Mandela: 'Fake' Signer Blames Schizophrenia

A "fake" sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service has reportedly said he suffered a schizophrenic episode.

Thamsanqa Jantjie, who was criticised for apparently making "meaningless gestures" while interpreting the speeches of world leaders on stage, said he takes medication for the condition.

Mr Jantjie says he started hearing voices and hallucinating

He said he did not know whether it was the scale of the event or the happiness he felt about being involved that triggered the episode.

The 34-year-old, who was pictured signing next to the likes of US President Barack Obama, claimed he suddenly lost concentration and started hearing voices and hallucinating.

He also had visions of angels coming into the stadium and was trying not to panic because there were "armed policemen around me".

Mr Jantjie said the episode impaired his ability to hear things properly and interpret what was being said, but he did not feel able to leave so continued to sign words and phrases that did not make sense.

He apologised and was quoted by South Africa's Star newspaper as saying: "There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation.

"I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on. I am very sorry, it's the situation I found myself in.

"Life is unfair. This illness is unfair. Anyone who doesn't understand this illness will think that I'm just making this up."

The interpreter pictured next to President Barack Obama

Concerns over the interpreter had been raised by deaf people watching the service at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium.

Bruno Druchen, the national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, said he "was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for".

South African parliament member Wilma Newhoudt, a member of the ruling party, also said the interpreter communicated nothing with his hand and arm movements.

Both Mr Druchen and Ms Newhoudt are deaf.

Three sign language experts said the man was not signing in South African or American sign languages.

South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages, according to the federation.

Mr Jantjie has been called an 'embarrassment'

Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched the broadcast, said the man on stage was an "embarrassment".

Mr Jantjie, who was accused of being an imposter, which led to security concerns, claims he is a genuine interpreter and a "champion of sign language" who was paid 850 Rand (£50) for one day's work.

Asked about his interpreting skills, he said: "It is very sad at this present moment because I believe that it was an issue that had to be dealt with earlier.

"If the Deaf Federation of South Africa​ have an issue with my interpreting they should have clarified it a long time ago, not at this crucial time for our country."

He says he has photographs of him working next to various people including President Jacob Zuma in the past.

He said felt honoured to be part of the historic event on Tuesday, but the president's office has contacted him to find out who recommended him for the job.

The South African government is to investigate what happened.

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GP Failings Exposed As Maggots Found In Surgery

Sin Doctors: Bad Surgeries Summary

Updated: 2:47am UK, Thursday 12 December 2013

Here is a summary of what inspectors found in a number of surgeries that have been subject to enforcement action by the CQC:

Dr Harira Syed's practice in Rochdale, Lancashire:

:: No equipment available, such as oxygen, to use in the case of a patient emergency.

:: Most staff had not been trained in safeguarding, and some were unaware there was a safeguarding policy in place.

:: There were not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to safeguard people's health, safety and welfare. T

Norris Road Surgery, Sale, Cheshire:

:: Staff had not undergone criminal record checks.

:: Confidential records left unattended or not securely stored in a number of areas of the practice.

:: A number of medicines used to treat patients in emergency situations were past their expiry date and also found some vaccines stored in the fridge that were six months out of date.

Wolds Practice, Horncastle, Lincolnshire:

:: Inspectors found "a number of recent errors relating to medicines being supplied incorrectly to patients due to errors when medicines are bagged up and handed to them".

:: There were also problems relating to the management of controlled drugs.

Kingshurst Medical Practice, Kingshurst, Birmingham:

:: Conditions were so bad that the surgery has now voluntarily opted out of registration with the CQC and services are being run by a new provider.

63 Lincoln Road Surgery, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:

:: Practice was "visibly dusty, poorly maintained and there were inadequate systems in place to prevent and control the spread of infections.

:: There were no risk assessments and staff were not familiar with the fire alarm system.

