Formula One 'Spygate' Engineer Killed In Crash

A former Ferrari engineer who was at the centre of Formula One's "spygate" scandal has been killed in a road accident.

Nigel Stepney, who was sacked by Ferrari after being accused of sabotage and leaking confidential information, was killed on the M20 near Ashford in Kent after being struck by a lorry.

Police are investigating why Mr Stepney stopped on the hard shoulder and got out of his VW Caddy van in the incident on Friday morning.

The 56-year-old, who was working for the JRM motorsport team at the time of his death, has been praised by his family as "a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad".

Mr Stepney's long-term partner, Ash Naidoo, said he was "larger than life and full of energy".

"Motor sport was his passion topped only by his love and devotion to Sabine (his daughter) and I.

Michael Schumacher and Nigel Stepney in 2001

"Nigel was a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad who was besotted with his daughter who idolised him in return.

"They loved each other's company and Sabine was his shadow - delighting in helping him around the garage. Even if Nigel had to be away from home, he would phone her every day."

James Rumsey, the owner of JRM, said: "The motorsport world has lost one of its greatest characters and competitors.

"He will be sorely missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family and the many friends he leaves behind."

Before the "spygate" controversy he worked with world champions Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

Mr Stepney never worked in Formula One again after the scandal, which came to light in 2007.

It emerged when a technical dossier on Ferrari cars was found at home of McClaren chief designer Mike Coughlan.

McClaren were given a record fine and kicked out of the manufacturers' championship after being accused of using the data.

Mr Stepney was sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of sabotage, industrial espionage and sporting fraud.

He did not serve the sentence.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stabbed Leeds Teacher: Minute's Silence Held

Head teachers have held a minute's silence in memory of Ann Maguire who was fatally stabbed at a Leeds school earlier this week.

The tribute was staged at the start of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) annual conference in Birmingham.

Around 300 delegates stood and bowed their heads for the minute's silence and applauded at the end.

Outgoing NAHT president Bernadette Hunter described Mrs Maguire as a "dedicated, inspirational and caring teacher who was loved by so many".

The 61-year-old was fatally stabbed as she taught a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College on Monday morning.

The Spanish teacher, who had worked at the school for more than 40 years, was due to retire in September.

A 15-year-old boy accused of murdering Mrs Maguire has been remanded in custody with a provisional trial date fixed for November 3.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Max Clifford: New Claims Under Police Review

Scotland Yard detectives are looking into new allegations against disgraced publicist Max Clifford, who has spent his first night in prison after being jailed for eight years.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said other people had since come forward with allegations since Clifford was sentenced yesterday for a string of sex sexual offences against four women aged 15 to 19.

"We have received further information and this is currently subject to review," he said.

Meanwhile, children's charity NSPCC helpline said the 71-year-old's "substantial sentence" sent a "clear message" that victims of historic abuse can achieve justice.

Its director Peter Watt said: "It's clear the judge has recognised the pain and suffering Clifford caused and the additional distress he put his victims through by forcing them to relive their ordeal in court.

"His victims showed an enormous amount of courage in coming forward, four through the NSPCC helpline, and were treated with contempt throughout by Clifford, who called them liars and fantasists in court.

The prison van carrying Clifford

"As we heard in the trial, Clifford seriously damaged many years of their lives, with some being left suicidal by their terrible experiences at his hands."

He added: "The sentence, and those of other recent cases up and down the country, sends a clear message that victims of non-recent abuse can get justice.

"All allegations, however long after the abuse took place, must be fully investigated and assessed by the police and CPS, with victims fully supported."

Passing sentence, Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford: "The reason why (your crimes) were not brought to light sooner was because of your dominant character.

"Your victims thought you were untouchable, something I think you too believed."

Judge Leonard condemned Clifford's 'contemptuous' behaviour

He also blasted Clifford for causing an "additional element of trauma" to the women he abused by his "contemptuous attitude".

Judge Leonard said that due to the age of the offences, that occurred between 1977 and 1984, Clifford was charged under an act from 1956, which set the maximum term for each charge at two years.

Under later legislation passed in 2003, the maximum term would have been 10 years, and for the worst instances would have been charged as rape, which attract a maximum life term.

Clifford, who was taken to Wandsworth Prison in south London, will have to serve at least half his sentence.

The former celebrity agent repeatedly shook his head as the judge made his comments in Southwark Crown Court.

Clifford, who branded his accusers "fantasists", remained defiant ahead of his sentencing, saying: "I stand by everything I have said in the last 17 months."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gerry Adams Questioning Extended By 48 Hours

Police investigating the murder of Jean McConville have been given an additional 48 hours to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

The 65-year-old, who has always vehemently denied allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder of Ms McConville, voluntarily presented himself for interview on Wednesday.

His custody was extended on Friday night after Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed the detention of his long-time party colleague and friend was politically motivated ahead of elections later this month.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

Mr McGuinness accused "very senior people" in the PSNI who were opposed to the peace process of engaging in "political policing".

"There is a cabal in the PSNI who have a different agenda - a negative and destructive agenda - to both the peace process and to Sinn Fein," he said.

Mr McGuinness contrasted the treatment of Mr Adams with a series of cases involving the British military - such as the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972 - where no action had been taken.

Mr McGuinness said Sinn Fein would "reflect" and "review" its support for policing in the region if Mr Adams is charged but urged republicans to remain calm if and until that happened.

Martin McGuinness says the arrest of Mr Adams was politically motivated

Police are questioning Mr Adams about the killing of the Belfast mother of 10 in 1972.

She was wrongly suspected of being an informer to the British Army.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her children in the Divis flats in west Belfast by a gang of up to 12 men and women.

She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried - so becoming one of the "Disappeared" victims of the Troubles.

A new mural of Gerry Adams is painted in Belfast's Falls Road

Her body was not found until 2003 on a beach in Co Louth, 50 miles from her home.

Ms McConville's eldest daughter, Helen McKendry, has told journalists she is now prepared to name the people responsible for her mother's death.

PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott has vowed the investigation into Ms McConville's death will be "effective, objective and methodical".

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

Helen McKendry says she is ready to name the people who killed her mother

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) recorded interviews with republicans about the murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

First US Case Of Mers Virus Travels Through UK

Authorities in the US and UK are trying to trace passengers who travelled on the same flight from London to Chicago as a man diagnosed with a potentially deadly Sars-like virus.

The American, who fell ill after flying to the US from Saudi Arabia where he was a healthcare worker, has Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

The passenger had flown on a British Airways flight from Riyadh to Heathrow on April 24, before transferring to Chicago.

He fell ill on April 27 and went to a hospital in Indiana with a fever, cough and shortness of breath. He is currently in a good condition.

Public Health England (PHE) has contacted UK passengers on BA Flight 262 who were sitting near the affected passenger, but stressed the risk of infection was "extremely low".

Britons on the flight who become unwell or experience respiratory problems have been urged to contact NHS 111.

There have been 400 cases worldwide. Pic: NIAID

PHE is also working with US authorities to trace any UK passengers on the onward flight - American Airlines Flight 99 from London to Chicago.

It is the first case of MERS-CoV in the US, after diagnosis was confirmed by the United States Centre for Disease Control in Indiana.

Doctor Thomas Briese, Associate Director of Columbia University's Centre for Infection and Immunity, said the case "does not mean that any epidemic is on the horizon or that it will spread".

MERS-CoV belongs to the coronavirus family that includes the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which killed 800 people in 2003.

MERS-CoV has been found in camels, but officials do not know how it is spread to humans.

Since mid-March, 111 people have tested positive in the Jeddah area of Saudi Arabia, World Health Organisation figures show - the biggest increase in the MERS-CoV outbreak since it was detected in April 2012.

