RBS Told To Pay Libor Fine From Bonus Pot

Chancellor George Osborne wants any fine paid by the Royal Bank of Scotland over the Libor scandal to come out of its bankers' bonuses.

RBS, which is majority-owned by the taxpayer, is expected to agree a fine of £400-500m next week with US and British authorities.

It is accused of attempting to rig benchmark interest rates.

Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman said: "A Treasury source has told Sky News that the money that the US regulators will fine RBS will have to come out of the bank's bonus pot.

Sky's Mark Kleinman said the demand is politically important

"It's very important politically, I think, for the Chancellor to be able to say that the taxpayer is not bearing the financial cost of misconduct by bankers who work for a company that is majority-owned by the taxpayer.

"The Treasury is obviously playing hardball on this, and we'll find out exactly how much RBS is going to be paying in fines in the coming days."

The Treasury expects the fines to be paid not just from the bonus pot for 2012 – likely to be around £250m – but money from future years' bonus pots as well.

RBS - which is 81% owned by taxpayers - is also looking to claw back up to £100m from pay deals previously awarded to executives in its investment bank.

The bank's remuneration committee, which is chaired by Penny Hughes, a non-executive director, is assessing plans for a "flat tax" on the pay packets of hundreds of directors and managing directors in its markets business.

The idea would involve about 15% of prior-year pay awards to the relevant individuals being clawed back, netting a total of as much as £100m.

"George Osborne is sending out a clear signal: You're paying for this, not us," said Sky's Glen O'Glaza.

"What the Treasury are saying is there won't be bonuses paid this year, but actually your bonuses are going to be clawed back not just this year but probably next year and the year after as well."

Barclays was fined £300m last year for its role in the scandal.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kids Given Lessons On Dangers Of Social Media

By Emma Birchley, Sky News East of England Correspondent

The danger of posting personal information online is being taught to children as part of a pilot project to keep them safe from criminals.

Pupils at a primary school in Shropshire and a high school in Cambridge have been taking part in the trial launched by the Information Commissioner's Office.

The Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, said: "I think the danger is of jigsaw identification. You can put little bits of information out there and somebody can piece it all together.

"So the name of the game with the primary school kids is to explain to them how the online world works and how there are organisations who make money by getting a hold of your information and selling it on to someone else."

Between January and October 2012, 35 million pieces of personal information were illegally traded online - up from 19 million during the whole of 2011.

As much as 90% of that trade was in the form of login and password details.

It helps to explain why 24% of UK residents have been the victim of identity fraud.

And the need to teach children early in life became even more evident after an expert at the London School of Economics recently estimated a million nine to 12-year-olds already use Facebook, despite the fact they are meant to be 13 before becoming members.

Mark Neighbour has been leading the pilot project at St Bede's School in Cambridge with year nine pupils.

He said: "We want them to think about what type of information could be used by a third party ... Why do they need to know their age for instance? Why do they need to know where they live? Why do they need to know where they shop?

"What we want them to do is question themselves before they put pen to paper or finger to a keyboard because once the information is gone, once they hit return, it's out there and anyone can get to it and use it."

Many children are also unaware that what may be quickly posted on the internet can potentially still be seen by universities or employers checking up on candidates years later.

Melissa, 14, was one of the pupils who attended the lessons.

"The internet is really scary and you should think twice before you start posting things. What you tweet, talk about on Facebook, pictures, things like that ... it's out there forever."

Rebecca, who is 13, thinks all pupils would benefit from the classes.

"It's actually helped everyone understand what we need to be aware of using the internet and what people can do."

Schools already warn children about online safety as part of the IT curriculum but these lessons are said to go into more detail about the importance of protecting personal data on the internet and in everyday life.

If the pilot proves a success, it will be rolled out in schools nationwide.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Car Park Dug Up Around Marooned Mercedes

Workers were forced to resurface a car park around a stranded vehicle after its owner decided to move barriers to park there.

The area was blocked off by diggers at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, but when they turned up the next day, they found the Mercedes parked in the middle of the site.

Nonetheless, the workers got on with the job as planned and dug up the surface around the marooned blue car.

However, they also built a small ramp so the vehicle could be removed.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Part of the car park had been cordoned off so we could begin resurfacing it and improve the lighting too.

"Whoever the driver was, he or she decided to move the barriers and park in the worksite anyway.

"We did the work but we left a ramp for them to exit and will be happy to return their vehicle if they contact us."

The scene was caught on camera by Twitter user Alice Robertson, who tweeted: "Not a good day to park in the Edinburgh Waverley car park."

The work is part of Network Rail's £100m refurbishment project of the station.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Halal Prison Food Found To Contain Pork DNA

A company which supplies Halal meat to prisons has had its contract suspended after traces of pork DNA were found in pies and pasties.

The Ministry of Justice said it had withdrawn the products immediately, while justice minister Jeremy Wright said the Prison Service was investigating "as a matter of urgency".

It comes after traces of horsemeat were found in burgers sold by some UK supermarkets, including Tesco.

"All prisons have been informed about this very regrettable incident and we reported this issue to the Food Standards Agency immediately," a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said.

"We are taking immediate steps to suspend the contract with the relevant sub-contractor."

Mr Wright said: "This is an absolutely unacceptable situation and one which we regret greatly.

"This must be distressing for those affected and they can be reassured we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation. The Prison Service is investigating this as a matter of urgency."

The company involved has not been named and it is not known where the firm is based.

Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork and prison rules dictate that Halal meat must be offered to inmates.

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "This lapse will have offended and distressed high numbers of Muslim prisoners and their families so apologising, suspending the supplier and investigating the incident are the right steps for the Ministry of Justice to take."

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said a local authority investigation would look into the cause of the contamination and determine where the products had been sent.

It is due to meet with retailers and suppliers to remind them of their responsibilities surrounding food labelling after the recent horsemeat scandal.

Burger King has dropped the Irish food processing plant which supplied the contaminated burgers.

The Silvercrest plant in County Monaghan, which is part of the ABP Food Group, has also lost contracts with Tesco, Aldi and the Co-operative Group.

A sample of Tesco's Everyday Value Beef Burgers was found to contain 29% horsemeat.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blackpool Burning Body: Teen Stabbed To Death

A 16-year-old girl whose body was found burning in an alley was stabbed to death, a post-mortem examination has found.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flooding: Government 'Too Slow To Act'

The Government has been too slow bringing in measures that will protect homes and businesses from the "shattering" impact of flooding, say MPs.

The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee said the draft Water Bill would help increase competition in the provision of water supplies for customers.

But ministers are not showing enough urgency in implementing measures that will improve the country's resilience to flooding and drought, the MPs said.

A report from the committee criticised the failure to create sustainable drainage systems to prevent flooding from surface water.

This should be achieved through measures such as stopping people laying impermeable surfaces in back gardens and businesses.

And ministers are taking too long over moves to improve the safety of reservoirs at risk of flooding, the report on the draft Bill said.

Concerns were also raised that local authorities and the Environment Agency are not paying enough attention to dredging and maintaining water courses, which can have a major impact on flood risk.

The MPs also called on ministers to provide more information on the solutions being considered to ensure homeowners at high risk of flooding continue to have access to affordable insurance after a deal on the issue expires later this year.

After a year that contained both drought and repeated flooding, the committee said more progress was needed on water efficiency.

Rules for abstracting water from the environment should be reformed and people encouraged to use water meters, the MPs said.

They also warned that the lack of detail in the Water Bill risked uncertainty for investors which could push up costs and lead to higher water bills for customers.

Bill-payers should not have to bear the costs of those who do not pay up, and they should be legally protected from bad debt in the water industry, the MPs added.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

999 Calls Tweeted By West Midlands Police

Police will today be live tweeting details of 999 calls made by the public - after a barrage of bizarre requests to the emergency line.

West Midlands Police is staging a 24-hour tweetathon to show the array of calls it receives - from the life-threatening to the "ridiculous".

The tweetathon - which can be followed here - has been prompted by a string of bizarre 999 calls made by members of the public.

One caller rang to report trouble being served at McDonald's, while another called for advice about a lost laptop password.

Others called to ask for directions or to say they had lost property and another dialled the emergency number to inform officers about being denied entrance to a nightclub.

As the tweetathon began, West Midlands Police said they had already received some unneccessary calls.

One tweet said: "999 call just received from an unlocked phone in a pocket, tying up an emergency line. Remember to check your phone is locked!"

