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