It is thought that coronavirus may have come from camels

There have been 401 confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection in 12 countries including 93 deaths, according to the US Centre for Disease Control.

Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he was "not surprised at all" at the news, "given the amount of travel and air traffic between people in the United States and people in the Middle East".

He said: "There's no question something like this was going to happen."

Three people have died so far in the UK as a result of the infection - including one man who died at the end of June.

PHE said the last case to be detected in the UK was in February last year.

Cases have also been reported in France, Germany, Italy and Greece, across the Middle East in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman and in other countries including Malaysia, the Philippines and Tunisia.

PHE said the period between exposure to MERS-CoV and when symptoms might develop is up to 14 days.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Charged Over Egg Attack On UKIP's Farage

A man has been charged with common assault after UKIP leader Nigel Farage was hit by an egg during a campaign visit to Nottingham.

Mr Farage was pelted as he arrived in the city to rally support in the East Midlands for UKIP candidates in the European elections.

Frederick Glenister, 33, was charged in connection with an alleged assault in Wheeler Gate, Nottingham, at around 1.30pm on Thursday, according to police.

Glenister, of Radford, Nottingham, has been released on police bail to appear before city magistrates on May 22.

After the protest, Mr Farage quickly jumped back in his chauffeur-driven car, abandoning a planned walkabout.

He instead went to the Bell Inn near the city's town hall, and ordered a pint of traditional Robin Hood beer.

Earlier, he ruled out running as an MP in the forthcoming Newark by-election.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Philippines: Online 'Sextortion' Plot Smashed

An online sexual extortion plot that is thought to have led to the suicide of a British teenager has been broken by authorities in the Philippines.

Police have arrested 58 people in the archipelago for their involvement in what they describe as a global internet "sextortion" network.

Victims have been lured into giving sexually explicit photos or videos of themselves by people posing online as attractive, young women.

Alan Purisima, the Philippines' national police chief, said those involved in the plot blackmailed their victims by threatening to upload the photos or videos to the internet.

Some have been forced to hand over thousands of dollars, the authorities said.

Hundreds people have fallen victim to the plot in Britain, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US in the last three to four years.

DCI Gary Cunningham, from Police Scotland, told a news conference in Manila there was strong evidence the British teenager who killed himself had chatted with somebody from the Philippines.

DCI Gary Cunningham of Police Scotland speaks at a news conference

Three of those arrested were alleged to have targeted Daniel Perry, a 17-year-old mechanic who took his own life by jumping off a bridge in Scotland in July last year after being blackmailed.

Daniel was said to have believed that the person he was speaking to online was a girl from America.

His mother, Nicola Perry, said: "The manner of Daniel's death is every parent's worst nightmare. After being targeted by complete strangers online, he was left so traumatised by his ordeal that he chose to take his own life."

The syndicates involved find their victims using a number of internet platforms, not only social media, such as Facebook, said Mr Cunningham.

Mr Purisima added that the gangs involved often ask their victims to use a webcam.

He added: "After getting acquainted with the victims ... they engage in cybersex, and this will be recorded unknown to the victims.

"These images or information are then used to extort sexual favours or money from the victim with the threat of sharing these (images and information) with others."

He added that some of the "sextortion" groups operate like call centres where operators hire men and women, sitting in rows of computer cubicles, to lure in foreign clients.

They usually ask for £300 ($500) from a victim but there have been demands of up to £8,000 ($15,000), Interpol said.

Sanjay Virmani, director of Interpol's Digital Crime Centre, said: "The scale of this extortion network is massive."

Asif Ahmad, British Ambassador to the Philippines, said: "This is not an issue directly involving the Philippines exclusively.

"Cybercrime is international, and is an international problem, it respects no nationality or borders. We are all potential victims of cybercrime, none of us are immune."

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Peaches Geldof Death: Police Hunt Drug Dealer

Peaches Geldof Inquest: Full Police Statement

Updated: 4:32pm UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

Peaches Geldof's husband believed she was sleeping after he struggled to reach her on the morning she was found dead, police have said.

Here is the full statement given by Kent Police at the inquest into her death.

Family History:

Peaches Geldof-Cohen is the daughter of Bob Geldof KBE and the late Paula Yates and was born in London in 1989.

She has three siblings, Fifi Trixibelle Geldof, Pixie Geldof and Tiger-Lily Geldof.

Peaches married Thomas Cohen late 2012 and they have two sons; Astala born 18th April 2012 and Phaedra born 24th April 2013.

Timeline of relevant events:

On Thursday 3rd April 2014 Thomas Cohen went with his two sons to stay for the weekend at his parent's house in South East London.

This is a normal occurrence that enables Peaches and Thomas to complete work within their respective careers.

Thomas maintained phone contact with Peaches and it has been established she saw friends on the night of Friday 5th April.

It is believed that Peaches spent Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday morning at her home address alone, throughout this period she maintained telephone contact with various family and friends including contact with Thomas's mother to arrange a family activity but this was cancelled due to poor weather.

Peaches maintained contact with family and friends throughout Sunday and at 5pm, Thomas's father, Keith Cohen, took the youngest child Phaedra back to Wrotham and spent around half an hour with Peaches before leaving the child with her.

At present it is believed that the last contact directly between Peaches and anyone else was at 7.45pm when she had a telephone conversation with a friend.

All of the friends and family who had contact with Peaches during this period describe how she seemed her normal self and was making plans for the future, including booking a family outing for her sons the following weekend. There was no cause for any concern.

On the morning of Monday 7th April Thomas Cohen made repeated efforts to contact his wife but had no success. He travelled with his mother Sue Cohen and their other son Astala to the home address arriving there around 1.30pm.

Thomas entered the property and went upstairs thinking that Peaches may have been sleeping.

Thomas then located Peaches in a spare bedroom and it was obvious to him that she was deceased.

She was located on the edge of a bed with one leg hanging down to the floor with the other leg tucked underneath her; she was slumped forward across the bed.

Thomas called for his mother and they quickly located Phaedra and called the emergency services.

The police arrived and was shown to Peaches location; paramedics then attended and confirmed 'life extinct' without any need to alter Peaches position on the bed.

Kent Police detectives attended the scene and initiated an investigation into the full circumstances of the death.

The SIO referred the death to the coroner having made an initial conclusion that the death was unexplained but there was no evidence to suggest a third party was involved.

The coroner agreed that the body should be removed to a mortuary for a post-mortem and the investigation into the circumstances of the death should be completed.

Post-mortem:

A post-mortem was carried by Dr Peter Jerreatt, Forensic Pathologist and initial results were inconclusive.

Forensic samples were obtained and sent for examination with the results concluding there was recent use of heroin and that the levels identified were likely to have played a role in her death.

There is currently an on-going police investigation into this incident on behalf of the coroner.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Fighters Filmed In Syria 'War Crime'

By Tom Rayner, Middle East Reporter

Video has emerged implicating British fighters in Syria in an apparent war crime.

Footage uncovered by researchers at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) shows jihadist rebels killing a prisoner, said to be a loyalist of President Bashar al Assad.

The incident is thought to have happened in the last two weeks near Raqqa in northern Syria.

The footage was posted on the Instagram account of a man believed to be from London.

The caption accompanying the video describes the prisoner as one of "Bashar [al Assad's] dogs" and says the killing was retribution for the deaths of four fellow rebels and the rape of a woman.

The ICSR monitors the social media accounts of hundreds of foreign fighters inside Syria.

Researchers say one of the executioners is a Briton seen in other videos

They believe the man that posted the video is part of a group of British fighters, known as Rayat al Tawheed, an affiliate of the Sunni jihadi movement ISIS, which controls large swathes of northern Syria.