Another said: "We've just received a 999 call from a young man at a phone box who is abusing our 999 operators."

Chief Inspector Sally Holmes, of West Midlands Police, said: "These calls are ridiculous and it doesn't end just there.

"We regularly receive calls about lost property, people asking for directions and from people who have been denied entry to a nightclub.

"We are launching a 24-hour tweetathon to show the array of calls made, from serious and life-threatening to bizarre.

"It's astonishing listening to them but they hide a serious truth.

"Each call often takes minutes to deal with as staff have to clarify the situation. It might not sound like much but, if someone is trying to get through to report a genuine life or death emergency, then a minute is a very long time to wait.

"I cannot stress enough that the 999 number is for emergencies only, for guidance this is defined as: a crime is in progress, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.

"To contact police for any other reason, call 101."

Typically West Midlands Police receives over 1,500 calls a day to the 999 number.

Great Manchester Police launched a 24-hour tweetathon in 2010 to show all the 999 calls the force receives.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Seabird 'Pollution' Substance May Be Palm Oil

A mysterious sticky substance covering more than 100 birds which washed up on the coast of southern England could be palm oil dumped in the sea.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was called in on Thursday after the troubled guillemots, a member of the auk family, were discovered on Lyme Bay near Weymouth, Dorset.

The seabirds were taken to West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton, Somerset, but early attempts to clean them have been hampered by not knowing what the thick, white, substance is, said the RSPB's Grahame Madge.

Many were found on the shores of Chesil Cove in Dorset, but others appeared up to 200 miles away in Cornwall.

An investigation is continuing and Mr Madge said: "We could be dealing with quite a large incident as all these birds could be proved to come from the same pollution incident."

Sky's Ashish Joshi, reporting from Chesil Cove, said more of the birds have been washing up on the shore this morning.

He said of the RSPB: "They think it might be palm oil which has been dumped in a container load out there somewhere."

Joshi added: "If the birds get to this shoreline, they're exhausted, they're unable to fly, they can't get back into the water so their chances of survival are near to minimal.

"So it's important that members of the local community, including the RSPB, are coming to this shoreline and finding these birds."

The rescue operation is being run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). A spokesman said they were pleased with the public's willingness to help the stricken birds, but warned of the dangers involved.

The spokesman said: "We would urge people to be cautious going down to the coastline affected.

"The instinctive reaction is to go down and look, or to help out. But we don't know what this substance is, so our message is for people - especially those taking dogs down to the coastline - to please be careful."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barclays Boss Drops Bonus To 'Avoid Debate'

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The new chief executive of Barclays is to waive his annual bonus amid continuing pressure on the bank over its involvement in a series of scandals.

Antony Jenkins, who took over from Bob Diamond in August, said he had decided this week not to take a bonus for 2012, about which leading shareholders had been canvassed by the man in charge of setting boardroom pay at the bank.

Mr Jenkins informed the board of his decision on Tuesday, hours after Sky News had revealed the talks between Sir John Sunderland, Barclays' remuneration committee chairman, and the bank's biggest institutional investors.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, Mr Jenkins said: "I am aware of considerable speculation about, and public interest in, the question of whether I will be awarded a bonus in respect of my performance in 2012.

"To avoid further unnecessary public debate on this matter, I wish to make clear that I concluded early this week that I do not wish to be considered for a bonus award for 2012 and I have communicated that decision to the Board.

"The year just past was clearly a very difficult one for Barclays and its stakeholders, with multiple issues of our own making besetting the bank.

"I think it only right that I bear an appropriate degree of accountability for those matters and I have concluded that it would be wrong for me to receive a bonus for 2012 given those circumstances."

Investors welcomed Mr Jenkins' decision but questioned why it had taken the disclosure of Sir John's meeting to prompt him to make the decision given that Barclays has in the last year set aside the best part of £2bn for Libor-rigging fines and compensating customers for mis-selling payment protection insurance policies and interest rate hedging products.

During their meeting earlier this month, Sir John told shareholders that the Barclays board wanted to pay Mr Jenkins a "significant" bonus.

Sky News reported on Tuesday that it was unclear whether Mr Jenkins would accept a bonus award. His decision not to will put pressure on the chief executives of HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group to follow suit after both banks were also forced to set aside significant sums because of various industry scandals.

Stephen Hester, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, said last year that he would not accept a bonus for 2012.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Detective Jailed For Trying To Leak To NOTW

A senior police officer has been jailed for 15 months for trying to sell information to the News Of The World.

Detective Chief Inspector April Casburn, 53, was found guilty last month of misconduct in public office for offering the newspaper confidential information in return for money.

In sentencing Casburn at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Fulford described her crime as "a corrupt attempt to make money out of sensitive and potentially very damaging information".

A year before she was arrested, Casburn, of Hatfield Peverel, Essex, had started the process of adopting a child.

The judge said had that not been for the adopted child he would have sentenced her to three years.

He said he was particularly concerned about Casburn's child, saying that her absence while she is in prison could cause lifelong damage.

Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The judge said it was such a serious offence that she did have to go to jail.

"It's prison for a police officer and, as the judge acknowledged, police officers find life inside very difficult, and there's no reason to think that she won't find it difficult."

The judge also said Casburn's offence could not be described as whistle-blowing.

"If the News of the World had accepted her offer, it's clear, in my view, that Ms Casburn would have taken the money and, as a result, she posed a significant threat to the integrity of this important police investigation," the judge said.

"Activity of this kind is deeply damaging to the administration of criminal justice in this country.

"It corrodes the public's faith in the police force, it can lead to the acquittal or the failure by the authorities to prosecute individuals who have committed offences whether they are serious or otherwise.

"We are entitled to expect the very highest standards of probity from our police officers, particularly those at a senior level.

"It is, in my judgment, a very serious matter indeed when men or women who have all the benefits, privileges and responsibilities of public office use their position for corrupt purposes."

News Of The World was closed in 2011

Casburn, who worked in the counter-terrorism unit, called the NOTW news desk on September 11, 2010, and spoke to journalist Tim Wood about the fresh investigation into phone hacking.

She claimed she contacted the tabloid because she was concerned about counter-terror resources being wasted on the phone-hacking inquiry, which her colleagues saw as "a bit of a jolly".

The detective denied asking for money but Mr Wood had made a note that she "wanted to sell inside information".

Mr Justice Fulford said: "It seems to me Mr Wood was a reliable, honest and disinterested witness.

"He took time and trouble during the defendant's call to find out exactly what Miss Casburn was saying, questioning the defendant in detail on her account in order to make an accurate note for his superiors at the News of the World which he wrote up in detail immediately afterwards.

"He had absolutely no reason to lie and every cause to be cautious given the risk that the newspaper was to be the victim of a sting, as he suspected."

During her trial at Southwark Crown Court last month, Casburn likened the male-dominated counter-terrorism unit to the TV series Life On Mars.

She was not given a desk for several months, despite more junior colleagues having them, jurors were told.

But the judge rejected this as an explanation for her behaviour.

He said: "It seems to me this is a straightforward but troubling case of corruption.

"I decline to accept that she had significant difficulties working with her male colleagues in the senior ranks of the counter-terrorism unit, which in part she said led her to act as she did."

NOTW was closed in 2011 because of the phone hacking scandal.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alps Drowning: Teenager Dies In Pool Accident

A British teenager has drowned in a swmming pool after a night out in a French ski resort.

Lucy Sallis became trapped under a pool cover after jumping into the water in Alpe d'Huez, according to reports.

The 19-year-old from Bognor Regis, West Sussex is believed to have been drinking with friends before they decided to climb over a wall around a municipal pool and go for a swim.

Local police confirmed that a woman had drowned in the pool.

Her friends reportedly tried to revive her after finding her body under the cover but their efforts were in vain.

Friends described Lucy Sallis as "the most perfect girl"

Miss Sallis had been in the resort working in the kitchen at the Belle Aurore hotel.

Tributes were paid to the teenager on Twitter, describing her as "the most perfect girl".

One read: "If that doesn't show you how short life is I dunno what does."

Another friend wrote: "Rest in peace beautiful Lucy Sallis. She was such a beautiful girl, praying for my best friend and her family right now! xxxxx."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

David Beckham 'To Sign For Paris St Germain'

David Beckham's Career Timeline

Updated: 12:20pm UK, Thursday 31 January 2013

David Beckham was born in Leytonstone in east London on May 2, 1975. Sixteen years later he joined Manchester United as a trainee.

