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Parklife Festival Killing Suspect Arrested

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 21 Juni 2014 | 20.14

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a festival-goer in a row over an inflatable doll.

Robert Hart, 26, was punched to the ground at the Parklife music event in Heaton Park, Manchester, last Saturday.

It followed an altercation over his girlfriend, Gemma, being repeatedly struck by the inflatable doll.

The pair were in front of the festival's main stage when the incident took place at about 9.15pm.

Mr Hart, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was knocked unconscious and died later in hospital.

In a tribute to Mr Hart, an avid Manchester City fan, his family said he had "a love of music and a love of life" and was "simply awesome".

Police said the suspect was arrested in Cheshire and taken into custody where he is being questioned.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: "Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount of support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible.

"We now have a man in custody but that doesn't mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and we are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room with any relevant footage. The email address is: mit.syndicate8@gmp.police.uk.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colchester Killer 'Won't Stop Until Caught'

The brutality of the two murders in Colchester suggests that police are hunting the same killer for both crimes, a leading criminologist has told Sky News.

Professor David Wilson told Sky News that both Nahid Almanea and James Attfield were "overkilled" - meaning they were stabbed many more times than was necessary to take their lives - indicating a link.

And he warned the murderer is unlikely to stop killing until they are caught.

He said: "Luckily murder is a very rare event in Britain and usually we discover that there is some kind of relationship in the past between the perpetrator and the victim.

James Attfield Prof Wilson said Mr Attfield's murder could hold the key to both killings

"So here we've got something really unusual happening in Colchester - we've got two random attacks in a very concentrated geographic area and both victims have been 'overkilled'.

"They've been stabbed numerous times - more times than would be necessary to actually take their life.

"Clearly there is some link between these two, although the police don't want to make that link because it scares people to think there might be somebody of this background at loose in the community."

CCTV captures images of stabbing victim CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea

He said the killer is likely to be a local man with mental health problems who may be known to social services in the area - and even getting help from someone in the community.

He told Sky News: "Murder is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon so I would have thought this is a man we're dealing with and a man who's living locally and possibly being given support locally. 

"Usually when you're dealing with someone who stabs in this overkill way, you're dealing with somebody who's got mental health problems and this person is likely to be known to mental health outreach teams in Essex, perhaps also has a criminal record already.

"This type of person I think will be well known in the area and quite odd - the sort of person people would notice. I imagine the police are already aware of who those kinds of people in Colchester might be.

People living in the area should follow advice from the police to avoid walking alone in isolated areas because the killer is likely to strike again, Prof Wilson said.

The killer probably lives in the local area, Prof Wilson said

He said: "One has to balance scaring people - the police have been quite good at telling people not to go into isolated areas by themselves but yes, this kind of person doesn't stop attacking, this kind of person continues to attack until they are caught."

He added that in most multiple murder cases, the first killing is key to tracking down the murderer.


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Rooney's Facebook Apology After World Cup Exit

England footballer Wayne Rooney has said sorry to fans for the team's dismal World Cup showing, admitting: "It hasn't worked out."

The striker's Facebook apology came after Costa Rica beat Italy to guarantee an early exit for Roy Hodgson's squad.

The collapse of their World Cup campaign just eight days into the tournament followed 2-1 defeats to both Italy and Uruguay.

It is the first time the national side has failed to make the tournament's knockout stage since 1958.

Wayne Rooney's World Cup Facebook apology

Rooney, who is back at England's hotel in Rio de Janeiro preparing for a Costa Rica clash that will ultimately count for nothing, told his 21 million Facebook fans he was "absolutely devastated" to be leaving Brazil early.

"Going into each game we had great belief in ourselves but unfortunately it hasn't worked out," the Manchester United star wrote, his disappointment despite scoring his first ever World Cup goal all too evident.

"Sorry to all the fans that travelled and at home that we haven't done better. Gutted."

England's Wayne Rooney in action against Uruguay Rooney slots past Uruguay's Fernando Muslera for his first World Cup goal

Rooney has been criticised by some England supporters who expected more from one of the squad's most experienced players.

But he was backed by many fans on Facebook and by his Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie, who said: "I don't think you can blame him for scoring one goal, working his socks off and missing three chances by inches."

The Netherlands captain added: "He gave his all for his country, like he always does. He's a great player, a great goal scorer, so I don't think it's fair on him to criticise him that much."

England's Wayne Rooney in action against Uruguay Rooney and his England team-mates' celebrations were short-lived

Earlier, FA chairman Greg Dyke said Hodgson would keep his job as England manager until 2016, when the team are due to play their next major tournament.

Drawn against Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino for the Euro 2016 qualifiers which start in September, England have been given a favourable route to the finals in France.

Mr Dyke said Hodgson remained the right man for the task, telling Sky Sports News: "He came to do a four-year cycle.

Roy Hodgson Presser Hodgson has already said he will not resign as England manager

"People have been asking the question: 'Will he stay?' Well, the answer is yes."

As well as Rooney, other England players have expressed their regret at the team's World Cup failure.

Striker Daniel Sturridge said he felt "sick" and "heartbroken", while captain Steven Gerrard added: "We maybe should have accepted that going for a point (against Uruguay) might have been the best option."


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Thousands Mark Summer Solstice At Stonehenge

More than 30,000 people have turned out at Stonehenge overnight to see the sun rise on the longest day in the calendar.

The Summer Solstice has a long tradition of attracting people to the monument, off the A303, where latter-day Druids gather to witness the event.

Stonehenge is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice. Crowds began gathering at the monument last night

It was built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, and its original purpose is still debated.

Solstices were an important part of Europe's pre-Christian calendar and many speculate that Stonehenge's orientation offers clues to its creators' pagan traditions.

Wiltshire Police said 25 people were arrested during celebrations, largely for drugs-related offences.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice. Marking the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge has become a tradition for many

A spokesman said: "We are pleased that the Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge and Avebury have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending.

"There were 25 arrests at Stonehenge and two at Avebury which were mainly for drug-related offences.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice. One reveller gets into the spirit of things

"The road system worked well with minimum delays and many people used the public transport as we advised people to do.

"Every year there are new challenges for us at Solstice but it is always a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event."


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Colchester Murder Police Seek 'Running Man'

Police have said they want to speak to a man seen running close to where Saudi student Nahid Almanea was killed.

The white man, aged between 18 and 25, of medium build and with dark hair was spotted to coming out of an alleyway which indirectly links to to the Salary Brook Trail, where she was stabbed.

He was wearing a long sleeved, plain hooded top that is described as London bus red and dark trousers.

More follows...


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British Honeymoon Couple Killer On The Run

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 20 Juni 2014 | 20.14

One of the killers of a British couple murdered on their honeymoon has escaped from prison, police in Antigua have said.

Ben and Catherine Mullany, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were shot dead in their hotel room on the holiday island in 2008.

The couple, both aged 31, had been married for little more than a fortnight.

Five weeks after witnessing the couple's wedding at St John The Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll, their parents were attending their funeral.

Local men Avie Howell and Kaniel Martin were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Police confirmed that Howell has escaped from Her Majesty's Prison on the island, along with Kenroy Laurie Marshall, who had been detained on fraud charges.

Both are considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Antigua murderers Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell after being found guilty in 2011

Counsellor Jamal Wright, who is based at St John's police station, said: "Avie Howell escaped from Her Majesty's Prison at about 6am on Thursday along with Kenroy Laurie Marshall.

"Apparently they used a sharp implement to cut out a portion of mesh and jumped over the northern prison wall, which is about 30ft (9m) high."

The couple's family were said to be "extremely shocked" at the news and concerned Howell might flee the island.

