GCSE Plans 'Could Harm Less Able Pupils'

By Liz Lane, Sky News Reporter

Plans to axe GCSEs in England could fail to help less able pupils and leave some subjects with discredited qualifications, MPs have warned.

The Commons Education Select Committee agrees significant improvements are needed.

But it has claimed the Government has failed to prove its case for scrapping the qualification.

GCSEs will be replaced by English Baccalaureate Certificates, with teaching beginning in 2015, and the first exams in English, maths and sciences taking place in 2017.

GCSEs in history, geography and languages will be replaced by EBCs at a later date, and GCSEs are set to remain in other subjects.

Committee chair Graham Stuart warned ministers they could be being too hasty.

"Slow down a little. Don't allow educational reform, which has impact for generations to come, don't let that be driven by a political timetable."

Education secretary Michael Gove has said the changes will modernise the exam system.

But Jacques Szemalikowski, head teacher of Hampstead School in north London, is not so sure.

Mr Gove says the exam system needs modernising

"The Secretary of State says the idea of a risk is not a reason not to proceed, well I agree with that, but at the same time we need something that is coherent, that has a logic and an underpinning philisophy, in terms of making our education system compete with the best, and not back to the future."

English teacher David Robson is worried the Government could be gambling with children's futures.

"If you've got some students and everyone a year older than them have done a different qualification, where does it put those students when going into the job market? Where does it put them now in terms of preparing for the future?

"So I think it's unsettling in many ways, and obviously any year group who are going to be the first wave in any system, in a sense, you're going to be the guinea pigs."

The committee said there is a "lack of coherence" about the Government's approach to reforming the curriculum, qualifications and the school accountability system.

It warned the reforms could have a negative impact on subjects that will remain GCSEs.

It also suggested the Government should focus on improving the achievement of the "significant minority" that do not achieve five good GCSEs, rather than considering plans to introduce a Statement of Achievement for lower-attaining pupils.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We have been clear that the secondary education system is in desperate need of a thorough overhaul - an objective with which the committee agrees.

"That is why we are making major changes to ensure we have world class exams that raise standards."

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Arizona Office Shooting: Gunman On The Run

Police are still searching for a gunman after three people were shot - one fatally - during a dispute at an office complex in Phoenix, Arizona.

The suspect has been named as 70-year-old Arthur D Harmon.

Police reportedly served a search warrant on Harmon's house seven miles from the office park, but found nobody inside.

The shooting victims were taken to hospital after the incident on Wednesday morning where one man, 48-year-old Steve Singer, later died.

The other two victims, a 43-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, remain in critical condition.

Emergency crews were at the scene

Fire Captain Scott McDonald said all the victims had sustained life-threatening wounds.

Officer James Holmes said police believe there is only one suspect, but witnesses gave conflicting information about how he left the scene.

The shooting did not appear to be a random act, said Sergeant Tommy Thompson.

He said a dispute with someone at the building became heated, and the suspect pulled out a gun and started shooting. He said he did not know what type of gun had been used.

The shooting happened as the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on gun control issues, and former astronaut Mark Kelly broke news of the shooting during his testimony.

Mr Kelly is the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head two years ago. Ms Giffords also testified on Wednesday, appealing to her former colleagues for stricter gun laws.

The central Phoenix building has been evacuated and police are still looking for a suspect and any additional victims.

Vanessa Brogan, who works in an insurance office in the three-storey complex, said she heard a loud bang that she first thought had been made by someone working in or near the building.

She said other people thought they heard multiple loud noises. She said people locked themselves in offices until police evacuated the business park.

The complex houses insurance, medical and law offices.

Becky Neher, who also works in the building, said she heard two gunshots and saw two victims lying on the ground outside the back of the building.

"Someone yelled 'We have a shooter', " she said.

Ms Neher said medical workers who have offices in the complex came out to help the victims.

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Fast-Track Reforms For Senior Police Positions

The Home Secretary is expected to unveil a shake-up of police recruitment that will allow new starters to escape the compulsory two years on the beat.

Under current rules all police must enter at constable rank, but the proposals to be unveiled by Theresa May later are understood to include direct entry at superintendent level.

Ms May is also believed to be planning to change the law so foreign police chiefs will be able to run British forces for the first time.

The overhaul is part of a package of reforms that were drawn up by ex-rail regulator Tom Winsor in the most wide-ranging review of police pay and conditions in more than 30 years.

Under his proposals, "exceptional" applicants would have the chance to rise from civilian to inspector in just three years.

Successful businessmen and women, along with members of the armed forces and the security services, should all be encouraged to apply to the fast-track scheme, Mr Winsor said.

Tom Winsor's police reforms have proved to be controversial

Mr Winsor, who is now Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, previously said he wanted to end the notion of policing as an intellectually undemanding occupation.

He added that the "brightest and best" applicants with skills "distinctly above those of factory workers" were needed.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe told a policing conference earlier this month that it was time to "consider and support" direct entry.

He added that he would like to see one in 10 senior officers recruited from outside the police force.

In addition, a proposal to allow candidates from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, among others, to front up forces in England and Wales is expected.

US supercop Bill Bratton was ruled ineligible to take over the Met Police

Current legislation prevented US "supercop" Bill Bratton, former head of the New York police, applying to take charge of the Metropolitan Police in 2011.

Mr Bratton gained a reputation for introducing bold measures to reduce crime, heading police departments in New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

In his first two years at the helm of New York Police Department, reports of serious crime dropped 27%.

But Mrs May dashed any chances of him becoming Britain's top police officer when she underlined the importance of the Scotland Yard commissioner being a British citizen for national security reasons.

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Childcare Reforms: Plan To Ease Soaring Costs

By Gamal Fahnbulleh, Sky News Reporter

The Government is set to announce a sweeping set of childcare reforms as it tries to reduce the burden on parents struggling to pay soaring nursery fees.

British families spend an average of 27% of their income on childcare - the second highest proportion in the world. But when it comes to the quality of care provided, the UK is said to be behind other European countries.

As part of the plans, nurseries and childminders will be allowed to look after more children.

The current ratio of one member of staff to every four two-year-olds will be increased to one carer for every six toddlers.

Nurseries will also be allowed to loosen ratios for under-twos, with one carer being allowed to look after four instead of three children.

Citing the example of France, Education Minister Elizabeth Truss will argue that easing the rules on ratios can give nurseries the "headroom to pay higher salaries".

She is expected to tell an event at the Policy Exchange think-tank: "We have learned from other countries that deliver better value and better-quality childcare.

"We have looked across Europe and beyond. The aim is not to replicate another country's approach but to learn from and apply best practice."

Ministers also want youngsters to start being taught reading and maths at a younger age to reassure parents that their children are receiving a proper education.

And in return for deregulation and higher pay, Ms Truss will insist that nursery workers have tougher academic standards, including potential carers needing at least a grade C in English and maths to begin the two-year Early Years Educator Qualification.

Ms Truss said: "We want to see more of a continuum between childcare and the education system, we want to see more teachers in early years leading high quality group settings and also more people with English and maths GCSE going into early years.

"So this is about raising the quality and making sure our young children get the absolute best."

Rachel Parangi, a mother-of-two, told Sky News: "The cost of childcare is a burden, it's like a mortgage, in fact, it's more than my mortgage - so yes it is expensive.

"It's a price you have to pay for quality childcare. When you're at work you want to know that someone is looking after your children."

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Brazil: Mourners Honour Nightclub Fire Dead

Thousands have mourned the victims of Brazil's deadly nightclub fire by marching through Santa Maria, the city in southern Brazil where the blaze took place.

Many of the mourners dressed in white and carried photographs of those who lost their lives in the fire. Others struggled to hold back their tears.

"I believe that it's not just me but everyone in this world who has a heart has been affected (by the fire), anyone who has family, who has a friend," said Jose Luiz Fagundes, a resident of Santa Maria.

Local resident Marcia Ferreira lost 25 friends in the blaze and said attended the Kiss nightclub regularly.

"I don't have words to describe this, they were 25 of my friends," she said.

A woman places flowers outside the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria

Mourners also released white balloons into the night sky during the vigil and held a moment of silence for the 231 victims of the fire.