Shiraz Maher, a senior ICSR researcher based at King's College London, said the killing of prisoners is a war crime in international law.

"It's incredibly serious," he said.

"We believe the main characters involved with Rayat al Tawheed come from London.

"We have deduced this based on our discussions with foreign fighters, our extensive record-keeping of foreign fighter activity in Syria, and our maintenance of social network maps which allows us to plot activity and associations in a visual form."

In one video a British fighter says a bullet is "the pen of the mujahid"

Although no audible English is spoken in the video itself, analysts from the ICSR believe they have identified one of the gunmen as being a British citizen.

A man is seen in the video firing shots into the body of the prisoner in the seconds after the initial bullet was fired by the main shooter.

Analysis of the gunman's physical build, wristwatch and balaclava led the ICSR to conclude he is the same man seen speaking English with a London accent in other videos posted by the group.

"We don't know if the prisoner was alive or dead when he fired, but he did partake in the execution, he did fire shots at the individual from his weapon, and we believe he is a British citizen," said ICSR researcher Joseph Carter.

On two separate videos posted on YouTube, the man identified as the gunman by the ICSR is heard berating the British Muslim community for failing to provide sufficient financial support for the jihad or the families the fighters have left behind.

The group lobbies for donations to buy more weapons and ammunition

"You know who you are, from the capital, the Midlands, up north, wherever you may be… it's a disgrace, that brothers know where these wives are, where these families are, and yet you are buying your nephew or your child a PlayStation 4 or taking them out to Nando's," he said.

The Government's counter-terrorism programme last week launched a campaign urging the families of young men planning to travel to Syria to intervene.

It is estimated that up to 400 Britons have travelled to fight or train in Syria in the last two years. 

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "This demonstrates why we have consistently called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

"Horrific atrocities have been committed by both the Assad regime and by extremists. The international community must ensure that all those responsible are held to account.

"Our priority is to dissuade people from travelling, but any extremists should know we are prepared to take action to protect national security, and intelligence agencies and police are working to identify potential threats."

Amnesty International UK Syria campaign manager Kristyan Benedict said: "This alleged British member of the extremist group ISIS says it's 'a disgrace' other British Muslims will not join him in Syria.

"The real disgrace is people like him and other extremists brazenly committing war crimes and holding Syrians back from realising their aspirations for a Syria free from violent authoritarianism.

"The scale of unlawful killing, torture and arbitrary detention from the Syrian government side still dwarfs abuses carried out by numerous armed groups, but the Assad government certainly doesn't have a monopoly on atrocities.

"All these crimes will need to be properly investigated and the perpetrators held to account."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Max Clifford Defiant As He Faces Sentencing

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Shamed publicist Max Clifford has refused to apologise to his victims after arriving at court to be sentenced for eight sex offences.

The PR guru initially said nothing as he spent nearly five minutes posing for photographers, at times standing on the street with his hands in his pockets.

But when asked by Sky's Tom Parmenter whether he had anything to say to his victims, he replied: "I stand by everything I've said in the past - everything."

The 71-year-old, who was wearing a blue jacket over a white shirt and jeans, was then asked if that included his description of the women as "liars" and "fantasists".

Clifford climbs out of his car to face a bank of press photographers

At that point he walked off and took the time to pose for more pictures before entering the court.

Earlier, Clifford, who is currently in a cell at the court awaiting sentencing at 2pm, admitted today was "not the best day of my life", adding: "I just have to face up to it."

Legal experts say Clifford faces at least two years in jail, as the judge will have to use guidelines in force when the offences were committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

If the offences had been committed in the last decade, he could have been given a life sentence because two of the guilty verdicts on a 15-year-old female victim involved serious sex crimes.

Clifford said he continues to 'stand by' everything he said in court

As well as his freedom, Clifford is expected to lose his high-profile PR business, which is set to close.

Max Clifford Associates, founded more than 20 years ago, was the go-to place for people wanting to promote their kiss-and-tell stories, as well as for celebrity clients including Simon Cowell.

Workers were in tears as Clifford was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19 during an eight-year period from 1977.

The dozen all-female staff he employs were regulars in the public gallery at Southwark Crown Court but they are now all expected to lose their jobs.

Clifford's car parked outside the offices of his PR firm in April

Employee Ann Duffy, who broke down in tears as the verdicts were returned, told Sky News: "This is the biggest injustice and I'm very distraught."

Other staff members said it had been "the most awful week".

The company's website was inaccessible within hours of the guilty verdicts being returned, as a "horrified" Cowell cut links with Clifford, as did Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

Clifford's daughter Louise and several employees supported him at court

A source close to the PR firm said: "The girls ... know at the end of the day they're all going to lose their jobs.

"No one wants anything to do with the company and clients are distancing themselves."

The source added: "The Max that I know has always been a kind, generous and helpful person who has been a fantastic father.

"I hope he can spend his time in prison working out where things have gone wrong for him and come out and be the best person he can."

One of Clifford's employees told Sky News she had been left "distraught"

It has also emerged that earlier this year, Clifford took out an unexplained £3.5m mortgage on his Surrey mansion.

It is suggested he wanted to put his money out of reach of victims looking for compensation.

Clifford in the 1990s with Antonia de Sancha, one of his best-known clients

During the trial, he accused his victims of "jumping on a bandwagon" and trying to "cash in" by selling their stories.

There is also speculation that his wife of four years, Jo, is looking to divorce him.

She was noticeably absent during his trial, during which she was not called as a character witness, and was seen last month without her wedding ring.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Peaches Geldof 'Died Of A Heroin Overdose'

Peaches Geldof: From Wild Child To Doting Mum

Updated: 12:33pm UK, Tuesday 08 April 2014

Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof was just 11 when she lost her 41-year-old mother Paula Yates in an accidental heroin overdose in 2000.

As the second daughter of Bob Geldof and Yates, much of her life was lived in the public eye as the family coped with the tragedy and she started to make a name for herself as a model and journalist.

She left home aged 16 and began a career which included writing for UK newspapers, Elle magazine and presenting TV shows including OMG!

Ms Geldof received constant attention from the paparazzi, and tabloids often compared her to other troubled young celebrities Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty.

She admitted to experimenting with drugs and was often labelled as a "wild child".

In August 2008 Ms Geldof married rock musician Max Drummey in Las Vegas but the pair separated in 2009.

But it was meeting second husband Tom Cohen and the birth of their first son, Astala Dylan Willow, which triggered her transformation from a partying socialite to doting mother.

The couple married in 2012 at St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence Church in Kent, where Ms Geldof's parents got married and her mother's funeral was held.

She said she felt Yates was "watching over" her that day.

She told Hello magazine: "I feel her presence all the time but especially today.

"Mum loved family celebrations and she would adore Tom and the fact that we've married here.

"I know that she is watching over me and feeling so happy for us."

The couple's second son, Phaedra Bloom Forever, was born last year and will turn one on April 24.

Ms Geldof spent a lot of time discussing parenting techniques and was an avid believer in attachment parenting, appearing on This Morning in a head-to-head debate with Apprentice star Katie Hopkins.

Midge Ure, Scottish musician and co-organiser of Band Aid with Bob Geldof, told Sky News Ms Geldof had become an "earth mother" figure, like her own mother Paula Yates.

"They embraced this whole motherhood thing so incredibly well, after what had maybe been ropey beginnings. They had completely found their niche in life."

Mother & Baby magazine announced in February that Ms Geldof was to be their new columnist.

A spokesman said it was after she had completed what they called, a "mama metamorphosis" from party girl to working mother. The magazine was to feature her attempts to juggle parenting, work and family.