A source said: "You would have thought they would have kept him under lock and key."

Sergeant Raymond Finley said he believed Howell, who is in his early 20s, was still on the island and a search was under way.

"I understand the victims' families will be very concerned," he said.

Police corporal Frankie Thomas said the authorities are confident of finding the pair.

Catherine and Benjamin Mullany The couple were buried in the grounds of the church where they were married

He said: "We have not yet had any confirmed sightings but we have had a lot of calls from the public.

"Antigua is a very small island and something does not stay a secret here for long."

Howell and Martin broke into Mr and Mrs Mullany's chalet at the Cocos Hotel in a dawn raid in July 2008.

The pair, who lived in Rhos, near Pontardawe, were both shot in the head before their killers made off with their phones, a digital camera and cash.

Mrs Mullany, a qualified doctor, died instantly. Her husband, a physiotherapy student, was flown home on a life-support machine.

The former South Yorkshire Police officer died a week after the shooting, despite the best efforts of his wife's colleagues at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Three years to the day after the killings, Howell and Martin were found guilty of the couple's murder and also the shooting of 43-year-old shopkeeper Woneta Anderson.


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Tory MP's Throat Punch Tweet 'Not A Joke'

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant is under fire for tweeting about "punching" a newspaper columnist "in the throat".

He made the comment about journalist, commentator and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown - who demanded he apologise and for Prime Minister David Cameron to take action.

The MP for Lichfield was responding to a heated clash between Alibhai-Brown and magazine columnist Rod Liddle on Channel 4 News on Thursday night.

Michael Fabricant MP The MP's initial tweet this morning

Mr Fabricant tweeted: "I could never appear on a discussion prog with @y_alibhai I would either end up with a brain haemorrhage or by punching her in the throat."

He also referred to her as "ghastly" in an earlier tweet - and retweeted a post by another account which said she "should be deported".

Alibhai-Brown, a Muslim who came to Britain from Uganda in 1972, said Mr Fabricant's tweet about her "was not a joke" and he was "not fit for the job" as an MP.

She told Sky News: "I am a woman, I am not white and I don't take s**t. These people think I should be their cleaner... threatening violence against women is not acceptable."

She said: "Why does he think even if I am infuriating that that calls for him to say that he wants to punch me in the throat?

Michael Fabricant Mr Fabricant later posted several tweets apologising to Alibhai-Brown

"For an MP not to understand why that's wrong - he's not fit for the job." She added: "It was not a joke."

Mr Fabricant apologised for his comment in several tweets - including one which he posted directly to the journalist herself - insisting it was not a serious threat of violence.

He said: "Just out of dentist. 1 It appears that some people who don't know me think I actually go round punching 'in the throat'. Not true.

"2. If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise.

".Sorry @y_alibhai if you actually thought I would punch you. I actually don't do that sort of thing. But you are utterly infuriating! xx

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown Alibhai-Brown rejects Mr Fabricant's apology

But his apology was rejected by the journalist, who replied: "@Mike_Fabricant the tweet was offensive & your 'apology' useless. Tories like you think people like me should be ayahs or selling you curry."

Sky News approached Mr Fabricant at his constituency home, but the MP said he had just been to see a dentist and was not "going to be saying anything much" as a result, adding: "First time I've ever been door-stepped. I feel like a star."

Downing Street said Mr Fabricant's comments were "completely unacceptable" and "in poor taste", adding there is "never any excuse to suggest violence".

Gloria De Piero, Labour's shadow minister for women and equalities, described Mr Fabricant's tweet as "utterly appalling" and called on Mr Cameron to "set out what action he will be taking".

It is not the first time a tweet by Mr Fabricant has landed him in trouble. Earlier this year, he was sacked as Tory vice chairman after tweeting "about time" after then culture secretary Maria Miller's resignation.


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Ian Wright Burglars: We'll Cut Off Kids' Fingers

Former England international Ian Wright's MBE was among prized possessions taken from his home by an armed gang.

The ex-Arsenal striker's wife was held at knifepoint during the attack at their home in St John's Wood, northwest London, while he was working as a World Cup pundit for ITV in Brazil.

He is now back at home after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Thursday.

Wright described his family's ordeal, saying it left him "really upset and angry".

He told The Sun: "There was a knock on the door - it was around 9.15pm, not even dark outside, so Nancy felt safe answering.

"As soon as she opened the door, they barged in, four of them wearing masks and holding Stanley knives.

"Next thing they were holding a knife to her throat and yelling at her to show them where our safe is."

The couple's two children were asleep in a separate room while all this was happening, Wright said.

Ian Wright;s home in London Ian Wright's home in northwest London

He told the newspaper that the men threatened to cut off his wife's fingers and then do the same to his children as the gang became "louder and more desperate".

"She was even physically dragged upstairs as they thought the safe was up there," he said.

"Then they dragged her back down and forced her to hand over the key.

"She was begging them to stop shouting - she was saying 'I'll open the safe so long as you stop pushing me around and yelling'.

"They were out of control and hysterical - Nancy was calm."

Other items taken in the burglary included cash and a number of rare watches owned by Wright.

Police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and are reviewing CCTV.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Gornall, of the Metropolitan Police, said yesterday: "We are trying to trace these four men, and I'd ask anyone who may know anything to get in touch with my team and help us.

"Fortunately no one was injured during the burglary, but it is still very frightening to have people force their way into your home and threaten you."


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Colchester Police Hunt 'Brutal' Murderer

Police have promised to "unrelentingly" pursue all lines of inquiry as they continue to investigate the brutal murder of a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed 16 times.

Nahid Almanea was walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning when she was attacked.

Police are investigating whether the 31-year-old's clothing - an abaya robe and hijab headscarf - was a factor in the stabbing, but stressed they do not yet know for sure.

There are other possible motives, officers say, but they are calling for calm, and have confirmed they are investigating threats of revenge attacks made on social media.

A map showing the locations of two murders in Colchester. The locations of the two murders

Police have warned people not to go out alone and to be vigilant.

The fact that she was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage, the force said.

He was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March, but Essex Police stressed the cases remain separate investigations.

Sky's Emma Birchley, who is at the scene of Ms Almanea's murder, said: "The police presence is enormous, there are police cars patrolling everywhere, not just here close to the scene."

Police and forensics Salary Brook Trail, where Ms Almanea was attacked

Chief Inspector Richard Phillibrown said: "I see this murder as an attack on the entire community of Colchester and I believe we will all pull together to respond to it.

"I am confident that the vast majority of people in this town will pay no attention to those trying to stir up trouble."

He added: "What we would also ask is for people to look out for each other, for neighbours to keep an eye on the vulnerable and for everyone to remain vigilant."

In a joint statement, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said: "We would urge everyone to work with Essex Police, who will, supported by local communities, do everything possible to find the person or people responsible for both these awful crimes.

Nahid Almanea's bag The bag Ms Almanea was carrying when she was murdered

"I know that everyone in Colchester will come together, and remain strong and united in ensuring that the town and the district continues to be safe and welcoming to all."

Ms Almanea, who has been described as a "very intelligent" student, had been studying an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

A 52-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released after police said he had been positively eliminated from their enquiries.

CCTV footage taken from a newsagent, which shows Ms Almanea's last movements as she headed towards the footpath, has been released.

James Attfield The killing of James Attfield remains unsolved

Police have also released a map of her likely route from nearby Woodrow Way to the Salary Brook trail where she was stabbed, as well as a photograph of the bag she was carrying.

Officers said Ms Almanea would usually walk to the university with her brother, who she also lived with.

But because he had earlier lectures that day she was walking alone.


