US Issues Travel Alert Over Al Qaeda Threat

"All appropriate steps" must be taken to protect Americans from a possible al Qaeda attack, US President Barack Obama has said.

The US has issued a worldwide travel alert, citing an al Qaeda threat that also led to a decision to close US embassies around the Muslim world.

The alert came just hours before a car bomb exploded near the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Saturday morning.

The US embassy in Abu Dhabi will be shut on Sunday

Eight children were killed and 21 other people were wounded in the attack, according to Sky sources. The youngsters were believed to have been attending a religious lesson in a nearby mosque.

The US State Department has warned American citizens of the potential for terrorism particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

"The president is being updated on a potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula," said a White House statement.

"Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August," the statement said.

Four Americans were killed in the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi

The alert was posted a day after the US announced it would close diplomatic facilities on Sunday because of an unspecified threat.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department acted out of an "abundance of caution" and that some missions may stay closed for longer than a day. Sunday is a business day in Muslim countries.

Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Friday the embassy threat was linked to al Qaeda and focused on the Middle East and Central Asia.

"We've had a series of threats," Mr Royce told reporters. "In this instance, we can take a step to better protect our personnel and, out of an abundance of caution, we should."

Representative Dutch Ruppersberger, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Panel, described the threat as "not the regular chit chat" picked up from would-be militants on the internet or elsewhere.

The State Department issued a major warning last year informing American diplomatic facilities across the Muslim world about potential violence connected to the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The State Department warned US citizens of the potential for terrorism

In Benghazi, Libya, four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, were killed in an attack on the US consulate. 

The deadly assault has prompted several calls for investigations from House Republicans who have accused the Obama administration of misleading Americans about the attack.

Sky News US political analyst Jon-Christopher Bua said the latest moves by the State Department are not based on the politics surrounding the Benghazi fallout.

"The latest closure announcement of the US embassies and today's alert for potential al Qaeda terrorist attacks seem to be driven by real information and not over cautious individuals with political motives," he said.

Friday's alert warned that al Qaeda or its allies may target US government or private American interests.

It cited dangers involved with public transportation systems and other prime sites for tourists, noting that previous terrorist attacks have centred on subway and rail networks as well as airplanes and boats.

Meanwhile, Britain announced it also will close its embassy in Yemen on Sunday and Monday amid "increased security concerns".

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mark Duggan: 'No Criminality Over Shooting'

The police watchdog has found no evidence of criminality by officers in the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan.

Tomorrow will be the two-year anniversary of the death of his death in Tottenham, north London, which sparked a national wave of riots and looting.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been investigating whether any of the 11 firearms officers involved in Mr Duggan's shooting committed any wrongdoing.

Kevin Hutchinson (R) was found guilty of supplying the gun to Mark Duggan

But a spokeswoman said today: "We have found no evidence to indicate criminality at this stage."

Mr Duggan's relatives are due to gather with justice campaigners later today, along with supporters of Joy Gardner and Roger Sylvester, who both died after being restrained by police officers; and Cynthia Jarrett, whose death when police raided her home sparked the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham in the 1980s.

Carole Duggan: 'We expect those responsible to be prosecuted'

Mr Duggan's aunt, Carole Duggan, said she wanted the officers involved to be prosecuted.

"It's been two years and we are now waiting for the inquest to get the answers to the questions we have about how and why Mark was killed," she said. "We expect those responsible for Mark's death to be prosecuted and for justice to be served."

Mr Duggan was shot by armed police in Tottenham on August 4, 2011, after marksmen stopped the minicab in which he was travelling.

Officers feared the father-of-four was on his way to carry out a revenge shooting for his cousin's death. An inquest into the 29-year-old's death is due to start next month following a series of delays.

Local outrage at the police shooting marked the start of a wave of rioting, looting, and arson that spread across parts of the country in 2011.

The theme of this evening's event is "Justice delayed is justice denied", and will see the families speak about their ongoing battles for the truth about their loved ones' deaths.

Ms Gardner, who was facing deportation, died in 1993 after police officers restrained her and gagged her with tape.

The shooting sparked national riots and looting in 2011

Her mother, Myrna Simpson, said: "It's important for people to fight for justice and don't stop, because there is no other way to get justice but to fight for it.

"I am still fighting for justice for Joy and not only for Joy but for all. I am fighting for justice for everyone that has been unjustly killed."

The meeting will take place at North London Community House in Tottenham.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twitter Says 'Sorry' To Women Over Abuse

Twitter's UK boss has personally apologised to women who have been attacked by "trolls" on the social networking site, vowing to do more to protect people from abuse.

Tony Wang, general manager of Twitter UK, posted a series of tweets today saying abuse was "simply not acceptable".

He wrote: "I personally apologise to the women who have experienced abuse onTwitter and for what they have gone through. The abuse they've received is simply not acceptable. It's not acceptable in the real world, and it's not acceptable on Twitter.

"There is more we can and will be doing to protect our users against abuse.That is our commitment."

Twitter has introduced a new security button to report abuse

The firm said it was putting extra staff on the teams which handle abuse reports, and an "in-tweet" report button has been added so people can report abusive behaviour directly from a tweet.

Twitter is also working with the UK Safer Internet Centre, which promotes the safe and responsible use of technology.

The rules include "You may not publish or post direct, specific threats of violence against others" and "You may not engage in targeted abuse or harassment".

The social networking website added: "User abuse and technical abuse are not tolerated on Twitter.com, and may result in permanent suspension."

Twitter "committed to making the site a safe place for users"

Scotland Yard has said its e-crime unit is looking into eight abuse claims, three of which involve incidents outside London.

Twitter found itself in the spotlight after three female journalists said they had been the subject of bomb threats on the site and two other women - an MP and a campaigner - received threats of rape.

The bomb threat tweet was sent to Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman, Independent columnist Grace Dent and Europe editor of Time magazine Catherine Mayer, which Ms Dent took a screen grab of and posted for her Twitter followers to see.

