Dad Hears Of Son's Jet Death On Football Site

The father of a young British football fan on board the flight shot down over Ukraine said he found out his son was among the victims on the internet.

Barry Sweeney said he was "hurt" to have learned the news from the Newcastle United Fan Club website.

He had spent Thursday night trying to get through to official sources on "emergency lines".

Liam Sweeney, who worked night shifts at Morrisons, was travelling with friend John Alder, in his 60s, to see Newcastle United's pre-season tour in New Zealand when the crash occurred.

The 28-year-old would have been known to many fans during his time volunteering as a steward on supporters' buses to away games.

Barry Sweeney and John Alder were heading to New Zealand

Asked how he found out, his father told Sky News that he found out the NUFC website, which posted condolences.

He said: "I got a text last night off a friend, saying they'd heard something about a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, not really thinking much about it. Then I put Sky News on and was watching that.

"I rang a couple of numbers, spoke to a Malaysian lady…to be honest with you, a Geordie and a Malaysian lady trying to interact was a little bit difficult, but I gave her my number, hoped somebody would get back to us but they didn't.

"There was a number to text which I tried, nothing there. So basically I found out on NUFC.com this morning.

"It was impossible to believe, even when the police came this morning I thought he might have had too much to drink and he didn't get on the plane but they confirmed that he was on the plane."

Mr Sweeney added that his son was a "big friendly giant" who loved football "probably more than anything" but "was always there if you needed him".

In a separate interview the 52-year-old questioned whether he would want to go to the crash site.

"Is it worth it to see what I don't really want to see?" Mr Sweeney said.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Isle Of Wight Ferry Deck Collapse: Four Hurt

Four people have been taken to hospital after the upper deck of a car ferry collapsed.

Paramedics, police, fire crews and the coastguard were called to the incident at the Fishbourne terminal on the Isle of Wight at around 10.30pm on Friday.

In a statement, Wightlink ferries said: "As part of the usual disembarkation process, after vehicles on the lower deck had left the ship, the starboard forward mezzanine deck with nine cars on board was lowered.

"When it was a short distance from the deck below, it dropped a few feet and made contact with the lower deck."

An Isle of Wight Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Four patients required ambulance treatment for a variety of injuries, none of which are believed to be life threatening. All are conscious and breathing.

"All patients have now left the scene and are on their way to the hospital at Newport."

He added: "We are not aware of the nature of the injuries. It is very fortunate that it was only four people injured, all things considered."

Wightlink ferries said a full investigation into the incident is now under way.

"The incident has been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and Wightlink is fully co-operating with the authorities," it said.

"St Helen, in common with all Wightlink ferries, is inspected regularly by external surveyors. The last independent engineering survey of the ship, including its mezzanine decks, took place in May 2014 during her annual refit."

Portsmouth police warned of delays for people hoping to travel to the Isle of Wight from the city.

A spokesman said on Twitter: "Just liaised with Wightlinkferry (our side), there are delays for those wanting to travel tonight to the IOW due to the earlier incident."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Briton On Doomed MH17 Almost Missed Flight

A friend of Robert Ayley, one of the 10 British victims on board flight MH17, has revealed the father-of-two almost missed the flight.

Bill Patteson, who was travelling with the 27-year-old around Europe visiting Rottweiler breeders, has told Sky News his friend didn't make it onto the bus to take him from his hotel to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

But Mr Ayley, who was originally from Guildford but moved to New Zealand as a child, managed to get there in time to board the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight, which was shot down over Ukraine with almost 300 people on board.

An ex-journalist, helicopter pilot, students and Newcastle United fans are among the other British victims.

Mr Patteson, who flew back to New Zealand the day before, said: "There were so many things that came together to make Rob be on that flight.

"The stars really had to align for Robert to be on that flight, even right down to the last minute.

Six of the British victims on flight MH17

"Everyone was hoping he'd missed the flight, but Robert being the great organiser that he was managed to get on his flight."

Mr Patteson described his friend as a "really great, confident young man" who was proud of his British roots.

Mr Ayley's wife Sharlene wrote on Facebook: "Rob was our everything. We adored him and there was no one else like him. He touched so many hearts and lives.

"We are grateful to forever have him in our hearts."

The Boeing 777-200 in February. Pic: Andreas Fietz

Mr Ayley's family said he was passionate about life and his family, adding that when it came to Rob "there were no half measures".

"He found in his boys two little people he could love, understand and trust," they said.

"When they cried they were sad, when they laughed they were happy and when they hugged it was because they loved him."

The statement added: "Sharlene and Rob are soul mates. She is his 'Princess'. She changed his life and he changed hers.

"She held his heart and he held hers. Rob will live forever in his family."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thunder, Hail And Lightning After Hottest Day

Flood warnings have been issued for most of England and Wales as more thunderstorms are expected - after at least 3,000 were reported in the South East on Friday.

Sky News weather forecasters said heavy showers in the South and South East would move northwards across Britain during the morning after temperatures reached 32C (90F) on Friday, making it the hottest day of the year so far.

They have predicted "torrential downpours, hail, frequent lightning and the risk of localised flooding".

The Environment Agency warned up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas.

Almost every county in England and Wales is at "medium" risk of flooding, according to the EA, which has issued 59 flood alerts, warning people to be prepared.

The majority are in the Midlands, the South East and the South West.

Lightning strikes over the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire

Fire crews were called to a number of incidents caused by lightning overnight into Saturday.

The first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne, Kent, was set alight by a lightning strike, while the roof of a bungalow was hit in Whitstable, Kent Fire and Rescue said.

Houses were also hit in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.

Hot and humid conditions during the day on Friday brought warnings from Public Health England (PHE).

It urged people to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun when at its hottest and to wear at least factor 15 sun cream for skin protection.

There were a reported 3,000 lightning strikes. Pic: Laurie Knight

It also called for people to look out for those most at risk - children and the elderly.

Temperatures are expected to be slightly lower today with a high of 26C (79F) in London, but it will still be very humid in the South and the Midlands.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic will have a mostly dry start to the day.

It will be unsettled again on Sunday with sunny spells and showers, and more heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

Despite the thundery conditions there is still a "yellow" warning of a heatwave for the UK, which advises people to be "alert and ready".

Lightning close to Tilbury Docks in Essex. Pic: Alby Lovelock

There is a 60% chance of a heatwave continuing until tomorrow morning, according to the Met Office.

A Heathrow Airport spokeswoman said airlines would cancel 20% of flights between 4pm and 6pm today due to the thundery weather.

An electrical surge at Manchester Airport had led to some delays.

General duty manager Gary Brown said: "It impacted on some lifts and baggage systems but most systems are now back up and running.

"We'll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we're expecting thunder."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malaysia Plane Crash: British Victims Named

Briton Glenn Thomas was one of nine UK nationals on board flight MH17 when it crashed in eastern Ukraine, colleagues said.

