Royal Baby: World Watches As Due Date Arrives

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The eyes of the world will be on St Mary's Hospital's Lindo Wing today as Kate's presumed due date arrives.

Kensington Palace has refused to comment on speculation July 13 is the Duchess' due date, conceding to reporters only that the baby is due "in July".

But that hasn't stopped the media frenzy outside the hospital.

"We've been looking at that baby bump for the past seven months and so you've got to be here to make sure you get the shot," CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata told Sky News.

He added: "The US' fascination with William and Kate goes back to their wedding day and that fairytale romance. Everyone loves Kate, and now it's the royal birth and we haven't seen one like this in 30 years. They are the closest thing we have to a royal family."

While television crews, photographers and journalists from around the world await that all important first family photo, publications such as Harper's Bazaar prepare to chronicle a moment which will be pored over for generations to come.

Kate on her last solo public engagement before giving birth

Sacha Slater, deputy editor of Harper's Bazaar, said: "We all build our excitement as the event approaches.

"In December we were just wishing her the very best, hoping it all goes well.

"Now it's actually going to happen, we're getting very excited ourselves about what we can do to reflect the excitement of our readers and stimulate the whole baby frenzy the world's going to go into in the next few days."

And that must be a daunting prospect, according to Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine.

"Kate will be find it completely terrifying to come to hospital and see the world waiting for her," she said.

"Diana came out with William in her arms and when she saw the press she was terrified. She got in the car and once around the corner and she just burst into tears."

Security checks around the Lindo Wing are perhaps a sign the royal private birthing suite is soon to be occupied.

Contradicting that, however, are Prince William's plans to join his brother Prince Harry at a charity polo match in Gloucestershire on Sunday.

The Duke of Cambridge is understood to be keen to honour a match that will benefit two of his patronages: homelessness charity Centrepoint and Child Bereavement UK.

In reality the only thing we can be sure of is the future King or Queen will be born when they are good and ready.

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Hayfever Soars As Pollen Becomes More Potent

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The number of adults developing hayfever has soared since the 1990s, new research has shown for the first time.

Swedish scientists found that between 1994 and 2009 the proportion of adults reacting to timothy grass - one of the main causes of hayfever - almost doubled from 12% to 21%.

Even adults in their 50s are at risk, with a 10% increase in the proportion having positive skin prick tests for common allergy triggers.

The study is published in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.

British specialists say the results mirror anecdotal reports from NHS allergy clinics that the number of older sufferers is rising - and they develop more severe symptoms.

Andrew Williams, a consultant allergy nurse at Homerton Hospital in east London, told Sky News: "When I started most of the patients would be my age or younger.

"But now there is a whole age range. Not just late teens and 20s. We are seeing people having hayfever for the first time in their 40s, 50s and even 60s."

Winnie Crabb has become a sufferer only recently

Winnie Crabb first started suffering from a runny nose and itchy eyes when she was 33.

She said: "I thought it was something you grow up with.

Pollen levels have been very high

"I know you get exposed to something and become allergic to it in childhood. But I was very surprised. I'm not happy at all."

Scientists don't know for sure why hayfever is increasing.

Beverley Adams-Groom of the National Pollen Research Unit said cleaner lifestyles may be changing our immune systems.

But climate change could also be playing a part.

Ms Adams-Groom said: "There is some suggestion that pollen is becoming more potent with global warming.

"There is more CO2 in the atmosphere and plants enjoy CO2.

"Climate change is also allowing plants to grow better and produce more pollen."

The unit has recorded the highest pollen levels in several years over the last few weeks.

The cold spring delayed plant growth so much that trees and grasses have released their pollen in a single burst, sending airborne concentrations to extraordinarily high levels.

But Ms Adams-Groom said there is some good news for sufferers.

The latest forecast is for pollen levels to start to decrease this weekend - and the season could be over altogether in southern parts of the UK in a week or so.

