they get seriously ill.

"It's not an easy process ... but if we do that, the £30bn gap that people have been talking about can be bridged, and actually we can get it right down to zero."

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England told Sky News the country had "no choice" but to follow the plan.

"We've got to, as a country, get more serious about prevention (and) about all the things that end up taking us to hospital which we didn't necessarily need to have and we've got to change the way in which care is being provided," he said.

"For example, we know that it costs more when people don't get the care they need at home and then end up having to be admitted to hospital.

"If we just carry on doing things we're currently doing, on independent estimate suggests that we're going to need to build 34 hospitals across England just to cope with the rising number of emergencies."

Video: GP: Specialist Treatment In Surgery

The report warns there needs to be "hard-hitting national action" on obesity, smoking and alcohol.

It wants employers to offer workers incentives to lose weight, including shopping vouchers, cash or prizes.

NHS staff will also be urged to "set a national example" with healthier lifestyles.

Local authorities should take tougher action on fast-food and alcohol outlets to improve the health of their populations.

"Put bluntly, as the nation's waistline keeps piling on the pounds, we're piling on billions of pounds in future taxes just to pay for preventable illnesses," the report says.

NHS England also wants to move more services out of hospitals, which are expensive to run.

It says GPs could group together to provide tests that have traditionally required a referral, and even employ consultants to run specialist clinics.

Video: NHS Surgery For The Obese

The NHS 111, 999 and out of hours GP services also need to be overhauled so patients know where to go for urgent care.

The report says changes to health services and a switch to disease prevention will make the NHS far more efficient.

But David Bennett, chief executive of the NHS regulator Monitor, warned there will still be an £8bn hole in the NHS budget unless the Government increases funding by 1.5% above inflation every year.

He said: "If we get the investment we need... we see no reason why it's not possible to sustain a comprehensive tax-funded NHS which is actually better for patients and an NHS which is really fit for the 21st Century."

Chris Ham, chief executive of health charity The King's Fund, said the report "throws down the gauntlet to the political parties".

"Politicians now need to explain whether and how they will find this money," he said.

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Couple Held Over Pirated Music Hard Drives

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of selling hard drives containing hundreds of thousands of chart-topping music and videos.

City of London Police say the value of the music on just one of the drives is thought to be worth more than £350,000.

A 55-year-old man and a woman, aged 39, from Bury, were arrested at their home in the town by officers from the force, with support from Greater Manchester Police.

The case was referred to police by the BPI - the music industry's trade association.

The couple are believed to have been selling hard drives filled with up to 200,000 files of copyrighted material including full music tracks, karaoke tunes and music videos.

Head of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Medlycott said: "Our creative industries are incredibly important; not only are we recognised worldwide as producing great films, TV and music but these industries are playing a large part in supporting our country financially, contributing a huge £71.4bn to the UK economy and supporting 1.7 million jobs.

"The vast majority of people who work in the music and film industries are not making vast amounts of money and we have a responsibility to protect the industries they work in."

BPI director of content protection David Wood said: "Counterfeiting criminals who believe music piracy is a low-risk activity that carries no penalty are flawed in their views.

"Put simply, it is illegal and it will not go unseen by the eyes of the law.

"Anyone trying to build a business on the back of someone else's ideas or copyright should ask themselves if making a quick buck at the expense of musicians, local businesses - and indeed their own future - is really worth it."

The PIPCU unit - launched in 2013 and funded by Government - is being given an extra £3m so it can run until 2016.

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Tesco Profits Plunge 92% In Accounting Chaos

Tesco's chief executive has told Sky News he will not take an axe to prices in the short term to win back shoppers, after first-half profits fell 92%.

Dave Lewis was speaking after the supermarket chain revealed its latest results and the conclusions of an inquiry into an accounting scandal.

Its chairman Sir Richard Broadbent confirmed a plan to quit as the probe identified a £263m profit overstatement.

Tesco said the internal investigation by Deloitte into its procedures had found historic failures in its UK food business going back a number of years, having previously suggested the error was a one-off.

The overstatement reflected profits in previous reporting periods too, Tesco confirmed, not just in the first half of its financial year.

Phillip Clarke was sacked as chief executive

Its share price fell 7% when the FTSE 100 opened for business in the wake of the statement but later eased back.

Analysts said it could be explained by UK sales continuing to fall and Mr Lewis' decision not to launch an immediate discount challenge to rivals - especially hard discounters at the bottom and Waitrose at the top end, who have eaten away at its market share.

Video: Ex-Investor Wants Tesco Redress

Mr Lewis told Sky's Business Presenter Ian King: "Our promotional intensity is very high."

He said: "The critical thing is that I and 320,000 other people give great service, make sure everything's available in a really good, quality way, and then price will be part of the equation."

But he added he might think about price in a "different way" once his business review was completed.

Thursday's results statement was delayed by a month because of the investigation.

Eight senior executives have been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, which examined how Tesco logged suppliers' rebates and if they were reported in the correct accounting period.

Tesco said there was no evidence anyone at Tesco had sought to gain personally but the findings raise questions about the leadership of former chief executive Philip Clarke, who stepped down in the summer before the accounting issues were made public.

