'Great Depression' Warning For Scottish Voters

A leading bank's warning that a Yes vote could be a mistake akin to those that sparked the Great Depression has threatened to overshadow the biggest weekend of political campaigning in Scotland's history.

At least 2.6 million leaflets will be delivered to households in 48 hours as polls suggest Thursday's vote is on a knife-edge.

An estimated 10,000 people attended a rally by the Orange Order in support of the Union in Edinburgh on Saturday - and their cause has been backed by Deutsche Bank.

The financial institution claims the economic arguments against independence are "overwhelming".

Coverage starts at 9pm

Chief economist David Folkerts-Landau said a Yes vote could be a "mistake as large as Winston Churchill's decision in 1925 to return the pound to the Gold Standard or the failure of the Federal Reserve to provide sufficient liquidity to the US banking system, which we now know brought on the Great Depression in the US".

Mr Folkerts-Landau said he found it "incomprehensible" that Scots were even contemplating withdrawal from the UK, and pointed to the "recessions, higher taxes, lower public spending and higher interest rates" that had afflicted nations seen as potentially heading for the eurozone exit.

Scotland's SNP Government accused him of failing to take into account the country's "strong fiscal position".

However, the comments were followed by another blow for the Yes campaign as three more retailers said customers would be hit by higher prices under independence.

Alex Salmond arrives in Dundee on the latest leg of his Yes campaign

Marks and Spencer, B&Q and Timpson made the claim in a joint letter published in the Daily Record.

Asda and John Lewis made similar assertions this week, but Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Yes campaign's "momentum is still growing and will soon become unstoppable, as people reject the Downing Street-orchestrated campaign to talk Scotland down".

The Yes side has planned to have more than 35,000 volunteers on the streets of Scotland over the weekend, manning 473 registered street stalls.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Gordon Brown is trying to persuade the public to vote No in the country's east.

An estimated 10,000 people attended a rally by the Orange Order

The latest opinion poll by ICM in Saturday's Guardian put decided voters 51-49% in favour of No. 

Many of Britain's newspapers reported on comments by a former SNP deputy leader which appeared to threaten recriminations against businesses that backed a No vote.

Jim Sillars said there would be "a day of reckoning with BP and the banks" if Scotland votes Yes, adding that BP would "need to learn the meaning of nationalisation".

In a fiery interview with Sky News, Mr Sillars said he was simply using "robust" language to draw attention to the "orchestrated fear campaign coming from Downing Street".

A sign of support for the union during the Orange Order march

First Minister Alex Salmond praised Mr Sillars's dedication to the campaign but said rather than a "day of reckoning", a Yes  vote would be followed by a "day of celebration".

He added: "The people are showing no signs whatsoever of being cowed. They are in no mood to be bullied by big Westminster Government putting pressure on big business to intimidate the people of Scotland."

Elsewhere, a poll among English voters for the Daily Mail found that while 70% want Scotland to stay in the Union, if they do go 53% believed Scotland should not be able to keep the pound, and 83% think Scotland should be forced to take its share of the multi-billion pound national debt.

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Scotland's Gender Divide Over Independence

How Yes Vote Would Change Scotland

Updated: 4:05am UK, Wednesday 29 January 2014

By Niall Paterson, Sky News Correspondent

Anyone who tells you they know with certainty what will happen in the advent of a 'Yes' vote is at best being disingenuous, at worst lying through their teeth.

Plenty of questions simply cannot be answered until the voters decide to make Scotland an independent nation.

Of course, a degree of informed speculation is taking place across the UK - so with the above in mind, here's what Scotland might gain or lose after the referendum on Thursday, September 18:

:: SCOTLAND GAINS: A NATIONAL ANTHEM

Officially, Scotland doesn't have one. Then again, neither does England. God Save The Queen is the British anthem, although it was long ago purloined by those south of Gretna Green, and sung with lusty glee at Twickenham and Wembley. Flower Of Scotland, by beardy Scottish folk heroes The Corries, was adopted by the Scottish rugby team back when they won things and is a strong contender, although references to sending the English home again might be considered a bit thirteenth century. A new anthem might well be commissioned, but having watched Eurovision over the past few years, few would bet on it being any good.

:: SCOTLAND LOSES: THE BBC

Nope, this isn't just a chance for me to lay into Auntie. Again. Obviously the BBC would retain a presence north of the border and Eastenders isn't going anywhere (unfortunately) but Alex Salmond has proposed a Scottish Broadcasting Service, a joint venture with the Beeb. It would initially be set up using BBC Scotland's facilities and staff, although one wonders what they would think of that. The SNP says it would have an annual budget of £345m, which would mean doubling the amount spend on public service broadcasting in Scotland. River City (Google it, Englanders) will continue ... to annoy me.

:: SCOTLAND GAINS: A PASSPORT AND BORDERS

Well, there will certainly be a Scottish passport after a 'Yes' vote, and borders seem increasingly likely. Theresa May has said there would need to be improved checks as the SNP intends to pursue a more liberal immigration policy. Any government would be able to do that, in fact, so some form of control would appear a necessity. Goodbye to the "Welcome to England" sign, hello annoying spot checks and cavity searches.

:: SCOTLAND LOSES: MEMBERSHIP OF THE EU

For now at least. No one really expects an independent Scotland wouldn't ultimately gain EU membership, but it might be a rather time-consuming process given the other member states would have to agree - and there are a few with their own issues around self-determination (see Spain and Catalonia) that might wish to make it rather difficult.

:: SCOTLAND GAINS: ITS OWN ARMED FORCES

As with the BBC, Alex Salmond seems intent on a bit of a land grab (don't worry, people of Durham, not literally), and there has been the suggestion that forces based in Scotland could switch allegiances. Defence secretary Philip Hammond says that is "laughable". In any event, the plan is to have a Scottish Defence Force, with a standing army of as many as 12,500 troops, close working relations with Scandinavian countries and between 20 and 25 ships. No word yet on whether any of those will be called Dignity.

:: SCOTLAND LOSES: TRIDENT

A biggie, this. Growing up not terribly far from the nuclear submarine base at Faslane, I was blissfully unaware of the Russian warheads targeting the UK's deterrent. And, whether true or not, the view lingers that it whilst it makes strategic sense to put the subs as far away from Westminster as possible, it's rather unfair, particularly given a strong historic opposition in Scotland to nuclear weapons. The problem is the SNP have only latterly recognised that Nato membership is important to Scotland's international standing - and it is, of course, a nuclear alliance.

:: SCOTLAND (POSSIBLY) GAINS: NORTH SEA OIL

Bit tricky, this one. At stake, there's as much as 24 billion barrels of oil and gas worth £1.5 trillion waiting to be extracted - and HM Treasury's coffers aren't exactly overflowing at the moment. Geographically, Scotland could claim up to 90% of this and one could argue the UK's position on the Falklands strengthens the SNP case. But the Government in Westminster could also argue it should be recompensed for decades of infrastructure investment. Frankly, I don't know. Sorry. Told you this was going to be difficult.

