Armed Forces Day: PM And Salmond Attend

Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond are joining crowds marking the sixth annual Armed Forces Day in Scotland.

Thousands have been enjoying piping, parades and a Red Arrow display in Stirling to honour servicemen and women past and present.

Ahead of the event, a pilot from the Red Arrows posted a remarkable 'selfie' picture on his @RAFRed8 Twitter account.

The image appears to show him flying one of the jets, with another plane visible behind him.

A 'selfie' taken by a Red Arrows pilot ahead of the display. Pic: @RAFRed8

The Princess Royal and Labour leader Ed Miliband are also attending as Stirling Castle provides the backdrop to parachute, helicopter and jet displays.

Those wanting to join in can adopt a "Twibbon", which will add an image of the Armed Forces on to their Twitter or Facebook profile.

Meanwhile, Saracens rugby stars made a surprise visit to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, to mark Armed Forces Day.

England footballers Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart show their support

They were shown how the camp and surrounding air routes are defended and in return put on a coaching session.

Flanker Will Fraser said: "That was hard work. Not only is the stretcher hard to run with but the other kit, such as the helmet and body armour, adds to the difficulty.

"I have total respect for the service personnel here who have done this for real with their wounded colleagues on a stretcher."

Preparations take place ahead of the annual event

Meanwhile, the Queen has been honouring First World War veterans on the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, which is widely thought to have sparked the conflict.

The monarch was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London for a Drumhead Service of Remembrance led by the Bishop of London.

Armed Forces Day was established in 2009 to celebrate the service of Army, Navy and RAF members and their families.

The annual celebration is being staged on the same weekend Stirling marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The two-day event will feature a re-enactment of the legendary clash which saw Robert the Bruce defeat the English army in 1314.

Some 300 'Warriors' will participate, choreographed by the team behind the battle sequences in hit films Gladiator and Robin Hood.

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Missing Elvis Impersonator: Man Arrested

Police hunting an Elvis impersonator wanted in connection with a firearms alert that closed a Cornish school have arrested a man.

Police detained a 60-year-old man on land in Widegates, Looe, and recovered two firearms, around 9.30pm on Friday.

The man was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and was being taken into custody at Launceston police station.

He was first taken to a local hospital for a medical assessment as a precaution.

Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Police tweeted a version of this photo of Derrel Weaver

Armed officers were called after a domestic-related alert at 60-year-old Derrel Weaver's home in Widegates around 9.30pm on Thursday.

The nearby Trenode Church of England Primary School was closed. Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted a photo of Mr Weaver of Higher Widlake Farm.

The caption read: "Have you seen this man, Derrel Weaver, 60, #widegates Looe, if you see him please ring 999 and do not approach."

Police maintained a "high presence" at the scene near Looe

Another tweet added: "Police are doing everything possible to maintain public safety, but we ask local people to be patient during this time."

Mr Weaver's Google+ page says he owns a tree surgery business and is also a "rock n roll singer".

Local resident Ann Chudleigha said Mr Weaver was a well-known member of the community.

The decision to close the school was made by its headteacher in consultation with police.

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House Sitters Bag Top Properties On Cheap

By Gemma Morris, Sky News Reporter

More and more young professionals, who cannot afford to get on the housing ladder, are bagging themselves plush temporary accommodation for very little money under "guardian schemes".

Becoming a guardian is a bit like glorified house sitting - often in grand and eccentric properties that would otherwise be left standing empty.

It saves the property owners from forking out on security costs and also keeps squatters at bay.

At the same time, the guardians get to live in buildings they could otherwise only dream of - while paying monthly fees which can sometimes be as low as 20% of the market rental rate.

One of the properties on offer to guardians from Ad Hoc Property Management

Robyn Winfield-Smith is a theatre director who lives in a 10,000 sq ft building in the heart of London's West End.

Her bedroom is a spacious former dance studio.

She says being a guardian works for her and her housemates because they cannot afford typical rents in the capital.

"This enables us to stay within the careers that we want whilst living very cheaply."

Recent figures from LSL Property Services put the average monthly rent in England and Wales at £745 per month.

In London, it's £1,124.

This home in Hampstead Heath is offered as planning permission is obtained

Guardian schemes are only ever temporary, usually for a few months or years, and tend to be while the building owners await planning permission.

But Robyn enjoys the constant change.

"You can bring along all your furniture and create a brand new home every time you move ... Some of the buildings we've had have been extraordinary."

Properties managed by guardian companies include churches, pubs and other commercial buildings as well as privately owned more "normal" looking flats and houses.