Two Newcastle United fans, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were travelling to see their football team play in New Zealand, also died in the crash, according to NUFC.com and the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Mr Thomas, 49, was among 100 delegates reportedly on their way to an international conference on Aids in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Lange is believed to have been with partner Jacqueline van Tongeren

He was a media officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva where friends today spoke of their shock and loss.

Fadela Chaib, a spokeswoman for WHO, said: "We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."

Some of the great minds in the fight against HIV and Aids were on their way to the International Aids Society (IAS) summit, including, it is understood, one of its former presidents Dr Joep Lange, a well-known researcher from the Netherlands.

"If this is the case then the HIV/Aids movement has truly lost a giant," the IAS said in a statement.

Albert Rizk and his wife Maree were returning from a holiday in Europe

Among the 283 passengers and 15 Malaysia Airlines cabin crew on board were also 173 Dutch nationals, 44 Malaysians, 27 Australians, 12  Indonesians, four Germans, four Belgians, three Filipinos, one Canadian and a New Zealander.

In a bizarre twist of fate, 41-year-old flight attendant Sajid Singh swapped flights to fly on MH17 - months after his wife swapped off the doomed MH370 which vanished flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, his his father Jijar Singh told The Malaysian Insider.

Kaylene Mann, from Queensland, Australia, who lost her brother and sister-in-law in the flight which disappeared on March 8, 2014, is now mourning the loss of her stepdaughter Maree Rizk, who together with her husband Albert, were were aboard MH17 on their way back to their Melbourne home after a month-long European holiday.

Cor Pan posted a picture of the airliner on Facebook before he boarded it

Sailor and businessman Nick Norris, 68, was also on his way home from a breakaway in Europe with his three grandchildren, Milo Maslin, 12, Evie Maslin, 10, and Otis Maslin eight, aboard the airliner, Perth Now reported.

The children's parents were said to be devastated, while Mr Norris's daughter Natalia Gemmell, said her father was a "great man" and described her niece and nephews as "gentle, clever and beautiful kids".

Young Dutchman Cor Pan, from Volendam, north of Amsterdam, who is also believed to have perished in the disaster, posted a picture of the jetliner on Facebook, minutes before he boarded it, writing: "If it should disappear, this is what it looks like."

More follows...

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Couple 'Shaken' After Missing Doomed Flight

A British family scheduled to fly on the downed Malaysia Airlines plane say they have a "second chance" at life after being forced to miss the flight because there were not enough seats.

Barry Sim, from Scotland, his wife Izzy, and the couple's young child were travelling to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport in a taxi on Thursday evening when they heard about the crash.

They had been due to catch flight MH17 to Malaysia earlier in the day, but were told they would have to switch to another plane.

Cradling her baby at the airport, Mrs Sim said: "I'm shaken. I don't even know what to do. I feel physically sick.

"I was coming from the Hilton (hotel) in The Hague to the airport in the taxi and I was just crying.

"I'm just thinking that I feel like I've been given a second chance, so hopefully we will get there (to Malaysia) safely and we will see my family again."

The couple told the Daily Telegraph they were forced to swap to a KLM flight bound for Kuala Lumpur as there were too few seats for them and their baby.

A woman cries as she waits for information in Kuala Lumpur

Mr Sim told the newspaper he also felt "sick" after hearing about his family's lucky escape, but added that he wanted to carry on with his life.

"In my mind lightning never strikes twice in the same place, so I am still philosophical that you get on the flight and you go about your life," Mr Sim told the newspaper.

Flight MH17 was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur at an altitude of 33,000ft (10,000m) when contact was lost yesterday afternoon.

An armed pro-Russian separatist at the crash scene

The plane crashed near the border with Russia. There were nine Britons among the 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board.

An adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry said the Boeing 777 had been hit by a Buk ground-to-air missile.

US intelligence has also concluded a surface-to-air missile brought the plane down, but it is not clear who is responsible for the tragedy.

Crash investigators have been given access to the site and journalists have been encouraged to take pictures, many of which are too graphic to show.

A video which has emerged of a massive fireball shooting into the air - the apparent moment the plane was blown out of the sky - features three men, reported to be pro-Russian rebels, talking about the explosion.

Before the flight set off from Amsterdam, a young Dutchman posted a picture of the jet on Facebook, writing: "If it should disappear, this is what it looks like." 

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Britain To Burn On Hottest Day

Britain is expected to experience another scorching day as temperatures top records set on Thursday.

The hot and humid conditions across the country follow overnight storms that saw heavy rain, thunder and lightning.

And those downpours will return again on Friday night to disappoint Britons hoping for a sun-packed weekend.

Forecasters predict they are likelier to be even heavier than those experienced late on Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday.

"Today, we are going to see the highest temperatures of the year so far and we are expecting them to hit 32C," said Sky weather producer Rebecca Yussuf.

"However, we expect overnight tonight will be a repeat of last night, only more so, particularly over England, Wales and Scotland as heavy storms come up from France.

Temperatures in London will pass the 29.2C they hit on Thursday

"There is a real risk of torrential downpours of heavy rain, hailstones, frequent thunder and lightning.

"I wouldn't be surprised if some people see some flooding within the next 24 hours."

The Met Office has upgraded its warning from yellow to amber, saying: "Where thunderstorms do form, some torrential downpours are likely with frequent lightning, large hail and locally strong gusts.

"Significant flooding is possible where these do occur from surface water as well as from small, fast-responding watercourses."

John Curtin, director of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: "Intense heavy rainfall this weekend brings a surface water flood risk for England throughout the weekend.

"Flooding can happen very quickly and the public are urged to keep checking local weather forecasts and the Environment Agency website for information on a regular basis.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support local authorities, who will respond to any reports of surface water flooding. We will also continue to monitor river levels closely and issue warnings where flooding is likely."

Thursday was until now the hottest day of the year, with temperatures touching 29.2C.

The hot, humid conditions have brought health warnings from Public Health England (PHE).

It urged people to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun while it is at its hottest, and to wear at least factor 15 sun cream for skin protection.

It has also called for people to look out for children and the elderly, who are most at risk.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deepcut: New Pte Cheryl James Inquest Ordered

A fresh inquest has been ordered into the death of Private Cheryl James, who died at Deepcut barracks in 1995.

The 18-year-old was found with a single gunshot wound to the head.  

An earlier inquest into her death recorded an open verdict, but two High Court judges quashed that on Friday due to "an insufficiency of inquiry".

Judge Peter Thornton QC said "the discovery of new facts or evidence" made "a fresh investigation, including a fresh inquest, necessary or desirable in the interests of justice".

Des and Doreen James applied for a new inquest after the Human Rights Act was used to get access to documents about their daughter's death.