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Garden Murders Pair Guilty Of Killing Parents

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

Susan and Christopher Edwards have been found guilty of murdering her parents and burying them in their own back garden.

The Edwards shot Patricia and William Wycherley twice at close range before they hid their bodies in the back garden of their home in Blenheim Close, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

The couple then carried out a 15-year-long deception, pretending to neighbours, relatives and the authorities that the Wycherleys were still alive.

They sent Christmas cards, forged signatures and set up timers in the house where Susan's parents had lived to keep up the pretence for a decade and a half.

The Wycherleys' bank accounts were closed and a new one set up which allowed the couple to syphon nearly £250,000 from her dead parents, from state benefits payments, pensions and the eventual selling of their home.

MANSFIELD MURDERS Money was spent on a photo of film star Gary Cooper

During that time, despite having been £160,000 in debt, the cash was used to fuel the couple's interest in movie star memorabilia.

The plot only came to light after the authorities and another group tried to get in touch with Mr Wycherley, at the point he would have turned 100, prompting them to flee to France.

The police dug up the back garden after Christopher Edwards, now 57, contacted his stepmother to ask for help and she tipped them off.

The two-and-a-half-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard that until they were exhumed in 2013, relatives and officials had no idea the Wycherleys had died on a bank holiday in May 1998.

One letter written by the Edwards in December 2007, nine years after the killings, reads: "Actually, my father is remarkably fit for his age - as well as being more adventurous than in younger years, as his Ireland travels would show!"

Mansfield murders case The couple forged letters and signatures from the Wycherleys

Police found the bodies wrapped in bedding in a grave beside a fence near the back door of the property.

Susan Edwards, 58, had claimed that her mother had shot her father and then had confessed to having a relationship with Christopher, which led to her to grabbing the gun and killing her mother.

The Edwards fled to France after they received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions and the Centenarian Society asking Mr Wycherley to get in touch at the approach of what would have been his 100th birthday.

After they were traced there, on October 30 the couple sent a politely-worded email to the officer in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Griffin, saying "we are going to surrender".

DCI Griffin said: "It was straightforwardly about money."

MANSFIELD MURDERS The couple sent a letter informing relatives William was in Ireland

During the trial it was revealed that Susan Edwards had faked a decade-long writing relationship with French film star Gerard Depardieu and spent thousands buying letters written by Hollywood star Gary Cooper.

The defendants, who were arrested last October, admitted obstructing the coroner in the execution of his duty and the theft of a Halifax credit balance.

Susan Edwards admitted her mother's manslaughter but both had denied murder.

Neither reacted as the jury of eight women and four men delivered its unanimous verdicts.

The couple will be sentenced at the court on Monday at 2.30pm.


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Npower Risks Telesales Ban Over Billing Woes

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 19 Juni 2014 | 20.14

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The energy regulator has given 'big six' supplier nPower until August to remedy "major billing issues" amid a threat of massive penalties over customer service failings.

Ofgem said nPower will be required to publish monthly progress updates until the problems are resolved.

The watchdog also announced it has launched an investigation into nPower's customer service failings.

It said that if it was found to have broken rules on customer service it risks fines of up to £300m - 10% of its sales - as a result.

It is the first case opened under the regulators' new standards of conduct and could lead to a financial penalty or redress payment if they are found to have broken rules.

With about 15% of the market, nPower has struggled with its billing system for the past year.

Many customers have been left not knowing what they owed and when as delays in billing mounted.

Npower has topped the 'big six' complaints table every quarter since the end of 2012, amid promises to improve service.

Ofgem senior partner in charge of enforcement Sarah Harrison said: "Ofgem has been monitoring nPower's service closely and we have been increasingly concerned about the slow progress to tackle failings.

"Npower's recovery plan has not delivered as far and fast as is necessary.

"Our analysis of complaints data also raises some serious concerns which will be thoroughly examined in our investigation."

In December, nPower was fined £1m by Ofgem and banned from door-to-door selling.

Since then the energy giant has halved the number of billing problems, according to Ofgem.

In response to the Ofgem decision, nPower chief executive Paul Massara said: "We are committed to getting things right for our customers but recognise that despite the progress we have made our current billing standards have fallen short of where everyone wants them to be.

"We are happy to provide the assurances agreed with Ofgem, with whom we share the same objective of getting our customer service to where it needs to be.

"We will cooperate with Ofgem on the investigation they have announced.

Mr Massara added: "We are confident that the measures we are already taking and the additional resource announced today will bring our customer service back to normal levels of performance by the end of August.

"If we have not met this late bill target by then, we will suspend all outbound telesales activity to new customers and not sell additional fuels to existing single fuel customers until we do."


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One Direction's Louis In Doncaster Takeover

A takeover of Doncaster by One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and former club owner John Ryan has been completed.

A spokesman for Ryan told Press Association Sport that the deal had been completed and would be explained in detail at a press conference in London.

Twenty-two-year-old Tomlinson is a global star as one member of One Direction and is a lifelong fan of his hometown club.

He played for their reserve side against Barnsley earlier this year and had been close to a takeover before, but a move was twice delayed because of negotiations over image rights.

They have now been resolved and Ryan's spokesman said: "It's done, the takeover is complete."

One Direction One Direction are one of the world's biggest bands

Businessman Ryan, who ended his 15-year association with Rovers in November, has extensive football experience and oversaw Doncaster's rise from non-league to the Championship as well as their move from Belle Vue to the Keepmoat Stadium before stepping aside in November to allow Terry Bramall and Dick Watson to take over.

The initial delay had related to Tomlinson's image rights, which are owned by his management team and would entitle them to a share of any money generated from the use of his image or name.

They believe that interest in the club will increase as a result of Tomlinson's ownership and it is understood they battled for a share of any extra revenue made through merchandise and extra ticket sales.

Tomlinson signed on as a player at the start of the season in a move to make money for the Bluebell Wood charity and turned out in front of nearly 10,000 fans for the reserve team in February.

One Direction, also made up of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, are currently on the European leg of their tour.

Their next concert is in France on Friday.


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Miliband Fights Back After Poor Poll Showing

Ed Miliband's leadership is under increasing pressure after a slew of negative polls and comments from former New Labour stalwarts.

The Labour leader's popularity is now at its lowest, behind even Nick Clegg, who was previously seen as the barometer of unpopularity.

A YouGov poll on Thursday found that 60% of voters think Mr Miliband is not up to the job of prime minister - of those 43% were Labour voters.

The survey for Prospect magazine also found more people thought Mr Miliband's brother, David, would make a better premier.

An IPSOS Mori poll for the Evening Standard yesterday found 49% of voters thought Mr Miliband should be replaced.

Former cabinet minister Lord Mandelson failed to back Mr Miliband firmly saying he was the "leader we have".

David and Ed Miliband Voters think Ed Miliband's brother David would be the better leader

Alan Johnson, former home secretary, further highlighted Mr Miliband's unpopularity by saying the Labour leader was not a hit on the doorstep.

Speaking as he unveiled a new tough policy on benefits, Mr Miliband said he was happy he could "defy the odds" and win next year's election.

He said he would not provide "continuity Labour" and said he was happy to listen to the advice of people like Lord Mandelson, but added that while the 2015 election would be a tough fight, he was determined to win.

The results of the poll will, however, make worrying reading for the Labour party just a year out from the General Election.

Mr Miliband suffered a gaffe-prone local and European election campaign, forgetting the name of the Labour Party council leader he was campaigning for in Swindon and failing to get a handle on his shopping bill.

Peter Mandelson Lord Mandelson: "He's the leader we have"

He was also mocked over unflattering pictures of him eating a bacon sandwich.

And more recently he apologised for posing with the copy of The Sun to promote its World Cup edition.

