Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Boxing Day Bargain Hunters Hit High Street
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Video:Boxing Day Sales Get Underway
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
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Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
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At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
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When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
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Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
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"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
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Boxing Day Bargain Hunters Hit High Street
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Boxing Day Sales Get Underway
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
1/10
Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
]]>
At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
]]>
When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
]]>
Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
]]>
"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
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Forecasters have raised the cold weather alert for large swathes of Britain - warning of ice, plumetting temperatures and up to 10cm of snow.
The Met Office has increased its alert level from yellow to amber - the second highest warning - for the the Midlands and the North of England.
An amber alert means "there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow".
The South, Northern Ireland, Wales, East Anglia, London and Kent are on yellow alert, meaning there is a 70 to 80% chance of freezing conditions.
Areas most likely to be affected by snow
In some central and northern parts, up to 10cm of snow could fall later today.
Meanwhile, temperatures could dip below freezing across much of Britain next week - falling to -15C in some parts.
Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "After this evening's low pressure system spirals into the near continent, the remnants of any snow should clear and it will turn icy.
"Scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow are likely to affect many areas during Saturday, but it will turn drier and clearer as high pressure moves in through Sunday and the run up to New Year.
"That period is likely to be the coldest of 2014 with some very low temperatures forecast. Minima of minus 10 to minus 15C are possible with daytime highs barely reaching zero or 1C in central areas."
The Met Office cold weather alert warns conditions could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".
Met Office meteorologist Krista Mitchell said: "This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we've had.
"As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing."
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said it was monitoring the conditions.
"As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption," he said.
"We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.
"They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off."
With obesity on the rise in the UK, health authorities are rolling out a new programme aimed at getting the nation back in shape through a better diet and more exercise.
Under the scheme, GPs in England will be asked to monitor patients who are putting on weight and offer them help to stop them becoming obese.
Obesity is estimated to cost Britain almost £47bn every year - more than war and terrorism.
A report from the European Commission shows that the obesity rate in the UK has increased over the past decade, making it the second highest in the EU after Hungary.
As part of the programme, thousands of people at risk of diabetes will be offered support to improve their health.
More than three million people in the UK have diabetes.
The programme aims to get people on a healthier diet
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "The ghost of Christmases past reminds us that 20 years ago we didn't have these problems as a nation.
"The ghost of Christmases future tells us that if we get our act together - as the NHS, as parents, as schools, the food industry - we can get back in shape."
The European Court of Justice recently ruled that people who are obese could also be considered disabled.
But Mr Stevens called that ruling "daft" and said obesity is not "inevitable".
The NHS England leader said those at risk of diabetes can cut their chances of getting the disease by 60% if they lose between five and 7% of their body weight.
Simon Stevens, head of NHS England
The new programme "will offer tens of thousands of people at risk of diabetes proper support to get healthier, eat better and exercise more", Mr Stevens said.
Almost two-thirds of adults in the country are either overweight or obese.
Obesity is calculated through the body mass index, which is determined looking at the weight and height of the person. A BMI of between 25 and 30 means a person is overweight, a BMI of 30 or over means a person is obese.
A union has hit out at the timing of an announcement that more than 2,700 workers are facing redundancies after parcel delivery group City Link went into administration.
The RMT union has demanded "urgent talks" with Business Secretary Vince Cable after it was revealed on Christmas Day that the company had called in administrators.
The administrators - EY - were called in after years of "substantial losses".
City Link, which employs 2,727 people and is understood to count John Lewis among its largest clients, expects there to be a number of redundancies after no buyer could be found.
As well as the talks with Mr Cable, the union has demanded an investigation into the release of the news, saying it believed there could have been "more cynical motives" behind the decision to "delay" the announcement.
The RMT said it had been told the Coventry-based firm was in administration on Christmas Eve, something which neither the company nor the administrators were prepared to publicly confirm until the next day.
The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "The delayed timing of the announcement that City Link was in administration to tea time on Christmas Day stinks to high heaven.
"Not only was it the most brutal and callous way to treat nearly 3,000 staff but RMT believes there may have been more cynical motives behind it which we want the Government to investigate.