Tesco said his pay-off - and that of former finance chief Laurie McIlwee - was being delayed until such time as inquiries were complete.

Sir Richard said his decision to stand down reflected "the important principle of accountability."

The accounting scandal failed to overshadow the spotlight on Tesco's turnaround efforts.

Pre-tax profits fell 92% to £112m in its first six months while UK trading profit was down 55.9% to £499m.

Video: Waitrose Wins As Tesco Struggles

UK like-for-like sales were 4.6% lower - slightly better than expected.

Mr Lewis said: "We know that we have got a lot of work to do.

"We know what it is we need to do to turn the business around".

Tesco's market value - which has lost £17.6bn in the last five years - has plunged more than 50% in the past 12 months alone.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family And Friends Honour 'Spirited' Alice Gross

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

The family of Alice Gross have said they "find it almost impossible to understand what has happened to her and that we have to say goodbye".

Her family released the statement as they held a private funeral for the 14-year-old, who was found dead in West London after going missing in August.

In the statement, parents Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross said: "We have been devastated by the appalling circumstances of Alice's death.

"Alice was so spirited, so present, so vital and so full of promise. We want Alice's funeral to focus on the joy of Alice's life and the joy of having known her.

Suspect Arnis Zalkalns was founded after Alice's body was found

"We would like to thank everyone for being so kind and supportive. We have been moved by the depth of sympathy and compassion around us, not only from close family and friends but also from the local community."

Before the humanist service celebrating Alice's life, a hearse carrying the brightly coloured coffin, travelled through Hanwell, where the family live.

Video: Family Pays Tribute To Alice Gross

It was decorated with a meadow scene and pictures of the schoolgirl's pets and had been painted by her sister, Nina, her grandmother, Anne Hodgkiss, and a family friend.

During the private service, videos were shown of the teenager playing and singing her own songs. Tributes were read by teachers, her sister and her parents.

Alice was last seen walking near her home in West London on August 28.

Following her disappearance the Metropolitan Police launched their largest search operation since the July 7 terror attacks.

More than a month after she disappeared, her body was found in the River Brent.

Days later, the prime suspect in her murder, Arnis Zalkalns, was found hanged in nearby Boston Manor Park. Investigations are still being carried out into both of their deaths.

The clocktower in the centre of Hanwell has been covered in yellow flowers in memory of the schoolgirl and locals have lit candles to spell out "We love you Alice".

Jayne Roberts was one of those who put yellows ribbons around West London to help in the search.

She told Sky News: "We'll never forget her and I don't think anyone will.

"We were able to go out and make people aware that Alice was still a missing child and we know that the family has really appreciated what the community has done for them."

The family has asked that donations are made to the charity, Youth Music, in memory of their daughter's passion for singing and song writing.

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Homebase: A Quarter Of Stores To Be Closed

The owner of the DIY chain Homebase is to close a quarter of its stores over the next three years, leaving thousands of jobs hanging in the balance.

Home Retail Group (HRG), which made the announcement as it confirmed its half-year results, said it planned to shut 25% of its 323 stores by 2018 through scheduled lease expirations and sales.

It said a review of the business had found Homebase was saddled with "inconsistent store operating standards" as well as "a large estate with low sales densities that result in a challenged financial model."

The chain, which currently employs 17,000 people, is to lose its managing director Paul Loft in the wake of the findings.

A spokesperson told Sky News: "HRG has announced a three-year plan for Homebase to revitalise the business for the future.

Argos, also owned by HRG, was already getting a digital makeover

"Part of the plan will be to right-size the store estate through scheduled lease expiries and a series of sales to other retailers.

"Once they are identified, our colleagues will be the first to be informed about any of the affected stores, and where possible we will redeploy colleagues to other stores within the Group, or encourage retailers buying our leases to offer roles within their businesses locally".

The transformation to a greater digital offering was confirmed against a backdrop of rising sales at Homebase.

Home Retail said group underlying first-half profit rose 13%, particularly reflecting sales growth at Argos.

Profit before tax reached £30.9m in the six months to 30 August though its full-year result would depend on Argos' Christmas trading, HRG said.

Argos has itself undergone a turnaround, with Home Retail moving away from its traditional catalogue store offering towards digital click & collect.

Argos saw sales from mobile and tablet devices rise by 45%.

Homebase like-for-like sales grew by 4.1% over the six-month period while its improved website helped multi-channel sales rise 12%.

John Walden, chief executive of HRG, said "Homebase is a good business with the basis for future growth.

"In this context, Homebase will pursue a three-year plan through to the end of 2018 to improve the productivity of its store estate, strengthen its propositions and accelerate its digital capabilities by leveraging Argos' investments.

"This will position Homebase as a smaller but stronger business, ready for investment and growth."

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Man Held Over Syria-Related Terror Training

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in London on suspicion of terror offences linked to Syria.

Scotland Yard says he has been held on suspicion of attending a place used for terrorist training.

Two properties in London - one in the west and the other southwest - have been searched as part of the investigation.

Earlier, a 25-year-old woman was arrested in Bedfordshire and taken into custody on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with Syria.

She was taken to a central London police station and two properties in Bedfordshire were searched.

Both the man and the woman were arrested by counter-terrorism police.