:: In the main treatment room, where minor surgical procedures were performed, they found "dusty fixtures and fittings which included an examination light and a wall-mounted fan".

:: Reuseable instruments were not stored properly.

Northfield Surgery, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire:

:: Shortfalls in prescribing had resulted in one patient receiving medicine they were not supposed to have been prescribed.

:: Staff had access to training but there were some gaps in the training plan and appraisal system. There were also shortfalls in systems to monitor the quality

of the service provided to patients.

Dr Satish Patel's surgery, Newtown, Reading, Berkshire:

:: Was clean and tidy but did not follow guidance for infection control.

Long Street Surgery, Wigston, Leicestershire:

:: There were problems with staff training, including on protecting patients from abuse. Appointment processes had improved.

:: Personal information found on a desk and in folders on an open bookcase.

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MPs Pay: Politicians To Get 11% Pay Rise

MPs are to get an 11% pay rise, taking annual pay to £74,000, but will lose out on pensions, says the parliamentary watchdog.

In a move the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) insists "will not cost the taxpayer a penny more", MPs will get a "one-off" pay rise, but see cuts to pensions, a tightening of business costs and expenses, and loss of other perks.

The pay increase will come into effect from May 2015 but thereafter increases to annual salaries will be in line with average earnings.

The reforms contained in the Ipsa report put the watchdog, which was set up in the wake of the expenses scandal, on a collision course with politicians.

In a statement released with the report, IPSA's chairman, Sir Ian Kennedy, said: "For the first time, MPs' pay and pensions will be set independently, and away from political deals cooked up in Westminster.

"We are sweeping away the out-of-date and overly generous benefits, and introducing a one-off uplift in pay. Crucially, thereafter MPs' pay will be linked to everyone else's.

"We have designed these reforms so they do not cost the taxpayer a penny more. When taken with the tens of millions we have saved by reforming the business cost and expenses regime, we have saved the taxpayer over £35m with the changes we have introduced since 2010."

Yesterday David Cameron threatened he was "ruling nothing out" if Ipsa did not rethink the hike, suggesting he could scrap the watchdog - or at least curtail its ability to set MPs' pay.

He said it was "unacceptable" for MPs to accept such a rise at a time when public sector pay rises are capped at 1%.

Both Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, and Nick Clegg, his Liberal Democrat counterpart, have said the rise cannot be justified amid a cost-of-living crisis. Mr Miliband called for cross party talks to put an end to the planned increase.

The Ipsa changes will see:

:: A one-off 9.26% pay rise to come into effect in May 2015 MPs - when added to the previously announced pay rise MPs will get in 2014, it represents an 11% increase from today's salary of £66,396.

:: MPs' pay increases linked to average earnings from 2015-16

:: A new pension in line with other public sector workers and an increase in MPs' contributions

:: Scrapping of "out-of-touch" resettlement payments worth tens of thousands

:: Tightening of business costs and expenses, including the scrapping of dinner allowances.

Ipsa stresses that it carried out stringent public opinion polling before making the recommendations and say that when they put the details to the vote, 45% felt the package was too generous but 43% said it was right or not enough.

The watchdog was set up to stop MPs voting through their own pay increases.

Critics have said that while voting against the pay increase seemed to be good PR for MPs effectively they would simply be endorsing the continuation of a pension and expenses system that the public has already found wanting.

Sir Ian said: "The public is far more sophisticated than a lot of people think they are."

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North Korea: Kim Jong-Un's Uncle Purged

The once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has been expelled from the government for a string of alleged crimes including double-dealing, womanising and drug-taking.

An address on state TV said Jang Song Thaek was guilty of "dissolute and depraved" behaviour and of "dreaming different dreams".

Gen Jang was once considered a possible successor to Kim Jong-Il

The sacking of the man regarded as the second most powerful in the secretive state comes after reports in South Korean media that one of his aides had sought asylum in South Korea.