"The disgraceful timing of the City Link announcement at the start of the festive season must not be allowed to delay and hamper efforts to rescue the jobs."
Employee Mark Critchley told Sky News that staff were angry with City Link's managers, who he called "cowardly and underhanded".
"We'd like them to come down here and tell us what's going on and why they've done it," he said.
In an internal email from the company's chief executive Dave Smith, seen by Sky News, Mr Smith apologises to staff for the timing of the announcement.
"I am sorry to break this news to you, particularly at this time of year."
The company's operations at all of its depots have been suspended until Monday.
Customers and those expecting deliveries will then be able to collect their parcels.
Hunter Kelly, joint administrator to City Link, said the strain of the firm's losses "became too great".
"Despite the best efforts to save City Link Limited, including marketing the company for sale, it could not continue to operate as a going concern and administrators were appointed."
Administrators EY said some employees will be kept on to help return parcels to customers and help with the winding down of the company.
Customers who had placed parcels with the company on Christmas Eve and recipients who have been told of a failed or pending delivery have been urged to pick up their parcels as soon as possible on or after December 29.
The company's 53 depots will remain open for a short period of time so people can collect their parcels.
Christmas Day online shoppers are predicted to set a new spending record splashing out an estimated £636m today.
Shoppers are expected to make 142 million visits to retail sites today - a 25% increase on last year.
Research by Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG found Britons will spend around £441,000 a minute.
"The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself," said Experian general manager of consumer insight Giles Longhurst.
Dominic Trigg, managing director for Europe of digital advertising technology company Rocket Fuel, said: "Shopping online on Christmas Day is now a normal part of UK consumers' holiday experiences every year.
Video:The Year In Retail
"It is clear that UK consumers now see shopping from the comfort of their own home, following Christmas Day dinner, as much of a tradition as a turkey and ham dinner."
Shoppers have already been enjoying heavy discounting as some stores began their traditional Boxing Day sales up to two days early.
Britain's retail sector has already been celebrating a record-breaking year as official figures are projecting an all-time high for sales in 2014.
Video:Annual Retail Sales To Reach £342bn
The forecast from the Office of National Statistics shows that sales for the year are expected to reach £342bn - a £48bn increase since 2010.
Pre-Christmas sales are up by 5.2% compared with last year.
More needs to be done to highlight the dangers of loom bands after a number of children got the popular children's accessory lodged in their noses.
Four children were treated at a Scottish hospital in just one week after the rubber bands became stuck, according to an article in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology.
But in a paper entitled Loom bands and young children - a tragedy waiting to happen? staff from the ENT Department at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, said there had been a surge in the popularity of the bands recently, and urged people to be aware of the potential risks.
The report's authors said: "Although the four cases presented were resolved without the need for general anaesthetic, the ever-soaring prevalence and popularity of loom bands necessitates a degree of caution and vigilance from parents, retailers and manufacturers alike.
"We believe there is an urgent need for greater public awareness of their potential hazards."
There is a risk of inhalation when objects become stuck in nasal passages, obstructing the airway, they added.
Loom bands are small loops of elastic in different colours that can be linked together to create jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
The Duchess of Cambridge and pop star Harry Styles have been seen wearing them - leading to an increase in popularity.
Earlier this year The Entertainer removed loom band charms from its shelves after they were found to contain the chemical phthalates, which can disrupt hormones in children.
The chemicals, which are used to soften plastics, have been banned in toys on sale in the European Union for several years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas Day sermon after coming down with a heavy cold.
Lambeth Palace said the Most Rev Justin Welby has been suffering from a "severe cold" for several days and decided this morning that he was too unwell to speak at the annual Canterbury Cathedral service.
A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the Archbishop "is suffering from a severe cold and will, with great regret, no longer be preaching the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this morning.
"The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, will deliver a homily."
The Archbishop had been due to talk about how the true spirit of Christmas cannot be captured in fairytale endings, using the example of the First World War Christmas truce in 1914.