1992: Makes debut against Brighton in the League Cup on September 23. Wins FA Youth Cup.

1993: Signs professional contract at Old Trafford.

1996: Helps United to Premier League and FA Cup double.

Scores goal of the season on opening day at Wimbledon, lobbing Neil Sullivan from the halfway line.
Makes his England debut in the 3-0 win in Moldova.

1997: Collects another championship winners' medal, voted PFA Young Player of the Year.

1998: Scores first England goal, a free-kick against Colombia in Lens on June26. Sent off in second-round penalty shoot-out defeat against Argentina.

1999: Helps United win the Premier League, FA Cup and European Cup after comingfrom behind to beat Bayern Munich with two late goals.Runner-up in World Player of the Year awards, behind Rivaldo.

2000: May - Collects fourth championship winner's medal as United win title by a record 18 points.

November - Named England captain for the November friendly with Italy in Turin by stand-in boss Peter Taylor.

2001: May - Collects another Premier League title with United.

October - Curls in a 25-yard last-minute free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford to earn England a 2-2 draw and send them into World Cup finals.

2002: May 11 - Signs new three-year contract reported to be worth between £90,000 and £100,000 a week.

2003: February - Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson accidentally kicks a boot into Beckham's face in frustration at United's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.

June 14 - Awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to football.

June 17 - United announce they have accepted a £25m bid from Real Madrid for Beckham, who agrees personal terms.

2004: June 24 - Misses a penalty as England lose to Portugal in a shoot-out in the Euro 2004 quarter-finals in Lisbon.

2005: November: Captains England for 50th time in friendly against Argentina in Geneva.

July 2 - Stands down as England captain.

August 11 - Dropped from squad for friendly against Greece, Steve McClaren's first match as manager.

2007: January 11 - Beckham announces he will leave Real Madrid and join Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy on a five-year contract in August.

January 13 - Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello says Beckham will never play for the club again.

May 26 - McClaren hands Beckham a shock England recall for matches against Brazil and Estonia.

June - Wins the La Liga title with Madrid, having won back his place in the team.

August 16 - Beckham scores his first goal for Galaxy on his full debut in the SuperLiga semi-final meeting with DC United with a trademark free-kick.

2008: March 26 - Wins 100th cap in the friendly against France.

October 30 - Milan announce Beckham will join them on loan on January 7, 2009.

2009: January 11 - Makes shock first start for Milan in 2-2 Serie A draw at Roma.

March 9 - AC Milan announce that under a unique "timeshare" agreement, Beckham will stay with them in Italy until the end of the season, return to the Galaxy from July to October and then rejoin the Serie A club for the rest of the 2009-10 campaign.

March 28 - Comes on as a half-time substitute against Slovakia at Wembley towin his 109th cap and break Bobby Moore's record for an outfield player.

July 20, 27 - Twice confronts fans who gave him a hostile reception in his first home games after returning to the Galaxy.

2010: March 14 - Tears his Achilles tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo - an injury that rules him out of the World Cup.

August 11 - England career appears to be at an end when Capello tells ITV: "Probably he is a little bit old."

2011: November 20  - Wins the MLS Cup as the Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the final.

December 31 - Five-year deal at the Galaxy expires.

2012: January 19 - Re-signs with the Galaxy.

June 28 - Announces he has not been included in Team GB's squad for the Olympic Games.

November 20 - Confirms he is to leave the Galaxy after MLS Cup on December 1.

December 1 - LA Galaxy wins 3-1 over Houston Dynamo in Beckham's final game in Major League Soccer. It is the team's second successive MLS Cup.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Whale Vomit Found on Dog Walk Worth £100,000

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A man whose dog found a lump of rare and valuable whale sick on a beach is expecting to be able to sell it for more than £100,000.

Ken Wilman, 50, was out walking on Morecambe beach when his dog Madge started sniffing a lump of rock.

He told Sky News: "At first I thought it was a football but as I got closer I realised it was a big stone.

"She wouldn't leave it alone. I picked it up and it smelt horrible so I knocked it with my walking stick and a small lump came off.

"I put both pieces back on the beach but something in the back of my mind told me it might be something unusual.

"I came back home and searched online. I had an inkling it was whale vomit and when I saw pictures I realised it was.

"When I read how valuable it was I got Madge straight back in the car and drove back to the beach to bring it home."

Whale vomit is also known as ambergris and is used to make perfume. It is formed in the digestive system of sperm whales and has a very strong and unpleasant aroma.

Whales excrete it through the mouth when it is too large to pass through the digestive system. Perfume makers use it as it has a smell similar to musk.

Mr Wilman said: "A company in France has offered 5,000 euros (£4,300) per 300g which would make my piece worth 50,000 euros (£43,000) but I'm told companies in Switzerland offer four times that amount."

Mr Wilman, who is a single parent and has been unemployed since a motorbike accident in 2007, said when he does sell it he will spend the money taking his 15-year-old son on a trip to Machu Picchu, in Peru.

He added: "Madge will also be getting a treat for her find by being fed her favourite sausages every day from now on!"

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mark Duggan: Man Guilty Of Supplying Gun

A man has been found guilty of supplying a gun to Mark Duggan, whose fatal shooting by police soon after sparked London riots.

Kevin Hutchinson-Foster, 30, was convicted at the Old Bailey of passing the firearm to Mr Duggan after a retrial.

The court heard Mr Duggan collected the BBM Bruni Model 92 handgun just 15 minutes before he was shot dead on August 4, 2011.

The 29-year-old's death in Tottenham, north London, led to riots that swept across London and other English towns and cities.

Hutchinson-Foster had denied a charge of "selling or transferring a prohibited firearm" to Mr Duggan between July 28 and August 5, 2011.

A jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court failed to reach a verdict after a trial last year. But at the retrial, a jury of seven women and five men convicted him by majority verdict.

During both trials armed police, who gave evidence anonymously, described how they opened fire on Mr Duggan because they saw him get out of a taxi holding a loaded gun.

Duggan was killed in a police shooting in August 2011

The officer who shot Mr Duggan twice - once in the chest and once in the arm - said he fired because he thought he was going to shoot him and his colleagues.

Mr Duggan, who was under police surveillance that day and the day before, had gone in the minicab to Leyton, east London, where he collected the gun in a shoebox from Hutchinson-Foster, before continuing to Tottenham.

The taxi was pulled over by armed police in four unmarked cars in a "hard stop", and as Mr Duggan got out clutching the firearm, he was shot.

The gun was found five metres from Mr Duggan's body, on a grass verge behind railings.

The shoebox, found in the minicab, had both Mr Duggan's and the defendant's fingerprints on it, while mobile phone evidence showed they were in contact with each other in the run up to the shooting.

But Hutchinson-Foster, a cannabis user with convictions for possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, claimed Mr Duggan had wanted his help to sell some cannabis.

The defendant had admitted using the same gun to beat barber Peter Osadebay at a barber's shop in Dalston, east London, just six days before Mr Duggan's death.

Hutchinson-Foster claimed this was why his DNA was found on the gun when it was retrieved from Ferry Lane on August 4, along with traces of Mr Osadebay's blood.

The defendant said he collected the firearm from someone else so he could beat Mr Osadebay on July 29, but had returned it on the same day.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

David Cameron Makes Surprise Trip To Libya

David Cameron has made a surprise visit to Libya where he promised to help bolster the police and the army.

The Prime Minister said Britain was ready to provide training and advice amid growing concern about the security situation in the region.

On a walkabout in the capital's famous Martyrs' Square, Mr Cameron was greeted by friendly locals.

The premier last visited the country in September 2011, touring Tripoli and Benghazi shortly after Colonel Gaddafi lost his grip on power.

Sky's deputy political editor Joey Jones, speaking from Tripoli, said you could see there was "genuine affection" in Libya for the PM.

"People are crowding in on David Cameron, shaking his hand and saying hello. They are obviously very pleased to see him," he said.

The Prime Minister spent 10 to 15 minutes walking around the Square where security was tight, with black-clad security services trying to hold back locals and a helicopter flying overhead.

Jones said: "He feels he has forged a friendship with the Libyan people in what was their hour of need.

"Now he wants to demonstrate that he can take that friendship forward given that there are still immense challenges that face the country."

Mr Cameron was guided around the square, a key location in the revolution, by youth worker Abdurahman - who fought against Gaddafi - and Mervat.