In separate incidents, Labour MP Stella Creasy and campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, who successfully fought for a woman's face to appear on £10 banknotes, were threatened on Twitter with rape.

Caroline Criado-Perez (L) and Labour MP Stella Creasy were threatened

Two arrests have already been made in relation to those threats.

The revelations sparked a backlash online, with an online petition calling for Twitter to add a "report abuse" button to tweets attracting more than 120,000 signatures.

In a message posted on its blog, Twitter's senior director for trust and safety, Del Harvey, and Mr Wang said it has updated its rules in light of feedback from customers.

"It comes down to this: people deserve to feel safe on Twitter," they said.

"We want people to feel safe on Twitter, and we want the Twitter rules to send a clear message to anyone who thought that such behaviour was, or could ever be, acceptable," they wrote.

"We are committed to making Twitter a safe place for our users," they said, adding: "We're here, and we're listening to you."

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daniel Pelka Murder Sentencing: Live Updates

This website uses cookies. Cookies remember you so we can give you a better service online. By using this website or closing this message you are agreeing to our cookies notice. Cookies FAQs.

x

11:08am UK, Friday 02 August 2013

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coventry Football Club Goes Into Liquidation

Coventry City football club has gone into liquidation, Sky Sports News has revealed.

The liquidation has been triggered by a failure between the club's owners and the owners of the stadium to reach a deal over a 10-year lease of the stadium.

The Football League is assessing the situation and level of punishment - likely to be a heavy points deduction - at least 15, according to Sky Sports News.

There is no suggestion yet that Coventry won't be able to fulfil fixtures in League One. Their season starts tomorrow away at Crawley.

A statement on the club's website read: "The club will hold urgent meetings with the Football League this afternoon to go through the next steps for the football club."

More follows later...

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Race Row Over Immigration Spot Checks

The Home Office has been accused of targeting non-whites and using "heavy-handed" tactics in a new immigration crackdown to tackle people working illegally in the UK.

Spot checks on people's immigration status are being carried out at London train and tube stations by UK Border Agency staff.

Witnesses claim the checks appear to be only targeting members of ethnic minority communities.

Sky reporter James Banks said: "It is not just those who have been stopped who think these tactics are out of order, with some witnesses arguing the checks were prompted by race, not intelligence."

Phil O'Shea, who witnessed one of the operations earlier this week in north London, told the Kilburn Times: "I thought the behaviour of the immigration officers was heavy-handed and frightening.

"They appeared to be stopping and questioning every non-white person, many of whom were clearly ordinary Kensal Green residents going to work.

Border Agency officers detain two people in Brentwood, north London

"When I queried what was going on I was threatened with arrest for obstruction and was told to 'crack on'."

Another onlooker told Sky News: "I think that when we are targeted like this - whatever you look like - I think it is absolutely terrible, and I think you are basing that on prejudice."

Immigration enforcement officers have also arrested 139 suspected immigration offenders in a series of intelligence-led raids at locations including London, Durham, Manchester, Wales and Somerset - and details of the raids posted online by the Home Office.

Updates on the campaign and heavily pixelated images of some of the arrests of suspects have been tweeted by the Home Office with the hashtag #immigrationoffenders - with the tweets linked to pages on the Government website providing more detailed information on the crackdown.

Those who have no right to be in the UK face being thrown out.

The move is the latest attempt by the Government to crack down on those illegally in the country, following a controversial "go home or face arrest" advertising van campaign.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said: "We are sending a clear message to employers who choose to use illegal labour - we will find you and you will pay a heavy penalty.

"We will not allow the growth of a shadow economy for illegal migrants."

Spot checks are a joint operation between UKBA and British Transport Police

But concerns have been raised about recent anti-immigration operations in London, and Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP for Brent North, has written to Home Secretary Theresa May demanding an investigation into the spot checks which he said violated "fundamental freedoms".

"We do not yet live in a society where the police or any other officers of the law are entitled to detain people without reasonable justification and demand their papers," Mr Gardiner wrote.

"The actions of your department would however appear to be hastening us in that direction."

Shadow immigration minister Chris Bryant said: "Intelligence-led operations to remove illegal immigrants are to be welcomed. Racial profiling is not."

Newly-appointed labour peer Doreen Lawrence has pledged to speak out over the stop-and-check operations in her new role.

Asked about the claims of focus on non-whites, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence said: "I'm sure there's illegal immigrants from all countries, but why would you focus that on people of colour? - and I think racial profiling is coming into it."

Mrs Lawrence told ITV1's Daybreak programme that stop-and-search has always been in the forefront of her mind, and she that she had campaigned on the issue for years.

The raids at various locations across the UK have been intelligence-led

Writing in The Independent, Dave Garratt, the chief executive of charity Refugee Action, warned that the operations could "incite racial tensions".

"Over the last few weeks we've seen some very visible signs of the Government's 'hostile environment' crusade. There have been vans out on the streets with threatening slogans and, reportedly, non-white people being visibly stopped and searched," he wrote.

"The Home Office is responsible for community cohesion. Yet we are increasingly seeing what appears to be hostility towards non-white immigration, which will do nothing but incite racial tensions and divisions within otherwise rich and diverse communities."

A Home Office spokesman defended the tactics: "We make no apology for enforcing our immigration laws and our officers carry out hundreds of operations like this every year around London.

"Where we find people who are in the UK illegally, we will remove them."

The department said it was looking into whether the stop checks outside London stations - a joint operation between British Transport Police and UKBA - were intelligence-led or random.

And it rejected claims that its tweets with the hashtag #immigrationoffenders may have prejudiced cases, because the suspects have not been identified.