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Dartmoor Deaths: Mum And Son Fall From Rocks

Police investigating the deaths of a woman and her young son, who died after falling 100ft from rocks on Dartmoor, have discovered a child's body at her home.

A murder investigation has been launched after the 24-year-old woman, named in reports as Katharine Hooper, and her five-year-old son Joshua died at Haytor in Devon - one of Dartmoor's most famous landmarks which is popular with walkers and climbers.

The body of a two-year-old boy, believed to be her youngest son Samuel, was later found at her home address in Dukes Close, Paignton.

Joshua was found with his mother

Neighbour Tracey Cole, told the Western Morning News: "The whole community is feeling utterly shocked and devastated. This is a close-knit community.

"We always looked after each other, especially because of the kids. With Kat we were always in and out of each other's houses. We would see each other every day.

Samuel's body was found at the family's home

"I really don't understand what happened. Kat was totally and utterly devoted to her children."

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: "We are keeping an open mind about all three deaths, but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Katharine with Samuel

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information or might have been in the Haytor area earlier today, Friday."

An air ambulance, a police helicopter and members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group were called to the scene at 11.50am.

The family's home (Pic: Google Street View)

The Dartmoor National Park Authority asked members of the public to avoid visiting the area due to the tragedy.

Tributes were paid to the mother and child by members of the emergency services.

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team tweeted: "The team were called to assist at a tragic incident at Haytor today. Our thoughts are with the family."

Post-mortems are due to take place. Police said the next of kin have been informed.

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Heatwave: Hottest Day Of The Year So Far

This weekend will bring the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures set to top the current record by several degrees.

But the heat has prompted warnings from health authorities urging the public to take care in the potentially "dangerous" heatwave conditions.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 32C (89.6F) in the South East, with the majority of England and Wales still sizzling at between 28C (82.4F) and 31C (87.8F).

And the hot spell shows no sign of ending with temperatures set to remain in the mid-to-high 20s well into next week.

The Saltburn Inclined Tramway at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

The hottest temperature of the year so far was 29.9C (85.8F) in Edenfel, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland on Monday.

Although temperatures in London will soar, Sky News Weather Presenter Jo Wheeler said most other places will be a few degrees cooler with isolated thunderstorms expected over northern England and the East Midlands.

The North of the UK has seen the best temperatures over the last few days, with the highest recording in the region of 29.2C in Branham, Yorkshire, on Friday.

A warning issued by the Met Office has been escalated to a level three alert for Yorkshire and the Humber, while level two alerts are in place across most of England.

"Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases," the alert said.

A spokesman for Public Health England (PHE) said: "Level two alerts are triggered as soon as the Met Office forecasts that there is a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days to have a significant effect on health.

Portstewart Strand on the Causeway coast - 60 miles north of Belfast

"This will normally happen two to three days before a heatwave is expected to occur. As most deaths occur in the first two days, this is an important stage at which to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential heatwave."

Dr Angie Bone, head of the PHE's Heatwave Plan, said: "Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks.

"The elderly and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible."

More than 11 million motorists are planning to hit the road this weekend, according to the RAC.

Popular spots include the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall, the south coast of England, and Yorkshire.

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Belfast Violence: 400 Extra Police Deployed

Around 400 extra police officers have been sent to Northern Ireland after sectarian tensions in Belfast spilled over into violence that left 32 police officers and an MP injured.

More than 600 officers from forces in England, Scotland and Wales were already in the region supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) operation.

Trouble flared in the north of the city on Friday as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

Officers attempting to enforce the ban were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon were used to disperse the crowd and around 20 non-lethal rounds, known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles, fired.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near the police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during the fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

The disorder spread to east Belfast during six hours of violence.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott on Saturday condemned those responsible for the trouble.

"The scenes were both shameful and disgraceful," he said.

"We said that we were resolved to uphold the rule of law and the Parades Commission determination not to allow the return parade past the Ardoyne shop fronts. We did that. We did so impartially. We did so firmly.