:: SCOTLAND (POSSIBLY) LOSES: THE POUND

Undoubtedly there will be a currency used in Scotland called the pound. The question is, whether or not it continues to be backed by the Bank of England. It would essentially mean a currency union between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK - and whilst the First Minister thinks it's an absolutely smashing idea, funnily enough that's not a view shared by, for example, the Chancellor nor the Governor of the Bank of England. True, a separate currency would make trading between the nations that bit more difficult, and that's got to be a factor when the recovery is so fragile. But the Governor, Mark Carney, is fond of pointing to the Eurozone crisis. One thing's certain - those funny-coloured banknotes so loved by London taxi drivers aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Which is a good thing. No trip to London is complete without a wizened driver turning up his nose at your purple twenty quid note.

So, in short, we don't really know. And we will only get to know in the passage of time after a 'Yes' majority in the referendum.

Some will vote with their heart, some with their head.

Some won't vote at all - and with so many unanswerables, who can blame them?

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Boris Johnson Selected As Candidate For MP

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has been selected to represent the Conservatives at the next election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

He won outright in the first ballot of the local Conservative association, where three other candidates also ran to represent the seat.

Speaking on the steps of the building where the meeting was held, Mr Johnson addressed the media.

He said: "Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative Association have done me the honour of picking me to fight the election and in 236 days, as their candidate, that is what I'm going to do.

"I'm obviously thrilled. It will be a tough fight and a long fight. I've no doubt whatever that we are going to be able to return David Cameron and the Conservatives with an absolute majority in 2015.

"That's what I'm going to be working for. Not just here in Uxbridge but in the rest of London as well."

Asked by Sky's Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig if he intended to use it as a step towards running for prime minister, he said: "No, this is the first stage in a campaign to retain the seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip for the Conservatives which is what I propose to do.

Dozens of members of the media were awaiting the result in Uxbridge

"And to get across the message about what the Conservatives have achieved, not just in London but across the country as whole in turning the economy round as we have in the last few years and urging people not to throw it away by allowing Ed Miliband and the Labour Party to get in."

Asked whether he intended to do the job of Mayor of London and MP at the same time, he said: "It's been done before and I see no reason why it cannot be done again.

"I would also point out that it's possible to be both an MP and have a very big job such as foreign secretary or prime minister."

He said it was too early to say whether he would be moving to Uxbridge or south Ruislip, but he said, as Mayor of London, he was familiar with the area.

"What I've got to do is have a lot of talks with people here in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Get to know people and get to know the association - obviously I know it quite well already because I've spent six years representing the area.

"There's a lot of digging in to be done."

Before the ballot, Mr Johnson and his three rivals made a behind-closed doors pitch to members of the association in a school hall.

Sadiq Khan said Mr Johnson will be 'a lame duck mayor'

Mr Johnson previously served as an MP for Henley for seven years before quitting Westminster to take up the City Hall reins in 2008.

He will defend a majority of 11,216 in the constituency in northwest London which was previously held by former deputy chief whip Sir John Randall, who is stepping down.

Shadow minister for London Sadiq Khan said: "The fact that Boris Johnson is so openly campaigning to replace David Cameron shows just how weak the Prime Minister has become.

"Rather than tackling the rising cost of living the Tories are turning in on themselves, jockeying for position in a future leadership contest.

"When Boris Johnson should be fixing London's desperate housing crisis, he will instead be spending the next two years campaigning to be an MP and Tory leader.

"He will be a lame duck mayor who has put his personal ambitions above the needs of the hard-working Londoners he was elected to serve until 2016."

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Major Blaze Hits Nottingham University Campus

Around 60 firefighters have brought a major blaze under control at Nottingham University.

The "significant incident" began at approximately 8.30pm on Friday at the GlaxoSmithKline building on the Jubilee Campus.

Witnesses said they have heard loud explosions from the building, which is under construction and unoccupied.

No one was injured and no other buildings were affected as fire crews fought to gain control of the fire while it tore through the timber-framed building, sending burning debris into the sky above.

Nottingham Fire and Rescue group manager Joanne Wooler-Ward said: "No other buildings have been affected, fortunately no people were involved in this fire and we've had 12 crews here, that's over 60 firefighters.

Smoke was seen billowing from the university campus. Pic: Sam Bradley

"Credit to those firefighters who pulled out all the stops to prevent this fire spreading.

"When we arrived, the fire was a significant size - it could be seen from quite a distance - and there was a smoke plume spreading towards the campus area so we sent out a message for people to keep doors and windows closed.

"The firefighters have worked hard to contain that fire and stop it from spreading to any other buildings."

The building is under construction and is unoccupied. Pic: Sarah Armes

In a statement, university registrar Dr Paul Greatrix said: "Thankfully, there have been no casualties as this is a building that was still under construction."

The carbon-neutral building, which was due to be opened early next year, cost £15.8m and would have had enough laboratory space for more than 100 researchers.

Some eyewitnesses on Twitter have claimed that the complex has been "completely destroyed".

Dr Greatrix added: "(Saturday) we are due to welcome prospective students and their families to Nottingham for our Open Day and we would like to stress that this is still going ahead as planned."

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Manchester Dogs' Home Fire Fund Tops £1m

More than 110,000 people have donated £1m to an online appeal following the devastating blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home in which more than 50 animals died.

Police have released on bail a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of arson after the outbreak of the fire which prompted a huge response from local people who came out to try to rescue the dogs and provide support.

A member of staff at the dogs home told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".

Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester - one of the country's largest kennels - said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Mr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.

"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.

Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said a youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happened

Part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds within a few hours.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

A JustGiving site set up by the Manchester Evening News with the aim of raising £5,000 had secured £500,000 by 11.30am. It hit the £1m mark at about 7.15pm. 

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893.

It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

Police were asking people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station.

Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church said they had received donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.

"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.

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Royal Hoax 'Pressing' On Suicide Nurse's Mind

A nurse who committed suicide blamed herself after putting through a hoax call to the Duchess of Cambridge's hospital ward, an inquest has heard.

Jacintha Saldanha's body was found hanging in nursing accommodation three days after staff at London's King Edward VII Hospital were tricked into revealing details of the Duchess's stay.

The mother-of-two, 46, was the first nurse to answer the on-air call by Australian DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who pretended to be the Queen and Prince Philip.

She passed them on to a second nurse on Kate Middleton's ward, who unwittingly gave out information about her morning sickness.

"The hoax call was clearly pressing on her mind, as were difficulties she had experienced with a colleague," said coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox.

She said the cause of death was hanging and it was "inconceivable" that Mrs Saldanha would have given her permission for the call to be broadcast on radio.

Ms Greig, who posed as the Queen during the prank call, apologised to Mrs Saldanha's family at the inquest.