Some mourners demanded answers about the safety measures at the nightclub, where hundreds were trapped after the ceiling became engulfed in flames.

They chanted "Justice" as they marched in the procession.

Brazilian police investigating the fire have the owners of the club and two members of the band Gurizada Fandangueira, whose pyrotechnics show authorities say triggered the blaze.

No charges were filed against the four men, but prosecutors said they could be held for up to five days as police press them for clues as to how the fire caused so many deaths.

Most of those who died were suffocated by toxic fumes that rapidly filled the Kiss nightclub after the band set off a flare at about 2:30am on Sunday, authorities said.

Relatives hold photographs of Pamella Lopes, who died in the club fire

The club's operating license was under review for renewal after expiring last year.

Witnesses said bouncers initially blocked the only functioning exit because they believed fleeing customers were trying to avoid paying their bar tabs.

Survivor Kelly Rebello de Silva said a black toxic smoke filled the nightclub and panicked partygoers began trampling each other.

The 21-year-old said the scene inside the club was reminiscent of a "horror movie".

"Everyone was pushing and shoving," another survivor, Taynne Vendruscolo, told reporters.

"The fire started out small, but within seconds it exploded. Those who were close to the stage could not get out."

The death toll was revised down to 231 from 233 as officials said some names had been counted twice.

Men tried to break down walls of the club to help those trapped inside

By Monday night, 129 people were still hospitalized, 76 of them in serious condition, according to state health services.

Elaine Marques Goncalves lost her son Deivis in the fire. Another son who was at the nightclub, Gustavo, was barely alive after suffering two cardiac arrests caused by smoke inhalation.

She learned of the blaze after the mother of her sons' friends called her.

"My boys were not home and I had no news. I turned on the TV - the tragedy was all over the television," she said at the makeshift morgue.

"All I knew was they had gone to a club, I didn't know which one. I kept saying: 'Where do I start? Where do I go?'"

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HS2 Route Set To Spark Backlash

HS2: Cases For And Against High-Speed Rail

Updated: 3:56am UK, Monday 28 January 2013

Those in favour of high-speed rail say it will create jobs and boost the economy, while critics say the cost - financially and for the environment - is too high.

Here is what two campaigners from opposing sides had to say:

THE CASE FOR

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council (Manchester is included in a later HS2 phase)

High-speed rail is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the rail network in this country. A new, separate, high speed network is the only cost-effective way of extending an existing railway network that is becoming increasingly congested.

It will free up capacity on the existing network for commuter services and inter-city services for smaller towns and give the country a railway fit for the 21st century.

More than that, it will unlock much-needed jobs and investment and help rebalance the UK's economy to ensure that opportunity is open to all.

The Government is to be commended for having the political courage to stick with the plans, in the face of a short-sighted opposition that is as predictable as it is parochial.

The UK's future economic success will depend upon its capacity to compete on a global stage.

For Manchester that means we're up against cities like Munich, Milan and Copenhagen. International-class connectivity already is an essential factor in Britain's future success.

The rest of Europe is already well ahead in the high speed stakes and acting now to catch up is not an optional extra.

HS2 might seem expensive but it is an investment that will ultimately be self-financing. Paris-Lyon opened in 1981 and has paid for itself, and the new high-speed lines in Spain are the only profitable part of the Spanish rail network.

Railways began in Britain. The world's first passenger rail station is right here in my city. But we've fallen behind.

Yes, we need investment in the here and now of transport infrastructure, but just for once, let's also plan and act for our long-term future.

THE CASE AGAINST

Joe Rukin, campaign co-ordinator of Stop HS2, the national campaigning body against HS2

HS2 is completely the wrong priority for Great Britain and any decision to go ahead will not be a rational one, it will be a political one, brought about mainly by strong lobbying by advocates with vested interests.

Building HS2 is like building the Titanic, but without the Steerage section - that will be made up of the rest of the rail network which will be starved of funds if HS2 goes ahead.

But of course commuters will have to help pay the £17.8bn just to get it to run between London and Birmingham.

The supposed benefits are made up by calculating the cash value of time and the jobs figures touted, which are plainly a lie. These would not arrive for decades, at a total cost of £32bn.

And what about the extra costs of environmental protection, inflation, interest, compensation, farm bridges, foot bridges and of course trains?

Having been the treasurer of a national union, I know that union leaders are not always interested in the actual figures.

But the jobs figures on this, based on the amount of money going in, are ridiculously low.

Last week they had the cheek to tout this being environmentally sound. If that is the case, why is HS2 opposed by Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Green Party, to start off a very long list of environmental organisations?

HS2 is going through for the same old reasons - because politically it is wanted. It is that simple. You are about to put what money we have left into a fast train for fat cats.

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Nightclub Blaze: Brazil Mourns The Dead

Brazil is in mourning after more than 230 people died when a fire broke out in a packed nightclub, leading to a stampede.

Witnesses said a flare or firework lit by members of a band onstage started the blaze in Santa Maria, a university city of about 260,000 people.

Officials say 233 people died, and around 117 others were injured.

Survivors and the police inspector Marcelo Arigony said security guards briefly tried to block people from exiting the club.

Brazilian bars routinely make patrons pay their entire tab at the end of the night before they are allowed to leave.

Relatives at a wake in Santa Maria

But Mr Arigony said the guards did not appear to block fleeing patrons for long.

"It was chaotic and it doesn't seem to have been done in bad faith because several security guards also died," he said.

The blaze broke out while the band, called Gurizada Fandangueira, was performing at the Kiss club in Santa Maria.

Some of those who escaped the building tried to smash a hole in the wall to allow other trapped people out.

Fire chief Guido de Melo said there was panic after the fire started and many revellers were trampled. He said the main cause of death was asphyxiation.

Men try to break through a wall to help the victims

Mr Melo said that firefighters had a hard time getting inside the club because "there was a barrier of bodies blocking the entrance".

Officials at a news conference said the cause was still under investigation.

However, police inspector Sandro Meinerz told the Agencia Estado news agency the band was to blame for a pyrotechnics show and that manslaughter charges could be filed.

Television images showed black smoke billowing out of the Kiss nightclub as shirtless young men who had attended a university party joined firefighters using axes and sledgehammers to pound at windows and pink exterior walls to free those trapped inside.

Bodies of the dead and injured were strewn in the street and panicked screams filled the air as medics tried to help.

There was little to be done; officials said most of those who died were suffocated by smoke within minutes.

The packed club had only one exit

Within hours a community gym was a horror scene, with body after body lined up on the floor, partially covered with black plastic as family members identified relatives.

Many of the victims were under 20 years old, including some children.

"There was so much smoke and fire, it was complete panic, and it took a long time for people to get out, there were so many dead," survivor Luana Santos Silva told the Globo TV network.

Another survivor, Michele Pereira, told the Folha de S Paulo newspaper that she was near the stage when members of the band lit flares that started the fire.

"The band that was onstage began to use flares and, suddenly, they stopped the show and pointed them upward," she said. "At that point, the ceiling caught fire. It was really weak, but in a matter of seconds it spread."

Guitarist Rodrigo Martins told Radio Gaucha that the band started playing at 2:15am.

The fire took place in Santa Maria

"We had played around five songs when I looked up and noticed the roof was burning," he said.

"It might have happened because of the Sputnik, the machine we use to create a luminous effect with sparks. It's harmless, we never had any trouble with it.

"When the fire started, a guard passed us a fire extinguisher, the singer tried to use it but it wasn't working."

He confirmed that accordion player Danilo Jacques, 28, died, while the five other members made it out safely.

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff arrived to visit the injured after cutting short her trip to a Latin American-European summit in Chile.

"It is a tragedy for all of us," Ms Rousseff said.

Britain's Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire said: "I am deeply saddened by the news of the tragic accident in Santa Maria.

"My thoughts and sincere condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and I wish a swift recovery to the hundreds who are now being treated in hospital."

The blaze was the deadliest in Brazil since at least 1961, when a fire that swept through a circus killed 503 people in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro.

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Tories Handed EU Referendum Polls Boost

David Cameron's pledge to hold a referendum on EU membership if the Conservatives win the next General Election appears to have given the party a boost in the polls.