Robyn Winfield-Smith enters her London dance studio home

Arthur Duke, managing director of Live-In Guardians, said the number of young professionals applying to be guardians in the past 18 months has grown.

"One of the attractions is the fact that they pay at least 50% of the going market rental which is all inclusive so there's no bills on top and no council tax either.

"We used to get around 8-10 on line applications a day, whereas now we are getting around 15-20."

Critics though warn it is not a solution to the housing crisis.

Antonia Bance, from Shelter, said: "We'd urge caution, [there are] very few tenancy rights attached to property guardianship schemes. If we're looking to solve our housing crisis the thing that we need to do is build more affordable homes."

Robyn admits there are some downsides too, but she is not put off.

"You're not allowed pets, not allowed smoking, and not allowed to have more than two people for longer than three hours  - that's the kind of general rule on guests. But that's fine because what we're getting in exchange is this amazing environment to live in."

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Early Bedtime Rule For Young Offenders Slammed

Young offenders will be ordered to go to bed at 10.30pm under strict new rules announced by the Government.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling revealed the new "lights out" regulation to be imposed on 15 to 17-year-olds in English institutions.

He said those who refuse to obey the new rules will be punished with the removal of privileges such as access to a television.

But prison reform campaigners labelled the plan a "petty restriction" and said it would add to problems faced in understaffed prisons.

More than 800 under-18s are serving custodial sentences in young offenders' institutions.

Mr Grayling said: "The public expects that serious offenders face prison - that is right.

"But it is also crucial that young people, most of whom have had chaotic and troubled lives finally get the discipline so badly needed to help turn their lives around.

"In some prisons young people are allowed to go to bed when they please. I don't think that is right. Stopping this inconsistency and introducing a strict 'lights out' policy is all part of our approach to addressing youth offending.

Mr Grayling said discipline was 'crucial' for young offenders

"Those who fail to comply will face tough sanctions."

The new rules will be introduced at young offenders institutions Cookham Wood in Kent, Feltham in London, Werrington in Stoke-on-Trent, Wetherby in Yorkshire, and Hindley in Wigan, from August.

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "A new lights-out policy will only exacerbate the problem of overuse of physical restraint in the youth secure estate which indicates a lack of trained, experienced staff with enough time to supervise and support the challenging children and young people in their charge.

"As most parents of teenagers know, commonsense discussion, constructive activity, setting reasonable boundaries and encouraging personal responsibility, all work better than new hard and fast rules backed by petty restrictions and harsh punishments."

And Labour MP Sadiq Khan, the shadow justice secretary, said: "Routine is crucial for those with chaotic lives, but sending young offenders to bed early and turning the lights off at 10.30pm falls far short of the reform needed to tackle the growing chaos caused by Chris Grayling's incompetence.

"Prisons are in crisis, becoming more overcrowded by the day. Jails that are violent where prisoners spend up to 23 hours a day in their cells are unlikely to do much to stop criminals reoffending and keep the public safe."

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'Euro Leaders Are Cowards' Over Juncker Vote

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has labelled Europe's leaders "cowards" for electing arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission.

Prime Minister David Cameron's only ally was Hungary as he attempted to block Mr Juncker, who he claims is not the right man to force through EU reform.

The Tories have promised a referendum on EU membership should they win the next election - and Mr Hunt believes "cowardice" from Europe's leaders can only make a vote to quit more likely.

"As a result of cowardice yesterday from other European leaders who weren't prepared to say in public what they said in private, they're going to have to work a lot harder to persuade the British people that Europe has a reform agenda," he said.

Mr Hunt claimed the British people would be "proud" of the Prime Minister - and that his position would ultimately help the UK renegotiate its relationship with Europe.

Former Luxembourg premier Mr Juncker was backed by Germany's Angela Merkel

"You're getting European leaders queuing up to say how much they want Britain to stay in the EU, how they'll make compromises," he said.

"We want to be a country in control of our own destiny, we want to stop abuses of the welfare system and NHS.

"We're not going to take part in some grubby face-saving deal where we pretend we've got a deal - a feature of the last government. We want substantive reform in Europe."

Sky's Senior Political Correspondent Jason Farrell said Mr Hunt was not alone with his contentions.

"It might not seem like the most diplomatic language but he's not the only one saying it," he said. "Der Spiegel magazine in Germany has said Angela Merkel voted for a Commission president she didn't want - others have said European leaders have gone for the compromise."

The Prime Minister said his fellow EU leaders had made a "serious mistake" but vowed to keep fighting for reform in Europe.