"I really just wanted to say I am truly sorry, I've wanted to say that for so long," she said.

"This tragedy will always stay with me and serve as a constant reminder."

More follows...

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Telecoms Giants In Talks On Independence Vote

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Some of Britain's biggest telecoms groups are posed to deliver a collective warning that an independent Scotland would dramatically inflate their costs, raising the spectre of across-the-board price rises for consumers north of the border.

Sky News has learnt that BT, EE, O2, TalkTalk and Vodafone are in talks about a joint statement that would refer to "the inevitability of cost increases" for operators as a consequence of uncertainties over regulation and the currency that Scotland would use.

The letter is understood to be being co-ordinated by the CBI, whose president, Sir Mike Rake, is also chairman of BT Group. A source said John Cridland, the CBI director-general, was involved in the talks.

Senior telecoms industry sources confirmed the discussions and said that a statement could be issued as soon as Friday afternoon if agreement could be reached on the wording.

Sir Mike Rake is chairman of BT

As currently drafted, it is understood to focus on cost increases, although one executive said: "It doesn't take a genius to work out that that would translate into price rises.

"You are talking about a market of five million people rather than 62 million, a new regulator and even possibly a price freeze. How could prices not go up?"

At least two of the companies are said to be undecided about whether to put their names to the statement, reflecting the anxiety with which the bosses of major UK companies are treating the Scottish independence debate.

EE has previously said: "Independence is entirely an issue for the Scottish people. Any political changes could of course add complexity to our operations and for this reason we are keeping a close eye on the referendum.  We remain fully committed to our network, employees and customers in Scotland."

The need to agree wording that is acceptable to all of the companies means the statement could be delayed or even abandoned if there is not deemed to be sufficient support for it across the industry, one person said.

BT, which has an obligation to deliver telecoms services across the UK under the terms of its licence, is understood to be particularly concerned about the cost implications of an independent Scotland.

It remains unclear whether there would be a separate regulator for the telecoms industry, how it would operate, or what infrastructure commitments operators would be required to make.

In his CBI capacity, Sir Mike told the Financial Times on Friday there would be a "decade of uncertainty" if Scotland voted to secede from the UK.

A separate statement signed by retail bosses including Sir Ian Cheshire, chief executive of B&Q-owner Kingfisher, and Marc Bolland of Marks & Spencer is also due to be published in the next 24 hours.

The prospective interventions of the telecoms and retail bosses also underlines the relative success David Cameron has had since he urged business leaders on Monday night to speak out in favour of the union.

Earlier this week, a succession of Scottish-domiciled banks including Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, TSB and Tesco Bank said they would move their legal registration or establish new English legal entities if Scotland votes Yes next week.

The co-ordinated appearance of these industry announcements has angered Alex Salmond, leader of the independence movement, who has accused the Prime Minister and industry bosses of "scaremongering" to rally support for a No vote.

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Preacher-Cum-Politician Was Rarely Silent

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

The Reverend Ian Paisley didn't utter his first words until the age of two. He spent the next 85 years making up for it. The preacher-cum-politician was rarely silent.

"Never, never, never" - his most famous phrase - thundered through the streets of Belfast in 1985. Hundreds of thousands had gathered to protest when Margaret Thatcher sought closer ties with Dublin.

He may have been loyal to the Queen but was twice detained "at Her Majesty's pleasure". Political protest earned Rev Paisley prison sentences, a reputation and a legion of supporters.

He founded the Democratic Unionist Party and the Free Presbyterian Church. When Pope John Paul II visited the European Parliament, Rev Paisley was expelled for calling him the "anti-Christ".

The gay community incurred his wrath too. With a high-profile campaign entitled 'Save Ulster from Sodomy', Ian Paisley resisted the decriminalising of homosexuality in Northern Ireland during the 1970s.

When journalists came knocking, he sometimes asked to smell their breath before answering questions to ensure they had not drunk "the devil's buttermilk". He never gave interviews on "the Sabbath".

By 2007, Northern Ireland had changed and so had the outspoken cleric. He shared power with his enemy, Martin McGuinness. Often pictured laughing together, they were branded, "the Chuckle Brothers".

Rev Paisley protested when Mrs Thatcher sought closer ties with Dublin

On the day they took office together, Ian Paisley said: "If anybody had told me a few years ago that I would be doing this, I would have been unbelieving".

Clandestine protests in the darkness were forgotten but he never lost his sense of humour. During a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach, he requested boiled eggs "because they'd be hard to poison".

Married to Eileen for 57 years, he described Baroness Paisley as his "chief of staff". Criticism of "the big man" always bothered her much more than it did him.

In an interview with Sky News, to mark his 80th birthday in 2006, he said: "I have a hide like a rhinoceros. It doesn't affect me at all. I have tried to be absolutely honest and I believe that's been the secret of my success."

He stepped down as Northern Ireland's First Minister in 2008 and became Lord Bannside. He only retired from preaching ministry in January 2012 and began writing his memoirs.

From protester to peacemaker, Ian Paisley adapted to Northern Ireland's new political landscape.

For the firebrand preacher who eventually shared power, there can only be one epitaph: never say never.

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Ex-Democratic Unionist Leader Ian Paisley Dies

The former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died, aged 88.

His family said they are 'heartbroken', while his successor as DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said he was a remarkable man who left "an indelible mark" on all who knew him.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness also expressed his deep regret and said he had lost a friend.

The firebrand Protestant preacher and politician who led opposition to compromise with the IRA for decades, later became a peacemaker when he entered government with Sinn Fein at Stormont following a landmark deal.

The ex-First Minister of Northern Ireland had been ill for some time

He had been ill for some time, and was hospitalised in 2012 with a heart problem.

In a statement announcing his death, his wife Eileen said: "My beloved husband, Ian, entered his eternal rest this morning.

"Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken.

"We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed."

The funeral will be private but a memorial service is planned later in the year.

Mr McGuinness, NI's Deputy First Minister, said: "Over a number of decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government.

"I want to pay tribute to and comment on the work he did in the latter days of his political life in building agreement and leading unionism into a new accommodation with republicans and nationalists.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he had lost a friend

"In the brief period that we worked together in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office."

Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Ian was a man of deep convictions. The convictions never changed. But his appreciation of the possibilities of peace, gradually and with much soul searching, did. He began as the militant. He ended as the peacemaker."

The Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said: "Dr Paisley was by any measure a major figure in the history of these islands.

"His devotion to his faith and to the Unionist people of Northern Ireland was deep and unshakeable.

"In time, history will come to a fuller judgement of his long career.

"And, while he was of course a divisive figure, his greatest legacy will be one of peace."

Former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain said: "Ian Paisley was the Big Man of Northern Ireland politics. The historic 2007 peace settlement bringing bitter lifetime enemies to govern jointly could never have happened without him."

Dr Paisley led opposition to any accommodation with republicans for decades and his fiery rhetoric was legendary.