"When young people die in violent circumstances, a rigorous and transparent investigation should be automatic," they said in a statement.

Pte James Collinson also died at the barracks in Surrey

"Something went dreadfully wrong at Deepcut, yet until now no-one has bothered to look at how and why our daughter died.

"We can only hope that Cheryl's legacy helps change the current ineffective and discredited military justice system."

Pte James was one of four soldiers who died at the barracks in Surrey between 1995 and 2002, as claims of bullying and abuse emerged.

Privates Sean Benton, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds.

Pte James was found in a small wooded area close to the gate where she had been posted, alone.

In the subsequent investigation, the fragmented bullet from her head was not examined and was later lost. Also lost were the bullet's casing, other bullets in the rifle and Pte James' clothing.

"Her rifle was not examined forensically. No fingerprints were taken from it. No gunshot residue tests were made," Judge Thornton said.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Health Fears As UK Gets Hotter Than Bahamas

By Nazaneen Ghaffar, Weather Presenter

Temperatures are set to reach 32C (90F) across many southern parts of Britain over the next few days, leading to the chance of severe thunderstorms.

Today, England and Wales will be mainly dry with spells of warm sunshine and it will feel very warm, especially across the southeast.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic will also have sunny spells, however western Scotland may see some scattered showers.

Temperatures will widely reach the mid to high 20s across England and Wales, and up to 30C (86F) is possible in the southeast.

The hottest areas will be in the South East of England. Pic: Met Office

However, Scotland and Ireland will be several degrees cooler.

By this evening, thundery showers will spread into Kerry and Cork and move northwards through the night across most of the Republic of Ireland as well as parts of southwest England, Wales, the Midlands and central and southern England.

The heaviest and most torrential downpours are likely over Ireland. It will be a warm and muggy night as well, especially in the south.

Friday will be another very warm day across England and Wales with high humidity.

A warning for heavy rain on Saturday has been issued. Pic: Met Office

The showers and thunderstorms will continue spreading northwards into Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland.

As the showers clear, long spells of sunshine will develop in the south. Temperatures will be high again, up to 32C (90F) in the south.

However, from Friday night and into Saturday the Met Office has issued a weather warning for heavy thundery showers for England, Wales and southern Scotland

It says frequent lightning, large hail and strong gusts are possible - as well as flooding.

The hot weather has brought health warnings from authorities - especially for the elderly, the young and those with serious illnesses.

Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection at PHE, said: "Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible."

The Met Office has declared a level 2 heat-health alert, which is activated when there is at least a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days and into the night to have an impact on health.

Friday will be the hottest day, with temperatures 30C or more in places

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for rain for much of the UK, with "significant" flooding possible.

The reason for the hot conditions is southerly winds dragging up very warm and humid air, mainly from Iberia where temperatures are close to 40C (104F) in the south of Spain.

Next week's temperatures are likely to be a little lower, however it will still feel very warm and there will still be some thunderstorms.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

How To Keep Your Cool In The Summer Heatwave

Public Health England and the NHS have given the following guidance to help people during the heatwave.

:: Try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am to 3pm. If you are outside, stay in the shade where possible.

:: Apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection.

:: Avoid strenuous activity.

:: Wear UV sunglasses, preferably wrap-around, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes.

:: Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf.

:: Drink lots of cool non-alcoholic drinks and food with high-water content, such as fruit and salads.

:: Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses.

:: Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

:: Keep your house cool - close light-coloured curtains on windows that get direct sun; open windows overnight if safe; turn off non-essential light and electrical items that generate heat.

:: Cool (not cold) showers and baths may help; also try sprinkling water over skin and clothes, or a damp cloth on the back of your neck

:: If observing Ramadan, drink lots of water between fasts. If you feel unwell, confused or disorientated consider breaking your fast. The Muslim Council of Britain says this is allowable under Islamic law.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shale Gas Terminal 'Saves' Grangemouth

The owners of the Grangemouth terminal, threatened with closure last year, say its future has been secured by a Goverment loan to help build a shale gas facility.

Ineos says the promise of £230m would allow it to raise funds to invest in a new terminal to import, store and process ethane from shale gas as North Sea supplies dwindle.

The company said it was one of the most important infrastructure projects of recent times in Scotland and would protect thousands of jobs across the UK by ensuring the long-term future of petrochemical manufacture at Grangemouth.

The ethane tank will be the largest in Europe and is central to the company's plans to import shale gas from the US - a product that has helped bring down world gas prices but is controversial because of the use of a process called fracking to extract it.

The prospect of UK-based fracking has faced stiff opposition from environment campaign groups and communities, though ministers argue it is needed to bring prices down and boost gas supplies.

Under its plans, Grangemouth will, by 2016, be a shale gas-based facility, which Ineos said was essential if it is to compete in world markets beyond 2017.

The future of the site was in doubt last year because of an industrial dispute, but Ineos said it had invested £300m as part of a long-term survival plan.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "Over £1bn of infrastructure projects have now been brought forward as a result of the UK guarantees scheme and £36bn worth of projects are pre-qualified.

"Our action is creating the right conditions for more investment in our infrastructure, helping to build a stronger economy and a fairer society across the country.

"The Grangemouth guarantee is fantastic news for Scotland's economic future, and for the UK's energy security."

Ineos chief finance officer Gerry Hepburn said: "The news that the UK government is supporting our plans to build an ethane import and storage facility at Grangemouth with a loan guarantee is a critical element to ensure the long-term future of the site.

"We will use the loan guarantee to raise funds through a public bond issue.

"The proceeds of the bond will be used to fund the ethane tank project at Grangemouth.

"It will be very rewarding to see the renewal of the site starting to take shape as we begin construction work."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Assurance Letters' Not Amnesty For Terrorists

The assurance letters sent to around 200 wanted Irish republicans did not amount to a terrorist amnesty, a review has found.

The scheme, which resulted in the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was accused over the 1982 Hyde Park bombing, was "flawed" and "unprecedented", the inquiry found, but was not "unlawful".

However, the letter sent to Mr Downey assuring him he would not be prosecuted was a mistake caused by a system "open to error" and the review found that two further letters had been wrongly sent.

One letter sent out in similar circumstances was not revoked despite authorities later realising it was issued after a mistake had been made on the date of birth.

A second letter was sent out although the suspect was wanted for an offence committed after the Good Friday Agreement.

Lady Justice Hallett, who led in the inquiry, said: "The administrative scheme did not amount to an amnesty. Suspected terrorists were not handed a 'get out of jail free card'."

The aftermath of the Hyde Park bombing

Announcing the conclusions of the review in the House of Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "So I repeat again today to the people holding these letters, they will not protect you from arrest or prosecution and should the police succeed gathering sufficient evidence, you will be subject to due process of law."