It was unable to state how many of those arrested will face deportation, with some cases taking 72 hours to resolve and others much longer, it said.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daniel Pelka's Mother Was 'A Good Girl'

Daniel's Dad: 'My Son Was Failed'

Updated: 6:53am UK, Thursday 01 August 2013

By Katie Stallard, Sky News Correspondent

The father of murdered Daniel Pelka has told Sky News his son was failed by both his school and British social services, who should have done more to protect him.

Speaking from his home in northern Poland, Eryk Pelka, Daniel's biological father, said he hoped his former partner and her boyfriend would spend the rest of their lives in prison for starving and torturing Daniel, and that they should be made to suffer as he did.

He said they alone were guilty of his murder but questioned why "nobody reacted in time" to ask why he was so hungry and raise the alarm.

Daniel's father moved back to Poland when he was around one year old.

His relationship with Daniel's mother, Magdalena Luczak, had broken down and he said she was often drunk and violent towards him, at one point threatening him with a knife, but he believed she would take care of their son.

Had he known the truth, he said he would have brought Daniel back to Poland immediately and raised him there.

The last time he saw his son, he remembers him as a happy, healthy, energetic little boy, who was learning to walk and "really chubby".

He said: "He was, how would you say in English, 'a lovely boy'.

"Sometimes he was a bit naughty, but every child is.  We did not have any problems with him.

"He was chubby when he was small.  Even I remember we were making fun about the British milk, that it is working like that. He was really chubby. He looked like a little tomato when he was crawling.

"He was doing everything, playing with everything. The flat was full of him."

He said he had tried not to read the details of what happened to Daniel, but he knows his son was starved and beaten, and that he was seen eating food from the bin at school.

"I can't imagine what Daniel felt through that time, what this child had to go through," he said.

"This child had about 50 bruises, even signs of teeth marks. Can you imagine? This was just a tiny boy."

He travelled to Coventry to give evidence against Daniel's mother at the trial. He said he tried not to look at her, but at one point he caught sight of Luczak in the dock.

"I would just like to kill her. And that's it," he said.

"Or maybe better, I would like her to stay in prison with Mariusz till the end of their lives, so they can suffer like they made Daniel suffer. To make them feel the same as they did to him."

"I want them to rot. So they never see sunlight again."

Eryk Pelka moved back to his native Poland in 2008. He has since married, and has a young daughter, Claudia, who would have been Daniel's half-sister, as well as his wife's daughter from a previous relationship.

They are not rich. They live in the small, somewhat neglected, northern city of Grudziadz, where he works as a welder.

The area has suffered with the closure of local factories, and unemployment here is around 21%, but the Pelkas' small flat is neat and decorated with flowers, and they are working hard to give their children the best possible start in life.

"If Magda had called me and said that she couldn't cope with the child, I would take Daniel here to Poland for sure," he said.

"We have two kids right now, we would have three then, and Daniel would be alive. And nothing bad would happen."

Mr Pelka was very clear that Luczak and Krezolek were to blame for Daniel's death, but he says the professionals, who saw Daniel losing weight and stealing food, could have done more to find out what was happening to him.

"If people in school saw that he was taking a food from bins, they should do something." he said.

"Go to Magda, or to Mariusz, and ask why the child is hungry."

"They should send the police or social services to check the situation at home, check what were they doing with the child.

"As far as I know they did just nothing. Of course they failed Daniel. That nobody reacted in time. I am not saying they are guilty, but I know they made a mistake."

"I am sure social services could have done more, the same with the school."

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deputy PM Promises Daniel Pelka Case Review

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has promised an independent review into the death of four year old Daniel Pelka amid calls for teachers and social workers to resign.

Daniel was subjected to a horrifying catalogue of assaults and callous abuse at the hands of his mother Magdelena Luczak and step-father Mariusz Krezolek, who were convicted of his murder on Wednesday.

Mr Clegg said that Daniel's "vile, evil murder" should be "on all of our consciences".

Daniel's mother Magdelena Luczak and stepfather Mariusz Krezolek

He told told LBC 97.3 radio: "Clearly people must have seen something was wrong with this boy."

Asked what the Government could do in response, Mr Clegg said an independent person would be named as soon as possible to conduct a case review into Daniel's death.

The review would play "a disproportionately important role in showing what more we need to do to make sure that people don't fall between the cracks," he said.

Earlier, the MP for Coventry North West, Geoffrey Robinson, said teachers and social service staff had "badly let down" Daniel and should consider quitting their positions.

Mr Robinson and Daniel's father both criticised Children's Services

He told Sky News:  "I think there is something culturally wrong within the social services, and not just in Coventry…

"People seeing a kid beaten, starved to death, it's brutality, sadism of a Nazi kind in our own country and we are allowing it to happen. You can't just say there is nothing we can do about it." 

He said the case was "horrifyingly reminiscent" of the Baby Peter case in 2007, when Haringey child protection services failed to prevent the death of toddler Peter Connolly.

Mr Robinson has called for the immediate resignation of the city's Director of Children's Services, Colin Green - who intends to step down in September - and said those serving under him should also consider their positions.

Daniel runs after his mum as she picks him up from school

"Where were these individuals when Daniel needed them most?" he asked. "Bureaucracy triumphed over common sense, care, and compassion. 

"Those who failed Daniel must examine their own consciences, and conclude whether it is appropriate for them to remain in their posts."

Daniel died of a head injury in March 2012 after suffering months of cruelty and violence which turned him from "a beautiful little boy to a bag of bones", according to police.

He was imprisoned in a room with the door handles removed, fed salt when he asked for a drink, deprived of food and forced to defecate in his bed.

Mr Robinson also expressed anger at Daniel's school, which failed to act upon warning signs that suggested he was being abused.

He said: "Daniel was let down," he said. "He was let down badly, by an evil stepfather, an indifferent and selfish mother, but also by the Children's Services in Coventry and by the school that he attended.

"How can the staff at his school have failed to have recognised patterns of behaviour that should have set alarm bells ringing, not only within the school but within the corridors of power within the council?