He opposed successive political deals including the Anglo Irish and Good Friday Agreements but agreed to powersharing with Sinn Fein in 2007 following that party's acceptance of the new police force.

The former North Antrim MP stepped down as leader of the DUP and as first minister in 2008.

He retired from the European Parliament in 2009, Parliament in 2010, and the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011.

Dr Paisley was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 taking the title Lord Bannside, to reflect the starting point of his parliamentary career in the now defunct constituency.

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Dogs Home Fire Was 'Like A Horror Film'

A staff member at the dogs home where at least 40 animals were killed after a fire has told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".

Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.

Mr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.

"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated by members of the public following the suspected arson at one of the country's largest kennels, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester.

Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following the blaze.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said the youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happened

At least 43 dogs were confirmed to have died, with "numerous" other animals having to be treated for injuries, police said.

Part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched which have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the home.

The Manchester Evening News newspaper had originally aimed to raise £5,000 but this has now soared to over £700,000.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893. It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

Police are asking for people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church says they have been receiving donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.

"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.

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Scotland: Yes Vote Gaining Ground On Islands

Higher Prices And Job Threats If Scots Quit UK

Updated: 12:32pm UK, Thursday 11 September 2014

Alex Salmond has demanded the Government investigates a "Treasury leak" of RBS plans to move its HQ to London in the event of independence.

The Scottish First Minister said that divulging market sensitive information to the press ahead of an official announcement was "as serious a matter as you can possibly get".

Mr Salmond claimed a "Treasury source" had told journalists on Wednesday night that the bank, which employs a 11,500 people in Scotland, would be re-registering its base in London if there is a Yes vote next week.

He said the rules were quite clear and the details should not have been leaked ahead of the official announcement after the markets opened at 7am on Thursday morning.

The move by the bank was widely regarded as a significant blow to Mr Salmond's Yes campaign.

In a statement, RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727, said it had made the decision because there were a "number of material uncertainties arising from the Scottish referendum vote which could have a bearing on the bank's credit ratings".

The state-backed bank will now press the Government to introduce legislation that would speed up the process for them to relocate their legal headquarters in the English capital.

The department store giant John Lewis also warned that shoppers in Scotland could expect higher prices if it votes for independence because retailers would no longer be willing to absorb the higher cost of trading there across the UK.

Clydesdale Bank has also confirmed it would be re-registering in England if voters opted for independence and Standard Life, which employs 5,000 in Scotland, said it would move some operations south of the border.

It moves the referendum battleground to matters of the "head" and the country's crucial financial services sector, which generates around £7-9bn each year and employs 100,000.

The announcement follows David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg's last-minute campaign visit on Wednesday during which they took it in turns to appeal to matters of the "heart" in an attempt to bolster support for the No campaign.

Mr Salmond claimed the moves were part of a political campaign by the UK Government and said they would have no impact on jobs or the corporation tax Scotland might receive.

He said a letter to Scottish staff from the chief executive of RBS made clear the registering of an HQ in London was a "technical procedure" and would not mean job losses.

His comments were backed by former RBS chairman Sir George Mathewson,who said: "This is a nonsense, this has already happened. RBS already has major head office operations in London. Talk of a move from Scotland is a figment."

RBS has not said there will be no job losses and, according to Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam, typically such moves see several hundred redundancies.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Salmond could not continue to ignore the warnings of retailers, oil companies and the financial services sector.

He said: "John Lewis has warned about prices and many other supermarkets are going to say the same. The oil companies have warned about cuts in investment, which will affect jobs in Scotland."

Mr Brown also said he would stand as a member of Scottish parliament if Mr Salmond did not "stop peddling lies" about the NHS.

On Thursday morning Sir Charlie Mayfield, the chairman of John Lewis, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "From a business perspective there will be economic consequences to a Yes vote, not just in uncertainty but some of the turmoil we are hearing about.

"And it is also the case that it does cost more money to trade in parts of Scotland and therefore those hard costs, in the event of a Yes vote, are more likely to be passed on."

While hundreds of businesses have also made public their support for independence the Lloyds RBS move will come as a significant boost to the No campaign.

A Survation survey poll found 53% of Scottish people were expected to vote no to independence, while 47% would vote yes - this was unchanged from August 28.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said he would be "heartbroken" if the Union were to split and said he cared more for his country than his party.

And he warned voters they should not use the referendum just to give the "effing Tories" a kick because once they made their decision there would be no way back.

He and Mr Clegg have returned to London but Mr Miliband remains in Scotland. UKIP leader Nigel Farage is expected to visit on Friday.

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RBS Hands Rare Gift To Westminster Politicians

Bail-outs, mis-selling scandals, lavish bonuses: for most of the six years that RBS has been majority-owned by British taxpayers, it has caused the UK Government a succession of headaches.

Now, with a week to go before Scotland votes on independence, it could prove to be an unlikely ally of those same politicians who are campaigning to preserve the Union.

The bank's announcement that it will move its legal headquarters to England in the event of a Yes vote arguably provides a significant boost to those who oppose Scottish secession.

The announcement, cobbled together after a hastily convened board meeting on Wednesday, was no surprise: RBS had flagged the likelihood of such a move in previous statements.

"There are a number of material uncertainties arising from the Scottish referendum vote which could have a bearing on the bank's credit ratings, and the fiscal, monetary, legal and regulatory landscape to which it is subject," RBS said.

Mr Salmond has demanded a 'Treasury leak' of the RBS plan is investigated

But its timing, alongside similar statements by Lloyds Banking Group, TSB and Clydesdale - owned by National Australia Bank - threatens to deflate the argument of Alex Salmond that an independent Scotland need be no less heavyweight an economy.

RBS employs 11,500 people in Scotland - many of them at the Edinburgh headquarters which became a symbol of the bank's reckless expansion under Fred Goodwin, its former chief executive.

Some of those jobs would inevitably move south, though how many, RBS declined to say on Thursday.

For Lloyds, its even larger Scottish workforce would predominantly stay put, since its operational headquarters have been in London for more than a century.

Nonetheless, for Mr Salmond, whose campaigning successes in recent days have left the prize of independence tantalisingly close, the departure of Lloyds and RBS represent an undeniable blow.

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Ex-Primal Scream Guitarist Robert Young Dies

The guitarist Robert 'Throb' Young who helped the alternative rock band Primal Scream to fame has died.

A publicist for the band confirmed to NME that the musician had passed away but no details about his death have been given.

Young was one of the band's founding members in the early 1980s after meeting Bobby Gillespie at school in Glasgow.

The band's 1991 album Screamadelica broke them into the mainstream and the LP won the first Mercury music prize.

The band members were known for their hedonistic lifestyle and Young left the group in 2006.

Liam Gallagher tweeted: "RIP Robert Young AKA 'Throb'. Live Forever LG x"

Tim Burgess from the Charlatans said: "So sad to hear of the death of Rob 'Throb' Young ... A real good un."