The PM argued Mr Juncker was not the "right person" for the post

"This is going to be a long, tough fight and frankly sometimes you have to be prepared to lose a battle in order to win a war," he added. "It has only stiffened my resolve to fight for reform in the EU, because it is crying out for it."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was an advocate of Mr Juncker, but amid the vote she urged EU colleagues to "compromise" with Britain.

"I think we can find compromises here and make a step towards Great Britain," she said.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The last 48 hours doesn't show Europe is unreformable, it shows David Cameron is not the man to reform it because he has become toxic.

"Because people doubt his motivations, because people doubt the way he operates, it's made people say 'We're not going to ally with Britain'."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I think what's clear is that any cards that Mr Cameron may have had to play have been spent, and have been lost over a futile battle that he was bound to lose from the beginning.

"(Any) renegotiation now doesn't look very likely. He has been humiliated today but worse than that, he actually looks very isolated."

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Armed Cops Hunt Missing Elvis Impersonator

Police are warning people not to approach an Elvis impersonator wanted in connection with a firearms alert that closed a Cornish school.

Armed officers were called to a "domestic situation" close to Trenode Church of England Primary School near Looe at 9.30pm last night.

The school was closed as a precaution and police are urgently trying to trace 60-year-old Derrel Weaver amid fears he may have a gun.

Police tweeted a version of this photo of Derrel Weaver

Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted a photo of Mr Weaver, of Higher Widlake Farm in Widegates.

The caption read: "Have you seen this man, Derrel Weaver, 60, #widegates Looe, if you see him please ring 999 and do not approach."

Authorities have asked air traffic to stay clear of the area so the search is not hampered.

Authorities have asked air traffic to stay clear of the area

Superintendent Jim Pearce said: "We would ask the public to be vigilant at what is obviously a disturbing time for local communities.

"There is currently significant enquiries ongoing to locate Mr Weaver and this includes the chance he may be in possession of a firearm.

"There is currently no suggestion that Mr Weaver is any risk to members of the public, but we need to locate him as soon as possible."

Police are maintaining a "high presence" at the scene near Looe

Firearms officers are on patrol in the area.

Mr Weaver's Google+ page says he owns a tree surgery business and is also a "rock n roll singer".

The decision to close the school was made by its headteacher in consultation with police.

Trenode Church of England Primary School has been closed

A police spokesman said: "This unusual decision has been taken as a precautionary measure for safety reasons and because of the ongoing police activity in that area.

"We do understand that this will cause some significant inconvenience for some parents and local residents and this decision was not taken lightly, but public safety is the most important concern of the school and police."

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Breast Cancer: Early Warning Blood Test Hope

A new blood test may offer women an early warning of breast cancer even if they do not inherit genes associated with the disease.

Researchers have identified a molecular "switch" in blood samples that increases chances of having breast cancer.

The marker is associated with the BRCA1 breast cancer gene, but was also found in those without the mutation who went on to develop the disease.

Around 10% of breast cancers are caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants inherited from parents.

A woman with the BRCA1 gene has an 85% risk of developing breast cancer, leading some carriers to take the step of breast removal.

The blood test may support breast cancer screening programmes

This leaves around 90% of cases unexplained and until now there has been no reliable way of predicting the likelihood of non-inherited breast cancer.

The "switch" is part of the process by which certain molecules acting on DNA cause genes to be turned on or off.

Professor Martin Widschwendter, from University College London, said: "We identified an epigenetic signature in women with a mutated BRCA1 gene that was linked to increased cancer risk and lower survival rates.

"Surprisingly, we found the same signature in large cohorts of women without the BRCA1 mutation and it was able to predict breast cancer risk several years before diagnosis.

"The data is encouraging since it shows the potential of a blood-based epigenetic test to identify breast cancer risk in women without known predisposing genetic mutations."

Dr Matthew Lam, senior research officer at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, described the findings as "definitely promising".

He added: "This could mean that in the future a woman may be able to have a simple blood test to look for this DNA signature, and therefore know if she is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

"If she does have this signature, she could then work with her doctor to explore the options available to help her take control of her own risk.

"These could include lifestyle changes, tailored breast screening, risk-reducing drugs or surgery."

Their results appear in the online journal Genome Medicine.

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Liam Neeson's Nephew Critical After Fall

Liam Neeson's nephew is said to be in a critical condition after falling 20ft from a telephone box on a night out.

Ronan Sexton, the son of the actor's sister Bernadette Sexton, suffered serious head injuries after the fall at 4am near Brighton Pier, East Sussex, on Sunday.