Mervat and the organisation she set up, 3 Generation, tries to find information on those who went missing during the dictator's reign and the revolt.

Earlier, the Prime Minister toured a police training centre on the outskirts of Tripoli.

He told police recruits it was "very good to be back". "I will never forget the scenes I saw in Tripoli and Benghazi," he said.

"The British people want to stand with you and help you deliver the greater security that Libya needs.

"So we have offered training and support from our police and our military. We look forward to working together in the years ahead."

Mr Cameron is due to hold talks with counterpart Ali Zeidan and President Megarief while in the country.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeremy Kyle Cancer Battle: Host 'On The Mend'

TV chat show host Jeremy Kyle is recuperating abroad after being treated for testicular cancer.

He is understood to have had chemotherapy following the discovery of a growth late last year.

The 47-year-old presenter has taken a break from recording his ITV daytime programme while he recovers.

He is expected to return to work next week to begin filming new shows.

A statement on his programme's Facebook page said: "Jeremy was diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas. After an operation and chemotherapy treatment, I'm pleased to say he's now on the mend.

"It's been a really tough couple of months for him and his family but he wanted to let you all know that he appreciates your continuing support.

"Jeremy will be back at work next week to start filming new shows which you'll see on TV very soon."

An ITV spokeswoman said: "We wish Jeremy well and are pleased that he is making such good progress."

Kyle has hosted his TV programme for seven and a half years, putting dysfunctional relationships in the spotlight, and many have criticised it for glorifying "broken Britain".

Last week, his show was nominated for the National Television Awards for the best daytime TV show award, although it missed out to This Morning.

Kyle was a salesman before his move into broadcasting, hosting programmes in local radio.

He went on to present his Virgin Confessions show on Virgin Radio before landing his TV slot after Trisha Goddard left her daytime ITV series to head to Channel 5.

Kyle has also launched his programme in the US and has fronted other shows for ITV.

In his autobiography, I'm Only Being Honest, the twice-married presenter talked about how he suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Horsemeat Scandal: Tesco Drops Supplier

Tesco has dropped its frozen burger supplier following an investigation into why horsemeat was used in its products.

The supermarket giant's technical director Tim Smith said new DNA testing would be introduced for all of its meat products to avoid similar mistakes happening again.

He said: "The evidence tells us that our frozen burger supplier, Silvercrest, used meat in our products that did not come from the list of approved suppliers we gave them.

"Nor was the meat from the UK or Ireland, despite our instruction that only beef from the UK and Ireland should be used in our frozen beef burgers.

Tesco's Tim Smith has revealed the findings of the firm's investigation

"Consequently we have decided not to take products from that supplier in future.

"We took that decision with regret but the breach of trust is simply too great."

Silvercrest says that it has "never knowingly bought or processed horsemeat", and insists that all of its purchases are from approved and licensed EU plants.

Around two weeks ago Tesco and a number of other supermarkets removed certain brands of frozen beefburgers from their shelves, after they were found to contain horsemeat.

A study examining the authenticity of a number of beefburger, beef meal and salami products available from retail outlets in Ireland found horsemeat accounted for approximately 29% of the content in one sample of Tesco Everyday Value Beef Burgers.

The findings sparked a national outcry and 10 million burgers were taken off shelves as a result of the scandal.

Mr Smith added: "Ultimately Tesco is responsible for the food we sell, so it is not enough just to stop using the supplier.

"To underpin the strong measures already in place, we will now introduce a comprehensive system of DNA testing across our meat products. This will identify any deviation from our high standards."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tragic London Marathon Runner 'Used Stimulant'

A young woman who died in the London Marathon was using a stimulant banned in competitive sport that may be linked to her death, an inquest has heard.

After Claire Squires, 30, collapsed and died in the run last April, a public outpouring of support led to more than £1m being donated to her chosen charity.

Toxicologist Andrew Kicman has told Southwark Coroner's Court that a substance called DMAA was found in Ms Squires' blood.

Mr Van Herrewage arrives at the inquest

A cardiologist also told the hearing that the substance "may have been an important factor" in her death as it "made her heart work harder".

Earlier, her boyfriend, Simon Van Herrewage, told the hearing that Miss Squires had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat by an acupuncturist.

But Miss Squires' GP told the inquest that she never went to see him with concerns over her heartbeat.

Mr Van Herrewage also told the hearing that Miss Squires put the supplement, which she bought online, in her water bottle during the race.

He said he thought it was "like strong caffeine".

The hairdresser, from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, aimed to raise £500 for Samaritans but the total surged to more than £1m on news of her death.

Miss Squires had been a keen fundraiser for Samaritans in support of her mother, Cilla, who has been a volunteer with the organisation for the past 24 years.

The charity has since worked with Miss Squires' mother to develop The Claire Squires Fund - a programme of projects that reflect how she would have wanted the money to be used.

Miss Squires was the 11th runner to die since the London Marathon began in 1981.

She collapsed one bend away from the finish line of the 26.2 mile course.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tax Deadline: 1.8m Still To File Returns

By Pete Norman, Sky News Online

Nearly two million people have still to file their self-assessment tax returns before tomorrow's deadline, Sky News has learned.

Although a total of 8.8 million returns have so far been filed, a further 1.8 million must get their online returns in before Thursday's midnight deadline to avoid being hit with an automatic penalty.

The £100 fine for filing of the document on February 1 or later is imposed even if workers have already paid any tax due for the year or no tax is liable.

An HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) spokesman told Sky News: "If you still haven't sent in your tax return, you've got until tomorrow to file to avoid a penalty – and please also make sure to pay what you owe."

The Tax Office said that on Tuesday a total of 321,000 people filed the returns - at a rate of 13,375 an hour.

In recent years HMRC has bolstered its online data facilities to try and keep pace with online filing.

There has been a near-doubling of people filing tax returns over the internet during the past five years.

In January 2008, 45.9% of the 9.3 million returns were filed online and the figure topped 80.9% of 10.5 million returns by last January.

HMRC recently revealed that on Christmas Day 1,548 people also filled in forms while another 4,685 people filed on Boxing Day.

On January 31, 2012 a technical fault left deadline day self-assessment taxpayers unable to check their payment status.

Sky News understands the fault was caused by outside payment service providers and not internal Tax Office systems.

The glitch occurred as HMRC was inundated with returns on deadline day.

Days later HMRC said that a total of 90.4% of taxpayers had met that self-assessment deadline, by filing online or on paper forms.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malala: Shot Teen To Get Replacement Skull

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

British doctors have revealed the remarkable medical procedures which will transform the life of a Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban.

There was international outrage after the Taliban shot Malala Yousufzai, 15, at point blank range in the north western Swat district, because she was campaigning for girls' education.

Following the attack last October she was flown for specialist treatment at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The bullet hit her left brow and instead of penetrating her skull it travelled underneath the skin, the whole length of her head and into her shoulder.

The shock wave shattered the thinnest bone of the skull and the soft tissue at the base of her jaw and neck were damaged. Her left eardrum was destroyed.

Within the next ten days she will undergo two operations which will replace a missing area of skull and implant a complex electronic hearing device.

A 3D image has been released which shows the extensive damage caused to Malala's skull.

Malala leaves hospital in early January

Surgeons at Birmingham say and 0.66mm titanium metal plate will be screwed into place, having been moulded from a 3D model created through the CT image of Malala's skull.

In a separate procedure a cochlear implant will be fitted, the type of device that provides a sense of sound to someone who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. A small area will be drilled in the skull behind the titanium plate to allow the electronics to be implanted.

Malala was released as an outpatient in early January to continue her recuperation at the family's temporary home in the Midlands with her father Ziauddin, mother Toorpekai and younger brothers Khushal and Atul.

Shortly after Malala arrived in Birmingham her father released a statement saying: "I am awfully thankful for all the peace-loving well-wishers who strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Malala, who pray for her health and support the grand cause of peace, education, freedom of thought and freedom of expression."

The Pakistan government has since given Malala's father a job in the UK. He has been appointed the education attaché at the Pakistan Consulate.

Since the attack, a campaign has gathered pace for Malala to be nominated  for the Nobel Peace Prize after she became a symbol of the struggle for women's rights in Pakistan.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sugary Drink Tax 'Could Pay For School Meals'

Sugary drinks should be taxed at up to 20p a litre, say health campaigners – with the proceeds helping to pay for free school meals.