Primal Scream's current line-up is Gillespie, Andrew Innes, Martin Duffy, Simone Butler and Darrin Mooney.

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Scotland: Bank Jobs And Higher Prices Warning

Alex Salmond has demanded the Government investigates a "Treasury leak" of RBS plans to move its HQ to London in the event of independence.

The Scottish First Minister said that divulging market sensitive information to the press ahead of an official announcement was "as serious a matter as you can possibly get".

Mr Salmond claimed a "Treasury source" had told journalists on Wednesday night that the bank, which employs a 11,500 people in Scotland, would be re-registering its base in London if there is a Yes vote next week.

He said the rules were quite clear and the details should not have been leaked ahead of the official announcement after the markets opened at 7am on Thursday morning.

RBS: lights out?

The move by the bank was widely regarded as a significant blow to Mr Salmond's Yes campaign.

In a statement, RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727, said it had made the decision because there were a "number of material uncertainties arising from the Scottish referendum vote which could have a bearing on the bank's credit ratings".

The state-backed bank will now press the Government to introduce legislation that would speed up the process for them to relocate their legal headquarters in the English capital.

John Prescott clutches his referendum campaign notes on Wednesday

The department store giant John Lewis also warned that shoppers in Scotland could expect higher prices if it votes for independence because retailers would no longer be willing to absorb the higher cost of trading there across the UK.

Clydesdale Bank has also confirmed it would be re-registering in England if voters opted for independence and Standard Life, which employs 5,000 in Scotland, said it would move some operations south of the border.

It moves the referendum battleground to matters of the "head" and the country's crucial financial services sector, which generates around £7-9bn each year and employs 100,000.

Mr Miliband spoke of matter of the 'heart' in Glasgow on Wednesday

The announcement follows David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg's last-minute campaign visit on Wednesday during which they took it in turns to appeal to matters of the "heart" in an attempt to bolster support for the No campaign.

Mr Salmond claimed the moves were part of a political campaign by the UK Government and said they would have no impact on jobs or the corporation tax Scotland might receive.

He said a letter to Scottish staff from the chief executive of RBS made clear the registering of an HQ in London was a "technical procedure" and would not mean job losses.

PM: Don't vote to kick the 'effing Tories'

His comments were backed by former RBS chairman Sir George Mathewson,who said: "This is a nonsense, this has already happened. RBS already has major head office operations in London. Talk of a move from Scotland is a figment."

RBS has not said there will be no job losses and, according to Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam, typically such moves see several hundred redundancies.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Salmond could not continue to ignore the warnings of retailers, oil companies and the financial services sector.

He said: "John Lewis has warned about prices and many other supermarkets are going to say the same. The oil companies have warned about cuts in investment, which will affect jobs in Scotland."

Mr Brown also said he would stand as a member of Scottish parliament if Mr Salmond did not "stop peddling lies" about the NHS.

On Thursday morning Sir Charlie Mayfield, the chairman of John Lewis, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "From a business perspective there will be economic consequences to a Yes vote, not just in uncertainty but some of the turmoil we are hearing about.

"And it is also the case that it does cost more money to trade in parts of Scotland and therefore those hard costs, in the event of a Yes vote, are more likely to be passed on."

While hundreds of businesses have also made public their support for independence the Lloyds RBS move will come as a significant boost to the No campaign.

A Survation survey poll found 53% of Scottish people were expected to vote no to independence, while 47% would vote yes - this was unchanged from August 28.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said he would be "heartbroken" if the Union were to split and said he cared more for his country than his party.

And he warned voters they should not use the referendum just to give the "effing Tories" a kick because once they made their decision there would be no way back.

He and Mr Clegg have returned to London but Mr Miliband remains in Scotland. UKIP leader Nigel Farage is expected to visit on Friday.

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Hammond Rules Out UK Airstrikes In Syria

The Foreign Secretary has said the UK will not be taking part in airstrikes in Syria after the US said it would take action.

It comes after Barack Obama authorised military attacks on Islamic State fighters in Syria, as well as Iraq, for the first time saying the terrorists had a free passage across the countries' borders.

Mr Obama said the move did not amount to support for the Assad regime in Syria, which has always claimed the terrorists were behind the uprising in the country, which is now in its third year.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM: Referendum Not About Kicking 'Effing Tories'

What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Tuesday 09 September 2014

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

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Donations Flood In After Cyclist's Death

Charity donations have poured in after a woman who represented England as a elite rower was killed in a collision with a lorry on a fundraising bike ride.

Anna Roots, 34, from west London, suffered fatal injuries on the A386 in Sutherland, on Saturday - the first day of her cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End.

She and friend and fellow rower, Rebekah Edgar, were raising money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Donations to their JustGiving page have now more than doubled their original target of £4,950.

Ms Edgar says the pair planned taking on the famous cross-Britain challenge for over a year.

"The first planned day of our ride took us along the scenic north coast of Scotland to a village called Betty Hill," she writes on the charity page.

"Tragically as we descended into the village that afternoon Anna was involved in a fatal collision with a lorry.

"Ian, Anna's husband, has asked me to update this page to share pictures of that day, which show Anna enjoying life as she always did."

Anna rowed with the Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club in Chiswick, west London.

She competed in lightweight sculls and represented England at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Canada in 2010.

She also had several trials for Great Britain but did not get into the squad.

Her husband, Ian, is also a rowing coach and her mother worked with British Rowing for many years.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: "We are all saddened by the news and are thinking about all of her close friends and family at what will be a sad time for them."

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Man Arrested Over Mum-Of-Five's Fatal Stabbing

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a mother-of-five from the New Forest.

Police say the 36-year-old man is in custody, where he is being held on suspicion of Pennie Davis' murder. He was arrested in Southampton shortly before 8pm.

The 47-year-old was tending her two horses in a paddock off Hatchet Lane, near Beaulieu, when she was killed.

She suffered multiple stab wounds and her husband Pete later found her body in the field.

Mrs Davis, from Blackfield, worked in a supermarket and married just four months ago.

Police believe it is possible she may have been followed from her workplace to the field.

A 22-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder and a 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

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Scotland: Can Party Leaders Turn The Tide?

By Faisal Islam, Political Editor, In Edinburgh

The visit of the Westminster party leaders to a rebellious Scotland could turn out to be the biggest gamble in British political history.

The United Kingdom's territorial integrity is up for grabs, and in the last eight days of a long campaign the leaders have turned upside down a central tenet of the No campaign's two-year strategy.

Yet with the poor personal ratings of Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband in Scotland, it is far from certain that the gambit will come off.

Since its inception, the No campaign in Scotland has been adamant about one thing: to allow the referendum to turn into Scotland vs England, or Scot versus Tory would be completely disastrous.

The campaign avoided TV showcases that framed the debate as a battle between nations. David Cameron was advised, told really, not to even contemplate a debate with Alex Salmond.

