Lance Armstrong 'Confesses Drug Use To Oprah'

Fallen sports star Lance Armstrong has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, according to reports.

In an interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, the cyclist ended a decade of denial, according to the AP news agency.

It cited a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, because the interview is to be broadcast on Winfrey's network on Thursday.

Winfrey tweeted after the interview: "Just wrapped with @lancearmstrong. More than 2 1/2 hours. He came READY!"

The interview will be aired on Oprah Winfrey's television network

She is scheduled to appear on CBS This Morning later to discuss the interview.

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year after a US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report said he was a ruthless competitor, willing to go to any lengths to win the prestigious race.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart labelled the doping regime allegedly carried out by the US Postal Service team that Armstrong once led "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".

The interview with Winfrey is Armstrong's first public response to the report.

He is not expected to have provided a detailed account about his involvement, or addressed in depth many of the specific allegations made in the more than 1,000-page report.

A government source has told ABC News that Armstrong had also met authorities to discuss paying back some of his former team's sponsorship money from the US Postal Service.

The source also suggests Armstrong may give the names of others involved in illegal doping - leading to a possible reduction of his lifetime ban.

The American has apologised to staff at his Livestrong Foundation, saying he was sorry for the distress he had caused. He vowed he would repair the foundation's reputation.

Armstrong is said to be worth around $100m (£62m). However, most sponsors dropped him after USADA's scathing report - at the cost of tens of millions of dollars - and soon after, he left the board of Livestrong.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

HMV Collapse: Gift Cards And Vouchers Invalid

HMV has confirmed it will not be accepting gift cards or vouchers from customers as the retailer prepared to collapse into administration.

The company confirmed its intentions following a board meeting last night, as exclusively revealed by Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman.

In its statement, HMV - which employs 4,350 people - said its 238 stores would remain open while administrators Deloitte sought a buyer but it had ultimately failed to meet the conditions of its bank loans.

It added that trading in HMV's ordinary shares had ceased.

The statement said: "On 13 December 2012, the Company announced that as a result of current market trading conditions, the Company faced material uncertainties and that it was probable that the Group would not comply with its banking covenants at the end of January 2013.

HMV was late to the online shopping revolution and suffered as a result

"The Company also stated that it was in discussions with its banks. "Since that date, the Company has continued the discussions with its banks and other key stakeholders to remedy the imminent covenant breach.

"However, the Board regrets to announce that it has been unable to reach a position where it feels able to continue to trade outside of insolvency protection, and in the circumstances therefore intends to file notice to appoint administrators to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with immediate effect.

Celebrities took to Twitter to share their memories of the iconic chain.

BBC 6Music DJ Laure Laverne said: "Long time since i was in #HMV, but I remember it well… RIP."

Rapper Professor Green tweeted: "hmv bankrupt. we may as well just give up on any medium that involves hard copy and get on with it. #sadtimes."

And fellow artist Sway added: "Just a thought. If all of the artists and labels in the UK all made a small donation do you think it would be enough to save #HMV?"

Retail expert Mary Portas posted: "HMV was a brilliant business that was a great part of our Highstreets.So sad to see this one go."

The retailer, which has struggled for several years in the face of online competition, had announced last week an additional sale at its stores in a last ditch effort to raise cash but its £176.1m debt pile was too great for the move to have much impact.

Last year the company sold off its most profitable arm, its live music business, as it attempted to slash what it owed.

In January 2011 suppliers including Universal Music came to HMV's rescue with a deal which helped the retailer shed some of its debt but they are understood to have dismissed requests for more financial help earlier this month.

Analysts suggest the business model was already doomed - squeezed by internet retailers and supermarkets whose scale enable them to offer CDs and DVDs at cheaper prices.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

BA Employee Wins Religious Discrimination Case

Nadia Eweida - who claimed she suffered religious discrimination at work - has won a landmark legal battle at a European court.

But three other Christian claimants, who launched similar action, lost their cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Miss Eweida, 60, took her case against the UK government to the ECHR after she was sent home for wearing a small silver cross around her neck in 2006 in breach of British Airways uniform codes.

She said she was "jumping for joy" at the ruling and was pleased it recognised the "anxiety, frustration and distress" she suffered.

Registrar Lillian Ladele lost her case

"I'm very happy and very pleased that Christian rights have been vindicated in the UK and Europe."

The British government was ordered to pay her £1,600 in damages and £25,000 to cover costs.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Delighted that principle of wearing religious symbols at work has been upheld - ppl shouldn't suffer discrimination due to religious beliefs."

An employment tribunal in Britain had ruled the Coptic Christian, who lives in south-west London but is originally from Egypt, did not suffer religious discrimination.

Counsellor Gary McFarlane refused sex therapy to homosexuals

The decision was upheld by The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court before Miss Eweida took her fight to the ECHR.

