Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Argentina Action Over UK Oil Firms In Falklands

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 17 April 2015 | 20.14

Argentina has started legal action against three British companies drilling for oil and gas off the disputed Falkland Islands.

Argentina's minister for the Falklands, Daniel Filmus, announced the start of the lawsuit in London.

Mr Filmus said a judge in Rio Grande, Argentina, had agreed to take on the case, involving three UK firms and two from the US.

The UK firms are understood to be Rockhopper, Premier Oil and Falkland Oil and Gas.

The move has raised tensions in a diplomatic row over the islands' sovereignty.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond described it as "an outrageous piece of bullying".

"It's an outrageous abuse of international procedure and we will take any action we can to resist it," Mr Hammond said.

"We are talking to the United States about what action we can take."

Mr Filmus told a press conference in London that his country was determined to use international and national law to settle the case.

The lawsuit came despite the fact Britain had made clear last week it believed any action would be "unreasonable".

Sky sources said Argentina's UK ambassador was last week summoned to the Foreign Office and given a "dressing down".

A statement on behalf of the Falklands Island Government dismissed the lawsuit as "another attempt by Argentina to try to block economic growth in the Falkland Islands".

"The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) fails to see how drilling is in any way a provocation," the statement read.

"We have the right to develop our economy, including the hydrocarbons industry, and we are exercising that right.

"Exploration drilling has been happening in Falkland Islands waters for many years.

"It is worth remembering that it was the Government of Argentina who walked away from working with the Falkland Islands on the development of a hydrocarbons industry some years ago.

"Argentine domestic law does not apply to the Falkland Islands and this latest action is clearly another attempt by Argentina to try to block economic growth in the Falkland Islands."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rolls-Royce Wins £6.1bn Emirates Engine Order

Rolls-Royce has won a £6.1bn order, a record for the company, from Emirates for engines to power 50 Airbus A380 superjumbos.

Rolls-Royce said its Trent 900 engines would power 50 Airbus A380 aircraft due to enter service from 2016 and the contract included support work.

Its chief executive John Rishton told Sky News the new business would safeguard UK jobs not only at Rolls-Royce but in the supply chain until 2020.

He said of the deal: "The success of Emirates over the last thirty years has been extraordinary; this is in no small part thanks to the exceptional leadership of Sir Tim Clark.

"Rolls-Royce has been proud to have been part of this success, powering Emirates aircraft since 1996.

"We are delighted that Emirates has again placed its trust in our technology, with the biggest order in our history."

Sir Tim, who is president of Emirates, added: "Rolls-Royce is a key partner for Emirates and we have been impressed with its commitment to continual improvements in the economic and operational performance of the Trent 900.

"These improvements have been decisive factors in our selection of the product for 50 of our A380s.

"Today's announcement is significant not only because it cements the partnership between Emirates and Rolls-Royce, but also because of the significant economic impact that this will have on aviation manufacturing in the UK and Europe."

The order is a huge boost for Rolls-Royce.

It issued a profit warning in February after confirming its first fall in annual revenues for a decade.

Three months previously, Rolls-Royce had announced plans to cut 2,600 jobs - a result of defence spending cuts, global economic uncertainty and falling commodity prices.

The company, which has major bases in Bristol and Derby, said it expected 2015 to be tougher than expected as the recent slide in oil prices had resulted in "increasing uncertainty" for many of its customers.

More follows...


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sturgeon Warns Miliband 'Don't Let Tories In'

Nicola Sturgeon has said voters will not forgive Ed Miliband if he turns down the chance to kick-out the Tories.

Ms Sturgeon told Sky News, Mr Miliband needed to be more than just a pale imitation of David Cameron.

She said: "I get a strong sense that people really want change. So there is an opportunity at this election to deliver change.

"Ed Miliband knows as well as me that if there is an anti-Tory majority, the only way David Cameron gets back into Downing Street is if Ed Miliband is prepared to stand back and let him back in.

"If he does that, then Labour voters in Scotland will never forgive him and I suspect Labour voters across the UK would never forgive him."

In an opposition leaders' TV debate on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon repeatedly called on Mr Miliband to work with her party to "lock" the Tories out power.

But the Labour leader argued they had "profound differences" and said he could not be in coalition with a party leader who wanted to break up the Union.

Ms Sturgeon on Friday told Sky News: "We are not talking about a coalition. Let's think about 8 May.

"If Ed Miliband and the SNP between us have more MPs than David Cameron has, is Ed Miliband really saying he will stand back and not work with the SNP, he's just going to watch David Cameron go back into Downing Street?

"If that is his position, let him come out and say that."

Her comments came as Mr Cameron warned a deal between Labour and the SNP would mean more borrowing and taxes.

:: Full General Election 2015 Coverage

In a Twitter post, Mr Cameron said: "Ed Miliband won't rule out a vote-by-vote deal with the SNP so he can be PM. It would mean more borrowing and more taxes and you would pay."

Pressed over the SNP leader's offer, Mr Miliband said: "My message to Nicola Sturgeon is 'thanks, but no thanks'."

He added: "It's not going to happen. I will never compromise our national security, I will never compromise our commitment to fiscal responsibility, I will never compromise on the nature of our United Kingdom."

Mr Miliband had used the opposition leaders debate to challenge Mr Cameron, who did not take part, to a "one-on-one" showdown.

But Mr Cameron dismissed the call, pointing to the 146 weekly exchanges they have had at Prime Minister's questions.

A poll by Survation/ Daily Mirror indicated Mr Miliband won the debate with 35%, while Ms Sturgeon came a close second on 31% with UKIP's Nigel Farage on 27%.

All those taking part in the debate rounded on Mr Cameron for not taking part.

But the PM said he was "not invited" and also repeated his warning that Labour backed by the SNP "would break up Britain and bankrupt Britain".

He added: "I think you saw on your television screens last night just a hint of the chaos you would get from that sort of coalition."

Mr Farage has also told Sky News he had "no regrets" over his remarks during the debate in which he claimed the audience were biased, resulting in him being jeered.

He argued the studio audience were "way out of line" with public opinion.

