Labour Party Rocked By Internal HS2 Policy Row

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Labour leadership is facing a furious backlash from dozens of its own MPs over suggestions that the party might pull its support of HS2, Sky News has learnt.

Many backbenchers are livid with Ed Balls - the Shadow Chancellor - for voicing doubts and warning that Labour won't support the project if costs rise too much.

Other senior Labour figures including Lord Mandelson have also expressed misgivings.

The party's position is highly significant because the Prime Minister has said the high speed rail link from London to Birmingham and then further north can only go ahead with cross-party support.

He implied that Labour withdrawing its support would effectively kill the project.

Now sources have revealed that up to 40 MPs turned up to a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party's transport committee, which would usually only attract a handful of MPs, to express their anger.

Seventeen Labour MPs, many representing constituencies in the north, spoke out in support of HS2. Only two said anything against.

Jack Straw, the former Cabinet minister, warned that he would bring a motion to the PLP if the party shifted its position.

Politicians will vote on the continuation of HS2 in Parliament late today and many Labour MPs who would normally head back to their constituencies on Thursday morning will stay to offer their support to the Government bill.

Mary Creagh chaired a tense meeting of Labour MPs on the HS2 issue

The meeting was chaired by the shadow transport secretary, Mary Creagh.

One MP who attended said: "People were saying that they didn't blame her but Ed Balls."

Frontbenchers were among those said to be expressing concern.

They were dismayed when Mr Balls signalled that Labour could pull its support for the project - despite initiating it when the party was in Government.

At the party's conference in Brighton he said there could be no "blank cheque" for HS2.

"The question is not just whether a new high speed line is a good idea or a bad idea, but whether it is the best way to spend £50bn for the future of our country," he said.

Senior Labour sources said it was his job as Shadow Chancellor to fight for value for money on behalf of the taxpayer - and it would be wrong for him not to challenge rising costs.

"I think our position on HS2 is as clear as it can possibly be," said one. "We support HS2 and will vote for the bill. But it is right to examine costs, it is right to get value for money, it is right not to give a blank cheque."

But Labour MPs in northern constituencies believe the train line will trigger an economic boost in their areas - and that any uncertainty could damage those prospects.

They point out that the Labour leader Ed Miliband has himself said he is convinced of both the economic and social case.

They can't understand why the party is weakening its support. The shifting position on HS2 has also infuriated the Prime Minister who angrily referred to it more than once during his weekly question time in Parliament yesterday.

Labour will back the Government in today's vote but there is only a single-line whip - meaning Labour MPs will not be punished if they fail to vote in favour of HS2.

That had also angered the northern MPs.

Mr Cameron is certain to win the vote with Labour support but he is likely to face rebellion from his own MPs - particularly those whose constituencies are affected by the development.

12.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameras To Film Appeal Court After Campaign

By Ian Woods, Senior News Correspondent

Legal and broadcasting history will be made later when cameras are allowed to film inside the Royal Courts of Justice for the first time.

Permission has been granted to show civil and criminal cases at the Court of Appeal, although there are heavy restrictions on what can be filmed.

Cameras have been banned from courts in England and Wales since 1925.

The rules in Scottish courts are different and earlier this year cameras were allowed to film a murder trial - but only with the permission of all the participants, including the defendant.

Sky News and other broadcasters have been campaigning for a decade for cameras to be allowed to show all trials.

After prolonged negotiations, the Government and the judiciary have agreed to allow cameras inside certain courtrooms.

The move has been welcomed by the Lord Chief Justice for England and Wales, Lord Thomas.

"My fellow judges and I welcome the commencement of broadcasting in the Court of Appeal," he said.

"The Court of Appeal has been open to the public and to journalists for a very long time.

"The bringing of cameras into the Court of Appeal and the recording of its proceedings will enable those to be understood much better by the public as a whole.

Four remotely controlled cameras will be placed in the courtroom

"We hope it will increase confidence in the administration of justice."

Sky News, the BBC, ITN and the Press Association have co-operated on the project, and hired a video-journalist who will recommend which are the most interesting cases on a daily basis.

For now, only one courtroom per day can be televised. Matt Nicholls, an experienced court reporter, will place four remotely-controlled cameras in the courtroom before the case begins.

But he is not allowed to show anyone other than the judges and the lawyers arguing the case.

The dock, where the defendant or appellant sits, will be off-limits and there are no witnesses or jurors in the Court of Appeal.

Mr Nicholls said: "There are very strict rules on what we can and cannot shoot.

"You can't show a reaction shot of a judge. You can only show someone when they're actually speaking, so I'll be making sure I get those permitted shots.

"There's no swearing or graphic language, or anything that legally we can't broadcast."

He has the ability to censor the broadcast feed by muting the sound or cutting the video on the direction of the judges.

A number of monitors will be linked to the cameras

The portable broadcasting equipment has been designed by Sky News technical staff and the control panel is housed in an oak trolley to try to blend in with the historic courtrooms in which it will sit.

Civil cases can be broadcast almost in real time, though there is a 70-second delay built into the feed to allow for contentious material to be removed.

And criminal appeals must be recorded and only broadcast if a retrial has not been ordered, in case a future jury member becomes familiar with the evidence.

Mr Nicholls added: "The judges have been very keen to see the equipment and see how it work.

"But really we don't want to impact on the court business. We've got the cameras and the equipment, but really we shouldn't be getting in the way."