The arrests are the latest in a number of raids on people living in the UK suspected of terror offences linked to the Syrian conflict.

Last week five men appeared in court accused of conspiring to shoot dead police and soldiers in London in an Islamic State-inspired plot.

Around 500 Britons are estimated to have travelled to Syria to fight.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mike Read Sorry For UKIP Calypso Song

Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read has apologised for "unintentionally causing offence" with his song UKIP Calypso which he wants withdrawn from sale.

But the party has blamed "synthetic outrage" for Read's decision, claiming critics are depriving the Red Cross of funds to help the fight against Ebola.

Read had previously defended the tune, which is sung with a mock Caribbean accent, saying it was "nothing remotely racist" and just a "bit of fun".

But Read has now told Sky News: "I'm the last person in the world who would want to cause any offence - I'm absolutely mortified. That's why I've asked the record company to withdraw it."

Nigel Farage has been promoting the single on Twitter

"I'm so sorry that the song unintentionally caused offence. That was never my intention and I apologise unreservedly if anyone has taken offence," he told the Press Association.

The song praises UKIP and its leader Nigel Farage, who promoted the track and urged his followers to help get it to number one.

Its lyrics include: "When we take charge, and the new prime minister is Farage; we can trade with the world again, when Nigel is at Number 10."

Read, a former Conservative supporter, used the song to warn his listeners against trusting David Cameron, singing: "The British people have been let down, that's why UKIP is making ground.

"From Crewe to Cleethorpes, from Hull to Hendon, they don't believe Cameron's referendum."

UKIP said it regretted that Read had felt obliged to ask his record company to withdraw it from sale.

The song is advertised on iTunes

"This is Mike's song and it is obviously his decision what to do with it," a party spokeswoman said.

"We do think it is a shame that he has been treated so harshly by many in the 'right-on' media, but we respect his decision."

UKIP said it would donate its share of the proceeds so far to the Red Cross to help make up for income the charity would miss from future sales.

"Were it not for the synthetic outrage, the song would have generated a lot of money for charity, as profits were to be split with the Red Cross for their Ebola Outreach programme," a party spokeswoman said.

"It's a pity those so concerned with political correctness have trodden all over this."

On Wednesday lunchtime the single was still for sale on iTunes.

While some were putting bets on whether the song would reach number one, others were less complimentary about the track.

One Amazon customer wrote: "My God, the musical equivalent of the Ebola virus. Anyway, isn't calypso music a bit foreign for UKIP?"

Another said: "Pretty sick with faux Jamaican accent."

Read hit the headlines in 1984 when he refused to play the Frankie Goes To Hollywood single Relax because he objected to its lyrics.

He has also turned his hand to musicals, but his 2004 show about the life of writer Oscar Wilde closed after one night due to dreadful reviews and poor ticket sales.

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Wife Held Over British Man's Murder In Bali

The wife of a British businessman who was found with his throat slashed and dumped in a Bali rice field has admitted ordering his murder, police have said.

Julaikah Noor Ellis, 45, was arrested on Tuesday night after reporting the disappearance of her 60-year-old husband Robert earlier in the day.

His body was found by a farmer in a ditch in the Bangdun region of the Indonesian island.

Mr Ellis' arms and legs had been tied up and his body wrapped in plastic. There were deep gashes in his neck.

Security guards outside the couple's villa complex in Bali

Badung police chief Komang Suartana said marital problems and money were among the possible motives for the murder.

He told Australia's Channel Nine: "We have named suspects - one of killers called Ariel and (the) victim's wife who has (ordered) and (planned) to kill the victim.

"Based on the victim's wife's confession, she wanted to take over victim's wealth."

He added: "She says she was hurt by the victim. There were many factors, one of them that her husband was frequently cheating on her."

Mr Suartana claimed Noor Ellis, an Indonesian citizen, was at home at the couple's luxury villa when the killer she had hired slashed her husband's throat in the kitchen.

A man accused of being the killer was arrested in Padangbai, a port in eastern Bali, where he was allegedly trying to flee to Lombok island.

Two maids were also in custody, while police are still hunting a further four suspects.

Police initially said Mr Ellis was an Australian citizen, but subsequently said he was a British passport-holder who had lived in Australia for many years.

"We are coming to terms with this tragedy only very slowly," said Ross Taylor, the president of the Perth-based Indonesia Institute and who said he had known the couple for years.

Mr Taylor said dual national Mr Ellis was a successful businessman who had lived in Indonesia for many years and was well liked.

He said he had been looking at acquiring a fish processing business in Sulawesi and owned a luxury villa in the Balinese seaside district of Sanur where he had settled for the past few years.

Flowers arrived at the villa on Tuesday afternoon from friends paying their respects.

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Lynda Bellingham's Xmas Wish In Last Interview

Lynda Bellingham revealed her plans for Christmas in her final TV interview before her death at the weekend.

The actress, who said she was "obsessed" with Christmas, had hoped for one more festive season after choosing to end her cancer treatment.

In the interview for Loose Women - a show for which she had been a regular panellist for a number of years - she assured her friends and colleagues all would be "fine" and said she longed to be remembered for her honesty.

Bellingham died in the arms of her husband Michael Pattemore at the age of 66 after her cancer spread from her colon to other parts of her body.