Meanwhile, back on the campaign trail, Mr Miliband has promised to end the "scandal" of long-term internships, and Mr Cameron warned of the threat to the Conservative "jobs miracle" if Labour gets back into office.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg travelled to Gordon, Scotland, where ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond is vying to wrestle the seat from his party.

Mr Clegg has appealed to Labour and Tory supporters to vote tactically to prevent Mr Salmond "dancing off to strut his stuff on the Westminster stage".

:: Kay Burley will be spending the day with Nicola Sturgeon today. Watch live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Murdered Becky Watts Died From Suffocation

By Adele Robinson, Sky News Correspondent

Bristol teenager Becky Watts died from suffocation, Avon and Somerset Police have revealed.

Their statement came as tributes were paid at the funeral to the teenager  who "touched the hearts of the nation".

Hundreds of people, including friends and family, gathered for the service at St Ambrose Church in the Whitehall district of Bristol.

Mourners, some wearing T-shirts featuring a photograph of Becky, threw pink roses as the horse-drawn carriage carrying her coffin arrived.

The 16-year-old disappeared from her family home in Crown Hill on the 19 February.

A huge search was conducted for the missing teenager, including a widespread online social media campaign.

Eleven days after she vanished, police discovered Becky's body parts at a house in Barton Hill in Bristol on 2 March.

At the service the Rev James read a tribute written by Becky's father, Darren Galsworthy.

"Secondary school was when our family went through very dark times. Becky was bullied about her weight and consequently we almost lost her to anorexia.

"But with a lot of care from us and hospital education we were able to get our Becky back.

"...Becky has left a huge void in our lives and touched the hearts of the nation.

"We all loved you so much and as you look down from heaven just look at whatyour short life has achieved - not bad for a shy girl.

1/12

  1. Gallery: March: Tributes to Becky Watts

    Public lay flowers near a property in Barton Court, Bristol, as a tribute to teenager Becky Watts

Family members have also been leaving tributes outside her home

]]>
20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Newborn Baby Left In Amusement Arcade Toilets

Police are trying to find the mother of a newborn baby found abandoned in public toilets at an amusement arcade in Southport.

The girl has been named as April by staff at Ormskirk Hospital where she is being treated.

She was just several hours old when staff at Silcock's Amusement Arcade found her in the disabled toilet on Thursday evening.

Police said there was evidence that April was "born where she was found".

Detective Inspector Mike Dalton said: "Our primary concern is for the health of the girl's mother. She is not in any trouble.

"I would urge April's mother to urgently come forward or at least seek treatment, as she could suffer medical complications which are potentially very dangerous.

"Please make contact with Ormskirk Hospital as soon as possible, if you are outside the area please get in touch with a medical professional.

"You are not in trouble, we need to get you back together with your daughter."

Police later released a CCTV image of woman they were hoping to trace in connection with the inquiry and urged her to get in touch.

:: A 24-hour phone line has been set up by the hospital, in order for the mother to make contact. The number is 01695 656 926.

:: Anyone who may be able to help locate April's mother is asked to contact officers on 0151 777 3835.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Preacher Murder Police Make Terror Arrests

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 16 April 2015 | 20.14

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

Police investigating the murder of Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani have arrested two people on suspicion of terror offences.

A 53-year-old woman was detained in Brent on Wednesday, and a 61-year-old man, already being held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder the imam, was re-arrested over terror offences.

The arrests came as an inquest was opened into the death of Mr Arwani, whose body was found in a car with multiple gunshot wounds.

He was discovered slumped behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Passat on 7 April.

Mr Arwani had been the imam at the An-Noor Cultural and Community Centre in Acton, west London, from 2005 to 2011 - and he was an outspoken critic of Syrian president Bashar al Assad.

Opening the inquest at North London Coroner's Court, Coroner Andrew Walker offered his condolences to Mr Arwani's son, who was present for the short hearing.

It was confirmed that on the day he died, Mr Arwani - who also had a building company - had "agreed to meet up with a male at a pre-arranged location" where he was fatally wounded.

A post-mortem examination confirmed cause of death as "multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen" and the inquest has now been adjourned until 30 October.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of Mr Arwani.

Leslie Cooper will stand trial on 12 October, 2015.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

DJ Neil Fox Pleads Not Guilty To Sex Offences

DJ Neil Fox has pleaded not guilty to nine sex offences against six alleged victims, including three who were under 16 at the time.

The 53-year-old, from Fulham in west London, was in Westminster Magistrates' Court to face seven counts of indecent assault, and two sexual assault charges.

After the charges were announced on 23 March, Mr Fox's lawyer said he "categorically denies each and every allegation that has been made against him".

The offences relating to the three juveniles were alleged to have taken place between 1991 and 1996 - one of them at the Chessington World of Adventures theme park.

The other three complainants were allegedly attacked by Mr Fox between 2003 and 2014, and one woman claims she was repeatedly assaulted at Capital Radio's Leicester Square studios.

Mr Fox was suspended from his job at Magic FM while police investigated the allegations, made by six women between the ages of 14 and 36.

He was first arrested last September, then again in December and again in March.

Scotland Yard said its investigation was not part of the Operation Yewtree inquiry into Jimmy Savile and others.

Mr Fox rose to fame presenting the chart show on Capital Radio, before appearing as a judge on Pop Idol between 2001 and 2003 alongside Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman and Nicki Chapman.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karen Buckley: Remains Found As Man Held

Karen Buckley: Remains Found As Man Held

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A man is to appear in court after remains believed to be those of a missing Irish student were found on a farm.

The discovery was made close to Milngavie, north of Glasgow, by officers searching for 24-year-old Karen Buckley.

Formal identification of the remains has not taken place. Ms Buckley's relatives have been informed.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and police said they were "following a definite line of enquiry". He is due in court on Friday.

Ms Buckley was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning after a night out in Glasgow.

The student, from Cork, vanished after spending the night with friends at the city's Sanctuary nightclub.

She told them at around 1am she was going to the toilet but failed to return and left her jacket behind.

