Edinburgh's Long-Awaited Trams Hit The Tracks

The Scottish capital's newly-finished trams have taken their first paying passengers, marking an end to a long-running saga over ballooning costs and massive construction delays.

Trams trundled through the streets of Edinburgh for the first time in 58 years on Saturday as the new service was opened to the public.

The line, which runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place, left Gyle shopping centre at 5am bound for the city centre.

One enthusiast holds a sign from the old tram system that ran until 1956

The sight of the trams on the city's streets will come as relief to many who have witnessed six years of disruption and delays, in part due to a bitter dispute between the council and the contractor.

The controversial project was due to have been in operation by 2010 and was initially planned to be considerably larger.

However, spiralling costs meant it was slimmed back to just one line. 

The controversial project saw costs double

The project ultimately cost £776m, double the figure originally anticipated, leading to calls for a public inquiry.

Those involved in the scheme now hope the controversy is behind them.

Edinburgh City Council transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "The tram project has been hugely challenging for the people of Edinburgh but now there seems to be a growing positivity in the city about the start of a brand new transport service.

Not everyone in Edinburgh has been disheartened by the delays

"I know from first hand experience how trams can transform and enhance a city and I'm determined Edinburgh should make the very most of the opportunities ahead."

The service costs £5 for a single trip from the airport and £8 for a return.

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Explosions Carried Out On Suspicious Car

A bomb disposal team has carried out a number of controlled explosions on a suspicious car in a Bristol street.

Police were called to Cassell Road, in the Fishponds area of the city, around 4am.

Officers found the car smelt strongly of fuel.

A 200-metre cordon has been set up and around 460 homes evacuated, with many residents moved to a rest centre set up at a nearby school.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and carried out several controlled explosions on the vehicle.

Bomb disposal experts

"This is a normal operational response to incidents of this nature."

Chief Superintendent Geoff Spicer said: "I'm very grateful to residents for their continued co-operation and patience.

"Public safety is a priority for us and the exclusion area was set up as a necessary precaution.

Cassell Road was sealed off by police

"We'll be carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this incident now the controlled explosions have taken place.

"At this stage we believe this is an isolated incident and could be linked to an ongoing dispute and we're progressing with lines of enquiry.

"The exclusion zone is likely to remain in place until at least 2pm today, so I'd advise people to avoid the area, as there are road closures in place."

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Body Found In Search For Missing Dorset Nurse

Police investigating the disappearance of a nurse who went missing from the hospital where she works have found a body in a car.

Detectives believe the body is that of 44-year-old Rui Li, who was last seen leaving Poole Hospital in Dorset at around 6pm on May 23.

Two men, aged 60 and 26, are being questioned on suspicion of murdering Ms Li, from Boscombe in Bournemouth.

The body was found "concealed within a silver Fiat Punto" along Verwood Crescent in north Bournemouth, a spokesman for Dorset Police said.

Rui Li's car was seen on CCTV leaving Poole Hospital on May 23

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester added: "This remains a very proactive investigation and we're still appealing for the public's assistance."

Specialist officers are forensically examining the vehicle and the surrounding area, which is some four miles from Ms Li's home in Burnham Drive.

Experts have already examined Ms Li's house.

Her distinctive Porsche Boxter, with the personalised number plate L1 RUI, was found outside a property in Wolverton Road.

A Ford Connect van which police wish to trace as part of their inquiries

Several vehicles have been seized.

In a statement released by police earlier this week, her 18-year-old daughter Lu Yao appealed for information about her mother's whereabouts and urged her to get in touch, even if she "just wanted to get away".

"My mum is a very conscientious and caring nurse and never lets anyone down, Miss Yao said.

"She is a very loving mum, supporting me with my studies from when I came to the UK from China.

Ms Li worked as a nurse at Poole Hospital

"She prides herself on her timekeeping and my mum has never gone missing before.

"This is completely out of character and I'm very worried. I really miss her and I just want her home."

Ms Li moved to the UK from China a decade ago and started working at the hospital in 2009.

Her next of kin has been informed.

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'Real Action' Needed In Hunt For Missing Briton

The brother of a British man who disappeared while trekking on a paradise island off Malaysia has urged the Government to appeal to local authorities to step up search efforts.

Gareth David Huntley disappeared four days ago after attempting to find a waterfall in the jungles of Tioman Island, off the peninsula's east coast.

He told friends at a charity project he had been working with he would return by 2pm that day but he has not been seen since.

A group of volunteers and local people have been into the jungle to search for the 34-year-old but have not found him.

Mr Huntley had been volunteering at a Turtle sanctuary

Mark Huntley said "real action" is needed to find his brother.

He said: "We need real boots on the ground in Malaysia. We need real pressure from William Hague at the Foreign Office. So far we haven't heard a word from him or David Cameron.

"Gareth's been missing now for five days and he's alone in the jungle. This was a man working out there as a wildlife volunteer - he deserves our assistance.