Food and farming charity Sustain said the Government could raise £1bn a year from the duty, while also saving lives by cutting excessive consumption of unhealthy drinks.

The report has been backed by more than 60 organisations, including the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Friends of the Earth, the National Heart Forum and the Royal Society for Public Health.

Diet-related illness is now costing the NHS £6bn every year, the report said.

Sustain urged Chancellor George Osborne to introduce the duty in the Budget on March 20 and to channel most of the cash raised into a Children's Future Fund for programmes to improve children's health.

Money could be spent on campaigns to encourage youngsters to eat more fruit and vegetables, the report said.

The group's campaigns manager, Charlie Powell, said: "Sugar-laden drinks are mini-health time bombs, contributing to dental diseases, obesity and a host of life-threatening illnesses which cost the NHS billions each year.

"We are delighted that so many organisations want to challenge the Government to show it has a public health backbone by including a sugary drinks duty in Budget 2013.

"It's a simple and easy-to-understand measure which will help save lives by reducing sugar in our diets and raising much-needed money to protect children's health."

Sustain chairman Mike Rayner, of Oxford University's Department of Public Health, added: "Just as we use fiscal measures to discourage drinking and smoking and help prevent people from dying early, there is now lots of evidence that the same approach would work for food.

"Our obesity epidemic causes debilitating illness, life-threatening diseases and misery for millions of people. It is high time Government did something effective about this problem."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pimlico Stabbing: Teen Was On Gang 'Periphery'

A teenager who died after being stabbed in the street has been described as a "timid young man" who was on the "periphery" of a gang.

Hani Abou El Kheir, 16, was set upon on the edge of Pimlico by a gang reported to have been wielding swords and knives.

Emergency services battled to save the teenager's life as he lay bleeding in Lupus Street, but he died a few hours later in hospital.

Scotland Yard said police were "retaining an open mind regarding any motive at this stage" and confirmed a post-mortem examination into his death will take place at noon. No arrests have been made.

It has since emerged that Hani had become known to drugs intervention workers, and was believed to be "on the periphery" of local gangs.

Pimlico is one of London's most affluent neighbourhoods

David Savizon, who works for the Westminster Council's Your Choice anti-gangs programme, said Hani's name had been flagged up to drugs workers last week, and he was due to get a visit from outreach workers if it came up again.

Mr Savizon, 34, said: "Unfortunately I wasn't able to meet him. He wasn't deemed significant in terms of being in a gang. He was mentioned as someone on the periphery."

Mr Savizon, who has 12 years of experience working with youngsters at risk of joining gangs, added: "It was more of a bookmark just to see where this young person was.

"Everything I have heard about him ... he was a very timid young man."

The suspected drugs-related attack happened at 7pm on Sunday near Pimlico Underground station. Lupus Street is bordered by extensive council estates on one side and is home to Pimlico Academy.

The Churchill Gardens estate where Hani lived has become a drugs black spot in the last year.

Children as young 10 are paid "tens of pounds" to stash drugs and ferry them around.

Hani's mother, Pauline Hickey, who lives in Gilbert House, 100 yards from the crime scene, was said to be "heartbroken" and is being comforted by friends and a family liaison officer.

It is believed she or a female friend tried to comfort the teenager as he fought for his life.

Mohammed Alzubaidi, 49, from nearby Peabody Close, said his friend witnessed a gang of black and white teenagers carrying out the attack.

"He said they were carrying knives, some of them with wide swords. He said the victim was screaming and trying to get away."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bristol 'Hit And Run' Pair Were To Start IVF

A couple who died after their tandem bicycle collided with a car had celebrated the news that they were to start fertility treatment less than 24 hours before the crash.

Ross Simons, 34, and his 30-year-old wife Clare died when a Citroen Picasso car hit their bike in Hanham, near Bristol, on Sunday.

The car was speeding moments before the incident and police officers indicated for it to pull over, but were forced to follow it after it sped off, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Moments later the car struck another vehicle before colliding with Mr and Mrs Simons' tandem. They died at the scene of the crash.

The previous evening the couple, who had been married for about 18 months and together for several years, had a meal with friends after being given the go-ahead to undergo IVF treatment.

Family friend Diane Pullin, from Kingswood, Bristol, said Mr and Mrs Simons had been out with her daughter Shelley and son-in-law Darren.

She said: "They are a lovely family, so kind and so helpful. They'd just had news that they were able to have fertility treatment ... everything to live for."

She added: "It's just terrible and it shouldn't have happened. Two young people with their lives in front of them ... snapped away just like that.

The couple have been described as "amazing people"

"They desperately wanted children and it wasn't happening. They'd just been given the go-ahead. They were so happy on Saturday night.

"My daughter says she's got helium balloons at the top of her stairs wishing them luck and she can't even look at them.

"Like she said to me just now, 'How can I be with them on Saturday night and they're not here now?'.

"It just shows that nobody knows. No one could have thought this on Saturday night.

"It's just so sad. It's all I can really say. Such a waste of a life. All these questions of 'Why?'"

About 100 people attended a vigil for the pair at the scene of the crash last night, including some of their close relatives.

"Both of our families are completely devastated by the tragic events that took Ross and Clare from us," they said in a statement.

"A very special couple have been taken from us and we have no words to describe our loss."

Mr Simons' father Edwin was among the mourners, as was his sister Kelly, who said: "This is a tribute to Ross and Clare, two amazing people."

Police have been given more time to question a 38-year-old man on suspicion of death by dangerous driving.

A 35-year-old woman has been released on bail.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bali Drugs Case: Briton Julian Ponder Jailed

A British man has been jailed for six years and fined the equivalent of £65,000 after being convicted of cocaine possession in Bali.

Julian Ponder, 43, from Brighton, was cleared of drug trafficking but found guilty of the lesser offence of possession.

Prosecutors in Indonesia had asked for a seven-year prison term, and he could have faced a maximum sentence of life.

Ponder has been linked to Lindsay Sandiford, the 56-year-old British grandmother sentenced to death for smuggling cocaine worth £1.5m onto the island in May last year.

She alleged that Ponder was the man she was going to deliver the drug shipment to, a claim he denies.

Ponder and his partner Rachel Dougall were arrested alongside Sandiford in a sting operation by Indonesian police.

At the time of her arrest, Dougall, who has a young daughter, insisted she was the victim of a "fit-up" and Ponder claimed he was "trapped".

Ponder's lawyer said he was told that Sandiford was delivering a present for his child's birthday and, when he met her to receive the gift, police officers arrested him.

Sky's Jonathan Samuels said: "It was alleged that he was linked to Lindsay Sandiford ... she was caught at the airport and arrested, and she alleged that Julian Ponder was the man she was going to deliver the cocaine to.

"It's something he has always denied. He was initially charged with drugs trafficking, but that charge was dropped.

"He was then charged with drugs possession after a small amount of drugs was found in his home.

"The judges did have the right to re-examine the evidence, and to re-charge him with drug trafficking.

"They've decided not to do that, so he will spend six years in one of the most notorious jails on the holiday island."

Sandiford, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has notified Indonesian officials she intends to appeal against her sentence.

She was accused by the Bali court of damaging the image of the resort island and received the sentence despite prosecutors only asking for a 15-year jail term.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Childcare Plans: Nursery Ratios To Be Relaxed

By Gamal Fahnbulleh, Sky News Reporter

Nurseries and childminders will be allowed to look after more children under Government plans to help parents battling soaring fees.

Staff will be able to take charge of six two-year-olds rather than four, and the ratio for under-ones will go up from three to four.

Under the new plans, a childminder would also be able to look after two babies instead of one and four under-fives rather than three.

Education minister Liz Truss outlined the changes, which are part of reforms requiring carers of pre-schoolers to have higher qualifications.

She argued that they would make childcare more available as well as improving its quality, suggesting this would help to drive down prices.

But critics branded the reforms a "recipe for disaster" which could put children at risk and cast doubt on the prospect of cheaper care.

One parent writing on Mumsnet said: "How can this possibly improve childcare standards? Common sense says more children, less attention per child no matter how qualified the staff."

Another added: "I fail to see how someone can care for four young babies adequately. I do fear it will lead to accidents or even worse, simply because nobody has that many eyes in their head."

Britain families currently spend an average of 27% of their income on childcare - the second highest proportion in the world.

Despite this, the quality of care provided in the UK is said to be behind other European countries.