The judge-led review into the so-called "amnesty letters" scheme, which started in 2000, was ordered after the collapse of the trial of Mr Downey in February after a judge ruled the letter meant he could not be prosecuted.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) sent the letter even though Mr Downey was wanted by the Metropolitan police - when they realised the mistake they did not act.

Lady Hallett said the PSNI's failure to do anything about the error was "inexplicable in law and logic".

The case triggered a crisis in Northern Ireland leading the Democratic Unionist First Minister Peter Robinson to threaten to resign, claiming he knew nothing about the letters.

However, the review found that the deal between Tony Blair's Government and Sinn Fein in the wake of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was not a "secret".

It found Mr Blair gave Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams an assurance steps would be taken to resolve the issue of on the runs, which was seen as an issue of genuine importance to the peace process.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement the early release of those convicted of terrorist offences during the Troubles was agreed, however, it left the question of what to do with those wanted for crimes.

The inquiry found 228 names were put forward for consideration for the scheme by Sinn Fein, the Irish Government, and the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Of those, 156 were given letters of assurance that they were not wanted, 31 were told they were not wanted some other way, 23 were told they were wanted and 18 have not been made aware of their status. 

More follows...

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hair Salon Killer Jailed For At Least 24 Years

Asher Maslin, who stabbed his ex-girlfriend Hollie Gazzard to death at the hair salon where she worked, has been jailed for life.

Maslin, 22, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.

The former security guard stabbed his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend to death at the Fringe Benefits & La Bella Beauty salon in Gloucester on February 18.

Staff and customers tried to protect her, but Maslin cornered her by the reception desk and stabbed her 14 times with a £3 knife he had bought on the way to confront her. She had recently ended their relationship.

Hollie Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone police if Maslin turned up

Police were already on their way to the salon as Ms Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone 999 immediately if Maslin turned up.

Officers arrived within minutes of the attack but were unable to save her. She was pronounced dead just over an hour after the attack at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Maslin was arrested the following day and later admitted a charge of murder.

Sentencing him at Gloucester Crown Court, Mr Justice Teare said: "The number of stab of wounds on a defenceless young woman show that this was a merciless killing.

Maslin went to the salon to confront Ms Gazzard

"It was carried out in public, witnessed by customers of the salon, colleagues of Hollie Gazzard and by passers-by.

"Hollie Gazzard was 20 years of age and at the start of her adult life. As her father said 'the world was at her feet'.

"Her family has lost a daughter and a sister. Hollie's father and sister have described the devastating effect Hollie's death has had on them and on other members of the family.

"Her death has been felt throughout Gloucester as is shown by the circumstance that over 900 mourners attended her funeral at the cathedral."

The judge added that Maslin had taken cocaine and crack cocaine in the days before the killing.

As he was taken away, Maslin nodded to members of his family, who were weeping in the public gallery, and said: "Sorry."

Miss Gazzard suffered multiple wounds to her neck, chest and torso and died as a result of massive blood loss.

The court heard she was killed just days after ending their relationship. Maslin also sent her threatening text messages before carrying out the attack.

Hollie's father Nick Gazzard said: "She was a character, she would keep you on your toes. She used to light up the room when she came home from work.

"It is such a loss now not to have her around. It was like a light bulb going on when she came in. She was the life and soul of every party that she went to."

The family, from Churchdown, near Gloucester, have launched a foundation - the Hollie Gazzard Trust - in her memory to protect young people from knife crime and domestic violence.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Unit To Monitor NHS Savile Complaints

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

The Government believes Jimmy Savile could have abused more patients and staff in NHS hospitals than is currently known.

The Department of Health (DoH) is setting up a special unit to monitor new complaints from victims and to ensure that NHS trusts investigate them properly.

A spokeswoman for the DoH told Sky News the Savile NHS Legacy Unit was being established following publication last month of reports published under the Lampard review into abuse on NHS premises by the disgraced entertainer.

"The NHS has addressed cases reported to date in the reports published last month but we appreciate that there could be other cases," the spokeswoman said.

"(We) want to make sure people are able to come forward to report abuse by Jimmy Savile on NHS premises."

The unit is being set up following publication of the Lampard review

The Lampard review oversaw NHS investigations into Savile's activities at 28 hospital trusts which revealed that he targeted victims aged from five to 75, over decades.

The reports, including a claim that he had sex with corpses, led to an apology from Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to victims on behalf of the Government.

The DoH was not able to say how the unit will be constituted or how long it will be maintained, but said it would monitor the response of NHS trusts to any new allegations.

"The Savile NHS Legacy Unit will provide independent oversight and assurance of the investigations conducted by those NHS Trusts," the spokeswoman added.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

More Than 600 Paedophile Suspects Arrested

An operation by the National Crime Agency involving 45 police forces has seen 660 suspected paedophiles arrested across the UK.

Those held include doctors, teachers, scout leaders, care workers, foster carers and former police officers.

Thirty-nine of the 660 were registered sex offenders but the vast majority had not come to the authorities' attention before.

As a result of the six-month investigation across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which has only now been revealed - more than 400 children have been safeguarded, the NCA said.

A total of 431 children now under official protection had been in the "care, custody or control" of suspects, 127 of those children were considered to be at immediate risk of harm, the agency revealed.

None of those arrested is a serving or former MP or member of the Government, it said.

Charging decisions are still due in most cases because of continuing inquiries, but charges brought so far range from possessing indecent images of children to serious sexual assault.

The NCA's deputy director general, Phil Gormley, said: "This is the first time the UK has had the capability to coordinate a single targeted operation of this nature.

"Over the past six months we have seen unprecedented levels of cooperation to deliver this result.

"Our aim was to protect children who were victims of, or might be at risk of, sexual exploitation. A child is victimised not only when they are abused and an image is taken. They are re-victimised every time that image is viewed by someone.

The undercover operation involved 45 police forces

"Some of the people who start by accessing indecent images online go on to abuse children directly. So the operation is not only about catching people who have already offended - it is about influencing potential offenders before they cross that line.

"We want those offenders to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images, that they leave a digital footprint, and that law enforcement will find it."

Mr Gormley said he was "profoundly disappointed" at the number of arrests.

It was necessary, he said, to take a harder look at the amount of people looking at child abuse images on the internet.

"The alternative," he said, "is not to look under the stone, and we cannot afford not to look under this stone."

Claire Lilley, Head of Online Safety at the NSPCC said: "This is an important two-pronged operation which has rescued children from abuse and also identified many previously unknown sex offenders.

"Direct action like this sends a strong message to those who subject children to harrowing sexual assaults that they can and will be traced and prosecuted."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Horrific' Double Killer Loses Anonymity Bid

A murderer who stabbed his ex-girlfriend and her lover to death has lost a legal bid to remain anonymous.

Andrew Cole, who had been referred to as "X", wanted to keep his identity secret while he tried to secure unescorted leave in the community as part of his rehabilitation.