1/17

  1. Gallery: Police Search Discover Remains In Search For Missing Student

    The search for the missing student shifted to the area around High Craigton Farm, to the north of the city, on Wednesday

The road to the farm was closed off

]]>

Fire service vehicles were later seen heading to the farm. Hours later police revealed that remains had been found

]]>

Ms Buckley spent Saturday night with friends at Glasgow's Sanctuary nightclub but disappeared around 1am

]]>

Police earlier searched near the flat in Dorchester Avenue where the student spent several hours on Sunday before apparently leaving around 4am

]]>
Karen Buckley: Remains Found As Man Held

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A man is to appear in court after remains believed to be those of a missing Irish student were found on a farm.

The discovery was made close to Milngavie, north of Glasgow, by officers searching for 24-year-old Karen Buckley.

Formal identification of the remains has not taken place. Ms Buckley's relatives have been informed.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and police said they were "following a definite line of enquiry". He is due in court on Friday.

Ms Buckley was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning after a night out in Glasgow.

The student, from Cork, vanished after spending the night with friends at the city's Sanctuary nightclub.

She told them at around 1am she was going to the toilet but failed to return and left her jacket behind.

1/17

  1. Gallery: Police Search Discover Remains In Search For Missing Student

    The search for the missing student shifted to the area around High Craigton Farm, to the north of the city, on Wednesday

The road to the farm was closed off

]]>

Fire service vehicles were later seen heading to the farm. Hours later police revealed that remains had been found

]]>

Ms Buckley spent Saturday night with friends at Glasgow's Sanctuary nightclub but disappeared around 1am

]]>

Police earlier searched near the flat in Dorchester Avenue where the student spent several hours on Sunday before apparently leaving around 4am

]]>

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

May: Top Gear Trolls Should Kill Themselves

James May has told Top Gear viewers who sent threatening tweets to Sue Perkins following rumours she could replace Jeremy Clarkson he does not want them as fans.

The presenter took to Twitter himself to tell online trolls who sent the Great British Bake Off host abusive messages they should "kill themselves".

He said: "If you're one of the people sending death threats to Sue Perkins, could you please do the world a much bigger favour by killing yourself."

May quickly clarified: "Obviously I don't actually want people to kill themselves but, really, we don't want them as fans."

Perkins denied she was in the running for the role after Clarkson's contract was not renewed by the BBC after his attack on a producer last month.

But she announced she was leaving Twitter on Tuesday as a result of the abuse.

She said: "Guys, post the utterly fabricated story about me and Top Gear, my timeline has been full of blokes wishing me dead. This morning, someone suggested they'd like to see me burn to death.

"All of which goes to say that I am off Twitter for a bit. Love and peace x."

Coral bookmakers had Dermot O'Leary as second favourite to present at 2-1, while actor Philip Glenister, famed for his role as the detective in Life On Mars, has also been rumoured to replace the ousted Clarkson.

Clarkson was the subject of an internal BBC investigation after he attacked Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, splitting his lip and verbally abusing him in a 30-second assault on 4 March.

The star received widespread public support - including from his friend Prime Minister David Cameron - in the aftermath of the fracas, and one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him.

But BBC director general Tony Hall said "a line has been crossed" and "there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another".

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


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mother Charged With Son's Car Fire Murder

A mother has been charged with murdering her five-year-old son who died after a fire engulfed the car he was in.

Tommy Sheldon sustained life-threatening injuries after the blaze unfolded in Hampshire on 11 August 2014, and died a fortnight later.

His mother, Teresa, has now been charged with his murder - along with the attempted murder of a second person who cannot be named.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the 38-year-old has also been charged with the unlawful killing of her son.

Sheldon has been remanded in custody, and will appear at Winchester Crown Court at a later date.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two Guilty Of Poker Player's 'Honeytrap' Murder

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 15 April 2015 | 20.14

Two men have been found guilty of the murder of a professional poker player who was lured to his death with a honeytrap.

Kyrron Jackson and Nicholas Chandler were convicted by a jury of kicking Mehmet Hassan to death after Jackson's girlfriend Leonie Granger set the trap.

Care assistant Granger, 25, was found guilty of manslaughter for deliberately targeting the 56-year-old.

Granger had already pleaded guilty of robbery and was found guilty of false imprisonment but was found not guilty of murder.

Chandler had to be restrained by court guards after he began lashing out as the verdicts were handed down.

The court heard how Granger went on dates with Mr Hassan and afterwards reported back that her target was "flashy".

A taxi driver overheard her saying: "This guy is a professional gambler. He has never worked a day in his life."

On the night of the murder, Mr Hassan took Granger to top Mayfair restaurant Nobu before going on to the Palm Beach Casino nearby where he gave her £1,000 in cash to gamble with.

She was seen kissing the victim "passionately" and a poker supervisor felt compelled to tell the pair to "get a room".

Later, he took her back to his Islington flat where she let in her boyfriend Jackson and his friend Chandler as she left to get into a taxi.

The two men used parcel tape to tie up Mr Hassan in his bedroom then kicked him to death and ransacked his home.

The killers were later filmed on Granger's mobile phone throwing wads of £50 notes in the air.

Mr Hassan was a regular at the Playboy Casino on Old Park Lane and the Palm Beach Casino in Berkeley Street, Mayfair, and sometimes won as much as £15,000 at a time.

The divorced father-of-three would keep his winnings around his flat, even keeping thousands of pounds in his microwave.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC told jurors he was known to enjoy "the company of women"  which made him particularly "vulnerable to the unscrupulous".

Jackson and Chandler had been involved in two armed robberies at the same casino in South Kensington in January and February last year but with limited success.

In each case, guns were used and the victims were tied up and subjected to violence.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the dramatic raids as well as clips of Granger and Mr Hassan together in the casino before the killing.

In her defence, Granger admitted being involved in a plan to rob Mr Hassan, but denied being party to the murder.

While Jackson denied involvement in the murder, Chandler told the court he had stayed in the car outside an address in Islington playing Flappy Bird and Candy Crush while his friend went inside.