The arrival of Cameron and co. is a change in tactics

It was a conviction shared for many years by Alex Salmond. In his first months as First Minister, launching a National Conversation on independence in 2007, he acknowledged that turning the less than a third of the population backing independence into the majority required one necessary but not sufficient condition: a Conservative government.

In his dreams, the First Minister could not have imagined then or even last year, or even last month, that he would be neck and neck, facing a visiting Tory Prime Minister fighting for the preservation of the Union.

As we head to the last week of this campaign, will flags, flights and flattering words really ensure the survival of the union?

Polls seems to give Alex Salmond the upper hand now

The Saltire is flying above Downing Street and Whitehall departments and will do so until the end of the referendum campaign.

The party leaders will be stressing their commitment to an enhanced timetable for new powers for Scotland.

And above all, expect a lot more fine words about the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. "Stay with us" and "let us stay together to change Britain together" are among the gentle invocations from leaders. It sounds a little like an Al Green back catalogue.

Voters go the polls on September 18

The Scottish nationalists are struggling to contain their glee. Alex Salmond offered to pay for a bus for the leaders to come to Scotland and again challenged Mr Cameron to a debate.

Leading pro-independence politicians claimed to be staggered that the No campaign were "wrapping themselves in the flag" at the last minute when their campaign had not.

The key to this gamble is establishing what has caused the surge in the Yes vote's polling over August.

Can Gordon Brown make a difference?

Clearly the TV debates have played their part, especially the second one.

Labour voters have come over to Yes, attracted to Mr Salmond's vision of a progressive centre-left Scotland, free of Conservative influence from Westminster. The Yes campaign have moved to an emotional argument based on vision, confidence and hope.

That is how ex-prime minister Gordon brown has managed to seemingly take charge of the No campaign. He incredibly bounced Downing Street into backing his Burns Night timetable for what he calls "Home Rule" for Scotland. The leaders are expected to offer a new constitutional convention.

And that is why the Westminster leaders are attempting today's love-bombing blitz. The United Kingdom has seen nothing like it before.

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Pregnant Kate Too Sick To Make Harry's Games

The Duchess of Cambridge's acute morning sickness will prevent her attending the opening ceremony and start of the Invictus Games.

Kate, who is expecting her second child following the birth of Prince George, was also forced to cancel an engagement in Oxford earlier this week.

Kensington Palace said in a short statement: "The Duchess of Cambridge will not attend the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games this evening or the athletics event tomorrow.

"The Duchess's attendance on the forthcoming visit to Malta will be kept under review and a decision taken closer to the time."

Kate is suffering from another bout of the illness hyperemesis gravidarum, which she experienced during the early stages of her first pregnancy.

Prince Harry at a pre-games drivng challenge in Warwickshire

Her current pregnancy has not passed the 12-week stage and there is speculation her second child could be due in April next year.

Hyperemesis gravidarum, which affects 3.5 per 1,000 pregnancies, causes severe vomiting and can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine, called ketosis.

It is thought Kate became unwell sometime last week.

When her husband Prince William visited Oxford University on Monday without her to open the new China Centre, he said she had experienced a "tricky few days".

The royal couple have meanwhile been offered some advice from former England football captain David Beckham - get more sleep before the next baby arrives.

Kate at a WW1 memorial ceremony in Belgium on August 4

The father of four, who was a guest at their wedding, told ITV's Lorraine show: "Get some sleep because jumping from one child to two is a big step even though I thought jumping from two to three was bigger."

The Invictus Games, for injured servicemen and women, have been organised by Kate's brother-in-law Prince Harry.

She had been due to attend the opening ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London later, along with Harry and William.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will also be present at the event, which will feature an exclusive performance of the official anthem penned by Coldplay's Chris Martin and a flypast by the Red Arrows.

More than 400 competitors - both serving military personnel and veterans - from 13 nations will go head to head in nine adaptive sports over four days, starting on Thursday.

The Duchess is due to make her first official solo overseas visit from September 20-21, touring Malta to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence.

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UK To Send Machine Guns And Ammo To Iraq

Britain is sending military equipment including heavy machine guns to Iraq to help in the fight against Islamic State.

The announcement was made by Michael Fallon, the Secretary of State for Defence, in a written statement.

More follows ...

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Ashya Prepares For Proton Treatment On Tumour

Ashya King is undergoing his first tests at a clinic in the Czech Republic as doctors prepare him for specialist proton treatment.

The five-year-old was admitted to the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague on Tuesday morning, and will undergo both MRS and CT scans.

He will also be fitted for a special mask that will be used throughout his treatment.

If all goes according to plan, the youngster could start the proton therapy on Monday.

It will involve 30 visits and will be combined with chemotherapy, which will be carried out by specialist oncologists at Motol University Hospital.

Speaking of his relief, Ashya's father Brett King said: "I am pleased that we are finally here."

The boy's parents were arrested in Spain after they took him from Southampton General Hospital on August 28 without medical permission.

They were released when prosecutors withdrew a European arrest warrant.

Portsmouth City Council, which previously had responsibility for Ashya's welfare, launched family court action against his parents.

But Mr Justice Baker, at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court on Friday, ruled Ashya could be taken to the Czech Republic.

And a further High Court ruling on Monday meant he was no longer a ward of court.

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PM To Miss PMQs In Scotland Campaign 'Panic'

What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Tuesday 09 September 2014

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

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What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

The Queen is said to be privately concerned about the referendum

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

Scottish voters would still be able to vote in next year's General Election

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

Some Scottish troops service in historic English regiments

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

Scotland would introduce its own passport

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

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Reports: Shark Attack Victim Was British

The Foreign Office has said it is investigating reports that a man killed in a shark attack in Australia was British.

The attack took place at the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay on the country's east coast.

Sky's Harriet Hadfield said the victim, named locally as 50-year-old Paul Wilcox, was reportedly originally from Warwickshire but moved to Australia with his wife some years ago.

This has yet to be confirmed by the Foreign Office, which said in a statement: "We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Australia and are looking into them."

Hadfield said: "The most horrifying thing that we do know about this is that his wife was actually on the beach when it happened and so we understand she may have witnessed the attack.

"There are some really dramatic accounts coming out of Australia now from people who saw it happening, including one man who was paddle-boarding at the time and said it was an incredibly violent scene."

Paramedics declared the man dead at the scene

Police confirmed in a statement that the victim was "bitten on the right leg by what is believed to be a shark".

"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged on to the beach," the statement said.

Police have yet to formally identify the man or establish what he had been doing in the water.

Byron Bay is a renowned surfing location near Cape Byron, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland 500 miles (800km) north of Sydney.

The death is the first blamed on a shark in Australia since April 3 when a 63-year-old woman was killed near the village of Tathra, 210 miles (340km) south of Sydney.

Although sharks are common off Australia's coast, the country has averaged fewer than two fatal attacks per year in recent decades.

But fatal attacks are becoming more common.