Speaking to Janet Street-Porter and Coleen Nolan on Loose Women, she said: "We're going to go to the hotel and have the meal but just my little bit of control - we're going home for pudding and presents. It's exciting.

"My only problem is getting the presents - my sister Jean has been absolutely amazing and I keep sending him (Michael) out for bizarre things."

Bellingham with Street Porter and Nolan. Pic: ITV

Bellingham told of her desire for a real Christmas tree, although her husband was not a fan.

"He's spent years trying to put me off a real tree and we're very lucky as we live in a converted psychiatric hospital which has got a really tall ceiling. All I've ever wanted is a real tree," she said.

Video: Lynda Bellingham: 'Oxo Mum' Dies

"'No, don't make me sweep up the pine needles, oh my goodness'," she joked, mimicking Pattemore.

"Hey I'm getting one, I'm getting a real tree. He'll just have to struggle out of the window with it afterwards, that's fine."

Bellingham received a standing ovation as she entered the studio and went on to say how she wished to be remembered: "Just as an honest person. Honesty.

"We've been through this as Loose Women - you can't do Loose Women unless you're honest.

"You can't hide anything, it really is honest when we answer questions. That's why I felt I could write about it and people would trust."

Video: Lynda Bellingham In Classic Oxo Ad

Reflecting on the past year, she said: "What's been so wonderful this year is that I've learnt so much from people. You know when you get so cynical in life - they say yet again you're not right for this part.

"You learn so much and the biggest thing - as you know I'm not very confrontational, I'm a bit of a weed, of course I've become a bit grumpy - it's amazing to be able to say things to people. It's taken me 66 years to find any dignity."

Bellingham said she had never taken the view that her illness was "not fair".

"To be honest we have no right to live forever. You know how I love a survey - a survey says you can live until you're 80, yes lovely, but it's not a given. Somebody else decides when you pop off the twig," she said.

Nolan cried at the end of the interview, but Bellingham consoled her, saying: "Don't cry. It's going to be fine, it will be fine - don't worry."

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Woman Killed By Falling Tree In High Winds

A woman has died after being hit by a falling tree in London during high winds caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo.

The London Ambulance Service said the woman died at the scene in Knightsbridge, west London.

A spokeswoman said: "We were called at 11.40am to reports of a tree fallen on a person on Kensington Road.

The tail end of Gonzalo hits Perth, Scotland. Pic: Ashleigh Jolly

"We sent an ambulance crew, a responder by car, an advanced paramedic, a medical team from London's Air Ambulance by car and a duty officer to the scene.

"Sadly, despite our attempts to resuscitate the patient, a woman died at the scene."

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1. Gallery: Remnants Of Gonzalo Blow Across UK

   Waves crash into the shoreline at Blackpool

2. A train braves the coastal route near Whitehaven in Cumbria, as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo blew into Britain, causing rush-hour misery for road, rail and air travellers

3. Some areas were subjected to gusts of wind up to 65mph, but forecasters predicted that the worst of the weather will be over after Tuesday

5. Rough seas near Whitehaven

6. A woman struggles to hold her umbrella during windy weather on London Bridge

7. People take photographs of heavy seas in front of New Brighton lighthouse near Liverpool

8. People are covered by a breaking wave as they walk along the promenade at New Brighton

9. Looking across the River Mersey at New Brighton

10. A ship close to the seafront in roughs seas at Crosby on Merseyside

11. Large waves hit the seafront at Blackpool

12. Waves crash into the shoreline at Blackpool

13. Visitors have to contend with gale force winds on the sea front at Blackpool

14. A coastguard vehicle drives along the promenade as waves crash into the shoreline at Blackpool

15. Foam from large waves and whipped up by gale force winds cover the coast road at Cleveleys near Blackpool

16. Large waves hit the seafront at Cleveleys near Blackpool

17. Waves hit the seafront at Blackpool, with the famous Blackpool Tower in the background

22. A runner on the Crosby seafront

23. A photographer on the seafront

25. A ranger vehicle on the seafront at Crosby

26. Passengers queue to check in at Heathrow Terminal 2 after some flights were cancelled

27. The departures board in Terminal 2 showing cancelled flights

28. The sea off Portland Bill in Dorset

Meanwhile, three women - one of them believed to be a wheelchair user - have been injured by a falling tree in West Sussex.

They were taken to hospital after the incident at the Southwick Recreation Ground just before 10am on Tuesday morning.

Hurricane Gonzalo - which at its peak sustained winds of 110mph - caused severe damage and a power blackout when it hit Bermuda at the end of last week.

A yellow weather warning is in place across most of the UK as the storm concludes its journey across the Atlantic.

Video: Latest Sky News UK Weather Update

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said 10% of flights with its biggest 20 carriers would be cancelled due to high winds, and more than 100 journeys have been axed so far.

"We do not know exactly how many passengers or flights that will have an impact on, although the cancellations are only expected for Tuesday," the spokesman said.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Although it will be sunny for most places, it will also feel chilly, mainly due to the winds that will be gusting up to 50mph for most places, and up to 70mph across exposed parts of the North and West.

"However, later this afternoon the winds will tend to ease from the South West and it should dry up across the Republic of Ireland and southern England later."