Jackson, of Romborough Way, Lewisham, south east London, and Chandler, of Lee High Road, south east London, were further convicted of robbing Mr Hassan, two counts of plotting to rob employees of Grosvenor Casinos, two counts of conspiracy to have a shotgun and imitation firearm in January last year, and two counts of conspiracy to falsely imprison.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Third' Of GPs Thinking Of Quitting Before 2020

A third of GPs are thinking about retiring from general practice in the next five years, according to a survey of thousands of doctors.

Nearly four in 10 (37%) said their workload was too much to deal with, while 53% said it was tough but generally manageable.

Two-thirds (68%) also told the British Medical Association (BMA) that they experienced significant work-related stress, but insisted they could deal with it.

Just one in six said they were unable to handle the stress of their job.

The BMA survey questioned 15,560 GPs and also found one in five trainees (19%) was already thinking about writing off work in the UK in favour of a job abroad.

The doctors' association said it raised doubts over political promises to dramatically boost GP numbers over the next five years.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA GP committee chair, said the survey painted a bleak picture of frustrated GPs facing "burnout" and swamped by "pointless paperwork".

"In this climate, it is absurd that in the recent leaders' debate, political parties were attempting to outbid each other on the number of GPs they could magically produce in the next parliament," said Dr Nagpaul.

The head of the Royal College of GPs went further and said the pressures on GPs posed a "genuine danger to patient safety".

Dr Maureen Baker said: "Highly trained and experienced GPs are leaving the profession in growing numbers because of the intense and increasing pressures that we are facing, and not enough medical students are entering general practice to replace them.

"This is a genuine danger to patient safety - and to the wellbeing of hardworking family doctors and our teams."

"We simply don't have enough GPs to cope with the increasing demand of our growing and ageing population," added Dr Baker.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Windsor Castle Staff Back Industrial Action

Staff described by their union as the "public face" of Windsor Castle have voted to take industrial action in a pay dispute.

The 76 wardens, all members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, voted by 84% in favour of action short of a strike, which could start from the end of April.

Turnout was 82%.

The union said the wardens are employed by the Royal Collection Trust, a charitable arm of the Royal Households, to work at the entrance to the castle, around the grounds and inside the castle protecting artworks and helping visitors.

The dispute centred on the wardens being "expected" to carry out extra duties, such as giving tours of the castle to fee-paying visitors, without pay.

Any industrial action, the PCS added, would probably involve withdrawing from such activities.

Its general secretary, Mark Serwotka, added: "These loyal workers are the public face of Windsor Castle and with this vote their message to their employer is loud and clear.

"Staff should be properly rewarded for their commitment to ensuring visitors from around the world can fully enjoy their time at the castle."

Salaries of the wardens can start at £14,400 a year. 

The union claimed staff only narrowly accepted an "unsatisfactory" pay offer last year on the understanding that additional allowances for paid-for tours and other skills would be considered this year.

The Royal Collection Trust said the ballot was "disappointing" but would not affect visitors.

It said: "Following the union ballot, we have been informed that some PCS-affiliated wardens at Windsor Castle will no longer participate in various activities undertaken during their working day, including using their language and first-aid skills, and conducting tours of specific areas of the Castle during August and September.

"These activities have never been compulsory; it has always been the choice of the individual as to whether they take part.

"Royal Collection Trust has since last year been exploring ways to achieve an agreed level of pay for all warden staff.

"Conversations that are part of the annual pay review process are still ongoing and an offer to expand the salary scale for a warden, starting at the Regional Living Wage of £14,695 for new joiners (based upon an average 36 hour working week), has been put to PCS and other unions."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karen Buckley: Police Search Park And Flats

Karen Buckley: Police Search Park And Flats

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Police searching for Glasgow student Karen Buckley are scouring the area around a flat where she spent the night and a park where her handbag has been found.

Dozens of officers have been deployed to Dawsholm Park following the find - and a helicopter is aiding the search.

The 24-year-old went missing in the early hours of Sunday after leaving the flat of Alexander Pacteau, who she met on a night out.

Mr Pacteau is not a suspect but communal areas outside his flat in Dorchester Avenue have been taped off while officers look for clues.

He has told officers she left at 4am. The Irish student has not been seen since.

1/9

  1. Gallery: Police Search Park After Handbag Of Missing Student Found

    The handbag of missing student Karen Buckley has been found in a Glasgow park

Officers have been searching through undergrowth in Dawsholm Park for clues

]]>

A police helicopter has been deployed to aid the search

]]>

The scale of the search is seen with numerous police officers involved

]]>
]]>
Karen Buckley: Police Search Park And Flats

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Police searching for Glasgow student Karen Buckley are scouring the area around a flat where she spent the night and a park where her handbag has been found.

Dozens of officers have been deployed to Dawsholm Park following the find - and a helicopter is aiding the search.

The 24-year-old went missing in the early hours of Sunday after leaving the flat of Alexander Pacteau, who she met on a night out.

Mr Pacteau is not a suspect but communal areas outside his flat in Dorchester Avenue have been taped off while officers look for clues.

He has told officers she left at 4am. The Irish student has not been seen since.

1/9

  1. Gallery: Police Search Park After Handbag Of Missing Student Found

    The handbag of missing student Karen Buckley has been found in a Glasgow park

Officers have been searching through undergrowth in Dawsholm Park for clues

]]>

A police helicopter has been deployed to aid the search

]]>

The scale of the search is seen with numerous police officers involved

]]>

]]>

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Parking Notice Gives Clue To Kate's Due Date

Parking restrictions have been put in place near the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth to her second child.

The restrictions, detailed on yellow signs outside the private Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, will run until 30 April, suggesting the Duchess will give birth by this date at the latest.

Her due date has not been confirmed but reports have suggested it is around 25 April.

There is speculation that the baby, which will be fourth in line to the throne, could arrive on the Queen's birthday on 21 April, or William and Kate's fourth wedding anniversary on 29 April.

Kate is already on maternity leave and will return to St Mary's for the birth following the delivery of Prince George there two years ago.

She and Prince William chose the Lindo Wing as the place to have their first child, following in the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales, who gave birth to both her sons there.

Official confirmation that the Duchess is in labour is expected to come from Kensington Palace once she has been admitted to hospital.