The North's official KCNA news agency said General Jang had been removed from all his posts and sacked from the ruling Workers' Party during a meeting of its politburo attended and "guided" by Mr Kim.

"Jang and his followers committed criminal acts baffling imagination and they did tremendous harm to our party and revolution," the report said.

"Jang pretended to uphold the party and leader, but was engrossed in such factional acts as dreaming different dreams and involving himself in double-dealing behind the scenes.

"Affected by the capitalist way of living, Jang committed irregularities and corruption, and led a dissolute and depraved life."

The report did not say if Gen Jang had been detained or charged with any crime and also failed to mention the unidentified defected aide, who managed funds for him.

South Korean TV reported Gen Jang had been sacked last week

According to cable news network YTN and the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper, the aide was being protected by South Korean officials in a secret location in China.

If his defection is confirmed, it would be the most serious for North Korea in 15 years.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service previously said it believed Gen Jang had been relieved of his posts in November. It also said two of his close associates had been executed recently for corruption.

His sacking means Pyongyang is undergoing its biggest leadership upheaval since the death in 2011 of former leader Kim Jong-Il, Mr Kim's father.

Kim Jong-Un casts a suspicious look at his uncle

Among Gen Jang's senior party and military posts, he was vice chairman of the country's top military body, the National Defence Commission.

Gen Jang is married to Mr Kim's aunt, the daughter of the North's founding leader Kim Il-Sung, and was widely considered to be working to ensure his nephew firmly established his grip on power in the past two years.

A South Korean official said last week that Gen Jang was probably alive and in no immediate physical danger, as was his wife, Kim Kyong Hui.

Experts say Gen Jang's removal will help Mr Kim consolidate his power base with a group of younger aides.

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Spot-Fixing Claims: Footballer Among Six Held

Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell has been arrested as part of a football spot-fixing investigation, his club has confirmed.

The 32-year-old is one of six people detained in an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), after it acted on information passed on by the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

In a statement, Blackburn Rovers FC said: "Following reports in today's national media, Blackburn Rovers can confirm that striker DJ Campbell has been arrested.

The claims were made in the Sun on Sunday

"The club will be making no further comment on what is now an ongoing legal matter."

The six in custody were arrested in connection with a second probe into football spot-fixing following claims that a player rigged a football league game for cash.

The Sun on Sunday reported that an undercover investigator met ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange a yellow card booking in the Football League, in exchange for tens of thousands of pounds.

The former Premier League player and Nigerian international also allegedly told how he punched an opponent in the groin during a game earlier this year to get sent off in exchange for a £70,000 payout.

He further claimed he could rig Premier League games, and even said he was preparing to fix matches at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Another player, Oldham Athletic's Cristian Montano, also allegedly told how he attempted to get booked during a match against Wolves, in return for cash.

Ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje is filmed by an undercover reporter

The ex-West Ham player said: "From minute one I was hacking people down.

"People running past me and I would go clip.

"I run against one player and barged him."

Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey, said: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness.

"Given that there is an ongoing police investigation into this matter, we cannot comment further at this time.

"Although, we would encourage anyone with any evidence to report it to the police.

The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

"We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation."

The NCA said an active investigation is now under way.

A spokesman said: "The NCA can confirm that the Sun on Sunday has passed material from its own investigation to the National Crime Agency.

"An active NCA investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission. Six people are in custody and are being questioned by NCA officers. We cannot comment further at this stage."

In a statement, Portsmouth Football Club said: "If these serious allegations are true, then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would cooperate fully with any inquiry."

The new probe comes after the NCA announced at the end of last month that it had launched a separate investigation into "a suspected international illegal betting syndicate".

Gambling on the matches is thought to have taken place on Asian-based betting services and so far investigators to do not believe British betting markets are involved.

That inquiry was launched after an undercover investigation by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which recorded one alleged fixer offering to rig two games.

It is understood to involve clubs in the English Football Conference, the level below the Football League.

