A burglary suspect has died after being shot by a Taser in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Staffordshire Police had been called to a property after receiving reports of a burglary shortly after 1am on Monday morning.
The occupants had left their house, leaving the man inside.
Officers discharged a Taser during the incident, but the suspected burglar became unresponsive after being taken to a police vehicle.
Paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service tried to treat the man, but he died a short time later.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A spokesman for the Staffordshire force said: "A detailed investigation is under way and the scene will remain cordoned off while the investigation continues.
"Local officers will be in the community throughout the day talking to residents."
The diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases and cancer could be transformed by an ambitious project that will see 100,000 complete sets of people's genes decoded.
Eleven Genomic Medicine Centres (GMCs) across England will begin work in February to collect and map the samples over a three-year period.
The initiative, known as the 100,000 Genomes Project, will help scientists and doctors understand more about specific conditions such as the rare genetic illness cystinosis, which left 24-year-old Christopher Melville needing a kidney transplant when he was just 10.
"I'm excited," he said. "Obviously the more knowledge we have, the more understanding we have of how to treat people. It leads to better development, better research and better treatment."
Christopher Melville has a rare genetic illness called cystinosis
Samples will be taken from people like Christopher and also their parents, while cancer patients will provide both blood and tumour tissue as part of the research.
Professor Dion Morton, who will run the West Midlands GMC, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, described the work as "transformational", adding that not long ago it took eight years to decode a single person's genome.
Video:Project To Make UK Genetics Leader
"It's going to change the way we practice medicine (and) it's going to give us opportunities to bring new medicines to our patients.
"Historically medicine's been delivered to groups of patients with similar conditions and now we can start subdividing those groups into the exact genetic code that is really causing that condition, so target the treatment of that code and hopefully make treatment safer, more effective."
NHS England's medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, said the project was an achievable ambition "which positions Britain to unlock long-standing mysteries of disease on behalf of mankind".
Video:Home DNA Test Goes On Sale
"Embracing genomics will position us at the forefront of science and make the NHS the most scientifically-advanced healthcare system in the world," he added.
A total of 75,000 people will take part in the project.
Christopher's mother, Julie Melville, is delighted the project is about to begin.
Video:On-The-Spot DNA Testing
"It feels like finally somebody is sitting up and taking note that this rare disease exists," she said.
Her hope is that gene therapy could eventually mean a cure for cystinosis sufferers like her son - one of 150 people in the UK with the disease.
It is estimated new diagnostic tests and drugs could be available as a result of the work within 15 years.
Billie Whitelaw, famous for roles in films such as The Omen, has died aged 82, her son has confirmed.
Matthew Muller told the Guardian his mother passed away peacefully at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in north London.
He said she had not been well for about a year, but had deteriorated rapidly over the last few months.
Billie Whitelaw was awarded a CBE in the Queen's 1991 birthday honours list
Billie Whitelaw famously played the demonic nanny in the film series The Omen and the mother of English gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the 1990 film The Krays.
She was also known for her collaboration with Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, who once famously referred to her as "a perfect actress".
Her later film roles included a cameo in the 2007 police comedy Hot Fuzz.
Billie Whitelaw was awarded a CBE in 1991.
Paying tribute in the Guardian, Mr Muller said she was "an incredibly loving mother".
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 21 Desember 2014 | 18.55
By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent
Victims of domestic abuse are being warned to beware of Christmas gifts containing hidden spyware.
Abusers will hide cameras or listening devices inside presents such as mobile phones, laptops and toys to snoop on their targets, say campaigners.
Jennifer Perry, CEO of Digital-Trust, which helps victims of digital abuse, said: "Surveillance technology is getting cheaper, better disguised, simpler to use and easier to find.
"We work with a range of domestic violence professionals who are telling us that digital abuse is making it much more difficult to help women and keep them safe."
She said new smartphones given by a possessive spouse could include an app that can turn on the microphone remotely and eavesdrop on their partner's conversations.
Emma, a woman with a jealous and controlling partner, said: "I had been out having coffee with a friend and when I returned he played back part of our conversation.
"I couldn't figure out how he had done it.
"Had he hired someone to follow me? Did he bug the cafe? It was my domestic violence case worker who told me to check my phone.