1/9

  1. Gallery: Kate And Wills Visit Irish Guards On St Patrick's Day

    The Duchess of Cambridge meets veterans and cadets during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards

The Duke And Duchess attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire

]]>
20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM Promises 'Good Life' For 'Working People'

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 14 April 2015 | 20.14

David Cameron has claimed the Conservatives are the "party of the working people" as he made pledges on homeownership, £5,000 of free childcare and an income tax-free minimum wage.

Launching the Tory manifesto, Mr Cameron repeatedly made offers to voters who worked hard and wanted to get on the "good life".

The manifesto set out measures for families from cradle to grave - identifying measures to help people over six stages of their lives.

Mr Cameron opened his speech by saying: "At the heart of this manifesto is a simple proposition. We are the party of working people, offering you security at every stage of your life."

He promised 30 hours of childcare for three and four-year-olds - five hours more than promised in Labour's manifesto yesterday - to help working parents.

He said if the party is returned to power, it will give 1.3 million families the chance to buy their housing association home at least a 20% discount.

Speaking at a university technical college in Swindon, Mr Cameron laid out his vision for a "property-owning democracy" echoing the phrases used in Margaret Thatcher's 1983 manifesto.

And he said the Conservatives would introduce a tax-free minimum wage, linking the minimum wage to the income tax personal allowance so the lowest paid would never have to pay tax.

He urged voters not to "waste the last five years" and let "Labour drag us back" to the past, and asked to be allowed to "finish the job".

Mr Cameron promised: "This buccaneering, world-beating, can-do country - we can do it all over again."

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

:: All You Need To Know About Party Manifestos

:: Sky's Anushka Asthana On Five Things We've Learned From The Tory Manifesto

Among other measures included in the manifesto, which has the phrase "strong leadership, a clear economic plan, a better more secure future" on the cover, are:

:: Raising the personal allowance for tax to £12,500

:: Increasing the starting salary for the 40p rate to £50,000

:: No increase in income tax, VAT, National Insurance

:: Raising the inheritance tax threshold for family homes to £1m

:: Seven-day access to GP service

:: An annual £8bn boost for NHS funding

:: Repeal the Hunting Act

:: Increase state pension by at least 2.5% with a triple lock

:: 200,000 starter homes built

:: Committed to four-boat Trident nuclear deterrent

Mr Cameron's repeated pledges on a "good life" available to people in the UK prompted a question on whether he saw himself as the impoverished Tom and Barbara characters from the BBC sitcom, played by Felicity Kendal and Richard Briers, or the rich Margot and Jerry characters played by Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.

To fund Right to Buy, the Conservatives would force councils to sell their most expensive properties when vacant - estimated to raise £4.5bn a year - and replace the properties sold.

However, the Housing Federation claims the cost to the taxpayer would be £5.8bn and 40 years of failure on house-building means the UK still does not have the homes needed.

Since Baroness Thatcher introduced Right to Buy in 1980, 1.88 million council properties have been sold - only 345,000 new social housing properties have been built.

As well as extending Right to Buy at a discount to housing association tenants, the party has promised a £1bn fund for building 400,000 new properties on brownfield sites.

Mr Cameron's claim that the Conservatives are the party for workers comes after Labour said it wanted to be seen as the fiscally responsible option for government.

:: Right To Buy: Your Questions Answered

:: Labour's Manifesto At A Glance

Conservative activists gathered for the manifesto launch were shown a video called The Note.

The video refers to the missive left for the coalition by the outgoing Labour treasury minister Liam Byrne after the 2010 election. It said: "There is no money."

But Labour has claimed the Conservatives have failed to explain properly how their measures will be funded.

The Tories say some £1.4bn a year of the funding will come from reducing the tax relief on pensions for those earning more than £150,000. Mr Cameron said their track record showed they could deliver on their pledges.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the Conservatives were "trying to fund Right to Buy on a bounced cheque".

:: Click Here To Make Your Own Government With Our Shaker Maker


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sue Perkins Receives Top Gear Death Threats

Television presenter Sue Perkins has quit Twitter after receiving death threats following speculation she could replace Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear.

The Great British Bake Off presenter revealed on Tuesday that someone had said "they'd like to see me burn to death".

Writing on Twitter, she denied she is to replace Clarkson and announced she was leaving the social media platform.

She wrote a series of tweets saying: "Guys, post the utterly fabricated story about me & Top Gear, my timeline has been full of blokes wishing me dead...

"This morning, someone suggested they'd like to see me burn to death.

"All of which goes to say that I am off Twitter for a bit. Love and peace x."

Perkins first alluded to the trolling four days ago when she wrote: "Just back from night shoot in Kolkata sewers to find my timeline busy with middle-aged man-trolls. General gist: Man do cars, woman do cake."

Fans took to Twitter to post messages of support and encouragement following her announcement.

Fearne Cotton wrote: "There are some awful and sad humans out there. How pathetic. ps you absolutely rock!"

It is not known who will present Top Gear after the BBC decided not to renew his contract following his attack on a producer last month.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Glasgow Student: Man In CCTV Traced

Detectives searching for a student who vanished two days ago have tracked down a man she was seen speaking to on CCTV.

Karen Buckley, 24, was last seen on the footage outside the Sanctuary nightclub in Glasgow in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The CCTV shows her talking to a man outside the club and then walking away, heading west.

Officers say that man has now been traced and is "helping police with inquiries".

Ms Buckley, a Glasgow Caledonian University student from Cork in Ireland, got to the Sanctuary just before midnight.

At around 1am told friends she was going to the toilet.

But she did not go back to her friends, nor did she take her jacket.

Her friends later raised the alarm, saying it was "very out of character" for her not to return home.

A major search is under way in the west end of Glasgow, with police carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

Her family has also flown to Scotland from Ireland to help with the search and a Facebook page has been set up.

Ms Buckley is between 5ft and 5ft 2in with brown eyes and dark hair which had long black curly extensions in it.

She was last seen wearing a black jumpsuit, red high-heeled shoes and carrying a black handbag.

She speaks with an Irish accent.

Inspector Gavin Smith, of Police Scotland, said: "Friends reported Karen missing on Sunday 12 April after feeling her behaviour to not return home was very out of character.

