Duchess' 'Hotel' Baby Birth Not For Everyone

The Duchess of Cambridge is just weeks from becoming a mum for the first time - in the "hotel-like" environment of a private hospital.

The experience at the Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital, where it costs £5,000 for the first day of a normal delivery, will differ significantly from that of most expectant parents.

Manchester couple Chloe Renwick, 27, and Matthew Lee-Cook, 28, whose baby is due at around the same time as the Duke and Duchess', have been speaking to Sky News in the months leading up to their big day on July 17.

The pair, who are more than happy with their NHS treatment at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, told Sky's Adele Robinson what they make of the offering at the other St Mary's - which includes a glass of champagne to toast the new arrival.

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Cameron Meets Newly-Elected Pakistan PM

Afghanistan: PM Knows Risks Needed

Updated: 4:49pm UK, Sunday 30 June 2013

By Joey Jones, Deputy Political Editor

For years, the focus of British involvement in Afghanistan has been reasonably straightforward.

Fight the Taliban; force them into some form of submission or docility; limit the casualties among British troops as far as possible; try to prepare the Afghans (politically and militarily) to go it alone.

Now that British military involvement is drawing to a close, things are getting more complicated.

The political situation is in flux. President Hamid Karzai is due to leave office next year, creating instability on the government side.

The Taliban are coming to the negotiating table, and are likely to exhibit all the same qualities of aggression, unpredictability, disunity and stubborn endurance as have characterised them on the battlefield.

The process is already chaotic, and even if it succeeds is bound to collapse and be resurrected again along the way.

But the fact David Cameron went to the presidential palace days after an attack on the outskirts of the compound shows he thinks the main protagonists should react with a shrug of the shoulders to such bumps on the road.

Meanwhile, neighbouring countries are weighing the situation with an eye to extending their own sphere of influence.

Amid this maelstrom, for a British Prime Minister, there are decisions to be made, all in the knowledge that each decision could lead to a trap; each judgment could come back to haunt him.

Mr Cameron plainly knows risks have to be taken. He acknowledged as much when he effectively endorsed General Nick Carter's view that the Taliban should have been engaged in a political process way back in 2001.

Speaking in Lashkar Gah, Mr Cameron told Sky News: "I think you can argue about whether the settlement we put in place after 2001 could have been better arranged.

"Of course you can make that argument. Since I became Prime Minister in 2010 I have been pushing all the time for a political process and that political process is now under way.

"But at the same time I know that you cannot bank on that, which is why we have built up the Afghan army, built up the Afghan police, supported the Afghan government so after our troops have left, and they will be leaving under the programme we have set out, this country shouldn't be a haven for terrorists."

Drawing the Taliban into peace talks months after 9/11 would indeed have been thinking the unthinkable, but the Prime Minister is of the view  - though even he might not have been in 2001 -  that unless all sides are engaged, a political settlement will not hold.

Then there is the involvement of neighbouring countries.

Pakistani links with the Afghan Taliban have been until now a source of considerable frustration for the British, who have decried the often malign influence of elements within Pakistan on Afghanistan.

Now, though, those very links are seen as an opportunity - an avenue through which Pakistani politicians might put leverage on the Taliban to show themselves reliable partners for peace.

The risk, as ever, is that if Pakistan throws its weight around within Afghanistan, there is a tendency for the Afghan leadership to rush to the arms of Pakistan's arch enemy India, with the potential only to escalate the problems.

All in all, it is hard to calculate what the situation will look like in a month, let alone a year. Come back soon, Mr Cameron!

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Salford Murder: Police Seek Linzi Ashton Ex

The ex-boyfriend of a 25-year-old mother who was "brutally murdered" in her home is being hunted by police.

Detectives in Salford said Michael Cope, 28, was their main suspect in the death of Linzi Ashton and have warned locals against "harbouring" him.

Bar worker Ms Ashton had clearly suffered face and head injuries when her body was found on Saturday evening by relatives, police said.

It is understood her daughters Destiny, seven, and Daisy, two, were not at home in Westbourne Road, Winton, at the time.

The couple had an "acrimonious" relationship, police said, and officers had been called to the address in the past. Because of this, the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Ms Ashton's children were not at home at the time of the attack

Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Shenton said: "I have named Michael Cope as I believe he is responsible for Linzi's death.

"Linzi and Michael Cope have been in a relationship and that relationship has been acrimonious and the subject of reports to police.

"A young woman has been brutally murdered and our thoughts are with her family and friends at what is obviously a totally devastating time for them.

"I will take a dim view of anybody who provides assistance to Cope knowing that he is being sought by Greater Manchester Police."

A post-mortem examination on Ms Ashton's body was taking place on Sunday.