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Pregnant Kate Glad To 'Get Out Of The House'

The Duchess of Cambridge has appeared officially in public for the first time in the six weeks since her second pregnancy was announced.

Kate joined William to welcome Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife, Mary, on an official visit to Britain.

She told Mrs Tan she had been "looking forward to getting out of the house" when the president's wife expressed her pleasure at seeing her two years after they last met.

The Duchess is still reportedly suffering from morning sickness

The Duchess, who is just over 12 weeks pregnant, has been forced to miss a number of public engagements because she is suffering from a rare and debilitating form of morning sickness.

The royal couple visited Singapore in September 2012 as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

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1. Gallery: Kate And William Announce Due Date

   The couple, pictured at the Tower of London, announced they were expecting in September

2. Prince George gets a close-up view of a bilby during a Royal visit to Australia

3. Kate has suffered from hyperemisis gravidarum - extreme morning sickness - during both pregnancies

4. The world's media looked on as the Royal couple welcomed their first child George in July 2013

5. Prince George was born at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London

6. Kate's little prince will have a little brother or sister in a few months

Kate referred to that trip when she told the president: "It's a bit colder than our last meeting." He replied: "The weather is lovely."

The royal couple made the short trip from their Kensington Palace apartment to the Royal Garden Hotel, which is next door to the palace.

Watched by a large group of photographers, they took the lift up to the presidential suite where Mr and Mrs Tan were waiting.

William appeared on good form as he looked out of the hotel window onto Kensington Palace and said: "You can probably see into our bedroom window which is a bit worrying - I wouldn't look too closely."

Mr Tan is the first Singaporean president to make a state visit to the UK and his four-day visit will include a meeting with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, as well as having talks with the Prime Minister.

The 74-year-old was a successful banker before he entered politics in 1979 and held various positions before becoming deputy prime minister.

He left government in 2005 and later ran for president - he was elected Singapore's seventh head of state in August 2011.

The visit takes place ahead of Singapore's golden jubilee - the 50th anniversary of its independence.

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Brother Killed Identical Twin In Drunken Row

A plasterer who murdered his identical twin brother in a drunken row on New Year's Eve has been jailed for life.

Robert Cerqua, 32, was convicted at Winchester Crown Court of killing his brother Christopher.

The trial heard that Cerqua stabbed his twin in a "fit of temper" after a row at their family home in Hythe, Hampshire, on December 31 last year.

Judge Mr Justice Teare said: "His death and its consequences have had, and will continue to have, a devastating effect on your parents and those close to you.

"You grew up with your brother and from time to time worked with him in the building trade.

"When you were both sober, it seems you got on well. But when each of you had too much alcohol, there was a risk an argument might break out leading to violence."

The court heard that Cerqua had served prison sentences for offences of battery and affray involving his former partners. He also had previous convictions for motoring offences and criminal damage.

Nicholas Haggan QC told the trial that the twins' parents, Peter and Denise Cerqua, were at the property when the fight broke out in the kitchen.

He said the defendant fled bare-foot and called his girlfriend, who took him to a friend's party where he continued drinking.

Cerqua turned off his mobile phone while at the party, but was traced to the address by police and arrested.

He inflicted a seven-inch stab wound to his brother's lower stomach, but told police he had acted in self-defence.

The court heard DNA found on the knife matched both the defendant and his brother because they shared the same DNA profile as identical twins.

A blood test showed Christopher had 230mg of alcohol in 80ml of blood - nearly three times the drink-drive limit.

Cerqua had told police he had a "fiery relationship" with his brother, and drinking alcohol made him "short-tempered".

Detective Inspector Simon Baker, of Hampshire Police, said: "This is a double tragedy for the family who have lost one son and now have another who has been convicted of killing him.

"Our thoughts remain with Christopher's family and friends."

Julia Woodward, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, added: "His parents had to deal with the tragedy that will change their lives for ever.

"It may be that he did not intend to kill his brother but it was the prosecution case that he was guilty of the murder of his brother as he intended to cause him grievous bodily harm, which led to Christopher's death."

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Briton Found Dead With Throat Slit In Bali

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

A British man has been found dead with his throat slit and wrapped in a plastic bag on Indonesian holiday island Bali.

Locals discovered 60-year-old Robert Ellis' body in the island's Bangdun region.

A forensics doctor at Bali's Sanglah Hospital, Ida Bagus Putu Alit, confirmed reports the victim had several cuts to his throat, including one that severed a main artery.

Local police had thought Mr Ellis was an Australian citizen, because he had previously lived in Australia.

He had been living in a luxury apartment complex in the Balinese seaside district of Sanur with his Indonesian wife.

Police say the his arms and legs were tied up when a farmer discovered the body inside a plastic bag.

It is understood his body showed signs of bruising. Police believe he died early on Monday.

A spokesman at the Foreign Office told Sky News: "We were notified about the death of a British national on Bali on October 21. The Foreign Office stands ready to give consular assistance".

The spokesman added that Foreign Office officials were liaising with local police in Bali.

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Ambassador Demands Top Gear Public Apology

The Argentinian ambassador to the UK has made a formal complaint to the BBC and wants a public apology following the row over a Top Gear special filmed in the country.