"This situation of delayed searches is all too familiar. We call on David Cameron to make just one phone call to the Malaysian authorities and kindly request they step up the search."

Mr Huntley's mother earlier demanded authorities step up the search for her son, who was on an extended holiday.

Janet Southwell said: "I'm extremely concerned and anxious about my son.

"He's been missing for four days now and as yet I've had no contact from any official agency advising me as to the progress of the search.

"At this stage I feel it's essential that the search be intensified as time is running out for Gareth, so I'd really appreciate the support of the Malaysian authorities and the UK Government with this."

A file picture of a beach on Tioman Island

Twenty Malaysian police officers and a search dog are now involved in the search.

Mr Huntley's family and girlfriend are also due to fly out to the region this weekend.

One of his friends who is in the area and doing what he can to help is Kyle Neo Kai Fu, who told Sky News he is certain his friend is alive.

"He knows a lot of things about self-sustainability," he said. "I think he's a survivor."

Kyle Neo Kai Fu and Gareth Huntley

According to one of the accountant's close friends, Malaysian authorities have so far failed to conduct a thorough search.

Sophie Wilson told Sky News: "Nothing has come from the authorities. As far as we're aware, the police were informed and haven't been doing anything. They've been incredibly lethargic.

"They've said they're performing a search but all evidence on the ground suggests they're just not taking this seriously."

Mr Huntley, from east London, had been working as a volunteer at the Juara Turtle Project, a conservation charity on Tioman Island.

One of the other volunteers, Charles Fisher, said police were informed the day after he went missing but did not actively begin searching.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the local embassy was aware Mr Huntley was missing and was offering support.

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European Elections: UKIP Tops British Polls

European Elections: The Winner And Losers

Updated: 4:01am UK, Monday 26 May 2014

By Michael Thrasher, Sky's Election Analyst

UKIP stormed to first place in the European elections, becoming the party of choice for nearly a third of voters.

This is the first time since 1906 that a party other than the big two - Conservative and Labour - has topped the poll in a nationwide vote.

The first result, once again delivered by the North East region, gave a taste of things to come. 

Last time the region's three Euro seats were spread among the three established parties.

This time both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats lost their seats leaving Labour leading with two MEPs but UKIP picking its first seat of the night.

Across the region UKIP even finished ahead of Labour in four local authorities that are used to tally the European votes.

As more regions declared their results it became clear that UKIP was on course to finish on top in the popular vote.

It out-polled the Conservatives in the South East and South West, in the Eastern region where it has gained a real foothold at local council elections and also the East Midlands. 

In the West Midlands, in parliamentary terms a real battleground between the Conservatives and Labour it was UKIP that once again eclipsed the traditional parties.

Further evidence that UKIP has been instrumental in stalling Labour's progress came in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Here, UKIP finished first with 31% of the vote, a two-point lead over Labour in what is generally regarded as one of the party's strongest areas.

Compared with the last time voters selected MEPs in 2009 UKIP registered double-digit increases in vote share across every region to declare overnight. 

The biggest losers were the Liberal Democrats who endured an appalling time, following so closely upon extremely disappointing local election results.

The pro-European party lost all but one of its MEPs from the first nine of Great Britain's 11 regional constituencies to declare and were relegated to fifth place behind the Greens.

The pressure that had grown on Nick Clegg as the party watched its councillors defeated may grow yet further as his critics point to his decision to debate with Nigel Farage as a catalyst for the party's collapse.  

Although Labour gained seats it will again be subjected to the accusation that it is punching below its weight. Opinion polling suggested that it was vying with UKIP for first place but the results show a clear gap between the two parties.

Indeed, while Labour is likely to overtake the Conservatives in the national vote once the counting is completed in Scotland the gap between the two main parties will not be great.

The national projection of the local election voting placed Labour just one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives and the closeness of the Euro voting will add to the pressure on the Labour leadership.

Of course, the pattern of voting will be different at next year's general election. Many voters that backed UKIP this time will return to one or other of the major parties.

But Mr Farage has undoubtedly produced chaos and confusion among the established parties and no one can be sure at this point about the impact his party will have in less than a year's time.

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Lost Yachtsman Was Fulfilling Lifelong Dream

The familiies of lost Cheeki Rafiki sailors Paul Goslin and James Male have paid tribute to their loved ones.

James Male's family say sailing was a way of life he really loved

Mr Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset, and Mr Male, 23, from Southampton, were on the yacht with Andrew Bridge, 22, and Steve Warren, 52, when it went missing enroute from Antigua to the UK on May 15.

The upturned 40ft yacht was found by the US Navy on Friday 1,000 miles from the Massachusetts coast, with no signs of life and its life raft still stored on board.

In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, the Goslin family said: "As you can imagine we were deeply saddened by the news on Friday night and are struggling to come to terms with the fact that Paul, our wonderful husband, son, father, grandfather, won't be found alive and returned home to us. 

"Paul was deeply loving and exceptionally intelligent and we know will be missed by everyone that knew him.