"Her friends say she would always contact them by text or phone to let them know where she was and she doesn't appear to have contacted anyone.

"We are interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen Karen in the early hours of Sunday morning in the west end of Glasgow in order to help with our inquiries to locate her.

"Karen had been drinking alcohol with her friends but they say she was not drunk and are very worried about her.

"Her parents have also flown over from Ireland as they believe this behaviour is very unusual and not like Karen at all.

"I would urge anyone who may have seen Karen at all on Saturday night into Sunday morning to get in touch with police on 101 with any information at all."

Ms Buckley lives with three other students in a flat in Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow.

Before going to the nightclub, she had drinks with friends in the flat.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

PPI Scandal: Clydesdale Handed £20.7m Fine

A £20.7m fine has been slapped on Clydesdale Bank for failures in its handling of payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints and attempts to mislead the City regulator.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the penalty was the largest it had imposed for failings relating to PPI - a product mis-sold by the financial services industry that has cost it billions in redress and administration to date.

The watchdog said the fine partly reflected "inappropriate policies" introduced in mid-2011 by Clydesdale which meant its PPI complaint handlers were "not taking into account all relevant documents when deciding how to deal with complaints".

The statement continued: "In addition, between May 2012 and June 2013, Clydesdale provided false information to the Financial Ombudsman Service in response to requests for evidence of the records Clydesdale held on PPI policies sold to individual customers.

"A team within Clydesdale's PPI complaint handling operation altered certain system print outs (in a small number of cases) to make it look as if Clydesdale held no relevant documents and deleted all PPI information from a separate print out listing the products sold to the customer.

"These practices were not known to or authorised by Clydesdale's PPI leadership team or more senior management."

The regulator said that as a result of Clydesdale's conduct, of the 126,600 PPI complaints decided between May 2011 and July 2013, up to 42,200 may have been rejected unfairly and up to 50,900 upheld complaints may have resulted in inadequate redress.

The FCA confirmed the bank would be contacting customers affected as Clydesdale continued to review past cases.

Georgina Philippou, acting director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said: "Clydesdale's failings were unacceptable and fell well below the standard the FCA expects.

"The fact that Clydesdale misled the Financial Ombudsman by providing false information about the information it held is particularly serious and this is reflected in the size of the fine."

Clydesdale qualified for a 30% reduction on the size of the fine because it settled the case early, the FCA said.

Acting chief executive of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, Debbie Crosbie, said: "In 2011 we introduced changes to our policies and procedures that were designed to help us respond to PPI complaints.

"A number of these changes were inappropriate and have disadvantaged some of our customers. We got this wrong and I am sorry for that.

"We deeply regret any instance which led to the Financial Ombudsman Service receiving incorrect or incomplete information from us.

"These practices were not authorised or condoned by the Banks. As soon as this issue was discovered, we took immediate steps to stop it; we made the regulator aware and rapidly introduced strict new monitoring procedures to prevent any recurrence."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Charged With Syrian Preacher's Murder

A man has been charged with the murder of Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani, who was shot dead in northwest London.

Leslie Cooper, 36, is to appear before Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court over the killing of Mr Arwani.

Mr Arwani - a critic of the Bashar al Assad regime -  was found shot dead in his Volkswagen Passat in Wembley on 7 April.

Rob Davis, from the CPS London Homicide Unit, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Leslie Cooper, 36, with the murder of Abdul Hadi Arwani.

"Mr Arwani was shot dead in the Greenhill area of London on 7 April 2015.

"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Mr Cooper will appear before Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on 14 April 2015.

"Mr Cooper now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Mr Arwani, a father of six, was an imam at the An Noor mosque in Acton, west London, between 2005 and 2011.

He is thought to have fled Syria as a teenager in 1982 after surviving the Hama massacre.

Mr Arwani is believed to have attended protests against Assad outside the Syrian embassy in 2012.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stepping Hill Nurse Chua 'Had Devil Inside'

Written By Unknown on Senin, 13 April 2015 | 20.14

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

A nurse accused of murdering and poisoning patients wrote that he was an angel who had turned into "an evil person" with the devil inside him.

Jurors at Victorino Chua's trial have been told that police found the note inside a kitchen drawer at his home following his arrest in January 2012.

Manchester Crown Court was told the nurse had been advised to express his frustration and anger in writing after seeing an employees' counsellor at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport where he was working.

The meeting took place in 2010, a year before patients at the hospital were poisoned with contaminated saline drips. 

Three patients allegedly died as a result, one suffered brain injury and several others recovered.

In the note, Filipino Mr Chua wrote: "Inside of me I can feel the anger that at any time it will explode just still hanging on can still control it but if I will be pushed they gonna be sorry."

Explaining in imperfect English that he had been taking anti-depressants, sleeping pills and painkillers for a bad back and knee, the nurse added: "At home I can control not to take my painkiller but in hospital because of the staff I can't help take more than the limit or else I won't care or carry on with my job.

"I am telling them I'm fine and alright just to shut their mouth."

He said he wanted to explain to his family "how an angel turn to evil person. The bitter nurse confession. Got lots to tell but I just take it to my grave".

Mr Chua has pleaded not guilty to 37 charges in all, including three alleged murders, 25 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, eight counts of attempting to administer poison and one count of administering poison.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Polish 'Prince' Challenges Nigel Farage To Duel

A man claiming to be a Polish prince has challenged Nigel Farage to a duel with swords in "defence of my people in this country".

Brandishing a large sword, Yanek Zylinski said he had enough of "discrimination against Polish people" and called on the UKIP leader to meet him in Hyde Park.

In a video posted on YouTube Mr Zylinski called on the UKIP leader to meet him to resolve the issue in "a way that an 18th century Polish aristocrat and an English gentleman would traditionally do".

:: Full coverage of General Election 2015

:: Live Blog: Updates From The Campaign Trail

London-based Mr Zylinski, who said his father had led a cavalry charge against the Germans in 1939, called Mr Farage's comments about immigrants causing traffic jams on the M40 "idiotic".

He said: "I've realised that now what I have to do is to stand up in defence of my people in this country in the UK.

"I've had enough of discrimination against Polish people in this country.