"I found he had put spyware on my phone and had been listening and reading my texts for months."
Digital-Trust said listening devices can be hidden in everyday products such as extension cords, phone chargers and carbon monoxide detectors, all of which will function normally.
It said the new Paddington Bear movie will promote sales of a voice-activated Paddington Bear recorder, which could become popular with people who want to spy on their partners or have shared custody of children.
"An abuser can send the bear home with the child and then during their next visit the abuser can listen to the recordings and charge the battery," Ms Perry warned.
"Add a small tracking chip in the bear and the abuser will also be able to track the child and its mother."
The trust offers advice for anyone who suspects they are being monitored at www.digital-trust.org.
A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an off-duty police constable was beaten to death in Liverpool.
Neil Doyle, 36, was attacked by a group of men during a Christmas night out with colleagues from Merseyside Police.
Two other off-duty officers suffered facial injuries in the attack, which took place near the Aloha nightclub in Colquitt Street at around 3.15am on Friday.
A 28-year-old suspect from Huyton walked into a police station on Friday evening and is still being interviewed by detectives.
Now a 30-year-old man from the same area has been arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.
Both men were also arrested on suspicion of assaulting the two other officers.
Detectives are investigating the possibility they were targeted because of their jobs.
PC Doyle got married in July and was due to go on honeymoon next month.
In a statement, his widow Sarah said: "Neil was very well loved by all of his family, friends and colleagues and it is a great loss to us all.
"We are finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened and need time to be left to grieve."
Mr Doyle, who joined the force in May 2004, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but died a short time later.
A post-mortem examination concluded he died from fatal bleeding around the brain, consistent with an assault.
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Merseyside Police I extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family.
"Constable Doyle was enjoying a Christmas night out with his work colleagues.
"At around 3.15am Neil left the Peacock bar and walked with two colleagues along Colquitt Street in the city centre.
"The three officers were subjected to an apparently unprovoked and vicious attack by a group of males."
Mr Doyle had received a commendation for his actions in arresting three men after a violent robbery.
The two other officers required hospital treatment. One suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Some patients who need an ambulance may soon have to wait longer for it to arrive even if they are classed as a serious case, under new proposals seen by Sky News.
In a letter, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives suggests the target time to get to patients suffering a range of "serious but not the most life-threatening" problems, including strokes and seizures, could be increased to 19 minutes.
The current target for an emergency vehicle to reach people in life-threatening situations is eight minutes.
According to the memo, NHS England says there will be no changes to response times where patients have "immediately life threatening" conditions such as cardiac arrest, choking and major bleeding - known as Red 1 calls.
In these instances, a "fast response" car is often sent ahead of a fully-crewed ambulance to meet the time limit.
Video:A&E Waiting Times: The Figures
For serious cases like strokes and fits - Red 2 calls - there would be an extra three minutes added on to the response time.
But a proportion of Red 2s would have the eight-minute target scrapped in favour of a 19-minute one for a full ambulance crew to be sent on its own.
Andy Burnham, Labour's shadow health secretary, said: "This has all the hallmarks of a panic move and suggests Jeremy Hunt's only solution to the A&E crisis is to give up and move the goalposts.
"Rather than getting ambulance response times back up to established standards, it looks like he is running up the white flag. The situation in the NHS is now serious and Jeremy Hunt is failing to provide the leadership it desperately needs.
"While there may be a case for reviewing these rules, this is not the way to do it. It is nothing short of dangerous to make a snap decision at the start of the most difficult winter in the NHS for years.
"Hunt's decision risks leaving thousands of seriously ill people waiting longer for ambulances this winter. The Health Secretary needs to provide urgent reassurance that this change can be safely made and won't put lives at risks."
But a Department of Health spokesman insisted there were "absolutely no plans" to increase ambulance waiting times.
"We have given ambulances an extra £50m this winter to ensure the service remains sustainable and the Secretary of State agreed that NHS England should investigate a proposal from the ambulance services themselves to see whether the service they offer the public could be improved," the spokesman said.
"No decisions have been made, and the Secretary of State would only agree to proposed changes that improve response times for urgent cases."
Sir Elton John and David Furnish have officially married - nine years to the day after they tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony.