He argued that he was entitled to anonymity because he is a hospital patient receiving treatment for a mental illness.

He was jailed for life for the "appalling and horrific" murders of his ex-girlfriend Fiona Ovis and her lover William Crompton in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, in 1996.

But Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson and appeal judges Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Floyd unanimously turned down his bid and allowed him to be named.

Lord Justice Maurice Kay said: "I accept the need to protect a released criminal from media intrusion or physical attack can be a material consideration in the context of an anonymity application.

"However, it is of limited weight in the present case.

"The position is not significantly different from that which arises when any notorious, violent or sexual offender leaves prison on licence or otherwise, and regardless of whether or not he has been a mental patient."

Stephen Knafler QC had argued that the right of Cole, who sexually mutilated one of his victims, to anonymity overrode the public interest in him being identified.

He accepted the killings were "high up on the scale of horrific crimes", but argued he was entitled to protection - including from press harassment - "no matter how horrific those crimes are".

Mr Crompton, 18, was stabbed 38 times and girlfriend Ms Ovis 52 times after she had ended a relationship with Cole. Ms Ovis was also sexually mutilated.

Less than 30 hours after being released from psychiatric care, Cole followed the couple to her grandmother's home with a rucksack containing petrol, matches, a kitchen knife, rope, gloves, a microphone and a tape recorder.

He smashed his way through a bedroom window after believing he could hear the couple having sex and murdered the lovers in their bed.

Cole has served the minimum custody period of 11 years - set following a High Court appeal in 2006. The Parole Board can now consider whether he is eligible to be released on licence.

While in prison he was diagnosed with a personality disorder and other mental health problems and was transferred to Broadmoor high security hospital under the 1983 Mental Health Act.

He has since been moved to a medium security hospital, where he has had unescorted leave within the hospital grounds and more than 300 periods of escorted leave in the community.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Payday Loan Caps To Cut The Cost Of Borrowing

The City regulator is to impose caps on payday loans from January to tackle abuses in the quick-credit market, in a move set to cost the industry £420m of its annual revenue.

The headline measure was a limit in the overall cost of a loan, which the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said should never exceed 100% of the total amount borrowed.

For example, if a borrower was to take out a loan of £300, the person's liability would not be more than £600.

Fixed default fees were also to be capped at £15, the regulator said, with interest on unpaid balances and default fees not exceeding 0.8% per day of the outstanding amount.

News of the restrictions - reported by Sky News on Monday night ahead of the announcement - prompted the industry body the Consumer Finance Association (CFA) to warn that the limits could force many of its members out of business, driving customers towards loan sharks instead.

The FCA admitted the measures were likely to cost the payday sector £420m annually but its chief executive Martin Wheatley dismissed the industry's claim as a "scare story" - telling Sky News the caps would only take out those firms preying on their customers.

He said: "For the many people that struggle to repay their payday loans every year this is a giant leap forward.

"From January next year, if you borrow £100 for 30 days and pay back on time, you will not pay more than £24 in fees and charges and someone taking the same loan for 14 days will pay no more than £11.20. That's a significant saving.

"For those who struggle with their repayments, we are ensuring that someone borrowing £100 will never pay back more than £200 in any circumstance.

"There have been many strong and competing views to take into account, but I am confident we have found the right balance.

"Alongside our other new rules for payday firms - affordability tests and limits on rollovers and continuous payment authorities - the cap will help drive up standards in a sector that badly needs to improve how it treats its customers."

The measures were announced 24 hours after Wonga - the country's biggest payday lender - confirmed its new chairman was to lead a drive to improve standards in the wake of damaging revelations the firm created fake legal letters to threaten borrowers in arrears.

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said of the caps: "Up until now, payday lenders have had the green light to send people into a spiral of unmanageable debt.

"The cap will help limit the scale of debts but its success will depend on enforcement and is part of a raft of measures, including limiting rollovers, that the FCA must make sure lenders are sticking to."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

William Hague Ends 40-Year Tory Career

William Hague burst on to the political scene at the age of 16 when he took the 1977 Conservative Party conference by storm.

Nearly 40 years later he has stolen the headlines again with his bombshell resignation announcement overshadowing the rest of David Cameron's reshuffle.

"Role as Leader of the House means I will finish in politics as I began - speaking in Parliament and campaigning among the voters," he tweeted.

He says after the General Election, when he will step down as MP for the "All Creatures Great and Small" constituency of Richmond in the Yorkshire Dales, he will return to writing, supporting the Tories and campaigning on international issues.

So he's likely to continue his high-profile trips with Angelina Jolie campaigning against sexual violence in conflict, while giving up the dross of EU foreign ministers' meetings and other tiresome international summits.

He will also, I predict, return to the lucrative after-dinner speaking circuit, where he made a handsome income after stepping down as Tory leader until his recall to the front line by David Cameron in 2005.

Mr Hague, flanked by wife Ffion, resigns after 2001 election defeat

His replacement as Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, has none of the flair or wit of Mr Hague, though he has proved to be a safe pair of hands at the Ministry of Defence and won the trust of previously sceptical military chiefs.

After his barnstorming conference speech at 16, William Hague waited another 12 years before becoming an MP in the by-election caused when Leon Brittan - back in the news again now - went to Brussels as an EU commissioner.

He only won the by-election because the Liberals and Social Democrats, then going through an acrimonious merger, fought against each other. But since then, Mr Hague has turned Richmond into one of the safest Tory seats in the country.

He was a junior minister, then Welsh secretary when John Redwood challenged John Major for the Tory leadership and then party leader at just 36 after Tony Blair's landslide victory in 1997.

The Foreign Secretary has campaigned with Hollywood star Angelina Jolie

But while Mr Hague outwitted Mr Blair in the Commons, the Conservatives were still trounced by Labour again in 2001 in a result almost identical to 1997 and it seemed his top-flight political career was over until Mr Cameron persuaded him to return.

Nearly a decade after his comeback, in what looks like a purge of middle-aged men by the Prime Minister, at least Mr Hague's departure from the Foreign Office was his own decision.

And the Tories will benefit enormously from his skills in the Commons as Leader of the House and campaigning on the domestic front - particularly in the north of England - in the run-up to the next election.

Plenty of other middle-aged men have been ruthlessly sacked by David Cameron in what one of them called "the cull of all the innocents".

Downing Street listed seven ministers - all men - who had resigned. They were Kenneth Clarke, David Willetts, Alan Duncan, Hugh Robertson, Sir George Young, Andrew Robathan and Greg Barker.

Damian Green is one of the high-profile Cabinet casualties

But the No 10 list did not include the names of David Jones (Wales), Dominic Grieve (Attorney General), Damian Green (Policing) and Stephen Hammond (Transport). All were sacked. And all were shell-shocked by their dismissal.