Asked on the BBC's Newsnight whether Mr Miliband was the best leader for the party, Lord Mandelson said: "In my view he is the leader we have and therefore the leader I support, and somebody who I believe is capable of leading the party to victory."

He said: "What Ed is trying to do is approach politics in a rather different way from the way in which Tony Blair and New Labour approached it.

"It may work. It may well be successful. I would say to you that electoral arithmetic is probably on his side."

He said the leader had some good policies but had failed to win through with his personality and needed to create a "convincing vivid narrative" about what he stood for.

Alan Johnson told the New Statesman magazine the Labour leader was "not as able to connect (with people) as strongly" as his brother David.

He said: "It's not his strong point I can't pretend that, knocking on doors, people come out and they're really enthusiastic about Ed."


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Cameron Wants 'Global Push' To Fight Dementia

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

A "bold, global push" is urgently needed to find effective treatments against dementia, David Cameron is due to warn.

The Prime Minister will tell an international conference that 40 million people worldwide now have the disease.

And the number is set to double every 20 years, unless scientists find some way of slowing or preventing the slow decline in brain function.

The meeting is a follow-up to the first Dementia Summit of G8 industrialised nations held in December, at which politicians committed to finding new treatments by 2025.

"The truth is that dementia now stands alongside cancer as one of the greatest enemies of humanity," the Prime Minister will say.

"We have to fight to cure it. I know some people will say that it's not possible, but we have seen with cancer what medicine can achieve.

"We need to join up the dots and create a big, bold global push to beat this."

Global funding for dementia research is just one fifth of that spent on cancer. In the last 15 years only three drugs have been developed.

The World Dementia Envoy Dr Dennis Gillings, who was appointed following the G8 Summit, will tell the meeting that pharmaceutical companies need to be given incentives to invest in research, and encouraged to speed up clinical trials so patients benefit sooner.

"Just as the world came together in the fight against HIV/Aids, we need to free up regulation so that we can test ground-breaking new drugs," he will say.

The Medical Research Council will announce the world's largest ever study into dementia, with two million people in Britain invited to take part.

And Alzheimer's Research UK hopes to raise £100m to fund more drug research.

The fresh focus being given to dementia was welcomed by Alison Carter, who helps to care for her father John Fenn.

He was diagnosed with vascular dementia seven years ago. Existing treatments have done little to slow the disease.

She told Sky News: "The idea that there are drugs out there which are now being looked at that could delay it for five years. If my dad could have five years back, that would be fantastic."


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Virgin Trains To Boost West Coast Mainline

Virgin Trains has promised to boost rail service on the West Coast mainline network, after winning an extension to its franchise.

It said "significant improvements" would be brought in as part of the franchise continuation until March 2017.

The increases will include conversion of first class to standard seating, free super-fast Wi-Fi and new services.

Virgin previously lost the franchise to FirstGroup as part of a new 13-year West Coast contract.

However the award process was stopped by the Department for Transport (DfT) over irregularities in the bidding process.

The decision allowed Virgin to run the line on a temporary basis until November.

Virgin is to pay £430m to the Government during the new extended contact, at a rate of £155.3m a year.

That is a 58% increase on the £98.1m a year paid in the temporary contract.

The West Coast service carries more than 30 million passengers a year between London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Strathclyde and Lothian.

The operator said 21 trains would have a first class carriage reconfigured to standard class, boosting seating capacity by 2,100 per day.

It also plans to launch a direct services between Shrewsbury, Blackpool and London before Christmas.

The Office of Rail Regulation has previously rejected an application by Virgin to run additional services because of limited capacity.

Virgin will fit 76 of its Pendolino and Super Voyager trains with 4G superfast Wi-Fi.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This deal will provide thousands more seats and better journeys for the tens of thousands of passengers who use these services every day.

"The West Coast provides a vital artery between London and Scotland and it is crucial we do everything we can to improve services on this much-used route."

Virgin Trains executive chairman Patrick McCall added: "We're delighted to have reached a deal after some tough negotiations with the DfT.

"It puts the problems of 2012 firmly behind us, and shows the clear benefits of a well-run franchise system."


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Fatal Attack Victim Was Wearing Muslim Dress

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 18 Juni 2014 | 20.14

A woman has died after being attacked in Colchester - and police say her full Muslim dress and veil may have been a factor.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was walking on the Salary Brook Trail at 10.40am on Tuesday when she was violently beaten.

Paramedics tried to save her but she died at the scene from injuries to her head and body.

Essex Police have said the woman, who was in her 30s, was wearing a dark navy blue full length robe (known as an Abaya) and a patterned multi-coloured Hijab headscarf.

Detective Superintendent Tracy Hawkings said officers were keeping an open mind about the motive of the attack.

But she added: "We are conscious that the dress of the victim will have identified her as likely being a Muslim and this is one of the main lines of the investigation but again there is no firm evidence at this time that she was targeted because of her religion."

A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who used the trail between 8.30am and 11am that day.

They have also asked residents to check their gardens and rubbish bins for any discarded weapons or blood stained clothing.

It is thought a knife or bladed weapon was used in the attack.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place this afternoon.

Officers have said they are not ruling out a link between this murder and that of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who died after being stabbed more than 100 times at a park in the town in March.

Officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area.

Anyone with any information should contact the major investigation team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


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Primodos Row: Watchdog Took Years To Warn GPs

By Jason Farrell, Political Correspondent

The Government medicines watchdog took years to warn doctors about a pregnancy test drug that may have caused deformities in babies in the womb, Sky News has learned.

The drug Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, was prescribed by GPs across England in the 1960s and 70s - and was taken by 1.5 million British women.

But Sky News has found it was not licenced to be used in pregnancy after 1970 amid concerns about its effect on the foetus.

Freedom of Information Requests to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed letters were written to doctors - but not until five years later in 1975 when a warning was also placed on the packet. 

Then called the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the watchdog warned GPs of concerns about "an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities" in babies born to women who took the drug.

Primodos Special Programme Promo

They wrote: "On the present evidence, the Committee believe that it is possible that the use of these preparations for the diagnosis of pregnancy could on occasion lead to abnormalities of the foetus."

Even after this, thousands of prescriptions were given to women until 1977 when the Committee sent a second letter to GPs saying the association had been confirmed. After this prescriptions ceased.

However, the MHRA said in a statement: "We do not hold any such letters and are not aware that any were sent by the CSM about Primodos or hormone pregnancy tests at that time. Nor are we able to comment on whether a letter should have been sent."

For years campaigners with deformities allegedly caused by the drug have challenged the German drug company Shearing, now owned by Bayer, to accept responsibility. The company however insists no link has been shown.

Primodos Drug Campaigners FARRELL The MHRA says it's not aware of letters about Primodos

Three years ago Sky News conducted an exclusive investigation speaking to retired researchers who originally raised concerns about the drug.

One of them, Dr Isobel Gal who conducted research at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Surrey, told Sky News how she spent a decade trying to persuade people of the link.

Documents seen by Sky News, that have been sealed in the National Archives for 30 years, show CSM officials admitted they made mistakes while rudely dismissing Ms Gal and her research.

They, along with other letters about the drug, were found by an alleged victim of Primodos, Nichola Walton, who suffers from stomach and spinal abnormalities.

Primodos Drug Campaigners FARRELL Campaigners want the drug company to admit responsibility

She said: "They've covered so many things up so many times. So many victims have already passed.

"So many parents have buried their children and they've not been able to see the evidence. They've not been able to explain. I just think it is appalling."

In a statement Bayer, which took over Shering, told Sky News: "UK litigation in respect of Primodos, against Schering (which is now owned by Bayer), ended in 1982 when the claimants' legal team, with the approval of the court, decided to discontinue the litigation on the grounds that there was no realistic possibility of showing that Primodos caused the congenital abnormalities alleged."