Ms Truss told an event at the Policy Exchange think-tank that the Government wants to bring in graduate-level Early Years teachers.

An Early Years Educator qualification will also be created, requiring practical experience and at least a C grade in English and maths GCSE.

The minister declared that nursery staff had to be paid more to improve the system, citing an average wage of £6.60 an hour.

Easing rules on ratios will give nurseries the "headroom to pay higher salaries", Ms Truss said. 

"We have learned from other countries that deliver better value and better-quality childcare. We have looked across Europe and beyond...

"I have been particularly struck by the high status and trust afforded to childcare professionals in continental Europe."

She added: "Other European countries have taken a different approach on ratios. They think that the quality of staff is the most important thing.

"Whereas in England nursery staff may look after no more than three one-year-olds, in France they can be responsible for five - and there are no limits in Denmark, Germany or Sweden.

"That is why we are encouraging nurseries to use their professional judgment and enjoy greater flexibility."

Anne Longfield, the chief executive of families charity 4Children, said the proposals could "transform the early years profession in this country" and they were also welcomed by Ofsted.

But Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance said: "We are absolutely appalled by this fixation to alter ratios... This is a recipe for disaster."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the changes would "not reduce costs and instead risks reducing the quality of care".

Chris Keates, from the NASUWT teachers' union, warned that sacrificing appropriate ratios to secure higher pay levels and more qualified staff was a "flawed strategy".

"It is more likely that any increased revenues gained by reducing ratios will simply be diverted to increasing profit margins rather than to enhancing the pay and conditions of staff and the quality of provision for children," he said.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said: "This Government has created an affordability crisis by cutting support and pushing up costs for parents.

"Watering down quality is the wrong way to try to deal with the problem they've caused. Experts are warning this could threaten child safety and won't reduce costs. Parents will be worried.

"With a £1,700 toddler tax for families with two children, and 401 fewer children's centres, parents are being locked into inflation-busting cost rises while the quality of childcare is undermined."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cosmetic Surgery Rates Soaring In UK

Growth rates for surgical facelifts and other anti-ageing procedures have shown a double-digit rise - despite a double-dip recession, new figures show.

Even though anti-ageing procedures are becoming increasingly popular, breast augmentation still tops the charts for the most common cosmetic surgeries with almost 10,000 women going under the knife in 2012.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) study also found that fat injections have become more popular than liposuction.

Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and Baaps president, said: "Interestingly, for the first time we see a greater number of women having procedures to re-insert fat - known as fat transfer, to add volume to the face - than to remove it, in the form of liposuction."

Breast implants are still the most popular procedures

The number of women who are transferring fat from one part of the body, such as the hips or thighs, to areas that have lost plumpness through age, including the face or hands, has increased by 13% in just one year.

The number of women who had liposuction has reduced by 14%.

A total of 2,641 women underwent a "fat transfer" procedure last year, making it the seventh most popular cosmetic surgery conducted by Baaps members.

Meanwhile, liposuction has dropped to eighth place, with 2,638 women undergoing the procedure in 2012.

Of the 43,172 surgical procedures carried out by Baaps members last year, one in 10 were conducted on men.

The most popular procedures for men were nose jobs, eyelid surgery and breast reduction.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

New British Citizenship Test - Take The Quiz

Changes to the Life in the UK citizenship test, which must be taken by all migrants wanting to settle permanently in Britain, have been unveiled.

The Home Office said the revised exam, which is being introduced in March, will focus less on the practicalities of daily living in Britain and more on the nation's culture and past, with topics such as sport, music and key historical facts featuring heavily.

For example, while foreigners will be expected to know British history stretching back to the Stone Age, through to the Romans, Norman Conquest and the Magna Carta, they will also be tested on last year's Olympics and "Britons' unique sense of humour and satire".

The Two Ronnies and Monty Python are even on the syllabus, according to the Guardian, while British cultural and artistic heritage, from the music of composer Henry Purcell to the worldwide influence of the Beatles and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the nation's national parks all feature in the 45-minute test.

Foreign nationals will also be asked about the nation's artistic achievements, Britain's love of gardening and garden design and the work of influential architects including Christopher Wren and Norman Foster.

Questions on literary masterpieces by poets and authors such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Jane Austen and Wilfred Owen, as well as the lives of some of Britain's most celebrated writers, scientists and politicians, from William Shakespeare and Robert Burns to Isaac Newton and Winston Churchill also feature.

Ministers said the exam and its accompanying handbook, released today, will cover events and people "who have contributed to making Britain great".

Immigration minister Mark Harper said: "We've stripped out mundane information about water meters, how to find train timetables, and using the internet.

"The new book rightly focuses on values and principles at the heart of being British. Instead of telling people how to claim benefits it encourages participation in British life."

More than 150,000 Life in the UK tests were taken nationally last year, including 77,000 in London.

:: Take the test. Here are some of the possible questions and multiple choice answers:

1. Which landmark is a prehistoric monument which still stands in the English county of Wiltshire?

A) Stonehenge

B) Hadrian's Wall

C) Offa's Dyke

D) Fountains Abbey

2. What is the name of the admiral who died in a sea battle in 1805 and has a monument in Trafalgar Square, London?

A) Cook

B) Drake

C) Nelson

D) Raleigh

3. In 1801, a new version of the official flag of the United Kingdom was created. What is it often called?

A) The British Standard

B) The Royal Banner

C) The St George Cross

D) The Union Jack

4. Who is the Patron Saint of Scotland?

A) St Andrew

B) St David

C) St George

D) St Patrick

5. What flower is traditionally worn by people on Remembrance Day?

A) Poppy

B) Lily

C) Daffodil

D) Iris

6. Which of these sporting events was hosted in London in 2012?

A) The Commonwealth Games

B) Cricket World Cup

C) European Football Championship

D) Paralympic Games

7. At her Jubilee in 2012, how many years as Queen did Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrate?

A) 25

B) 40

C) 50

D) 60

8. The second largest party in the House of Commons is usually known by what name?

A) The Senate

B) The Opposition

C) The Lords

D) The Other Side

9. From what age can you be asked to serve on a jury?

A) 16

B) 18

C) 21

D) 25

10. What is the title given to the person who chairs the debates in the House of Commons?

A) The Speaker

B) The Chairman

C) The Leader of the House

D) The Prime Minister

Answers: you need 75% to pass

1. A 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. A 6. D 7. D 8. B 9. B 10.A

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Hit-And-Run' Deaths: Tandem Cyclists Named

The car involved in an alleged hit-and-run crash that killed a husband and wife on a tandem bicycle was being followed by police, it has emerged.

The couple, who died at the scene of the collision in Bristol, have been named as 34-year-old Ross Matthews Simons and 30-year-old Clare Simons.

And police investigating the accident revealed the Citroen Picasso involved had collided with the cyclists just moments after officers tried to pull it over.

Lower Hanham Road is west of central Bristol

A statement issued by Avon and Somerset Police said: "Shortly before 4pm yesterday (Sunday), a police officer's attention was drawn to a Citroen Picasso travelling along Lower Hanham Road at speed.

"The officer indicated to the car to stop but it made off. The officer began to follow the car but it was lost to sight almost immediately. Very shortly afterwards the car stuck another vehicle and then collided with two cyclists on a tandem bicycle."

A 38-year-old man is being held by police after being arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police also said a 35-year-old woman had been arrested, on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Police tape at the scene of the tragic collision

And Inspector Frazer Davey urged any witnesses to come forward.

"Following investigations overnight the circumstances of this collision have become much clearer," he said.

"However I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or saw this car in the area shortly before the collision to come forward and contact us.

"This is a tragic incident in which two people have needlessly lost their lives. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dock Master Saves Baby From Icy Waters

A dock master has rescued a six-month-old baby after his buggy was blown into freezing cold waters by strong winds.

The infant, who was strapped in the buggy, was swept into the water as his mother walked along Watchet Harbour, Somerset, at 8am on Sunday.

After hearing screams for help George Reeder, 63, initially thought a dog had fallen in but was horrified to see the pushchair upturned in the water.

He dived in and pulled it to the wall, before a member of the public helped attach a rope and hauled it to dry land - but not before the baby had spent around five minutes in the water.

The infant was revived by a passer-by who administered CPR, before being taken to hospital, where he is believed to be out of intensive care.