A tribute posted online by the magazine reads: "We are extremely saddened at the tragic news that Peaches Geldof has died. Our hearts and sympathies are with her family and two little boys."

Ms Geldof's Twitter and Instagram accounts were full of photos of her sons, dogs and husband.

Her last tweet, posted on Sunday at 10.17am, was a photograph of her and her late mother with the message "Me and my mum."

But her tweets also got her into some trouble.

Last year she apologised for breaking a court order and tweeting the names of the two women whose babies were abused by rock star Ian Watkins.

She tried to explain her actions by saying she had assumed the names were already "public knowledge".

The women's names were tweeted to her 160,000 followers after she reportedly read them on a US-based website. She later said: "I deleted my tweets, however, and apologise for any offence caused."

Ms Geldof's last public appearance was at a fashion show in London on April 3.

A statement from Ms Geldof's father and sisters - Fifi Trixibelle and Pixie and half-sister Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily - said they were "beyond pain" following her death on Monday.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Secret Boston Tapes Led To Gerry Adams Arrest

Northern Ireland's 'Disappeared' In Full

Updated: 9:28am UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

A list of Northern Ireland's "Disappeared", the 16 people abducted and killed by Republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

Joseph Lynskey: A former Cistercian monk from west Belfast who went missing in the summer of 1972. His remains have not been found.

Seamus Wright: The married asphalt layer from Belfast disappeared in October 1972, and despite extensive searches in the Coghalstown area the remains of the 25-year-old have not been located.

Kevin McKee: Mr Mckee was also from Belfast and disappeared in the same month as Mr Wright. Searches for his remains in the Coghalstown area have also proved unsuccessful.

Jean McConville: The widower and mother-of-10 from Belfast was abducted and killed in December 1972 when she was 37. Her remains were found over the border in County Louth in August 2003.

Peter Wilson: The 21-year-old disappeared from his west Belfast home in August 1973. He was added to the list in 2009 and his remains were found in County Antrim in November 2010.

Eamon Molloy: He was taken from his home in Ardoyne area of Belfast in July 1975. The IRA named him as one of the "Disappeared" in a statement in 1999. His remains were discovered in a coffin left in a cemetery near Dundalk, County Louth.

Columba McVeigh: The painter was 17-years-old when he was murdered in October 1975. Despite extensive searches his remains have not been found.

Robert Nairac: An officer with the Grenadier Guards who was on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland, Captain Nairac was killed in County Antrim in May 1977. The 29-year-old's remains have not been found.

Brendan Megraw: The 23-year-old's wife was expecting their first child when he was abducted from his home and murdered in April 1978. Again, the location of his remains is unknown.

John McClory and Brian McKinney: The pair were abducted and killed in May 1978. A 30-day search of bogland in Inniskeen, County Monaghan unearthed a double grave with both of their remains in 1999.

Gerard (Gerry) Evans: A 24-year-old painter who vanished in March 1979 on his way home. His remains were discovered in County Louth in October 2010, but no one has admitted responsibility for his death.

Danny McIlhone: Mr McIlhone, from west Belfast, went missing in July 1981. His remains were uncovered in bogland in County Wicklow in 2008 after previous searches in 1999 and 2000 proved unsuccessful.

Charlie Armstrong: The married father-of-five was abducted and killed in August 1981 while on his way to collect a neighbour to go to mass. The 54-year-old's remains were found in County Monaghan in July 2010. No group has admitted responsibility.

Eugene Simons: Mr Simons went missing on New Year's Day 1981. Three years later his body was found in a bog in Dundalk, County Louth.

Seamus Ruddy: The 33-year-old English teacher, who was working in Paris, disappeared in May 1985. The Irish National Liberation Army admitted responsibility in December 1995 and four years later, it was suggested his body was buried in Rouen. Despite searches there, nothing has been found.

Source: Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gerry Adams Being Questioned Over 1972 Murder

The son of a woman murdered by the IRA has said he wants justice as police continue to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in connection with the 1972 killing.

Michael McConville, who was just 11 when his mother Jean was snatched by a gang in front of him at the family's Belfast home, said he was glad to see the police doing their job following the high-profile arrest.

He said he knew who had killed his mother but would never tell police for fear either he or his children would be shot by those who took Mrs McConville more than 40 years ago.

The Sinn Fein president agreed to go to Antrim police station on Wednesday, where he was arrested and questioned for four hours. Officers continue to question him.

Police have until Thursday evening to decide whether to release Mr Adams, charge him or apply for more time to question him.

Jean McConville's remains were found thirty years after she was killed

Mr Adams, 65, has strongly denied suggestions made by former republican colleagues that he had a role in ordering the death of Mrs McConville.

She is the most high profile of the "disappeared" - those who were abducted and killed during the Troubles.

The 37-year-old was killed by the Irish Republican Army after being wrongly accused of spying for the British Army.

Her remains were finally discovered in 2003 on a beach 50 miles from her home. No one has ever been charged with the widow's murder.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Mr McConville said he been warned to stay silent about who had taken her.

He said: "I never told anyone who it was, I still haven't told anyone who it is. I do know the names of the people ... I have never told anyone."

He added: "If I told the police now, a thing, me or one of my family members or one of my children would get shot by these people.

"Everybody thinks this has all gone away, it hasn't gone away."

Mrs McConville was taken in front of her children in Belfast

In a statement released after his arrest, Mr Adams, a former MP for West Belfast who now sits in the Irish parliament, said: "I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.

"Well publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these.

"While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville."

Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the arrest was "politically motivated" and designed to damage both the party and Mr Adams.

The charge has been denied by David Cameron and the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Police reopened the case after a US court ruled researchers at Boston College should hand over interviews for a history project recorded with former paramilitary republicans about the Troubles to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Veteran republican Ivor Bell, 77, was charged in March with aiding and abetting the murder. Five others have been detained and questioned.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

McCanns 'Still Hope To Bring Madeleine Home'

Child Rescue Alerts: How New System Will Work

Updated: 1:14pm UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

A new warning system that can issue nationwide alerts when a child is abducted is due to go live on May 25. Sky News looks at how the system will be used.

:: What is a Child Rescue Alert?

The scheme is designed to alert members of the public to an abduction as quickly as possible.

According to the Child Rescue Alert website, "the initial hours after a child is abducted are crucial".

"A sighting by a member of the public can lead to the safe recovery of the child," it adds.

Messages can be sent by text message, email and social media.

Alerts, which can be issued nationally, locally or regionally, can also be flashed up on digital billboards and broadcast on TV and radio stations.

:: Is there any evidence such alerts work?

The British scheme is similar to the United States' Amber Alert system, which has been operating since 1996.

Since then, 679 children have been rescued, including 68 in 2012 alone.

The Netherlands issues an average of four abduction alerts every year, with children tracked down in about two-thirds of cases.

:: When will a Child Rescue Alert be issued?

Alerts will only be issued by the police when specific criteria are met.

The missing person must be under 18 years old and officers must be concerned the child is in imminent danger of serious harm or death.

They must also be able to give the public enough information to help in the search for the child.

:: When does the Child Rescue Alert system start?

The scheme is due to launch on May 25 to coincide with International Missing Children's Day.

However, members of the public can already sign up online to receive alerts.

Charlie Hedges, of the National Crime Agency, said: "The success of Child Rescue Alert is down to each and every one of us."

:: Who is behind the scheme?

Child Rescue Alert is run by CEOP, part of the National Crime Agency, and the charity Missing People.

It is backed by the parents of missing Madeleine McCann, who disappeared while on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Her mother, Kate, said: "The sooner you start the search for a missing child, the better your chance of finding them."