"How could anyone believe it to be normal for a child to climb on the top of furniture to get to food; to scavenge around bins to access waste; and to steal food from the lunch-boxes? 

"What human being, with the slightest understanding of children, would not have been concerned enough to take action to set alarm bells ringing?"

Daniel's biological father, who moved back to Poland when the boy was a year old, echoed Mr Robinson and questioned why "nobody reacted in time" to ask why Daniel was so hungry.

"If people in school saw that he was taking a food from bins, they should do something," he said. "Go to Magda, or to Mariusz, and ask why the child is hungry.

"They should send the police or social services to check the situation at home; check what they were doing with the child.

"As far as I know they did just nothing. Of course they failed Daniel. Nobody reacted in time. I am not saying they are guilty, but I know they made a mistake."

Luczak and Krezolek will be sentenced on Friday.

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victoria Cross Soldier Was 'Unlawfully Killed'

An inquest has found that Lance Cpl James Ashworth, who won a Victoria Cross for bravery in Afghanistan, was unlawfully killed.

L/Cpl Ashworth was attempting to clear Taliban compounds in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province when he died as he tried to throw a grenade at a sniper and save other members of his unit.

More follows...

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Murdered Red Cap's Family To Sue Government

By David Bowden, Defence Correspondent

The family of one of the six Red Caps murdered by a mob in Iraq is suing the Ministry of Defence for negligence - a claim which could cost the MoD more than £250,000.

The case, the first of its kind, is being brought by the relatives of military policeman Corporal Russell Aston.

It follows a landmark judgement by the Supreme Court last month which ruled that soldiers at war in foreign lands are covered by human rights laws and owed a duty of care.

John Miller whose son Simon was killed in the ambush

The new claim alleges that commanders failed to take reasonable measures to keep Cpl Aston safe when he and five others went into a hostile town near Basra in June 2003 and were attacked by hundreds of violent locals who brutally murdered them all.

It claims military chiefs were negligent because they failed to supply sufficient ammunition to enable the Red Caps to defend themselves when they arrived at the police station in Majar al Kabir and were confronted by the mob.

It also claims commanders failed to supply roadworthy vehicles and failed to supply effective communications to the Royal Military Police.

The five men who died alongside Cpl Aston were Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, Corporal Simon Miller, Lance Corporal Ben Hyde and Corporal Paul Long.

The site of the ambush at Majar al Kab near Basra

An inquest into their deaths in 2006 recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and heard evidence the soldiers had too little ammunition, old radios and no satellite phone when they were ambushed.

Cpl Aston's sister Adele Aston Fessey told Sky News: "Our family has been destroyed by this. Our lives have been destroyed. I have children who will never know their uncle and they are starting to ask questions.

"I am quite angry that they [the MoD] have never ever said 'we messed up'. I truly believe his death could have been avoided.

"There is a big gap in our lives, a great big void with Russell not being here. I don't want them getting away with killing my brother and thinking that's that."

The Ministry of Defence is yet to respond to the claims

John Miller, whose son Simon was killed in the attack, said he too will sue the Ministry of Defence.

"Simon's patrol should have had a satellite phone and 150 rounds of ammunition; they were denied both, they couldn't call for help, they couldn't initiate a firefight because they didn't have enough ammunition against a mob of 500 firing RPGs and AK-47s. 

"Can anyone imagine that situation and be totally useless under it? All we want is an admission of guilt from the MoD. I'm so angry and very, very hurt.

"It could be classed as a blunt sword, but all I've wanted is to get these people into court and for the MoD to accept the failings that were identified by the board of enquiry.

"Nothing else would give me greater satisfaction, and I know nothing will bring my amazing son back, but if we could get that justice and admission of guilt, my wife and I could turn the chapter and pick up the threads of the life we once had."

Despite arresting eight Iraqis in connection with the killings in 2010, no one has been convicted of the murders and repeated requests for a public inquiry have been turned down.

The new claim seeks damages on behalf of Cpl Aston's family and is understood to have been lodged on Tuesday night.

He had a young daughter when he was killed.

If the claim is successful, it could pave the way for similar actions by other soldiers injured in battle or the families of those killed who feel more should have been done to keep them safe.

An MoD spokesman said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives in this incident. However, it would be inappropriate to comment on any forthcoming legal proceedings."

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stephen Lawrence's Mother Given Lords Seat

Stephen Lawrence's mother Doreen is being made a baroness and will sit on Labour's benches as a working peer.

More follows...

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Right-To-Die Campaigners Lose Court Appeal

Road accident victim Paul Lamb and the family of the late locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson have lost a right-to-die challenge at the Court of Appeal.

Judges rejected their appeal against the long-established legal position that voluntary euthanasia is murder.

Former builder and father-of-two Mr Lamb, 57, from Leeds, who wants a doctor to help him die in a dignified way, had won the right to join the litigation to continue the battle started by Mr Nicklinson.

Mr Nicklinson, 58, died at home in Melksham, Wiltshire, in August 2012, a week after he lost a High Court bid to end his life with a doctor's help.

The father-of-two, who was paralysed by a stroke while on a business trip to Athens in 2005, had refused food and contracted pneumonia after he was "devastated" by the decision.

During the appeal hearing the judges heard argument that people who are too sick or disabled to end their "unbearable" lives without help are currently being condemned to "suffer in silence or make desperate attempts to kill themselves".

The ruling was given by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson and Lord Justice Elias.

Mr Lamb said he was "absolutely gutted" by the decision.

He added: "I was hoping for a humane and dignified end. This judgment does not give me that.

Paul Lamb said he was "absolutely gutted" by the judgment

"I will carry on the legal fight - this is not just about me but about many, many other people who are being denied the right to die a humane and dignified death just because the law is too scared to grapple with these issues."

Via Twitter, the Nicklinson family said: "We are sorry to say that we have lost our Court of Appeal challenge."

They said they "will continue the legal campaign and appeal again".