As news of the sackings spread through Westminster, middle-aged male Tory MPs stood around in conspiratorial huddles of three or four, whispering and muttering.

For the moment, there is a lot of ill-feeling on the back benches.

But after the disappointed will come the appointed - promotion for younger, telegenic women MPs. The traditional parade up Downing Street and the smiles for the cameras.

Mr Cameron has got the bad news out of the way first. Labour has called his reshuffle a "massacre of the moderates". The PM will be hoping for more favourable publicity for day two of his changes.

But William Hague quitting is a serious blow. And if things go badly for the Tories at the next election, don't bet against Lord Hague of Richmond taking the Conservative Party conference by storm once again.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

MP Top Trumps: David Cameron's Rising Stars

The Prime Minister's battle plan for the General Election begins with a Cabinet reshuffle. Find out the ones to watch.

Nicky Morgan MP

Who: Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough since 2010
Born and brought up: Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton
Education: Jurisprudence at St Hugh's College, Oxford
Before politics: Solicitor on corporate law, specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Joined Tories in 1989 and was chair of Wessex Young Conservatives and vice-chair for Battersea Conservatives.
Politics: Fought for Islington South and Finsbury seat in 2001. Fought for Loughborough seat in 2005.
Constituency campaigns: Cash for potholes, entrepreneurs, housing, local libraries, business.
Old jobs: Assistant whip, financial secretary to the Treasury, minister for women.
New job: Education Secretary - continues with women and equalities brief. Tells Sky News she is "very excited"
Home life: Married to an architect. One son.
Known for: Saying university isn't a rite of passage, praising Loughborough students on rag week, against same-sex marriage, safe pair of hands, time in the whip's office.
X Factor: Mother, Osbornite, loyalist.

Liz Truss MP

Who: Liz Truss, MP since 2010 for South West Norfolk
Born and brought up: Yorkshire
Education: Philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College, Oxford University
Before politics: Trained as an accountant. Worked in the energy and telecoms industry. Member of the Conservative Party for 17 years. Proved blue credentials as deputy director of the right-wing think-tank Reform.
Politics: Fought for a seat in 2001 and 2005. Published two books arguing for return of entrepreneurship and need to learn from rising nations.
Constituency campaigns: Better roads, faster broadband, reliable energy supplies, small businesses.
Old job: Education minister, campaigning for a stronger emphasis on academic subjects.
New job: Environment Secretary
Home life: Lives in London. Married with two daughters.
Known for: Attention to detail, unflappable manner.
X Factor: Mother (rare in Parliament, rarer in Cabinet). At 38, she is the youngest ever female Cabinet member.

Priti Patel MP

Who: Priti Patel, MP since 2010 for Witham, Essex
Born and brought up: South Harrow, Ruislip, Watford
Education: Economics, Keele University. Postgraduate at University of Essex
Before politics: Director of corporate communications for PR consultancy. Press officer for William Hague.
Politics: Fought for a seat in 2005, won different seat in 2010. Against prisoner voting. For capital punishment.
Constituency campaigns: Small businesses, affordable homes, transport infrastructure
Home life: Lives in Witham and London. Married with a son.
Known for: Independently minded. Unpredictable.
X Factor: A rebel. Admired by backbenchers. Mother.

Esther McVey MP

Who: Esther McVey, MP for Wirral West since 2010
Born and brought up: Liverpool
Education: Law at Queen Mary University, London. Radio journalism at City University, London. MSc in corporate governance at Liverpool John Moores University
Before politics: TV presenter and producer, director of her father's demolition business and set up own training business for SMEs.
Politics: Fought for seat in 2005. Was parliamentary under-secretary for disabled people. Worked for Chris Grayling and had a Work and Pensions brief.
Constituency campaigns: Small businesses, youth unemployment
Old job: Employment minister
New job: Continues as minister for Employment and Disabilities but will attend Cabinet
Home life: Lives in West Kirby and London. Unmarried.
Known for: Friend of Kate McCann and helped set up Madeleine McCann Fund. First Tory MP on Merseyside since 1997.
X Factor: Feisty and outspoken. Liverpudlian accent ticks the Northern box. Strong media performer. Nominated for Merseyside Woman of the Year and Cheshire Woman of the Year.

Penny Mordaunt MP

Who: Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North since 2010
Born and brought up: Torquay, Portsmouth
Education: Philosophy at University of Reading
Before politics: Magician's assistant, communications director for Kensington and Chelsea Council, worked for Freight Transport Association, director of National Lottery, director of Diabetes UK, head of foreign press for George W Bush's 2000 campaign.
Politics: Head of Youth for Tories. First fought for a seat in 2005. Care and quality of life for elderly, healthcare, arts, space.
Constituency campaigns: Portsmouth Naval Base and Royal Navy fleet. Charities. Restoring Grade-II listed manor.
Current job: Ministerial aide
Home life: Lives in Port Solent with partner and breeds Burmese cats. Sub-lieutenant in Royal Navy Reserve.
Known for: Belly-flop on TV diving competition Splash! Second woman to give thank you after Queen's Speech - in it, she talked about testicles. Supporting women in Armed Forces. Named after frigate HMS Penelope. Critic of women-only shortlists. Supporter of homeopathy. member of British Astronomical Association.
X Factor: Have-a-go attitude.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gove Leaves Education Job As Hague Quits

Michael Gove will leave his job as Education Secretary in the biggest reshuffle of the top jobs in Government for four years.

The 46-year-old, a controversial figure among teachers, has been swapped to the role of Commons Chief Whip - a move described as "definitely a demotion" by Sky's Political Editor Adam Boulton.

In a shake-up described as a cull of the "pale, male and stale", a number of women were promoted into key posts, as has been expected, ahead of next year's General Election.

Nicky Morgan takes over from Michael Gove as Education Secretary

The first to secure a high-profile role was Nicky Morgan from Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for Women to fill the vacancy left by Mr Gove. It is a rapid rise for an MP who has only held a seat in the House of Commons for four years.

Liz Truss, also only an MP since 2010, has moved from Education Minister to Environment Secretary to replace Owen Paterson, who was criticised for his response to the flooding crisis over the winter.

Esther McVey, another of the 2010 intake, had been tipped for a move but remains as Employment Minister, although she will now attend Cabinet.

Liz Truss is the Government's new Environment Secretary

Anna Soubry has been promoted to Defence Minister with Claire Perry going to Transport as Parliamentary Under Secretary. Priti Patel has been made Exchequer Secretary at the Treasury.

The wide-ranging reshuffle also sees the shock departure of William Hague, who has stepped down as Foreign Secretary.

The 53-year-old will become Leader of the House Of Commons before standing down as an MP at the next General Election in 2015.

Esther McVey stays at employment but is given Cabinet role

He is replaced by outgoing Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, whose job has been taken by Michael Fallon.