The scheme is funded by a £225,000 grant from the People's Postcode Lottery, as well as €100,000 (£82,175) from the EU.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stabbed Teacher's Family Lay Flowers At School

The family of teacher Ann Maguire have laid flowers at the entrance to the school where she was stabbed to death in front of her pupils.

Their visit to Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, came after a student appeared in court charged with the 61-year-old's murder.

The 15-year-old suspect was remanded in custody following a brief hearing at a youth court in the city.

Mrs Maguire's husband and two daughters held hands as they sat in the public gallery, metres away from the alleged killer.

Mrs Maguire's family read some of the tributes to her outside the school

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt, in Leeds, said: "The teenager didn't have to say anything and appeared in the dock wearing a dark jumper and trousers.

"He showed no obvious signs of emotion as he was asked whether he understood the charge of murder, to which he nodded in response."

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on Friday for a bail hearing.

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family issued a moving tribute to the 61-year-old, describing her as a "shining light who brightened the world for so many".

Mrs Maguire was stabbed as she taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College

They said she was "a loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister (and) a true friend", adding: "This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more.

"We are devastated. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally."

Mrs Maguire had worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years and was due to retire later this year.

She taught Spanish at the school and was also in charge of Year 11.

Headteacher Steve Mort reads messages attached to bouquets of flowers

Headteacher Steve Mort praised students for their handling of Mrs Maguire's death.

He also thanked the public, many of whom have laid flowers among the hundreds of bouquets left by students at the school gates, for their "overwhelming" support.

"I'm immensely proud to be headteacher at Corpus Christi," Mr Mort said.

"Our children have proven themselves to be great ambassadors for the school.

"I want to pay particular tribute to them and to the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our staff at this very difficult time."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Policewoman Sacked Over 'Plebgate' Row

A policewoman has been sacked after details of the 'Plebgate' row were leaked to the press, Scotland Yard has said.

Gillian Weatherley was found guilty of gross misconduct over her role in the debacle after a three-day hearing.

The Diplomatic Protection Squad member was on duty in Downing Street on the day of the confrontation between former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell and PC Toby Rowland in September 2012.

The row erupted when Mr Mitchell was prevented from cycling through the main gate of Downing Street.

The Tory MP, who was accused of calling the officer a "****ing pleb", ended up resigning over the row.

He has always maintained he never used the word "pleb", although he admits swearing during the altercation.

A day after the confrontation, PC Weatherley sent a photograph of an email between PC Rowland and his bosses to another officer, James Glanville, who then leaked details to a national newspaper.

At her misconduct hearing, she was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity.

She was also found to have breached orders and instructions, ignored confidentiality rules, committed discreditable conduct and failed to challenge and report improper conduct.

The officer was suspended from duty following her arrest in February last year.

Prosecutors previously decided not to press charges against PC Weatherley, who was accused by the Metropolitan Police of giving "inaccurate and misleading" statements to officers investigating the row.

In February, PC Glanville and another officer, Keith Wallis, were dismissed from the Met for gross misconduct.

PC Wallis was jailed for a year after he admitted lying about witnessing the incident.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teacher Stabbing: More Time To Question Suspect

Police have been granted more time to question a 15-year-old boy as police continue to investigate why a popular teacher, just months from retirement, was fatally stabbed in front of her class.

Ann Maguire died from multiple stab wounds in the incident at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, where she had taught for more than 40 years.

Police were due to interview the boy held in connection with the death yesterday, a task officers said would be handled sensitively due to his age.

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, of West Yorkshire Police Protective Services, said: "Given his young age, this is a process which needs to be handled sensitively and can take some time to complete.

"We will obviously give consideration to our powers to extend the period of his detention if that is required."

Meanwhile, it was reported in The Sun that Mrs Maguire was stabbed to death after going to work on her day off to help pupils prepare for next month's GCSE Spanish exams.

Corpus Christi headteacher Steve Mort and two pupils walk to lay flowers

Students and staff paid tribute to the much-loved Spanish teacher on an emotional first day back at school.

It was also being widely reported that Mrs Maguire had brought up her sister's two young sons after their mother died of cancer.

The Times said the teacher, who had two adult daughters, looked after her nephews following the death of sister Eileen Poole in 1986.

Police have also confirmed that the school had a dedicated 'safer schools' officer, but that she was helping at another school on the day Mrs Maguire was killed.

The 61-year-old, who taught generations of children during her time at the school, was due to retire in September.

A mass was held to remember Mrs Maguire

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron said his and all MPs' thoughts were with the teacher's family and friends.

"It is clear from the tributes paid she was a much-loved teacher who had worked at the school for over 40 years," he said.

"She cared so much about her pupils she had come in on her day off to help prepare them for exams." 

Children began arriving early to add tributes to more than 200 bouquets of flowers that cover the railings outside the school gates.

Mrs Maguire was also remembered at a service in the neighbouring Corpus Christi Church.

Students who witnessed the incident are being interviewed by specialist officers.

Some reported hearing screams as other members of staff rushed to her classroom and restrained her attacker.

Her death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ann Maguire: Memories Of A Much-Loved Teacher

By Becky Johnson, Sky Correspondent

Ann Maguire was a teacher loved by generations of pupils at Corpus Christi Catholic College.

In working at the school for 40 years she saw pupils grow up and become parents themselves.

Julie Langton, 42, was delighted when she found out Mrs Maguire was still teaching when her daughter and son joined the school.

She told Sky News: "You knew that she had the best interests at heart of any child that went to school.

"I was really pleased when I knew that my kids were going to get taught by her, that she'd make them better.

"There's teachers that come and go and there's other teachers that do make that impression.

"She was one that obviously stuck in my mind."

Julie Langton was taught by Ann Maguire in the 1980s

Mrs Langton says when she was a pupil in the 1980s, Mrs Maguire's husband Donald also worked at the school.

"Mr Maguire was an extremely funny maths teacher. He was lovely as well.

"He was one that used to have a good sense of humour, but I must admit that Mrs Maguire was one that came across with the warmth.

"She was a bit of a mother figure."

Mrs Langton has shown her daughter Tamzin, 14, and son Austin, 12, a photograph she has kept of her favourite teacher from her time at school.

Tamzin told Sky News the death of a much-loved teacher has shocked pupils.

"We're still expecting her to walk down the corridor, opening doors, saying good morning to everyone.

"We've grown to love her and she's been this role model for everyone. Even teachers, teachers really adore her. She was amazing."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tube Strike: Lines Open Despite 'Solid' Support

Union leaders say a 48-hour strike by Tube workers has been "solidly" supported, despite all 11 London Underground lines opening to passengers.

Transport for London (TfL) said the Northern and Victoria lines were running a good service, as commuters headed to work on the second day of the walk-out over plans to close ticket offices and cut jobs.

However, a special service was operating on other routes beneath the capital and there were queues for buses and trains as passengers made alternative travel plans.

The latest bout of industrial action in a long-running row involving members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is due to end at 9pm.

The union's acting general secretary, Mick Cash, accused London Underground of refusing to budge from an "entrenched position" and "flagrantly violating" promises.

Commuters queue at Oxford Circus Underground station

"It's scandalous that TfL is blowing what we estimate to be hundreds of thousands of pounds on politically-motivated adverts and propaganda designed to deflect attention from (Mayor of London) Boris Johnson's broken promises," he added.

London Underground said half of its services ran yesterday and two-thirds of stations were open - much more than during another stoppage in February.

Managing director Mike Brown said 15% more staff were at work on Tuesday compared to the previous strike and appealed for fresh talks.

He added: "It's infuriating that London's commuters and businesses are the ones being forced to pay the price with this unnecessary disruption."