The Court of Appeal granted the family permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, the UK's highest court.

Lawyers for a third man welcomed a ruling in his case asking for clearer guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for carers or health professionals assisting those wishing to end their own lives.

Martin, 48, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, needs the assistance of a doctor, nurse or carer to help him die because his wife does not want to be actively involved in bringing about his death.

His lawyers say that current DPP guidance makes clear that friends or family members are unlikely to be prosecuted, but does not cover health professionals.

Speaking by means of special computer software, Martin said in response to the judgment: "I am delighted by the judgment today. It takes me one step closer to being able to decide how and when I end my life.

"I am only unable to take my own life because of my physical disabilities. Almost every aspect of my daily life is outside of my control.

"I want, at least, to be able to control my death and this judgment goes some way to allow me to do this."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it has made an application to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court over the issue.

DPP Keir Starmer said: "While I respect the carefully considered judgment of the Court of Appeal, I think it would be sensible for the CPS, if possible, to have the benefit of the views of the Supreme Court before any amendments are made to the DPP's guidelines in this important and sensitive area of the law."

18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court Challenge Against 'Bedroom Tax' Fails

The High Court has dismissed claims the Government's so-called "bedroom tax" unlawfully discriminates against disabled people.

Campaigners had been fighting to block the controversial housing benefit regulations that came into force on April 1.

Despite losing, they welcomed court criticism that the Government had not done enough to provide for disabled children.

Opponents argue the new rules penalise families with children who cannot share rooms because of a disability.

Judges noted that the coalition had been aware since May last year that the law must be changed but had failed to act in time.

Lord Justice Laws, sitting with Mr Justice Cranston, said the current state of affairs "cannot be allowed to continue".

Lawyers acting for disabled people said the ruling meant the Government now had to act "very speedily" to address the problem.

Under the coalition's clampdown, tenants considered to be under-occupying their accommodation have their housing benefit cut.

Tenants with one spare room have a reduction of 14% and those with two or more spare lose 25% of their cash.

Human rights lawyers argue that families who do not move into smaller homes face building up arrears and will be kicked out anyway.

Ten cases were brought before London's High Court to illustrate the serious impact of the regulations on disabled people.

Housing charity Shelter condemned the judges' decision and claimed it raised the risk of homelessness.

Chief executive Campbell Robb said: "This ruling is devastating news for disabled adults and families with disabled or vulnerable children, who will be put at real risk of homelessness for having a bedroom they just can't do without.

"We're really concerned that these families will now face a real struggle to meet their rent and may end up losing their home."

Sense, the national charity for the deaf and blind, reported a "huge increase" in the number of calls it had received from struggling families.

And National Housing Federation chief executive David Orr called the situation "desperate", with disabled people forced to cut back on food and heating to keep their homes.

"The bedroom tax is a flawed and unfair policy that won't achieve what the Government hopes it will. The only fair solution is to scrap this policy now," he said.

The Department for Work and Pensions said the cuts were necessary but insisted it was still supporting the needy, unveiling another £35m in funding to councils to help residents.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hospital Family Test: More Than 30 Wards Fail

Patients in 36 hospital wards across England would not recommend them to their family or friends, according to the results of a new test.

The first results of a survey designed to expose poor patient care revealed the large majority were happy with their treatment.

But some 36 of 4,500 wards were given an overall negative figure in June. This was down from 66 in April.

Despite months of criticism, only one A&E department - Chase Farm Hospital in north London - was given a negative score.

And even then, 295 of 516 patients asked about the hospital said they were "extremely likely" to recommend it and another 167 said they were "likely" to do so.

Overall, A&E services scored between 100 to minus 13 and scores for inpatients ranked from 100 to 43.

But there will be disappointment at the response rate, which was just 13.1% across England.

The so-called Friends and Family Test was announced in January and first introduced in April.

Patients are asked one simple question - whether they are likely to recommend the ward or A&E department they were treated in to friends and family.

They chose from six responses ranging from extremely likely to extremely unlikely and were asked to give reasons for their decision.

A score was created for each hospital by subtracting the number of negative responses from the number of positive ones.

More than 400,000 people completed the survey and results relate to around 4,500 NHS wards and 144 A&E services.

NHS England's national director for patients and information Tim Kelsey said the initiative was a "major step forward".

"Direct patient and citizen feedback is vital to improving the services the NHS provides. Trusts can concentrate their focus on improvement with this information," he said.

"From this first publication, we can see a significant and real variation in the quality of customer service across the NHS.

"There are home truths here and everyone will expect those Trusts who have large numbers of their patients choosing not to recommend their services to respond as quickly as possible."

David Cameron, who is on holiday in Portugal, said: "I want the NHS to put patient satisfaction at the heart of what they do and expect action to be taken at hospitals where patients and staff say standards are not good enough."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called it a "historic moment".

"By making these ratings public, we're giving patients the power to choose the best place for their care - and driving other hospitals to raise their game," he said.

However, critics claimed the data had little meaning because it is not specific enough and is not an accurate way to measure hospital performance.

The new patient charity Point of Care Foundation noted that it is currently impossible to tell whether someone's negative response was due to poor care or an issue such as car parking.

Director Jocelyn Cornwell said: "Some hospitals were using much better methods of collecting feedback but they have had to abandon what they were doing and replace it with this rather blunt instrument which is not good for patients, or for developing useful information to improve health services.

"We would ask the Government to think again about how more useful information on patient care could be collected and used to improve services."

NHS England is to publish monthly updates on patient feedback.

By the end of next year, it hopes to roll the test out to include GP practices, community services and mental health services. All other services will be included by April 2015.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

London Stabbings: Murder Probe As Man Held

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was killed and two others suffered serious stab wounds.

The 40-year-old was detained overnight after officers were alerted to attacks at two separate addresses in south London on Monday evening.

A woman aged 28 and a 17-year-old girl were found at 7.10pm at an address in Tilson Gardens, Brixton, where a woman with knife wounds was pronounced dead.