The Archbishop had been due to say: "The truce illustrates something of the heart of Christmas, whereby God sends his Son, that vulnerable sign of peace, to a weary war-torn world.
"The problem is that the way it is told now it seems to end with a 'happy ever after'.
"Of course we like Christmas stories with happy endings: singing carols, swapping photos, shaking hands, sharing chocolate, but the following day the war continued with the same severity.
"Nothing had changed; it was a one-day wonder.
"That is not the world in which we live, truces are rare."
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Northern Ireland's political parties have reached agreement on a range of issues that had threatened the devolved government's future.
The "Stormont House Agreement", which has been forged after weeks of talks, has resolved wrangles over the budget and welfare reforms and established new structures to deal with the legacy of unsolved killings during the Troubles.
An Independent Commission on Information Retrieval will help the bereaved and injured obtain information about events during the conflict.
The First and Deputy First Ministers will also bring forward proposals to deal with parades after the General Election, while a commission will be set up to address the issue of flags.
The agreement paves the way for corporation tax powers to be devolved to Belfast as well, after Chancellor George Osborne said he would do so, provided there was progress at the talks.
Prime Minister David Cameron has also agreed to lend the devolved government £2bn to address a shortfall, after Stormont agreed to cushion welfare reform from its own budget.
Mr Cameron said: "I am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future, while at the same time finally being able to deal with its past.
"This historic agreement has been long in the making and I would also like to pay tribute to all those involved - the Northern Ireland parties, the UK and Irish governments and Senator Hart - for getting us to this position.
"We will now all work collaboratively to see this through. The people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing less."
First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson said the deal acknowledged that further work was needed.
"Of course every one of us would have liked to have had a more comprehensive and complete agreement but this is as much and more than we have ever been able to do on these issues in the past," he said.
"So it is a very significant agreement."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the "remarkable agreement" had the potential to give the Executive a "fresh start".
"And it is a fresh start we need to seize with both hands," he said, flanked by party leader Gerry Adams.
Irish foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan, who was involved in negotiations, said: "Today we are building on the hard-won peace on this island with a new agreement which aims to further reconciliation and foster economic growth."
A bankrupt property tycoon whose body was found impaled on railings did not die in suspicious circumstances, a coroner has said.
Scot Young was discovered in what was described as a "grisly" and "brutal" scene following his death in Marylebone, central London, on December 8.
The 52-year-old had been jailed during a public divorce row over a multimillion-pound settlement because he would not reveal financial records.
After his fatal fall, friends of Mr Young came forward with concerns about a potential "ring of death" in his inner circle - saying four of his reported close friends had died in a similar way.
They pointed out Johnny Elichaoff, Boris Berezovsky, Robert Curtis and Paul Castle all appear to have killed themselves after suffering financial setbacks over the past four years.
But opening the inquest into Mr Young's death, Westminster assistant coroner Angela Hodes said there were no suspicious circumstances.
She said his body was identified by brother-in-law Guy van Ristell, with details supplied to the police by his daughter Sasha.
No members of Mr Young's family or friends were present at the hearing, which was adjourned until January 12.
Speaking after his death, his 30-year-old American model girlfriend, Noelle Reno one of the stars of the Ladies Of London reality TV show, said she was "distraught by the sudden loss of my best friend" and wanted to "grieve in peace".
Mr Young had been locked in a long-running legal battle with his ex-wife Michelle, 50, with whom he had two daughters.
Comedy writer Jeremy Lloyd, who created sitcoms including Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo!, has died aged 84.
His agent said he died in a London hospital on Monday evening from pneumonia.
Alexandra Cann said: "Jeremy was a great wit and always a mass of original ideas. He had a wonderfully original mind and will be greatly missed."
Lloyd, who was married three times including to Joanna Lumley, created a string of hit shows with his writing partner David Croft.
He was given an OBE for services to comedy in 2012.
Lloyd enjoyed a screen career of his own before devoting himself to providing the funny lines for others.
He made his film debut in School For Scoundrels and had minor roles in the Beatles films Help! and A Hard Day's Night, as well as classics such as Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
Lloyd and Croft had worked together on the Billy Cotton Band Show, contributing sketches, and were brought together again for a short-lived sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes Darling, which starred Lumley.