Neighbours have laid flowers close to the scene as police continue to look for clues.

Tributes were also left at the Duke of York pub in Eccles town centre, where Ms Ashton worked. One read: "Our Lovely Princess Linzi. Fallen too soon. Forever in our hearts and memories."

It is thought Ms Ashton was last seen alive by a friend in the Eccles area shortly before 2am on Saturday.

:: People are advised not to approach Michael Cope. Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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Meat From Diseased Cattle Sold By Defra

Meat from cattle slaughtered after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is being sold for human consumption by Defra, the food and farming ministry has said.

The meat is banned by most supermarkets and burger chains, The Sunday Times reported.

Tesco, for example, rejects it because of "public-health concerns surrounding the issue of bTB and its risk to consumers".

But carcasses from around 28,000 diseased animals are sold to caterers and food processors every year.

The meat then finds its way into schools, hospitals and the military, or is used in products such as pies and pasties, the newspaper said.

A Defra spokeswoman said: "All meat from cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB must undergo rigorous food safety checks before it can be passed fit for consumption.

"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed there are no known cases where TB has been transmitted through eating meat and the risk of infection from eating meat, even if raw or undercooked, remains extremely low."

Cattle which test positive for bTB must be slaughtered. Unless a private slaughter is arranged, the animals are taken to slaughter by Defra, which then pays compensation to farmers based on the market value.

Compensation ranges from £81 for a dairy calf up to £1,717 for an older breeding bull. Payments for pedigree cattle vary from £639 to £4,471.

Meat from slaughtered cattle is sold with no warning to processors or consumers that it comes from a bTB-infected herd.

A spokeswoman for the FSA said: "All meat must be marked with an identification mark which will indicate the approval number of the plant of origin.

"However, meat from TB reactors (animals that have failed tests for TB), once it has been passed as fit for human consumption, is not required to be marked in any way to distinguish it from other meat.

"Meat which passes the post-mortem inspection is fit for human consumption and does not need additional labelling."

The spokeswoman said that where an inspection of a carcass reveals tuberculous lesions in more than one organ or region it is declared unfit for human consumption and destroyed.

If the lymph nodes in only one organ or part of the carcass are infected, that area is removed and the rest is considered safe to enter the food chain.

"Cooking this meat would be an additional safety step, but we would emphasise the risk even before cooking is very low," she said.

George Browning, an organic farmer in Frankton, Warwickshire, told Sky News he would be "happy enough" to eat meat from a TB-infected animal.

"It's a waste for one thing," he said. "I'd rather eat something that had had TB than had been filled with drugs of all sorts, which I'd view as more unsafe to eat.

"People have got used to having cheap food and if you want cheap, you can't afford to be picky about what's in there."

The Sunday Times claimed Defra's reassurances contrasted with experts' warnings that rising levels of bTB in cattle are becoming a serious threat to human health.

Such claims have been used to justify a cull of tens of thousands of badgers which are said by some to help spread the disease between cattle.

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Dundee's Landmark Tower Blocks Demolished

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

A church in Dundee was the meat in a "demolition-sandwich" when two neighbouring tower blocks were blown down.

St Martin's Episcopal Church is situated just metres from Butterburn and Bucklemucker Court multi-storeys, which have been razed to the ground.

The congregation was decanted elsewhere for their Sunday worship, where prayers were said for the church to survive intact.

The top of one of the buildings appeared to fall onto its side

The Bishop of Brechin, the Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton, told Sky News before the demolition: "We'll be praying for everyone involved in the whole day, really. 

"There'll be a lot of other neighbours anxious about their properties and we'll be praying for them. We are confident that the blow down of the 'multis' will go well. 

"We've made our preparations, we've talked to the contractors and have a lot of confidence in them and we've certainly told our insurers!"

A huge pile of debris was left after the towers were brought to the ground

Preparations for the plume of dust included sealing the church organ in plastic, removing valuable items from the premises and taping up exterior doors.

The demolition of the 25-storey blocks removed two landmarks that have been prominent on the Dundee skyline since 1971. 

The 374 flats were demolished by explosives placed strategically in the structure of the buildings. 

A cloud of dust hangs over Dundee after the demolition

More than 10,000 detonators were used by the contractors SAFEDEM, which has worked on the tower blocks for several months, removing internal fittings and weakening support walls prior to the final 'blow down'. 

An exclusion zone has been set up closing off 20 surrounding streets and, as well as St Martin's Church, around 600 homes and 60 business premises were evacuated.   

Dundee City Council advised people in the area to keep windows and vents closed, not to hang out their washing and to cover garden fish ponds.

The demolition took place as part of a regeneration project for Dundee's Hilltown area.

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Meat From Diseased Cattle Sold By Defra

Meat from cattle slaughtered after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is being sold for human consumption by Defra, the food and farming ministry has said.

The meat is banned by most supermarkets and burger chains, The Sunday Times reported.

Tesco, for example, rejects it because of "public-health concerns surrounding the issue of bTB and its risk to consumers".

But carcasses from around 28,000 diseased animals are sold to caterers and food processors every year.

The meat then finds its way into schools, hospitals and the military, or is used in products such as pies and pasties, the newspaper said.

A Defra spokeswoman said: "All meat from cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB must undergo rigorous food safety checks before it can be passed fit for consumption.

"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed there are no known cases where TB has been transmitted through eating meat and the risk of infection from eating meat, even if raw or undercooked, remains extremely low."

Cattle which test positive for bTB must be slaughtered. Unless a private slaughter is arranged, the animals are taken to slaughter by Defra, which then pays compensation to farmers based on the market value.

Compensation ranges from £81 for a dairy calf up to £1,717 for an older breeding bull. Payments for pedigree cattle vary from £639 to £4,471.

Meat from slaughtered cattle is sold with no warning to processors or consumers that it comes from a bTB-infected herd.

A spokeswoman for the FSA said: "All meat must be marked with an identification mark which will indicate the approval number of the plant of origin.

"However, meat from TB reactors (animals that have failed tests for TB), once it has been passed as fit for human consumption, is not required to be marked in any way to distinguish it from other meat.

"Meat which passes the post-mortem inspection is fit for human consumption and does not need additional labelling."

The spokeswoman said that where an inspection of a carcass reveals tuberculous lesions in more than one organ or region it is declared unfit for human consumption and destroyed.

If the lymph nodes in only one organ or part of the carcass are infected, that area is removed and the rest is considered safe to enter the food chain.

"Cooking this meat would be an additional safety step, but we would emphasise the risk even before cooking is very low," she said.

George Browning, an organic farmer in Frankton, Warwickshire, told Sky News he would be "happy enough" to eat meat from a TB-infected animal.

"It's a waste for one thing," he said. "I'd rather eat something that had had TB than had been filled with drugs of all sorts, which I'd view as more unsafe to eat.

"People have got used to having cheap food and if you want cheap, you can't afford to be picky about what's in there."

The Sunday Times claimed Defra's reassurances contrasted with experts' warnings that rising levels of bTB in cattle are becoming a serious threat to human health.

Such claims have been used to justify a cull of tens of thousands of badgers which are said by some to help spread the disease between cattle.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Duchess' 'Hotel' Baby Birth Not For Everyone

The Duchess of Cambridge is just weeks from becoming a mum for the first time - in the "hotel-like" environment of a private hospital.

The experience at the Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital, where it costs £5,000 for the first day of a normal delivery, will differ significantly from that of most expectant parents.

Manchester couple Chloe Renwick, 27, and Matthew Lee-Cook, 28, whose baby is due at around the same time as the Duke and Duchess', have been speaking to Sky News in the months leading up to their big day on July 17.

The pair, who are more than happy with their NHS treatment at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, told Sky's Adele Robinson what they make of the offering at the other St Mary's - which includes a glass of champagne to toast the new arrival.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dundee's Landmark Tower Blocks Demolished

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

A church in Dundee was the meat in a "demolition-sandwich" when two neighbouring tower blocks were blown down.

St Martin's Episcopal Church is situated just metres from Butterburn and Bucklemucker Court multi-storeys, which have been razed to the ground.

The congregation was decanted elsewhere for their Sunday worship, where prayers were said for the church to survive intact.

The top of one of the buildings appeared to fall onto its side

The Bishop of Brechin, the Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton, told Sky News before the demolition: "We'll be praying for everyone involved in the whole day, really. 

"There'll be a lot of other neighbours anxious about their properties and we'll be praying for them. We are confident that the blow down of the 'multis' will go well. 

"We've made our preparations, we've talked to the contractors and have a lot of confidence in them and we've certainly told our insurers!"

A huge pile of debris was left after the towers were brought to the ground

Preparations for the plume of dust included sealing the church organ in plastic, removing valuable items from the premises and taping up exterior doors.

The demolition of the 25-storey blocks removed two landmarks that have been prominent on the Dundee skyline since 1971. 

The 374 flats were demolished by explosives placed strategically in the structure of the buildings. 

A cloud of dust hangs over Dundee after the demolition

More than 10,000 detonators were used by the contractors SAFEDEM, which has worked on the tower blocks for several months, removing internal fittings and weakening support walls prior to the final 'blow down'. 

An exclusion zone has been set up closing off 20 surrounding streets and, as well as St Martin's Church, around 600 homes and 60 business premises were evacuated.   

Dundee City Council advised people in the area to keep windows and vents closed, not to hang out their washing and to cover garden fish ponds.

The demolition took place as part of a regeneration project for Dundee's Hilltown area.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Salford Murder: Police Seek Linzi Ashton Ex

The ex-boyfriend of a 25-year-old mother who was "brutally murdered" in her home is being hunted by police.

Detectives in Salford said Michael Cope, 28, was their main suspect in the death of Linzi Ashton and have warned locals against "harbouring" him.

Bar worker Ms Ashton had clearly suffered face and head injuries when her body was found on Saturday evening by relatives, police said.

It is understood her daughters Destiny, seven, and Daisy, two, were not at home in Westbourne Road, Winton, at the time.

The couple had an "acrimonious" relationship, police said, and officers had been called to the address in the past. Because of this, the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Ms Ashton's children were not at home at the time of the attack

Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Shenton said: "I have named Michael Cope as I believe he is responsible for Linzi's death.

"Linzi and Michael Cope have been in a relationship and that relationship has been acrimonious and the subject of reports to police.

"A young woman has been brutally murdered and our thoughts are with her family and friends at what is obviously a totally devastating time for them.

"I will take a dim view of anybody who provides assistance to Cope knowing that he is being sought by Greater Manchester Police."

A post-mortem examination on Ms Ashton's body was taking place on Sunday.

Neighbours have laid flowers close to the scene as police continue to look for clues.

Tributes were also left at the Duke of York pub in Eccles town centre, where Ms Ashton worked. One read: "Our Lovely Princess Linzi. Fallen too soon. Forever in our hearts and memories."

It is thought Ms Ashton was last seen alive by a friend in the Eccles area shortly before 2am on Saturday.

:: People are advised not to approach Michael Cope. Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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Cameron Meets Newly-Elected Pakistan PM

David Cameron has promised to "stand together" with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism after holding talks with the country's newly-elected prime minister.

Mr Cameron, the first world leader to visit Nawaz Sharif since his surprise landslide victory in June, said the battle required "tough and uncompromising" action, as well as efforts to tackle the causes of extremism and radicalisation.

Afghanistan was high on the agenda for the Prime Minister following his visit to Camp Bastion and talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai a day earlier.

Afghanistan was on the agenda following Mr Cameron's visit to Camp Bastion

"I profoundly believe that a stable, prosperous, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan is in Pakistan's interest, just as a stable, prosperous, peaceful and democratic Pakistan is in Afghanistan's interest," Mr Cameron said.

He told Mr Sharif: "I know you and President Karzai will work together towards those ends."

Mr Cameron's visit came as a car bomb exploded in a market in Peshawar, killing 15 people and injuring 28. At least three children were among the dead.

Speaking after his meeting with Mr Cameron, Mr Sharif condemned the attack.

Children were among those killed and injured in the blast in Peshawar

"Pakistan has suffered the most in terms of human and financial losses," he said.

"We are, therefore, resolved to tackle the menace of extremism and terrorism with renewed vigour and close cooperation with our friends."

Mr Cameron said Mr Sharif was in a "strong position" to put pressure on the Taliban to negotiate a peace deal.

"Pakistan has had this democratic transition, which ... will raise its profile in a thoroughly good way in the eyes of the world," he said.

Mr Cameron holds a news conference in Islamabad following the talks

The Prime Minister also used the talks to urge Pakistan to go "further and faster" in boosting trade links with the UK, after a Number 10 source said there was "potential for British business given the growth in the Pakistan economy".

Following this visit to Pakistan Mr Cameron became the first serving Prime Minister to visit Kazakhstan as he began a visit to the mineral-rich country with hopes of boosting British trade.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev

Mr Cameron follows in the footsteps of former prime minister Tony Blair who has played a key role in helping Kazakhstan's development since leaving office.

But campaign group Human Rights Watch has condemned President Nursultan Nazarbayev's. regime. Mr Nazarbayev has been in power since the Soviet era and has led the country's economic transformation on the back of its mineral wealth, but has been labelled a dictator by critics.

An open letter to the Prime Minister, signed by Human Rights Watch's UK director David Mephan, said the group had been documenting human rights abuses in Kazakhstan for over 15 years.

The Prime Minister said the issue would be on the table during the talks. He said: "On human rights, in all the relationships we have, there's never anything off the table, we raise and discuss all these issues and that will be the case in Kazakhstan as well.

"I think it is important to make this visit and it's very much something I chose and wanted to do.

"Kazakhstan is one of the rising economic powers in the world. I think it's very important that British business, British investment and British firms get a proper chance in Kazakhstan, they're doing that, I want to help them to do that."

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