The teenager has been taken to a south London hospital with stab wounds and is in a serious but stable condition, Scotland Yard said.

The suspect was arrested in Leigham Court Road, Streatham

Half an hour earlier, another woman, aged 46, was found at a property in Redlands Way with a number of injuries, including stab wounds. Her condition is described as critical.

The two properties are less than a mile apart.

Police said all three victims were known to the man being held in custody at a south London police station.

He was arrested on a bus in Leigham Court Road, Streatham, south London, shortly before 1am.

Detective Inspector Will Reynolds said there was no suggestion it was a random attack and officers are not looking for anyone else.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Italy Coach Crash: 39 People Dead After Fall

At least 39 people have been killed in southern Italy after a coach plunged 100ft off a motorway flyover and split in half.

The tour bus, carrying around 49 people, hit several cars that were slowed by heavy traffic before smashing through a guardrail and concrete barriers.

Witnesses said that the coach, which crashed near Avellino, appeared to suddenly lose control before smashing into the cars.

Many of the dead were discovered lying outside of the vehicle, while others were found inside the mangled wreckage.

Two people later died in hospital. A number of children were also on the coach but they are not believed to be among the dead.

The wreckage was recovered from site on Monday morning

An investigation into possible manslaughter charges has begun, according to Italian media.

Rescuers with electric saws worked through the night to cut through the twisted metal of the coach, stopping occasionally to listen for any cries for help.

The bodies of the dead were laid out on the roadside, covered in white sheets as emergency crews attended to the injured.

A number of wooden coffins were also brought to the scene, about 30 miles east of Naples.

A number of people in the cars received minor injuries

The coach had been warned about heavy traffic on the A116 motorway near Avellino, said highway officials.

Flashing signs near the flyover were also in place to warn vehicles to slow down.

Officials said the driver, for reasons not yet clear, appeared to have lost control of his vehicle.

Some witnesses told local media the coach was travelling at "normal speed" before suddenly veering off course, and describe hearing a noise as if the vehicle had blown a tyre.

However, journalist Tom Kington, who is at the scene, said there were some conflicting reports.

Coffins were lined up at the scene of the crash

"Others are talking about it arriving on the flyover way too fast," said Kington.

"There were signs apparently warning vehicles to slow down, there was thick traffic on the flyover.

"Some have said the bus came in too fast, didn't have enough time to slow down, hence the smashing into the other vehicles."

It is understood the driver of the coach is among the dead, a fire service spokesman said.

Despite the carnage, some passengers managed to walk away from the crash, said members of the emergency services.

"They're talking also about the miraculous escape of 10 people from the wreckage of this bus," said Kington.

The coach crashed in a rural area about 30 miles inland from Naples

"They're saying 'we can't explain it'.

"People just got up and walked out of the wreckage, including, miraculously, a whole family of four."

Fourteen people travelling in cars on the flyover also received minor injuries, said Italian national media.

Relatives of the dead have also been arriving at a local school, currently being used as a temporary morgue.

The A116 highway links western and eastern Italy across the south and the passengers had reportedly been visiting a religious site in nearby Benevento province.

Most of the passengers were from the Campania area around Naples, the Italian news agency ANSA said.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manchester Stabbing: Girl Fights For Life

A 13-year-old-girl is fighting for her life after a stabbing attack in which her father died.

The man who is understood to have launched the knife attack in Moston, northeast Manchester, died of knife wounds a short time later after driving a car into the side of a nearby pub.

Police found the seriously injured girl after 10pm on Sunday at a house where the body of her 41-year-old father, who had been stabbed, was also discovered.

He has been named locally as Robert Jackson, while his daughter, Aisha, is also thought to have suffered knife wounds.

Neighbours in Moston heaped praise on Robert Jackson and his daughter

Neighbours said Mr Jackson was separated from Aisha's mother and that the teenager was visiting him when the attack happened.

Less than three hours later, officers were called to Watfield Walk in Harpurhey, a two-mile drive away, after reports that a man had threatened a car owner with a knife before stealing the vehicle.

The car was then seen by police near Rochdale Road and the 34-year-old driver drove it into the side of the Alliance Inn pub as officers approached.

Wall damage to the Alliance Inn, which the suspected knifeman crashed into

He was taken to hospital suffering from a stab wound and injuries from the crash but died a short time later.

Mr Jackson's neighbour Clare Calvert told Sky News: "He was the nicest bloke you'd ever meet ... He'd bend over backwards to help anybody - (he) wouldn't hurt a fly."

She described Aisha as "lovely".

Flowers are left at the house in Moston

Forensics officers are at the scene of the attack, where an area around the house in Delta Walk has been sealed off. Flowers have been left at the scene.

Sky's Nick Martin, who is in Moston, said the two men were known to each other:

He said: "The priority now will be to ensure that the girl pulls through - she will have critical information about the events that played out here."

The attack happened a two-mile drive from where the stolen car was crashed

Detective Superintendent Simon Barraclough, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are in the very early stages of our inquiries and are piecing together the circumstances that led to two men losing their lives and a 13-year-old girl fighting for her life in hospital.

"Obviously the community will be shocked as to what has happened but we can say we do not believe anyone else was involved and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Turmoil As NHS Direct Plans 111 Withdrawal

The troubled NHS 111 hotline is in fresh turmoil after one of its main providers announced it wants to pull out of the service.

NHS Direct, which provides the non-emergency phone line in nine regions of England, said it wanted to quit its contracts because they were too expensive.

It has found that the cost of providing the service, where staff give the public non-emergency health advice, exceeded the contract price.

NHS Direct is now seeking a "planned withdrawal" from the deals after projecting a £26m deficit for the coming financial year.

Its chief executive Nick Chapman said: "We will continue to provide a safe and reliable NHS 111 service to our patients until alternative arrangements can be made by commissioners.