Sky News Associate Editor Simon Bucks, who has led the negotiations over the introduction of cameras into court, said: "Yes it is quite limited, but it is definitely a first step.

"It's not surprising that both the politicians and the judiciary wanted to do this in baby steps and the Court of Appeal is a good place to start doing this.

"But we're really optimistic that this will work well and it won't be long before we're able to get into criminal trials, initially to hear judges deliver sentencing remarks.

"The first thing we have to do is to show that we can do this thing in the Court of Appeal responsibly and effectively."

The control panel will be housed in an oak trolley

But critics fear it could open the door to American-style televised justice.

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, a leading barrister who also became a successful broadcaster, told Sky News that while she supports cameras in the Court of Appeal, she opposes the televising of criminal trials.

"The television companies are playing a longer game here," she said.

"They want to get into the higher courts and they will behave perfectly well and most of the nation will doze off because what we lawyers do in the courts discussing the law is not that captivating.

"But they really are playing the game that they want to get into the courts where things are much juicier. What will be picked out will be the most sensational.

"It will be the most salacious and sexual cases. It will be the stuff that is dramatic and enticing and brings in viewing figures."

Andrew Walker QC is a civil law barrister who deals with appeal cases and can expect to be among the lawyers who may find themselves on camera in the months ahead.

He told Sky News that it will have little impact.

"I suspect that most people will get used to it and it will become part of the background," he said.

Only those speaking will be filmed

"It's a fairly polite and rarefied atmosphere in the Appeal Court and that won't change. Judges aren't impressed by anything other than what the real issues are."

But he does not expect it to lead on to televised trials, with defendants and witness appearing on screen.

"There's been a long-running debate in America about the televising of trials and there are a lot of views both ways," he said.

"That says a lot, that even in America people are wary and see the difficulties, and here we're likely to be much more careful."

The Government says the new rules are designed to bring greater transparency to the judicial system.

Courts Minister Shailesh Vara told Sky News: "I think this is a landmark occasion for the justice system.

"I don't think we need to worry about this becoming a celebrity issue following the American route.

"For the past two years the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, has been filmed on the internet and we haven't seen any change of behaviour of the judiciary or indeed the lawyers."

Despite the limitations, Mr Nicholls says he hopes the public will find the Appeal Court coverage "eye-opening".

"As an experienced court reporter you do get those dramatic moments in the court where someone's conviction is overturned after a lengthy legal fight, when the people learn of this decision that is going to change their lives," he said.

"Sometimes the arguments might be dry and quite weighty, but you do get those moments of drama as well. All human life is here."

Viscount Hewart, who was Lord Chief Justice for almost 20 years from 1922, originated the phrase about justice not merely being done, but being seen to be done.

Now appeal court judges can be truly be seen by everyone when they hand down their judgements.

:: Sky News will be broadcasting proceedings from inside the Court of Appeal from October 31 - watch coverage on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Breast Cancer: New Test 'Ready In Two Years'

A new test that identifies seven distinct types of breast cancer offers new hope to women with the disease, say scientists.

The tumour sample test could be available within two years and is expected to lead to more personalised treatments.

Identifying more biomarkers will help doctors tailor therapy plans that better suit their patients, avoiding over or under treatment.

Currently just two proteins are routinely identified in breast cancer cells.

One is the oestrogen receptor (ER) that makes a tumour hormone-sensitive.

The other is HER2, which is responsive to the breast cancer drug Herceptin.

Scientists funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign looked for signature biomarkers in 1,073 tumour samples from the charity's tissue bank.

They found that 93% fitted perfectly into one of seven classes. Another 7% had mixed characteristics and were harder to categorise.

Further verification of the seven cancer types was then made using another 28 tumour samples.

The seven classes are defined by different combinations and levels of 10 proteins found in breast cancer cells.

These include ER and HER2, but also others not currently tested, such as p53, cytokeratins, HER3 and HER4.

Each cancer type has a different effect on patient survival, according to the scientists whose findings are reported in the British Journal of Cancer.

Current tests pick up HER2, which is responsive to Herceptin

Lead researcher Dr Andy Green, from the University of Nottingham, said: "With an increasing number of treatment options available for breast cancer patients, decision making regarding the choice of the most appropriate treatment method is becoming increasingly complex.

"Improvements in care and outcome for patients with breast cancer will involve improved targeting of effective therapies to appropriate patients.

"Equally important should be improvement in parallel strategies to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate treatment and side effects."

The technology needed to measure the proteins in tumour samples already exists in most pathology laboratories across the UK, he said.

Last year researchers categorised 10 different forms of breast cancer based on their underlying gene defects.

But they can only be identified using sophisticated genetic profiling, making this form of test for patients costly and impractical.

In contrast, the seven cancer test could be ready for use in the clinic in as little as two years, it is claimed.

The university-linked company Nottingham Prognostics Limited has integrated the biomarkers into its existing NPI test already used to assess information about tumour size, spread and grade.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of the Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "The days of one size fits all treatment are well and truly in the past.

"We need to ensure the life-saving and life-extending treatments we already have in the clinic are used more effectively - directing the right treatments to those who will benefit, and sparing others from unnecessary side effects, so that by 2050 we can achieve our ambition to overcome breast cancer.