They also said that any use of Primodos as a pregnancy test after 1970 would have been "off-label".


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Croydon Rave Death: CCTV Images Released

Police investigating the death of a teenager who died after attending an illegal rave have released photographs of seven men they want to speak to.

Rio Andrew died after falling ill at the illegal party at a disused sorting office in Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, south London, in the early hours of Sunday.

Rio Andrew Rio Andrew collapsed at the rave and died a day later in hospital

The 15-year-old, from Notting Hill in London, was at the party with friends.

He collapsed during the event and was taken to hospital where he died on Monday.

A 19-year-old remains in hospital after also falling ill.

Scotland Yard have stressed they do not believe any of the men captured on CCTV images were involved in the teenager's death.

They have appealed for the men to come forward because they believe they might have information about disorder during and after the rave.

Commander Simon Letchford said: "The behaviour of some of those attending this illegal rave and the direct attacks on officers who were there to maintain public safety is completely unacceptable.

"We will identify all those responsible and bring them to justice."

Nine people were arrested during the rave - and a further five people have been arrested today - bringing the total to 14.

Offences range from violent disorder and money laundering to drugs offences, handling stolen goods and criminal damage.


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PM Warns Iraq Terrorists Will 'Hit UK At Home'

Timeline: How The Iraq Crisis Unfolded

Updated: 2:12pm UK, Tuesday 17 June 2014

A look back at the main events in the Iraq crisis, which has seen Sunni insurgents from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group move to within 50 miles of the capital Baghdad.

December 2011: US troops complete their withdrawal after the 2003 invasion which led to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

August 2013: More than 70 people are killed in attacks at the end of Ramadan. ISIS claim responsibility.

January 2-4, 2014: ISIS declares itself in control of the western city of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi following clashes sparked by the clearing of a Sunni-Arab protest camp.

February: al Qaeda formally disowns ISIS, which was at one time an affiliate, because of its extreme methods.

April: Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki wins the most seats in a general election.

June 10: ISIS seizes all of Nineveh province in the north, including the capital Mosul - Iraq's second city. Mr Maliki asks parliament to declare a state of emergency.

June 11: The militants launch a wave of attacks further south, taking Tikrit and freeing hundreds of prisoners in Baiji. An assault on Samarra, 70 miles (110km) north of Baghdad, is repelled by security forces.

June 12: Iraq's air force strikes fighters' positions near Mosul and Tikrit.

US President Barack Obama says he is looking at "all the options" to help the government, which fails to secure authorisation for a state of emergency.

The army abandons its bases in Kirkuk, leaving Kurdish Peshmerga troops to take control.

June 13: A top Shia cleric issues a call to arms, telling the population to take up arms and defend their country.

Mr Maliki claims government forces have started to clear cities of "terrorists" and implements an emergency plan to protect Baghdad.

President Obama rules out sending back troops to fight ISIS.

The rebels move into the towns of Saadiyah and Jalawla in eastern province of Diyala.

June 14: Iran offers to work with the US to tackle the crisis, as Britain pledges an initial £3m in emergency aid to help refugees fleeing the violence.

The Iraqi army's fightback continues, with forces retaking the towns of Ishaqi, al-Mutasim and Duluiyah in Salaheddin province.

Troops also regain much of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

US aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush is ordered to the Persian Gulf.

June 15: Photos emerge appearing to show an ISIS massacre of 1,700 captured government soldiers. Baghdad says number is exaggerated.

Reports say militants have overrun Tal Afar, the largest town in Nineveh province.

A bombing in central Baghdad leaves 15 people dead and dozens injured.

Former PM Tony Blair tells Sky News that critics who believe the violence is the result of the 2003 invasion are "profoundly mistaken".

June 16: Video footage purporting to show an ISIS fighter questioning and killing unarmed Iraqi soldiers draws condemnation.

ISIS takes control of Tal Afar and the al Adhim area of Diyala province.

US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is "open to discussions with Iran".


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Girl, 3, Kiiled By Car While Riding Scooter

A three-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car while riding a toy scooter.

Rosa Simon's family have said her death has taken "much of the sparkle of life" from them.

She was on her scooter in Canterbury Gardens in the Hadleigh, Suffolk, when she was struck by a Hyundai car on Tuesday.

The driver of the car needed treatment for shock, police have said, but has not been arrested.

Rosa died in hospital on Tuesday night.

Her family said: "Rosa was a much beloved and loving daughter and sister.

"Small in size, but a giant in character, kindness and with a sheer joy at being alive.

"It has been a privilege to have known her as parents and as siblings. She made us better and happier people.

"We are devastated by losing her. Her death has robbed us of much of the sparkle of life.

"We now ask that, as a grieving family, we are given time to be with our dear family and friends."


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Morrisons Plans 2,600 Job Cuts In Shake-Up

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 17 Juni 2014 | 20.14

Morrisons has confirmed plans for 2,600 job cuts as the loss-making supermarket chain battles falling sales and market share.

A statement detailing the changes said the losses, representing 2% of its workforce, would result from cutting tiers of in-store management but improving customer service at the same time as more staff would be focused on serving shoppers.

The announcement was made as the supermarket combats a flight to discounters with a series of price cuts that will cost it £1bn over three years.

Earlier this month, Morrisons reported a 7.1% slump in quarterly sales on the back of annual losses of £176m - a performance which prompted chief executive Dalton Philips to waive his bonus.

Morrisons has been the worst performer among the big four chains in terms of sales decline amid the tough competition from the discounters, including Aldi and Lidl, though major rivals including Tesco have also endured falling market share.

Morrisons, M local Morrisons now has 117 convenience stores

The chain was slow to commence an online food offering and also lagged its biggest competitors on convenience store numbers.

Former chairman, Sir Ken Morrison, publicly criticised the current management's strategy at the supermarket's annual general meeting just a week ago - reportedly describing it as "bull****".

Morrisons said that while the changes would be painful for its workforce, trials of its planned new management structures had proved a hit with customers.

The statement suggested that some stores currently had seven tiers between the shop floor and the store manager and it hoped to relocate some of those managers who will lose their jobs to new store and convenience operations.

Mr Philips said: "This is the right time to modernise the way our stores are managed.

Morrisons 1 Year Share Price Graph

"These changes will improve our focus on customers and lead to simpler, smarter ways of working.

"We know that moving to the new management structure will mean uncertainty for our colleagues and we will be supporting them through the process."

The company's share price - which has lost almost a third of its value over the past year - rose 3% in the wake of the announcement.


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Toddler Dies After 'Being Run Over By Dad'

A 15-month-old girl has died after being struck by a car apparently driven by her own father.

The toddler was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance on Saturday night but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police and paramedics were sent to an address in Leeds after reports that a black Toyota Avensis had struck a young child.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the driver of the car, understood to be the girl's father, has been spoken to by officers.

The spokesman said they were called to the incident in Cromwell Mount in the Belle Isle area of the city at 7.36pm on Saturday.

Sergeant Carl Quinn, of West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: "We are conducting a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this child's death.

"Early indications are that this appears to have been a tragic accident.

"We are working closely with the child's family to support them at what will clearly be a very difficult time."

He added: "We would appeal for anyone who witnessed the incident itself to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047 or via 101.


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Hillsborough Wiki Entry Civil Servant Sacked

A civil servant who made changes to a Wikipedia page about the Hillsborough disaster from a government computer has been sacked.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told Parliament that a junior administrator identified as being behind posts made in 2012 has been fired for gross misconduct.