Ms Sexton is said to be at her 30-year-old son's bedside where he is fighting for his life.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

A Sussex police spokesman said: "Just after 4am on Sunday, June 22, a 30-year-old Worthing man had climbed on to the top of a telephone kiosk outside Brighton Pier when he fell 20ft to the ground, sustaining a serious head injury.

"He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and was later transferred to Hurstwood Park Hospital in Haywards Heath where he is currently in a critical condition.

"The man had been enjoying a night out with friends, who were present when he fell, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

"There is no further police investigation."

Five years ago, Neeson's wife Natasha Richardson died after hitting her head while skiing in Canada.

The Taken star, 62, now lives in New York with their two teenage sons.

In an interview with US show 60 Minutes in February,the Irishman said he was still struggling to come to terms with her loss.

He said: "It was never real. It still kind of isn't. There's periods now in our New York residence when I hear the door opening - she would always drop the keys on the table and say hello.

"So any time I hear that door opening I still think I'm going to hear her. Grief hits you like a wave, you get this profound feeling of instability."

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PM Facing 'Utter Humiliation' Over Juncker

The appointment of arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker to the top job in Brussels would represent an "utter humiliation" for the Prime Minister, says Ed Miliband.

The Labour leader accused David Cameron of "burning alliances" in Europe, and said Britain lost out as a result.

His criticism came as the PM  faced almost certain defeat in Brussels, with the EU set to approve the former leader of Luxembourg as president of the European Commission.

Labour had backed Mr Cameron in opposing Mr Juncker's candidacy.

Mr Miliband said: "If Mr Juncker is appointed today it represents, after weeks of spin and bluster from the Prime Minister, a total failure to deliver and an utter humiliation.

Angela Merkel is supporting Mr Juncker's nomination

"The reason is that  instead of building alliances in Europe, David Cameron burns our alliances, and its Britain that loses out."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I think what's clear is that any cards that Mr Cameron may have had to play have been spent, and have been lost over a futile battle that he was bound to lose from the beginning.

"The renegotiation now doesn't look very likely.

"He has been been humiliated today but worse than that he actually looks very isolated."

Mr Cameron has been campaigning against the appointment of Mr Juncker, arguing he would block reform of the EU.

Diplomats have expressed concern about Mr Juncker's alcohol consumption

He has forced a vote on the nomination, breaking with tradition that the Commission chief is chosen by consensus of the EU's national heads of government.

Speaking on arrival at a summit of the European Council in Brussels, Mr Cameron argued there were times when "you stick to your principles and you stick to your convictions".

The European elections "showed there is huge disquiet about the way the European Union works", and this was the wrong response said Mr Cameron.

The PM said: "He's not the right person to take this organisation forward.

"I am very clear about the right thing to do. I know the odds are stacked against me, but that doesn't mean you change your mind, it means you stand up for what you believe and vote accordingly."

Mr Cameron has warned fellow leaders of "consequences" if they press ahead with the nomination of Mr Juncker, with British officials making clear he fears his appointment will fuel Euroscepticism in the UK and make it more likely that Britons will vote to quit the EU in the referendum he is planning for 2017.

The PM's stance has left him increasingly isolated at the two-day summit.

Germany has thrown its weight behind Mr Juncker, while other potential allies for Mr Cameron - Sweden and the Netherlands - have dropped their opposition.

Only Hungary remained as a possible partner for Britain in voting against his installation.

Finland's prime minister Alexander Stubb said British voters should "wake up and smell the coffee" about the benefits of EU membership, rather than threaten to quit the 28-nation bloc.

Ahead of formal meetings, Mr Cameron held brief talks with Mrs Merkel where he made clear he would not negotiate over his opposition to Mr Juncker.

A British official said: "Nobody will leave today unsure that when the Prime Minister says something he means it and when he says something is a principle he sticks to it."

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Two Men Who Escaped Secure Hospital Found

Two men with a"history of violence" who escaped from a secure hospital unit in Surrey have been found.

Jason Bratton, 36, and Neil Emery, 46, went missing from the facility at Epsom General Hospital at 10.45am on Wednesday.

Both had been detained under the Mental Health Act and were without their various medications.

In appealing for information about their whereabouts on Friday morning, Surrey Police said they each had a violent past.

Without their medication the men were thought to be at risk of harming themselves.

Emery was found in the Dorking area following a call from a member of the public who had seen appeals on social media.

Bratton was discovered in Aldershot, Hampshire, following "intelligence-led" inquiries by police in Surrey and Hampshire.

Detective Inspector Peter Harvey, of Surrey Police, said: "We would like to thank the public for their help in this search, without which we would not have been able to locate the two men as quickly."

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