"The most idiotic example I have heard of has been Mr Nigel Farage blaming migrants for traffic jams on the M40.

"Enough is enough, Mr Farage.

"So what I'd like to do, Mr Farage, is to challenge you to a duel.

"I'm offering a duel, if you agree."

:: Nigel Farage Profile

:: Click here to make your own Government with our Shaker Maker

During a visit to Clacton, Essex, Mr Farage said: "I would have thought that a Polish prince with a long Polish lineage would rather agree with me that it's a complete tragedy for Poland that it's lost so many of its brightest and best young people."

He added: "It is an impressive sword. I don't have one but I'm sure we could find one if we had to. But I'm not intending to accept the offer."

Mr Zylinski did offer an alternative to the full swords in Hyde Park event.

He said: "Alternatively, if you don't agree, or if your sword is a little bit rusting, Mr Farage, we can meet for a different kind of duel - a duel of words in a TV studio in the run-up to the election."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Arrested Over Syrian Preacher's Murder

A man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani, who was shot dead in northwest London.

The 46-year-old suspect was arrested on Sunday evening in Brent, the Metropolitan Police said.

He remains in custody at a central London police station.

Mr Arwani -  a critic of the Bashar al Assad regime -  was found in his Volkswagen Passat in Wembley with gunshot wounds on 7 April.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Arwani or his car on Sunday 5 April or Tuesday 7 April.

Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) unit have taken the lead in the investigation because of their "expertise in the management of investigations with international dimensions and an established liaison network abroad".

They have discovered that Mr Arwani, 48, had driven near to where his body was found on the morning of 5 April, and parked in Havenwood, where he remained for a short time.

The force said officers were "open-minded" about the motive of the killing.

Mr Arwani, a father of six, was an imam at the An Noor mosque in Acton, west London, between 2005 and 2011.

He is thought to have fled Syria as a teenager in 1982 after surviving the Hama massacre. He is believed to have attended protests against Assad outside the Syrian embassy in 2012.

Mr Arwani's 20-year-old son, Murhaf Arwani, has appealed for people to help the police in their investigation.

He said: "The police are currently investigating this brutal murder. As an individual, a family and a community, we are helping the police to solve this heinous crime.

"Any information we have has, and will be passed on to them and we urge anyone with any information to please please please do the same.

"To members of the public that knew my late father and even those of you who didn't know him, please tell us what you know. We know that it won't bring our father back to us but it may help to deliver justice to those who killed him."

:: Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Syria-Bound' Briton To Be Sent Home To UK

One of nine Britons held in Turkey on suspicion of trying to illegally enter Syria is being flown back to the UK, Sky News understands.

Waheed Ahmed - the son of Rochdale councillor Shakil Ahmed - will fly from Dalaman into Birmingham overnight today, according to Sky sources.

The remaining eight will return on Tuesday, it is understood.

All of the group are from the same family.

Mr Ahmed, 21, was with his aunt, two cousins and one of their wives when they were stopped in Turkey, near the Syrian border. They had four children with them.

Most of the group flew from Manchester on 27 March but Mr Ahmed joined them three days later on a flight from Birmingham.

There were reportedly concerns about his behaviour in the months before he was arrested.

Mohammed Shafiq, who is a friend of Shakil Ahmed, said of Waheed: "There were concerns in the last six months to a year about a change in his behaviour.

"And a change in his attitude towards various different issues."

He also told Sky News: "That was causing concern for people in the community and his family."

Other family members detained include Zareeda Bi, 47, Maboob Yasin, 22, Habib Yasin, 24, Samia Bi, 22, and youngsters aged one, three, eight and 11.

Police are trying to establish their reason for travelling to the Syrian border.

The Foreign Office said it did not comment on individual cases.

Officers have searched at least five homes in the Manchester area, including that of the Labour councillor.

Cllr Ahmed said he thought his son had been in Birmingham on a work placement when he discovered that he had been detained in Turkey.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Miliband: 'I Am Ready' To Lead Better Britain

Ed Miliband has attempted to convince voters he can be trusted with the economy pledging to cut the deficit year on year and saying: "I am ready" to lead the country.

The Labour leader promised to get the Budget back into surplus "as soon as possible" and said that everything listed in the party's manifesto could be paid for.

The manifesto, launched by Mr Miliband on the set of Coronation Street and titled Britain Can Be Better, promised to "secure the family finances of the working people of Britain".

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

:: All You Need To Know About Party Manifestos

Mr Miliband said the manifesto was not a "shopping list of proposals"  as he sought to persuade a sceptical public he could be trusted with the nation's finances by introducing a "triple lock" of responsibility.

He said a Labour Government would: cut the deficit every year, that every measure contained in the manifesto was fully funded and Labour would meet fiscal rules with the national debt falling.

Mr Miliband attempted to capitalise on the Conservatives' refusal to spell out how they would find the extra £8bn of funding for the NHS and said David Cameron's party had proposed £20bn of unfunded commitments.

He said: "Nothing is more dangerous to our NHS than pretending you'll be able to protect it without being able to say where the money's coming from. You can't fund the NHS with an IOU and the Conservative Party need to learn that."

But Mr Miliband made some eye-catching pledges in the 84-page Labour Party Manifesto 2015 including:

:: Wrap around childcare - primary schools to provide care from 8am-6pm

:: Raising the minimum wage to £8 an hour

:: Abolishing non-dom rules, abolishing zero-hour contracts

:: £2.5bn Time to Care fund for NHS off back of mansion tax and tobacco firm levy

::  Increase income tax for those earning more than £150,000

:: No increase in income tax, VAT, National Insurance for those on basic and higher rate income tax

:: Scrap winter fuel allowance for pensioners with an income of more than £42,000 a year

:: Freeze energy prices

:: Tighten tax avoidance rules to yield £7.5bn a year

:: Cut tuition fees to £6,000

:: More powers for the Welsh and Scottish Parliament

:: Extend the vote to 16-year-olds

With 24 days to go until the General Election, Mr Miliband said: "The reason we can make these commitments is because we will make sure those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden.

"So we'll reverse David Cameron's tax cut for millionaires to help pay down the deficit.