Extra buses have been brought in, including this old green Routemaster

According to TfL, almost 90% of the usual number of Oyster cards were used on its network on Tuesday.

Mr Johnson said any suggestion the strike enjoys strong support is "farcical".

"This action is the result of a minority of just one union, the RMT, which is refusing to see the logic of what we're trying to achieve," he added.

Another three-day strike is planned for next week.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Actor Bob Hoskins Dies From Pneumonia Aged 71

British actor Bob Hoskins has died from pneumonia at the age of 71.

The star was best known for hit movies including Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Mona Lisa, for which he won Bafta and Golden Globe best actor awards.

In a statement, his wife Linda and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.

"Bob died peacefully in hospital last night, surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia.

"We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support."

Bob Hoskins in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Pic: Disney

Hoskins had suffered from Parkinson's disease in the later years of his life and retired from acting in 2012.

He was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on October 26, 1942, and made his TV and film debuts in the mid-1970s.

His first major movie role came in 1980's Long Good Friday, in which he played Harold Shand.

As well as 1986's Mona Lisa and Who Framed Roger Rabbit two years later, he also starred in Steven Spielberg's 1991 film Hook.

Leading figures in the entertainment industry were quick to pay tribute to Hoskins on Twitter.

Stephen Fry described him as a "marvellous man", writing: "Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That's awful news. The Long Good Friday (was) one of the best British movies of the modern era."

Officials at Bafta said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of the actor's death, while Simon Pegg wrote: "Really sad news about Bob Hoskins. Great and varied career."

Vicky McClure, whose TV roles include Broadchurch and Line of Duty, added: "Just heard the very sad news (that) Bob Hoskins has died. He was one of the best. I feel honoured to have met and worked with him. RIP Bob."

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Economy Grows 0.8% In First Quarter

The UK's economic recovery continued in the first quarter of 2014, with the first estimate of GDP growth coming in at 0.8%.

The figure, while weaker than the 0.9% most economists had expected, meant that output was 3.1% higher than on the same period the previous year, marking the fastest annual growth since the last quarter of 2007.

However, the economy remains 0.6% smaller than at its peak in the first quarter of 2008, after the recession wiped 7.2% off total output.

News of the economy's latest performance, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed growth across each major sector of the economy, though construction output was damaged by the impact of the winter storms.

The ONS said while widespread flooding appeared to have no overall effect on output it said bad weather in January and February did hit efforts to meet demand for new homes, with construction recording just 0.3% growth.

Mr Osborne says the figures show Britain is "coming back"

Output in the service sector - which makes up more than three quarters of UK GDP - rose by 0.9% and continued to be driven by consumer spending.

Manufacturing grew by 1.3%, its strongest quarter for nearly four years, bolstering hopes for a rebalancing in the recovery away from its reliance on consumers.

Industrial production rose 0.8% though mining and quarrying, electricity and gas production and agriculture shrank over the quarter.

The GDP figures were seized upon by the union organisation the TUC as evidence the recovery was not gaining enough momentum to sustain a raise in interest rates, which is widely expected next year.

The figures were released at the same time as statistics showing a 2.5% rise in the number of people being declared insolvent in England and Wales over the same period.

There were 24,931 individual insolvencies recorded during the three months - a period when wage increases finally caught up with inflation for the first time since the recession.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Today's figures show that Britain is coming back - but we can't take that for granted. We have to carry on working through our long-term economic plan.

"For the first time in a decade all three main sectors of the economy - manufacturing, services and construction - have grown by at least 3% over the last year.

"The impact of the great recession is still being felt, but the foundations for a broad-based recovery are now in place.

"The biggest risk to economic security would be abandoning the plan that is laying those foundations".

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "Now that growth has finally returned, the question is whether ordinary working people will properly feel the benefit and we have a balanced recovery that's built to last."

He told Sky News: "Most people are experiencing a cost of living crisis, which David Cameron and George Osborne try to deny. Its a reality for most people in our country".

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tube Strike Leads To Long Queues Across London

Commuters have faced long delays after a Tube strike over ticket office closures took effect in London.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union mounted picket lines outside stations after walking out at 9pm on Monday.

The action is planned to last for 48 hours and will be followed by a three-day stoppage next week.

Large queues built up as early rush-hour passengers waited until 7am for the first Tube trains to run.

Passengers outside Stratford Underground, DLR and Overground station

London Underground (LU) said it was running services on nine lines despite the "pointless" strike, although there were no trains on the Waterloo and City or Circle lines.

There were almost 8,000 buses on the roads - the most ever operated in London - after an extra 266 were put into service.

LU managing director Mike Brown said: "Thousands of staff and volunteers are working hard this morning to keep London working and our customers informed in the face of this pointless strike.

"More London Underground staff have come to work this morning than during the strike back in February and a record number of London buses are operating."

At Euston station in north London, customers crowded around the entrance to the Underground, waiting for the clock to tick round to 7am.

On the busy Victoria line, where trains normally run approximately every two minutes, there was just one service every 10 minutes.

At Victoria station in central London, passengers pouring off mainline trains were confronted with a wall of people waiting for Tube services.

There were large crowds at Clapham Junction in the southwest of the capital, with many passengers choosing to take Overground services and some platforms restricted.

Commuters wait to board a busy Underground train on the Northern Line

Heathrow Express trains between Paddington and Heathrow were running as scheduled due to staff reserves.

The RMT union is embroiled in a fresh row over the ticket office closure plans, which officials warn threaten safety as well as almost 1,000 jobs.

LU denied there would be any impact on safety and said ticket office staff would provide a better service if they were moved to other parts of stations.

The RMT said its members were solidly supporting the industrial action, as the union again attacked the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, over the future of ticket offices.

Bus and train services were also much busier than normal

Mick Cash, the union's acting general secretary, said: "London Underground have dug themselves into an entrenched position and have refused to move one inch from their stance of closing every ticket office.

"It is scandalous that Transport for London are blowing what we estimate to be hundreds of thousands of pounds on politically-motivated adverts and propaganda designed to deflect attention from Mr Johnson's broken promises."

However, Mr Brown said: "The RMT leadership appears to remain implacably opposed to the modernisation of the Tube that will radically improve customer service and help us keep fares down."

Business groups warned the strikes will cost the capital's economy millions of pounds.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

School Stabbing Prompts Teacher Tribute Tweets

The fatal stabbing of Ann Maguire at a school in Leeds has led to a public outpouring of tributes among social media users remembering their teachers past and present.

As staff and students at Corpus Christi Catholic College struggled to come to terms with the death of the 61-year-old, the hashtag #thankyouteacher set up by the @PeopleofLeeds Twitter account prompted a flood of posts.

Many were motivated to tweet their support and respect for the teaching profession in the wake of the tragedy.

Chloe Potter posted: "Such a moving, important and positive hashtag to come out of yesterday's tragedy. #thankyouteacher."

In another tweet, Emma Langley wrote: "So saddened by Mrs Maguire stabbing. Not inevitable I'd end up spending so much time in books, let alone as a career, so #thankyouteacher."

Another user tweeted: "To all my teachers, I wouldn't be here without you all. Inspired me to become one. #thankyouteacher."

The hashtag #thankyouteacher has attracted a flood of posts

Labour MP Diane Abbott also tweeted her respect for teachers, describing them as "pillars of communities across the UK".

Another user wrote: "Teachers everywhere, what you do is plant a seed that blossoms when we are adults. We thank you."

As the school in Leeds opened on Tuesday, children began arriving early to add tributes to the 200-plus bouquets of flowers covering the railings outside the gates.

Many of the students described Mrs Maguire, who had taught at the school for more than 40 years, as an inspirational teacher who went out of her way to help pupils.