The show's presenters and crew had to flee Argentina after protests and violence erupted over a car they were using for the programme.

Jeremy Clarkson was driving a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which some people believed was a deliberate reference to the Falklands conflict in 1982.

Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman has denied the number plate was a "stunt" and Jeremy Clarkson was "shocked" when someone pointed out the link between the number plate and the Falklands War days into filming.

Clarkson and his co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond

A statement from the embassy said: "Argentine ambassador to the UK Alicia Castro made a formal complaint to the BBC regarding Jeremy Clarkson's provocative behaviour and offensive remarks towards the government and the Argentine people, following Top Gear's recent filming in Argentina, calling for the BBC to make a public apology."

She met the BBC's director of television, Danny Cohen, at New Broadcasting House in central London on Monday.

The complaint referred to "serious accusations" Clarkson had made against the Buenos Aires government which he said had made "political capital" out of the issue.

The embassy statement went on: "Furthermore, the Argentine ambassador deeply regretted Jeremy Clarkson's entirely false accusations of alleged resentment against British citizens in Argentina."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC has received a complaint and will apply its usual processes."

The cars were attacked by a mob

Clarkson said the attack by an angry crowd armed with rocks and pickaxe handles earlier this month was "the most terrifying thing I've ever been involved in".

He emphasised that the number plate was a coincidence and not a stunt designed to cause controversy.

Ms Castro is not the first diplomat to be upset by the long-running motoring show.

In 2011, the BBC had to apologise to the Mexican ambassador over comments made by Clarkson and co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond.

May described Mexican food as "like sick with cheese on it" and Clarkson predicted they would not get any complaints about the show because "at the Mexican embassy, the ambassador is going to be sitting there with a remote control like this (snores). They won't complain, it's fine."

In fact, the Mexican ambassador His Excellency Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza wrote to the corporation to complain about the "outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable insults" and the BBC had to say sorry.

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Ched Evans Rape Inquiry Will Be Fast-Tracked

A "substantive" investigation into Ched Evans' rape conviction is expected to take place "within the next few weeks", the Criminal Cases Review Commission has said.

The disgraced footballer, who continues to protest his innocence, has had his case prioritised by the body, which examines possible miscarriages of justice.

If the review goes in Evans' favour, his conviction could potentially be overturned, as the CCRC has the authority to direct cases to the Court of Appeal.

A CCRC spokesman told Sky News: "In line with our published policy on prioritisation, and in relation to the facts of the case and the issues raised in Mr Evans' application to us ... we now expect our substantive investigation to begin within the next few weeks."

"The decision to prioritise the case simply brings forward the starting point of the investigations to decide whether or not there may be grounds for us to refer the case to the court of appeal.

Video: 'Heartbreaking' If Evans Re-Signs

"It does not in any way represent a judgment by the commission as to the merits of the case or its chances of being referred."

Evans was released from jail on Friday after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a woman.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror shortly before he was released, he said he was "ashamed" of his actions but insisted he is innocent of rape.

The 25-year-old striker added that cheating on his girlfriend, Natasha Massey, was "unforgivable".

"It was something that should never have happened," he said.

"I cheated on my girlfriend and had sex with this girl - but it was definitely consensual."

A statement posted on Evans' website from his family and girlfriend said he would "continue the fight to clear his name".

It added: "Chedwyn Evans maintains his absolute innocence and his family, friends and many who know the true facts of the case believe that his conviction was a gross miscarriage of justice."

Katie Russell, of charity Rape Crisis, told the Sunday Mirror the player's words were insulting to his victim.

"His protestations of innocence and sympathy only for his girlfriend are insulting, harmful and hurtful - not only to his victim, but also to the countless other victims of sexual violence out there," she said.

"He has never taken a moment's responsibility for his crime nor shown any regard for the terrible impact it has had on her."

The former Sheffield United player's release has divided opinion over whether he should be allowed to return to football.

1/11

1. Gallery: Sports Stars Whose Careers Survived Criminal Convictions

   Former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams was jailed for four months in 1990 for drink-driving. After admitting to an alcohol problem he set up the Sporting Chance addiction clinic

2. Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson served three years in prison after being convicted of rape in 1991. He returned to professional boxing after his release

3. In 1998 ex-footballer Vinnie Jones was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage against a neighbour. He was also found guilty of an air rage incident in 2003

4. American figure skating champion Tonya Harding received three years' probation for her part in an attack on Olympic rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. Others involved in the plot were jailed

5. Boxer Adonis Stevenson served four years in prison for managing prostitutes, assaults and making threats before turning pro in 2006. He went on to become WBC world light-heavyweight champion

6. In 2007 Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick served 21 months in prison for his involvement in illegal dog fighting. On his release he joined the Philadelphia Eagles and now plays for the New York Jets

7. Former Chicago Bulls basketball star Dennis Rodman has made as many headlines off the court as on. In 2008 he was sentenced to community service, counselling and probation for domestic violence

8. Scotland U21 international footballer Craig Thomson pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent behaviour with underage girls in 2011. He remains on the sex offenders register and now plays non-league football

9. American basketball star Lamar Odom, married to Khloe Kardashian, received a three-year suspended sentence for drink-driving in 2013. His most recent team was the New York Knicks, but they released him in July

10. Former Watford, Wigan and Middlesbrough footballer Marlon King, who has previously served time for drink-driving and sexual assault is currently serving 18 months for dangerous driving

11. Forest Green Rovers striker Lee Hughes served three years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving and played for Oldham and Notts County after his release

Many Blades fans have called for Evans to be rehabilitated but more than 151,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Bramall Lane club to block his return.