She returned to work in customer services at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 in February 2007, after BA changed its uniform policy on visible items of jewellery.

Judges today ruled there had been a violation of article nine (freedom of religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

They found a fair balance was not struck between Miss Eweida's desire to demonstrate her religious belief and BA's wish to "project a certain corporate image".

It said Miss Eweida's cross was discreet and cannot have detracted from her professional appearance.

Nurse Shirley Chaplin refused to remove a crucifix

"The court therefore concludes that, in these circumstances where there is no evidence of any real encroachment on the interests of others, the domestic authorities failed sufficiently to protect the first applicant's right to manifest her religion."

In a statement, British Airways said it was not a party to this legal action, which was pursued against the UK government.

"Our own uniform policy was changed in 2007 to allow Miss Eweida and others to wear symbols of faith and she and other employees have been working under these arrangements for the last six years.

"Miss Eweida has worked continuously for British Airways for 13 years."

Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, welcomed the judgement

Judges rejected the case of nurse Shirley Chaplin, 57, after they found she was asked to remove the cross for health and safety purposes.

The ruling also found against marriage counsellor Gary McFarlane, 51, who was sacked for saying he might object to offering sex therapy to homosexuals.

The judgement said Mr McFarlane took the role at Relate in the knowledge that clients could not be divided in up in accordance with their sexual orientation.

Registrar Lillian Ladele's, who was disciplined when she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies, also lost her legal action.

The court decided Islington Council's action was "legitimate" given it was also obliged to consider the rights of same-sex couples.

All three plan to appeal the decision.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, said: "Today's judgement is an excellent result for equal treatment, religious freedom and common sense.

"Nadia Eweida wasn't hurting anyone and was perfectly capable of doing her job whilst wearing a small cross.

"British courts lost their way in her case and Strasbourg has actually acted more in keeping with our traditions of tolerance."

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snow: Cold Snap Bites With More To Come

A heavier band of snow is on its way today after parts of Britain had a dusting overnight.

The worst affected areas are expected to be North East England, Yorkshire and the East Midlands, with up to 10cm (4in) of snow predicted to fall on higher ground.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for these areas, highlighting the hazardous conditions and likelihood of disruption to travel services caused by the ice, snow and freezing temperatures.

There are also eight yellow warnings covering parts of England and Scotland, making people aware of possible disruption.

Central England will widely see up to 2in (5cm) of snow with temperatures hovering around 1C (33.8F).

A dusting of snow was earlier reported in the Midlands, southeast England, Yorkshire and parts of Scotland.

Amber warnings issued for East Midlands, NE England and Yorkshire

A heavier band of sleet and snow is expected to move eastwards across the country today.

The second highest ice and snow alert - level three - is in force for all of England - with a 90% chance of severe cold conditions between now and Friday.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Central and eastern parts of England will have snow showers this morning, perhaps quite sleety in parts of the Midlands.

"This afternoon there will be further rain, sleet and snow for central and eastern England, southern areas most likely to have rain or sleet.

"Rain and sleet as well for Wales and western England first thing. Once this clears south-eastwards, it'll be drier and brighter for the afternoon but with some showers, some of which will be heavy and wintry."

Yellow warnings in many areas for people to be aware of possible disruption

Leeds Bradford Airport reported severe weather was causing disruption to its flight schedule - but it later removed the warning from its website.

Staff at Heathrow Airport monitored the weather closely but no flights were cancelled due to the weather.

The Highways Agency reported no major problems overnight, but are still braced for potential adverse weather conditions to come.

The agency has said it is "well prepared" for winter conditions.

A spokeswoman said: "We have a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles on standby, supported by tried-and-tested winter resilience plans.

"We have reviewed salt stock levels and taken action where needed to enhance our resilience and we have again established a reserve salt stock to help ensure that there is enough salt to deal with severe winter.

"Our roads will be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow. However, even when roads have been treated, drivers should still take care, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there could be a greater risk of ice forming."

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Ghaffar said it would be "cold again but most places will be dry with sunshine. There will be wintry showers down the east coasts with the chance of some heavier snow across Kent".

"Wintry showers as well across western coasts, especially for Wales and south-west England."

Temperatures are expected to drop further to around -8C on Wednesday night with the possibility of more light snow flurries.

:: Send us your photos or videos of the snow where you are.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

April Jones: Mark Bridger Pleads Not Guilty

There are 16 search teams continuing to look for missing April Jones.

Officers resumed efforts to find the five-year-old's body on January 7 after a two-week break.

She was last seen playing on her bike on Machynlleth's Bryn-y-Gog estate, in north Wales, where she lived, on October 1 last year.

Former lifeguard Mark Bridger, 46, was arrested the following day.

Bridger is charged with April's abduction and murder

Bridger, of Mount Pleasant farmhouse in the village of Ceinws, near Machynlleth, entered a 'not guilty' plea at Mold Crown Court as April's parents Coral and Paul Jones looked on. Bridger will trial will take place later this year.