The Coastguard and an ambulance arrived at the scene

Mr Reeder, who has worked at the marina for 11 years, said he heard screaming from a couple of hundred yards away before jumping on his bike to see what had happened.

He added: "I don't know exactly how he went in, but I was on the esplanade and heard the commotion and I assumed somebody's dog had gone into the water, so I went cycling over.

"They were on the West Pier, where you walk up to the lighthouse, some way away, but the noise travels and I could hear screaming from a woman.

"The mother was there and she said 'my baby has gone in the water', so I went to the edge and I could see the pushchair upside down, floating away.

"I just jumped in and pulled the pushchair back over to the edge of the quay, and then somebody put a rope down over and I tied it on and they lifted it out.

"As far as I know, what the police told me was that the wind blew the buggy in."

The dramatic rescue happened at Watchet in Somerset

Mr Reeder said it was "amazing" that the baby survived, adding: "The baby was still in the pushchair, it was very cold, it is amazing really because he must have been in there for a good five minutes, under the water.

"They pulled up the pushchair and a lady started doing CPR, and then the coastguard came, and the ambulance and the police, so I backed out the way."

A local member of the coastguard took over the CPR from the woman and Mr Reeder said the baby started to take in breaths.

He said: "You could see his little mouth opening and taking in a breath and that's when I thought it's OK, he's going to be OK.

"I know the family and the granddad came over and said he's out of intensive care now and on the ward.

"The poor mother, she'll probably never get over something like that, it's your worst nightmare."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "It is believed a gust of wind blew the buggy with the child in it into the water.

"A local fisherman rescued the six-month-old boy and he was airlifted to hospital for treatment.

"The condition of the baby is believed to be no longer life-threatening."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pimlico Fatal Stabbing: Teenager Named

A teenager, who died after being stabbed in Pimlico, central London, has been named as Hani Abou El-Kheir.

Officers were called to Lupus Street at 6.50pm where they found a 16-year-old who had been stabbed. Witnesses said he screamed for his life.

The victim was taken to a south London hospital but died from his injuries at 8.45pm.

No arrests have been made so far. Police have launched a murder investigation and are keeping an "open mind" as to the motive.

Mohammed Alzubaidi. 49, from nearby Peabody Close, said his friend had witnessed a gang made up of black and white teenagers carrying out the attack.

The street has been cordoned off by police

"He said they were carrying knives, some of them with wide swords. He said the victim was screaming and trying to get away."

Mr Alzubaidi's friend told him the gang had scattered and run off in different directions.

The scene of the attack is close to Pimlico Underground station and is bordered by many council estates.

A 58-year-old local resident, who did not want to be named, said there had been two murders in nearby Gloucester Street in recent years and a stabbing of a boy outside a row of shops in Lupus Street before Christmas.

"The violence that has started to occur around here is something else, it is frightening for all the residents. You used to be able to walk around at night but I am starting to be very wary, especially at night-time," she said.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We must retain an open mind re the circumstances of the incident and any motive at this early stage."

Anyone with any information can call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Childcare Better In Wealthy Areas, Report Says

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky Reporter

Children from wealthier areas receive a better standard of childcare, according to a new report.

Research by Policy Exchange showed Ofsted judged 79% of childminders in the richest parts of England as good or outstanding, compared to 64% in the most deprived areas of the country.

It also found that children from richer areas were further ahead when they started primary school.

In the City of London and Trafford 78% were at a good level, compared to just 51% in Middlesbrough at the bottom of the list.

The vocabulary development of the poorest children was 16 months behind those from the highest income families, the report said.

Harriet Waldegrave, the author of the report said: "Early years education will only have a positive impact on a child's development if it is of a high quality.

"While provision is improving, it's not doing so fast enough. Most worryingly of all, lower quality provision in disadvantaged areas means positive effects of early years education are less likely to be seen for the children who need it most."

The government is now being asked to improve the quality of early years teaching and the financial support it gives to families with lower incomes.

In response, a Department for Education spokesperson said: "This report is absolutely right to say early years education needs to improve.

"We need to learn from other countries that ensure the profession is better trained and give them the freedom to do their job. We will be announcing plans on improving the quality of provision shortly."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Globetrotting Record: Briton Visits Every Nation

By Jay Singh-Sohal, Sky News Producer

An adventurer from Liverpool is just one step away from entering the Guinness Book of Records for visiting every country in the world without flying.

Graham Hughes, 33, began the challenge to visit all 193 UN recognised nations in January 2009. 

He has since undertaken "surface journeys" to all the world's hot spots - including Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea - and visited every sovereign nation in the world including Vatican City, Palestine, Taiwan, Western Sahara and Kosovo,  which do not have seats at the UN.

But Guinness World Records ruled that his feat did not stand as he had entered Russia without a valid visa. Mr Hughes' visit to the country came after he waded across the River Narva from Estonia.

On Monday, he will visit Russia again with the hope of officially completing his challenge, travelling 25 hours by train from London Victoria to Gadansk in Poland before taking a bus across the border.

In Togo

When he took up the challenge, Guinness set rules for the record including not using private transport over large distances or hitchhiking.

So Graham has completed his visits through a combination of train, taxi and cargo ship journeys and kept GPS records from all his visits.

He made the trips on a shoe-string budget, spending less than £7,000 a year in the first two years and just under £3,000 thereafter. 

And along the way he's also had to take into account changing borders - South Sudan became a nation in 2012 and Graham travelled there in November of that year by public transport.

In the Solomon Islands

His longest journey has been the 32-day round trip from Australia to Nauru, the world's smallest republic. He said the island in the Micronesia archipelago was worth the journey, as was Palau in the Pacific, which he describes as an "unspoilt tropical paradise with amazing people".

But his travels have also presented some dangers. On a visit to Congo, Mr Hughes was jailed for six days and was only freed with British consulate support.

Pakistan too posed problems. Mr Hughes was not even allowed out of the port at Karachi because authorities said it was too dangerous.

But the most memorable time was the four days he spent on a leaky wooden canoe crossing the open ocean from Senegal to Cape Verde.

During his journey Graham filmed a TV show for the National Geographic Adventure channel and raised money for the charity Water Aid.

He also blogged about the experience on www.theodysseyexpedition.com/

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Payday Loan Sites' Dirty Tricks To Boost Traffic

By Jason Farrell, Sky Correspondent

A Sky News investigation has found that some payday loan brokers have benefitted from hacking into websites to divert the history and status of a legitimate business to their domain.

This increases their ranking on Google, and the tactic has given unregulated brokers access to online traffic worth millions of pounds.

The findings come as the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) prepares its report into dirty tricks in the market, due to be published in February.

Every month, tens of thousands of potential customers use Google to search for payday loans.

The search engine has a complex algorithm based on a website's history and credibility which tries to ensure that users are directed to the most appropriate websites.

However, Google's natural listings system can be tricked. Sky News found three payday websites that were stealing the credibility of other websites to boost their ranking. The target victim sites included a music business, a graduate website and even a church website.

In November last year, Sky News discovered established music licencing website Ricordi was one of several domains that began ranking highly for selling payday loans on the front pages of Google. Clicking on the link diverted the user to a payday broker's site.

Dr Joseph Somerhalder says brokers have been 'stealing identities'

Web analyst Dr Joseph Somerhalder from search optimisation company Chillicow explained what was happening.

He told Sky News: "They hack into the website. They optimise the website for something that it is not about such as payday loans. Then they wait for the right moment, and then they forward all the history and all the credibility from the old website, the legitimate business, into the illegitimate business."

He added: "It's a bit like stealing your identity online. They take the website's identity and history and they point it somewhere else."

Ricordi is owned by Universal Music Group. A spokesperson for the company said: "We recently discovered the unauthorised access to our Ricordi UK website. UMG takes the protection of its sites very seriously and has implemented measures to prevent a recurrence of this type of event."

But other companies may not be aware of the hacking. Using web analysis software, we found that over 10,000 websites have been compromised by this technique on one server alone.

Sky News spoke to the owners of UK graduate website Gradfunding which was also in the process of being hijacked.

Dr Luke Blaxill, director of the website, said he was also trying to deal with the problem.

"To get rid of this we are going to have to rewrite every bit of code on the website and transfer it to a new server."

The payday loan intrusion meant his company was starting to fall down the listings for its own business operations and it could lose years of building up an online reputation.

Dr Blaxill said: "It has taken years for us to get to the position that we are in this particular market and for that effectively to be almost rewritten overnight by a scammer, is a real problem."