"Whatever the outcome of the discussions on the future, patients will remain the central focus of our efforts, together with protecting our staff who work on NHS 111 to ensure that the service will continue to benefit from their skills and experience."

The announcement came as an undercover investigation revealed "serious failings" in the system, with staff shortages, long waits for callers and unnecessary ambulance call-outs.

In Channel 4's Dispatches's programme NHS Undercover, one call centre manager was secretly filmed admitted the service was exposed at the weekends.

"We had a very bad service. Still realistically on the weekends we still are unsafe. We don't have the staff to deal with the calls that are coming in," the worker said.

Reporters posed as trainee call handlers and filmed secretly at centres run by the private health care company Harmoni, which has a third of the hotline contracts in England.

They found many patients had to wait longer than 10 minutes to hear back from a clinician and some workers with no medical training were filmed giving medical advice to the journalists.

A spokesman for Harmoni told the programme: "We provide a clinically safe service. We expect all staff to only provide advice according to their role and their level of training and take a zero-tolerance approach to any breach.

"Our audits show no evidence of widespread poor practice. Our staffing levels are extremely robust with around one clinical adviser to every four health advisers.

"While it has been acknowledged that NHS111 services generally did not get off to a good start, we and other providers have successfully delivered substantial improvements including recruiting 180 more advisers."

The 24-hour phone line replaced NHS Direct as the number to call for non-emergency care but has been dogged by problems since its inception.

Patients complained about unanswered calls, poor advice and calls being diverted to the wrong part of the country.

Doctors claimed its "problematic roll-out" had left patients not knowing where to turn and it has also been blamed for fuelling the current A&E crisis.

Earlier this month, the Health Select Committee attacked ministers for the "premature" launch, claiming it was done with little understanding about how it would affect the wider NHS.

 Direct worked on the 111 pilot, which was based on a cost of £13 per call to cover staff salaries and other costs.

But it says local health commissioners refused to pay more than £7.80 per call when the first 111 contract was awarded in the North East of England.

NHS Direct initially won 11 of the 46 regional contracts for the hotline but pulled out of two before they were even launched.

It now wants to axe the remaining nine in Buckinghamshire, East London and the City, South East London, Sutton and Merton, West Midlands, Lancashire and Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire and Somerset.

A company spokesman said it had encountered "significant problems" when it launched the three contracts in the north west of England and West Midlands in March.

She said the calls took "twice as long as expected" and as a result, NHS Direct did not have "sufficient capacity" to handle all the calls that it received.

The firm had worked on the pilot, which was based on a cost of £13 per call to cover staff salaries and other expenses, but local health commissioners refused to pay so much.

The NHS Direct board remodeled its costs and decided it could bid based on £7 to £8 per call and was later awarded deals covering 34% of the country.

However, its annual report says: "It is now clear that the trust is not able to to provide the 111 service within this lower cost range, and that the 111 contracts that the trust has entered into are financially unsustainable."

David Cameron's spokesman admitted there had been problems with the hotline's launch but insisted performance and patient satisfaction was now high.

"He is confident that we will continue to push up standards and deliver a high level of service for patients across the country," the spokesman said.

NHS England blamed the earlier problems on providers not having enough call handling capacity in place but also claimed they had now been resolved.

The Department of Health said NHS Direct had "struggled to meet the standards required" but defended the hotline as a whole and vowed it would continue.

A spokesman said: "There is widespread consensus that NHS 111 is in principle a good idea.

"It makes obvious sense that for many patients, accessing the NHS by phone is often the quickest and easiest way to get advice and speak to a doctor or nurse when needed.

"So of course it's disappointing that there have been problems with its implementation but these are flaws that can and will be overcome."

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Theresa May 'Shocked' By Diabetes Diagnosis

Theresa May has spoken of her shock after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, but insists it will not affect her political career.

The Home Secretary was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two months ago and must now inject herself with insulin at least twice a day for the rest of her life, the Mail On Sunday revealed.

Commentators had seized on Mrs May's dramatic weight loss over the past 18 months as proof that she was undergoing a style makeover in preparation for a future leadership bid.

But the Conservative Cabinet minister told the newspaper that dropping two stones was partly down to the illness.

"The diabetes doesn't affect how I do the job or what I do. It's just part of life ... so it's a case of head down and getting on with it," Mrs May told the Mail On Sunday.

"It was a real shock and, yes, it took me a while to come to terms with it."

There are around 300,000 people in the UK with Type 1 diabetes

Speaking about the timing of the announcement, Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig said: "I suspect she wanted to get the Abu Qatada deportation out of the way and wanted nothing to distract from that."

There are around 300,000 people in the UK with Type 1 diabetes. Despite decades of research, no vaccine has been found to prevent the disease.

Pressed on whether the illness would prevent her from one day succeeding David Cameron, she told the newspaper: "There is no leadership bid.

"We have a first-class Prime Minister and long may he continue."

Doctors told Mrs May she had the condition, which means her body does not produce insulin, in November but initially they thought she had Type 2 diabetes.

"It doesn't and will not affect my ability to do my work. I'm a little more careful about what I eat and there's obviously the injections, but this is something millions of people have," she said.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Egypt: 'Concern' As Scores Killed In Protests

Egypt: Timeline Of Unrest

Updated: 3:52pm UK, Saturday 27 July 2013

Key developments in Egypt since the beginning of the Arab Spring.

:: 2011

January 25: Egyptians stage nationwide demonstrations against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

February 11: Mubarak steps down and turns power over to the military, which dissolves parliament and suspends the constitution.

November 28: Egypt holds mutiple-stage parliamentary elections and the Muslim Brotherhood wins nearly half the seats in the law-making lower house.

:: 2012

May 23: First round of voting in the presidential elections.

June 30: Mr Morsi, elected with 51.7% of the vote, is sworn and becomes Egypt's first civilian and Islamist president.

August 12: The new president scraps a constitutional document that gave sweeping powers to the military and sacks Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who ruled after Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February, 2011.