Mr Hague denied Mr Hammond's appointment marked a more Eurosceptic approach in Government and said: "We are very clear and united on Europe. Philip Hammond, David Cameron and I all have exactly the same policy on Europe.

"We want to improve Britain's relationship with the EU and then hold a referendum on staying in or leaving the European Union."

Mr Hague will now help to coordinate Government policy and become a "leading campaigner in key constituencies".

Philip Hammond replaces William Hague as Foreign Secretary

He will also be the Prime Minister's special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, following his work with UN special envoy and Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.

Sky's Political Correspondent Sophy Ridge said: "When they said this would be a significant reshuffle, they actually meant it."

Dominic Grieve lost his role as Attorney General and has been replaced by Jeremy Wright, while Policing Minister Damian Green also lost his job, with Mike Penning getting a ministerial role in the Home Office .

Mr Cameron has also announced Lord Hill will be the UK's candidate for European Commissioner, to replace Baroness Ashton in Brussels, leaving his post as Leader of the House of Lords. Baroness Tina Stowell will become the new Leader of the Lords.

Ken Clarke pictured arriving at No 10 on Monday

Matt Hancock, a key ally of Chancellor George Osborne, takes on the post of Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy from Mr Fallon and will also take on the job of Minister for Portsmouth, attending Cabinet.

Mark Harper, who was last seen resigning as immigration minister after he was discovered to be employing an illegal immigrant as a cleaner, has returned as Work and Pensions minister.

Meanwhile, Ken Clarke is retiring from Government at 74, and on Monday announced he was stepping down as minister without portfolio, bringing to an end a front bench career stretching back to 1972.

Speaking shortly after Mr Hague announced his departure, the Prime Minister paid tribute to him as a "first class Foreign Secretary" and  "a close confidante, a wise counsellor and a great friend".

Mr Hague with Angelina Jolie and US Secretary of State John Kerry

Welsh Secretary David Jones has been replaced by Stephen Crabb and Transport Minister Stephen Hammond and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd are also out.

International Development Minister Alan Duncan is standing down at his own request, while Universities Minister David Willetts has also stood down and has been replaced by Greg Clark.

In a shake-up of the Civil Service, Sir Bob Kerslake has stepped down as permanent secretary of the Department for Communities and Local Government, his role as head of the Civil Service will be handed to Sir Jeremy Heywood. 

A new role of Civil Service chief executive is to be created and will report to Sir Jeremy.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex Abuse Inquiry Judge Quits As Head Of Probe

A retired judge chosen to spearhead one of two key inquiries into claims of historical child abuse has stepped down.

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss was picked to examine whether alleged abuse by politicians and other powerful figures between the 1970s and 1990s was swept under the carpet.

However, her appointment was engulfed in controversy because as an establishment figure herself - she was considered the wrong person among victim groups and child protection campaigners to head the Government's investigation into a possible cover-up.

In addition, her late brother, Tory MP Sir Michael Havers, was the Attorney General during the 1980s.

He is alleged to have had a row with former Conservative MP Geoffrey Dickens in the 1980s in an attempt to stop him using parliamentary privilege to make allegations about paedophilia.

Baroness Butler-Sloss said in a statement that following "a widespread perception" she was not the right person to chair the inquiry, "I did not sufficiently consider whether my background and the fact my brother had been Attorney General would cause difficulties".

She said: "Having listened to the concerns of victim and survivor groups and the criticisms of MPs and the media, I have come to the conclusion that I should not chair this inquiry and have so informed the Home Secretary.

"I should like to add that I have dedicated my life to public service, to the pursuit of justice and to protecting the rights of children and families and I wish the inquiry success in its important work."

David Cameron's official spokesman insisted the Prime Minister's view the Baroness "would have done a first-class job as chair" remained unchanged.

"The reasons for her appointment still absolutely stand in terms of her professional expertise and her integrity, which I don't think has been questioned from any quarter whatsoever, and rightly so," he said, adding that it was entirely her own decision to stand down.

Home Secretary Theresa May, who will be questioned later by MPs on the Home Affairs select committe, said she was "deeply saddened" by the peer's decision and said a replacement chair would be announced as soon as possible.

Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White said the resignation had dealt the Government "a terrible headache" with finding someone "who can command the credibility they thought the Baroness would have been able to command".

White said: "They need to do that fairly urgently now, but they have got to be careful they don't make the same mistake."

More follows...

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hotter Than Ibiza: Britain Set For 30C Heatwave

Britain is set for the hottest week of the year so far with the mercury rising to at least 30C (86F), forecasters say.

Temperatures will rise as the week continues, peaking on Friday when parts of the UK will be hotter than Ibiza and Gran Canaria, experts predict.

Sky News weather producer Christopher England said the southeast of England would be hottest, but most other areas should see lots of sunshine too.

Monday and Tuesday can expect temperatures of 24C (75F), rising to 28C (82F) by Wednesday.

The forecast is good news for sunseekers

Sunbathers will then have to slather on more sun cream, with summer's hottest spell bringing a sweltering 30C (86F) by Friday.

"This should be the hottest period of the year so far," England said.

"The high temperatures will be seen in quite a wide area covering large parts of England."

July 4 saw the year's previous highest temperature of 29C (84F).

Northern England and Scotland will reach temperatures up to 22C (71F), while Wales could see temperatures rise to 26C (79F) by the end of the week.

The warm weather is down to hot and humid air being pumped up from Spain, the Met office said.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Women Bishops: Church Of England Faces Vote

Will Vote Pave Way For A Female Archbishop?

Updated: 12:00pm UK, Monday 14 July 2014

By Vicky Beeching, for Sky News

Today, the Church of England will take what could be a historic vote - its most significant in 20 years.

If the vote passes, women will be able to become Bishops for the first time.

The Church of England has had female priests, or vicars, since 1994, when the first 32 were ordained at Bristol Cathedral.

But they couldn't be promoted to higher levels of leadership; a stained glass ceiling existed for them and it remains today.

You may have a sense of déjà vu about this. Didn't the Church already take this vote? Yes, in November 2012 - and it failed to pass.

So how does all of this work? The Church of England has a governing body called the General Synod.

It's made up of three Houses, a bit like Harry Potter with the Houses of Griffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, the General Synod has the House of Bishops - the senior leaders, the House of Clergy - the priests, and the House of Laity - the churchgoers, known as lay people.

To pass the legislation on women bishops, each House has to vote in favour with a 2/3 majority.

In November 2012, the House of Bishops and the House of Clergy both voted in favour. The reason it failed hinged on a small margin - just six votes in the House of Laity - so it was the churchgoers who voted it down.

The same people who voted in 2012 will sit at this Synod, so there is still a chance it could be a 'no' again. But most are quietly hopeful that it will go through, albeit with close numbers.

The vote happens this afternoon in York. First there will be a debate, then voting is carried out electronically and in total silence. This will take place by 6.15pm at the latest.