Two men were killed in shark attacks off the east and west coasts in the space of a week in November last year. They were the only fatalities in 2013.

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School Knife Attack: Pupil, 13, Hunted In Malvern

A teenager is being hunted by police after attacking a teacher and another student with a knife at a school in Worcestershire.

West Mercia Police warned the 13-year-old boy fled the scene after the attack at The Chase Technology College in Malvern should not be approached.

"Officers in Malvern are investigating an assault on a teacher and student at The Chase Technology College in Malvern," a police spokesman said.

"A male teacher and a 13-year-old female student from the school were attacked with a bladed instrument at approximately 8.45am.

"The boy should not be approached, please call 999 if you see him. Police are concerned about the boy's welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible."

The suspect is described as white, 5ft 3in tall, with short, spiked hair and wearing glasses.

He was last seen wearing dark grey trousers, a grey hooded jumper and may have a dark-coloured scarf covering his face. He was also carrying a dark rucksack.

The teacher and the other victim, a 13-year-old girl, suffered minor injuries in the attack.

The Chase Technology College said on its website that all staff and pupils were "safe".

"Parents should not be alarmed by the presence of police at the site. This is a precaution and the situation is fully under control," it said.

More follows...

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Garden Excavated In Hunt For Missing Landlady

Police investigating the disappearance of a woman 17 years ago are continuing to excavate a garden in Cambridgeshire.

Deborah Steel was last seen in the early hours of the morning of December 28, 1997.

The former landlady of the Royal Standard Public House in Ely was 37-years-old at the time she vanished.

A 70-year-old man arrested last week on suspicion of her murder has been released on bail and police are searching a property in the Longfields area of the city.

The Royal Standard pub in Ely, Cambridgeshire

Speaking after the man's arrest, Detective Chief Inspector Martin Brunning said: "I am convinced the answer to Deborah Steel's disappearance lies in Ely and that there are people in the city who can provide key information.

"I am appealing to anyone who may be able provide fresh information on this case to contact us. Deborah has not been seen for 17 years and her family deserve to know what happened to her.

"All information will be treated in confidence, and can be left anonymously."

Officers began preliminary digging at the garden on Friday but have now brought in a mechanical digger to continue their search.

A police spokesman said: "Following searches throughout the week and initial excavations on Friday, a digger was brought in on Saturday to carry out a deeper excavation.

"The work is continuing today and officers are keen to complete the work as soon as possible because they are aware of the inconvenience to the individual concerned."

:: Anyone with any information should call 01480 425880 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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Family's Delight As Ashya Begins Treatment

Ashya King Timeline

Updated: 1:29pm UK, Monday 08 September 2014

Here is a timeline of events in the Ashya King case:

Wednesday July 23

Ashya's brother Naveed, 20, posts a video to YouTube saying his little brother has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and is due to undergo emergency surgery.

Sunday August 24

Ashya undergoes extensive surgery and the tumour is successfully removed.

The family says later that Ashya subsequently suffered from 'posterior fossa syndrome' which usually results in a loss of speech and mobility.

According to a family YouTube video, Ashya's father Brett went to see his cancer specialists and asked them whether Ashya could be given proton beam therapy, which is not available on the NHS but is available elsewhere. Mr King says in the video that the doctors told him that it would not be suitable for his child.

Mr King carries out research which appears to contradict what his doctors said. He contacts a centre in the Czech Republic that performs proton beam therapy which says it is able to carry out treatment on Ashya.

Ashya's doctors say they are going to perform more chemo and radiotherapy on Ashya. Mr King claims they tell him that if he questions their medical opinion, they will get an emergency protection order to take Ashya away from him.

He later explains in the YouTube video that he felt put in an impossible position where, because of the threat of the protection order, he felt unable to discuss Ashya's treatment. As a result, he was compelled to take him out of hospital so they could seek the treatment for themselves. His plan, he says, was to sell his holiday home in Spain to pay for treatment.

Thursday August 28

2pm: Ashya is removed from the hospital by his parents at around, apparently against the medical advice of the doctors who were treating him. CCTV images captured the boy being wheeled from hospital by his father.

4pm: He is taken to Cherbourg, France by cross-Channel ferry and docks around 8pm.

8.35pm: The hospital alerts police that Ashya has been taken.

Friday August 29

Hampshire Constabulary says its concern about Ashya is growing with "each hour that passes".

Interpol issues a global Yellow Notice missing persons alert, informing 190 countries that he is being sought.

French police alert the media who urge motorists to be on the lookout for a right-hand drive English car.

Ashya is made a ward of court after an application by Portsmouth City Council.

Saturday August 30

After discovering that their son is being sought by police, the family record a video explaining why they took him out of hospital. His father Brett says he is being well looked after and the family have all the medical equipment they need to keep him in the same condition as he was in hospital.

Soon after, following a tip off, Spanish police pull over the family car near a hostel in Benajarafe, southern Spain, where they were staying.

8.30pm: He is removed from his family and taken to a hospital in Malaga. His parents are arrested and held at a police station.

Sunday August 31

British police arrive in Spain to question Ashya's parents Brett and Naghmeh.

Hampshire's chief constable is forced to justify why an international arrest warrant was necessary as it emerges police have not explained what charges his parents face.

Parents whose children had gone through similar experiences after suffering brain tumours come forward to support the Kings' decision.

Doctors defend the hospital by saying that proton beam therapy has not gone through all the necessary medical trials.

Ashya's parents are transferred to Madrid from Velez-Malaga in handcuffs.

Monday September 1

Ashya's parents arrive in court in Madrid for an extradition hearing. According to Sky sources, they tell the court they do not wish to return to the UK.

His brother Naveed puts another video on YouTube saying that the family had stocked up on the food and syringes that the boy needed ahead of their journey and bought him a brand new wheelchair costing up to £1,600.

His grandmother Patricia King tells Sky News that her son Brett is not a criminal. She says the Kings took Ashya because the NHS said there was nothing more it could do for him.

Portsmouth City Council explains that it asked for Ashya to be made a ward of court after a request by Southampton General Hospital.

Tuesday September 2

It emerges the extradition hearing is adjourned for three days. Ashya's parents are returned to police cells. None of his family are allowed to visit him in hospital.

Janice Atkinson, UKIP South East MEP, calls on the Home Secretary to contact the Spanish authorities so that Ashya's parents are released immediately.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg join mounting calls for Ashya King to be reunited with his jailed parents

Portsmouth City Council calls for a halt to extradition proceedings against them.

It emerges that Ashya's parents are planning legal action against Southampton General Hospital.

The parents are told to appear at court in Madrid to the next day.

Online petitions calling for the Kings' release gain 200,000 signatures.

Britain's Crown Prosecution Service reviews the case and decides not to prosecute Brett and Naghmeh King.

Hampshire Constabulary says it will make no apology for "being proactive" in the search for Ashya.