November 22: Mr Morsi announces sweeping new powers for himself.

November 30: Islamist-dominated constituent assembly adopts a draft constitution despite a boycott by liberals and Christians.

December 8: The president annuls the decree giving himself increased powers.

December 15 and 22: 64% of voters in a two-round referendum back the new constitution. Egypt plunges into political crisis, with demonstrations by Morsi supporters and opponents sometimes turning deadly.

:: 2013

January 24: There is violence between demonstrators and police on the eve of the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Mubarak. Nearly 60 people die in a week.

April 5: Four Christians and a Muslim are killed in sectarian violence.

May 7: President Morsi's cabinet reshuffle falls short of opposition demands.

May 16: Gunmen kidnap three policemen and four soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula. They are freed on May 22.

June 2: Egypt's highest court invalidates the Islamist-dominated senate, which assumed a legislative role when parliament was dissolved, and a panel that drafted the constitution.

June 15: Mr Morsi announces "definitive" severing of ties with Syria.

June 21: Tens of thousands of Islamists gather ahead of planned opposition protests.

June 23: Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al Sisi warns the army will intervene if violence erupts.

June 28: The US says non-essential embassy staff can leave after an American is killed during the protests.

June 29: The Tamarod (Rebellion) campaign which called rallies for June 30 says more than 22 million have signed a petition demanding Mr Morsi's resignation and a snap election.

June 30: Tens of thousands of Egyptians take to the streets nationwide determined to oust the president on the anniversary of his turbulent first year in power. At least 16 people die in protests across the country.

July 1: The opposition gives President Morsi a day to quit or face civil disobedience. Egypt's armed forces warn they will intervene if the people's demands are not met within 48 hours.

July 2: The presidency rejects the army's ultimatum, saying it will pursue its own plans for national reconciliation.

July 3: Mr Morsi is overthrown late in the day as the country's most senior army official announces the suspension of the Islamist-tinged constitution and a "road map" for a return to democratic rule to stop the bloodshed.

July 4: As Mr Morsi is held by the army, Supreme Constitutional Court Chief Justice Adly Mansour is sworn in as Egypt's interim president.

July 6: Fierce street battles between supporters of Morsi and their opponents leave at least 36 people dead.

July 8: Some 35 people are shot dead in clashes between Morsi supporters and the Egyptian army outside the Republican Guard's headquarters in Cairo.

July 9: Mr Mansour appoints economist Hazem el-Beblawi as prime minister and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei as vice president. A military announcement backs up the appointments.

July 26: Millions pour into the streets of Egypt in rival demonstrations after a call by the country's military chief for protesters to give him a mandate to stop "potential terrorism" by supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. Five are killed in clashes. Prosecutors announce Morsi is under investigation for a host of allegations including murder and conspiracy with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

July 27: Clashes in the early morning hours between security forces and Morsi supporters kill at least 120 protesters in Cairo.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Immigration Figures 'Little Better Than A Guess'

Official figures showing how many immigrants are coming to the UK are "little better than a guess", according to a report by MPs.

The report by the Public Administration Select Committee says the number of migrants coming to the country is not properly measured, and warns the statistics are "not fit for purpose".

Analysis on how many non-UK residents are entering and leaving the country is primarily based on "random interviews" of travellers at ports and airports that were introduced to examine tourism trends, the report says.

Just 5,000 migrants a year are identified through the International Passenger Survey and many "may be reticent to give full and frank answers," it warned.

Although the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which uses the research to draw up its migration estimates, has "done its best" to produce informative statistics, the survey "is not fit for the purposes to which it is put" and ministers must find new ways to gather information, MPs said.

Conservative MP Alun Cairns, who sits on the committee, told Sky News: "When we come down to measuring the absolute numbers, it's far too blunt, the way in which they collect the data is too inaccurate and the margin for error is far too great."

In the year to June 2012, immigration was estimated at 515,000 while emigration was estimated at 352,000.

The Coalition aims to reduce net migration - the difference between the two figures - from the hundreds of thousands down to the tens of thousands by 2015.

But MPs warned the Government is at risk of ending up with an "inappropriate" immigration policy if it bases its target level of net migration on uncertain statistics "which could be out by tens of thousands".

ONS migration estimates contain no information on the immigration status of migrants, while statistics produced by the Home Office do not indicate the number of visa holders with valid leave to remain in the UK or the number who overstay their leave to remain, the report said.

The Coalition is aiming to significantly reduce net migration by 2015

Statistics produced by both organisations are "blunt instruments" for measuring, managing, and understanding migration, it added.

The committee said migration figures could be considerably improved if the Home Office and ONS properly recorded and linked the data they already gather.

MPs called for the e-Borders system to be used for measuring immigration, emigration and net migration as quickly as possible.

Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin said: "Most people would be utterly astonished to learn that there is no attempt to count people as they enter or leave the UK.

"They are amazed when they are told that government merely estimates that there are 500,000 immigrants coming into the UK each year.

"This is based on random interviews of around 800,000 people stopped and interviewed at ports and airports each year.

"Only around 5,000 of those are actual migrants, many of whom may be reticent to give full and frank answers, to say the least."

The International Passenger Survey also fails to garner the type of information needed to work out the social and economic consequences of migration, such as demand for the National Health Service or schools.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We disagree with the report's conclusions. Government reforms on immigration are working and the statistics do show that net migration is at its lowest level for a decade.

"The government is determined to build a fairer system and to address the public's concern about immigration.

"We are committed to getting net migration down from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, and we want to be judged against the very best available evidence."

Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable criticised what he called the Conservative Party's "obsession" with net migration targets.

He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "This idea that you're pursuing a net immigration figure is very misleading because, amongst other things, the largest number of people counted as immigrants are overseas students, who are not immigrants, they're visitors, but under the United Nations classification are counted as immigrants - but they're good for the country."

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More