As well as facing charges of abducting and murdering April, he is also accused of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

April's disappearance sparked an outpouring of public support, with hundreds of people joining the search in the early days.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

William And Kate: Baby Due To Be Born In July

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby is due in July, St James' Palace has announced.

Kate's condition is also continuing to improve following her stay in hospital last month for severe morning sickness, a spokesman for the couple said.

The Duchess is believed to be around 13 to 14 weeks pregnant and confirmation of the birth month means it is likely she has now had a routine 12-week scan.

"Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July," a St James' Palace spokesman said.

"The Duchess's condition continues to improve since her stay in hospital last month."

The announcement brings confirmation that Kate is expecting just one baby, following speculation she might have been carrying twins.

The Duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe vomiting during pregnancy and is more often experienced by women expecting twins.

The condition is most common in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and often eases off in the second trimester of pregnancy, which Kate is believed to be entering now.

More follows...

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Belfast Protests: 29 Police Officers Injured

Twenty-nine police officers have been injured during disorder in east Belfast.

Police used water cannon during sectarian clashes overnight between loyalists and republicans in the Castlereagh Street area.

Trouble flared after a city centre demonstration against the council's decision to limit the number of days the Union flag is flown from City Hall.

Four of the 29 injured officers were taken to hospital and two remain in treatment.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott said: "This was a difficult operation dealing with a large number of people determined to cause disorder and violence. My colleagues brought the situation under control with exceptional courage and professionalism.

"I know the vast majority of people will be grateful for their efforts. Police will continue to engage with all those committed to finding a solution to these issues."

Police officers helped an injured colleague during the protest

Water cannon were deployed and a non-lethal baton round fired by riot police as they separated opposing factions.

A hail of bricks and fireworks rained down at the Albertbridge Road near the nationalist Short Strand.

Earlier on Saturday, nearly 1,000 people gathered at City Hall to protest.

Senior politicians from Belfast, Dublin and London are to meet next week to discuss the protests after more than 40 days of road blocks and sporadic violence by loyalists have failed to produce a solution.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness will join Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Ireland's Tanaiste (deputy leader) Eamonn Gilmore.

Mr Gilmore said: "This violence is being orchestrated and those behind it are known criminals, intent on creating chaos.

"This has nothing to do with real issues around flags and identity in a shared society, which are the subject of intensive political discussions at present."

Cars were set alight during the rioting

The demonstrations against Belfast City Council's decision to hoist the Union flag only on designated days like royal birthdays have brought many parts of Northern Ireland to a standstill.

More than 70 officers have been injured and over 100 arrests made during weeks of sporadic trouble, the PSNI said.

Businesses in Belfast's city centre have struggled to cope, with many reporting lost trade, and the Confederation of British Industry warned some investors may think again.

A doctor was prevented from attending a terminally ill cancer patient because of loyalist road blocks in south Belfast, it was revealed.

A loyalist protester throws a wooden post at police

The GP was travelling to a home call with the sick man when he was stopped twice by crowds of demonstrators who blocked the road.

Police asked them to move but they refused, nationalist SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt said.

He said: "These are depraved acts which immediately dismiss any claim on a protest being peaceful."

The doctor had to wait until the blockade was lifted.

A unionist forum chaired by DUP leader Mr Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt met last week to discuss ways of empowering loyalist working class communities.

A second peace rally is to be held outside City Hall later today.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mali: Britain Sends Planes To Help French

Britain will provide transport planes to assist the French military operation in Mali, Downing Street has confirmed.

David Cameron spoke with Francois Hollande on Saturday evening as France attempted to contain al Qaeda-linked rebels in the north of the West African country.

French military strikes on the country have already claimed the lives of at least 100 rebels in a fight over the strategic town of Konna.

Eleven Malian soldiers are reported to have been killed and a further 60 wounded in the recent fighting.

Mr Hollande has raised his country's terror threat level amid fears of retaliatory attacks in France.

He said France "has to take all necessary precautions" in the face of a terrorist threat, including "surveillance of our public buildings and our transport network".

French troops prepare to board a flight to Mali from a base in Chad

A Downing Street spokesman said last night: "The Prime Minister spoke to President Hollande this evening to discuss the deteriorating situation in Mali and how the UK can support French military assistance provided to the Malian government to contain rebel and extremist groups in the north of the country.

"The Prime Minister has agreed that the UK will provide logistical military assistance to help transport foreign troops and equipment quickly to Mali.

"We will not be deploying any British personnel in a combat role.

"Both leaders agreed that the situation in Mali poses a real threat to international security given terrorist activity there.

"They discussed the need to work with the Malian government, regional neighbours and international partners to prevent a new terrorist haven developing on Europe's doorstep and to reinvigorate the UN led political process once the rebel advance has been halted.