Sheffield United Community Foundation patron Charlie Webster said if Evans re-signed for the club she would be "heartbroken" and "disappointed".

She told Sky News: "It would send out the wrong message to the next generation to watch Ched Evans score a goal and cheer him on as a hero."

Ms Webster also said it would "wrong" for her to stay in her role with the foundation if the club took him back.

On Saturday, Sheffield United dismissed reports that the club has offered a new contract to convicted rapist Ched Evans as "false and damaging".

The club's co-chairmen, Kevin McCabe and Jim Phipps, said they had not yet made a decision about whether to re-employ him.

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UK Firms Consider Paying For Egg Freezing

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

British companies have said they would consider following Apple and Facebook's lead by paying for female staff to freeze their eggs.

With the US tech giants now offering the fertility treatment as a benefit, Sky News asked 18 city firms if they would consider providing the same perk.

Two said yes - Spacious, who provide office space, and the bike light company Blaze.

Its founder Emily Brooke said she would even like the option herself.

Facebook and Apple sparked a worldwide debate by offering the perk

She told Sky News: "It just gives you a little bit more freedom and takes the pressure off later on in life.

"The women in my team are just as ambitious as I am, they work incredibly hard and I wouldn't expect them to take up the opportunity, I wouldn't want them to necessarily, but I would like them to have the option."

Two years ago Sarah Brocklehurst had her eggs frozen. Now 43, she knows it isn't a guarantee she'll be able to conceive in the future but says it has given her a choice.

She said: "Just being able to freeze the eggs allowed me to take a little beat to relax, be able to look around sensibly at looking for a man that I wanted to be with, not just a man that I could have a child with, which is what I think - some women unfortunately fall into that trap.

"And also fix things like my career and my living situation. So I think it's the best thing I could have done really."

This week one of Europe's largest fertility clinics is opening on the edge of the city of London.

Video: New IVF Treatment Gives Women Hope

For £200 Create will offer businesswomen fertility tests in their lunch hour and the chance to freeze their eggs so they can concentrate on their careers.

But the centre's medical director believes all women over 29 should be routinely tested for free on the NHS to assess their chances of starting a family.

Professor Geeta Nargund said: "We need to be proactive if we want to help the nation's fertility in the long run and spend less in the long run on fertility treatments.

"We want to invest in proactive fertility screening on the NHS. Many times people say I wish I knew this, I wish I was able to find out about this five years ago."

Video: New Hope For Women Considering IVF

With so many advancements in fertility treatments there are some who believe couples may be relying too much on science as a quick fix if they delay having a family.

Professor Melanie Davies from the British Fertility Society said "I know there are social pressures and I know that one has to find Mr Right but if you're in a good situation a good relationship the best advice is to get on and have children naturally

"That is far more successful than freezing ones eggs and more successful than having IVF at a later stage."

At a cost of around £7,000 for three rounds of egg freezing, women will need a decent salary or generous employer to pay for it, but all experts agree that age is still likely to be the biggest factor when it comes to a couple's chances of starting a family.

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Hurricane Gonzalo Triggers UK Gales Alert

Gusts of up to 70mph threaten to cause travel disruption and difficult driving conditions as the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo hits the UK.

Gales are expected to affect much of the country on Tuesday, leading the Met Office to issue a "yellow" weather warning for most parts, including the Midlands, northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and western Scotland.

A 'yellow' weather warning has been issued for most parts. Pic: Met Office

While Monday night will see wet and windy conditions sweeping eastwards, the strongest winds are expected as the rain clears eastwards on Tuesday morning.

The Met Office said: "Gusts exceeding 50mph are likely inland, with 60 to 70mph gusts in exposed coastal areas in the west and north."

Video: Sky News UK Weather Forecast

It added: "The remains of Hurricane Gonzalo will run eastwards across the Atlantic, reaching the UK on Monday night, bringing a period of strong winds and heavy rain to the UK.

"The strongest winds are expected on Tuesday as the low pressure clears eastwards.

"Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity, but there remains the potential for localised disruption to travel, especially as the strongest winds will coincide with rush hour in places.

Video: Bermuda Clears Up After Hurricane

"Fallen leaves impeding drainage increases the risk of surface water affecting roads, while some damage to trees is possible, given that many are still in full leaf."

Hurricane Gonzalo caused widespread damage in Bermuda, pulling up trees and cutting power to 70,000 people.

It approached Bermuda as a Category 3 storm then weakened to Category 2 before moving ashore with sustained winds of 110mph (175kph).

1/4

1. Gallery: Hurricane Gonzalo's Path

   The latest predicted route of Hurricane Gonzalo sees it travel across the Atlantic towards the UK and Ireland. Pic: NOAA

2. Forecasters say a downgraded weather system could hit Ireland in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with this image showing their current margin of error. Pic: NOAA

3. Gonzalo could hit the British territory of Bermuda on Friday. Pic: NOAA

4. A NASA satellite image shows the hurricane as it departed the Caribbean

Nearly all of the island's roads were impassable and cluttered with debris and fallen trees, police said.