One of the notes left with the flowers at the school in Leeds read: "You inspired countless generations.

"You taught four generations of our family and you were simply a totally fantastic teacher, always caring and always there to make us smile (even if you were speaking Spanish)."

Tributes have been left at the school gates as well as on social media

Former pupil Kerrianne Ayward, 17, said: "She was just lovely. She was helpful and caring and you could have a laugh with her.

"She was always there for you, even if she didn't know you very well. No one had a bad word for her - I mean no one."

Pupil Georgina Kilroy, 16, said: "I don't know anyone who didn't like her. She was spot on. You couldn't ask for a better teacher."

As she was laying flowers, former pupil Aine Arnold added: "It's more like losing a family member than losing a teacher. She was just lovely. She was wonderful. I am devastated."

Peter Masefield, 18, described Mrs Maguire as the "school's figurehead", while Georgina Kilroy, 16, added: "I don't know anyone who didn't like her. She was spot on. You couldn't ask for a better teacher."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

School Teacher Stabbing: Tributes At Memorial

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

The Tuesday morning mass held at Corpus Christi church, next to the Catholic school where teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death on Monday, was packed.

As a testament to her popularity among generations in the local community, the usually sparse congregation was swelled by hundreds of pupils past and present who came to pay their respects.

There were few tears at the service.

Instead, many of the teenagers said they were there to celebrate a teacher who had helped them personally in both their school work and their lives.

One of the many handwritten tributes to school teacher Ann Maguire

Parish priest Monsignor Paul Fisher offered prayers for Mrs Maguire and her family, telling the congregation: "Today we pray for the light of hope - hope for ourselves that we will eventually come to terms with what has happened."

He alluded only briefly to the horror of what happened just a few hundred yards away in the school's languages block.

"We offer prayers too for the family of the man who unfortunately did what he did," he said.

Prayers were also said for the family of the boy who stabbed the teacher

Pupils walking back from the service passed the hundreds of flowers lining the pavement underneath the school railings.

One message, written by a boy preparing for exams, appeared to sum up the attitude of many in the school community.

It read: "To Mrs Maguire. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I will put all my effort into my exams for you. Rest in peace."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Leeds Teacher Died From Multiple Stab Wounds

A post-mortem examination has found a teacher killed at a Leeds school died from multiple stab wounds.

Ann Maguire, 61, who taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years, had been due to retire in September.

Police say they will be interviewing the 15-year-old held in connection with her death at some point during the day.

Due to his age, officers said this would have to be handled sensitively.

The students who witnessed the incident are being interviewed by specialist officers.

The authorities have also stressed the fatal stabbing is an isolated incident.

The school community is stunned by the murder of the popular teacher

Detective Superintendent Simon Buldon said: "This is clearly an unprecedented and tragic incident that's left the school and wider community in a state of shock."

The school's chair of governors Martin Dowling said: "This has been a shocking but isolated incident.

"Ann was a wonderful, dedicated teacher and will be remembered fondly by all of us."

School head Steve Mort said: "Ann Maguire was a wonderful, caring individual. She was an outstanding teacher and an outstanding leader.

"She'd been a cornerstone of the school community for 40 years, she'd touched the hearts of three generations of pupils."

Mr Mort also did not think detectors were necessary, adding that the school was a "safe environment".

He added: "And I think ultimately Ann Maguire herself, if she was asked that question, would strongly oppose any suggestion that we should have metal detectors in this school."

The school opened as normal on Tuesday to allow staff and students to remember Mrs Maguire, and support each other.

Children began arriving early to add tributes to the more than 200 bouquets of flowers that cover the railings outside the gates.

Head teacher Steve Moat and students lay flowers in church

Mrs Maguire was also remembered at a service in the neighbouring Corpus Christi Church.

Monsignor Paul Fisher said: "Today we pray for the light of hope: hope for ourselves that eventually we will come to terms with what has happened.

"We offer prayer too for the family of the man who unfortunately did what he did."

Officers were called to the school just before noon on Monday after a report a member of staff had been stabbed. A knife was recovered from the scene.

Around 30 pupils witnessed Mrs Maguire, who is believed have two grown-up daughters, being stabbed repeatedly in class.

Some reported hearing screams as other members of staff rushed to her classroom and restrained her attacker.

Her death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom.

Head teacher Philip Lawrence was murdered outside a school in Maida Vale, London, in 1995 when he went to help a pupil who was being attacked.

A recent Sky News investigation revealed almost 1,000 pupils were caught with weapons including guns, axes and a meat cleaver in schools in the last three years.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stephen Sutton: Dying Teen 'Coughs Up Tumour'

A terminally-ill teenager, whose cancer charity appeal has won world-wide support and admiration, has revealed his condition "dramatically improved" after he "coughed up a tumour".

Stephen Sutton disclosed details of what he described as "the most bizarre but fortunate twist in the tale yet" on his Facebook page, on which he has published a bucket list of things he wants to do before he dies.

From around mid-afternoon on Sunday he developed a slight cough and later wrote: "After a lying there for a bit longer the coughing increased and then suddenly the shortness of breath became incredibly severe.

"Amongst frantic hand pointing and panicking I felt like I was like suffocating.

"Then I forced out an oval red stained solid object through my mouth.

Donations to Stephen's JustGiving page have soared past £2.9m

"My breathing and airway straight away felt clearer, but I spent the next hour violently coughing and choking, but then eventually my breathing once again stabilised.

"Since then, my breathing has dramatically improved. I'm really stuck for the words of how to describe it.

"Throughout the night my throat was pretty sore but my O2 and other saturation levels are great. This morning I am relying on NO external oxygen to breath at all and I'm feeling bloody fantastic!!

"The doctors have discussed what's happened and the only plausible conclusion is that I've literally coughed up a tumour."

The 19-year-old has raised almost £3m for the Teenage Cancer Trust, with more than 122,000 people - including celebrities Stephen Fry and Russell Brand - pledging their support.

Stephen has posted pictures of his bucket list on his Facebook page

A last-minute fundraising gig organised by comedian Jason Manford last night at his comedy club in Birmingham sold out in minutes.

Stephen, who was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the age of 15, has also released a 10-minute YouTube video called When Life Gives You Cancer, featuring interviews with his mum, his school teachers and his best friend.

As donations continue to flood in, JustGiving itself donated £50,000 to Stephen's appeal.

The website currently stands to make more than £148,000 from the 5% fee it charges charities for online donations.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

India: Briton's Body Found Inside Plastic Bag

By Neville Lazurus, India Producer

The decomposed body of a 40-year-old British man has been found by the side of a road in India.

Roddick Andrew Reymond's body was discovered wrapped in a carpet inside a plastic bag in southern Delhi by passers-by.

It was found outside a mobile repair shop on Church Road in Jangpura, where local people noticed a large, blue bag emanating a foul smell.

Neveen, who lives in the neighbourhood, said: "Initially we thought it was a dead animal. We called the police and when they opened the bag they found a body of a man."

According to police, the body was dumped in the early hours of the morning when area guards were off duty.

The level of decomposition suggests the killing took place several days ago.

A passport recovered from Mr Reymond's pocket allowed him to be identified, although it was soiled and prevented police obtaining his address.

An investigator, who did not want to be identified, said the victim suffered multiple injuries inflicted by a blunt object struck around his head and face.

There were abrasions on his hands and legs, which were bound together, as well as burn marks on his face.

Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told Sky News the body had been transferred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for a post-mortem examination.

The local deputy police commissioner told Sky News an investigation had been launched.

Detectives are now trying to obtain the phone number Mr Reymond used while travelling in India.