"This new test could be a realistic step towards making the holy grail of personalised medicine a reality, offering hope to the 50,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Supermarkets Announce New Petrol Price Cuts

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

The cost of fuel is being slashed at pumps across the UK in the latest phase of a supermarket petrol price war.

It was sparked by Asda which is cutting prices to its lowest this year. Then, Sainsbury's,Tesco and Morrisons acted quickly to announce reductions.

Asda is imposing a national cap on prices, saying drivers filling up at its forecourts will pay no more than 126.7p a litre for petrol or 133.7p for diesel.

Sainsbury's says it is cutting prices by up to 3p - their cheapest for two and a half years.

The cuts have been welcomed by drivers

Tesco will reduce prices by up to 2p. Morrisons will do the same "at the majority of its sites".

Quentin Wilson from the campaign group FairFuel UK said: "Don't get excited everybody because this will not stay, we will see it go up again.

"But at least now we have a much faster reflection of wholesale prices at the pump. We don't have to wait two or three or four weeks for the fuel to come down in price when we know it goes up in a heartbeat, so I'm pleased, fair fuel is pleased."

The AA has welcomed the move saying it reflects a fall in the wholesale price of fuel, but the continued uncertainty over Libyan oil production continues to leave the market unpredictable.

"The average price of petrol in the UK has hovered around the 132p a litre mark since mid-October, making 126.7p a very good price," said an AA spokesman.

At Asda in Leamington Spa motorists greeted the news with delight.

Susan Cooper, who drives 50 miles a day, said: "This will save me a lot of money. It is about time we had some better news with gas and electricity going up."

The fall in supermarket fuel prices may not last

Martin Cavanagh said: "It has to be good news. I know oil and everything is a complicated commodity and that's why we get the price jumping around. Let's hope it goes low and stays low."

Oil analyst Richard Mallison said it was significant that retailers were passing on the fall in wholesale oil prices to consumers on the forecourt.

He told Sky News: "The biggest reason for supermarkets being able to slash prices at the pump has been the change in the dollar to pound exchange rate.

"The dollar's weakened, that's brought down the cost of oil and wholesale fuel and that's now being passed on."

But he warned that low prices may not last for long.

He said: "We've seen the UK recovery stronger than expected, we've seen the troubles with the US shutdown and debt ceiling - both of those effects might fade in terms of the exchange rate, which would  then mean petrol prices starting to go up again."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Storm: Four People Killed By Falling Trees

Four people have been killed by falling trees in the worst storm to hit Britain in a decade.

Bethany Freeman, 17, died after a 30ft tree fell onto a static caravan in which she was sleeping in Kent while Donal Drohan, 51, died after a tree hit his car as he drove through Watford, Hertfordshire.

The family of Mr Drohan, from Harrow, northwest London, said he was the "best husband and father anyone could wish for".

Bethany Freeman and Donal Drohan both died from falling trees

The father-of-three was an operations manager with the public realm service at Harrow Council.

Bethany, known as "Gia" to her friends, died in Hever, Edenbridge. Emergency services and neighbours tried to rescue the Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School pupil. 

Her family, who were sleeping in a neighbouring caravan, were said to be deeply traumatised by the accident.

The caravan in which Bethany Freeman was sleeping when it was hit by a tree

They had been living in the mobile homes for a year while outbuildings on the grounds were transformed into a new house.

Her driving instructor Neil Chapman turned up at the address unaware of the tragedy and said: "I can't believe it. What a shock. She was a super kid. She was a great girl, good fun ... her family must be so devastated. I can't believe it."

Bethany's school described her as "a dedicated and truly outstanding sportswoman" who was "universally respected" and "had everything to look forward to".

The body of the storm's third and fourth victims - a man in his 40s and a woman - were found at addresses in Hounslow, west London, which were devastated after a tree struck a gas main which led to an explosion.

Three people were taken to hospital following the blast in Bath Road, which destroyed three houses and damaged two others.

A man and a woman who suffered facial injuries were later discharged. Another woman was said to be still receiving treatment for burns.

A map showing the passage of the storm's centre and trail of destruction

Fire crews rescued a dog from one of the homes and some 12 people were evacuated from neighbouring premises as a precaution.

A 14-year-old boy, named locally as Dylan Alkins, is also feared dead after being swept out to sea on Sunday in Newhaven, East Sussex.

Up to 607,500 homes suffered power cuts as hurricane-speed winds of up to 100mph swept across the South West, South, South East, the Midlands and the East of England.

People climb over a fallen tree in Shepherd's Hill, north London

UK Power Networks said 92,000 properties in the East and 15,000 in the South East were still without power.

The Dungeness nuclear power station in Kent automatically shut down both reactors after power to the site was cut off.

Gusts of 99mph were recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, according to the Met Office, while the Environment Agency said some 16 flood warnings and 134 flood alerts were in place.

Winds topped 80mph along southern coastal areas and became turbulent inland reaching 81mph in Portland, Dorset, 75mph in Yeovilton in Somerset and 79mph at Andrewsfield in Essex.

A tree crashes through several homes in Hounslow Pic: London Fire Brigade

Some 50mm of rainfall in 12 hours was recorded in Otterbourne in Hampshire and about 44mm in Cardiff.

Fierce winds overturned a double-decker into a field in Coram Street, Hadleigh in Suffolk, injuring the driver and several passengers.

The driver, a man in his 40s, was initially trapped and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A police spokesman said: "He was suffering from neck pain, had taken a bash to his head and was in and out of consciousness."