On Thursday, the NCA revealed that two footballers from Brighton-based Conference South team Whitehawk FC had been charged over match-fixing allegations.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from the Croydon area of south London, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

The two men have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on December 11.

They are the third and fourth people charged to date in connection with the NCA investigation into the alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Chann Sankaran, 33, from Hastings, East Sussex, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, from Singapore, were charged on November 28 with plotting to defraud bookmakers.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on December 13.

Sky News sports presenter Charlie Thomas said the two NCA investigations were being carried out separately.

He added: "This is a situation that football has been fearing and had hoped it had nothing to do with football at all, but now it appears it is encroaching on the league as well as the non-league."

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Inquiry After Three People Die In House Fire

An joint inquiry is under way after three people died in a house fire in Bolton this morning.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are trying to establish the cause of the blaze which began 

A spokesman for GMP said: "Just before 2.20am, police were called by the fire service following a blaze at a house on Albert Road West, Heaton, Bolton.

"A woman was taken to hospital but died a short time later of burns. Following a search of the house, a further two bodies were discovered. The flames have since been extinguished.

"A joint investigation has now been launched between police and fire to establish how the fire started and to identify the bodies."

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Match-Fixing Claims: Police Launch New Probe

Police have confirmed to Sky News they have opened a new investigation into match-fixing allegations.

The National Crime Agency said it is looking at claims passed to them by the Sun on Sunday.

As part of its investigation, the newspaper recorded footage that appears to show players allegedly arranging spot-fixing.

The Sun on Sunday

Ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje allegedly claimed he could arrange a yellow card booking in the Championship League, in exchange for tens of thousands of pounds.

The former Premier League player and Nigerian international also allegedly told how he punched an opponent in the groin during a game earlier this year to get sent off in exchange for a £70,000 payout.

And another player, Cristian Montano, for Oldham Athletic appears to explain in the video how he attempted to get booked during a match against Wolves, in return for cash.

The ex-West Ham player said: "From minute one I was hacking people down.

"People running past me and I would go clip.

"I run against one player and barged him."

In a statement, the National Crime Agency said: "The NCA can confirm that the Sun on Sunday has passed material from its own investigation to the National Crime Agency.

The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

"An active NCA investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission. We cannot comment further at this stage."

Sky News sports presenter Charlie Thomas said: "The fact that the NCA is investigating indicates just how seriously they are taking these allegations."

Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey, said: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness.

"Given that there is an ongoing police investigation into this matter, we cannot comment further at this time.

"Although, we would encourage anyone with any evidence to report it to the Police.

"We will be giving our full assistance to the Police during their investigation."

The new probe comes after the NCA announced at the end of last month that it had launched an investigation into "a suspected international illegal betting syndicate".

Gambling on the matches is thought to have taken place on Asian-based betting services and so far investigators to do not believe British betting markets are involved.

The inquiry was launched after an undercover investigation by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which recorded one alleged fixer offering to rig two games.

It is understood to involve clubs in the English Football Conference, the level below the Football League.

On Thursday, the NCA revealed that two footballers from Brighton-based Conference South team Whitehawk FC had been charged over match-fixing allegations.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from the Croydon area of south London, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

The two men have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on December 11.

They are the third and fourth people charged to date in connection with the NCA investigation into the alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Chann Sankaran, 33, from Hastings, East Sussex, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, from Singapore, were charged on November 28 with plotting to defraud bookmakers.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on December 13.

Thomas said both NCA investigations were being carried out separately.

He added: "This is a situation that football has been fearing and had hoped it had nothing to do with football at all, but now it appears it is encroaching on the league as well as the non-league."

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Air Traffic Control Glitch Delays Continue

Dozens of passengers have been forced to spend the night in airports after an air traffic control glitch caused major delays across the UK and Ireland.

The now-fixed computer problem spread chaos throughout Britain's airports as hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled, creating disruption for thousands of passengers.