A 24-year-old thought to have been born in London, but based in Liverpool, is understood to have changed the phrase "You'll never walk alone", the anthem of Liverpool FC, to read: "You'll never walk again."

An investigation into who made other changes, including some that are thought to have been made from computers used by Whitehall departments, is being dropped, Mr Maude said.

It is understood that those responsible for the changes made using a secure intranet cannot be traced because of "technical obstacles" and a lack of leads.

In one instance, the phrase "Blame Liverpool fans" was added anonymously to the Hillsborough section of the online encyclopaedia.

Ninety-six died and more than 700 were injured on April 15, 1989, when fans were crushed at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest.

At the time the Cabinet Office became aware the changes had been made from government computers, a spokesman said: "The amendments made to Wikipedia are sickening.

"When the issue was brought to our attention by the Liverpool Echo we launched immediate enquiries.

Wikipedia's Hillsborough page Wikipedia's Hillsborough page was changed from government computers

"Once we have the facts, we will update Parliament with the findings and consider further appropriate action.

"At this time, we have no reason to suspect that the Hillsborough edits involve any particular department, nor more than one or two individuals in 2009 and 2012."

The civil servant who made the change in 2012 was identified by an investigation carried out by an online forum about Wikipedia called Wikipediocracy and the Daily Telegraph.

The Telegraph said he was pinpointed by cross-referencing his social media and work history.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group said it had been in discussion about whether to name him and had decided not to.

Chair Margaret Aspinall said: "All the families agreed that his name should be withheld.

"He has been sacked, and we all took the decision not to name him because social media can be very unpleasant.

"The most important thing is that this has been dealt with and it has not been covered up. He has been punished."

Mr Maude said it was "long-standing established practice that in such cases an individual's name will not be made public".


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Ofsted Chief: 'Bad' Parents Should Be Fined

'Bad parents' who do not support their children's education - by missing parents evenings or not reading with them - should be fined, the head of the schools watchdog has said.

Headteachers should also be able to impose financial penalties against mothers and fathers who do not force their children to do their homework, says Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Chief Inspector of Schools.

Sir Michael told The Times that being poor was too often used by white working-class families as an excuse for failing to succeed at school.

His comments were made in the context of results which reveal that white children with working-class, British parents often do not perform as well as those from immigrant communities.

It comes after Education Secretary Michael Gove saying that parents will face "stronger sanctions" if they fail to ensure children turn up to school and behave properly.

He said this could come in the form of deductions from benefits.

The Ofsted head said his views were formed from his time spent working as a head teacher in London's inner-city schools.

Ofsted's Sir Michael Wilshaw says teaching should start at two Sir Michael Wilshaw says parents use being poor as an 'excuse'

He told the newspaper: "I was absolutely clear with parents; if they weren't doing a good job I would tell them so. It's up to head teachers to say quite clearly, 'You're a poor parent'.

"If parents didn't come into school, didn't come to parents' evening, didn't read with their children, didn't ensure they did their homework, I would tell them they were bad parents.

"I think head teachers should have the power to fine them. It's sending the message that you are responsible for your children no matter how poor you are."

Sir Michael said some schools in inner-city areas were among the best-performing.

Children listen to their nursery school teacher Bad parents are those who do not read with their children, says Sir Michael

He added: "London is showing that all children can do well, including poor children, and what we need to do is replicate what's happening here elsewhere. There's too much variability and inconsistency across the country."

He said it was important to note that the group that was now doing worst was white British children.

In order to catch up with the world's leading nations, he added, the gap in performance between those children with white British and those with immigrant parents needed to narrow.

"Immigrant communities are doing very well educationally and it should be recognised that they've added value to this country's performance," he said.

Poverty was used as an excuse for failure by white working-class families all too often, he added, saying: "It's not about income or poverty. Where families believe in education they do well. If they love their children they should support them in schools."

Sir Michael also said he supported the reforms to exams planned by the Government and backed a return to the use of textbooks.

He also said he approved of Mr Gove's proposals for radical changes, saying they were "absolutely necessary", and urged head teachers to "get on with it. Stop moaning".


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Doctors Wrong On 'Do Not Resuscitate' Notice

Doctors should not have put a "do not resuscitate" notice on a woman patient without her consent, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Janet Tracey, who had terminal lung cancer, had a "do not resuscitate" notice put on her records but neither she nor her family had been notified about the decision by medics.

Judges said doctors at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where Mrs Tracey died, should have discussed the notice with the 63-year-old or her family and that they had not been notified was a violation of her human rights.

Mrs Tracey's husband David, who brought the case, said it had been a "good result" and he hoped it would help other families in similar situations.

He said: "Patient care has got to come first and this will bring more care to people."

The ruling is seen as a key decision because it gives clarity on when - and in what circumstances - doctors should issue "do not resuscitate" notices.

The notices are widely used and the court heard that 68% of people die in hospital and of those 80% have "do not resuscitate" notices in their medical notes.

Addenbrookes hospital in canbridgeshire Mrs Tracey was taken to hospital after a car crash

They are designed to ensure patients die a dignified death, however, their use has become controversial and the rules surrounding them have been criticised for being confusing.

The notice was put in Mrs Tracey's medical notes when she was taken to hospital after breaking her neck in a serious car crash two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Her family was not informed and when they discovered the existence of the notice they complained and it was cancelled.

However, after discussions with doctors a second notice was put in place with the family's agreement and Mrs Tracey died two days later on March 7, 2011.

Merry Varney from law firm Leigh Day, who acted for the Tracey family, said: "Janet, a care home manager, would have been horrified if one of her residents had been treated in this way and she would have fought, as her husband has, to ensure that patients have a legal right to be informed and consulted in relation to decisions to withhold resuscitation."

A spokesman for the Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said it was considering the implications of the judgement and stressed there had been no criticism of the clinical care provided.

The trust's chief executive, Dr Keith McNeil said: "End-of-life situations involve doctors and nurses having emotionally challenging but necessary conversations with patients and their families about what happens in the final stages of their care.

"Medical staff use a combination of their compassion, experience and judgment at these difficult times to try and find the right pathway for each individual patient, and provide the support needed for everybody involved."


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Boy, 7, Dies After Ballycastle Cliff Fall

Written By Unknown on Senin, 16 Juni 2014 | 20.14

A seven-year-old boy has died after falling from cliffs at a caravan park at Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

Logan Crawford was taken to hospital by Royal Navy helicopter after he was found following an extensive search by rescue services.

Police were alerted after the boy went missing from the Silver Cliffs caravan park on Sunday evening after playing with friends.

Belfast Coastguard said: "We coordinated the search for a child who was missing near cliffs close to the Silvercliff Caravan Park at Ballycastle.

"The Ballycastle and Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Teams, a police helicopter, the Royal Navy rescue helicopter from Prestwick and the Portrush and Red Bay RNLI lifeboats all searched for the missing child.

"The child was found at the base of the cliffs and was taken by the Royal Navy helicopter to hospital."

Nationalist SDLP councillor Donal Cunningham said: "This is absolutely heartbreaking news."

A police spokesman said: "Shortly before 7.15pm, it was reported that the boy fell from a cliff into the sea.

"Northern Ireland Coastguard recovered the boy from the sea and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.

"Inquiries are continuing."


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Chinese PM Flies In For 'Fruitful' UK Summit

By Mark Stone, China Correspondent

The Chinese Prime Minister arrives in London today ahead of a UK-Chinese Summit on Tuesday at which £17 billion of trade deals are expected to be signed.

Li Keqiang's trip to the UK is his first since he became PM last year.

He is travelling with a large delegation of ministers and officials from China's ruling Communist Party.

The visit indicates a desire by both sides to move on from political differences which have caused tensions over the past two years.