A survey conducted in the wake of the Prime Minister's speech on Wednesday showed the Tories had enjoyed a five-point jump from last month, mostly at the expense of the eurosceptics of UKIP.

The poll, by ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and the Independent on Sunday, put the Tories on 33%, with Labour stood still at 39% and the Liberal Democrats up two at 11%.

UKIP, which has registered significant advances in recent months, fell back four points to 10%.

Mr Cameron has insisted he wants to stay in the EU but said he would aim to renegotiate the relationship before offering voters the choose whether the UK should stay in under the new terms or leave.

However, despite the resurgence in the latest polls, many voters backed Labour and Lib Dem warnings that Mr Cameron's position would cause "years of uncertainty which will be bad for the British economy" by 43% t0 30%.

The majority also now believe that leaving the EU would in itself be bad for the economy in terms of lost jobs and trade - by 38% to 36%, a turnaround from November when 40% disagreed and 36% agreed.

Windsor MP Adam Afriyie

There was also a significant shift in the numbers saying the UK should quit Brussels regardless of whether powers could be returned, voters disagreeing by 43% to 33% - the exact opposite of the previous poll.

Other polls also showed a post-speech Tory bounce.

One by Survation for the Mail on Sunday put the Tories up two at 31%, Labour stable at 38%, Ukip down two to 14% and the Lib Dems down one at 10%.

Exactly half of those polled said they favoured a UK exit, but of those more (43%) said they would consider switching to the "yes" camp if significant powers were returned than wouldn't (36%).

An Angus Reid Public Opinion for the Sunday Express showed a three-point rise for the Conservatives to 30% with Labour dipping three to 39%.

The success of Mr Cameron's EU speech , however, has not stopped speculation within the party about his possible successor should he fail to secure a majority at the next election.

Several Sunday newspapers reported that MPs had been approached about whether they would consider supporting Adam Afriyie, an IT millionaire who became the Tories first black MP in 2005.

The latest polls were released as Labour leader Ed Miliband - who has said the party is not in favour of the referendum promised by the Prime Minister - faced renewed calls from within his own party for an immediate in/out referendum.

Former Europe minister Keith Vaz, a supporter of EU membership, said it was "time to settle the question of Britain's membership in the EU once and for all".

"I support a referendum because, like David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, I believe the future of our country is in Europe. I am supportive, but pragmatic about the European project," he wrote in the Sunday Mirror.

"I accept British people rightly feel the EU is not delivering on its promises. Reform is necessary. We need better, stronger and earlier scrutiny by Parliament of EU measures."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the Sunday Express his party would now be "going for the Labour Party's jugular" over its failure to back the referendum.

"Here was an open goal for the Labour Party to demand that referendum now. They could have called his bluff. Ed Miliband could have pressed the Prime Minister to give voters a say on Europe without ifs and buts. Yet they didn't," he wrote.

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Flood Fears As Snow Melts And Rain Moves In

Heavy rains combined with rising temperatures, which will thaw the snow that has blanketed much of Britain, have sparked fears of flooding across the country.

The South West is likely to be hardest hit and downpours throughout the night.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 34 warnings, the second highest alert which means flooding is expected.

Another 219 alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were also in place across the country after the agency warned of an increased risk of surface water and river flooding.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for localised flooding in many parts of the country.

The rain combined with rapidly melting snow could cause further disruption on the roads, after heavy snow storms on Friday night left hundreds of people stranded on motorways in the north of England.

Temperatures will steadily rise above freezing before reaching more than 10C (50F) in the south on Sunday.

Sky News weather producer Chris England said there will be "sometimes heavy rain for all of us".

"The rain will gradually clear from the west, becoming largely confined to northeast Scotland and southeast England by morning," he said.

"Blustery showers following across Ireland will spread to Britain's west coast later, but most inland areas will be dry. A continuing thaw combined with the overnight rain will bring a risk of local flooding."

Forecasters are predicting a very wet spell through the latter part of Monday and into Tuesday.

An EA spokesman said: "Emergency teams from the Environment Agency will be out in force throughout the weekend, shoring up defences, monitoring river levels and clearing blockages from watercourses."

Around 18 buildings were flooded in various locations across Wales on Friday night, including two houses in Solva, Pembrokeshire, and two in Dolgellau, North Wales.

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Armed Robber Pinned Down During Raid Dies

An armed man has died after being restrained by customers during an attempted robbery at a bookmakers, police said.

The man, in his 50s, was believed to be wearing a gas mask and holding a gun when he entered a Ladbrokes branch on Crownhill Road in Plymouth shortly before 7pm.

Customers managed to disarm him and held him on the floor while others raised the alarm, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Police arrested the man, who was already unconscious, but he was declared dead shortly afterwards.

"It quickly became clear the man was unresponsive and an ambulance was immediately requested by police who carried out CPR until they arrived," a police spokesman said.

"A few minutes later three paramedics arrived at the scene and continued to carry out further CPR. Around 20 minutes later the man was declared dead at the scene by the paramedics."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed of death.

Chief Inspector Ian Drummond-Smith said: "This is a very serious incident. We cannot speculate on what has actually taken place here today.

"A full investigation has now begun and while the IPCC carry out their investigation it is not appropriate to comment further."

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Weather: Snow Storm Brings M6 To Standstill

Hundreds of drivers have spent hours trapped in their vehicles on the M6 in Lancashire after heavy snow brought the motorway to a standstill.

The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, near Wigan, after vehicles became stuck in several inches of snow and many drivers abandoned their cars.

The Highways Agency said there are severe delays in both directions of the M6 and have advised drivers to delay their journeys until weather conditions improve.

Many drivers have contacted Sky News to share their stories, with some saying they are at a standstill while others saying they are moving slowly.

The M6 gridlock. Pic Kevin Collister

Kevin Collister, who is stuck on the motorway just past the M58 junction heading northbound, said: "All the snow is squashed down into ice and there are wagons trying to move and sliding sideways - it's an absolute nightmare.

"A few people are saying we might be here for the night but we're just hoping we can get through."

Barry Pinches, on his way to Blackpool, told Sky News: "At one stage we didn't think we would make it but it looks like things are moving slowly now. We saw some snow ploughs on the southbound carriageway but there doesn't seem to be too many of them - they have their work cut out."

Conservative MP David Morris, stuck on the southbound carriageway, said: "Nothing is really moving, but the emergency services have been fantastic and are doing the best for us.

"Everyone is in good spirits - I've just seen a snowball fight and the man next door to me has built a snowman on top of his car roof. It's very surreal."

Some M6 motorists are making the most of the snow. Pic Ashley Pinches

Pete Martin, from the Highways Agency, confirmed to Sky News that the carriageways had been gritted before the snow came down.

"We had an extremely intense fall of snow across Lancashire between 8.30pm and midnight and basically there wasn't enough traffic to keep the lanes moving," he said.

"A number of HGVs lost traction between junctions 25 and 27 and once they blocked the carriageway the snow stacked up and the result was a number of stranded vehicles.

"We've had traffic officers helping motorists, and gritters and snow ploughs trying to clear up - a lot of resources are dealing with what has happened."

Lancashire Police said officers, Highways Agency staff and mountain rescue teams were working in conjunction to help stranded drivers.

The force said: "We want to reassure anybody who's stuck that we're on our way with colleagues from the Highways Agency.

Part of the M6 is closed both ways in Lancashire

"The snow ploughs are out and about and the mountain rescue teams are also helping with recovery - be reassured we'll get to you."

It also warned drivers not to venture out while road and motorway conditions remained "treacherous".

Hazardous driving conditions have led to collisions and delays on many routes across the north of England, including the M18, M60, M65, M56 and M58.

Meanwhile, all flights have been suspended at Leeds Bradford International Airport this morning as a fresh blanket of snow covered most of the Yorkshire region.

North Yorkshire Fire Service said a couple had to be rescued from a snow drift on the North York Moors last night.

A spokesman said: "Due to extreme weather conditions a husband and wife had driven into a snow drift and were unable to get out. The wife had undergone surgery a week before and they had tried to dig themselves out for over two hours.

"A well-known breakdown company would not attend. Fire crews from Goathland and Whitby attended and managed to get the couple and the vehicle to the safety of a local hotel.

"Usually the fire service only attend life risk incidents but on this occasion an exception was made."