'Allo 'Allo stars Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle (L-R)
The two writers went on to work up an idea based on Lloyd's past experiences working at Simpsons of Piccadilly, which became Are You Being Served?, set in the fictional Grace Brothers store. Its run spanned 13 years.
'Allo 'Allo!, which starred Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle, ran for over a decade from 1982.
It was set in a small cafe in Nazi-occupied France during World War Two.
Lloyd and Lumley were married for less than a year. Writing about the marriage, the actress said: "He was witty, tall and charming - we should have just had a raging affair."
His third marriage, to interior designer Lizzy Moberly, took place in central London this June.
He said his third bride, who was 49 when they tied the knot, was "beautiful, clever and sent from heaven on mission impossible".
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
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Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
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Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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The Headlines In 2014: Review Of The Year
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
1/30
Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
]]>
Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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A son of singer Bryan Ferry is thought to be in hospital after being trapped in a car for almost an hour after a crash.
Merlin Ferry had to be freed from the vehicle after the collision in Shropshire on Monday.
Another of Bryan Ferry's sons, Otis, thanked firefighters from Wellington Fire Station, who tweeted a picture of the wreckage on the A458, for their efforts.
He wrote on Twitter: "thank you for extracting my Brother alive from what looks like a mangled box of tin. We are all continuing to pray."
Merlin Ferry (1st left) when father Bryan collected his CBE
Wellington Fire Service said the operation to free the man had been "a difficult extraction due to the impact involved".
A West Midlands Ambulance service spokesman said the trapped man "had suffered multiple fractures to his legs, pelvis, left arm and had a head injury".
"Working with firefighters, ambulance staff very carefully freed him,"
"He was assessed at the scene and had splints put in place along with advanced pain relief before being taken on blue lights to the Major Trauma Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
"The trauma doctor travelled with the patient."
He added that there had been a small fire in a second car, but that the driver was able to get out of the vehicle, suffering minor injuries.
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 23 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Three of the six victims killed when a bin lorry careered out of control through Glasgow were an elderly couple and their granddaughter.
Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine, and Erin McQuade, understood to be in her teens, died on Monday after the council vehicle drove through a street full of Christmas shoppers.
Mr Sweeney, from Dumbarton, was a former president of Bramalea Celtic supporters club in Canada.
A statement posted on the Bramalea CeItic supporters club Facebook page said: "It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today's tragedy in Glasgow.
"Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of the Sweeney family."
Video:City's Year Book-Ended By Tragedy
Relative John Sweeney described himself as "feeling heartbroken" on Facebook.
He wrote: "No words can describe the pain. R.I.P. Jack, Lorraine and Erin. Thoughts and prayers go out to the other families that lost loved ones as well."
Three other females were also killed and 10 people were injured, six of whom remain in hospitals around the city.
Video:Police Thank Glasgow For Support
A special prayer service has been held for the victims at the St George's Tron Parish Church which is near the scene of the crash on George Square.
Reverend Alastair Duncan, minister of St George's Tron Church of Scotland, led prayers for the victims and all those affected.
He said Glasgow had been left "in sorrow and shock" and "in a place of brokenness and grief" as a result of the "pain and devastation that has come to families in this city".
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Gallery: Tributes For Lorry Crash Victims
Flowers have been left near the scene of a bin lorry crash in Glasgow which killed six people and left 10 more injured
There were five female and one male fatality. The driver is among the injured
The latest official snapshot of UK economic growth has painted a slightly weaker picture than was previoulsy measured, with a fall in business investment contributing.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.6% between the third quarter of 2013 and the same period this year, down from a previous estimate of 3%.
Growth for the first quarter of 2014 was revised down from 0.7% to 0.6% and for the second quarter it was 0.8%, down from 0.9%.
Third-quarter growth was unchanged at 0.7% as it saw the best growth in household spending for four years but business investment narrowed at its sharpest rate in five years.
Previous studies have pointed to companies being concerned by economic weakness abroad, particularly in the eurozone which is the UK's biggest trading partner.