"I cannot praise highly enough the courage, the professionalism and the restraint of my PSNI colleagues, and those from England, Wales and Scotland who joined us in making sure the rule of law was upheld."

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

He also criticised those within the Orange Order who had called for protests, saying they needed "to reflect on whether they provided the responsible leadership asked for by myself and by the (main political) party leaders".

"Some of their language was emotive and having called thousands of people to protest they had no plan and no control and, rather than being responsible, I think the word for that is reckless."

The Republic of Ireland's deputy premier and minister for foreign affairs Eamon Gilmore added: "The violence and disrespect for the rule of law we witnessed in Belfast last night is an affront to the decent people of that city and of this island.

"The rule of law must be respected, even when people disagree with lawful decisions."

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers also condemned the riots and said there was no justification for the trouble.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

"This sort of behaviour does nothing to promote 'Britishness' or the pro-union cause," she said.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300-metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area had been able to walk the contested route out, but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Thirty-two officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go, but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson also called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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Clever Boys Losing Out Due To Wealth Divide

Clever boys from poorer backgrounds learning to read in England and Scotland are lagging around two and a half years behind their richer, bright male classmates.

A new study suggests that high-achieving boys from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to perform poorly on international tests than those in other nations.

The report, commissioned by the Sutton Trust, warns that action must be taken to ensure that schools are supporting bright students so they do not lose out on top university places and good jobs.

The study analysed the 2009 scores of 15-year-olds taking part in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) international PISA reading tests.

It found that bright English boys from the poorest families lagged 30 months behind their high-achieving male classmates from the richest backgrounds.

This gap was bigger in England than in every other developed nation apart from Scotland.

In countries such as Canada, Denmark, Germany and Finland, this gap was 15 months or less, the study found.

It added that among clever girls, the reading gap between those from the richest and poorest homes was two years and four months.

The researchers also looked at the gap in reading skills between children of all abilities.

The findings showed that in general, the poorest teenagers in England lagged two years and four months behind their richest classmates in reading.

This put England 23rd out of 32 countries who took part in the tests, ahead of countries including the USA and France, but behind others including Norway, Chile and Slovenia.

Sutton Trust chairman Sir Peter Lampl said the gap in boys' achievement was a "worrying issue".

"This matters for two important reasons," he said.

"First, it is clearly economically inefficient not to tap into talent wherever it exists.

"By not stretching our most able students from all backgrounds, we are not only failing them, we are reducing our ability to compete globally.

"Second, such under-achievement perpetuates those inequalities which make it so hard for bright children to move up in society."

The study, by Dr John Jerrim of the Institute of Education, comes weeks after Ofsted warned that tens of thousands of clever children were being let down by England's state secondary schools.

A culture of low expectations in many schools meant that bright pupils were not being stretched and were failing to gain top grades at GCSE, according to a report published by the inspectorate.

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Teachers' Unions Announce One-Day Strikes

Teachers will stage a one-day national walkout in the autumn in an ongoing row over pay, pensions and workload.

Every region in England and Wales will be affected by rolling regional strikes in the week beginning September 30 and the week beginning October 14, the NASUWT and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said.

This will be followed by a one-day, all-out national strike before the end of the autumn term.

The announcement comes just weeks after the two unions staged a regional walkout in the North West.

The government has condemned the action.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The secretary of state needs to take seriously the very deep concerns and anger of teachers and school leaders."

She added: "The secretary of state has the opportunity to avoid further national strike action by demonstrating that he is willing to engage seriously on the issues that we have put to him."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: "Strike action is always a last resort for teachers and they are very well aware of the difficulties that this causes for parents and pupils. Teachers, however, have been left with no option.

"If we do not take a stand now to defend the profession, then the consequences for teacher recruitment and education will be disastrous for all."

Under the Government's reforms, due to come into effect from this autumn, teachers' pay will be linked to performance in the classroom - with schools setting salaries, rather than following a national framework.

Changes have also been made to public sector pensions.

Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to both unions in March to say he was willing to meet them to discuss their dispute, but also insisting that the "direction of travel" on both of their key issues - pay and pensions - is "fixed".

A Department for Education spokesman said: "We are very disappointed that the NUT and NASUWT have announced they will be taking further strike action, which less than a quarter of teachers actually voted for.

"Industrial action will disrupt pupils' education, hugely inconvenience parents and damage the profession's reputation in the eyes of the public at a time when our reforms are driving up standards across the country.

"It is disappointing that the NUT and NASUWT are opposing measures to allow heads to pay good teachers more. We have met frequently with the NUT and NASUWT to discuss their concerns and will continue to do so."

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Litvinenko: No Inquiry Into Spy's Death

The widow of poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko says she is "shocked and disappointed" that the Government has refused to set up a public inquiry into his death.

Coroner Sir Robert Owen earlier told a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice that his request to the Justice Secretary for an inquiry, in place of an inquest, had been turned down.

Sir Robert previously ruled that vital secret evidence could not legally be considered as part of a normal inquest and asked the Government to hold an inquiry instead.

His call was backed by Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina, who was at the hearing.

She said after the decision that although it was a blow, she was still "optimistic" that the full circumstances around her husband's death would be exposed.

Referring to the Government, which she branded "impolite and rude", she said: "Were they trying to protect the Russian state? Were they trying to protect national security secrets?"

Mrs Litvinenko believes her husband was poisoned on orders from the Kremlin

Mr Litvinenko, 43, was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 while drinking tea at the Millennium Hotel in London's Grosvenor Square in 2006.

The family believe he was working for MI6 at the time and was killed on the orders of the Kremlin.

Ben Emmerson QC, representing Mrs Litvinenko, said there had been an "utter lack of professionalism" in the way the Government handled the request for an inquiry.

"The repeated catalogue of broken promises is a sign of something gone awry," he said.

Alex Goldfarb, a Litvinenko family friend, said: "It's absolutely transparent that the Russian government is behind this murder.

"There's some sort of collusion behind the scenes with Her Majesty's Government and the Kremlin to obstruct justice."

Mr Emmerson said the family wants a judicial review into the decision not to hold an inquiry on the grounds of "irrationality".

Sir Robert had determined that he could not hear evidence linked to the alleged involvement of the Russian government in public after the Foreign Office said it wanted to keep some information secret.

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NHS Computers With Patient Data Sold On Ebay

An NHS trust has been fined £200,000 by the data watchdog after it sold an old computer which contained the personal details of more than 3,000 patients.

The sensitive information was left on the computer sold by a data destruction company employed by NHS Surrey.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) was tipped off after a member of the public bought the second-hand computer online.

Sky News understands that some of the PCs were sold on the internet auction site eBay.

The company had been employed by NHS Surrey since March 2010 to wipe and destroy its old computer equipment.

The company carried out the service for free, with an agreement that they could sell any salvageable materials after the hard drives had been securely destroyed.

The ICO said: "On 29 May 2012 NHS Surrey was contacted by a member of the public who had recently bought a second-hand computer online and found that it contained the details of patients' treated by NHS Surrey.

"The organisation collected the computer and found confidential sensitive personal data and HR records, including patient records relating to approximately 900 adults and 2000 children."

The watchdog added: "After being alerted to the problem, NHS Surrey managed to reclaim a further 39 computers sold by the trading arm of their new data destruction provider.

"Ten of these computers were found to have previously belonged to NHS Surrey; three of which still contained sensitive personal data."

The ICO's investigation found that NHS Surrey had no contract in place with their new provider, which clearly explained the provider's legal requirements under the Data Protection Act, and failed to observe and monitor the data destruction process.

NHS Surrey mislaid the records of the equipment passed for destruction between March 2010 and 10 February 2011, and was only able to confirm that 1,570 computers were processed between 10 February 2011 and 28 May 2012.

The data destruction company was unable to trace where the computers ended up, or confirm how many might still contain personal data.