North Yorkshire Police said some main roads were blocked by snow and abandoned vehicles including the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton and the B6265 at Rylstone.

Hazardous conditions on the M61. Pic AA Special Operations

The Met Office has 12 amber warnings in place from the Midlands up to central England, urging the public to be prepared for likely disruption caused by the heavy snow.

There are also a number of yellow warnings in Wales, southwest England and London and the South East.

Weather experts have warned of the risk of flooding this weekend, as heavy rain moves in and rising temperatures spark a rapid thaw of the built-up snow and ice.

In southwest Wales, emergency services are already responding to a rise in calls as roads and properties become flooded.

There are also reports of flooding on the M5 between junction 25 for Taunton and junction 26.

The Environment Agency has 19 flood warnings in place, 15 for the South West and four for Wales.

A further 76 flood alerts have been issued, including 41 for the South West, 16 for Wales, 15 for the South East and one for the North East.

The snow-blanketed racecourse in Bath

A spokesman said: "Emergency teams from the Environment Agency will be out in force throughout the weekend to shore up defences, monitor river levels and clear blockages from watercourses."

Temperatures will steadily rise from tomorrow to an average of 4C before reaching more than 10C in the south on Sunday followed by wet and windy weather next week.

The severe weather over the past week has hit working hours, according to a survey of more than 2,000 workers by Green Flag Breakdown.

The motoring organisation said one in five people had been too afraid to drive because of the icy and snowy conditions, and a further 5% tried to take to the road but had to turn back.

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Car Thief Drives Off With Seven-Week-Old Baby

A mother said she was "shocked" after a car thief drove off with her newborn as the father stood nearby talking to a friend.

Thomas Moulsdale, 24, suddenly became aware someone had sneaked in the driver's side door and was driving off with his seven-week-old son, Leo, on the back seat.

He tried to open the passenger door shouting that his baby son was in the back but the thief drove on.

The child's mother Louise Waine said: "It made me feel sick. I didn't know what to do ... I was shocked and I just said stop and broke down. I said I don't know where to look ..."

Leo in his car seat

It was a frantic 15 minutes for Mr Moulsdale and his fiancee before the child was found safe and well in the car, which had been left close to a pub.

"Then we got a phone call ... saying they'd found him ... we shot down and I grabbed him out of the seat. I just felt ill. I can't believe someone would do that," she said.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the drama - which happened in Moor Road in Orrell, Wigan at 7.35pm on Tuesday - to contact them.

CCTV footage of the stolen car

Detective Constable Brendan Greally, from Wigan CID, said: "We can only imagine the distress that the parents of this young baby must have gone through after their son was taken from them in this manner.

"Thankfully, their nightmare was only short-lived after the baby was found safe and well inside the vehicle around 15 minutes later."

Police were told that the baby had been left in the abandoned blue Subaru Impreza on Maine Street, Billinge, by an anonymous caller.

The map shows where baby Leo was taken from and abandoned

The thief is described as a white man in his 20s, wearing a dark-coloured hat, a dark hooded top and lighter-coloured trousers or tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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GDP Figures: Experts Predict Contraction

Figures showing whether Britain is heading for an unprecedented triple-dip recession will be unveiled later.

Some experts believe gross domestic product (GDP) will have fallen by 0.1% in the final quarter of 2012.

If the economy then contracts in the current quarter the nation would be officially back in recession.

Hopes of a rebound are fading after a snow-hit start to 2013, which some estimate cost Britain more than £500m-a-day in lost output.

A fourth-quarter downturn would be a sharp reversal of the 0.9% recovery seen in the third quarter, when output was fuelled by one-off factors such as the Olympics and as the economy clawed back activity lost during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee holiday.

Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King has predicted a weaker quarter

Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King has already warned that the quarter would be "considerably weaker", while the IMF believes the UK contracted by 0.2% overall in 2012.

It also expects expansion of just 1% during this year.

Today's figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) represent the initial estimate of GDP and are subject to revision over subsequent months.

But the run of gloomy economic indicators increases the threat to the UK's prized AAA rating, with all three major ratings agencies placing the country on negative outlook.

Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said the AAA threat will "intensify significantly" if figures confirm a contraction at the end of last year.

The CEBR economic consultancy believes the economy may have contracted by as much as 0.5% in the final quarter of 2012 and by 0.1% over the whole year.

Construction has so far been the only bright spot, according to recent industry surveys, with activity surging to a 15-month high in December.

But it accounts for only 10% of the economy and the far bigger services sector has not fared so well.

The first official estimate of fourth-quarter GDP will not include overall household consumer spending figures, which will be taken into account in the second estimate.

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Chelsea's Hazard Sent Off After Ball Boy Kick

Chelsea star Eden Hazard will not face criminal charges for kicking a ball boy during his side's Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea, police have said.

South Wales Police said they have spoken to 17-year-old Charlie Morgan - who did not suffer any injuries - and his father, and no complaint has been made.

The youth was kicked by the Belgian player after refusing to give him back the ball.

Hazard was sent off and Chelsea lost 2-0 on aggregate, sending Swansea through to the cup final against Bradford at Wembley.

"South Wales Police can confirm that the Swansea City ball boy has been interviewed in the presence of his father and no complaint has been made," a police spokesman said.

The boy lay on the ground grimacing after being kicked

"The ball boy did not sustain any injuries."

Next month's Capital One Cup final will be Swansea's first major final in their 100-year history but the achievement was overshadowed by Hazard's kick.

With just over 10 minutes remaining and Chelsea needing to score twice to take the tie to extra-time, he lost patience when the Charlie refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out of play for a goal-kick.

The teenager fell to the ground as Hazard attempted to get the ball from him, and the Blues forward then tried to kick it from under him but instead he appeared to make contact with the youngster.

Several Chelsea players went to tend to Charlie, who was left holding his ribs, before referee Chris Foy produced a red card.

Hazard's team-mates reacted angrily to the sending off

Before the game, he tweeted: "The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting"

After the game Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez said that Hazard and the ball boy had exchanged apologies in the dressing room after the match.

"They apologised to each other," he said.

"They both talked. The boy knows he was wasting time. Hazard was frustrated and trying to get the ball back.

"We can not change the situation. We are disappointed because we lost a player.

The boy later received an apology from Hazard

"The best thing for us is to move forward."

A Swansea spokesman confirmed no action would be taken, and that Chelsea had invited Charlie, who has been a ball boy at the Liberty Stadium for six years, into their dressing room.

He said: "The ball boy has been into the Chelsea dressing room after the game and shaken hands with Eden Hazard. The likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard were exemplary in their behaviour in welcoming him into the dressing room.

"Chelsea asked if he could come in and our kit lady took him in and they shook hands, he is fine.

"As far as we are concerned the matter is closed. He has been a ball boy here for six years with no incidents here at the stadium."

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup said he expected Hazard would regret the incident when he views it on television.

"I saw it from a very big distance from the bench," he said.

"I've since seen it after the game. Hazard is a great player. When he sees the images I think he will regret it."

But he added: "I can understand all the frustrations when you are behind."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

North Korea Plans Nuclear Test 'Aimed At US'

North Korea plans a nuclear test plus more long-range rocket launches, aimed at what it calls its "arch-enemy" the United States.

"We do not hide that the various satellites and long-range rockets we will continue to launch, as well as the high-level nuclear test we will proceed with, are aimed at our arch-enemy the United States," the National Defence Commission said.

The mention of the test, which would mark the country's third detonation of a nuclear device, came towards the end of a commission statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

It gave no indication of when the test might be carried out, or explained the meaning of "high-level". The country's two previous nuclear tests were held in 2006 and 2009.

Much of the statement was devoted to condemning Tuesday's announcement by the UN Security Council of expanded sanctions against Pyongyang in response to its long-range rocket launch last month.

"We absolutely refute all the illegal and outlawed resolutions adopted by the Security Council," the commission said.

Sky's Asia Correspondent Mark Stone said: "The statement from the state news agency is pretty alarming."

Tuesday's resolution, proposed by the United States, was adopted unanimously by the 15-nation council, including North Korea's sole major ally China.