The figures also showed the extent to which consumers dug into their savings.
Household disposable income, after tax and inflation, fell 0.1% on the quarter and was up only 1% on the year, reflecting weak pay growth that has raised questions about the durability of the economic recovery.
But the most recent data has suggested a widening of the gap between price rises and pay - with wage growth now outpacing inflation following a six-year squeeze on living standards.
The changes mean the recovery is not as far advanced as previously thought, with the economy now 2.9% bigger than it was before the recession, rather than 3.4%.
Two whistle-blowers who had information about MPs' alleged involvement in a paedophile ring could have been murdered, according to a Labour MP who has handed a dossier of evidence to Scotland Yard.
Speaking to Sky News, John Mann MP claims he has evidence relating to the suspicious deaths of two men - a former Lambeth council official named Bulick Forsythe, and a caretaker whose name he did not disclose.
He said the police were already aware of the potential link between one of the deaths and the child sex abuse ring, which involved "highly influential" politicians during the 1970s and 1980s.
Although Mr Mann has now handed the information to the Metropolitan Police, he has been aware of it since the 1980s and 1990s, when he said the police declined to fully investigate.
"Bulick Forsythe had significant information in relation to child abuse," he said.
Video:Police Appeal For Help Over Abuse
"The second was a caretaker who said he had tapes relating to sex parties that were taking place," he added.
"Mr Forsythe went to the police at the time and got nowhere. What I want to see is both those suspicious deaths reinvestigated."
His dossier includes 22 names of MPs he believes were involved in paedophile rings in North Wales, Lambeth in south London, Dolphin Square in central London, Rochdale, and one other location which he declined to name for legal reasons.
The MPs named include 14 Conservatives, five Labour politicians and three from other parties. Of them, 13 are former ministers.
Mr Mann told Sky News that he has given the police enough evidence on some of the suspects that he would expect the police to act "soon".
"I am confident there will be people arrested," said Mr Mann. "In some cases I'd be surprised if it didn't happen soon."
Video:Victim: Ministers Abused Children
The prospect of arrests for child abuse by MPs is likely to intensify calls for an inquiry into the historical allegations.
Home Secretary Theresa May has been dogged by setbacks after two successive chairs were forced to resign over their links to establishment figures in positions of power at the time.
Mrs May said last week that the inquiry should have the powers of a statutory inquiry in order to compel witnesses to give evidence but members of the panel are reported to be "devastated" that the existing inquiry, which has started preliminary work, is to be disbanded.
Scotland Yard detectives were already investigating "credible" claims that the murders of three young boys - aged between seven and 16 - were linked to high-profile abusers, including MPs. One victim was allegedly run over by a car.
Last Thursday, a fresh appeal was launched for further victims of historical abuse at the Dolphin Square estate, in southwest London, to come forward.
Children were allegedly taken to sex parties at the plush property, which was popular with politicians.
A man scared by a hedgehog in his garden and another left enraged by a vending machine feature in recordings of irresponsible 999 calls released by police.
Greater Manchester Police have issued the recordings in an effort to prevent inappropriate calls to the emergency number over the busy Christmas period.
The caller frightened by the hedgehog can be heard being reassured by the call handler that the spiny mammals are good for gardens because they kill slugs.
"Yeah, but we don't want our slugs to get killed, we're a bit scared," the caller responds.
In a separate recording, a caller complains that a hospital is refusing to refund money he has put into a vending machine.
"They've not given it me back at the hospital so I want you to come and sort it out," he says.
He is then heard swearing at the call handler after being told to clear the line for genuine emergencies.
Two other recordings released by police involve a man unhappy because a sports shop will not give him a refund for his trainers, and another furious over the late delivery of his pizza.
Diane Grandidge, GMP's business lead for call-handling, said the 999 number should be used only if there is an immediate threat to life or property or if a crime is in progress.
"The Christmas and New Year period is the busiest time of year for our staff and every year we appeal to the public to be responsible in their use of the 999 emergency line," she said.
"A large percentage of calls that are received on 999 are either non-emergency or simply calls that should not be made to the police."