Stephen Eckersley, ICO Head of Enforcement, said: "The facts of this breach are truly shocking. NHS Surrey chose to leave an approved provider and handed over thousands of patients' details to a company without checking that the information had been securely deleted.

"The result was that patients' information was effectively being sold online. This breach is one of the most serious the ICO has witnessed and the penalty reflects the disturbing circumstances of the case.

"We should not have to tell organisations to think twice before outsourcing vital services to companies who offer to work for free."

NHS Surrey was dissolved in March 2013 with some of their legal responsibilities passing to the NHS Commissioning Board.

The board will be required to pay the penalty by July 22 or serve a notice of appeal by July 19.

The full penalty is eventually paid into the Treasury's Consolidated Fund.

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Lee Rigby's Funeral: Soldier 'A Gentle Soul'

By Mike McCarthy, North Of England Correspondent

Thousands of people lined the streets and filled Bury town centre for the funeral of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was described as a "gentle soul" and "loving father".

Crowds applauded the murdered soldier's family and comrades as they arrived at the military service at Bury Parish Church.

Relatives hugged each other on the church steps before entering the church.

His two-year-old son Jack wore a T-shirt with the words:  "My Daddy. My Hero" printed on the back.

On the front of Jack's T-shirt were the words: "My Daddy's A Fusilier. Lee Rigby."

Mourners lined the street to the funeral to pay their respects

The father-of-one was hacked to death in broad daylight as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London in May.

Drummer Rigby's fellow soldiers from 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF) held a two-minute silence in London as the funeral service began in Lancashire. 

The 25-year-old soldier's body had been guarded by comrades overnight following a vigil on Thursday.

Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson were among dignitaries who attended the service in Bury.

As the crowds outside stood in the sweltering midday heat listening via loudspeakers, Drummer Rigby's friend and fellow soldier Sean Sheer gave a eulogy that brought laughter from mourners.

Mr Sheer said he first met Drummer Rigby he found him the "most annoying, campest man I have ever met", citing his singing and love of boyband Westlife as the reason.

Mr Johnson and Mr Cameron arrived together

Mr Sheer said his comrade's young son came "crashing" into his life but Lee "took to fatherhood instantly".

"Everywhere Lee went, Jack went with him," he said.

"Lee's time on this earth was tragically cut short" but he was a "loving father and devoted husband".

"We will love you and miss you," Mr Sheer said.

Drummer Rigby's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Jim Taylor also delivered a eulogy, describing him as "truly charismatic".

"To be with Lee was to be where it was most fun - the centre of good times and much mischief," he said.

"Lee had a natural swagger and the confidence of someone truly comfortable in their own skin.

The Order of Service for the memorial

"He was always happy. His smile was infectious, as was his enthusiasm for soldiering and his passion for life."

Lieutenant Colonel Taylor said Drummer Rigby joined the Army in 2006 on his third attempt, fulfilling his "lifelong ambition".

 "Today we, his regimental family, salute a fallen comrade," he said.

"A talented soldier and musician. A larger-than-life character. A loyal friend and brother-in-arms. A gentle soul.

"Above all a true Fusilier - daring in all things. We all feel his loss keenly. We will remember him with pride always.

"Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with his family and friends. We will continue to do so in the years to come.

"So, thanks be to God for Lee Rigby - father, husband, son, brother, friend, Fusilier. We will remember him."

The hymns at the service were Who Would True Valour See, Lord Of All Hopefulness and I Vow To Thee My Country, and the choir sang Deep Peace Of The Running Wave.

Drummer Rigby took to fatherhood instantly, his friend said

Veterans lowered Union flags and the cortege then departed for a private family committal in Middleton, where Drummer Rigby lived.

The soldier's family had wanted a private funeral service and asked the public to show their respects by lining the streets.

Drummer Rigby served in Afghanistan as a machine gunner and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he was killed.

His murder sparked nationwide shock and revulsion and led to an outpouring of support for his family from the public.

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