In his first post on his newly created Instagram account, Sir Elton put up an invitation requesting "the pleasure of your company" and said the couple would share "special moments from our big day".
On Sunday morning, he posted a photo of himself, pen in hand, sitting next to Furnish with the message: "That's the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony!"
The Beckhams and Elizabeth Hurley are among the high-profile guests expected at the ceremony at the couple's home in Windsor, Berkshire.
Sir Elton earlier posted an image of their two sons' shoes, with the message: "Our little ring bearers are fast asleep, and their shoes are polished and ready."
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Gallery: Elton's Online Wedding
Elton John is sharing regular updates on Instagram of his wedding to David Furnish. This post said: "That's the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony!"
"Good morning! Nice day for a wedding," reads his third post.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 20 Desember 2014 | 18.55
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an off-duty police constable was beaten to death in Liverpool.
Neil Doyle was attacked by a group of men during a Christmas night out with colleagues from Merseyside Police.
The 36-year-old got married in July and was due to go on honeymoon next month.
Two other off-duty officers suffered facial injuries in the attack, which took place near the Aloha nightclub in Colquitt Street at around 3.15am on Friday.
Officers are investigating the possibility they were targeted because of their jobs.
The 28-year-old suspect walked into a police station on Friday evening and is being interviewed by detectives.
Police at the scene of the killing in Liverpool
Mr Doyle, who joined the force in May 2004, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but died a short time later.
A post-mortem examination concluded he died from fatal bleeding around the brain, consistent with an assault.
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy described the investigation as being at a "very early stage".
He said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Merseyside Police I extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family.
"Constable Doyle was enjoying a Christmas night out with his work colleagues.
"At around 3.15am Neil left the Peacock bar and walked with two colleagues along Colquitt Street in the city centre.
"The three officers were subjected to an apparently unprovoked and vicious attack by a group of males."
Mr Doyle had received a commendation for his actions in arresting three men after a violent robbery.
Peter Singleton, chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, said the police community was "devastated" by his killing.
"He exemplified the British bobby. He was a solid, good, hard-working, honest copper," he said.
The two other officers required hospital treatment. One suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Flood victims in Somerset say they are facing insurance quotes of tens of thousands of pounds to protect their homes from future flooding.
Sky News has seen one renewal quote of almost £100,000 for one year. That falls to just under £500 for the year if flood cover is removed.
The owners did not want to speak on camera but told Sky their property in Moorland would only cost around £120,000 to rebuild from scratch.
Neighbour Sally Vize has been told she won't be able to move back into her home until March - 13 months after the winter storms caused £120,000 worth of damage.
Sally Vize's home suffered £120,000 worth of damage
She is due to renew her insurance in the next few months, but is extremely concerned she won't be able to afford the quote.
"I think someone said £12,000 if they want to insure for floods again, who can afford that? It's ridiculous, and I think it's morally wrong," she said.
Video:Home Ruined By Floods
One in six homes in England are at risk of flooding and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates between 300,000 and 500,000 UK households could struggle to obtain affordably priced flood insurance.
From next summer, in conjunction with the Government, the ABI is hoping to launch its Flood Re scheme which will allow insurers to pass the flood risk element of a home insurance policy into a fund that will pay any subsequent flood claim.
Mark Shepherd, from the ABI, explained: "In certain parts of the country this is becoming a much bigger problem and that's why we are working with the Government to introduce Flood Re, which in the future will ensure those homes at the highest flood risk will still be able to get affordable flood insurance."
Video:Flood Emergency Aid Box
Since the flooding began last Christmas, a group called the Somerset Emergency Volunteers have been helping those in need of immediate help.
They have filled a warehouse with donations including food, clothes, furniture and household goods to allow people to begin replacing what they have lost.
They are also providing 400 homes with emergency boxes and sandbags so they are prepared for any repeat.
Video:Flood Aid Supplies Stockpiled
"Moorland and Fordgate were only given six sandbags by the council when it was flooded - three for the front door, three for the back," said assistant operations manager Sadie Forster.
"We're giving them 36 reusable sandbags."
The Environment Agency has now dredged 8km of river in Somerset, with the Government promising to spend £4.2m on flood defences in the county.