"The National Security Council, which was already due to meet on Tuesday, will now consider the situation in Mali and discuss what needs to be done to secure a lasting political settlement in Mali."

The UN's Sahel envoy Romano Prodi, left, and President Dioncounda Traore

One French pilot has died in the military action after hundreds of French soldiers were deployed in the country.

Mr Hollande took action in Mali at the request of interim President Dioncounda Traore, who has declared a state of emergency.

Western governments expressed alarm on Thursday after an al Qaeda-linked rebel alliance captured Konna, a gateway towards the capital Bamako 600km (375 miles) south.

The Malian army has said it was attacking the "last pockets of resistance" by insurgents in Konna after they recaptured it with the help of the French.

Islamist rebels seized a swathe of northern Mali last spring

Mr Hollande said the "terrorist groups, drug traffickers and extremists" in northern Mali "show a brutality that threatens us all." He vowed that the operation would last "as long as necessary".

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has now authorised the immediate deployment of troops to Mali.

The bloc's commission president, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, said it made the decision "in light of the urgency of the situation".

For the past nine months, the Islamic militants have controlled a large swathe of northern Mali, a lawless desert region where kidnapping has flourished.

Mr Hollande said the operation was aimed in part at protecting 6,000 French citizens in Mali, including seven who are being held captive.

French Mirage 2000 D aircraft en route to the Mali operation

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Senegal and Nigeria also responded to an appeal from Mali's president for help to counter the militants.

Late last year, the 15 nations in West Africa, including Mali, agreed on a proposal for the military to take back the north, and sought backing from the UN.

The Security Council authorised the intervention but imposed certain conditions, including the training of Mali's military, which has been accused of serious human rights abuses since a military coup last year sent the nation into disarray.

Al Qaeda's affiliate in Africa has been a shadowy presence for years in the forests and deserts of poverty-stricken Mali.

Most Malians adhere to a moderate form of Islam, but in recent months the terrorist group and its allies have taken advantage of political instability, taking territory they use to stock weapons and train forces.

The Islamists have insisted they want to impose Sharia only in northern Mali, though there long have been fears they could push further south.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Girl, 8, Killed In Jamaica Gun Attack

An eight-year-old British girl has died after a gunman opened fire on a cafe in Jamaica.

Imani Green, from Balham, south London, was visiting relatives on the island with her mother when the shooting happened in the northwestern town of Duncans, in Trelawny.

The Sun reports that Imani was shot twice, first in the head and then the shoulder. She was taken to hospital but died later.

The newspaper said the attack on Friday may be linked to an argument the owner of the premises was involved in.

Imani's brother Dean Palmer, who is in his 20s, told Sky News he was completely devastated by the death of his sister, who he described as "an extremely brave girl".

Speaking before he left the UK for Jamaica, he said Imani suffers from sickle-cell anaemia and goes there twice a year to help her cope with the disease.

He said the family was in two minds about whether to take her this time, but within a few days of arriving she was "back to her normal self".

Local media said three other people were injured.

The British Foreign Office said: "We are providing consular assistance and liaising with local authorities."

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Birmingham Stabbings: Appeal For Witnesses

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A 23-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of stabbing two men to death in Birmingham city centre last night.

The men, who are in their thirties, were attacked just before 6pm.

One victim is thought to have been stabbed outside a Sainsbury's store in Martineau Place, while the other was found slumped near a Boots store in Union Street with fatal injuries.

Officers administered first aid on both men, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Kevin Blake, 52, who was leaving work at the time, told Sky News: "There was someone lying on the ground with a police officer pumping his chest and someone holding a white compress on his lower abdomen and someone sort of incubating him.

"He was in a very very bad way. As I walked to the train station there was huge droplets of blood for about 30 or 40 yards which signified that he was very, very seriously injured.

"It was a surprise to read in the paper that two people had been stabbed and not just the one that I saw, it was quite a sight."

A man was arrested in New Street near the Odeon Cinema minutes after the stabbings.

Inspector David Keen said: "Two men have suffered fatal injuries - these have been inflicted in the heart of the city at a busy time when workers and shoppers would be heading home.

"There are potentially hundreds of witnesses, either people who saw the stabbings or the offender leaving the scene, and I'd urge people to get in touch immediately - they could have vital information."

Forensics and search experts cordoned off several scenes in and around Union Street to preserve evidence. Those cordons have now been lifted.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Crews arrived to find two men who had been stabbed and were being given excellent first aid by police officers and passers-by.

"Both men went into cardiac arrest. Crews and the team of medics administered advanced life support to both men but, sadly, despite the best efforts, nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead on scene."

Post-mortem examinations on the two victims are due to take place to determine the exact cause of their deaths.

Police said they were mounting "extra reassurance" patrols in the area.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More