North Korea's foreign ministry had denounced the move on Wednesday, when it also gave the first hint that Pyongyang would react with a nuclear test, saying the country would take "physical actions" to boost its nuclear deterrent.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean intelligence source, reported that Pyongyang had finished technical preparations and could conduct an atomic test within days of a decision by leader Kim Jong-Un.

Last month, a US think-tank reached a similar conclusion based on satellite photos, suggesting the North had repaired rain damage at its nuclear test site and could conduct a detonation at two weeks' notice.

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Cameron To Promise 'In-Out' EU Referendum

Cameron And The EU: A Q&A

Updated: 3:46pm UK, Tuesday 22 January 2013

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

David Cameron's speech on Britain's position in Europe is significant for his party and for the country. Here is an explainer.

Why is Cameron making a speech?

Mr Cameron's speech on Britain's position in Europe has been a long time coming.

He wants to set out his views on the future role the UK should play in the European Union to try and settle rumblings in his own party and beyond.

The issue has become increasingly significant as the eurozone crisis developed and single currency members started pushing for closer integration in a bid to prevent a repeat of the crippling financial crisis.

This will require a new treaty, which could allow Britain to renegotiate its membership on a looser basis.

Mr Cameron wants to use this as a way of addressing growing calls for a referendum due to fears about the steady loss of sovereignty to Brussels.

Why was it delayed?

The speech was first planned months ago but put off until after Christmas.

It was initially planned for January 22 but then Downing Street were told this clashed with the anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty between France and Germany and the timing would therefore play badly with these two key European allies.

January 21 was not an option because of Barack Obama's inauguration.

It was moved to January 18 and Amsterdam was fixed as the location, only for it to be delayed again because of the hostage crisis in Algeria.

Mr Cameron will now speak in London because it fits best with his schedule.

Why is it significant?

This speech has been billed as the most important foreign policy speech made by Mr Cameron since he first became Tory leader.

Europe is certainly becoming an increasingly pressing issue within the Tory party and nationally.

Senior ministers including Michael Gove have now openly talked about leaving the EU if powers cannot be brought back to Britain.

The Prime Minister wants to settle the question by setting out a clear strategy for the years ahead, with the prospect of a referendum in the next parliament should the Conservatives win in 2015.

Europe has long been a fault line in the Tory party and Mr Cameron hopes he can keep his party united as he increasingly focuses on winning the next general election.

It also represents an opportunity to steal a march on Labour, whose leader Ed Miliband is very woolly about his own position, and the Lib Dems - led by renowned europhile Nick Clegg.

And significantly, it could help stem the flow of support to UKIP, who advocate total withdrawal from the EU and have been surging in recent opinion polls.

What are Tory eurosceptics pushing for?

There are varying degrees of feeling on the Conservative benches but it has been suggested that a document drawn up by the "Fresh Start" group could become party policy.

This called for:

:: the repatriation of all social and employment law, such as the Working Time Directive;

:: an opt-out from all existing policing and criminal justice measures;

:: an emergency brake on any new legislation affecting financial services;

:: stopping the European Parliament moving between Brussels and Strasbourg.

What is David Cameron's position?

The Prime Minister wants to establish a "fresh settlement" with Brussels and then hold a referendum on it in 2018.

His plan would be to negotiate a looser relationship for Britain while allowing the single currency countries to forge stronger links, thus retaining the common market.

The referendum pledge relies on the Tories winning power outright in 2015 and is unlikely to hold if they have to enter another coalition, which would anger Tory MPs.

Downing Street seems confident the public would vote to stay in the EU if significant powers were returned to the UK.

Mr Cameron insists he wants Britain to remain in the EU but accepts that the "status quo" cannot continue.

Is repatriation of powers realistic?

This is the million-pound question.

Other EU members are unlikely to take kindly to British attempts to pick and choose what it wants to sign up to.

There is a risk that they could call Mr Cameron's bluff and say that Britain should just leave if it no longer wants to play a proper part.

What about pro-Europeans?

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable have both warned that tabling a referendum will encourage uncertainty and put off investors, costing much-needed jobs at a time of economic fragility.

Business chiefs including Sir Richard Branson also published a letter earlier this month, urging Mr Cameron not to jeopardise relations with Brussels by pushing for a "wholesale renegotiation" of British membership.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has declared that it wants a "strong British voice in the EU" - a view repeated by Barack Obama on the phone to Mr Cameron last week.

Where do the other parties stand?

Both Labour and the Lib Dems are on tricky territory when it comes to Europe.

Labour leader Ed Miliband was tied in knots last week when asked to outline his position.

He has refused to back a referendum but also suggested he would not overturn the current "referendum lock" which means a vote would have to be held if any more powers are transferred.

He created further confusion by suggesting he too would try to repatriate some powers.

Nick Clegg has called Mr Cameron's plans to bring back powers from Brussels a "false promise wrapped in a Union Jack".

In their manifesto in 2010, the Lib Dems expressed their commitment to an in/out referendum the next time Britain has to sign up to a "fundamental change" in the UK-EU relationship.

But now the Lib Dem leader says holding referendum would be putting "the cart before the horse" because Europe is still reeling from the eurozone crisis.

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Irish Nanny Charged Over Baby Death In US

An Irish nanny living illegally in America has been charged with violently assaulting a baby who later died.

Aisling McCarthy Brady, 34, from Quincy, Massachusetts, is alleged to have been the sole carer for the girl on January 14 - her first birthday - when she suffered injuries "consistent with abusive head trauma", it is claimed.

The baby, Rehma Sabir, died two days later in hospital after suffering brain damage.

Rehma was also found to have multiple healing bone fractures.

Brady is currently being held on $500,000 (£316,000) bail after pleading not guilty to assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury.

However, further charges are anticipated following the conclusion of the final report by the Chief Medical Examiner, the district attorney's office said on its website.

The hospital where Rehma was treated and later died

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said: "This is an extremely troubling case, where we allege the defendant violently assaulted a one-year-old child, causing a devastating head injury and broken bones.

"Children are our most vulnerable victims and where, as here, the offender has been entrusted with the care of a child who depends on them, the allegations are all the more egregious."

A statement on the District Attorney's website said: "It is alleged that on January 14, the child was in the care of the defendant, her nanny.

"Through their investigation, including interviews with witnesses, police determined that the defendant had sole custody of and contact with the child during the time that she sustained injuries consistent with abusive head trauma."

Rehma's injuries could have happened at any time, Brady's lawyer told the Associated Press.

Immigration authorities said Brady arrived from Ireland in 2002 and was only permitted to stay for 90 days.

A spokeswoman for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "We are aware of the case and have been in contact with the family.

"We are ready to provide any consular assistance if it is needed."

The Boston Herald has reported that Rehma's father is from London and her mother is from Karachi, Pakistan.

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Prince Harry: I Killed Taliban In Afghanistan

Harry: I Let Myself Down In Vegas

Updated: 12:18am UK, Tuesday 22 January 2013

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

Prince Harry has spoken for the first time about how he believes he let himself down in Las Vegas last year.

The prince has also launched a scathing attack against the media and their treatment of him and his family, calling them an "unstoppable force."

Speaking at Camp Bastion during his five-month tour, Captain Harry Wales argued his naked antics in America's Sin City were "probably a classic example of me being too much 'Army' and not enough 'prince', it's a simple case of that".

The prince was pictured frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman, and the photos were published on websites around the world, as well as in The Sun newspaper.

"Back home everyone, all my close friends rallied round me and were great," he added.

"At the end of the day I probably let myself down, I let my family down and let other people down, but I was in a private area and there should have been a certain amount of privacy that one should expect."

But the 28-year-old believes some sections of the media behaved irresponsibly when the naked photographs of him emerged: "The papers knew I was going to Afghan anyway. So the way I was treated by them I don't think was acceptable."

A broken news blackout five years ago ended the prince's first tour to Afghanistan.

This time, a different agreement was reached between the Ministry of Defence and the media, one which sits uncomfortably with the co-pilot gunner.

"I never wanted you guys to be out here but there was an agreement made to invite you out on a deal that you, the media, didn't speculate before my deployment. That's the only reason you guys are out here."

Prince Harry says he also excited about becoming an uncle, but is equally unrelenting about the press' handling of the royal parents-to-be.

"Obviously I'm thrilled for both of them, it's about time and I can't wait to be an uncle," he said.

"I think it's very unfair they were forced to publicise it when they were, but that's just the media for you.

"I'm literally am very, very happy, but I just only hope she and him, but mainly Catherine, gets the necessary protection to allow her, as a mother-to-be, to enjoy the privacy that comes with it. I seriously hope that's going to be able to happen."

The third in line to the throne also accused sections of the press of printing stories that were not true.

"I spoke to them both and didn't send a letter of congratulations like most of the papers said," he said.

"How any of the papers think they know the relationship between myself and my sister-in-law is quite remarkable. But they're wrong as always. But, yeah, I spoke to my brother and her, and they're both very well and very happy, obviously."

Harry also has strong feelings about the opportunities available to him, but not Prince William.

He said: "There is a bit of jealousy and not just because I get to fly this but he'd (William) love to be out here.

"To be honest with you, I don't see why he couldn't. His job out here would be doing Chinook missions, just the same as us.

"No one knows who's in the cockpit, yes he'd get shot at, but, you know, if the guys who are doing the same job as us are being shot at on the ground I don't think there's anything wrong with us being shot as well.

"People back home might have issues with that - but we're not special - the guys out there are, simple as that."

Returning to public life brings with it for Harry a sense of foreboding. His mistrust of the press is firmly entrenched.

"I think it's fairly obvious how far back it goes - to when I was very small," said the prince.

"If there's a story and something's being said about me I want to know what's being said. But all it does is upset me and anger me that people can get away with writing the stuff they do.

"I don't believe there is any such thing as a private life anymore. I'm not going to sit here and whinge.

"Everyone knows about Twitter and the internet. Every single mobile phone has a camera on it now.

"You can't move an inch without someone judging you and I suppose that's just the way life goes.

"It's not helped by media, it's an unstoppable force."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prince Harry: I Let Myself Down On Vegas Trip

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

Prince Harry has spoken for the first time about how he believes he let himself down in Las Vegas last year.

The prince has also launched a scathing attack against the media and their treatment of him and his family, calling them an "unstoppable force."

Speaking at Camp Bastion during his five-month tour, Captain Harry Wales argued his naked antics in America's Sin City were "probably a classic example of me being too much 'Army' and not enough 'prince', it's a simple case of that".

The prince was pictured frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman, and the photos were published on websites around the world, as well as in The Sun newspaper.

"Back home everyone, all my close friends rallied round me and were great," he added.

"At the end of the day I probably let myself down, I let my family down and let other people down, but I was in a private area and there should have been a certain amount of privacy that one should expect."

But the 28-year-old believes some sections of the media behaved irresponsibly when the naked photographs of him emerged: "The papers knew I was going to Afghan anyway. So the way I was treated by them I don't think was acceptable."

A broken news blackout five years ago ended the prince's first tour to Afghanistan.

Sections of the media printed naked pictures of Harry when he was in Vegas

This time, a different agreement was reached between the Ministry of Defence and the media, one which sits uncomfortably with the co-pilot gunner.

"I never wanted you guys to be out here but there was an agreement made to invite you out on a deal that you, the media, didn't speculate before my deployment. That's the only reason you guys are out here."

Prince Harry says he also excited about becoming an uncle, but is equally unrelenting about the press' handling of the royal parents-to-be.

"Obviously I'm thrilled for both of them, it's about time and I can't wait to be an uncle," he said.

"I think it's very unfair they were forced to publicise it when they were, but that's just the media for you.

"I'm literally am very, very happy, but I just only hope she and him, but mainly Catherine, gets the necessary protection to allow her, as a mother-to-be, to enjoy the privacy that comes with it. I seriously hope that's going to be able to happen."

The third in line to the throne also accused sections of the press of printing stories that were not true.

"I spoke to them both and didn't send a letter of congratulations like most of the papers said," he said.

"How any of the papers think they know the relationship between myself and my sister-in-law is quite remarkable. But they're wrong as always. But, yeah, I spoke to my brother and her, and they're both very well and very happy, obviously."

Harry also has strong feelings about the opportunities available to him, but not Prince William.

He said: "There is a bit of jealousy and not just because I get to fly this but he'd (William) love to be out here.

Harry's second tour of Afghanistan came to an end on Monday

"To be honest with you, I don't see why he couldn't. His job out here would be doing Chinook missions, just the same as us.

"No one knows who's in the cockpit, yes he'd get shot at, but, you know, if the guys who are doing the same job as us are being shot at on the ground I don't think there's anything wrong with us being shot as well.

"People back home might have issues with that - but we're not special - the guys out there are, simple as that."

Returning to public life brings with it for Harry a sense of foreboding. His mistrust of the press is firmly entrenched.

"I think it's fairly obvious how far back it goes - to when I was very small," said the prince.

"If there's a story and something's being said about me I want to know what's being said. But all it does is upset me and anger me that people can get away with writing the stuff they do.

"I don't believe there is any such thing as a private life anymore. I'm not going to sit here and whinge.

"Everyone knows about Twitter and the internet. Every single mobile phone has a camera on it now.

"You can't move an inch without someone judging you and I suppose that's just the way life goes.

"It's not helped by media, it's an unstoppable force."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snow And Ice To Bring Monday Morning Misery

Misery is forecast for thousands of workers trying to make the big Monday morning return to work as further snow and icy conditions are expected to bring chaos to the transport system.

Many are likely to extend their weekends and take the day off, unable to travel on the roads or trains, or forced to stay at home to look after children whose schools have shut.

Fresh snow has combined with layers of ice to create dangerous motoring conditions, a situation which promises to continue into the start of the week.

Train operators have announced they will be running a reduced service leaving many unable to get into the office. South West Trains is advising passengers that it has put in place a revised train service for Monday.

Passengers brave the weather on their way to Gatwick airport

The insurance firm RSA estimates the conditions mean around a third of the workforce stay away, which costs the UK economy £500m a day.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for ice over much of the country, but a red, severe warning for South Wales which experienced the worst of the weather has been downgraded.

Heathrow has been forced to divert some flights due to de-icing problems and it has announced Monday will see a third day of cancellations with 10% of flights not operating because of expected low visibility.

Snow ploughs clear the runways at Heathrow

Although a spokesman warned further flights could be dropped.

He said: "It is possible that weather conditions at other European airports will increase the number of cancellations.

"Passengers due to travel tomorrow are urged to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport."

Hundreds of passengers have been camped out in the terminals because of flight cancellations and long delays.

Families out enjoying the snow face Monday morning travel misery

The Heathrow Connect and Heathrow Express train services were also hit by major delays to and from the airport.

Motorists were warned over icy conditions by the AA, which is reporting around 600 breakdowns every hour.

Edmund King, AA president, said: "Main roads and motorways are coping quite well with the snow so far.

"However, many drivers can't get off their local residential streets and cul-de-sacs.

A hardy dog walker out in the snow

"The hidden danger is the sheet ice below the inch or two of fresh snow on un-gritted local roads where snow and slush from yesterday has frozen. Many of these residential roads are like ice skating rinks.

"If drivers can safely get off their local streets we advise them to stick to the main roads where grit and extra traffic has helped keep the ice away."

Snow fall last week caused hundreds of school closures, especially in East Anglia, forcing parents to either find emergency child care or take the day off work.

Sky News' Weather Producer Joanna Robinson said that snowy and icy conditions were expected to last into the week.

She said: "Snow over central and south-east England will push north across eastern Britain overnight, giving significant accumulations over the hills.

The wintry weather costs the UK economy £500m a day

"There will be a widespread frost, locally severe, with ice a big concern, particularly over Ireland and southern Britain."

She said snow would be a problem with snow in the north-east England and central, southern and eastern Scotland, with up to 5cm (2ins) falling.

The weather conditions have caused a number of incidents.

A teenager is airlifted to hospital after a sledging accident

One person has been killed and another injured in a road crash in snowy conditions on the A12 in Essex.

In Middlesborough, a 16-year-old suffered "life-threatening" head injuries after falling off a toboggan at speed. He was airlifted to hospital and is said to be fighting for his life.

In Edinburgh, on Saturday, another 16-year-old broke his leg when his sledge ran out of control and he plunged down a 150ft embankment.

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Algeria Crisis: Missing Brit Hostages Sought

David Cameron is to update MPs on the aftermath of the Algerian hostage crisis - as officials work to establish the fate of the final missing British workers.

Three Britons are now known to have died in a four-day siege at the BP gas plant and three more are believed to be dead. A UK resident is also thought to have died.

The first of the British victims to be officially named was 46-year-old Paul Morgan, from Liverpool.

He was reported to be a former Foreign Legion soldier and Gulf War veteran who was in charge of security at the In Amenas plant.

His mother Marianne, 65, and partner Emma Steele, 36, described him in a statement as a "true gentleman".

Paul Morgan

In a statement they said: "Paul was a true gentleman, a family man, he very much loved his partner Emma, his mum, brothers and sister, of whom he was very proud.

"He loved life and lived it to the full. He was a professional man proud to do the job he did and died doing the job he loved.

"We are so proud of him and so proud of what he achieved in his life. We are devastated by Paul's death and he will be truly missed."

The siege ended on Saturday and Algerian authorities warned the figure of 23 hostages killed at the remote facility would rise sharply.

Another image shown on Algerian TV

Bomb squads searching for booby-trap devices left by the Islamist militants discovered 25 bodies, some so badly disfigured they could not be identified.

Thirty-two terrorists also died and there were reports last night that five others had been captured alive.

Veteran jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar sent a video to a Mauritanian-based news website in which he claimed one of his cells, known as "Those Who Sign In Blood", was responsible for the attack.

Foreign Secretary William Hague branded the militants "cold-blooded murderers" and said reports they had "executed" seven of their hostages before the final battle could well be true.

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Britain's Big Freeze Here To Stay

Britain faces another week of travel disruption as forecasters warn there is more snow and ice on the way.

With travel chaos across the country and Britain's busiest airport cancelling more than 110 flights, forecasters predicted further misery in the coming days.

Following Friday's deluge of snow, a blanket of snow is expected to fall across more of the nation today, hitting London and the South East of England first before spreading into the Midlands, north east Wales, East Anglia and central England.

Freezing temperatures will also combine, with more snow in northern England expected as the week begins.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for ice over much of the country - and a red, severe warning for South Wales which experienced the worst of the weather.

"There will be a quite significant accumulation and it will be seen first in London and the South East before moving north later in the day."

BA says it has cut its flights by a fifth because more snow is on the way

The Sky News weather team said: "Central and southeast England will see persistent snow moving in, giving another 2-5cm, locally more near the coast.

"Most other places will be dry, with the best of any sunshine over northern Scotland and Ireland, but there will be a few snow flurries around.

"During the afternoon, snow will push a little further north over eastern England, while another band of rain, sleet and snow will move into Kerry and Cork. It will feel cold again, particularly in the raw wind.

"On Monday, north-east Britain will have snow and strong winds, but elsewhere it will be drier and calmer."

Heathrow Airport in west London said it was reducing the number of flights scheduled for today by at least a fifth after forecasters predicted another 2-6cm of snow and low visibility in the area.

Passengers are being urged to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport - where bosses are warning weather conditions at other European airports could further decimate schedules.

:: Are you stuck at Heathrow? Contact the Sky news desk on news@sky.com

Passengers at Heathrow have been facing disruption after many were stranded on planes for seven hours or forced to spend a night on the floor.

A woman sleeping on the floor at Heathrow's Terminal 5

More than 100 Saturday flights were cancelled and travellers complained about check-in queues of up to two hours as staff battled to clear a backlog caused by 400 cancellations on Friday.

BA and the airport have insisted they were doing everything they could in difficult circumstances.

Travellers at regional airports including Leeds Bradford, Humberside and Newcastle were also frustrated by delays and disruption caused by the wintry weather.

Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester airports were running normally but advised passengers to check with their airlines.
Train passengers did not fare much better, with reduced services across the country.

Virgin Trains cancelled a number of services from the capital to Birmingham and Manchester, and others were delayed.

The freezing temperatures also prompted motoring organisations to issue warnings.

Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "With the snow compacting down and turning icy, we're likely to see treacherous driving conditions throughout the weekend. Any fresh snow on top will just add to the problems."

The RAC said it had dealt with nearly 9,000 breakdowns - 10% more than usual.

Some have been making the most of the snow this weekend

 :: Send in your weather photos and videos

A young woman from Peterborough was killed in a crash involving a number of vehicles shortly after 6pm on Friday, Lincolnshire Police said.

It is not known if anyone else was injured in the accident, which happened in bad weather on the A1 at Little Ponton, near Grantham.

Humberside Fire and Rescue said seven passengers were taken to hospital after a double-decker bus collided with two cars and ploughed into a garden.

In Edinburgh, a 16-year-old broke his leg when his sledge ran out of control and he plunged down a 150ft embankment.

The Met Office is forecasting more snow for Sunday and has issued yellow warnings for ice for large swathes of the country and a severe red warning for South Wales, which has experienced some of the worst weather.

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Algeria Hostage Crisis Ends, Brits Feared Dead

Five British nationals and a UK resident are believed dead or missing after the Algeria hostage crisis reached a violent and bloody climax.

Algerian special forces mounted a "final assault" on the last Islamist militants holding out at the remote BP gas plant at In Amenas on Saturday, bringing to an end the four-day stand-off in the desert.

Afterwards the Algerian interior ministry reported that, in all, 23 hostages and all 32 terrorists had died, while 107 foreign workers and 685 local employees had been released.

The Algerian authorities were working to dismantle explosives left by the terrorists who booby-trapped the sprawling plant before the final shoot-out.

The interior ministry strongly defended the rescue operation, despite criticism of the high death toll.

Freed British hostages Peter (left) and Alan (right). No surnames available

"To avoid a bloody turn of events in response to the extreme danger of the situation, the army's special forces launched an intervention with efficiency and professionalism to neutralise the terrorist groups that were first trying to flee with the hostages and then blow up the gas facilities," it said in a statement.

It said that troops had recovered an arsenal of six machine guns, 21 rifles, two shotguns, two 60mm mortars with shells, six 60mm missiles with launchers, two rocket-propelled grenades with eight rockets and 10 grenades in explosive belts.

The state news agency, APS, reported that the terrorists had killed seven of the hostages they were still holding before they were killed themselves by the special forces.

David Cameron said he had spoken to Algerian prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal, who confirmed that the military operation against the terrorists was "effectively ended".

In a statement, the Prime Minister added: "It is our priority now to get people home as quickly as possible and to look after the survivors. Many are already home or on their way back.

Algerian police escort freed Norwegian hostage Oddvar Birkedal

"Let me be clear. There is no justification for taking innocent life in this way.

"Our determination is stronger than ever to work with allies right around the world to root out and defeat this terrorist scourge and those who encourage it."

Foreign Secretary William Hague said that on the basis of the available information they believed five British nationals and a UK resident were either "deceased or unaccounted for" - in addition to the Briton killed on the opening day of the terrorist attack.

He insisted that it was too early to come to any judgement about the Algerian operation.

"I don't want to at this stage enter into criticism or judgement because there will be a lot to be learned yet about this operation," he said.

Japan's Prime Minister tells reporters 10 Japanese workers remain missing

In contrast, French president Francois Hollande gave his immediate backing to Algeria's tough tactics, saying they were "the most adapted response to the crisis".

Several hours after the troops stormed the gas plant, President Barack Obama said the US was seeking from Algerian authorities a fuller understanding of what took place, but added that "the blame for this tragedy rests with the terrorists who carried it out".

Meanwhile, BP chief executive Bob Dudley said the company was "unable to confirm the location or situation" of four employees at In Amenas and had "grave fears" that they are likely to have suffered fatalities.

The situation at the plant remains unclear and Mr Dudley said that it could be some time before they establish exactly what happened. Two BP employees suffered injuries although they are not life-threatening.

"Our focus remains on our colleagues, who we have not yet been able to locate, and on supporting their families through a time of agonising uncertainty," he said.

An Algerian army truck in a street of In Amenas, near the gas plant

He said 25 of the 56 BP workers in Algeria at the time of the attack have now left in a "staged process" of withdrawing all non-essential staff from the country.

The kidnappers, who call themselves 'Those Who Sign In Blood', had earlier told a Mauritanian news agency they were holding seven foreigners: one British, three Belgians, two Americans and one Japanese.

The drama began on Wednesday when a group of about 30 heavily-armed militants mounted a dawn raid at the plant close to the Libyan border, seizing hostages from among the 700 Algerian and foreign workers at the site. Two workers, including one Briton, died in the initial assault.

The following day, Algerian special forces mounted an operation to take back the plant, to the initial dismay of the British and other governments who were not notified in advance despite offering assistance to the Algerian authorities.

The Algerians, however, insisted that they had to act immediately amid fears that the militants were about to flee into the desert, taking hostages with them.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond with US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta

By Friday it was reported that about 100 foreigners, from a total of 132, and 573 Algerians were freed, with a "provisional" figure of 12 hostages and 18 militants killed in the fighting, although the kidnappers claimed 35 foreigners died.

But it was also clear that a group of militants, still holding hostages, was continuing to hold out.

The kidnappers, part of the Masked Brigade - a terrorist splinter group led by the veteran jihadist, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, which broke away from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb - initially claimed the attack was in retaliation for the French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.

It was subsequently reported that they were demanding the release of two terrorists held in the US, including 1993 World Trade Centre bombing mastermind Omar Abdel Rahman, in return for the release of two US captives.

The plant at In Amenas is jointly operated by BP, Norwegian company Statoil and Algerian state oil company Sonatrach.

Algerian police guard the entrance of a hospital located near the gas plant

As freed hostages began to leave the plant, accounts emerged of their horrific treatment at the hands of the kidnappers.

One Algerian worker, who gave his name only as Chabane, described how from his hiding place he heard the militants speaking among themselves with Libyan, Egyptian and Tunisian accents. At one point, he said, they caught a Briton.

"They threatened him until he called out in English to his friends, telling them 'Come out, come out. They're not going to kill you. They're looking for the Americans'," he said.

"A few minutes later they blew him away."

The family of British survivor Darren Matthews, from Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Cleveland, expressed their relief that he had escaped unhurt.

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Travel Gridlock Amid Snow And Ice

Air passengers and drivers have faced hours of disruption and frustration as snow continues to blanket large parts of the country.

Hundreds of flights have been grounded at Heathrow airport in west London as heavy snow and poor visibility closed runways.

Some passengers on British Airways flights have told Sky News that they have spent up to seven hours on aircraft which have never left the tarmac.

A spokesman for BA said there are normally between 42 and 44 take-off or landing slots available per hour, but at one point yesterday that went down to just six.

Sky reporter Clare Fallon, at Heathrow, said: "It's a surreal sight, there are hundreds of people on the floor trying to get some sleep because they are essentially stranded here. Some have told me they have been here since 11am yesterday morning.

"People feel very frustrated and stressed, and they don't understand how a relatively small amount of snow has been able to cause so much chaos."

In a statement last night, the company said: "We are doing all we can to help our customers after freezing weather and snow caused significant disruption to our schedule today.

Planes grounded at Heathrow

"We are also offering customers who no longer wish to travel between Friday and Sunday the option to rebook their flight to a later date.

"There will be knock-on disruption to services on Saturday and we are advising all customers to check the very latest status of their flight via ba.com before leaving for the airport and if their flight has been cancelled not to leave home."

Flights in and out of Gatwick escaped major disruption yesterday, but the airport advised passengers flying out this weekend to contact their airlines to check flight status.

The Highways Agency said several motorway lanes and major A roads had closed due to the snow and ice, as well as several accidents.

Drivers have been warned to be extra careful as freezing temperatures would bring icy conditions overnight and into the morning.

The deepest snowfall has been measured at 26cm in Sennybridge, Wales, although snow has been thawing in other areas and some train services have been returning to normal.

Merthyr Tydfil has been among the worst hit areas and the A4232 leading into Cardiff was packed with commuters who left home despite the conditions. The closure of a section of the M4 at Bridgend caused headaches for many.

A stranded passenger at Terminal 5

There have also been severe hold-ups for rail passengers, with many companies cancelling services to help them cope with problems caused by the weather. Train firms are advising passengers to check with operators before travelling.

But while commuters have been facing misery, the winter wonderland scenes have brought joy to thousands of youngsters who got the day off yesterday.

Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire were particularly badly hit, with almost 700 schools deciding to close across the four counties by the early afternoon.

Few parts of the UK will escape the wintry weather as it continues into the weekend.

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There is up to 10cm of snow likely in northern and eastern England as well as Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland on Saturday. Snow elsewhere will be lighter but it will be bitterly cold.

Sunday could also bring persistent but light snow to southeast England and some flurries for Scotland.

Darron Burness, from the AA, said commuting in the wintry conditions was "likely to test man and machine".

Those who decide to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.

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Algeria Hostage Crisis: Britons Remain 'At Risk'

Algerian special forces are continuing to hunt Islamist militants who overran a BP gas plant as freed British hostages headed home.

As the stand-off at the remote desert facility entered a fourth day it was thought that around 10 British workers remained "at risk".

The Algerian state news agency APS reported on Friday night a "provisional" figure of 12 foreign and Algerian workers who had been killed in the fighting at the plant at In Amenas.

Among them are one Briton, one Frenchman - named by France's Foreign Ministry as Yann Desjeux - and one American, Frederick Buttaccio.

The news agency said about 100 foreign workers had been released from a total of 132 seized by the militants had been freed - along with 573 local employees.

Darren Matthews and two other British hostages released from the gas plant

Eighteen of the militants were also reported to have been killed - suggesting that around a dozen of the original group of about 30 could still be at large.

Footage of several British workers said to have escaped the siege has been shown on Algerian state television.

One man, who gave his name as Darren Matthews, said: "I feel safe at the moment but I won't feel 100% happy until I'm back in the UK, until I see my family."

He said: "My heart goes out to the guys that are still there and hopefully everyone comes home safe because, at the end of the day, it's only work, you know. No one should have to go through all this for a job."

Another of the four Britons who spoke said: "I think they did a fantastic job, I was very impressed with the Algerian army.

"I feel sorry for anybody who has been hurt."

The rescue attempt ended in a number of deaths

A third man said that the Algerian army had "beaten the bad guys".

Irishman Stephen McFaul, who managed to flee from the al Qaida-linked kidnappers is expected to be reunited with his family later.

The 36-year-old father-of-two from west Belfast is understood to have been able to escape when a vehicle he was in crashed after being attacked by the Algerian army - despite having explosives placed around his neck.

The militants, believed to be under the command of the al Qaeda-linked terrorist Mokhtar Balmokhtar, carried out their dawn raid on the plant on Wednesday morning.

Belmokhtar, is a one-eyed Algerian terrorist, known as The Uncatchable, who specialises in hostage taking and has strong links with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Algerian forces launched their rescue mission early on Thursday fearing an "immediate threat" to the hostages.

A satellite image shows the scale of the sprawling gas complex

The group is said to be demanding the release of two terror figures held in the US, including the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing mastermind Omar Abdel Rahman, in return for American hostages.

The US state department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, responded saying: "The United States does not negotiate with terrorists."

After chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, the Prime Minister told MPs that the situation in Algeria was "continuing" but he hoped it would be resolved shortly.

He said the attack on the complex was "large, well co-ordinated and heavily armed" and appeared to be pre-planned.

He also met the outgoing US defence secretary Leon Panetta and the pair discussed the need to work together to defeat al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

A British plane carrying a "diplomatic team" has arrived in Algeria around 280 miles from the hostage scene.

The In Amenas facility is close to the border with Libya

Meanwhile a US plane is beginning the process of evacuating its citizens, and other nationalities.

The Algerian rescue attempt was launched without consultation with the UK. Mr Cameron was only informed it was under way when he spoke to the Algerian prime minister.

Algerian communications minister Mohamed Said Belaid said the military operation succeeded in "neutralising a large number of terrorists and freeing a large number of hostages".

He added: "But unfortunately, we are sorry to say, there were some deaths and injuries."

The militant group behind the raid Katibat Moulathamine, or The Masked Ones, said it was retaliating for French military intervention against al Qaeda-backed rebels in neighbouring Mali..

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