Whitehall was closed in both directions in Westminster, London, after a crane collapsed onto the Cabinet Office, which was evacuated.

A bus carrying passengers is blown over onto its side in Hadleigh, Suffolk

A helter-skelter at Clacton Pier in Essex was blown over by the storm, but did not fall into the sea.

Rush-hour commuters suffered chaos on the roads and train network, with falling trees and debris blocking roads and covering railway tracks.

Network Rail said: "Trains will not be allowed to run until the worst of the storm has passed and engineers have been able to check railway lines ... branches or any other debris which may have blown onto or damaged the infrastructure."

Several London Underground and train services were suspended, the port of Dover in Kent temporarily shut after gusts of 65 knots were recorded in the area, and more than 130 flights at Heathrow Airport were cancelled because of the weather.

Scaffolding has been blown down in Francis Road, Leyton Pic: Mark Davies

Dover Port said its Western Docks had borne the brunt of the storm with around 50 Fred Olsen cruise customer cars, parked at the terminal, damaged by the severe seas in the high winds, which at times were gusting above 70mph.

The Environment Agency said there were 11 flood warnings in place across the South West, the Midlands and the East of England. There were also 124 flood alerts telling people to be prepared for flooding.

It has teams working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who held talks with Government departments and agencies at the weekend to ensure they were prepared for the impact of the storm, said the loss of life as a result of St Jude's storm was "hugely regrettable".

A tree crashes onto a London bus Pic: @Casawa2011

He said the Government was working to make sure that the emergency services were able to do as much as possible to provide assistance.

Mr Cameron said: "Any injury or loss of life is hugely regrettable. We have to make sure the emergency services can act as fast as they can to help people."

AA insurance said calls for car insurance claims were about 20% higher than normal, with claims ranging from falling trees to scaffolding collapse.

:: Send us your photos and videos of the storm

Related Stories

Storm Causes Major Headache For Commuters

Live Updates: Britain Hit By Ferocious Storm

12.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savile Chauffeur David Smith Found Dead

A former driver charged with sex offences as part of the investigation triggered by allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile has been found dead.

David Smith, 66, was the first person to be charged by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree investigation.

He had pleaded not guilty in July to two counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency on a child following his arrest in December.

But he failed to turn up at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for the start of his trial, prompting police to go to his home in Effingham Road, Lewisham.

Smith had previously worked as Jimmy Savile's chauffeur

Scotland Yard said: "At approximately 1420 officers entered the address and found the body of a man. A FME (forensic medical examiner) attended and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Next of kin are being informed."

Smith's barrister, Sandy Canavan, had told the court she was "concerned" that her solicitor had been unable to contact him ahead of the trial as she had regularly been in touch with him.

She told the court Smith was the sole carer for his elderly mother.

Police have separated the Yewtree investigation into three parts, the first concerned with the actions of Savile, while the second concerns allegations against what has become known as 'Savile and others'.

Mr Smith was investigated under the third strand, concerning accusations of sexual abuse unconnected to Savile but made by people who came forward following publicity surrounding the Savile allegations.

12.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Severe Storm Batters Britain With 90mph Winds

Britain is facing transport chaos as hurricane force winds batter southern parts of the country, shutting bridges and railways and cancelling flights.

St Jude's storm started battering the south west from around midnight.

The storm is expected to blast across England and Wales throughout the night and early morning.

Gusts of 93.15mph have already been recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, according to the MeteoGroup.

Torrential rain is also forecast and there are a number of flood warnings in place.

The storm is expected to bring severe disruption to transport, with chaos predicted at southern airports when the worst of the weather hits.

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White reports airline workers have been briefed that winds of up to 80 knots (90+ mph) could last until midday at Heathrow.

An ominous-looking scene at Brighton marina. Pic: Kevin Long

Engineers have warned that they will be unable to open aircraft cargo hatches or operate walkways used to offload passengers in winds of more than 40-45 knots.

Airlines are believed to be making plans to divert planes to airports in the north of the UK if necessary.

Train companies are warning of widespread cancellations due to possible debris on the tracks.

Southern Railway, South West Trains, Greater Anglia and First Capital Connect are among those predicting travel delays.

Eurostar cross-channel services have been suspended until at least 7am, and around 60 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow airport.

Rough seas at Porthleven, Cornwall

As the storm approaches, the Coastguard said it had "stood down" its search for a 14-year-old boy swept out to sea while swimming at Newhaven, East Sussex.

A lifeboat and helicopter had been searching rough seas for the teenager. Sussex Police has warned people to "stay clear" of seashores during the adverse weather.

The storm has reminded some people of the Great Storm of 1987, when thousands of homes were without power for several days.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

This time he has warned people to "batten down the hatches" and to delay their morning journey by two or three hours on Monday morning.

He told Sky News' Murnaghan show: "There is certainly a severe storm on the way - and we certainly do need to worry about it.

"If you draw a line from about Aberystwyth to the Humber - everywhere south of there looks like getting affected by strong winds, to the north of that the problem is going to be heavy rain and localised flooding."

His comments were echoed by senior fire chiefs who have urged people to stay indoors if possible, and to take extra care if venturing out.

Meteorologists have warned the fierce winds and torrential rain could leave a trail of destruction, damaging buildings and bringing down trees and power lines.

The Great Storm of 1987 left thousands without power

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

The much-anticipated storm was named St Jude after the patron saint of lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday

Prime Minister David Cameron said he had chaired a call with Government departments and agencies to hear about their plans to "ensure people are protected from tonight's storm".

He was updated on preparations and contingency planning for transport, schools, hospitals, councils and power supplies.

Insurance companies have advised homeowners to take steps to protect themselves and their property.

They suggested having an evacuation plan, placing valuable items upstairs to limit flood damage and ensuring gutters are clear.

The Environment Agency says 20-40mm (0.8-1.6inches) of rain could fall within six to nine hours.

It has teams working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

A spokesman added: "Seafronts, quaysides and jetties should be avoided due to the risk of overtopping by waves and wind-blown shingle."

Met Office severe weather alerts are also in place, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

A yellow warning, meaning "be aware", has been issued for the rest of Wales and England.

In London, the Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

:: For the latest on the storm watch a special edition of Sky News Sunrise from 6am on Monday.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Storm: Newhaven Search For Boy Called Off

A 14-year-old boy is feared dead after being swept into the sea while playing in the surf in rough weather conditions.

The youngster disappeared from West Beach at Newhaven, East Sussex, at about 4.15pm on Sunday.

Rescue teams, including a coastguard helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat, scoured the area in what were described as "atrocious conditions" with poor visibility.

An RNLI lifeboat is buffeted by the waves as it takes part in the search

After around six hours the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it had stood down its search teams - making the operation one of search and recovery.

The teenager was playing with friends - who have all been accounted for - when the incident occurred.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "This is a very distressing incident and everything possible is being done to try to find the boy."

A rescue worker looks on as his colleagues battle the elements at sea

A MCA spokeswoman said that rescue teams struggled in difficult conditions.

She said police were with the boy's family, who are "distraught".

Meanwhile, the public were reminded of the dangers of being on the coast in bad weather, especially in view of the approaching storm. 

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Merkel's Phone 'Bugged For Decade By US'

The United States may have bugged Angela Merkel's phone for more than 10 years, it has been claimed.

Der Spiegel magazine said the German chancellor's mobile telephone had been listed by the NSA's Special Collection Service (SCS) since 2002 and was still on the list weeks before Barack Obama visited Berlin in June.

Germany's outrage over reports of bugging of Ms Merkel's phone by the NSA prompted it to summon the US ambassador for the first time in living memory.

In an SCS document cited by Der Spiegel, the agency said it had a "not legally registered spying branch" in the US embassy in Berlin, the exposure of which would lead to "grave damage for the relations of the United States to another government".

Mr Obama met with Ms Merkel in Berlin earlier this year

From there, NSA and CIA staff were tapping communication in the Berlin's government district with high-tech surveillance.

Quoting a secret document from 2010, Der Spiegel said such branches existed in about 80 locations around the world, including Paris, Madrid, Rome, Prague, Geneva and Frankfurt.

The magazine said it was not clear whether the SCS had recorded conversations or just connection data.

Mr Obama apologised to Merkel when she called him on Wednesday to seek clarification on the issue, Der Spiegel wrote, citing a source in Ms Merkel's office.

Ms Merkel's spokesman and the White House declined comment.

The rift over US surveillance activities first emerged earlier this year after reports that Washington had bugged European Union offices and had tapped half a billion phone calls, emails and text messages in Germany in a typical month.

But it appeared close to resolution after Ms Merkel's government said in August - just weeks before a parliamentary election - the United States had given sufficient assurances they were upholding German law.

Mr Obama ordered a review of US surveillance programmes after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked documents that raised alarm in the United States and abroad.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain Braced For Severe 80mph Storm

England and Wales will be hit by a "significant storm" on Sunday night with winds of up to 80mph in some areas, the Met Office has warned.

Forecasters say the storm is expected to bring "exceptionally strong winds" to parts of the UK when it strikes late on Sunday night.

Meteorologists say it will strike the south west of England and could leave a trail of destruction as it gusts north-east across the country, causing structural damage, and bringing down trees and power lines.

Frank Saunders, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are confident that a severe storm will affect Britain on Sunday night and Monday.

"We are now looking at refining the details about which areas will see the strongest winds and the heaviest rain."

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

The Environment Agency says 20-40mm of rain could fall within six to nine hours.

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

There is a lesser yellow warning, meaning "be aware", for the rest of Wales and England up to the border with Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The storm is coming through at the worst possible time; from around midnight to midday on Monday - which takes in the rush hour when people are trying to get to work.

"Winds gusting at 80mph are quite capable of bringing down trees and power lines and causing structural damage.

"Trees are still full in leaf at this time of year and the ground is quite damp so there is more chance they can be ripped from the ground, and branches ripped from trees."

She said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

But the storm will develop on Saturday and intensify on Sunday fairly close to the coast before it strikes with full force.

It has been compared to the Great Storm of 1987

A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK are contributing to its development and strength.

Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in south Wales in 1989.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

This time he warned people to "batten down the hatches" and keep checking the forecasts as the powerful storm approaches.

Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: "The timing couldn't really be worse, potentially causing significant travel disruption on Monday morning, which is one of the busiest times on the roads."

The Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savile's Chauffeur Charged With Sex Offences

Jimmy Savile's former chauffeur, who once shared a flat with the disgraced broadcaster, has been charged with a string of historic sex offences.

Ray Teret, 72, has been charged with 32 offences relating to 15 alleged victims who claimed they were sexually abused between 1962 and 1996.

Most of the alleged offences are said to have taken place in the Greater Manchester area.

Teret, from Altrincham, is charged with 15 counts of rape of a female under 16, one count of rape, one count of attempted rape of a female under 16, six counts of indecent assault of a female under 16, three counts of indecent assault of a female under 14, one count of gross indecency with a child under 13 and two counts of conspiracy to rape a girl under 16.

Ray Teret is also a former DJ

The former DJ is also charged with one count of possession of extreme pornography, one count of possession of prohibited images and one count of possession of an indecent image of a child.

Teret, who was initially arrested and bailed last November with another man on suspicion of historic rape allegations, is due to appear before magistrates in Manchester on Saturday.

Police previously said the accusations against him were not linked to the national inquiry into Savile.

DCI Graham Brock, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This has been a complex investigation that was originally launched in October 2012 when an initial complaint was made to Greater Manchester Police.

"Since that time, we have carried out extensive and wide-ranging inquiries and interviewed a number of people as part of that investigation.

TV presenter Jimmy Savile

"It is now very important that we make no further comment and allow the correct legal process to take its course unimpeded and without prejudice.

"We will continue to support all those women who have come forward and offer them whatever welfare they need through the use of specially-trained officers."

Two other men have also been charged following the investigation into Teret.

William Harper, 65, from Stretford, is charged with charged with conspiracy to rape a girl under 16 and attempt rape of a girl under 16.

Alan Ledger, 62, from Altrincham, is accused of indecently assaulting a girl under 16 and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under 16.

Both men will appear at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on October 30.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Storm Alerts As UK Set For 'Hurricane'

Forecasters are increasingly confident a storm packing hurricane-speed gusts of more than 80mph will hit Britain.

A Met office image shows a forecast for the storm on Monday

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", in place for southern counties.

The storm, which is moving across the Atlantic Ocean, would need to buffet the UK with sustained winds for it to be scientifically classed as a hurricane.

Forecasts show how the storm might develop and move towards the UK

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said the storm could cause structural damage, trees and power cables to come down and transport problems on Monday morning.

"We have been tracking the probable course of the storm and we are tracking it further north than we had thought earlier," she said.

The Met Office website shows amber and yellow alerts for Monday

"We have also revised the speed for gusts of wind up to 70 to 80mph inland, with the possibility of speeds in excess of 80mph in exposed coastal areas."

Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

This one is unusual in that it is expected to appear much closer to land, potentially moving across the country while it is in its most powerful phase.

Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in south Wales in 1989.

Sky weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Late October is notorious for strong storms, with a wind gust of 124mph recorded in the Vale of Glamorgan in 1989.

"Should this storm achieve its potential, it is likely to bring down trees and cause damage to roads and buildings, possibly causing major transport disruption and power cuts."

The storm's trajectory is unclear but there are fears it may wreak havoc in England and Wales if it hits land.

If it does, it is likely to batter Wales and the South West before sweeping east and touching most of the country.

However, there is a chance it could miss land completely, sweeping instead through the English Channel.

The storm is expected to strike two weeks later than the Great Storm of 1987, which left a trail of destruction on October 15 and 16.

There are already fears the storm may compare to the Great Storm of 1987

Forecasters famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

US Spies 'Tapped Calls Of 35 World Leaders'

The US spy agency monitored the telephone calls of 35 world leaders, according to the latest leaked documents from the whistleblower, Edward Snowden.

A confidential memo shows the National Security Agency obtained the numbers from one senior official in another government department, who passed on contacts for some 200 people.

According to the report in The Guardian newspaper, the agency encouraged senior officials in departments such as the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon to share "Rolodexes" filled with numbers for foreign politicians.

The disclosure follows allegations that the US tapped the mobile telephone of German chancellor Angela Merkel.

The German leader warned the US on Thursday that eavesdropping on allies was unacceptable, saying: "Spying on friends, that's just not done."

The German Chancellor made her comments as she was heading into a European Union summit in Brussels where the growing spy scandal had been catapulted to the top of the agenda.

Angela Merkel with Francois Hollande at Thursday's EU summit

Ms Merkel had already told Barack Obama during a heated telephone conversation that if suggestions the US had bugged her phone were true, it would be unacceptable and a "serious breach of trust".

Despite initial assurances that the US was not and would not listen to Ms Merkel's phone, the White House on Thursday refused to be drawn over allegations, leaving widespread speculation over whether the US had tapped her phone in the past.

Press secretary Jay Carney said the White House is "not going to get into specific allegations that have been made in public reports".

Speaking at the EU summit, Ms Merkel, who is so attached to her mobile phone that she bought 10,000 specially encrypted handsets for her and her staff, said: "We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew. This is what we have to think about.

Angela Merkel made her feelings clear to Barack Obama in a phone call

"The United States of America and Europe face common challenges. We are allies but such an alliance can only be built on trust. That's why I repeat again: spying among friends, that cannot be."

The latest Guardian revelations will heighten the tensions between the US and key European allies, whose leaders, speaking at the 28-nation summit meeting, echoed Ms Merkel's words.

French President Francois Hollande said: "What is at stake is preserving our relations with the United States. They should not be changed because of what has happened. But trust has to be restored and reinforced."

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt called it "completely unacceptable" for a country to eavesdrop on an allied leader.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that if reports that Ms Merkel's cellphone was tapped were true, "it is exceptionally serious".

Italian Premier Enrico Letta said: "It is not in the least bit conceivable that activity of this type could be acceptable."

The latest NSA memo is dated October 2006, and was issued to staff in the agency's Signals Intelligence Directorate (SID).

The latest disclosures come from documents leaked by Edward Snowden

It describes how US officials who mixed with world leaders and politicians could help agency surveillance.

It notes: "In one recent case a US official provided NSA with 200 phone numbers to 35 world leaders.

"Despite the fact that the majority is probably available via open source, the IPCs (intelligence production centres) have noted 43 previously unknown phone numbers. These numbers plus several others have been tasked."

The document also describes how the numbers provided the NSA leads to further telephone numbers which were also "tasked", but admits that the surveillance had produced "little reportable intelligence".

Earlier, The Daily Telegraph reported that the US had denied ever spying on Prime Minister David Cameron.

Caitlin Hayden, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said: "We do not monitor PM Cameron's communications."

Asked if the US had ever spied on Mr Cameron in the past, she replied: "No."

The Prime Minister's official spokesman refused to comment, saying: "I'm not going to comment on matters of security or intelligence."

Britain and the US - along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand - are members of the so-called "Five Eyes" group, who share signals intelligence and are supposed not to spy on each other.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police 'Find First 3D Gun-Printing Factory'

By Nick Martin, North of England Correspondent

Police have discovered a 3D printer which they believe criminals were using to try to make a gun, Sky News can reveal.

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, officers in Manchester on Thursday seized a printer and other components potentially used in the manufacture of firearms during a raid.

As part of an operation to target organised crime gangs in the city, police found a trigger and a magazine they believe is capable of holding bullets, both of which are thought to have been made using the printer.

Officers believe the raid – in the Bagley area of the city – could have uncovered what could be Britain's first 3D gun factory.

Earlier this year concerns were raised that the printers, which construct everyday solid items using very thin layers of plastic, could be used to make a gun, which contained no metal parts and could therefore evade detection by security scanners at airports and other potential criminal targets.

The plastic magazine police believe is capable of holding bullets

In a statement to Sky News, Detective Inspector Chris Mossop, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "If what we have seized is proven to be viable components capable of constructing a genuine firearm, then it demonstrates that organised crime groups are acquiring technology that can be bought on the high street to produce the next generation of weapons.

"In theory, the technology essentially allows offenders to produce their own guns in the privacy of their own home, which they can then supply to the criminal gangs who are causing such misery in our communities.

"Because they are also plastic and can avoid X-ray detection, it makes them easy to conceal and smuggle."

The chief constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, told Sky News that 3D guns were "a new phenomenon".

He said: "We will really need to look at this new development. Certainly we feel that we are having success - and the important thing is not to be defeatist about this. It is not to think that we'll never win, that these people are cleverer than us.

"They are not, they are just more violent than us."

In May a US defence company successfully fired the first ever gun made with 3D printer technology and announced plans to distribute the blueprints online.

The 3D printer in what could be a factory for a "new generation of weapons"

At the time it was warned that criminals may try to use the devices to do something similar.

The firm, Defense Distributed, spent a year trying to assemble a working model. It succeeded using separate printed plastic components and a metal firing pin.

The cost of 3D printers has fallen dramatically in recent months. They can now be bought for less than £1,000.

In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "Component parts for what could be the UK's first ever 3D gun have been seized by Greater Manchester Police.

"During the searches, officers found a 3D printer and what is suspected might be a plastic clip and a 3D trigger which could be fitted together to make a viable 3D gun.

"It they are found to be viable components for a 3D gun, it would be the first ever seizure of this kind in the UK. The parts are now being forensically examined by firearms specialists to establish if they could construct a genuine device.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of making gunpowder and remains in custody for questioning."

Sir Peter: "These people are not cleverer that us, just more violent."

The raid came as part of what police describe as the largest operation to tackle organised criminal gangs in Manchester's history.

In the past week more than 50 suspected members of criminal gangs have been arrested for a variety of offences including drugs, firearms and money laundering.

As well as the 3D printer, seizures included £330,000 worth of drugs, £25,000 in cash along with weapons such as high-powered air rifles, a BB gun, a Taser, a baton and seven high powered cars.

Up to 50 tonnes of counterfeit goods worth at least £2m - including fake trainers, watches and clothing - were also recovered.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe, who heads Challenger for Greater Manchester Police, said: "Organised crime groups have a corrosive and insidious effect on our communities. These sorts of people mistakenly believe they 'own their turf' and use violence and intimidation to make people's lives a misery.

"However, this week we have brought the fight to these gangs and through Challenger we are now declaring war on these criminal networks who for too long have been bullying communities and enjoying a lavish lifestyle."

There are currently more than 160 known organised criminal gangs in Greater Manchester, costing the local economy between £850m and £1.7bn each year.

However, it is thought there may be up to 500 of these networks in operation.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Madeleine McCann: Portugal Cops May Open Case

The Portuguese police are to request that the Madeleine McCann investigation be reopened, according to local media.

Police in Oporto have been reviewing the case and have identified a number of issues they wish to clarify, an unnamed police source was quoted as saying. 

The move to re-examine the case in Portugal comes after a fresh appeal for information was aired across Europe.

The original Portuguese police investigation, which was heavily criticised in the British media, ended in 2008.  

Police received more than 2,400 phone calls from the public following the broadcast of a reconstruction of events leading up to the three-year-old's disappearance in 2007.

E-fits of man police want to speak to about Madeleine's disappearance

A spokesman for the McCanns reportedly said the change of heart may be partly due to publicity surrounding the case after the appeal and the recent discovery of an allegedly abducted blonde girl, known as Maria, who was found living with a Roma family in Greece.

"Kate and Gerry don't want to get their hopes up too much. But if the Portuguese do resume their investigation it would be a significant development and an important step forward," the Daily Mirror reported the spokesman as saying.

British police say their review of the case suggests it was a premeditated abduction, with their focus turning towards a man seen carrying a child at about the same time Madeleine was found to be missing from the family's holiday apartment.

Detectives have released two e-fit images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the case based on the accounts of two witnesses.

Both described seeing him in Praia da Luz on the evening of May 3.

Four other e-fits based on witness accounts of men seen in the area, some of whom may have been working as "charity collectors" who may or may not be genuine were also released.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Marikana Massacre: 'Damning' Evidence Emerges

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent

The Marikana Miners Support group has called for South African police to be prosecuted after apparently unearthing new evidence which disputes the authorities' version of what happened on the day more than 30 striking miners were shot dead by police.

The evidence was uncovered by a film-maker - who is also a member of the campaign group - while he was doing research for a documentary on the incident at the Lonmin mine in August 2012.

It appears to throw more doubt on the police claim that they acted in self-defence when they opened fire on striking miners.

As well as the 34 miners killed, nearly 80 others were left wounded.

The footage has been submitted to the Commission of Inquiry which is continuing into just what went wrong at Marikana.

Film-maker Rehad Desai called it "damning" evidence which showed - in his opinion - that the police had not only engineered the situation which led to the miners being shot, but had then lied repeatedly to the South African public and the inquiry to cover up their actions.

New video shows a miners' leader (circled) who was shot dead minutes later

The footage is shot from what Mr Desai called a "fourth" angle that was mostly unseen and unexamined.

It depicts a large group of the miners being led away from the hillock, or koppie as it is known in South Africa, where they had been demonstrating.

They are filmed walking slowly, apparently passively and quietly away as they are shepherded by their leaders towards the informal settlement where many of them lived.

The pictures, which are in sequential order of being filmed and apparently have a time code embedded on them which indicates the time of day when recorded, then show increased activity among the police.

They are seen moving armoured police vehicles to block the miners' path and forming a barrier between them and the informal settlement.

The footage shows police with guns drawn, apparently before trouble started

The miners are corralled down a relatively narrow path alongside police vehicles and in the direction of a waiting line of armed police.

As they pass a row of police trucks, one policeman can be seen to the left of the picture shooting birdshot into the crowd of passing miners.

Other police then follow suit. The miners who are already cowering with some crouching over, then start to panic.

One can be seen turning towards the police who are side-on to the crowd and firing his handgun directly at the police.

There is some smoke seen which is thought to be tear gas and causes the miners to start running away - from the gas and the shooting coming at them from the side.

Film-maker Rehad Desai says the new evidence is 'damning

Instead they run directly towards the line-up of police and within seconds, you can hear a cacophony of noise as the police open fire with live ammunition.

The latest allegations follow a statement by the Commission a few weeks ago that it had managed to obtain documents which the police had previously said did not exist.

The Commission also managed to get access to police computer hard drives.

At the time, it issued a statement saying: "We have obtained documents which in our opinion demonstrate that the (police) version of the events at Marikana ... is in material respects not the truth."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Maria: Interpol To Help Greece With DNA Check

Greek authorities have asked Interpol to help them identify a blonde girl who was found in a Roma settlement by sharing her DNA profile with member countries.

The police agency has said it will make its international DNA database available to any one of its 190 member countries which have been given the profile of someone claiming to be a blood relative of the child, believed to be about five or six years old.

Member countries are also being urged to check Maria's DNA profile against their own DNA files as Greek authorities investigate whether the girl may have been abducted.

Interpol's Yellow Notice appeal to help identify Maria

Countries who do not have a national DNA database are being encouraged to add their own DNA records to Interpol's records.

The parents of Lisa Irwin, who went missing in Kansas in October 2011 have contacted Greek authorities in the hope that the girl known as Maria could be their daughter.

An official request has been made through the FBI and Interpol to the Greek authorities for Lisa's DNA profile to be compared with Maria's DNA, although Lisa would be only three years old in November - two years younger than police believe Maria to be.

Interpol has also circulated an official Yellow Notice. The briefings are used to help locate missing persons, particularly children or others unable to identify themselves.

At the request of Greek authorities, Blue Notices have also been issued for Christos Salis and Eleftheria Dimopoulou, the Roma couple who were looking after Maria and who have now been charged with her abduction.

Eleftheria Dimopoulou and Christos Salis have been charged with abduction

Blue Notices are issued to collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities.

Meanwhile, a blonde girl thought to be seven years old and living with a Roma family in the Irish Republic has been taken into care after a tip-off from a member of the public.

The girl, who also has blue eyes, was discovered after officers were called to a house in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght on Monday afternoon.

Concerns were raised after the member of the public saw the blonde girl being looked after by the Roma family. The couple looking after the girl were unable to prove her identity.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More