China's Vice-Foreign Minister, Wang Chao, told Sky News the trip was of "great significance".

"It will advance China-UK relations in a positive way," Mr Wang said.

Premier Li will hold talks with David Cameron and will meet the Queen.

Reports last week suggested the Chinese government had threatened to call off the trip if an audience with the Queen was not arranged.

However, China's ambassador to the UK said that was "a misreading of the situation".

"It's not how China does diplomacy. We are more subtle," Liu Xiaoming said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron Visits China David Cameron visited China back in December

Premier Li will make several speeches to Chinese and British businesses and to think-tanks.

Aware the world is watching a slowing Chinese economy, Mr Li is likely to use London as a platform to reassure investors and governments globally.

GDP growth in the first quarter of 2014 was 7.4%, an 18-month low.

Foreign diplomats and economists have expressed some concern that provincial and regional economies are showing alarming signs of slowdown.

The coal-rich city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province grew by 11.9% in the first quarter of 2013.

In the same period this year it grew just 0.1% largely because of a dramatic drop in the demand for coal.

At a provincial level, Hebei province, right next to Beijing, grew 8.2% in 2013.

In the last quarter of this year, its growth was half that.

The year-end growth target for China in 2014 is 7.5%, but the government has signalled a degree of flexibility in that target.

Joining Premier Li's delegation are more than 200 Chinese business leaders.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's Official Vist To China Chancellor George Osborne spent five days in China in October

Ambassador Liu told a briefing in London that more than 40 deals will be signed, worth at least £17bn.

Trade between the UK and China reached £41bn in 2013.

Mr Wang said the UK is now China's third largest trading partner in European Union and has become a major destination for China's overseas investment.

He said the trip would be "fruitful ... with a warm atmosphere."

In an October visit to China, British Chancellor George Osborne signed deals securing Chinese cash for the next generation of nuclear power stations.

There has been considerable speculation Chinese funding may also help to build Britain's new high-speed rail link, HS2.

The Chinese have proved themselves to be a major player in the rail sector.

Britain's strengths in both the financial, services and consumer sectors will benefit as China shifts to a more consumer-led economy.

Health, education and green energy are all areas which could be boosted through further investment in China. The City of London is to become a major trading hub for Chinese currency.


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Video Catches Brands Hatch Race Gatecrashers

Video has emerged showing a normal road car gatecrashing a race at Brands Hatch by driving onto the track in the middle of a high speed race.

The video was shot by a passenger in the Volkswagen Polo and uploaded to Facebook with the title "It's not everyday you break in to brandshatch and ruin a four hour endurance race half hour before it finishes ! Haha :D"

In the film, a girl can be heard screaming at the driver, believed to be Jack Cottle from Kent, pleading with him to stop as their car pulls onto the main track.

Another passenger in the back of the car describes what is happening:

Passenger One: "This is Jack Cottle trying to get on the race track."

Passenger Two: "Jack don't, please I'm begging you."

Passenger One: "We're going to try and get on this track with all these Beetles. We're going through the pits boys."

Passenger Two: "You are properly joking! No Jack stop; seriously! You'll crash my car! We'll get arrested!"

Driver: "You best get that on camera."

Brands Hatch Volkswagen Beetles can be seen zooming past at high speeds

The driver ignores her pleas and her attempts to take control of the steering wheel as he manages to bypass security and onto the track.

Volkswagen Beetles can be seen zooming past at high speed.

The video has been viewed 146,000 times since it was uploaded to YouTube.

The incident caused organisers to raise the red flag during the race on Saturday at the track in Fawkham, Kent and it was half an hour before the event could get going again.

Another video uploaded to YouTube, which was taken by a spectator watching the race from the track stands, shows the teenager's car drive past in the middle of the race.

The race commentator can be heard on the film saying: "Why is there a Volkswagen Golf on the track? I know these are VW Beetles but that's not quite right is it?"

The video was shot by motorsport enthusiast Fergus Reed. He told Sky News: "I'm a regular at Brands Hatch; I'm there at every car meeting.

"It was incredibly dangerous. The cars are designed to race in packs and he was extremely lucky to have joined the race when he did. If he'd have come out half a lap later it would not have been nice.

"The garages at the back of the pit lane are all open so anyone could do it again.

"But I don't think Brands Hatch were to blame. It was a small event and at this level the likelihood of something like this happening is incredibly slim and could easily have happened at any other circuit across the country."

Jon Tomlinson was part of a two-person team taking part in the race. A video camera installed in the team car caught the moment the white Polo blocked its way.

"Everyone was shocked. You never expect anything like that to happen," he said.

"The race cars have a roll cage in them, fire extinguishers and the drivers wear crash helmets, so we're reasonably safe in there. But a road car doesn't the same safety features.

"There is a big speed differential. That car was going round at about 40mph, whereas the race cars were reaching speeds of 110mph.

"You get a lot of cars swapping positions in the race and they could easily have been in their slipstream and pulled-out and smacked into it."

Kent Police said they are reviewing the incident.


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McCanns Angry Over 'Cynical' Libel Trial Delay

The parents of Madeleine McCann have condemned the postponement of a former police officer's libel trial as a "blatant" attempt to wear them down.

Kate and Gerry McCann had been due to speak at the trial of ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral, who has been accused of making defamatory statements about them in a book he wrote.

At the last minute, Mr Goncalo's lawyers submitted a letter to the court asking for a postponement as he had sacked his legal team.

Speaking outside the court, Gerry McCann said: "Today is a blatant and cynical attempt to wear us down.

"The hearing has been cancelled once again at Mr Amaral's request. This is the fourth time that this has happened and we've travelled to Portugal.

"The legal case has been running now for five years and we want to get justice for Madeleine. It's Madeleine who is suffering. We are not going to give up. We are going to keep going."

Kate McCann shows the strain as she is interviewed by Portuguese media Kate McCann shows the strain as she is interviewed by Portuguese media

Mrs McCann, her voice cracking with the strain as she was surrounded by the Portuguese media, added: "We need to make it clear to people that we took on this case because of the pain and distress that Mr Amaral has brought to us and our children.

"Every time he postpones the case like this it brings us more pain and distress. Every time we come here we have to make arrangements for our children to be looked after, we have to book flights, we have to book hotels, we have to take time off work.

"Mr Amaral apparently handed that letter in at nine o'clock this morning. That letter could have been handed in before we left the country. As Gerry said, can this be seen as anything but blatant and cynical?

"We just want justice. This is not fair."

British police and their Portuguese counterparts investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann seven years ago from Praia da Luz on the Algarve, in Portugal during a search of a patch of scrubland just outside of the small coastal town Police have been searching sites in Portugal in recent weeks

The couple had been expected to deliver emotional statements about the impact of allegations Mr Amaral's 2008 book The Truth Of The Lie, which they say damaged the search for the missing girl and added to their anguish.

If the court rules against Mr Amaral, the McCanns could receive around £1m in damages.

Madeleine went missing in May 2007 from the couple's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve and despite a worldwide hunt, she has never been found.

British and Portuguese police have been examining patches of ground in Praia da Luz in the last few weeks but have had no success.

Mr McCann saidoutside court that no evidence had been found to show Madeleine had been injured or killed and, as a result they believed that, "as far as we are concerned there's a good chance she's still alive".


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Forced Marriage Becomes Criminal Act In UK

A new law criminalising forced marriages which comes into effect today could protect thousands of potential victims.

Forcing someone into marriage in England and Wales will carry a maximum seven-year jail sentence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The change also criminalises forcing a British national into marriage outside the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.

"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the Government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas."

Mrs May has joined anti-child marriage charity Freedom, police, the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim of forced marriage in a Freedom2Choose campaign video.