Written By Unknown on Senin, 22 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Billie Whitelaw, famous for roles in films such as The Omen, has died aged 82, her son has confirmed.
Matthew Muller told the Guardian his mother passed away peacefully at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in north London.
He said she had not been well for about a year, but had deteriorated rapidly over the last few months.
Billie Whitelaw was awarded a CBE in the Queen's 1991 birthday honours list
Billie Whitelaw famously played the demonic nanny in the film series The Omen and the mother of English gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the 1990 film The Krays.
She was also known for her collaboration with Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, who once famously referred to her as "a perfect actress".
Her later film roles included a cameo in the 2007 police comedy Hot Fuzz.
Billie Whitelaw was awarded a CBE in 1991.
Paying tribute in the Guardian, Mr Muller said she was "an incredibly loving mother".
Politicians in Northern Ireland are running out of time to reach agreement on issues threatening the future of devolved government.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers warned the talks will end later, with or without an agreement, as she prepared to sit down with the Irish Government and the five Executive parties at Stormont.
She said on Sunday: "It's 'make your mind up' time for Northern Ireland's political leaders.
"These talks finish tomorrow (Monday), even if it takes all night. If there's no agreement tomorrow, there isn't going to be one, and the process ends in failure."
On Friday, politicians struck a deal to cushion the blow of welfare reform from within the Stormont administration's own budget.
They have asked David Cameron for £2bn in loans over 10 years to tackle flags, parades and the past.
Sam McBride, political correspondent with the Ulster Newsletter, explained: "It's very clear that the one thing the political parties in Northern Ireland can agree on, and have agreed on in the process, is to ask for even more money.
"That's not a particularly difficult thing to agree to ask.
"However, if that was to persuade those parties to agree on some of the other issues, it may be that David Cameron would find that tempting to just get them out of his hair really."
Outstanding issues include the legacy of The Troubles and the need for answers for those who were bereaved or injured.
One of the options being explored is a Commission on Information Retrieval, similar to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
But some young people, like recently engaged Andrew Priestley and Jenni Mayne, think politicians focus too much on the past.
Andrew said: "We're 25 and 26 so we didn't live through The Troubles, we didn't live through the past they're maybe focussing on the minute, we're looking towards our future."
Jenni added: "I've gone away for university and I've come home and at the minute, I'm kind of 'should I have come home?' because in the mainland, things are so much more progressed in terms of our age group."
A paper tabled by the British and Irish governments proposes the establishment of nine new public bodies in Northern Ireland.
One would deal with flags, two with parades and protests, three with the past and three more would promote reconciliation.
If they strike a deal, they will have cracked issues that have lingered since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases and cancer could be transformed by an ambitious project that will see 100,000 complete sets of people's genes decoded.
Eleven Genomic Medicine Centres (GMCs) across England will begin work in February to collect and map the samples over a three-year period.
The initiative, known as the 100,000 Genomes Project, will help scientists and doctors understand more about specific conditions such as the rare genetic illness cystinosis, which left 24-year-old Christopher Melville needing a kidney transplant when he was just 10.
"I'm excited," he said. "Obviously the more knowledge we have, the more understanding we have of how to treat people. It leads to better development, better research and better treatment."
Christopher Melville has a rare genetic illness called cystinosis
Samples will be taken from people like Christopher and also their parents, while cancer patients will provide both blood and tumour tissue as part of the research.
Professor Dion Morton, who will run the West Midlands GMC, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, described the work as "transformational", adding that not long ago it took eight years to decode a single person's genome.
Video:Project To Make UK Genetics Leader
"It's going to change the way we practice medicine (and) it's going to give us opportunities to bring new medicines to our patients.
"Historically medicine's been delivered to groups of patients with similar conditions and now we can start subdividing those groups into the exact genetic code that is really causing that condition, so target the treatment of that code and hopefully make treatment safer, more effective."
NHS England's medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, said the project was an achievable ambition "which positions Britain to unlock long-standing mysteries of disease on behalf of mankind".