Gradfunding was among the target victim websites

Raihan Islam from JAR Applications, which fixed the problem for Gradfunding, told Sky News: "What they did was inject a malicious code into the web server, and the files trick Google by the method of cloaking.

"They then bomb the site with payday loan links to increase its ranking for payday loans and redirect the traffic to their scam website. That's when the hacker starts making money."

During the investigation we found church website Canada had been hacked for this purpose. We also discovered 21,000 payday loan links had been pointed at a Bonsai society website.

There are concerns these tactics leave UK loan customers exposed to unscrupulous, unregulated brokers.

Over the last two months Sky News conducted test searches on Google for payday loans which produced websites high in the natural listings that were in breach of OFT regulations.

Several had no consumer credit licence, a requirement for any loan broker and lead generator.

Some websites claimed to be 100% secure, but actually had no data protection when customers entered their bank details. This exposes customers to fraud and identity theft.

We also found many websites broke legal requirements on transparency to customers, such as failing to prominently display a representative APR or an address where the company can be contacted.

Sky News found three payday websites involved in dirty tricks

Some legitimate lenders in the industry have told us they are aware of the problem. Many of them advertise on Google's pay per-click service as an alternative to the natural listings.

One lender who did not want to be identified suggested the price of Google's sponsored links have gone up because demand has increased with legitimate companies struggling to get on the natural listings.

"Google could solve this problem by tightening up their algorithm" he suggested. "But they have no incentive to do so. We're all having to use the sponsored listings to get any traffic to our websites."

He added: "But customers don't realise that some companies on the natural listings don't have a consumer credit licence, which means they don't have to tell the customer how much they're going to pay back, which feeds into some of the problems we're seeing at the moment of customers not able to pay back their loans."

Google says its key motivation is to try to direct customers to the best websites.

A spokesman told Sky News: "As part of our on-going effort to reduce webspam and return high-quality websites to our users, we are constantly improving our search algorithm to better detect and decrease rankings for sites that we believe are violating Google's quality guidelines and engaging in webspam tactics to manipulate search engine rankings."

For legal reasons we are not naming the websites linked to hacking but we have passed our evidence to the OFT, which told us: "The OFT is clear regarding the standards it expects from those businesses that it regulates and has publicised an extensive suite of guidance documents. We take very seriously any evidence tending to show that businesses are not meeting the standards set out in our guidance.

"The guidance for credit brokers and intermediaries states that creditors should satisfy themselves that persons they deal with are appropriately licenced. Accepting leads from unlicensed sources would raise concerns about a lender's fitness to hold a consumer credit licence."

At one point during our investigation we found the highest ranking website on Google was a four-day-old domain registered to a field in California.

Just a few days in this position can earn the web owner tens of thousands of pounds. Yet this site was in breach of several regulations and displayed nothing on the website to suggest it was licenced to sell loans in the UK.

Last November, the OFT opened formal investigations into the tactics used by an number of payday lenders. But if the regulator wants to properly police the market, it seems it is going to have to work with Google.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flood Fears As Snow Melts And Rain Moves In

Heavy rains combined with milder temperatures which are thawing the snow that has blanketed much of Britain have sparked fears of flooding across the country.

Large parts of the UK are on alert for flooding, and the Met Office is warning people to be prepared for potential travel disruption.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 74 warnings across England and Wales, meaning flooding is expected, urging people in the Midlands, South West, Wales and Anglian region to take immediate action against predicted flooding.

Another 313 alerts, meaning flooding is possible, are also in place - increasing every few minutes - after the agency warned of an increased risk of surface water and river flooding.

Flooded roads in Lincolnshire this morning (Pic: Kevin Leach)

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued nine flood warnings and 11 alerts.

The AA said crews had been called to at least 17 motorists stuck in water since midnight.

Staffordshire Police tweeted images of flooding on the A34 around the Meaford Road junction in Stone, earlier, while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service warned motorists against driving through flood water after being called out to rescue several people.

There were reports of flooding in south Wales overnight after downpours replaced almost two weeks of snow.

The A34 at the Meaford Road junction in Stone, (Pic: Staffordshire Police)

Norfolk Police also reported flooding caused by melting snow and ice, which has closed a number of roads in the area.

Forecasters are predicting a very wet spell through the latter part of Monday and into Tuesday too.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "After very mild, wet and windy weather on Saturday night, snow has melted rapidly. The combination of heavy rain and the thaw has brought flooding in places.

"Flooding will continue to be a concern during Monday and Tuesday as further active frontal systems are set to sweep east bringing gales and heavy rain.

A house collapses in Barnsley, apparently under the weight of fresh snow

"Western and southwestern parts are most at risk with around one to two inches of rainfall, perhaps more on higher ground.

""The outlook is for it to remain generally mild, windy and unsettled."

Rising temperatures of up to 12C (53F) have sparked a rapid thaw of the snow and ice, after heavy snow storms on Friday night left hundreds of people stranded on motorways in the north of England.

The M6 was blocked in both directions between junctions 25 and 27 in Lancashire when a sudden burst of more than a foot of snow brought drivers to a standstill from around 8.30pm.

An EA spokesman said: "Emergency teams from the Environment Agency will be out in force throughout the weekend, shoring up defences, monitoring river levels and clearing blockages from watercourses."

Around 18 buildings were flooded in various locations across Wales on Friday night, including two houses in Solva, Pembrokeshire, and two in Dolgellau, North Wales.

:: Send us your flood photos and videos

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Murray Beaten In Australian Open Final

Novak Djokovic has beaten Britain's Andy Murray in four sets to take the Australian Open title in Melbourne.

Murray's bid to claim back-to-back grand slam titles ended in disappointment but Djokovic's victory makes him the first man to win the tournament three times in a row.

The first two serve-dominated sets were decided on tie-breaks before Djokovic claimed the first break of the match late in the third.

It proved a pivotal moment with US Open champion Murray, who was struggling with blisters on his right foot and a hamstring problem, unable to mount a fightback as Djokovic cruised through the fourth to complete a 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-2 success.

A clearly emotional Murray was gracious in defeat, saying on court: "Firstly obviously, I'd like to congratulate Novak. His record here is incredible.

"I'd also like to thank my team. They've done a great job with me and they help me all the time.

Djokovic is Australian Open champion for the third successive year

"I'd also like to thank the whole crowd, there's such a great atmosphere to play in and you're all very fair, so thank you very much."

He added: "I'll see you guys next year. Thank you."

Djokovic had the better chances in the first set with five break points over two games, only for Murray to serve his way out of danger.

The world number one's frustration at failing to convert his chances, coupled with irritation with his footwear, boiled over in the tie-break as his game fell apart, allowing Murray to take the lead in the match.

The Scot was the aggressor in the second set as he looked to double his advantage.

He had three chances to leap into a 2-0 lead but Djokovic held on to take it to another tie-break, which was tight until Murray threw in just his third double fault of the tournament at 2-2.

The 25-year-old put his first serve into the net and was shaping up to deliver the second when he noticed a feather dropping on to the court out of the corner of his eye.

Murray had to call for a medical break to get treatment for blisters

Having removed it, he appeared to lose his focus and put the second serve long.

It was all Djokovic needed to level the match and the momentum appeared to swing further in his favour when Murray had to call a medical time-out for blisters at the change of ends, with television pictures showing the extent of the damage to his right foot.

The momentum was with the top seed and he needed no second invitation as he set up three break points for a 5-3 lead.

Two poor forehands saw the first two come and go but Murray could not escape a third as Djokovic claimed the first break of the match before serving it out.

Murray was clearly upset at umpire John Blom for not doing more to quieten the crowd and in particular one heckler who had forced him to halt his service action twice at important points of the third set.

Yet he started the fourth on the front foot, setting up his first break point chance since the second game of the second set only for Djokovic to close the door with a booming serve out wide.

By now, Murray was also clutching his left hamstring and it was no surprise that Djokovic broke again for 2-1, winning a long rally at 30-40 after a tired-looking Murray jammed a backhand into the net.

The match was slipping away from Murray and he dropped his serve once more on a double fault, allowing Djokovic to establish a 4-1 lead.

The effort was certainly there as the world number three continued to chase down every ball despite being in obvious discomfort but there was no let-up from Djokovic as he completed his 21st consecutive win in Melbourne and gained revenge for his defeat to Murray in the US Open final last September.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More