A hearing at the High Court in London to discuss Ashya's 'ward status' is adjourned until the following week

Wednesday September 3

Ashya's parents are released from custody and head for Seville for a meeting with their lawyer.

Southampton General Hospital releases a statement saying it had been willing to support the family's wish to go to Prague for treatment, but "did not recommend it".

The statement says that after Ashya's tumour was "successfully" removed on July 24, Mr and Mrs King were told there was "likely to be no difference in survival between standard radiotherapy and proton radiotherapy and overall no proven significant benefit".

With the correct treatment, doctors believed Ashya's chances of survival were "very good" - between 70% and 80%.

Mr and Mrs King are reunited with their son, who is described as being "so pleased" to be back with them.

Mr King emerges from custody to say that he and his wife have been treated like "terrorists".

Chief paediatrician at the Southampton General Dr Peter Wilson said staff were "very, very worried" when they realised Ashya was missing, which is why they called police.

The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague says doctors in Southampton have agreed to refer Ashya to the clinic after two cycles of chemotherapy in the UK, which was likely to take several weeks.

A fundraising page set up to help pay for the therapy raises £21,000 and charity Kids'n'CancerUK says they have agreed to provide £100,000.

Thursday September 4

Ashya's parents are told they cannot remove him from the Spanish hospital until a treatment plan is presented to a court in the UK. It is because, legally, he is regarded as the responsibility of the UK courts.

Mr King says his son deteriorated in hospital after he was separated from his parents.

Friday September 5

The Proton Therapy Centre in the Czech Republic offers to fly Ashya and his parents to Prague for treatment.

Public donations reach £41,000.

Saturday September 6

Mr Justice Baker at the High Court in London approves Ashya's parents' request to take him to Prague for treatment following telephone discussions between their lawyers and lawyers representing the hospital in Southampton.

He remains a ward of court.

Monday September 8

Ashya is flown to Prague for treatment at a proton therapy centre with his parents.

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Search For Alice Gross: Two Men Arrested

Two men have been arrested separately in connection with the suspected murder of missing teenager Alice Gross.

Officers have stressed the disappearance of the 14-year-old schoolgirl, who was last seen on August 28, remains a missing persons inquiry.

But a search area has been expanded as specialist police divers continue examining the Grand Union Canal near her home in Hanwell, west London, where she was last seen.

On Sunday, a 51-year-old man was arrested in Hanwell on suspicion of Alice's murder.

Divers and sniffer dogs have been searching the River Brent

That followed the arrest of a 25-year-old man from Ealing on Saturday for the same offence. Officers have said the two men are independent of each other.

Both men remain in custody at a west London police station, after police were given more time to question the 25-year-old.

Alice, who suffers from anorexia, went missing 12 days ago after failing to return home.

She was last seen by her family at 1pm on August 28, and was spotted on CCTV at 4.23pm on the same day walking along the Grand Union Canal.

Police want to speak to cyclists seen near Alice before she disappeared

Officers have released new pictures of five cyclists seen riding along the canal at the same time Alice went missing.

The images show three cyclists passing the Trumpers Way Canal Bridge in Hanwell, just before Alice walked past.

They are followed by two more cyclists who pass under the bridge.

Alice is white, 5ft 2ins tall, of very slim build and with shoulder length, light brown hair.

She was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green lacy cardigan and carrying a dark rucksack. The bag was recovered last week.

The teenager has not been seen since August 28

She could have been wearing denim blue Vans shoes and tartan-framed glasses.

Officers have urged anyone who befriended Alice at a song-writing workshop at the Camden Roundhouse to contact police.

Last week, Alice's mother Rosalind Hodgkiss said: "We'd like to say to Alice first of all that we miss her, that we love her and that she's not in any trouble, and we want to know that she's safe. We just want her to come home.

"We're also appealing to anybody who might have seen her or who may have made contact with her or who may know something about her whereabouts to contact police or Missing People, and to just get in touch because we're really concerned about her well-being."

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8358 0100, Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or the charity Missing People on 116000.

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Duchess Of Cambridge To Have Second Baby

The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with her second baby, Kensington Palace has announced.

Prince William and Kate said they were "very pleased to announce" that they are expecting their second child.

It comes a year and two months after she gave birth to Prince George at St Mary's Hospital in London.

The Duchess pictured during one of her most recent engagements in August

Sky's Royal Correspondent Paul Harrison says he has been told by Kensington Palace that the Duchess is not yet 12 weeks into her pregnancy.

The palace said the Queen and members of both William and Kate's families are "delighted" with the news.

Kate is apparently suffering from severe morning sickness, as she did with her first pregnancy.

Doctors are understood to be treating her at Kensington Palace, where she has an apartment with Prince William.

The palace said she will not be joining her husband on a planned engagement in Oxford on Monday.

A statement from the palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their second child.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"As with her first pregnancy, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum."

When Kate suffered from the condition during her last pregnancy, she had to be admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London.

Kate attends a WWI event in Belgium in August with the country's Royals

Her admission to hospital at the time brought forward the announcement that she was pregnant.

Although she had not reached the 12-week mark - when it is most typical to make a pregnancy public - palace officials are understood to have realised they would be unable to conceal her condition.

The couple's second child will become fourth in line to the throne, moving Prince Harry to fifth in the line of succession.

Prime Minister David Cameron released a statement moments after the announcement saying: "Many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

"I'm delighted by the happy news that they're expecting another baby."

Prince Harry was the last 'second heir' born to Charles and Diana in 1984

Labour leader Ed Miliband said on Twitter: "Fantastic to hear that Prince George will soon be a big brother! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their happy news."

Scottish Nationalist Party leader Alex Salmond also tweeted his congratulations, referring to the royal couple by their Scottish titles.

He said: "Congratulations & best wishes to the Earl & Countess of Strathearn. Wonderful to hear they're expecting their second baby - very happy news!"

The names that are the betting companies' favourites so far are Arthur, Diana and Victoria (10-1), according to Sky Bet. 

Kensington Palace said the attendance by the Duchess of at future engagements, including a forthcoming solo trip to Malta, would be decided on a "case by case" basis.

She had been due to appear on Monday night at the Invictus Games, which are supported by her brother-in-law Prince Harry.

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Girl, 11, 'Sexually Assaulted' At Picnic Site

Police have increased patrols near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight after an 11-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted during a family visit to a picnic site.

The girl was at Fort Victoria on Saturday morning when she was approached by a man who assaulted her before walking away, Hampshire Police said.

Detective Sergeant John Stirling said: "This was a rare but very serious incident against a child, during the day in a busy picnic site.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who recognises the man from the description."

The man was said to be white with pale skin, aged in his 50s, with grey hair and was clean shaven. He was around six feet tall, of average build and with a deep voice.

He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt with dark blue and light blue stripes and blue jeans.

The force said a man arrested on Saturday was released and no further action is to be taken against him.

It said patrols had been stepped up in the area over the weekend to reassure the local community.

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