Preliminary reports suggest he has been in the country on a tourist visa for the last two months and had travelled to Goa, Chennai and Mumbai.

The police are yet to determine where he was staying.

In a statement, the British High Commission in Delhi said: "We are aware of the death of the British national in Delhi and are providing consular assistance."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sheffield Fire: Three Children Among Five Dead

Five people, including three young children, have died in a house fire in Sheffield despite heroic efforts to save the youngsters.

The children - a nine-week-old girl and two boys aged seven and nine - died alongside their aunt, Shabina Begum, 20, and grandmother, Anum Parvaiz, 54. 

The older boy was named as Adhyan Nazim and his younger brother Amaan Nazim. The baby has not yet been named.

Firefighters said the blaze was severe

Residents in the street were woken shortly after midnight by the sound of wailing and screaming.

Witnesses said that neighbours banged on doors of the home and smashed a window to raise the alarm. 

A neighbour told how they saw the grandmother run distraught from the blazing home, before going back inside to try and rescue the others. 

It is understood the children's father, taxi driver Nazim Parvaiz, was out working when the fire broke out but their mother, Razia Nazim, survived the blaze.

Police are investigating the cause of the blaze

They are said to be devastated and are being comforted by relatives.

Scenes of crime officers have erected a tent outside the three-storey terraced home in Wake Road, Sharrow, and are searching for clues.

Ishfaq Hussain Kayan, the cousin of one of the women who died, said: "Words cannot describe how sad this is. It's a tragedy beyond description.

"They (the children) were full of life, quite bubbly, very energetic. They were looking forward to attending school."

Wake Road is about one mile from the centre of Sheffield

He said the children's mother "is in a state of shock".

"She's beyond consoling, really. I just hope and pray that they recover from this tragedy."

Mr Hussain Kayani said he believed Ms Nazim, the mother, was in the house when the fire broke out .

"She managed to escape. The grandmother of the children, she made attempts to rescue the children but obviously it wasn't to be," Mr Hussain Kayani  said.

"She came out then went back in, tried her level best. Frantic attempts were made to rescue the children."

Police have sealed off the road

He told Sky News: "The father had taken the boys for haircuts for school and the 20-year-old was getting ready to start university.

"Just in a matter of minutes the whole family has been destroyed. They were such a lovely family, such a prosperous family, such a joyous family, well-respected."

The five victims died after the blaze broke out shortly after midnight.

Phil Shillito, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue area manager, said 25 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze.

Ishfaq Hussain Kayan says the family were 'joyous and prosperous'

"They were faced with a very challenging fire, lots of flames coming out of the property, and they were aware family members were in the premise and they went in wearing breathing apparatus enabling them to breathe in the hot and smoky environment.

"Unfortunately they did find five casualties in the property."

Sky's North of England Correspondent Mike McCarthy said Wake Road had been sealed off while investigations continued.

"A 999 call was made at 12.15am and an operation involved an aerial ladder to reach an upper floor," McCarthy said.

"There's a white scenes of crime tent outside the house and there's a window open there. I can still smell the smoke from the fire." 

Four fire engines were called to the scene, as well as police and ambulance services.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Children Over Five 'Wearing Nappies In Class'

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

Children are still wearing nappies in class after the age of five in hundreds of schools across the country, a Sky News investigation has found.

Teachers have reported pupils as old as 15 who have no medical conditions or developmental issues, but who are unable to use the toilet on their own.

In what is believed to be the first survey of its kind, Sky News commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research to ask head teachers and staff in England about their experiences of children coming to schools wearing nappies.

Almost one in 10 heads and senior staff who responded said in the past year a child aged between five and seven had worn a nappy to school.

The figure was 5% for classroom teachers.

Almost one in 20 heads and senior staff said that in the last year a child aged seven to 11 had worn a nappy to school.

And 1% of classroom teachers surveyed had experience of older children in nappies.

The survey was completed by 602 teachers in primary schools and 561 teachers in secondary schools.

The figures suggest that head teachers and senior staff at a substantial number of England's 16,000 primary schools have experience in the past 12 months of at least one pupil above the age of five still wearing nappies.

There has been growing evidence in recent years that increasing numbers of children are starting school in nappies.

But this is the first research to suggest the problem extends beyond the Reception year.

And experts say it is not just pupils from deprived backgrounds who are not being toilet trained, but those who have working parents too busy to address the issue.

Anne-Marie Middleton, a deputy head teacher from Dover, says many pupils are too embarrassed to admit they still wear nappies.

She said: "We're seeing more and more children wearing nappies. We find that more and more children have an issue with toilet (training) further up the school.

Ms Middleton says that the busy lives of parents are often at the root of the problem, with pupils arriving at school without many basic skills including toileting, or being able to use a knife and fork.

Janet Marsh says it is an 'incredibly serious situation'

Janet Marsh runs a programme on behalf of Kent Community Health NHS Trust to try to help pupils toilet train.

She said she knew of 14 or 15 year olds without medical problems who still had toilet-training issues.

"It's an incredibly serious situation," she said.

"There are children who miss 25% of their education in Reception because they're being taken out to be changed. How are they going to catch up?"

Asked if teachers are being asked to do too much by expecting them to act as surrogate parents, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, replied: "I do think hard about how much we ask of teachers, because we do ask a lot."

Mr Gove said the Government needed to support frontline teachers and listen to their concerns.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Max Clifford Found Guilty Of Sex Charges

The PR guru Max Clifford has been found guilty of sex charges in his trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Clifford has been found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault, cleared of two and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on one other.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body Of Missing British Man Found In Canal

The body of a British tourist has been recovered from a canal in Leiden after he went missing during a night out.

Wayne Davies, 22, vanished after leaving the Hifi nightclub in the Dutch city in the early hours of April 19.

His mother raised the alarm the next day after he failed to return home to the UK.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We were notified of the death of a British national on April 26 in the Netherlands.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

Police believe Mr Davies - a plumber's apprentice from East Grinstead, in Sussex - may have fallen into the canal.

His bank card has not been used since he disappeared, according to detectives.

Divers and sniffer dogs were used to search for him.

Mr Davies had been staying in the Golden Tulip hotel in Leiden with two friends.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

UKIP Member: Lenny Henry Should Leave Britain

A local election UKIP candidate has suggested that British comedian Lenny Henry should emigrate to a "black country".

Enfield candidate William Henwood was responding to recent comments made by Henry that there was a poor representation of ethnic minorities on British television.

On his Twitter account, he tweeted: "He should emigrate to a black country. He does not have to live with whites."

In a statement, UKIP insisted the party was "non-racist, non-sectarian" and that "any comments made by members that fail to uphold these values will be duly investigated and acted upon".

Mr Henwood is not the only candidate to have extreme views revealed in the past week since the party's manifesto was launched.

UKIP Camden candidate Magnus Nielsen claimed that 70% of UK mosques had been "taken over" by "fundamentalists".

According to his Facebook page, he said: "Islam is organised crime under religious camouflage. Any Muslim who is not involved in organised crime is not a 'true believer', practising Islam as Mohammed commanded."

A poll suggests Nigel Farage has not been damaged by recent controversies

And a UKIP member who appeared in the party's latest election broadcast was suspended after allegedly expressing "repellent views".

Andre Lampitt apparently posted racist and anti-Islamic remarks as well as inappropriate comments about Labour leader Ed Miliband on Twitter.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he was "very angry" that Mr Lampitt had been given a role in the broadcast.

Despite a bruising week of controversies, a poll suggests Mr Farage's party has surged into the lead in the European election contest.

UKIP recorded 31% support in the YouGov survey for the Sunday Times, three points ahead of Labour, with the Conservatives trailing in third place with 19%.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More