The roof of Bermuda's hospital was damaged and there was also water damage in its new intensive care unit.

Royal Navy ship HMS Argyll, with a crew of some 180 sailors, has been sent to Bermuda to help with recovery efforts.

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Cameron: 'A Vote For UKIP Is A Vote For Labour'

David Cameron has launched a fresh effort to try to persuade would-be UKIP voters to support the Conservatives, warning it would be a "terrible irony" if voting for Nigel Farage's party led to Ed Miliband becoming Prime Minister.

Mr Cameron said voters should not be "deceived" into thinking the next election was anything other than a "stark choice" between the Tories and Labour.

The PM repeated his promise to put measures to control EU migration at the heart of his plans to renegotiate the UK's relationship with Brussels.

Reports suggest Mr Cameron could bring in a cap on National Insurance numbers issued to low-skilled migrants from EU countries in a bid to cut immigration from the 28-member bloc.

The Sunday Times reported that this would see new arrivals being given a National Insurance number for a temporary period, preventing them from working and claiming tax credits in the UK indefinitely.

Video: Farage: Rochester Win Is Vital

But the outgoing president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, warned an arbitrary cap would not be compatible with European legislation.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, he said any cap on free movement would be "in principle" a contradiction of EU rules.

"It is very important to have a positive tone regarding these issues between Britain and the EU," he said.

"My advice to all the members ... is to have a constructive dialogue, a proper tone."

Video: Farage: 'I Don't Trust Cameron'

Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine told Sky's Murnaghan programme it was a "perfectly legitimate" subject for Mr Cameron to raise.

The general election in May will be "the most important for a generation", the PM said in an article for the Sunday Telegraph.

He said it would be a straight contest between himself and Mr Miliband for the keys to Downing Street.

In a message to wavering Tories, he said: "Let no-one deceive you that there is a third way. A vote for UKIP is a vote for Labour.

Video: What Effect Will UKIP's Rise Have?

"That much was proved in the recent by-elections. In Clacton, previously a Conservative seat, UKIP won. In Heywood and Middleton, Labour held their seat.

"And to those considering voting for UKIP on the issues of immigration and Europe, I would point you to our Conservative record."

The PM said this included his veto of an EU treaty, a pledge to scrap the Human Rights Act and an in-out referendum in 2017.

"There would be a terrible irony if people who care about these issues voted UKIP - making a Labour Government more likely."

Video: What Does UKIP's Win Mean For 2015?

The PM warned letting Mr Miliband into Number 10 would lead to a "great nation slipping back into decline", with households facing rising mortgage bills and jobs going overseas.

Shadow immigration minister David Hanson said: "Labour is in favour of reform to European free movement rules and we will examine any proposals the Government comes forward with to manage immigration with interest.

"But why should anyone believe the Prime Minister when he has a record of making big promises on immigration and not delivering, when everyone knows he wants headlines for the Rochester and Strood by-election, and when the briefing from the Government keeps changing every couple of days?

"The Prime Minister has made pledges on immigration before, promising that he would get net migration down to the 'tens of thousands', 'no ifs, no buts'. But he had no practical policies to deliver it, and that target is now in tatters."

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Web Trolls To Face Two-Year Jail Terms

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Internet trolls who target people with abusive material online will face up to two years in jail under Government plans being set out by the Justice Secretary.

Chris Grayling said he was determined to crack down on trolling with harsh punishments because it was leading to "absolute misery for victims".

He said the venom thrown at people over the internet would never be acceptable in real life.

Mr Grayling said it was "terrible" that the model Chloe Madeley recently received rape threats after defending controversial comments made by her mother, Judy Finnigan, about convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Chris Grayling said trolls are causing 'absolute misery for victims'

He said: "We already have offences in place to deal with this appalling behaviour, but we've toughened up the law to make sure these crimes can be properly investigated and those who commit the most serious offences face a longer prison sentence."

Cases are currently dealt with under the Malicious Communications Act in the magistrates courts, with a maximum sentence of six months.

Video: Fiery Debate Over Twitter Trolls

Now Mr Grayling is changing the law so the most serious cases can be passed on to the Crown Courts where they could result in much longer sentences.

It comes after Peter Nunn was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail after an online "campaign of hatred" against the Labour MP Stella Creasy.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Mr Grayling said trolls were "cowards who are poisoning our national life".

And Ms Madeley told the paper she supported the change, describing the current laws as outdated.

Video: Trolling Victim Nicola Brookes

They were drawn up 10 years ago before Twitter existed.

She said: "The current law obviously needs to be reviewed. It needs to be accepted that physical threats should not fall under the 'freedom of speech' umbrella.

"It should be seen as online terrorism and it should be illegal."

Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Blair said trolling is "probably the most challenging thing facing policing over the next 10 years".

Video: Chloe Madeley Slams Internet Trolls

He told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "A huge amount of people's lives, especially young people's lives, is now lived on the internet.

"And if it's lived on the internet and there are criminals on the internet then police are going to have go into the internet."

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