While the disruption is likely to have a knock-on effect today, the three main London airports predicted a largely trouble-free day.

At Heathrow, eight arrivals and four departures were cancelled. At Gatwick, there were three delayed flights but "no significant disruptions". Stansted confirmed a normal flight schedule but advised passengers to check with their airlines before setting out.

The National Air Traffic Service (Nats) is investigating the glitch which it said was fixed at 7.30pm on Saturday night.

Passengers bedded down at Heathrow Airport

The firm said the computerised telephone system, which air traffic controllers use to handle flights, failed to switch correctly from night time to day time mode.

It meant they had to carry out the process manually, leading to 8% of all air traffic in Europe - around 1,300 flights - being delayed.

The problem occurred when the 23 controllers on a night shift at Swanwick, in Hampshire, handed over to the 125 controllers on the day shift at 6am on Saturday morning.

Nats' control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire

Nats said that by 4pm they had handled 2,576 flights compared with the 2,905 flights that were dealt with at the same time last week, meaning they were operating at about 88% of normal capacity.

Ryanair called for action to prevent it happening again.

In a statement, the airline said: "Ryanair is calling on the Civil Aviation Authority to intervene and prevent further chaos for thousands of passengers affected by this ATC failure. While we acknowledge problems can occur, where is the contingency? It's simply not good enough and the CAA needs to act now."

Heathrow Airport was the worst affected, with 228 cancellations - 112 arrivals and 116 departures - on Saturday.

Flight misery at Heathrow's Terminal 5

A spokesman for the airport said the cancellations represented 15% of their usual daily total of 1,300 flights going in and out of the airport.

Many passengers expressed their anger on Twitter and spoke of "chaotic scenes" at airports.

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Mandela: South Africa Urged To Unite As Tribute

By Emma Hurd, Sky News Correspondent

President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to unite as the "rainbow nation" and remember the values Nelson Mandela stood for, as the country marks a day of "prayer and reflection" to honour the late icon.

President Zuma was speaking at a service at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Johannesburg, where he was joined by Winnie Madikizela Mandela, the former statesman's second wife. 

Dressed in black, she was seated next to Mr Zuma and was clearly grief stricken in her first public appearance since Mr Mandela's death.

Addressing the congregation the South African President urged his country to remember that Nelson Mandela stood for freedom, reconciliation and unity. 

"He believed in caring and he cared for our nation. He believed in forgiving and he forgave those who kept him in jail for 27 years," Mr Zuma said.

Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to celebrate the icon's life

South Africans have gathered in churches, synagogues and mosques across the country to join the tributes to the country's first black president ahead of a week of official celebrations and memorial services.

At the famous Regina Mundi Church in Soweto, Father Sebastian J. Rossouw described Mr Mandela as "moonlight," saying he offered a guiding light for South Africa.

Hundreds of people attended mass in the small church that still bears the scars of the conflict.

"Madiba did not doubt the light," Father Rossouw said. "He paved the way for a better future, but he cannot do it alone."

An impromptu shrine in Johannesburg

On Tuesday, a memorial service will be held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, the place where Mr Mandela made his last public appearance at the World Cup final in 2010. 

At least 80,000 people are expected to attend, including President Barack Obama.

From Wednesday, crowds will line the streets in Pretoria as a funeral cortege carries the remains of the nation's first black President to lie in state at the Union Buildings, where people will be permitted to file past his body to pay their respects. 

The procession will be repeated for three days with the public urged to form a "guard of honour".

Mourners outside Mr Mandela's home in in Johannesburg

The focus will then switch to Nelson Mandela's ancestral home of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, where the state funeral will be held on Sunday.

Mr Obama will again attend, along with hoards of other world leaders, joining the Mandela family in a public tribute before a private burial service.

Nelson Mandela left it to the South African people to decide how to celebrate his life and legacy.

He said once when asked how he wished to be remembered: "It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered. I'd leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'."

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