Video:Home DNA Test Goes On Sale
"Embracing genomics will position us at the forefront of science and make the NHS the most scientifically-advanced healthcare system in the world," he added.
A total of 75,000 people will take part in the project.
Christopher's mother, Julie Melville, is delighted the project is about to begin.
Video:On-The-Spot DNA Testing
"It feels like finally somebody is sitting up and taking note that this rare disease exists," she said.
Her hope is that gene therapy could eventually mean a cure for cystinosis sufferers like her son - one of 150 people in the UK with the disease.
It is estimated new diagnostic tests and drugs could be available as a result of the work within 15 years.
A burglary suspect has died after being shot with a Taser by officers in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Staffordshire Police had been called to a block of flats after receiving reports of a break-in shortly after 1am on Monday morning.
The occupants of a first floor flat, understood to be a young couple with a little boy, were not inside when officers arrived, according to a force spokesman.
However, another man was in the flat and officers deployed a Taser.
The suspected burglar became unresponsive after being taken to a police vehicle.
Paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service tried to treat the man, but he died a short time later.
Uniformed officers remain on guard outside the flat's doorway, while residents spoke of their shock at the night's events.
The man was tasered at a block of flats in Newcastle-under-Lyme
A resident living on the ground floor with his pregnant girlfriend said he saw a "drunk-looking" man being supported and escorted by at least three police officers into a custody van.
The 22-year-old, who declined to be named, said at about 1.45am he heard the white male call "help me", as he was walked along a short path leading from the front of the flats to the main road.
He added that the first he heard of any trouble was "shouting in the corridor", but initially thought nothing of it.
"I just thought it's the lads having a few beers, but then there was banging," he said.
The resident, who lives right by the front door to the block of flats said he grew alarmed, and helped his six-and-a-half month pregnant girlfriend into her car and off to her parents while he stayed.
"It's something when you have to put your missus in the car and send her off," he said. "I just locked the door and wanted nothing to do with it."
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A spokesman for the Staffordshire force said: "A detailed investigation is under way and the scene will remain cordoned off while the investigation continues.
"Local officers will be in the community throughout the day talking to residents."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 21 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Some patients who need an ambulance may soon have to wait longer for it to arrive even if they are classed as a serious case, under new proposals seen by Sky News.
In a letter, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives suggests the target time to get to patients suffering a range of "serious but not the most life-threatening" problems, including strokes and seizures, could be increased to 19 minutes.
The current target for an emergency vehicle to reach people in life-threatening situations is eight minutes.
According to the memo, NHS England says there will be no changes to response times where patients have "immediately life threatening" conditions such as cardiac arrest, choking and major bleeding - known as Red 1 calls.
In these instances, a "fast response" car is often sent ahead of a fully-crewed ambulance to meet the time limit.
Video:A&E Waiting Times: The Figures
For serious cases like strokes and fits - Red 2 calls - there would be an extra three minutes added on to the response time.
But a proportion of Red 2s would have the eight-minute target scrapped in favour of a 19-minute one for a full ambulance crew to be sent on its own.
Andy Burnham, Labour's shadow health secretary, said: "This has all the hallmarks of a panic move and suggests Jeremy Hunt's only solution to the A&E crisis is to give up and move the goalposts.
"Rather than getting ambulance response times back up to established standards, it looks like he is running up the white flag. The situation in the NHS is now serious and Jeremy Hunt is failing to provide the leadership it desperately needs.
Video:'We're Looking At Options For NHS'
"While there may be a case for reviewing these rules, this is not the way to do it. It is nothing short of dangerous to make a snap decision at the start of the most difficult winter in the NHS for years.
"Hunt's decision risks leaving thousands of seriously ill people waiting longer for ambulances this winter. The Health Secretary needs to provide urgent reassurance that this change can be safely made and won't put lives at risks."
But a Department of Health spokesman insisted there were "absolutely no plans" to increase ambulance waiting times.
"We have given ambulances an extra £50m this winter to ensure the service remains sustainable and the Secretary of State agreed that NHS England should investigate a proposal from the ambulance services themselves to see whether the service they offer the public could be improved," the spokesman said.