"We'll crack down on hedge funds who avoid paying their fair share. We'll stop HMRC operating double standards.

"And we'll do something that no government has done for over 200 years - we'll say enough is enough to the people who live here, work here, send their kids to school here but don't want to pay taxes here and we will abolish the non-dom rule."

:: Ed Miliband Profile

:: Live Blog: General Election 2015

Polls show that voters trust Labour less with the economy than the Conservatives and Mr Miliband has struggled to play down forgetting to mention the deficit in his conference speech.

Labour says it will have the current Budget in surplus by the end of the next parliament, however, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have said they will do so by 2017/18.

In an answer to recent criticism that Labour is against big business and wealth-creators, Mr Miliband said Labour was "pro business but not pro business as usual".

He said Labour would champion small and medium-sized businesses with a cut in business rates to help them create the jobs, wealth and profits of the future.

Mr Miliband also said he would champion the little man against the giant energy firms and painted himself as the man who would stand up for the little people against the powerful interests.

He said: "With me as Prime Minister, no powerful interest, will outweigh the interests of working people."

The Labour leader said the last four-and-a-half years had tested whether he was ready to become leader.

He said: "I am ready. Ready to put an end to the tired old idea that as long as we look after the rich and powerful we will all be OK. Ready to put into practice the truth that it is only when working people succeed, that Britain succeeds."

Chancellor George Osborne said the manifesto had provided "no new ideas for Britain" and said the Conservative manifesto, which will be launched tomorrow, would provide a better future for the country.

He said Labour's plans would see "higher taxes, more debt and a return to the economic chaos of the past".

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said that Labour's plans would leave the deficit at £30bn - it currently stands at £90bn - by 2020.

:: Click Here To Make Your Own Government With Our Shaker Maker

Speaking after Mr Miliband's speech, IFS director Paul Johnson told The Daily Politics Labour's manifesto had provided "no additional clarity" on how quickly it wanted to reduce the deficit.

He said: "The Labour party have repeated what they have said over the last several months, which is that they want to get to get to current budget balanced as soon as they can in the next parliament.

"Now, it really, really matters how soon that is. If they want to get there within three years, which is sort of what they might be thought to have signed up to in the fiscal responsibility charter earlier this year, that's a really significant amount of spending cuts or tax rises over the next three years.

"If they are happy to wait til the end of the parliament, which is also sort of consistent with what they signed up to, then actually we don't need any spending cuts over the next five years."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Holidaymakers Being Conned Out Of Millions

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 12 April 2015 | 20.14

A warning has been issued to those booking holidays online, as it is revealed that British holidaymakers were conned out of £2.2m last year.

Criminal groups have targeted online booking firms to steal cash from unsuspecting customers and many only find out they have been conned when they arrive at their hotel and find no record of their booking.

A report from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau found that in one case a holidaymaker lost £62,000 in a fraud relating to a dodgy timeshare scheme.

But losses are not just financial, with a third of victims saying the fraud has a substantial impact on their health as well as their finances and 167 victims said the impact of the crime was so severe they needed medical treatment.

The scams see a spike in the summer months and in December, which mean that many ruined trips will be for those trying to visit loved ones for Christmas.

The report shows that, during a 12-month period, 1,569 cases of holiday booking fraud were reported to the police action fraud team, with most relating to plane tickets, hacking accounts, posting fake adverts online and setting up bogus websites.

Sports and religious trips were an attractive target because of limited availability and higher prices and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and World Cup in Brazil were also targeted, with many people paying for fake tickets or accommodation.

Those aged between 30 and 49 were most often targeted and most victims were defrauded by methods such as bank transfers or cash with no means of getting their money back. Only a small number paid by credit or debit card where some form of redress is available.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said: "Holiday fraud is a particularly distressing form of fraud as the loss to the victim is not just financial but it can also have a high emotional impact.

"Many victims are unable to get away on a long-awaited holiday or visit to loved ones and the financial loss is accompanied by a personal loss. 

"We would also encourage anyone who has been the victim of a travel-related fraud to report it so that the police can build up a case, catch the perpetrators and prevent other unsuspecting people from falling victim."

Detective chief superintendent Dave Clark, the City of London Police head of economic crime, said: "Online shoppers must be vigilant and conduct all the necessary checks before booking a break to ensure the conmen are kept at bay."


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

More Buyers Building Homes - The Old Way

By Enda Brady, Sky News Correspondent

With property prices rising and many young people still finding it hard to get a mortgage, more and more would-be homeowners across Britain are turning to one of the oldest methods of building.

Cob building involves using earth, sand, straw and clay as the raw materials for walls. It's estimated that a three-bed cob home would cost in the region of £25,000 to build.

All that's needed is a plot of land and planning permission - and the right knowledge.

Charlotte Eve runs classes on how to build cob homes from her Norfolk base and says that hundreds of people are signing up to learn the skills needed for their own projects.

"You can't get more sustainable than a cob home," she told Sky News.

"You dig your foundations on site and you use the clay from that foundation trench to make your walls. It's very environmentally friendly and it's also cheap - cheap in terms of construction costs and also in terms of heating the finished home.

"Your costs for the project are extremely low."

Self building accounts for only 10% of the UK market. That's despite lower costs - £150,000 for the average project, which is £80,000 less than a ready-made home.

Tony Tkaczuk from Lancashire is working on an upgrade of his cob cottage and says he'd recommend a self-build to anyone.

"It's very fulfilling actually, you have done it yourself and that's a great feeling," Tony told Sky News.

"You can work together as a team, like my wife and I do. And at the end it's wonderful to think to yourselves 'yes, we did that'."

At the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in Watford, experts monitor construction trends across the UK each year. They point out that around 11,000 projects in Britain last year were self-builds.

"There's a lot of time, energy and emotion required," said BRE's chief executive, Dr Peter Bonfield. "There are a lot of benefits to self-builds, you can feel really proud of what you have achieved.

"There are also a lot of professional companies out there doing this kind of thing day in and day out. So it's a choice really, a big decision for people."

The Government hopes self-built properties could help combat a housing shortfall of 750,000 homes across the UK by 2025.


20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger