Helicopter Crash: Probe After Five Killed

An investigation has been launched into why a Lynx helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing five British service personnel.

The crash site, near Kandahar, has been cordoned off by investigators from the Military Aviation Authority.

The Taliban claimed its insurgents shot down the helicopter, but the Ministry of Defence denied this and said initial indications were a technical problem during the routine flight caused it to crash.

Experts have said the investigation will examine the aircraft's log books, weather conditions and whether the the helicopter was carrying out an authorised job in keeping with its capabilities.

Flowers left outside RAF Odiham in Hampshire

A spokeswoman said: "The investigation is now under way, and the area of the crash has been cordoned off.

"We cannot go into further details. At this stage it is not known how long the investigation might last or when investigators will deliver their report, but it will be a thorough inquiry."

Three of the servicemen were from the Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

A Royal Air Force serviceman also stationed at the base was among those killed, along with a member of the Army Reserve from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion.

Major General Richard Felton, commander of Joint Helicopter Command at RAF Odiham, said: "It is with the deepest sadness that I must confirm the death of five service personnel.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families at this most difficult time.

The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar

"The focus for the immediate future is to ensure that the families receive the support they need at this most difficult of times."

Next of kin for all five servicemen have been informed.

It is the third biggest single loss of life of British troops since the conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001. A total of 453 UK service personnel have been killed.

It comes after Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday his "heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed in this terrible tragedy".

He said: "Every British fatality is a source of deep sadness.

Lynx helicopters are deployed for a wide variety of operations

"This latest incident, which has cost the lives of five UK service personnel, brings home to us all once again how our armed forces continue to put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan."

Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News the deaths appeared to have been a "tragic accident".

He added: "It is a reminder of the work that our troops still do in Afghanistan."

Kandahar provincial police spokesman Zia Durrani said the helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar province, around 30 miles from the Pakistan border - and that it was not attacked by militants.

The helicopter involved was a Westland Lynx, an aircraft with a range of uses including transport and resupply.

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Spoof X Factor Musical Shuts After Six Weeks

The spoof X Factor musical I Can't Sing! will close less than seven weeks after its opening.

The show, written by comedian Harry Hill, opened on March 26 at the London Palladium in the West End.

But preview performances were postponed twice in a week after technical problems.

Rebecca Quigley, chief executive of Stage Entertainment UK, said: "We are sad to be bringing I Can't Sing! to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show.

Simon Cowell and Harry Hill at the opening of the show in March

"The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown.

"I Can't Sing! has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five-star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn't always enough."

The musical tells the story of a young woman who finds fame with a talking dog on the talent show.

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman led the cast, which included characters based on X Factor regulars like Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh.

Last month, Cowell said: "From day one there was a cloud over that musical. The critics had a field day.

"You've got to be confident in what you do, otherwise you'd be paralysed. I've always thought if I like something then other people will like it."

People who have bought tickets for shows after May 10 have been told to contact their original point of purchase.

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Body Of Missing British Man Found In Canal

The body of a British tourist has been recovered from a canal in Leiden after he went missing during a night out.

Wayne Davies, 22, vanished after leaving the Hifi nightclub in the Dutch city in the early hours of April 19.

His mother raised the alarm the next day after he failed to return home to the UK.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We were notified of the death of a British national on April 26 in the Netherlands.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

Police believe Mr Davies - a plumber's apprentice from East Grinstead, in Sussex - may have fallen into the canal.

His bank card has not been used since he disappeared, according to detectives.

Divers and sniffer dogs were used to search for him.

Mr Davies had been staying in the Golden Tulip hotel in Leiden with two friends.

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Man Found Dead After Solicitors' Firm Burglary

Detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered in a garden in Greater Manchester.

Police found him after being called to reports of a burglary at a firm of solicitors in Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, at around 4am on Sunday.

The man had a severe leg injury and officers are trying to establish whether he was involved in the break-in.

A post-mortem will take place later.

Two other men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and remain in custody.

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "I am confident this man is in some way connected to a possible break-in at the solicitors.

"Detectives are working to establish how this man came by his injuries."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3925 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Nile Ranger To Be Questioned Over 'Assault'

Police want to interview a former Premiership footballer in connection with an alleged assault on a woman and criminal damage at an apartment block.

Ex-Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger, who now plays for League One side Swindon Town, faces questioning after a building management company contacted officers.

The Wiltshire force says the firm has handed it CCTV footage of a man "kicking and smashing a door and lift" and "punching a female".

Police said around £2,000 worth of damage was caused to a lift door, wall and glass panel at a block of flats in Gordon Gardens in the centre of Swindon on April 13.

The force said a 23-year-old man would be "contacted via his solicitor for interview by appointment".

Officers also said they wanted to speak to the woman in the CCTV footage.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: "Police were contacted on April 23 by a building management company to report criminal damage at a residential address in Gordon Gardens, Swindon.

"The company were visiting to assess damage reported by residents to have happened on April 13 at approximately 4am.

"Damage caused is in the region of £2,000 of a lift door, a wall and a glass panel which was smashed.

"During the course of enquiries the company have supplied the police with a copy of CCTV of the incident which shows a man kicking and smashing the door and lift, and at one point punching a female who was with him.

"Police have been making enquiries to locate the suspect.

"As a result a man, aged 23, from Gordon Gardens in Swindon will be contacted via his solicitor for interview by appointment in connection with the criminal damage and assault."

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UKIP Member: Lenny Henry Should Leave Britain

A local election UKIP candidate has suggested that British comedian Lenny Henry should emigrate to a "black country".

Enfield candidate William Henwood was responding to recent comments made by Henry that there was a poor representation of ethnic minorities on British television.

On his Twitter account, he tweeted: "He should emigrate to a black country. He does not have to live with whites."

In a statement, UKIP insisted the party was "non-racist, non-sectarian" and that "any comments made by members that fail to uphold these values will be duly investigated and acted upon".

Mr Henwood is not the only candidate to have extreme views revealed in the past week since the party's manifesto was launched.

UKIP Camden candidate Magnus Nielsen claimed that 70% of UK mosques had been "taken over" by "fundamentalists".

According to his Facebook page, he said: "Islam is organised crime under religious camouflage. Any Muslim who is not involved in organised crime is not a 'true believer', practising Islam as Mohammed commanded."

A poll suggests Nigel Farage has not been damaged by recent controversies

And a UKIP member who appeared in the party's latest election broadcast was suspended after allegedly expressing "repellent views".

Andre Lampitt apparently posted racist and anti-Islamic remarks as well as inappropriate comments about Labour leader Ed Miliband on Twitter.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he was "very angry" that Mr Lampitt had been given a role in the broadcast.

Despite a bruising week of controversies, a poll suggests Mr Farage's party has surged into the lead in the European election contest.

UKIP recorded 31% support in the YouGov survey for the Sunday Times, three points ahead of Labour, with the Conservatives trailing in third place with 19%.

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Spoof X Factor Musical Shuts After Six Weeks

The spoof X Factor musical I Can't Sing! will close less than seven weeks after its opening.

The show, written by comedian Harry Hill, opened on March 26 at the London Palladium in the West End.

But preview performances were postponed twice in a week after technical problems.

Rebecca Quigley, chief executive of Stage Entertainment UK, said: "We are sad to be bringing I Can't Sing! to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show.

Simon Cowell and Harry Hill at the opening of the show in March

"The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown.

"I Can't Sing! has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five-star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn't always enough."

The musical tells the story of a young woman who finds fame with a talking dog on the talent show.

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman led the cast, which included characters based on X Factor regulars like Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh.

Last month, Cowell said: "From day one there was a cloud over that musical. The critics had a field day.

"You've got to be confident in what you do, otherwise you'd be paralysed. I've always thought if I like something then other people will like it."

People who have bought tickets for shows after May 10 have been told to contact their original point of purchase.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body Of Missing British Man Found In Canal

The body of a British tourist has been recovered from a canal in Leiden after he went missing during a night out.

Wayne Davies, 22, vanished after leaving the Hifi nightclub in the Dutch city in the early hours of April 19.

His mother raised the alarm the next day after he failed to return home to the UK.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We were notified of the death of a British national on April 26 in the Netherlands.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

Police believe Mr Davies - a plumber's apprentice from East Grinstead, in Sussex - may have fallen into the canal.

His bank card has not been used since he disappeared, according to detectives.

Divers and sniffer dogs were used to search for him.

Mr Davies had been staying in the Golden Tulip hotel in Leiden with two friends.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Helicopter Crash: Probe After Five Killed

An investigation has been launched into why a Lynx helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing five British service personnel.

The crash site, near Kandahar, has been cordoned off by investigators from the Military Aviation Authority.

The Taliban claimed its insurgents shot down the helicopter, but the Ministry of Defence denied this and said initial indications were a technical problem during the routine flight caused it to crash.

Experts have said the investigation will examine the aircraft's log books, weather conditions and whether the the helicopter was carrying out an authorised job in keeping with its capabilities.

Flowers left outside RAF Odiham in Hampshire

A spokeswoman said: "The investigation is now under way, and the area of the crash has been cordoned off.

"We cannot go into further details. At this stage it is not known how long the investigation might last or when investigators will deliver their report, but it will be a thorough inquiry."

Three of the servicemen were from the Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

A Royal Air Force serviceman also stationed at the base was among those killed, along with a member of the Army Reserve from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion.

Major General Richard Felton, commander of Joint Helicopter Command at RAF Odiham, said: "It is with the deepest sadness that I must confirm the death of five service personnel.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families at this most difficult time.

The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar

"The focus for the immediate future is to ensure that the families receive the support they need at this most difficult of times."

Next of kin for all five servicemen have been informed.

It is the third biggest single loss of life of British troops since the conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001. A total of 453 UK service personnel have been killed.

It comes after Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday his "heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed in this terrible tragedy".

He said: "Every British fatality is a source of deep sadness.

Lynx helicopters are deployed for a wide variety of operations

"This latest incident, which has cost the lives of five UK service personnel, brings home to us all once again how our armed forces continue to put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan."

Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News the deaths appeared to have been a "tragic accident".

He added: "It is a reminder of the work that our troops still do in Afghanistan."

Kandahar provincial police spokesman Zia Durrani said the helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar province, around 30 miles from the Pakistan border - and that it was not attacked by militants.

The helicopter involved was a Westland Lynx, an aircraft with a range of uses including transport and resupply.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Found Dead After Solicitors' Firm Burglary

Detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered in a garden in Greater Manchester.

Police found him after being called to reports of a burglary at a firm of solicitors in Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, at around 4am on Sunday.

The man had a severe leg injury and officers are trying to establish whether he was involved in the break-in.

A post-mortem will take place later.

Two other men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and remain in custody.

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "I am confident this man is in some way connected to a possible break-in at the solicitors.

"Detectives are working to establish how this man came by his injuries."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3925 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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