Video:Labour: Ambulance Changes 'Unsafe'
"No decisions have been made, and the Secretary of State would only agree to proposed changes that improve response times for urgent cases."
In an interview with Dermot Murnaghan, Chris Grayling told Sky News: "This is not something that has been decided. The Health Secretary will not give the go-ahead to something that weakens the support the Ambulance Service provides to our community."
Victims of domestic abuse are being warned to beware of Christmas gifts containing hidden spyware.
Abusers will hide cameras or listening devices inside presents such as mobile phones, laptops and toys to snoop on their targets, say campaigners.
Jennifer Perry, CEO of Digital-Trust, which helps victims of digital abuse, said: "Surveillance technology is getting cheaper, better disguised, simpler to use and easier to find.
"We work with a range of domestic violence professionals who are telling us that digital abuse is making it much more difficult to help women and keep them safe."
She said new smartphones given by a possessive spouse could include an app that can turn on the microphone remotely and eavesdrop on their partner's conversations.
Emma, a woman with a jealous and controlling partner, said: "I had been out having coffee with a friend and when I returned he played back part of our conversation.
"I couldn't figure out how he had done it.
"Had he hired someone to follow me? Did he bug the cafe? It was my domestic violence case worker who told me to check my phone.
"I found he had put spyware on my phone and had been listening and reading my texts for months."
Digital-Trust said listening devices can be hidden in everyday products such as extension cords, phone chargers and carbon monoxide detectors, all of which will function normally.
It said the new Paddington Bear movie will promote sales of a voice-activated Paddington Bear recorder, which could become popular with people who want to spy on their partners or have shared custody of children.
"An abuser can send the bear home with the child and then during their next visit the abuser can listen to the recordings and charge the battery," Ms Perry warned.
"Add a small tracking chip in the bear and the abuser will also be able to track the child and its mother."
The trust offers advice for anyone who suspects they are being monitored at www.digital-trust.org.
The long-range weather forecast now goes as far as Christmas Day - and reveals where it is most likely to snow.
The data, which at this stage is still open to change, indicates that on 25 December it will be mainly dry and a sunny day for all areas.
It will be chilly as well with the winds coming in from a cold northerly direction and temperatures for some will be just below the average for the time of year.
There will be the risk of some showers as well, especially across Scotland, Ireland, northwest England and parts of Wales, some of which could turn to sleet and snow over high ground.
Snow is most likely over the tops of the Scottish Highlands, mainly over 200m (650ft).
1/7
Gallery: Snow Blankets Parts Of UK
Middleham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales after overnight snow
The blanketing of snow came overnight, showing that winter is well and truly here. Continue through for more images
A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an off-duty police constable was beaten to death in Liverpool.
Neil Doyle, 36, was attacked by a group of men during a Christmas night out with colleagues from Merseyside Police.
Two other off-duty officers suffered facial injuries in the attack, which took place near the Aloha nightclub in Colquitt Street at around 3.15am on Friday.
A 28-year-old suspect from Huyton walked into a police station on Friday evening and is still being interviewed by detectives.
Now a 30-year-old man from the same area has been arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.
Both men were also arrested on suspicion of assaulting the two other officers.
Detectives are investigating the possibility they were targeted because of their jobs.
PC Doyle got married in July and was due to go on honeymoon next month.
In a statement, his widow Sarah said: "Neil was very well loved by all of his family, friends and colleagues and it is a great loss to us all.
"We are finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened and need time to be left to grieve."
Mr Doyle, who joined the force in May 2004, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but died a short time later.
A post-mortem examination concluded he died from fatal bleeding around the brain, consistent with an assault.
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Merseyside Police I extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family.
"Constable Doyle was enjoying a Christmas night out with his work colleagues.
"At around 3.15am Neil left the Peacock bar and walked with two colleagues along Colquitt Street in the city centre.
"The three officers were subjected to an apparently unprovoked and vicious attack by a group of males."
Mr Doyle had received a commendation for his actions in arresting three men after a violent robbery.
The two other officers required hospital treatment. One suffered a fractured cheekbone.