"Paul had been a passionate sailor for many years and loved everything to do with the water.  He'd been talking about sailing across the Atlantic for many years. 

The overturned hull of Cheeki Rafiki. Pic: US Coast Guard District 1

"We are therefore, trying to take some comfort in the knowledge that he was fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams."

Mr Male's family said in a statement that they were "deeply saddened" by Friday's developments.

They added: "James was a passionate sailor, surfer, kayaker and all round water sport enthusiast as well as being a keen snowboarder and outdoor instructor. 

"He loved being in the outdoors and on the water teaching new skills to people. We must therefore try to take some comfort in the knowledge that he was doing something he really loved."

The yacht Cheeki Rafiki

Both families thanked all those who had supported them during a difficult week, adding that they had drawn strength from the other families. 

They also thanked those involved in the search "especially the US and Canadian Coast Guards, the US Navy, the RAF, the merchant vessels and smaller yachts sailing through the area". 

The UK Government, especially the Foreign Office, was also praised for support that was "second to none".

Thanking the media as well, each family asked for the space and time to remember Paul and James.

Andrew Bridge was the skipper of Cheeki Rafiki

The family of the yacht skipper, Mr Bridge, from Farnham, Surrey, also thanked the search teams and paid tribute to the experienced sailor.

In a statement yesterday they said: "Andrew will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the rest of the crew on the Cheeki Rafiki.

The family of Mr Warren, from Bridgwater, Somerset, said yesterday: "From the beginning we, together with the other families involved, have continued to hold out hope that he would be found alive. The US Coast Guard have led an exceptional search.

"This is now an incredibly difficult time for all the family."

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Second Prisoner Goes On Run From Same Jail

A prisoner has gone on the run from a Suffolk jail - less than 48 hours since another man absconded from the same facility.

Police issued an appeal after they were contacted by officials at Hollesley Bay prison, who informed them Lewis Powter was no longer at the premises.

The 30-year-old - who has a Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm -  was last seen at 6.50pm on Sunday and was not present for the 8pm roll check.

Paul Oddysses absconded from Hollesley Bay prison on Saturday

He was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, and is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, clean-shaven with brown hair and blue eyes.

The last time Powter was seen he was wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers.

Police say he has connections in the Cambridgeshire area.

It comes after Hollesley Bay contacted Suffolk Police just after 1pm on Saturday reporting that 49-year-old Paul Oddysses had left the premises.

Oddysses, who was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm, is described as white, around 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean-shaven.

After Oddysses' disappearance, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."

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European Elections: The Winner And Losers

By Michael Thrasher, Sky's Election Analyst

UKIP stormed to first place in the European elections, becoming the party of choice for nearly a third of voters.

This is the first time since 1906 that a party other than the big two - Conservative and Labour - has topped the poll in a nationwide vote.

The first result, once again delivered by the North East region, gave a taste of things to come. 

Last time the region's three Euro seats were spread among the three established parties.

This time both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats lost their seats leaving Labour leading with two MEPs but UKIP picking its first seat of the night.

Across the region UKIP even finished ahead of Labour in four local authorities that are used to tally the European votes.

As more regions declared their results it became clear that UKIP was on course to finish on top in the popular vote.

It out-polled the Conservatives in the South East and South West, in the Eastern region where it has gained a real foothold at local council elections and also the East Midlands. 

In the West Midlands, in parliamentary terms a real battleground between the Conservatives and Labour it was UKIP that once again eclipsed the traditional parties.

Further evidence that UKIP has been instrumental in stalling Labour's progress came in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Here, UKIP finished first with 31% of the vote, a two-point lead over Labour in what is generally regarded as one of the party's strongest areas.

Compared with the last time voters selected MEPs in 2009 UKIP registered double-digit increases in vote share across every region to declare overnight. 

The pressure on Nick Clegg may grow further

The biggest losers were the Liberal Democrats who endured an appalling time, following so closely upon extremely disappointing local election results.

The pro-European party lost all but one of its MEPs from the first nine of Great Britain's 11 regional constituencies to declare and were relegated to fifth place behind the Greens.

The pressure that had grown on Nick Clegg as the party watched its councillors defeated may grow yet further as his critics point to his decision to debate with Nigel Farage as a catalyst for the party's collapse.  

Although Labour gained seats it will again be subjected to the accusation that it is punching below its weight. Opinion polling suggested that it was vying with UKIP for first place but the results show a clear gap between the two parties.

Indeed, while Labour is likely to overtake the Conservatives in the national vote once the counting is completed in Scotland the gap between the two main parties will not be great.

The national projection of the local election voting placed Labour just one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives and the closeness of the Euro voting will add to the pressure on the Labour leadership.

Of course, the pattern of voting will be different at next year's general election. Many voters that backed UKIP this time will return to one or other of the major parties.

But Mr Farage has undoubtedly produced chaos and confusion among the established parties and no one can be sure at this point about the impact his party will have in less than a year's time.

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