A forced marriage is where one or both spouses do not consent and are coerced into it through physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.

The Home Office has said the FMU gave advice or support in a possible forced marriage to more than 1,300 people in 2013.

Freedom founder Aneeta Prem said: "In the most tragic cases, people forced into marriage become domestic slaves by day and sexual slaves by night.

"Today's announcement sends out a powerful message that this indefensible abuse of human rights will not be tolerated."

Last week, the NSPCC said children as young as 12 were calling ChildLine about forced marriage, with numbers up two-thirds in the last year.


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'Allo! 'Allo! Actor Sam Kelly Dies Aged 70

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 15 Juni 2014 | 20.14

British actor Sam Kelly, best known for his role as Captain Hans Geering in 'Allo! 'Allo!, has died at the age of 70.

The star's agent Lynda Ronan said Kelly died "peacefully" after a long illness and that he left a "host of friends who were his chosen family".

Kelly appeared in On The Up and Barbara as well as Porridge, and he recently played the wizard in West End musical Wicked.

Ms Ronan said: "Sam Kelly died peacefully this morning after a long illness bravely fought.

"He does not leave any family but a host of friends who were his chosen family. His death is a great loss to them and the profession."

Paying tribute on Twitter, Stephen Fry tweeted: "Very saddened to hear about Sam Kelly's death.

"He played a splendid Hitler in a comedy drama called Stalag Luft I made with Nick Lyndhurst..."

Former Doctor Who, Colin Baker, tweeted: "Cannot believe that lovely Sam Kelly has died.

"We were at drama school together - lovely, funny, talented chap. So sad."

Citizen Smith and My Family star Robert Lindsay said he would dedicate his West End showing of stage show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Saturday night to Kelly.

He tweeted: "Feel so depressed about the amazing Sam Kelly's passing how do we manage a second comic musical tonight? We dedicate it to him RIP."


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William More Popular Than The Queen - Poll

Despite having just celebrated her official birthday, the Queen is not as popular as her grandson Prince William, according to a survey.

Of the 2,000-plus people surveyed by ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday, 68% expressed a "favourable" view of the young royal compared with 63% for his grandmother.

Prince Charles lagged well behind on 43% but even the heir to the throne enjoyed a better rating than any of the Westminster figures.

The royals are significantly more popular than Britain's best-known politicians.

London Mayor Boris Johnson came closest to a regal score on 41% - with Prime Minister David Cameron pipping UKIP's Nigel Farage by 28% to 26%.

Fewer than one in five said they saw Labour leader Ed Miliband in a good light (19%) - fewer than Foreign Secretary William Hague (25%) and on a par with Chancellor George Osborne.

After their recent public row, Theresa May retains more public favour than Michael Gove (16% to 9%) - with the Education Secretary also attracting significantly more dislikes.

Ms May is significantly better liked by Tory supporters.

Reflecting his party's woeful poll showings, Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is admired by only 13%.

The poll showed a narrowing of Labour's lead over the Tories to 34% versus 32% - the smallest gap for almost two-and-a-half years in ComRes online research.

UKIP and the Liberal Democrats shed a point each to stand at 18% and 7%.


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World Cup: England Defeated By Italy In Brazil

England have suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup, losing 2-1 to Italy in Manaus.

Italy opened the scoring with a Claudio Marchisio goal in the 35th minute, only for England to strike back when Daniel Sturridge scored from a Wayne Rooney cross.

The winning goal came for Italy in the 51st minute when Mario Balotelli scored with a header shortly after the half-time break.

Roy Hodgson's side had several unsuccessful attacking efforts as they tried to get back into the game, but Italy's Salvatore Sirigu put in a strong performance in goal.

Claudio Marchisio celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game Claudio Marchisio opens the scoring for Italy in the 35th minute

There was an unusual injury for the England squad when the team's physio, Gary Lewin, dislocated his ankle while celebrating Sturridge's goal.

Lewin was carried off the sidelines after suffering the injury in the 37th minute.

The win sees Italy join Costa Rica on three points at the top of Group D.

England v Italy: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil England physio Gary Lewin receives treatment on the sidelines

A disappointed Steven Gerrard said after the match: "Italy are a good team and we knew how they were going to play it.

"It's disappointing because we put so much into it."

Hodgson selected an attacking line-up for his team's opening clash of the tournament.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group D - England v Italy - Arena da Amazonia The England team prepare to take on Italy at the Arena Amazonia

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was named alongside Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney in the midfield.

Italy confirmed before the match that their captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would miss the fixture because of an injury.

Hodgson had expressed his confidence in the team's pre-tournament preparations.

England's players pose for a team photo Some 5,000 England fans have travelled up the Amazon to back the team

"I think we are well prepared. I don't think we are concerned about the heat and humidity because we have been training in heat and humidity," he said.

The game at the Arena Amazonia was the first competitive encounter between the teams since Italy beat England in the 2012 European Championship quarter-finals.

Some 5,000 England fans travelled up the Amazon to support the side.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group D - England v Italy - Arena da Amazonia Raheem Sterling takes a shot at goal in the opening minutes

Supporters at home filled the pubs, which were allowed to stay open late for the match after the Home Office announced that licensing laws would be relaxed.

Extra buses were laid on in London to get fans home, however the Tube did not run later than normal.

Police had issued a warning urging people not to drink too much and "wake up in a police cell".

Daniel Sturridge scores goal Daniel Sturridge celebrates his goal in the 37th minute

Chief Superintendent Andy Prophet from Essex Police said: "The tournament is a celebration of football and a chance to feel national pride.

"It is however just a game and can never be an excuse for violence or disorder.

"I hope everyone enjoys the World Cup, but experience tells us we need to plan for the minority who spoil things.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group D - England v Italy - Arena da Amazonia Roy Hodgson said his team prepared for the match as well as possible

"My message to anyone planning to go out tonight is have a great time, enjoy the game but please be sensible."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent a good luck message ahead of the match, saying the country is behind the England team "every step of the way".

"On behalf of the whole country I want to wish the England team the very best of luck for the World Cup," Mr Cameron said.

"There is nothing like a World Cup to bring our country together."


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England Physio Injures Ankle Celebrating Goal

Gary Lewin will be flying home from the World Cup early after dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal.

England physio Gary Lewin is treated after breaking and dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal. Staff rush to attend to Mr Lewin as he lies on the turf

The 50-year-old jumped off the bench to celebrate Daniel Sturridge's first half equaliser against Italy in Manaus, but hurt his ankle in the process when he landed on a water bottle.

He received treatment on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

England physio Gary Lewin is treated after breaking and dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal. A doctor set his ankle before Mr Lewin was taken to hospital

Speaking after the match, which finished 2-1 to Italy, manager Roy Hodgson said it was a "very sad moment".

He said: "In celebrating the goal he jumped up, landed on a water bottle and dislocated his ankle.

England physio Gary Lewin is carried off after breaking and dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal. The 50-year-old will now fly home to recover

"It was very painful. He was taken to hospital.

"The doctor set it, put it back in at the side of the field, but it's the end of the World Cup for Gary."

England physio Gary Lewin is carried off after breaking and dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal. Manager Roy Hodgson said the injury was a "very sad moment"

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "What happened to running it off??? The magic spray & sponge??? Our Physio Gary Lewin has to man up!!"

He later apologised, tweeting: "Was only having a bit of banter but just found out that Gary Lewin's injury was serious so apologies for previous tweets on the injury. My bad."

England physio Gary Lewin is treated after breaking and dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal. Mr Lewin will be replaced by assistant Steve Kemp

Lewin's assistant Steve Kemp will take over for the rest of the tournament.


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