If the outcome is a 'no', it's likely that Parliament will want to to step in, as they were keen to do so back in 2012. Since then, the Church has had almost two years to try and fix the issue themselves, so it seems conceivable that the Government might want to push through the legislation themselves.

If the vote is a 'yes' it then has to go through Parliament, and get Royal Assent, but these should happen quickly and would enable the first female bishop to potentially be appointed early next year.

Each Bishop looks after an area known as a See.

To appoint a Bishop, first one of these Sees has to become available. Then, as there are no plans within the Church for "all women shortlists",  a candidate would need to prove they were the best person for the job, regardless of gender.

Once women can become bishops, there's no limit to how far they could progress in church hierarchy.

If the vote passes, it's possible we could even see a female Archbishop in our lifetime. Now that would truly be an achievement for gender equality and the Christian faith.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tulisa Friend Admits Selling Drugs To Reporter

A friend of former N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos has admitted supplying cocaine to an undercover reporter.

Michael Coombs, who is also known as rapper Mike GLC, pleaded guilty to supplying the Class A drug when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court alongside the star.

Contostavlos, 26, is due to stand trial after she denied being concerned in brokering the alleged drug deal which was exposed by the Sun on Sunday.

It is claimed the former X Factor judge told undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, dubbed the "fake sheikh", that she could arrange for him to buy cocaine from Coombs between May 20 and May 24 last year.

Michael Coombs pictured in December

Contostavlos, of Friern Barnet, north London, denies helping Mr Mahmood to obtain 0.5oz (13.9g) of the Class A drug for £860.

Judge Alistair McCreath told the rapper he would be sentenced at the end of Contostavlos' trial and released him on bail.

He said: "Michael Coombs, I'll sentence you at the conclusion of the proceedings against your co-defendant, whatever that conclusion may be.

"In the meantime I'll permit you to keep your bail, but you must understand that that consists of no sort of indication as to what sentence you'll get at the end of it.

"On that understanding you may go."

Coombs gave Contostavlos a quick kiss on the cheek and hug and stroked her face as he left the dock.

A jury is due to be sworn in later today, and the prosecution will open the trial on Tuesday.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lift-Off For UK Spaceport Plan As Sites Revealed

Britain could be home to one of the first UK spaceports outside of America by 2018, with a shortlist of possible sites to be announced this week.

The base could act as a hub for commercial space flights, such as those planned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, which will blast would-be astronauts into sub-orbit from the United States for $250,000 (£146,000).

The launch pad would rival the futuristic Spaceport America and would open up a route between Britain and space - even before completion of the London-Birmingham high speed rail link or expansion of Heathrow airport.

Of the eight possible locations to be revealed at the Farnborough Air Show on Tuesday, six are in Scotland.

Campbeltown, Kinloss, Leuchars, Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Stornoway are all on the list, confirmation of which will come just two months before Scotland votes in the independence referendum.

The remaining sites are in Newquay, Cornwall, and in Llanbedr, Gwynedd.

Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury and a prominent campaigner against independence, said: "Scotland has a proud association with space exploration.

"We celebrated Neil Armstrong's Scottish ancestry when he became the first man on the moon.

"The UK space industry is one of our great success stories and I'm sure there'll be a role for Scotland to play in the future."

Rockets could be launched from Britain within four years

This week's announcement comes after the UK Space Agency launched its first Cubesat mission, putting a shoebox-sized satellite into orbit earlier this month.

British scientists helped build the comet-catching Rosetta spacecraft and are also involved in making the European Mars rover, ExoMars, which is due to arrive on the red planet in 2019.

The British space industry is worth an estimated £9bn a year, employing more than 28,900 people who work for hundreds of companies.

The Government wants to capture a tenth of the world's space market by 2030, making the sector worth up to £40bn and providing as many as 100,000 jobs.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Birdman Ron Freeman Breaks His Own Record

A daredevil has beaten his own record for the furthest distance unassisted flight during a "birdman" competition in West Sussex.

Ron Freeman soared 159.8 metres in his adapted hang glider the Geordie Flyer at the Worthing International Birdman competition, which sees people throw themselves off the seaside town's pier in various flying machines.

Mr Freeman beat his 141.5 metre record set last year

He passed the 141.5-metre record he set at the event last year, organisers said.

On its Twitter page, the competition announced: "Ron Freeman got a official score of 159.8m well done another new record for Worthing Birdman."

The reigning champ is hoping to clinch the £10,000 prize

Mr Freeman, the reigning champion, could now land the £10,000 top prize at the event - but to win he needs another good run. 

Competitors in his Condor Class for serious attempts have their final scores based on flights on both days of the weekend event.

Last year, Mr Freeman, from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland, missed out on the winnings after strong winds forced him to take a sideways rather than a forwards route off the pier.

The two-day event sees daredevils launch themselves off Worthing pier

Mr Freeman was not the only flier on Saturday to pass the 100-metre mark that competitors have to pass to be eligible for the prize.

Tony Hughes sits in second after soaring 117.1 metres in X Plane VIII, down on the 132.5-metre best he posted last year.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ambulance Response Times 'Putting Lives At Risk'

Ambulances are taking longer to reach patients suffering from life-threatening conditions compared to three years ago, according to Labour.

Figures from NHS England suggest that in some areas of the UK, heart attack and stroke victims have to wait almost three minutes more to be seen by a paramedic.

Category A calls where a patient's life is in danger should arrive within eight minutes. But ambulances are taking more than a minute longer to arrive on average and experts warn this is putting lives at risk.

Dr Dale Webb, director of research and information at the Stroke Association, said: "When a stroke strikes, the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off which causes brain cells in the affected area to die.

Paramedic Danny Wroe says increases in traffic are causing longer delays

"So time lost is brain lost. These figures are a concern because stroke patients need to get specialist treatment as soon as possible."

In the East of England, ambulances are taking some 2.8 minutes longer to respond to the most serious calls. In the East Midlands, ambulances are taking 2.3 minutes longer compared to three years ago.

However, East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson cast doubt on the data saying the service had hit all of its key performance standards during the first quarter of 2014.

He said: ''The method used nationally to measure response times changed between years so the figures quoted do not compare like with like."

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, said: "These figures raise real concerns that lives are being put at risk by the chaos in the NHS.

One trust is recruiting more staff like Danny to help with response times

"Hospital A&E departments have missed the Government's waiting time target for the last 51 weeks running. This crisis in A&E has trapped ambulances in queues outside hospitals - leaving the next caller facing longer, agonising waits. More and more calls are being attended by police cars and even fire engines on David Cameron's watch."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We know some ambulance trusts are under pressure, carrying out over 850 more journeys every day since 2010, but the NHS continues to respond to the majority of the most life threatening cases in less than eight minutes."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More